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September June, 2017 CONTACT

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

CONTACT—3 August, 2018

Teacher Shortage Impacting Matamata Government rejects union's claim teacher shortage is turning into a 'disaster' This was the headline in an article on the STUFF website this week 30 July. The article states the New Zealand's teacher shortage is "swiftly moving from a crisis to a disaster". The article also goes on to say that more than 1800 extra primary school teachers will be needed to cope with nearly 40,000 extra pupils expected by 2030 and that "the current rate of churn" in teacher retention was unsustainable, and that "student numbers for teacher training have plunged by 40 per cent in the past five years, a bubble of baby boomers is nearing retirement, and the huge workload and low pay is pushing many out of the profession within a few years of graduating – and that's before we factor in an extra 40,000 children." These issues are not restricted to the Primary sector with the Secondary sector sharing the same concerns.

This is not just an ‘Auckland problem’ and one that Matamata schools are facing now! Let’s be clear, there are simply not enough teachers and/or relief teachers available to cope with demand. The shortage of relief teachers in Matamata is placing stress on staff who often are called upon to fill the void on top of their regular responsibilities. As a result, some student opportunities and staff professional development opportunities will be put on hold as we simply do not have the relief staff available to release staff to attend and/or run all the activities/ events and professional development we would like. Principals in our district and across the country are increasingly faced with this issue.

Matamata Principals spoken to have expressed that, compared to a year or two ago, when they would have multiple applicants for jobs advertised, are struggling to attract in some cases, a field of one! An example of this is at the College where we have had to turn to a recruitment agency (at great expense) to attract an overseas teacher to fill a Technology position after failing to find a suitable NZ applicant despite advertising four times since the beginning of the year!

Strikes are imminent unless the current NZEI and PPTA negotiations see drastic plans and improvements implemented to address teacher conditions including pay, recruitment, retention and teacher training. Unfortunately the shortage being what it is, I suspect it is going to get worse before it gets

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better.

I urge parents and whanau in our community to understand that this is a situation out of our control and our teachers continue to strive to do the best for your kids in increasingly difficult and challenging times. We thank and acknowledge the fantastic support we receive from our community and ask you to get behind us as we face the difficulties ahead.

Please see the next page to see the impact the teacher shortage is having on Matamata College.

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Teacher Shortage Senior Reports Year 11-13 Subject Specific Parent/Teacher Evening

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Year 11 Dance Teacher Shortage

Senior Reports

Year 11-13 Reports have been emailed out this week. Success at school is based around attendance, engagement and achievement. Students whose records show that they are not managing to make enough progress in these areas are being targeted for Student Achievement Meetings with Group Teachers on Wednesday 8 August from 3.45 to 6.00 pm. The Group Teacher will be in touch with you by email or phone to organise a suitable time for these meetings.

The following week is the opportunity for all students’ parents/whanau to meet with Subject Teachers on Tuesday 14 August. The booking website will open on Thursday 9 August at 9.00am and will close on Tuesday 14 August at 1.00pm.

1.Go to parentinterviews.co.nz, enter the event code BSWWHXX6 and click Go. 2. Enter your name, email address and the names of the students you wish to make bookings for.

3. Select the teachers you'd like to book by ticking the checkbox beside their name, and then click the Book Interviews button at the bottom of the page.

4. Using the timetable, click the Book button beside the time slot you'd like to book for the teacher.

You'll be asked to confirm your booking.

5. Continue until you've booked all teachers.

Once you're finished, you can view your timetable by clicking My Interviews at the top of the page.

You can also print a PDF timetable to take to your interviews.

Before your interviews, you'll receive an email reminder containing your timetable. If you need to cancel any interviews, you can do so by following the link in the email you received when you first signed up.

We look forward to working with you.

www.matamatacollege.school.nz www.matamatacollege.school.nz

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NCEA Fees Nylon

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Term Dates Lunch Time Clinic Coast to Coast Hockey Reps Student of the Week Upcoming Events

WHAKATAUKI Titiro whakamuri Kokiri whakamua Look back and reflect so you can move forward UNIFORM ROOM Open Monday, Wednesday & Friday 11.00-11.30am For more details email: uniforms@matcol.nz

September 2017

Physical Education Year 11 Dance Night Congratulations and well done to all the Year 11 classes who competed in our annual Year 11 Physical Education Dance Off. This event continues to go from strength to strength in a unit of work that sees students overcome challenge, develop essential collaborative skills and hone their dance moves. Thanks to the fantastic crowd who came to support the evening and the amazing Physical Education Teachers who do such a great job, encouraging the students to succeed.

For the record and bragging rights the 3 top classes were: 1st Mrs Davidson’s class 2nd Mr Bennison’s class 3rd Mr Saunders’ class

Staffing Situation at Matamata College

A number of factors have contributed to more staff changes than we have experienced for many a year.

For example, retirement, resignations, promotions, refreshment leave and maternity leave positions at various stages over the year have impacted on how we have had to staff the school. All these factors have contributed to the staffing conundrum, and timetable changes for students have inevitably occurred.

For example, with two Heads of Learning on Maternity leave – the two teachers hired in Fixed Term Maternity positions have left to take up permanent positions elsewhere. Resignations due to changes in a teacher’s family circumstances and a promotion have also impacted. The Technology teacher shortage issue, as highlighted earlier in this newsletter, adds to the mix.

In a buoyant job market where teacher demand is outstripping supply, short term fixed term positions are almost impossible to fill. Consequently we have had to shuffle staff timetables and class allocations to make sure we have qualified staff in front of classes. Making sure students sitting NCEA in Year 11, 12 and 13 have the subject expertise support they require has been prioritised with several teachers reallocated to cover these classes.

While many students have been unaffected by these changes, unfortunately, this means in some cases, a number of junior students have faced multiple subject teacher changes throughout the year. Please be assured we have not made these changes haphazardly and we continue to strive to meet all student’s learning needs. I thank the staff who are going above and beyond to support students. For example in English, I thank both Ms. Liddle and Mrs Parish who have picked up extra senior classes above their timetable allocation so that these students do not miss out as they approach externals.

However, things are not all doom and gloom. On the positive we acknowledge, congratulate recent teacher appointments..

Ms Lawrence who has resigned from her position as Sports Co-ordinator to take up a Fixed Term fulltime teaching position, taking on additional classes in English and Physical Education and Health through to the end of the year.

Ms Goldsmith who picks up hours taking an additional Mathematics class through to the end of the year.

Ms van Waiijenburg, a very experienced teacher who is stepping in next week covering English and Social Science through to the end of Term 3 until our HOL’s return from Maternity leave in Term 4.

We look forward to welcoming Miss Ablett (from Henderson High School, Auckland) who has been appointed permanent TIC of Food Technology and begins with us in week 6 this term. Miss Ablett replaces Mrs Donaldson who has resigned to take up a position at Tauranga Girls High School after 15 years’ service at Matamata College, and; Mrs Renshaw who will join us from England via Portugal filling the hard to fill Technology vacancy and will begin with us in early October.

Mrs Atkinson, who has been appointed and joins us soon as our new Sports Co-ordinator.

In these challenging teacher shortage times we are pleased to gain the services of these well qualified staff who we know will serve our students well and add value to our school.

Alan Munro, Principal, Matamata College.

Keep up to date with attendance & results at matamata.mystudent.school.nz Contact us at office@matcol.nz for logon information

September 2017

NCEA FEES DUE BY FRIDAY 31 AUGUST Financial Assistance for NCEA Entry Fees Financial assistance is available to Secondary School candidates entering standards on the National Qualifications Framework, and Scholarship. The purpose of financial assistance is to ensure that fees are not a barrier to participation in qualifications for students in low to middle income families.

Eligibility for Financial Assistance To be eligible for financial assistance the applicant (normally the parent or caregiver of the candidate) must be the fee payer and meet at least one of the following conditions: *

Be receiving a Work and Income or Study Link Benefit. (Benefit-based application)

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Have a Community Services Card or have a joint family income that would qualify for a Community Services Card. (Income-based application)

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Have two or more children entered as candidates this year with fees more than $200. (Multiple candidate application)

Application forms for financial assistance should be collected from Student Reception or the Front Office. Completed application forms must be returned to the school by Friday 31 August. The last day for payment of NCEA fees will be Friday 31 August.

www.matamatacollege.school.nz

LOOKING AHEAD TERM DATES FOR 2018 Term 3 Ends Friday 28 September Term 4 Begins Monday 15 October Final Day of School Tuesday 11 December TERM DATES FOR 2019 Term 1 Begins (Y9 & 13) Ends Term 2 Begins Ends Term 3 Begins Ends Term 4 Begins

Tuesday 29 January Friday 12 April Monday 29 April Friday 5 July Monday 22 July Friday 27 September Monday 14 October

Monday Lunch Time Clinic 1.30pm-2.10pm.

Public Health Nurse •

Treatment for school sores – moderate to severe

• Treatment for chlamydia for students with or contact of positive test result • Depo Provera injections for students already using this •

Oral contraceptive pill for students already using this

Plus usual services of contraceptive advice (including but not limited to: emergency contraception, condoms, referral to other services) This is a free ‘drop-in’ service – no appointment needed.

Upcoming Events •

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CABARET PRODUCTION: 6 August—12 August YEARS 11, 12 & 13 SUBJECT PARENT EVENING: 14 August REID & HARRISON ART AWARDS: 15 August

Congratulations to Hockey Reps!

Waikato U15 Development Leo Cleaver, Benjamin Pilmore Evans, Leroy Sutherland Waikato U15 Girls Hockey A Team Grace Hayward, Shawna Stoner Thames Valley U18 Team Sophie Tarry, Alana Sankey, Jessica Allen Waikato U18 Lauren Hawkings

Student of the Week - Head Students Awards for students displaying the CORE Four School Values Week 1 Term 3 Therese Ganas—using her initiative during class by writing up the classes plan on the PE White Board.

Edward Roskam—noticed for his behind the scenes work in the Library and constantly being open to giving a helping hand with everything.

Week 2 Term 3 Montanah Graham—giving 2 hours of her time in the holidays to help clean out the Gear Shed.

Tyrin McInnes—found a phone and wallet full of money in the changing sheds and handed it in to the owner.

Keep up to date with attendance & results at matamata.mystudent.school.nz Contact us at office@matcol.nz for logon information