Dear Parents
Kia Ora Tena Katou Katoa
Welcome to a New Year, and for those starting at Kamo High School, a very warm welcome to what I am confident will be a satisfying and rewarding relationship. In this posting is a considerable amount of important material which we trust will enable you to ensure the year starts well for your child, and provide information which you will refer to throughout the year.
This is the first of the regular newsletters we forward to parents during the year, and the dates of their publication are included in the enclosed calendar. The newsletters are the single most important form of general communication we have with our community. In addition to providing a forum for us to pass on information, explain forthcoming events, and generally keep you up to date with what is happening in the school, it is also a way in which we can celebrate the many successes and achievements of our students. This is the only one posted, and I suggest it is worth marking the publication dates on a calendar to remind you to ask you sons and daughters for them on the day of publication. It is all too easy for them to get forgotten in the bottom of bags.
At the end of each newsletter is a "QUESTION & ANSWER" section, where we respond to queries you may have on any issues affecting the schooling of your sons and daughters. Please address any questions you have to Mrs Sherryl Barker, Principal’s Secretary.
| Monday 19 Jan | School Office Opens | ||
| Week of 19 Jan | Course changes - only by appointment (Snr Students) - please contact appropriate Dean | ||
| Tuesday 27 Jan | Year 13 - Registration followed by Leadership Workshops | ||
| Wednesday 28 Jan | Year 13 Leadership programme continues | ||
| Wednesday 28 Jan | All new International Students starting in 2004 at 9.00am | ||
| Thursday 29 Jan | Year 9 & all new students - Welcome & Powhiri | ||
| Friday 30 Jan | Years 11 & 12 commence | ||
| Monday 2 Feb | All students attend for normal classes |
| New International Students | Report to the library at 9.00am on Wednesday 28 Jan | ||
| Year 13 Students | Report to the hall at 9.00am on Tuesday 27 Jan for registration, followed by leadership workshops | ||
| Year 12 Students | Report to Form Class at 8.40am on Friday 30 Jan | ||
| Year 11 Students | Report to Form Class at 8.40am on Friday 30 Jan | ||
| Year 10 Students | Report to Form Class at 8.40am on Monday 2 Feb |
Year 9 students and other students new to the school and their caregivers are invited to a formal welcome and Powhiri at 9.00am on Thursday 29 January. Students will continue at school for the remainder of the day. Please assemble in the car park area in front of the administration block.
Normal school bus services will commence on Tuesday 27 January
The top awards presented at our Junior Prizegiving held on 1 December 2003 are as follows:
| Year 9: | Rebekah Dixon (1st ), Kelly Haora (2nd) | ||
| Year 10: | Michael Hayes (1st), Amy McAteer (2nd) | ||
| Year 9 Dean’s Award: | Cassi Crayford | ||
| Year 10 Dean’s Award: | Kirsty Hansen and Michael Hayes |
It is very encouraging to be able to report that we are fully staffed for the start of the year. There have been very few changes required for 2004, and I am delighted to welcome Ms Brenda Meyer and Mr Chris McKay to the teaching staff, and Ms Cheryl Baker, Ms Val Whittaker and Miss Alisha Hollings to the Support Staff.
Included in this posting is a detailed sheet explaining the school uniform. There are several changes to the uniform for this year, and the following points need to be clearly understood.
Our school community has made it very clear that it wants us to ensure our students present themselves, both to and from school, and in school, wearing correct uniform in a way which shows their pride in the school. We look forward to the support of all our parents in ensuring this occurs.
An A5 Stationery Information 2004 booklet, (including requirements), as well as the price list, have been included with this newsletter. Please take the time to read the booklet as it contains all the relevant information you will need.
Also included with this newsletter is the Option and Fees form for 2004. Every student should receive one of these forms. If you are unsure of the codes for the 2004 options listed in the second line, please refer to the A5 Stationery booklet - all codes are clearly marked here.
Stationery orders may be completed and posted in with payment, including fees, direct to the school, or you have the opportunity to purchase from our school shop on the following days:
We would encourage you to take this opportunity so that your child can start the school year with their required stationery. For those students who have been unable to purchase stationery prior to school starting, stationery sales will begin with Year 13 on Thursday 29 January and Year 9 on Friday 30 January 2004 - students will be rostered by class to purchase stationery.
Year 9 core subject requirements, and all Year Art subjects
are being sold in pack form for your convenience, at a reduced price.
All students will find their option subjects for 2004 printed at the top of the school fees list. NZQA results or other circumstances may suggest that some students should consider an option subject change. If you wish to be considered for an option subject change, you must ring the school and make an appointment with your Dean for the week commencing Monday 19 January. This is the only time when changes can be considered, as it is very difficult to change options once school has started and the timetable has been set.
In 2004 we will have a new operating system, and this has required us to install 175 new computers.
Students will be charged for printing and internet use if they exceed the allocated amount. Full details of this will be included in the next newsletter (26 February).
Students and parents are required to sign the school’s internet contract ONCE, for the duration of their time at Kamo High School. However, if students have been banned from using the school computers, a new contract will need to be signed. Students will automatically have access to the internet from the beginning of the year, but will have this access removed if the internet license fee ($5.00) is not paid, and the contract not completed, by the end of March.
Access to sophisticated ICT equipment is essential for students to be able to achieve educational excellence. The school is proud of what we provide, and students must realise the importance for them, and of using these facilities responsibly.
The provision of guidance and support, including counselling, is an essential service offered in all secondary schools. Kamo High School students are fortunate in having highly qualified and skilled staff available to assist them through the often difficult and traumatic years of growth from child to adult. Frequently, the reasons students have for referring themselves to a member of the guidance team relate to matters which may not have any direct relevance or may only be incidentally relevant to the "school" aspects of their life.
It is important that parents are aware of this service, and informed of a number of aspects relating to it.
The philosophy of the school in all matters is that, when the school and the home work together, success is all the more probable no matter how difficult the circumstances. Parents should be aware that guidance staff are available to them as well if they wish to talk over matters affecting the lives of their sons or daughters. Again, this is a completely confidential service, and can often mean that difficulties experienced outside the classroom may be eased, making all aspects of the young person’s life more successful and positive. As with all aspects of school philosophy, the Board of Trustees has a detailed policy on the provision of Guidance and Counselling to students. Parents are welcome to view this at the school office.
The most exciting aspect of our property developments this year will be the completion of the new Arts facility, which we hope to start using about the commencement of Term 2. I will ensure you are informed about the opening date for the building, as I know there is considerable interest in what is being provided.
Raising the First Slab
Under Construction
While it may appear to be stating the obvious, it is important that parents are informed of the emphasis we place on attendance and punctuality. Students cannot learn if they are not in class, and the development of good work habits starts with attendance. As in so many aspects of school, it is these little things which so often indicate the general attitude and commitment young people bring to their education, and are therefore accurate indicators of classroom success.
Parents need to be aware that, apart from being illegal, it gives very mixed messages to students when they are supported in unacceptable absences. While we appreciate that from time to time emergencies do occur, and there are times when absence for reasons other than sickness is unavoidable, this should be the exception. When an absence can be anticipated parents are asked to request permission from the Principal in writing.
Similarly, punctuality is another important habit students must get in to. School starts at 8.40am, and students should be present early enough to be in class at that time. (The exception, of course, would be students who arrive on the "late bus".) If you drop your son or daughter off, please ensure they are here early enough to avoid being late.
All visitors to the school are requested to report first to the main office. For the protection of our students we take seriously the intrusion into the school grounds of people who do not have a legitimate reason for being here. It will be made very clear to students that under no circumstances are they to encourage any of their friends to visit them during school hours, nor are they to associate with outsiders who are not present for legitimate reasons.
The first meeting of the PTA for the year will be held on Wednesday 4 February 2003 at 7.30pm in the staffroom. New parents are most welcome.
| Up to 48 credits or credit equivalents | $75 per candidate |
| All other candidates with the exception of those entering more than three Scholarship subjects | $150 per candidate |
| Scholarship subject entry over three subjects | $75 per subject |
Fees should be paid to the school office. A late penalty fee of $25 will be added to payments made after 23 July 2004.
We expect financial assistance to be available. Please apply to Mrs Beauregard for Financial Assistance if you feel you may be eligible.
Another form of assistance we as a school can offer is to start taking payments towards the total cost of the fees from families immediately. It is perhaps easier to pay $5.00 a week over a period of time, than to have to find a much larger sum of money all at once. If you wish to make use of this means of fee payment, contact the school office or Mrs Beauregard for details.
Further details about fees and financial assistance will be available from January 2004 in section 4.2.2 of the 2004 Rules and Procedures on the NZQA website at www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/acrp.
Economic indicators suggest 2004 will be an even more positive year for employment. We have heard that the horticulture industry is about to have many vacancies for tall, young people.
This year we hope to have even more students in quality work placements where they will be assessed against unit standards for national qualifications.
If you are interested in experiencing any aspect of the work force, please contact us at Gateway (phone 435 2931).
Kathy Draper - Gateway Co-ordinator
There is still a large number of text books which have not been handed in following the end of the 2003 school year. It is important that all text books are returned to ensure full class sets are on hand for 2004. If your son or daughter has any text books on hand, please ensure they are returned to the school office as soon as possible.
The sick bay is in the Student Support Centre. Students can pop in any time if they are feeling unwell. Please be sure that your phone numbers and contacts are kept up to date so that we are able to contact you if your child should be unwell. Our school policy is that if your child is not well enough to be in class then they should go home. We do not give out any medication to students unless we have received a signed medication form from you and the medication. If your child requires antihistamine for stings, Panadol for headaches or any other medication please give me a call in the Student Support Centre so that we can arrange this.
Lynette Patterson - Student Support Centre
Welcome to 2004 at Kamo High School. I hope you have all enjoyed the summer holiday break and are looking forward to an exciting, challenging school year. The Board of Trustees three year term of office is almost at an end, with triennial elections to be held in April this year.
Now is the time to consider whether you might like to be nominated as a candidate. The school Board has five parent elected representatives, and we have monthly evening meetings, usually taking no longer than two and a half hours. The Board is also represented by one or two members on several school committees - e.g. uniform, bus, curriculum and budget, and these committees meet two - three times a year. Board members are also required for disciplinary committee hearings from time to time.
Board members spent a half day in the school in November last year and this was a great opportunity for us to observe first hand the effect our input and support has had on the school during our three year term. Being a Board member is a rewarding way to make a contribution to your son’s or daughter’s education at Kamo High School.
Please contact the Principal’s Secretary if you would like to know more, attend a future Board meeting, or be put in touch with a current Board member.
Claire Watts - Chairperson
Welcome to another year of learning with Community Education - Whangarei. Our focus is on "second chance" learning to ensure that adults who need to up-skill have the opportunity to do so. We offer both vocational and recreational courses, many focused on Northland’s employment needs, and in doing so support in a practical way Kamo High School’s philosophy "the education of the whole person throughout their whole life".
Brochures are available from either Kamo High School or your local library. Look out for our adverts in the Whangarei Leader on 27 January and The Northern Advocate on 31 January, or visit our website at www.kamohigh.school.nz. We have lots of exciting new courses on offer with over 80 classes available this term. Which course are you doing?
We are currently looking for host families/homestay accommodation for our international students for the 2004 school year, and are particularly interested in families within walking distance to Kamo High School. If you can offer an international student a private bedroom and a kiwi experience in return for $150 a week, please contact the school office on telephone 09-4351688 and leave a message for the Homestay Manager.
| 19 January | School Office opens | ||
| 19/23 January | Course changes by appointment | ||
| 21 January | Stationery sales: 9am-12 noon | ||
| 22 January | Stationery sales: 9.00am-12 noon & 5.30pm-8.00pm | ||
| 23 January | Stationery sales: 9am-12 noon | ||
| 27 January | Year 13 Registration & Leadership Workshops | ||
| 27 January | Bus services commence | ||
| 28 January | Year 13 Programme continues | ||
| 28 January | All new International Students commence at 9am | ||
| 29 January | Year 9 and all new students - Welcome & Powhiri | ||
| 29 January | Board of Trustees meeting, 6pm | ||
| 30 January | Years 11 & 12 commence | ||
| 30 January | Stationery sales commence with Year 9 | ||
| 2 February | All students attend for normal classes | ||
| 2 February | Cricket AGM, 7pm | ||
| 3 February | Rugby AGM, 7pm | ||
| 4 February | PTA Meeting, 7.30pm, in the staffroom | ||
| 9 February | Hockey AGM, 7pm | ||
| 10 February | Netball AGM, 7pm | ||
| 26th February | Next Newsletter |
May I close by again welcoming everyone to Kamo High School for the New Year. I look forward to sharing with you in facing the challenges and enjoying the successes of the coming twelve months.
E noho ra
Richard L Abel
Principal
14 January 2004
See the previous newsletters here.
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Updated 14 January 2004 by S Barker