"To encourage a culture of high expectations that
celebrates success and promotes pride"
Dear Parents
Kia Ora Tena Katou Katoa
Currently Richard Abel is in Asia (Japan, Korea, China and Hong Kong) marketing for international students. His emails suggest that Kamo High School is being well received by the educational agencies visited, and there is a strong possibly of new enrolments for 2005. This will add to and strengthen the range of countries from which we have students studying. Students benefit from studying and working alongside peers from other cultures. This student diversity encourages acceptance and tolerance of others.
Students have been very busy over the last month. Many of them are actively involved in activities which are offered outside the curriculum, e.g. "Guys and Dolls", Environment Committee, student support committees, Senior Ball, sports teams, Duke of Edinburgh (refer to specific news later in this newsletter). This involvement brings positive benefits to the individual students as well as creating a positive environment for others. The leadership shown by students, in particular that of the prefect team, led superbly by Jenna, Kimberley, Felix and Stephen is outstanding. These students are wonderful role models for others.
Parents are reminded that junior reports will be issued to students on the last day of this term. They are being presented in a new and different format, which we hope you will find provides you with a wider range of information about your child. We would welcome any constructive feedback.
In recent months there has been a considerable amount of media coverage relating to NCEA. We would like to take this opportunity to reassure parents and students that we have extremely rigorous systems in place. Students who receive credits for unit or achievement standards have had to produce work to the required level and we have a comprehensive system of moderation (checking between classes and different schools to ensure consistency). At Kamo High School students may have the opportunity for ONE re-assessment, if they do not make the grade on their first attempt. However, the reassessment is often a different task and completed at a later stage of the year. The following statement is written in most course outlines and as a school, we ensure that these procedures are followed:
"If possible, there will be a second opportunity to sit an assessment task if the required standard is not reached during the first attempt. However there are some conditions which need to be considered."
Every student was issued with a course outline at the beginning of the year, which listed all unit and/or achievement standards available in that course. It is very rare that extra standards are added to these lists, and this only happens after consultation with Mrs Beauregard and Mrs Holmes.
As we discussed at a recent PTA meeting, the national result tables have been a little difficult to follow. The percentage pass rate for 2003 was based on students enrolled in the school at the 1 July. Many students leave between 1 July and the end of the year. This makes the national (and school) statistics lower than we would expect.
At Kamo High School students are allowed to enter any number standards they wish. Although conferences take place to see which level is the most appropriate for individual students, we do not prevent students from entering any qualification.
Please feel free to contact the school to seek clarification on any NCEA issue.
Finishing off the interior and ground work around the building is progressing rapidly despite the lack of bricks on the outside of the North/West corner. Ceiling panel installation, painting and flooring is almost completed leaving just the finishing touches to go.
We have been advised that the bricks will be here by the end of June so anticipate that the plan to move resources over during the second week of the holidays is still feasible. The actual date students will start using the facility is yet to be determined but it will be very early in Term 3.
The Board and staff are currently viewing proposals to utilise the spaces vacated by the "Arts". The hope is to offer more suitable accommodation for a number of staff and support networks.
Every three years we survey our community to find out important information which we use to guide the future direction of the school. Approximately 400 parents have been randomly selected to receive a survey. We urge you to complete this, as we value your input and the data from this survey will further strengthen the school's performance in a number of key issues.
If you have received a copy of the survey, please return it to the school by Tuesday 29 June.
Because of the congestion in Wilkinson Avenue, we ask that when parents/caregivers are dropping off or picking up their child from school they take particular care. We have noticed recently that some parents are double parking, or parking on yellow lines, or are constantly circling, or parking in the bus bays, while they wait for their child to arrive. You may wish to arrange for your child to walk a short distance from school and pick them up in an area where it is not so congested and thereby eliminating the risk of accidents. We are also reminding students about road safety rules when crossing the road. Please reinforce this issue with your child.
The local Ministry of Education Special Education District Office will be holding local meetings in August, September and October to discuss a draft Special Education Action Plan and a Local Service and Resource Profile. The draft Action plan will contain information about current special education policy, service provision and practice, as well as drawing on feedback received over the past few years about services. Once finalised, it will become a guiding document for special education service provision.
Your local Profile on special education resources and services will provide a basis for planning local services more effectively. This will also be discussed at local meetings.
Parents/caregivers and stakeholders will be notified by mid-July about the dates and locations of these meetings. Please contact Jean Smith (local MOE), telephone 09-4387677 or email jean.smith@minedu.govt.nz if you have further questions.
Karen Crowe, Sue Holmes, Shirley Kearney, John Rummery
Senior Management Team
24 June 2004
This month I had hoped to be sharing our ERO report with you but a backlog of work at the ERO office has caused a delay in the finalising of our report by their staff. At the time of writing we had just received it in school and time had not permitted us to read and digest. The report will be available on the website within the next fortnight.
On Thursday 3 June the newly elected Board spent a whole day on campus. We received an overview of structures and procedures relevant to our governance role, had a look around the grounds and buildings, visited several classrooms and met with some staff and students. As with the previous Board this introductory day proved invaluable, giving us a snapshot view of a normal school day at Kamo High School.
For most of us on the Board, spending that day in the school meant taking a day's leave from our usual work and this commitment and several other recent events (a Health and Safety in Employment & OSH seminar attended and the current publicity surrounding NCEA pass rates for instance), reinforced for me the dedication required of, and willingly given by, all school trustees. This voluntary role comes with huge responsibilities and accountability requirements, and Board members treat very seriously their obligation to provide the best education possible to every student.
This year the school's Charter and Strategic Plan are due for review and a number of randomly selected parents/caregivers will have received a survey form relating to various aspects of the school. Should you receive one of these, I urge you to take time to complete it as this is an important part of our community consultation and review process.
Claire Watts - Chairperson
The four new students who started at the beginning of the term are happily settled and enjoying studying in a new country.
At the end of the term we farewell the following students who return home to their families:
| Katrin Preckel | Germany | |||
| Miriam Buzak | Germany | |||
| Sarah Schabinger | Germany | |||
| Livia Cruz | Brazil | |||
| Max Rohwerder | Germany | |||
| Andy Dandl | Germany | |||
| Svenja Holtkamp | Germany | |||
| Charlotte Herbig | Germany | |||
| Bruno Holanda | Brazil | |||
Extensive NZQA qualifications information is on the following website: www.ncea.govt.nz
NZQA Qualifications information leaflets were issued in March this year. If you did not receive one or have misplaced it, you may get another either from the NZQA website or from the school office. We will post a copy to you if you wish.
Qualifications fees are due by 23 July, which is the first week of Term 3. Thereafter, we will still accept payment but a $25 late fee must be added to your invoice. Financial assistance is still available, please apply or contact Mrs Beauregard for eligibility criteria.
Help your son or daughter maintain focus on qualifications. Check your child's Student Planner for the record of standards assessed and those achieved. Students should be recording results as they complete assessments. They will need this record at the end of the year when we ask them to verify their results.
Nancy Beauregard - Qualifications Co-ordinator
We are always encouraging our students to 'aim high'. You never know what's out there for you until you give it a try. Last term an opportunity arose for a New Zealand student to go the Biofutures 2004 Conference at the University of Queensland in Australia.
Jayme-Lee Rouse decided to give it a shot and thanks to her excellent application she has been invited to join the conference. She will travel to Australia on Sunday 27 June for a week of exciting workshops and lectures with students from all over the world. Many of the workshops she will be involved in are looking at the most up to date research in the fields of genetic engineering, human cloning and biological and chemical warfare.
In addition there will be heaps of opportunities to enjoy social events including trips to the movies, a barbeque, dance, and rock climbing excursions. Well done Jayme-Lee, we are sure you will have a wonderful time. It will be a life changing experience.
Get involved and give things a try. Science Fair is coming up soon. This is an excellent way to start.
Hazel McIntosh - HOD science
Seven new prefects were appointed at the end of last term, from a long list of excellent candidates. This is always a difficult process because of the large number of students who would be suitable to fill this role. Congratulations to:
Congratulations to the following Kamo High School bands which have made it through to the 2004 Smokefree Rockquest Regional Finals @ Forum North on Saturday 14 July:
JIVE BUNNIES:Michelle Scott-Davidson, Nick Alexander, Phillip Hayward, Stacey Edwards.
ANIMA: Jake White, John Ro, John Thorstensen.
3PM: Stephen Taua, Clayton Petera, Grant Wolter.
If you can, please go along and support them, you'll be highly entertained. We wish them all good luck and will include the results in our next newsletter.
Alex Wallace - Music Department
In the last newsletter we looked at "striving for accuracy".
Another effective learning strategy is "thinking about your thinking".
"If I look confused it’s because I'm thinking." Samuel Goldwyn
This area is all about being aware of one's own thoughts, strategies, feelings and action, and their effect on others. Often students are unaware of their own thinking. Lacking a plan of action to solve a problem before they begin, students are unable to decide whether it was a good plan or not.
How can you help?
It's all Enterprise again at Kamo High School. After the huge success of the last couple of years, the momentum has really started to build up for our amazingly Enterprising students. Northland Company of the Year two year's running, the first Northland Enterprise Student of the Year, the first Young Entrepreneur registered company, and now in 2004, a Kamo YES team has won the new Top Business Plan Award (a cool $500 into the 'Smart Juniors' bank account).
Week 8 was Enterprise Week with many activities happening on and off the school campus. The week started with a mock trade fair for the YES teams as they warmed up for the Northland Trade Fair on Saturday 19th June.
Tuesday had the teams enjoying a series of motivational speeches at the Equip Centre, hosted by Enterprise Northland. It was there that Kamo High School picked up its first award of the year.
Wednesday the Lion Business Experience was here!! - three fantastic days of creativity, excitement and business basics. It was great to have the likes of Pete Mullenger and Brian Donnelly as guest judges.
Saturday and the Young Enterpriser's of the North took over downtown Whangarei, and didn’t Kamo look good? The good news to come from this is that ‘Smart Juniors’ won another $150 for the Best Visual Award. Congratulations once again.
What else is going on;
So lets get out there with that CAN DO attitude, and thanks again to Northpower for making Enterprise across the curriculum happen.
Alan Bayly - Northpower Enterprise Co-ordinator
We are delighted to announce that "Smart Juniors", one of Kamo High School’s Young Enterprise Scheme companies, are the winners of the Northland Young Enterprise Scheme Best Business Plan 2004 - chosen from all participating secondary schools in the north. Kelly Wilson (Managing Director), Samantha Barry, Shani Hay, James Beazley and Alick Styles received $500.00 for their overall award-winning business plan.
"Smart Juniors" have designed an education resource for 4-6 year old children and have a national distributor stocking their product.
Last Saturday 19 June, "Smart Juniors" and other YES companies had exhibits in the Farmers Mall from 10.00am - 12 noon. Of the $300.00 worth of awards available, "Smart Juniors" won again - the $150 Best Visual Award!
Congratulations also to Kamo High School's "Natroheat", who won a Highly Recommended Award, as their business plan reflected an appreciation and awareness of the environment. The directors were Michael Hayes, Keegan Baddeley, Steven Gilmore, Satomi Nagamine and Robert Rolston.
Kelly Wilson - Managing Director, "Smart Juniors"
Dive Tutukaka have recently donated to the school a stock of wetsuits which they no longer require. These will be gratefully used by students involved in kayaking and diving. The wetsuits will improve the safety of school water activities at no cost to students and parents. Thanks from us all to Dive Tutukaka for their very generous support of our student activities.
Warren Farrelly - Instructor
The 2004 Kamo High School Ball, what a fabulous evening! Forum North was transformed into "Paradise Island" with the commitment of the Prefect Team and Ball Committee. Many students devoted their weekends and after-school time to assist with the organisation and creating decorations. A large thank you to the sponsors who kindly donated prizes to:
King and Queen: Clayton Petra and Kyla Bearheels
Prince and Princess: Nick Alexander and Michelle Scott Davidson
Best Dressed: Grant Wolter and Lenna Werheim
We also appreciated the guidance and support from the Senior Management, Staff and PTA.
Moving along, the prefects are in the middle of many more exciting activities. Order forms for Year 13 black and white zipper jerseys have been released. Organisation is also currently taking place for some junior and senior activities.
Jenna Hansen - Head Prefect
Ball Photos
Ball photos are displayed in two locations this year - one in Rust Ave a few doors down from Whangarei Suit Hire, and the other on Bank Street next to Superior Sleep. Photos may be ordered and purchased through Inferno Skatewear in the Strand. When the displays are removed, photos will still be available for viewing at Inferno. Contact may be made with Brendan of Langwood’s, phone 09-435 4416.
Some of the new classes to look out for next term include Brain Gym, Copperplate Writing, Drawing Landscapes, Permaculture & Organics, Astronomy, Pattern Drafting, Skincare & Makeup, Movie Reviews, Crystal Healing, Graphics & Technical Drawing. Brochures will be available early July. Collect a copy from your local library or Kamo High School, or to have a brochure mailed direct to you please email CEW or phone/fax 435 0889. Full details are also available on our website Community Education - Whangarei.
Learning for Fun - Learning for Work - Learning for Life
4 August at 7.30 pm in the school Library
Julie Riggir will give a presentation about Kamo High School’s "Gateway" Programme. All interested parents and caregivers are welcome to attend and find out more about this successful programme.
N.B. There will be a short meeting at 7.00pm to discuss any correspondence and general business.
Kia ora,
Welcome to another ’04 Arts Newsletter.
The BIG news for this newsletter just has to be the outstanding success of "Guys and Dolls" at Forum North. Huge congratulations and thanks to all students, staff, parents and the countless others who got together to make this a wonderful and most memorable event.
A particular mention must go to Mrs Jessie Bell ( Director ) and Mr Mark Harris (Producer ) for their massive input into making this show happen.
And of course THANK YOU to those of you who came down to see the show at Forum North and were part of the very supportive audience. We hope you enjoyed the show.
The Story:
Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, this oddball romantic comedy-considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy-soars with the spirit of Broadway as it introduces us to a cast of vivid characters who have become legends in the canon: Sarah Brown (Shaan Antunovich), the upright but uptight "mission doll", out to reform the evildoers of Times Square; Sky Masterson (Grant Wolter), the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet and ends up falling in love; Adelaide (Sarah Trass), the chronically ill nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by the fact she's been engaged to the same man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit (Stephen Taua), her devoted fiancé, desperate as always to find a spot for his infamous floating crap game.
Everything works out in the end, thanks to the machinations of Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling's hilarious, fast-paced book and Frank Loesser's bright, brassy, immortal score, which takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City. Funny and romantic, "Guys And Dolls" is ideal for audiences and performers of any age.
Photo of the Fortnight
The first fortnight of competition saw entries coming only in the hand printed black and white category.
The well deserved winners were:
1st place - Natasha Foster - Yr 12
2nd place - Nicole Harris - Yr 11
3rd place - Jahnea Garden - Yr 12
Congratulations to all contestants. Place getters entries will be displayed in the staffroom and then the Arts Noticeboard.
Remember entries close at the end of every even week. Get them to Mr.P in S2 with your name and form class details on the back. Categories are:
Ilford Shield
The National Secondary Schools’ Photo Competition is on again. We have had some success in past years, so we have a reputation to uphold. Entries close on Tuesday 10th Aug.
Categories are:
If you are wanting to enter see Mr. P for entry details in S2 asap. There are some fantastic prizes on offer this year.
Speaking of Prizes..
....we are still looking for entries for the KHS CD cover competition. Entries can be in any media, but obviously need to be easily fitted to a CD cover. See Mr. Wallace or Mr. P for more info.
Subway Stage Challenge
The Stage Challenge crew have been really putting in the hours rehearsing for this years event, which promises to be better than ever. A big " good on ya!" goes to Ms. Brenda Meyer for all the work she is putting in. If you get the chance to grab a ticket, make sure you take the opportunity. This event is always a sell-out and heaps of fun for the whole family.
That's all for this newsletter, there is just so much going on at the moment in the Arts, in fact the next time you get this newsletter we will be inside the new Arts Centre - can't wait !
See you at Stage Challenge
E noho ra
Ian Pritchard - Arts Co-ordinator
Assemblies:
On 1st and 2nd June special assemblies were held for each year level at which Sports Colours were awarded to students who have achieved outstanding results, either as an individual or as a team member, in their particular sport. These fantastic achievements have been in a wide range of sports (as you will see listed below) and we are very proud of our students.
Todd Miller, an ex Kamo High School student and current Chief's rugby player was an invited speaker to the Year 10 and Year 12/13 assemblies and he recalled sporting moments at Kamo High School and told of life as a professional rugby player and planning for a career after rugby.
Current Year 13 student, Mark Cooper, spoke at the Year 9 and Year 11 assemblies about the experience of swimming at the Oceania Games in Fiji recently as a member of the NZ Team, and about his training programme in preparation for achieving his goals.
Colours were awarded to:
Year 9
Oliver Bone - Surfing
Haeji Kang - Golf
Younson Kim - Golf
Stacey Michelsen - Athletics
Andrea Primrose - Mounted Games
Year 10
Laura Rusk - Table Tennis
Simone Ackermann - Surf Lifesaving
Year 11
Mi Ri Joo - Golf
Kylie Wright - Volleyball
Derek Carpenter - Volleyball
Brendon McLeod - Volleyball
Winiata Morunga - Volleyball
Cass Walding - Volleyball
Year 12/13
Mark Cooper - Swimming
Gene Heperi - Volleyball
Joseph Mihaka - Volleyball
Alex Auld - Volleyball
Warrick Wright - Volleyball
Charael Anderson - Volleyball
Loren Reti - Volleyball
Nola Manukau - Volleyball
Erin McCulloch - Volleyball
Elyse Lewis - Volleyball
Caroline Bon - Golf
Brad Whitehead - Archery
Alan Rasmussen - Archery
Rochelle Frost - Equestrian
Zal Ferguson - Surfing
Phillip McIntosh - Cricket
The school CROSS COUNTRY event was held recently at the Kamo Recreation Ground with a 4km Championship run and a 2½km Fun Run. More than 150 students participated in the Champs and 250 in the Fun Run, all racers earning valuable Whanau points.
Championship Results:
Jnr Boys - Olly Bone (1st), Ricki Johnson (2nd), Toby Brennan (3rd)
Snr Boys - Anton Wickens (1st), Nathan Steel (2nd), Jeff Cunningham (3rd)
Jnr Girls - Simone Ackermann (1st), Stacey Michelsen (2nd), Kendra Going(3rd)
Snr Girls - Alex Going (1st), Nicola Howes (2nd), Loren Reti (3rd)
Fun Run Results:
Jnr Boys - Luke Keys (1st), Keegan Sullivan (2nd, Kieran Sullivan (3rd)
Snr Boys - Daniel Richards (1st), Rico Herewini (2nd)
Jnr Girls - Katherine Sparrow (1st), Cassie George (2nd), Jessie Sayer (3rd)
Snr Girls - Sarah Primrose (1st), Lisa Wilson (2nd), Alice Wilkinson (3rd)
Whanau News:
Points earned by participants at the Cross Country resulted in 1st place Kaha, 2nd Rangi, 3rd Tapere, 4th Moana and 5th Waima. Double points were earned by those students who ran the Championship race and an extra point for the first 10 placings. Students who helped with official duties were also awarded a whanau point.
Whanau overall points to date are:
| Whanau | KAHA | RANGI | TAPERE | WAIMA | MOANA | |||||||||||||||
| Points | 260 | 245 | 215 | 210 | 120 |
The next lunchtime Whanau activity is indoor netball. Can Kaha be overtaken?
Student News:
Four Kamo High School students (Todd Drinkwater, Mathew Turner, Gary Fyfe and Blair Drinkwater) were selected in the 25 member Auckland-North team to compete at the NZ national Tae Kwon Do Champs held early June. More than 300 competitors from all over New Zealand attended. Todd received silver and a bronze medals, Blair a bronze medal, and Gary a bronze medal also. Well done, guys!
Josh Barry, Willie Job and Max Rohwerder have been selected in the Northland Secondary Schools rugby team.
The Fairplay and Player of the Day monthly prizes for May went to Hayley Larkins (netball) and Laura Wainwright (soccer). Weekly nominations from all teams are put into the hat with the monthly winners being randomly selected. Congratulations, girls!
Coming Events until end of August:
| Thurs 1st July | NSSSA Teams Duathlon at Ruakaka | |||
| 25/26th July | ROSEHILL Exchange at Papakura | |||
| 27th July | NSSSA Senior Netball Tournament at Kensington | |||
| 30th July | NSSSA Squash at Whangarei | |||
| 4th August | NSSSA Junior Netball T-ment at Kensington | |||
| 6th August | NSSSA Senior Basketball at Kensington | |||
| 11th August | Clay Target Shooting at Kaikohe | |||
| 17th August | NSSSA Junior Netball Finals | |||
| 23-28th August | NZSS Tournament Week - hockey, soccer, netball | |||
| 31st August | NSSSA Senior Netball Finals Evening |
Once again, thanks to all supporters of sports at Kamo High School. Your assistance is essential to the Sports Department.
Gloria Miller - Sports Co-ordinator
K A M O Round the Mountains
10km Fun Run/Walk - 5km Relay
Sunday 25th July 2004
Hurupaki Primary School, Kamo
More information at the Sports Office.
Q. What support is given to Year 10 students to ensure they make appropriate subject choices for Year 11?
A. In all Year 10 Health classes, students complete a careers unit. This covers possible career choices and qualifications and prerequisites needed. Also, as part of this unit, a senior manager will spend one hour with the class giving advice on appropriate subject choice in relation to our timetable. We have a comprehensive subject handbook which is available for students to take home on loan from their form teacher or from the office. This handbook is also available on our school website.
If there is something you would like to know with regards to the school, please get in touch with us and we will print the answers in the next newsletter. For your convenience you may e-mail S Barker.
| 29 June | Community Survey forms returned to school | |
| 1July | Stage Challenge - Forum North | |
| 2 July | Junior Reports issued | |
| 2 July | End of Term | |
| 13 July | Arts Centre Blessing, 6.00am | |
| 14 July | Rockquest | |
| 23 July | NZQA Fees due | |
| 25/26 July | Rosehill Exchange | |
| 27/28 July | Senior Photography Days | |
| 29 July | Careers Expo | |
| 29 July | Australian Maths Competition | |
| 2 August | Senior Exams commence | |
| 4 August | PTA Meeting, 7.30pm | |
| 9 August | Senior Exams end | |
| 11 August | Year 9 - 2005 Information Evening and Open Afternoon at School | |
| 12 August | Next Newsletter | |
| 12/20 August | Year 9 Enrolment Interviews for 2005 | |
| 20 August | Arts Centre Opening |
Next Newsletter: Thursday 12th August
See the previous newsletters here.
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Updated 24 June 2004 by S Barker