Kamo High School

September 2004 Newsletter

Index:

Board of Trustees
Examinations
Reader/Writer Assistance
Youth Awards
Science Fair
Proposed Marine Reserve
A Day in Parliament
McDonalds Scholarship
National Bank Mathematics Competition
Community Education Whangarei
Kamo Enterprise Students
Arts News
PTA Meeting
Coming Events



"To encourage a culture of high expectations
that celebrates success and promotes pride"

Dear Parents
Kia Ora Tena Katou Katoa

This, the last newsletter for Term 3, is full of celebration and recognition of just some of the wonderful achievements of our students. It has been a very busy and eventful term, and the highlights contained in this newsletter, when combined with those of the previous ones, make us realise just how much so many of our young people are doing, and how full and effective so many of them are in their lives.

With the holidays about to start and the end of the year rapidly approaching, it is now time for senior students to really concentrate on preparing for their external examinations, and ensure they gain the assessments they are needing to ensure their plans for next year can be realised.

Earlier this year we carried out a survey of our community in which a random selection of parents and students, and all staff were invited to provide their impressions of a range of issues relating to our school. This has now been analysed and will be used as the basis of the school’s Strategic Plan which will map the path for 2005 to 2007. The next PTA meeting is being held on Wednesday 6 October, and will start in the library. The intention is to give those attending a chance to look through the Arts Centre at 7.00pm, and then we will present the findings from the survey. All welcome.

Richard L Abel
Principal
16 September 2004

Board Of Trustees:

It was a real honour for me to have the privilege of speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees at the opening of our new Arts Centre on 20 August. It was a wonderful occasion attended by a number of invited guests and members of the school and wider community who have had involvement with the school and this project. We have since received many compliments about the opening celebration, the fantastic student items, how well our students coped with sitting on the gym floor for 1½ hours, and of course, the new building. The open day on the Saturday provided me with a great opportunity to look around at leisure, see students already enjoying the new facilities, and appreciate the thought and input our talented ‘Arts’ staff had contributed to the design of the specialist areas.

The concept of catering for all the ‘Arts’ (music, photography, visual and performing arts) in a specifically designed facility has been the vision of our Principal since he came to Kamo High School and has endured 13 years and five Boards of Trustees. The project was made possible through Ministry of Education funding targeted for property development, a contribution from our International Student programme, and significant grants from the ASB Trust and the Lotteries Commission.

On behalf of the Board I would like again to express my sincere thanks to everyone who has been involved in making that vision become a reality. Our ‘Arts‘ staff and students now have a facility which is one of, if not THE best, and the envy of every other secondary school in New Zealand.

Claire Watts - Chairperson

Examinations:

Students in Year 11, 12 and 13 start external exams in November. Year 9 and 10 students have their school exams starting in Week 2, Term 4. Students know their exam timetable and should have the times and dates recorded in their homework diaries.

Therefore it is important for all students to start organising a robust study programme. "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail", is a good quote to keep in mind over the next month or two.

To support your son/daughter in planning their study programme the following five-step study plan may help:

  1. Draw up an exam table, with dates and times for every exam
  2. Develop a weekly planner and include time available for study, sports practices, cultural events, work commitments etc.
  3. Determine priorities. Each day have a priority list for tasks that MUST be done and some that MAY be done. For every subject identify what needs to be revised – find out from teachers what topics are to be covered in the exam and the format of the questions.
  4. Study smart. Alternate between difficult and less difficult tasks. Split subjects into smaller, manageable chunks. Study with breaks.
  5. Reward yourself. The completion of studying and understanding a topic or unit of work may warrant a reward. This may be a break from study, watching a special TV programme, or a specified time on the telephone/playing games etc.
The most important thing for parents to remember is to talk to their sons and daughters about their study programme, provide positive encouragement and to remember the school focus of "aiming for excellence" — OK is not good enough.

Sue Holmes - Senior Manager: Curriculum

Reader/Writer Assistance:

If you think your son/daughter may need a reader/writer for the junior exams, please contact me by either phoning the school office (09-4351688) or emailing on: beryl.smith@kamohigh.school.nz.

Also, if your child has a SPELD report, it would be appreciated if you would contact me. Thank you.

Beryl Smith – CALS Department

Youth Awards:

The district’s first Youth for Youth awards were held on 9 September to decide the winners of 17 categories to find the district’s top youth achievers. By the deadline date 18,150 nominations had been received.

Finalists from Kamo High School included:
Cassi Crayford, Jenna Hansen, Lynda Dahlberg, Joanna Matheson, Yun Lee, Jayme-Lee Rouse, Kelly Wilson, Shaan Antunovich, Hollie Scrivener, Mark Cooper and the BURST website, and former pupils, Erin Smith, Samara Sutherland, Ashleigh Butler and James Reti.

The winners from Kamo High School were:

Young Person of the Year: Samara Sutherland
Sportsperson of the Year: Mark Cooper
Greatest Commitment to Sports: Joshua Niblock
Distinction in Community Service: Shaan Antunovich
Greatest Commitment to the Community: Cassi Crayford (=)
Young Leader of the Year: Samara Sutherland
All Rounder: Ashleigh Butler
Young Musician of the Year: Yun Lee
Greatest Commitment to Dance: James Reti
Employee of the Year: Erin Smith
Miss Congeniality: Ashleigh Butler
Young Entrepreneur: BURST youth website
(Craig Martin and Morgan Matheson)

Congratulations to you all.

Lynda Dahlberg – Year 12

Science Fair:

The 26th Science Fair was recently held over five days at Forum North in Whangarei and was organised by Central Northland science teachers. Of the more than 120 students from 14 schools competing around the wider Whangarei district, Louise Alderton, Year 11 at Kamo High School, was the overall winner of the "Consistent Excellence Award" with her kiwifruit study. The Northland Regional Council prize contributes $1000 towards the cost of the winner’s university studies and must be used within three years of being granted. Louise, hopes to eventually use her award to study towards a university business degree (see www.whangareionline.co.nz).

The prize winners from Kamo High School are:

Cassi Crayford Presentation award Year 9/10
Ashleigh McCaw Presentation Award Year 11/13
Best Investigation Award Year 11/13
Otago University Hands on Science Award – this award
takes Ashleigh to Otago for a week in January next year.
Jayme-Lee Rouse Central Northland Research Award
Best Investigation Award Year 11/13
Simone Ackerman
and Selina Veltman		 Health and Safety Award
Best Technology Award Year 9/10
Sarah Trass Nominated for ‘Realise the Dream’ in Wellington in 2005
Best Technology Award Year 9/10
Best Exhibit Year 9/10
Applied Science Award Year 9/10
Lars Brandt Best Technology Award Year 11/13
Jordyn Rouse Best Investigation Year 9/10
Louise Alderton Consistent Excellence
Best Investigation Year 11/13
Best Exhibit Year 11/13

Proposed Marine Reserve:

Warren Farrelly and a group of students were recently invited to visit the proposed Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve with the Hon. Chris Carter, Minister of Conservation. He was very impressed by the knowledge of the students about the ecology of the harbour and their commitment to its protection and said that Mr Farrelly was an inspirational teacher. Mr Carter expected that Kamo High School students will be to the fore in the ranks of marine conservationists in the future. Mr Carter felt much better informed about the marine reserve issue and of the benefits and impacts of the proposal. He was impressed by the values of the harbour, its beauty and the commitment of the local people to protecting their local environment.

Josh and Phil on the steps of Parliament in Wellington

A Day In Parliament:

I have recently returned from a one day "work investigation" trip to the House of Representatives in our capital city. This day saw me become a "Shadow MP" to Phil Heatley, local MP for Whangarei, and enabled me to personally meet Dr Brash, Leader of the Opposition, and the majority of the other National MPs at a Carbon Credit Trading presentation over lunch in the National caucus room. The afternoon saw me sitting in on a select committee on the controversial seabed and foreshore issue, and the general debate, both of which were entertaining.

I would like to extend my thanks to Mrs Riggir, Gateway and Employment Skills Teacher, for making this event happen; Margaret Hyland, Executive Secretary to Phil Heatley, for treating me like a real MP; and to Phil Heatley for hosting me in Wellington and giving me the experience of a day in the life of a National Member of Parliament.

Joshua Going – Year 12

Mcdonalds Scholaship (Al Dunn):

It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Kimberley Te Rangi, Year 13 and Head Girl, in being successful in receiving the McDonalds Scholarship for 2005 study at AUT. All the best, Kimberley.

National Bank Mathematics Competition:

Approximately 9,700 students from 207 schools participated in the National Bank Mathematics competition for Year 9, 10 and 11 students. Kamo High School students again achieved good results. It is worth noting that a Merit pass is only given to the top 20% of students. All other students receive a participation certificate. This year two students achieved very high marks. Christopher Mathieson, Year 10, achieved a Merit award, and Mark Ruddell, Year 10, was in the Top 100. Mark achieved a Merit award in 2003. A well deserved result for you both. Congratulations.

Community Education Whangarei:

The Term 4 programme is currently available from Kamo High School and your local library. Some of the courses to look out for this term are:
For a list of all classes check out our brochure. Although we are running a smaller programme we hope you find something that is of interest to you. A full selection of courses will be available again in Term 1, 2005. For further information visit our website www.cew.ac.nz, phone/fax 435 0889 or email cew@kamohigh.school.nz.

Learning for Fun — Learning for Work — Learning for Life

Kamo Enterprise Students – Championz Business Challenge:

Several groups of enterprising Kamo students have taken part in this year’s Championz Business Challenge. The "Lowgo" team of Jon Waite, Joshua Going, Anthony Whyte and Cameron Kennedy succeeded in coming fourth, with some stiff competition coming from Tertiary institutions such as Canterbury University and AUT. Equally impressive was a group of Year 10 students managing seventh place, obviously ones to keep an eye on for the future.

The Championz Game was an extreme virtual sports franchise game for New Zealanders aged between 11 and 19. The students were given $2 million (virtual bucks!) to start with and took control of a high profile sports franchise. Championz was developed by Christchurch’s ‘The Small Business Company Ltd’ with support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE). Teams of students had to develop business plans, contract virtual players, ‘sell’ television rights and make sponsorship deals, develop marketing strategies, and compete in an online sports tournament – with their on-field results dependent on how well they run their business. "Lowgo" for their efforts won:

Meanwhile the Young Enterprise students sat their Cambridge University Enterprise examination at the end of August and are now working hard on their end of year Company Reports. We are all looking forward to the Northland Y.E.S. Awards in October just to see if we can take out top company for the third year in a row!!

No matter what the result, Kamo students have demonstrated fantastic abilities yet again. Speaking of fantastic, one of the most memorable moments of the recent Northland Enterprising Teachers (N.E.T.) conference in Waitangi was an address by our own Jenna Hansen as the inaugural winner of the Northland Enterprise Student of the Year. She was certainly not out of place amongst a group of International class keynote speakers. Thank you to all the great sponsors of the N.E.T. conference (especially Northpower), it was great to be part of something that was of such an excellent standard and so obviously Northland in its flavour. Keep that CAN DO ATTITUDE up.

Alan Bayly – Northpower Enterprise Co-ordinator

Arts News ’04:

Kia ora,

Welcome to another ’04 Arts Newsletter

Things are pretty full on in the Arts Centre at the moment.

The process of moving into the building and celebrating the opening are now behind us, and it’s all go to complete folios, performances and presentations for assessment.

We are in the process of organising the Kamo High School Arts Awards. The Arts Awards are the highlight of every year in the Arts. It is our chance to acknowledge and celebrate outstanding student achievement throughout the year.

This year’s event is to be held on 2 Novenber @ 7pm in the school hall. Tickets are available from the Arts office - $10 per ticket. Light snacks will be provided.

Normally this is a sell out event, so avoid disappointment. Tickets will be on sale soon. Look out for adverts in school notices and our next newsletter.

As well as "school stuff" there has been plenty to do in the local Arts community.

Rockquest
Congratulations to our Rockquest Regional Finalists: 3PM, Jive Bunnies and Anima, who did our school proud by rock’n it up at Forum North. A special congrats to Grant Wolter who won the prestigious best vocalist award!

A special mention for all of those KAMO students (there’s a lot) in "BACK TO THE 80’s". They start their season on the 10th September and it runs until the 25th at the Riverbank theatre. Break a leg!

Mark Harris, HOD Music

Marina during her lithography course Visual Art
Year 13 Art students have been producing some top class lithographs while taking part in a three-day lithography course with specialist tutor Mariette van Zuydam at the Te Kowhai Print Trust. Students are learning a process of drawing on old stones with a greasy substance such as a crayon and fixing the picture through a chemical process. Ink is then laid over the stone and a print is taken off.

Photo of the Fortnight
Still happening at the end of every even week. Photographic related prizes. Categories are:

CD cover
This is an awesome opportunity to have your artwork on the front of our very own "best of album".

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.

E noho ra

Ian Pritchard – Arts Co-ordiator

PTA Meeting:

Next Meeting
Wednesday 6 October 2004
Come and join us for:

A Visit to the Arts Centre
Presentation on the Survey Results

Sports:

Our school has had some very pleasing results lately:

Members of the Tirls’ XI Hockey team Girls’ Hockey
We’re at the top again! Yes, our Girls’ 1st XI Hockey team were finalists at the Federation Cup Tournament in Christchurch, and although they lost the final game to St Margaret’s College, we are very, very proud of their 2nd placing at the top NZ Secondary Schools’ hockey tournament. This is an outstanding achievement for this young team and is a culmination of dedicated hard work by the players and full support and commitment of the coach and management team. Stacey Michelsen received a "Player of the Day" award and Christie Shaw was chosen as the team’s "Most Valuable Player" of the tournament (which incidentally was played during very harsh South Island winter conditions, totally foreign to our girls).

Special thanks to Rob Howes, and Alan and Jan Whatmough for their generous donations to the team.

Members of the team: Michelle Scott-Davidson (Captain), Teschna Christie, Nicola Howes, Sarah Keatley, Carli Michelsen, Marcie Michelsen, Stacey Michelsen, Alyx Pivac, Toni Pivac, Lee Purdie, Christie Shaw, Katrina Whatmough, Leila Nicholson and Odette Ackermann, with Ms Morgan, Coach

The Girls 1st XI Hockey Team also placed 2nd in the Whangarei Womens Premier Grade Competition, just holding off strong challenges by other senior womens teams and the Girls High team. We congratulate the team, the coach Crichton Christie, and management on their successes this season.

Gymnastics
Ashleigh McCaw placed 2nd in Open C Grade at the NZ Secondary Schools’ gym Champs held in Auckland recently.

Boys’ Hockey
Our boys’ 1st XI Hockey team competed at the Rankin Tournament in Auckland and despite having a re-shuffle of some team members late in the season, the team played well to again retain their 15th slot and have the opportunity to play-off for a Rankin Cup spot next year. Rama Unka was independently selected for the "Most Valuable Player" award with David McAteer and James Robbie being solid in defence and Warrick Wright and Vaughan Gillingham being strong up front. Once again we thank Gordon Marsh, AMP Insurance, for sponsoring the team.

Boys’ Soccer
At the Trident Trophy Tournament in Auckland the 1st XI Boys’ Soccer team played well, improving on their last year’s placing to be 12th this year. The team was coached and captained by student Daniel Richards and included Year 9 to Year 13 students. Om Jarusilawong was independently selected as the "Most Valuable Player" for our team. We wish to thank the following for their sponsorship of players’ T-shirts:

Netball
Congratulations to the Netball No. 1 team who are now the 2004 Northland Secondary Schools Netball Champions and Premier Reserve Grade Champs of the Whangarei Netball Association Competition. Both finals, played against arch rivals Whangarei Girls’ High School, were tough battles but with good team work, strong defense and excellent shooting our team came out on top. Players for the finals were: Erin McCulloch (GK), Rita Himiona (GD), Nicola Priest (WD), Jodi Rapana, Stacey Edwards & Tamea Ross (all C), Aneta Kingi (WA), Sharma Lee Kani (GA) and Kylie Wright (GS). Well done team and special thanks to coach, Liza Taurua.

Other trophy winning teams from the Whangarei Netball Association competition:

 Team 10A 1st A Reserve 2 Preliminary Round
   2nd A Reserve 1 Championship
      
 Team 9A 2nd B Reserve 2 Championship
     Trophy for least goals scored against

Golf
Our school was represented at the NZ Secondary Schools’ Golf Champs by an all-girl team of Mi Ri Joo, Caroline Bon, Haeji Kang and YounSun Kim. The eyes of the golfing world were upon our players as they competed in a male dominated field, and they placed a creditable 4th out of 16 teams, with Mi Ri being placed 7th in the individual standings. Thanks to staff member, Dianne Meyer, who accompanied these girls to Wellington.

Swimming
Mark Cooper has been selected in the New Zealand team for the Youth Commonwealth Games to be held in Bendigo, Australia in November and the New Zealand Team for the Youth Olympics to be held in Sydney, Australia in January 2005. Go Mark!

Badminton
Final results of the School Championships:

Junior Boys Nicholas Anson
Junior Girls Ellen Attwood
Senior Boys Reon Wynyard
Senior Girls Marina Urabe

Good Luck
To the students heading south to the NZ Table Tennis Champs – Laura Rusk, Gavin, Michael and Shane Ball, and Leon Cross.

THANKS to all the coaches, managers, drivers, supporters and parents who have helped with our teams during the past winter season of sports. The school cannot provide the many sporting opportunities available to our students without the assistance of the community – THANK YOU!

Looking Ahead
The Northland Secondary Schools’ ASB Sports Awards Evening run by Sport Northland will be held on Friday 29th October and our school nominations have been forwarded.

Our school annual Sports Dinner and Prizegiving, organised by the Student Sports Council, will be held in the school hall on Thursday 28th October commencing 6:30pm. All students, coaches and parents are invited to this exciting evening where sporting achievements are acknowledged, trophies presented, entertainment and a super meal can be enjoyed. The ticket price is likely to be $22-$25 per student or parent.

Sporting Events

15-17th Oct  NZSS Mt Biking Relay at Rotorua
22nd - 23rd Oct  NISS Show Jumping at Waikato
28th Oct  KHS Sports Dinner & Prizegiving
29th Oct  NSSSA Sports Awards
3rd Nov  NSSSA Yr 9/10 Tennis at Thomas Neale
4th Nov  NSSSA Volleyball Prelims at Advocate Stadium
9th Nov  NSSSA Yr 9/10 Touch at Okaihau - coach needed, please
12th Nov  NSSSA Volleyball Finals at Advocate Stadium
16th Nov  NSSSA Yr 9 Softball at Kaikohe – coach needed, please
23rd -26th Nov  NISS Junior Volleyball in Auckland
29th-30th Nov  NSSSA Yr9/10 Armstrong Shield Cricket
29th Nov  NSSSA Beach Volleyball at Waipu
3rd-5th Dec  NZSS College Games in Hamilton
4-5th Dec  NZSS Athletics

"And if I should lose, let me stand by the road and cheer as the winners go by."

Gloria Miller - Sports Coordinator

Questions & Answers:

Why do students have to select their options so early in the year?
The knowledge of student option choices is required by September to make it possible for staff appointments, budgeting and purchase of resources to be put in place to ensure programmes can start right at the beginning of the year.

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 sherryl.barker@kamohigh.school.nz

Coming Events:

17 September  End of Term
4 October  Term 4 Commences
6 October  PTA Meeting – Arts Centre, Survey Results
7 October  Blood Service – school hall
7 October  Board of Trustees Meeting – 7.00pm
11/22 October  Junior Assessments
13 October  PTA Meeting – 7.00pm ?????
25 October  Labour day
28 October  Next Newsletter
28 October  KHS Sports Awards – 6.30pm, school hall
29 October  ASB Sports Awards
2 November  Arts Awards – 7.00pm
4 November  Board of Trustees Meeting – 7.00pm
5 November  Senior Prize Giving

Next Newsletter: Thursday 28 October

See the previous newsletters here.
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Updated 16 September 2004 by N Beauregard