Kamo High School

October 2004 Newsletter

Index:

Board of Trustees
Senior Clearance Forms
Junior Clearance Forms
Year 9 Camp Update
International Student Department
Australian Mathematics Competition
Young Enterprise Awards
Gateway
Community Education Whangarei
Senior Speech Contest
Canteen
Whanau Talent Show Case 2004
Student Support Centre News
Save our Gully
Parent Discussion Evening
PTA Hamper Results
Arts News ’04
Sports
Questions and Answers
Coming Events

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

Dear Parents
Kia Ora Tena Katou Katoa

With only one more newsletter published this year, this is the last one all seniors will receive, and contains important information about some of the activities which will be occurring over the final few weeks of the year. I would like to take the opportunity it presents to express my admiration and thanks for the outstanding leadership shown by our seniors this year. Led by four quite wonderful Head Prefects, supported by an extremely strong and committed team of prefects and almost without exception the support of all the other students in Year 13, the school has definitely been made ?a better place? by their contribution. This has been achieved in a positive and enthusiastic way, and been of potential benefit to every member of our community.

I know all the staff will join with me in offering them our very best wishes for next year, whatever new opportunities and adventures it holds for them. I hope they each look back on the year recognising what they have achieved for their school with a sense of pleasure and satisfaction.

Senior Prize Giving:
Senior Prize Giving will be held on Friday 5 November, commencing at 1.00pm. Parents and members of the public are cordially invited to attend this important opportunity to recognise our top achievers. There will be merit assemblies in the morning, and as normal we request Junior (Year 9 and 10) students do not attend school on that day. It is expected that all Year 11, 12 and 13 students will attend for the whole day. There will be an expectation that all absences will be explained, and will only be accepted for the normal reasons of ill health such as family emergency.

Parking will be available on the field, through the gate on Kamo Road from 12.30pm.

Removal of Enrolment Scheme:
You may have read the public notice in The Northern Advocate recently, in which the Board of Trustees has indicated that we no longer have an enrolment scheme. With the completion of our Arts facility the school is in a position to accommodate the students who are currently enrolled, and therefore there is no longer a need for the scheme. We hope this will be some security for parents who continue to want their sons and daughters to attend our school even though they do not live in our identified zone.

Richard Abel
Principal

Board of Trustees:

I have pleasure in welcoming Rachel Leong, currently Year 12, to the Board as the newly elected Student Representative. We look forward to Rachel’s participation on the Board over the next year.

Rachel replaces Jenna Hansen who has held the position for the last 12 months. We would like to thank Jenna, for her contribution to the Board, both as a Student Representative and as a visitor since enrolling as a Year 9 student, and wish her well for her future studies.

Thank you to everyone who completed a survey or provided feedback to help with the development of our new Strategic Plan. It has been an interesting exercise to be involved in the process of putting together everybody’s ideas, thoughts and dreams, to create a plan which documents our goals and objectives for the next three years. Once the Board has approved the completed document we will be sharing it with the school community.

With end of term four fast approaching, it is time to reflect on the year and recognise the achievements of our students. I hope you will take the opportunity to share in the successes of so many of our talented young people by supporting the sports and arts awards evenings and attending our prize giving ceremonies. Please check the ‘coming events’ at the back of this newsletter for dates and times. I look forward to seeing you there.

Claire Watts – Chairperson, Board of Trustees

Senior Clearance Forms:

All Year 11 -13 students will receive clearance forms on Thursday 4 November. Outstanding library books, sports uniforms, and fees will be detailed on this sheet

On Thursday 2 December at 8.40am, all Year 11-13 students will return to school (Year 11 and 12 students can wear mufti) with:

Students will be able to return items and get their forms signed. When all debts are cleared, students who are eligible can collect their 2004 school magazine. Senior students will receive reports and testimonials.

Junior Clearance Forms:

Year 9 and 10 students will receive their clearance forms on Wednesday 17 November. All outstanding fees and books must be paid and returned before the student attends any EOTC activities starting on 22 November.

Students who have cleared with no outstanding debts and are eligible for a school magazine will receive their copy on Wednesday 1 December.

Karen Crowe – Senior Manager Students

Year 9 Camp Update:

We have had a terrific response from the Year 9 students to the invitation to participate in the EOTC camp at Marsden Bay in late November. Planning is well underway for 2 three day camps. I am confident that this will be a most memorable experience for our students and staff!

Students will soon be asked to fill out their risk management forms and these will then need to go home for parental perusal and signing. Last day for payment is 4th November. We have a waiting list of students wanting to go on camp, so please ensure that your son/daughter gets their venture consent form returned and full payment made as soon as possible. Roll on 22nd November&ellip:

Ashley Hart – Camp Co-ordinator

International Student Department:

This term we have a new student from Germany, Henning Hornkohl, who will be with us until April next year.

Sadly, many of our current students will be leaving over the next month or so. Due to exams and various departure dates, we felt this was an ideal opportunity to farewell these students and thank them for their contributions to the Kamo High School community. Several of the students have attended here for two to three years and we will miss them.

All the best for your return home and future studies.

Could the homestay families of current students please remind them that they need to get their holiday plans and requests in to Ms Sanford as soon as possible. This will mean a bit of forward planning but can avoid disappointments. If you are wishing to host a student next year, please phone Michelle White at the school office. This is a unique opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our students and provide your own family with a rewarding experience.

Gaylene Sanford – International Student Coordinator

Australian Mathematics Competition:

Congratulations to all the students who participated in this international competition early in August. A number of students achieved very highly this year:

Year 9:David Thomsen and Jessica BarrellCredit
 Rachel Allen, Shane Ball and Eddie Monk-FromontDistinction
Year 10:Kevin LeeCredit
 Mark RuddellDistinction
Year 13:Huang Yan and Koay Wei ShunCredit

Leon Cross (Year 11) and Mark Hansen (Year 10) both achieved High Distinction. This is an excellent effort from both students. They are placed in the top 1% of AMC students in New Zealand.

It would be great to see more students take the challenge and participate in these competitions ? English, Science and Mathematics. Make 2005 the year to ‘give it a go’.

Dianne Anson – HOD Mathematics

Young Enterprise Awards:

We are delighted with the success of our Young Enterprise teams at Kamo High School following the Northland Young Enterprise Scheme Awards in Waitangi recently.

Kamo High School?s ‘Smart Juniors’, comprised of students Kelly Wilson, Samantha Barry, Shani Hay, and Alick Styles, who have produced an educational resource, won:

A second Kamo High School company, ‘Natroheat’, comprised of Michael Hayes, Keegan Baddeley, Steven Gilmore, Satomi Nagamine and Robert Rolston won a $500 ANZ Bank Award for Innovations.

Congratulations to you all on a job well done.

Audrey Green – Enterprise Studies

Gateway:

Nate pictured at McKay's Electrical One of our Year 13 students has recently completed a very successful Gateway placement at McKay?s Service Centre. This was Kamo High School Gateway?s first electrical placement into an industry that is seeking to attract young school leavers but is heavily regulated due to safety issues.

Nate Davis worked at McKay’s one day a week for 6 weeks during school time and then during the last school holidays, completing two workplace unit standards which are part of the National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Level 4). These unit standards are worth a total of seven credits and will count towards an apprenticeship which is what Nate is hoping to get next year.

During this placement we were supported by the Electrotechnology Industry Training Organisation (ETITO) who works closely with the electrical industry to develop qualifications and design training programme for electrical apprenticeships.

The Gateway Team has had another very successful year with 98 students being placed this year, three apprenticeships and many part-time jobs being offered to our students.

Kathy Draper – Gateway Co-ordinator

Congratulations:

&ellip; to Cassi Crayford who passed her Grade 8 Drama exam this week with merit. This is an excellent achievement. Well done Cassi.

Julie McFarland

Community Education Whangarei:

Our organisation promotes adult education – you are eligible to participate if you are aged 16 years or over. People from 16 to 86 and from all walks of life attend our classes. This is the last opportunity for the year if you wish to enrol in a course. Spaces are still available in the following classes:-

For details phone/fax 4350889 or email cew@kamohigh.school.nz. For a full list of classes check out our website www.cew.ac.nz or collect a brochure from your local library or Kamo High School.

Learning for Fun — Learning for Work — Learning for Life

Senior Speech Contest:

A young man has broken the male NZ stereotype and won the senior speech contest. Lindsay Harding, speaking about his research on Shakespeare?s influence on modern English, a witty and polished performance swept all before him. Jenna Hansen, Michael Price and Rachel Leong were hard on his heels, all scoring equal points for second place. The nine contestants did themselves proud and we thank them for their willing participation.

Bruce Furrell – HOD English

Year 13 students, Daniel, Felix, Teshna and Robert, after their heads were shaved.

Canteen:

Last term saw the start of fundraising for Canteen (a group which helps teenage cancer sufferers and their families). We have raised a large amount of money (close to two thousand dollars) which will be presented to ?Canteen Northland? at the end of this term. Part of Canteen?s image is head shaving. A number of students and staff have had their head shaved this term and last. Thank you to all these, in particular to Teschna Christie (the only girl to have the courage, and also a key organiser for the fundraising effort, Year 9 students, Duncan, Eddie and Ash, after their heads were shaved.we would not have been able to do it without you - thanks Tesch!). I am still looking for sponsors as the fundraising effort is still underway. If you are interested please contact me through the Kamo High School office. Thanks again to the many businesses which have already helped.

Felix Scheibmair – Head Prefect

Whanau Talent Show Case 2004:

Term 4 started with the annual Whanau Talent Show Case. As usual the school hall was bursting with enthusiastic students ready to see what their school peers had to offer. This has always been an exciting event and the Arts Council never fails to put on a great show. The Whanau groups were just amazing with Kaha taking 1st place and Rangi proudly taking 2nd place.

Congratulations to Sarah Trass 1st place, Winiata Morunga 2nd (Monday), and Nicky Croft, Nicola Powell and Winiata Morunga 1st place, and Grant Wolter and Chris Rudsdale 2nd place (Tuesday) Their performances were awesome and enjoyed by everyone. I would also like to thank the judges for all their help and comments. This year was a success and once again Kamo High School has proved that there is talent everywhere.

Alex Bestel – Organiser

Student Support Centre News:

Congratulations to the main prizewinners in the Student Support Centre?s ?Express IT!? competition: Natasha Foster, Yun Lee, Michael Hayes, Donna Amosa, Truc Nguygen, Tiffiny Kelly and Tamara Bot. A number of other students were commended for their creative entries expressing emotions in art, music or words.

SSC staff hope that parents are encouraging their sons and daughters to study hard for the upcoming senior exams. Our Counsellors offer study tips for students who would like advice in this area. Just pop in and make an appointment.

Now that the days are getting warmer let?s remember sun sense. Use a broad spectrum sun screen, at least SPF 15 and reapply during the hottest part of the day. Even if you tan easily don?t be complacent. A tan only gives you a certain amount of protection, so using sunscreen is as applicable to you as fair skinned people.

We often have students with headaches on hot days. Headaches can be alleviated by drinking plenty of water during the day. We encourage students to bring a water bottle to school.

YWCA is running a free youth break-dancing workshop on November 6th from 10 – 4pm. Phone SSC or YWCA for more details.

Save Our Gully:

Gully at the edge of the playing fields. An initial proposal is being made to Mr Abel to gain permission for the Year 11 Environment Studies class (Year 12 next year) to make improvements to the gully in the eastern corner of the school. The students vision is to create a more diverse habitat with links to streams and corridors for birds, by student action.

Their goal is to start the development of a more diverse native reserve for Kamo High School.

Surveys taken as part of their studies have determined widespread support for this development to happen. At the moment this area is used to increase the area of the fields by tipping solid fill there. The students hope this will be finished in time for next year so they can develop their plans of the area and start doing some of the practical work if approved.

Terry Baker – Horticulture

Parent Discussion Evening:

3rd November
Kamo High School Library

PTA Hamper Results:

Winner: Flo Hewitt, 1 Lincoln Place, Kamo - Ticket No. 41D

Thank you for your support.
Proceeds from this raffle will be put back into the school for students, including the yearly contribution to prizegiving.

Arts News ’04:

Kia ora,
Welcome to another ’04 Arts Newsletter

Where has this year gone! Things are pretty busy all around the Arts Centre at the moment as deadlines are very near. Every lesson is ‘full-on’ with students putting the fininshing touches to folios and performances. It’s fantastic to have so many creative people all going for it in the one place.

Arts Awards ’04
The big news for this newsletter is the Arts Awards on November 2nd. This annual event is where we celebrate the awesome achievements of Arts students and have a darn good time at the same time!

The theme for this year’s event is:

He toi whakairo, He mana tangata
Where there is artistic excellence,
there is human dignity

Tickets will be on sale soon and are always in hot demand. For catering purposes we aren?t able to offer door sales, so get in quick. Unfortunately we always have to turn some people away as there is a restriction on how many people we can cram into the hall - so my advice is to ‘get onto it’ fast to avoid disappointment.

Tickets are only $10 – this charge covers only the cost of running the Arts Awards – in the miracle that we make a profit, all proceeds will go towards displaying artwork around the school.

Dress code is ‘mana’ – so come along wearing something with pride.

Start time is 7.00pm and usually finishes approx 9.30–10.00pm.

It’ll be a great night of the best talent Kamo High School has to offer. I hope to see you all there.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Keith Mahy for the wonderful glass sculptures that are the prizes for each winner at the Arts Awards. Since the Arts Awards began, Keith has made these amazing ‘flame awards’ available to us, and I know how much the students love being presented with them.

In fact some have loved them so much that they haven’t returned them from last year yet. So, if you have one, or know who has, please, please, please return them as soon as possible. If you would like to keep them they are available for sale (to recipients only) at the amazing price of $25 each. Either way, I would ask that this is sorted out as soon as possible, so that one of the many deserving students at this year’s Arts Awards doesn’t miss out. Many thanks.

Kind regards – E noho ra

Ian Pritchard – HOD the Arts

"To read a book for the first time is to make an acquaintance with a new friend; to read it for a second time, is to meet an old one".

Rugby Forum


KHS Staffroom Tuesday November 2nd at 7:00 pm

Interested in finding out more about teenage rugby?
Have your say about future developments.
Ray Armstrong, President of the Northland Rugby Union, and Lindsay Wells, an NRU director, will facilitate a meeting aimed at:

Sports:

CONGRATULATIONS to the following students who are finalists of the ASB Northland Secondary Schools Sports Awards to be held Friday 29th October at Kensington Stadium. We are very proud of the achievements of these top sports persons and acknowledge their effort and sacrifice in reaching this level of success.

StudentSportYear
Kimberley WongBasketball11
Scott WongBasketball10
Hayden SmithBowls12
Andrea PrimroseEquestrian – Mounted Games9
Rochelle FrostEquestrian – Show Jumping13
Mi Ri JooGolf11
Haeji KangGolf9
Caroline BonGolf13
Nicola HowesHockey & Surf Lifesaving11
Stacey MichelsenHockey9
Sarah DuftyIndoor Bowls9
Simone AckermannSurf Lifesaving10
Oliver BoneSurfing9
Mark CooperSwimming13
Laura RuskTable Tennis10
Erin McCullochVolleyball12
Elyse LewisVolleyball12
Charael AndersonVolleyball13
Derek CarpenterVolleyball12
Warrick WrightVolleyball12
Jenna HansenYachting13
Ersin BuckleyYachting11

ALSO, we have two teams named as finalists:

1st XI Girls’ Hockey Team2nd at Federation Cup (top NZ Secondary Schools Girls’ Hockey Tournament)
Girls’ Golf Team4th NZ Secondary Schools Golf Championship (only girls’ team)

This evening at 6:30pm our own Sports Dinner & Prizegiving Evening is being held in the wonderfully decorated school hall. This is a great opportunity to celebrate a year of sporting successes and endeavours at Kamo High School and to acknowledge the support and assistance of coaches, managers and parents. The theme for the evening is ?Rising Stars? and we thank the Sports Council students who have worked hard to prepare for this occasion. We congratulate all those who will receive trophies, and equally congratulate all those who participated in any of the sports events offered at Kamo High School. Remember:
"TALENT GIVES US GIFTS TO SHARE"

Well Done to the following students who have had success in their particular sport:

Ashleigh McCaw – 2nd place in Open C at NZ Secondary Schools’ Gymnastic Champs in Auckland.

The Ball Brothers who represented our school in the teams event at the Secondary Schools’ Table Tennis Champs and came runner-up in the B Grade, just getting pipped in the final. Also at the nationals event Shane came runner up in the Under 15 C Grade team and Michael & Gavin were runners up in the Under 19 B Grade team.

Hayden Smith who has qualified to represent Area 1 (Auckland, North Harbour, Northland) at the National Secondary School Bowls Tournament in December in the Boys Singles event.

Anton Wickens and Iwi Hauraki who were members of the Northern District Under 18s rugby league team who travelled to Aussie recently and won their 3 games. Iwi has been invited back to the Paramatta Eels camp in November.

Stacey Michelsen, Carli Michelsen and Nicola Howes who are proving to be vital players of the Northland Senior Womens’ Hockey Team presently contesting the NZ wide national competition.

Our Mountain Biking Team of Aaron Cates, Simon Milicich, Matt Davies and Hayden Clarke who competed in the National Secondary Schools Mountain Bike Challenge Relay in the Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua and placed 14th in the Under 16 division. Their goal was to come in the top 20 (more than 75 teams competed), so they certainly succeeded! Thanks to staff member, Keith Cave, who organised the trip and accompanied the boys to Rotorua. Well done, team.

Golf Championships were held in the afternoon of the 20th October at the Northland Golf Club. The sun was out but the wind was strong. The winner was Caroline Bon who hit a brilliant 68. This is 4 strokes below the course record for women. Runner up was Andrew Hepple who hit a 78. Third was Steven Jenkins on 88. Some very good golf was played that afternoon.

Good Luck to our Junior Volleyball teams off to the Northland Island Champs in Auckland later next month, and to the Senior Girls’ Volleyball team and the 1st XI Girls’ Hockey team who are both going to the New Zealand College Games in Hamilton in early December.

The 2004 WHANAU competition has almost finished and the following are the results so far:

KAHA390 points
RANGI315 points
WAIMA290 points
TAPERE275 points
MOANA230 points

With the ‘School Spirit’ points still to be added, the final positions could change! The Whanau Shield will be presented at Senior and Junior Prizegiving next month.

Coaches For 2005
Are you interested in coaching netball, rugby or hockey next year? If so, could you please apply in writing to the Sports Office by mid-November. Planning for 2005 can then get underway. Please note that the school is always willing to assist with upskilling coaches. Coaches for other codes will be called for next year, any others to coach/manage/drive will be accepted!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to all the coaches, managers, and supporters who have assisted with sports this year, especially those who have laboured throughout the winter months! Without your help we could not offer the wide range of sports available at our school.

Coming Sports Events:

29 October  ASB Sports Awards at Kensington
3 November  NSSSA Jnr Tennis Champs at Thomas Neale
4 November  NSSSA Jnr Volleyball Tournament at Kensington
9 November  NSSSA Jnr Touch Tournament at Okaihau
12 November  NSSSA Jnr Volleyball Finals at Kensington
22/23 November  Armstrong Shield Jnr Cricket Tournament
24/27 November  North Island Jnr Volleyball Champs at Auckland
29 November  NSSSA Jnr Beach Volleyball Tournament at Waipu

"You won’t win if you don’t begin".

Enjoy the summer sports season!

Gloria Miller – Sports Coordinator

LJ Hooker Athletics Whangarei

Start:Tuesday 12 October 2004
Where:Kensington Park Clubrooms, Park Avenue, Whangarei
Time:4.30–6.00p — 7–14 Years
6.00–7.30pm — 15 years and older

(12th and 19th October will be registration and ‘have a go’ night)
New members welcome
Contacts: Sonya 436 0105 or Andy 430 3210

Jeffrey modelling his Funky Street Wear Jeffrey showing the back of his Funky Street Wear
Jeffery modelling the award winning outfit he designed for the ‘Student Funky Street Wear’ section in the Bernina Fashion Awards

Questions and Answers:

Q. How can I support my son/daughter for their external exams?
Answer:
  • Check the time and dates of each external exam.
  • Make sure they have a suitable breakfast or lunch.
  • Make sure that all necessary materials are organised and packed carefully, well before they leave home.
  • Help to maintain a calm atmosphere at home before they head off to the exam.
  • Ensure your student has his/her admission slip which carries their personal examination ID number.

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:

28 October  KHS Sports Awards – 6.30pm, school hall
29 October  ASB Sports Awards
2 November  Arts Awards – 7.00pm
2 November  KHS Rugby Forum – staffroom, 7.00pm
3 November  PTA Parent Discussion Eve – library, 7.30pm
4 November   Board of Trustees Meeting ? 7.00pm
5 November  Senior Prize Giving – 1.00pm
10 November  NZQA Exams commence (to 1 December)
22/26 November  Year 9 Camp Week
22/26 November  Junior DOE Week
25 November  Next Newsletter
25 November  Board of Trustees Meeting, 7.00pm
29 November  Senior DOE Week
1 December  Junior Prizegiving – 1.00pm
1 December  Junior Reports and Final Day
2 December  Senior Clearance and Reports
3 December  Teachers only

If you would like to be included on the list of families willing to offer homestays for visiting students, complete the Homestay List application form that is here: Homestay List Application.

Next Newsletter: Thursday 25 November

See the previous newsletters here.

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Updated 31 October 2004 by N Beauregard