January 2005 Newsletter
Important Start of the Year DatesJunior Prizegiving
Strategic Plan
Staffing
School Uniform
School Library
Cellphone Use
Parent Contribution
Stationery Sales and Options
Student Option Changes
Computer Information
Guidance Services
Attendance and Punctuality
Appointments
Visitors to the School
Messages to Students
NZQA – Qualifications Fees for 2005
Text Books
Gateway
Sick Bay
Board of Trustees
Community Education &endash; Whangarei
Host Families for International Students
Sports
Coming Events
" Encourage the innovative;
Achieve academic excellence;
Embrace positive citizenship"
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 your 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.
Important Start of Year Dates:
The starting dates for the beginning of the year are as follows:
| Monday 24 January | School Office Opens | |
| Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 January | Senior course changes - only by appointment - please contact appropriate Dean | |
| Tuesday 1 February | Year 13 - Leadership Workshops | |
| Wednesday 2 February | Year 13 - Leadership programme continues | |
| Wednesday 2 February | All new International Students starting in 2005 | |
| Thursday 3 February | Year 9 & all new students - Welcome & Powhiri Year 13 students to assist in welcome | |
| Friday 4 February | Year 10 commences; Years 9 and 13 continue | |
| Monday 7 February | All students attend for normal classes | |
| New International Students | Report outside the library at 8.45am on Wednesday 2 February | |
| Year 13 Students | Report to the hall at 9.00am on Tuesday 1 February for leadership workshops | |
| Year 10 Students | Report to Form Class at 8.40am on Friday 4 February | |
| Year 12 Students | Report to Form Class at 8.40am on Monday 7 February | |
| Year 11 Students | Report to Form Class at 8.40am on Monday 7 February |
Year 9 students and other students new to the school, and their caregivers, are invited to a formal welcome and Powhiri at 8.40am on Thursday 3 February. 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 1 February 2005
Junior Prizegiving:
The top awards presented at our Junior Prizegiving held on 1 December 2004 are as follows:
| Year 9: | Eddie Monk-Fromont (1st ), Shane Ball (2nd) | |
| Year 10: | Rebekah Dixon (1st), Mark Hansen and Chris Mathieson (2nd=) | |
| Year 9 Dean’s Award: | Eddie Monk-Fromont | |
| Year 10 Dean’s Award (Joint): | Simone Ackermann and Sarah Trass |
Strategic Plan:
Following on from a community survey and wide discussions, a Strategic Plan has been written for 2005 through to 2007. This is an important document which provides a clear direction the school is undertaking in the next three years. This may be viewed in PDF format (350kb) and hard copies may be borrowed at any time by contacting the school office.
Central to our strategic plan is the school focus, which will also apply for the next three years. It is:
" Encourage the innovative;
Achieve academic excellence;
Embrace positive citizenship"
Staffing:
The end of the 2004 school year saw the retirement of several longer serving staff of the school. Most notable among these was the retirement after 31 years of continuous service of Mr Warren Farrelly. Such is his length of service, Warren will be fondly remembered by many present parents of the school as someone who taught them during their school days at Kamo High. In recent times, Warren has been very active in the school’s Duke of Edinburgh outdoor education programme, but mostly for his work over the last 13 years together with his successive Year 13 Geography students in the promotion of three areas within the Whangarei Harbour as Marine reserves. It was therefore very fitting that on the day before Warren’s retirement, the Minister for Conservation, the Hon. Chris Carter, came to the school to announce his acceptance of two of the three proposed areas as marine reserves. This act is a very appropriate memorial to Warren’s dedicated service to his students, the school and marine conservation.
Other long serving staff who left at the end of 2004 include Alistair McDonald who has moved to the Manual Technology Unit at Whangarei Intermediate School after 16 years on this staff, and Don Goodall who retires from the position as Co–ordinator, Community Education – Whangarei, following 16 years service, including his former position as a teacher of Social Sciences on the staff.
Although we are not fully staffed for the 2005 year with vacancies in French, Accounting, English and Geography, at the time of writing the advertisements we have placed would appear to be attracting suitable candidates for these positions.
John Rummery – Senior Manager: Staffing
School Uniform:
Included in this posting is a green detailed sheet explaining the school uniform. There are several changes to the uniform for this year. Please read this sheet carefully as it contains all the relevant information that you need. The school uniform details can be found here.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.
School Library:
Our school library is a wonderful resource for students to use. In addition to a wide range of fiction that covers most tastes, we have excellent resource material, much of which cannot be removed from the library, and it is possible to access the internet. This year, to increase its availability to students, it will be open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon until 4.30pm. We are hoping that many students make use of the opportunity this provides to benefit from what is available.
Cellphone Use:
Last June the following procedures regarding cellphones were instituted at Kamo High School. I would like to remind that they still apply for 2005:- No Year 9 or 10 students are to have cell-phones at school. (Parents may make application to the Senior Manager-Students for an exemption to this rule. Such an exemption will only be made in exceptional cases, and will only be valid if confirmed in writing, by Mrs Crowe. Students exempted must carry the written pass at all times they have their cell-phone).
- Senior (Year 11 – 13) students (and any Year 9 and 10 students who have been granted exemption) MUST leave their cell-phone, switched off, in their bags during class time. (Students who consider this places their phone at risk may leave them in the Student Properties Room before school, and collect at lunch time and/or after school.) There will be no exceptions to this rule.
- Any student who breaks either of these rules will have their telephones impounded until collected by a parent.
- Impounded telephones will be stored in the school safe, and must be collected by a parent. Phones will not be released to students.
- Staff will not be expected to spend ANY time investigating lost or stolen cell-phones.
Parent Contribution:
Please support the school by paying your parent contribution which is $70 per student or $95 per family. This funding enables the school provide a variety of "extra" resources to assist the teaching and learning opportunities. Examples of ways in which the funding is used include: the school magazine, sports equipment, library books, ICT/AV equipment including internet access. The school magazine is issued to the oldest sibling at the end of the year following completion of clearance. Where the parent contribution is not paid, the school magazine must be purchased.
Stationery Sales and Options:
An A5 Stationery Information 2005 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.
Please note: there are no Eftpos or credit card facilities.
Student Option Changes:
All students will find their option subjects for 2005 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 24 to Wednesday 26 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.
Computer Information:
All students will be provided with $5.00 of printing at the beginning of 2005. This equates to 100 black and white sheets. After the initial 100 sheets have been printed, students will need to pay for additional printing.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.
The system for internet use is similar to printing. After the initial $5.00 (which equates to 30 MB) is used, students will need to pay for additional internet time. The allocated amount should be sufficient for the entire school year providing students do not:
- Over use high density graphics (games, movie clips, animations);
- Spend time using the internet on sites not related to study;
- Keep the internet access open while working on other programmes.
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.
Guidance Services:
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 school recognises the absolutely vital and central role the family in general, and Caregivers in particular, play in providing the love and nurture for young people so important in their development. At all times, counsellors and other support workers encourage and foster family relationships.
- Kamo High School is a community of over 1250 people, and is representative of the society in which it is based. It is probable that every problem or concern which is a part of our society is represented to a more or less proportional extent within the school. You can appreciate, therefore, the seriousness and sensitivity of many of the issues Counsellors have to help students cope with.
- Staff employed by the school are, as has already been stated, highly qualified and experienced, and the students recognise in them genuinely concerned adults who can provide for many of their needs. Sometimes there are situations which are beyond the scope, or the expertise of the staff, and we are again fortunate in having access to a range of health professionals, many of whom actually come on to the campus, to work with students in these circumstances.
- Confidentiality between the student and the support person is fundamental to the relationship. While this may, at times, be difficult, in the end students will only approach a counsellor if they know that trust will be maintained. Having said that, it is important to be aware that counsellors always encourage, even urge, students to discuss their concerns with Caregivers and the other important people in their lives. They offer practical advice and support to help bring this about.
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.
Attendance and Punctuality:
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. Students are not permitted to get off the school bus and go into Kamo. Any special requirements will need to be sought the day prior, and a special pass issued from the Deans’ Centre (see below).
Appointments:
Students who require to leave school during the day to keep an appointment (e.g. dentist) are to report to the Deans’ Centre as soon as they get to school to obtain a pass. They will require parental permission or an appointment card to receive that. Apart from reasons of that sort, all students in Years 9 to 12 must remain in the school grounds from the time of their arrival until they leave at the end of the school day.
Visitors to the School:
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.
Messages to Students:
While the office is happy to take urgent messages from caregivers to pass on to students, you will appreciate that it can be very intrusive into their other work commitments. We would therefore ask that you keep requests to contact students during the day to a minimum, and only where the matter is very important. If you intend dropping something at the office for your son or daughter to collect, please ensure they are aware of it, and know to report to the office to collect it. Again, we expect some responsibility from the students in remembering to do this.
NZQA – Qualifications Fees for 2005:
Included with this newsletter is a yellow information sheet. Please read this carefully. For 2005, the following fee structure will apply:
| Entry | Fee |
| Entry for all National Qualifications Framework standards and and up to three scholarship subjects | $75 per candidate |
| Additional scholarship entries | $75 per subject |
Fees should be paid to the school office. A late penalty fee of $25 will be added to payments made after 29 July 2005.
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.
Financial assistance will be available in 2005. We expect the application criteria and fee structure to be the same as 2004. Further details will be found on the NZQA website at www.nzqa.govt.nz. Application forms should be available by March from Mrs Beauregard.
Text Books:
There is still a large number of text books which have not been handed in following the end of the 2004 school year. It is important that all text books are returned to ensure full class sets are on hand for 2005. If your son or daughter has any text books on hand, please ensure they are returned to the school office as soon as possible.
Gateway:
Following is a list of leavers from right across the school who have gained apprenticeships or cadetships. Some have participated in Gateway. All of these students are being paid while they train and will finish up with a qualification and several years of relevant work experience. We encourage you to consider an apprenticeship or cadetship.
| * Lacey Campbell - Retailing | * Ashleigh Gardiner - Retailing | |
| * Lance Watkins - Electrical | * Adam Jaggard - Joinery | |
| * Gareth Shaw - Electrical | * Brad Messenger - Joinery | |
| * Steven Johnson - Plumbing | * Scott Hawkins - Mechanical | |
| * Dion Egan - Horticultural | * Jonelle Dobson - Hairdressing | |
| * Kahlin Cook - Mechanical | * Andrew Sheehan - Plumbing | |
| * Kevin Wilkinson - Electrical | * Matthew Williams - Joinery | |
| * Kyle Campbell - Panelbeating | * Nick James - Refrigeration | |
| * Jason Guy - Fire Protection | * Matthew Allen - Surveying |
Sick Bay:
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.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.
Richard L Abel
Principal
Board of Trustees:
From the Board of Trustees, welcome to Kamo High School for 2005. Current Board parent representatives are: Mrs Claire Watts (Chairperson), Mr Pete Mullenger (Deputy Chair), Mrs Pam Carr, Mr George McCaughey and Mrs Jenny Brett. Together with the Principal, Staff and Student representatives, and the school’s Executive Officer, we meet regularly to discuss and make decisions relating to the governance of the school. Any member of the community is welcome to attend our meetings which are usually held monthly (in the evening). The dates are advertised in the "Coming Events" section of these newsletters (just inside the back cover). It may be worth noting your diary/calendar of the dates you can expect your son or daughter to bring home school newsletters as they contain essential information on dates and events and often have interesting articles about the students. A regular Board article is also included to share news and keep you informed. If you miss out on receiving a copy, you can also view the newsletters on the school website: www.kamohigh.school.nz.Claire Watts – Chairperson
Community Education – Whangarei:
We invite you to join us this year and participate in one of the many classes we have available. The aim of Community Education Whangarei is to create, in partnership with the community, an encouraging environment of challenging opportunities to inspire lifelong learning, personal growth and social and cultural insight. Our classes are due to commence from 14 February onwards. For full details of the courses available this coming term please collect a brochure from your local library or Kamo High School, or check out out website www.cew.ac.nz. Any inquiries can be made when our office reopens on 1 February.Learning for Fun – Learning for Work – Learning for Life
Host Families for International Students:
We are currently looking for host families/homestay accommodation for our international students for the 2005 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.
Sports:
Please be aware that any outstanding sports fees from 2004 need to be paid and/or uniform items returned before any students will be able to participate in school teams in 2005. Please contact me on 09-4351688 with any queries.Gloria Miller – Sports Co-ordinator
 |
| Warren Farrelly and the Hon. Chris Carter, Minister for Conservation, following the announcement of the Marine Reserves to be established in the Whangarei Harbour. |
| Photo supplied courtesy of The Whangarei Leader |
Coming Events:
| 24 January | School Office Re-opens |
| 24/26 January | Course Changes By Appointment |
| 1 February | School Buses Commence |
| 1 February | Year 13 Commences – 9.00am |
| 2 February | All New International Students – 8.45am Outside The Library |
| 3 February | Year 9 and Year 13 – 8.40am (Powhiri and Welcome in hall) |
| 4 February | Years 9, 10 and 13 – 8.40am |
| 7 February | Whole School – 8.40am |
| 10 February | Board of Trustees Meeting |
| 16 February | Year 9 Meet the Teachers |
| 25 February | Kamo High School Swimming Sports |
| 1 March | NSSA Swimming Sports |
| 2 March | Kamo High School Athletics (Kensington) |
| 3 March | Year 10 Roadshow |
| 3 March | KSST Camp |
| 3 March | Next newsletter |
Next Newsletter: Thursday 3 March 2005
See the previous newsletters here.
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Updated 4 February 2005 by N Beauregard