Dear Parents
Kia Ora Tena Katou Katoa
It has been a wonderfully positive start to the year. Thank you to those who have been so enthusiastic in your comments on the way in which your sons and daughters have settled in to the New Year. As always we have several hundred new students, both those at Year 9 (all of whom are, of course, starting with us this year) and at other levels. It is excellent to see how well the vast majority are focussed on their studies and looking forward to meeting the challenges of the year.
We have quite a number more students with us than had been anticipated, and this has inevitably created a number of problems. However, again everyone has been patient and understanding, and accepted the inevitable delays in finalising timetables positively and readily. I hope the following information is of value to you all, and emphasise again, the importance we place on communication between school and home. Please do not hesitate to make contact with the school if there is anything we can do to assist your sons and daughters have a really successful time with us. Please understand that almost all teaching staff have classroom responsibilities, and so appointments are essential, and may take a few days to be arranged.
Parents may be aware that in the most recent employment contract round, secondary teachers obtained an increase in the number of non-contact hours to which they are entitled. I have on many occasions in the past made comment on the work load of teachers, and this issue has also been featured on many occasions in the media. Compared with the majority of other developed countries, our teachers do not get a lot of recognition for their work load, and so this entitlement is something we welcome, and will certainly go some way to assisting staff meet their responsibilities.
The board and staff, however, were conscious that in spite of all of that, the additional staffing required to meet the cost of that increase was not adequately provided for by the government. We have therefore decided that to avoid the need to increase our class sizes, or “collapse” some of our senior classes which might have fewer students in them, we will on five occasions during the course of the year, request that students work at home. This will provide staff with an excellent opportunity to do intensive preparation, concentrate on internal assessment issues, undergo professional development, and in general terms address some of the important aspects of their responsibilities which all too often have to be sacrificed because of the demands placed on them.
We will ensure students have plenty of work to do, and hope they see it as an opportunity to show maturity and initiative in taking responsibility for their learning. Where it is completely unreasonable for students not to come to school, we will ensure there are appropriate alternatives made for them, and senior students will be in a position to access many of the school resources, such as the library, computers, and so on. Arrangements can be made through discussion with staff.
There are a number of schools who are managing the issue in this way, and we would hope that parents see it as a positive support for the wonderful work that is being done by the teachers. I will ensure you are given adequate warning for each of these days, the first one of which is going to be on Friday 11 March.
As in the past, most of the bus runs to Kamo High School began operations smoothly at the start of the year. However, due to an increase in the numbers of students from the areas of Hikurangi and further north, the loadings on the K01, K02, K04 and K016 buses have been very high. This has meant some students have been asked to move from the bus they may normally take, onto another bus, so that the loading limits are not exceeded. Despite this inconvenience, at no time have any students who indicated they required a ride home, been left behind at school at the end of the day.
For many years the schools in the northern area of Whangarei have managed our own bus network, and this has enabled us to respond positively to the particular needs of groups of our parents. Unfortunately the government funding provided has not kept pace with cost increases. Not only are we no longer in a position to fund extensions, we are close to the point where the funding does not meet the basic route costs. There is a good chance we will have to return the management of the transport network to the ministry, as obviously we cannot use school funds to subsidise student transport. Parents who are disappointed at our inability to approve any special requests need to be aware that even now the bus runs are in some cases more generous than will be the case under Ministry management. There can be no guarantee this will continue if we do not receive greater Ministry support.
From time to time parents need to get a message to your sons and daughters. While we are happy to try and arrange for delivery of these messages if it is at all possible, I would ask you to keep such requests to times of real emergency. It is often quite time consuming for the office staff to locate students, especially if there is any urgency. If you intend dropping lunch, or other items off at the office, please ensure the student is aware of that, and knows to report to the office to collect it without being called.
Of central importance to academic success is the importance of regular attendance, and punctuality. It is rather stating the obvious to point out that absence from class interferes with progress in school work. We ask that parents support us in ensuring your sons and daughters attend school regularly, and maintain a high standard of punctuality. All absences need to be explained by communication with the school – generally in the form of a note from the caregiver to the form teacher. We also ring as many parents as possible when students have had three days of consecutive absence.
Where students are wishing to be absent for reasons other than those covered by the Education Act, I would ask that parents write to me seeking permission. While we generally are happy to support such requests, it is important that we are informed prior to absence. Parents also need to be aware that assessments are occurring throughout the year – and for senior classes these often contribute to the qualifications students are working to achieve. Inevitably absences can interfere with course coverage, and may have implications for assessment opportunities. It is unreasonable to expect staff to have additional workload imposed on them by such absence, and while we are happy to assist as much as possible, the majority of the responsibility will rest with the students themselves.
Richard Abel
Principal
3 March 2005
Welcome to parents and students new to the school this year.
For your information, 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 (Mr Ian Smith ) and Student (Rachel Leong) representatives, and the school's Executive Officer (Mrs S Kearney).
Members of the school community are welcome to attend our meetings which are usually held monthly (in the evening), when we discuss and make decisions relating to the governance of the school, review Board policies on a two-yearly cycle, receive monthly financial reports, as well as reports from the Principal and Staff and Student Representatives to keep us up-to-date with what is happening on our campus.
Claire Watts - Chairperson
At a senior assembly recently the school recognised the excellent external assessment performances of the students listed below. Exams are often a daunting challenge, but many of our students rise to the occasion in a very commendable way.
Those recognised at Level 1 were:
Level 2 highest achievers were:
And at Level 3 we invited students back to school to receive the acknowledgement of their peers. They were:
Our school focus for the next three years is “achieving academic excellence”. Our challenge is to ensure the list of high achieving students continues to grow.
Bruce Furrell, Senior Manager - Curriculum
21 prefects were selected this year and once again attended the Prefect Camp at Tangihua Lodge. It was an amazing experience for everybody and allowed the prefect team to really get to know each other personally, which also brought the group together as a strong unit. Activities organised by staff focused on teaching leadership and working together as an effective team. The team also got to identify what we wanted to change, strengthen or create within the school and established a new key phrase for 2005, linking on from last year : “Carry the Spirit – Wairua Tono Ake”. (The second part of the phrase translating into “Spirit Forever”.
Rachel Leong – Prefect
Head Prefects :
Prefects:
The Year 13 students took part in two days of leadership training in the first week of the school year. From my experience, it was a successful two days, and because the students were separated into their whanau groups, it allowed the smaller groups to create closer bonds and really strengthen the whanau spirit. Lessons in trust, leadership and how to function effectively as a team were emphasized, and it really inspired the Year 13's to gather their courage and lead the rest of the school by example. The staff also helped prepare the Year 13's to help this year's new Year 9's settle into Kamo High School comfortably.
Rachel Leong – BOT Student Representative
We make no apology for being more strict on enforcing uniform expectations this year. Parents and students were informed of this intention in the correspondence that went home in January, and statements such as “she was allowed to wear this last year” are of no relevance – if garments are not school uniform they will not be permitted.
Parents also need to be aware that uniform decisions, while in the final instance made by the Board of Trustees, follow recommendations which come from a committee with parent, Board, student and staff representatives. If there is any aspect of the uniform you would like changed, address a letter to the committee, and forward to the office. If you don't want our school to have a uniform, express that opinion to the Board.
The uniform committee is still confirming the style, fabric and colour for the girls' shorts. Unfortunately therefore they are not currently available at the stockists, but we hope to have them ready for Term 4 this year.
Karen Crowe – Senior Manager, Students
Thank you to all those families who utilised the ‘before school sales time' to buy what they needed. While the school endeavours to make this as stress free as possible, often the process was delayed by parents and students arriving with their stationery list incomplete. The school appreciates the PTA's support with this important service to parents and is saddened that they are struggling to find volunteers to help out.
The huge number of students still bringing in their bulk orders after the transfer back to the stationery shop has further delayed the issue of backorders. Some text books, including Year 11 Science NCEA Level 1, have still not arrived but will be distributed to students, who have paid, as soon as we receive them.
Bulk prices have now finished, and a new price list is available from the main office, the Deans' Centre or the stationery shop.
If you have any queries regarding stationery, please contact me as soon as possible, as it is easier to sort out queries now, rather than later in the year.
Sheryl Riceman - Stationery Co-ordinator
The year nine science students started their year with “The Science of Harry Potter'. Mostly edible experiments, this was enjoyed by everyone. Clearly some science teachers make better witches and wizards than others. The important skills of observation and questioning started from day one at Kamo High School . Excellent! We are looking forward to a wonderful year.
Hazel McIntosh – HOD Science
This competition takes place each year in schools throughout Australia , New Zealand , the Pacific region and a few Asian countries. Your child is invited to participate.
Competition Date: 11 May 2005
Closing Date: 11 April 2005
Cost: $6.50
All Students receive a certificate.
For more information please contact either your child's science teacher or myself.
Mrs Dianne Meyer – Science Teacher
E nga maatua, e nga whaea, e rau rangatira ma, tena koutou katoa.
It is my pleasure to welcome Donna and Pereri Mahanga as tutors of the school's kapa haka group. Pereri and Donna tutor kapa haka at Kamo Intermediate and Parua Bay and are looking forward to working with our students here at Kamo. They bring with them a wealth of knowledge and are willing to work together with us to build a strong and successful group.
We have over 50 students participating in kapa haka this term – this group includes international exchange students, students who have never done kapa haka before and some students who have been doing kapa haka for a long time. To all those who wish to join and haven't yet done so, please see Mrs Spring.
Mrs Lucille Spring – Teacher of Te Reo Maori
Night classes are available at Kamo High School for adult students. There are still spaces available this term in the following classes:-
Editing & Printing Digital Photos Special Effects Photography
Culinary Herbs Pronouncing Maori Names
PowerPoint Maori Perspective
Woodwork Tutor Training
Mosaics Watercolours
For full details of classes collect a brochure from your local library or Kamo High School or visit our website www.cew.ac.nz . To enrol email cew@kamohigh.school.nz or phone/fax
09 435 0889.
Learning for Fun – Learning for Work – Learning for Life
For 2005, the following fee structure will apply:
| Fee structure for domestic candidates | |
| Entry | Fee |
| Entry for all NQF standards and up to 3 Scholarship subjects | $75 |
| Additional Scholarship entries | $75 per subject |
| Fee structure for foreign fee paying candidates | |
| Entry | Fee |
| Entry for all NQF standards | $375 |
| All Scholarship entries | $100 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.
Financial Assistance
Candidates applying for income related financial assistance are required to pay a processing fee to offset handling costs for processing entries and administration/certification fees.
Families with more than one child who is a candidate are entitled to partial remission of fees irrespective of family income.
TABLE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE |
||
|
Eligible for beneficiary or income based assistance Fee to Pay |
Not eligible for beneficiary or income based assistance Fee to Pay |
One child who is a candidate |
Processing fee NQF |
Full fee |
Two or more children who are candidates |
Processing fee NQF |
$75 per child with a maximum of $200 per family |
Your completed application must be sent to school for processing before
29 July. Please apply to Mrs Meyer 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 Meyer for details.
Further details about fees and financial assistance will be available in section 4.2.2 of the 2004 Rules and Procedures on the NZQA website at: www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/acrp .
Mrs Dianne Meyer – Qualifications Co-ordinator
The Year 9 teachers are currently testing the students in their classes to find the level of knowledge and skill these students have when dealing with numerical calculations. It is a wonderful, but unfortunately rare, opportunity we have been given. The information gained will be used to plan lessons and work for individuals and groups of students with a view to improving their numeracy skills, and ultimately their confidence in Mathematics.
Entries are also being taken for the National Bank and Australian Mathematics competitions. Please encourage your son or daughter to participate in these academic competitions. Details are available from the class teachers.
Mrs Dianne Anson - HOD Mathematics
The staff working in Learning Support would appreciate parents contacting us if you have SPELD reports or any other assessments which may assist us in better catering for your student's special learning needs. Please send them to school or contact Beryl Smith .
Beryl Smith – Careers and Learning Support
2004 was another successful year for the Gateway programme in our school. We have listed statistics included in our Training Outcome Report complied for the Tertiary Education Commission who administers the programme. We are delighted that not one of the 44 Gateway students who have left school is recorded as unemployed.
If you would like to know more about Gateway please contact us on ph/fax 435 2931.
Kathy Draper - Gateway Co-ordinator
We have had a busy, busy start to 2005 with 22 International Students returning to continue their studies and 18 new students arriving. We welcome the newcomers and hope you find your time here productive and enjoyable.
Student |
Country of Origin |
Student |
Country of Origin |
Beatriz de Carvalho |
Brazil |
Nora Maas |
Germany |
Renata Salles |
Brazil |
Jonas Scheitza |
Germany |
Diego Avancine |
Brazil |
Julika Stiller |
Germany |
Bruno Sampayo |
Brazil |
Izumi Furuyama |
Japan |
Bruna Tomita |
Brazil |
Ju-An Kim |
Korea |
Anthony Pinkerton |
England |
Tae- Yo ung Yo on |
Korea |
Saara Malinen |
Finland |
Mira Graemiger |
Switzerland |
Jessica Markiewicz |
Germany |
Tong Bunlengthong |
Thailand |
Katharina Oeser |
Germany |
Jessica Ball |
Venezuela |
We are holding a meeting for homestay parents on 3 March at 7pm in the library. Please come along to meet other parents and share your stories! Anyone interested in becoming a homestay family can ring the school office and leave a message for Mrs Michelle White . We are always looking for caring homes for new students.
On 4 March we will be making our biannual trip to visit the mayor, who officially welcomes all new International Students to the city.
Both Richard Abel and I will be involved with offshore marketing this term. We look forward to catching up with our wonderful agents and ex-students in Asia, and Thailand and Vietnam respectively, and having the opportunity to promote Kamo High School .
Gaylene Sanford - International Student Coordinator
Special FX and Driving Skills are the first two modules being taken by the more than 40 students taking our Pathways Course which is being trialled this year at Kamo High School . All modules are unit standard based so students are gaining credits in industry based units before they begin at a job. Next term we hope to run Automotive Engineering and Childcare with Forestry also a strong possibility.
ASDAN which is new to the school and also part of the course, is a system designed to help students towards independent research and study, and runs through Bronze to Silver and then Gold Awards. In addition all students are completing Level One of the National Certificate of Employment Skills, completing Gateway work placements and hopefully gaining their driver's licences and securing part time work.
Our students will be working hard. We see them all acquiring the skills to be sought after workers in good jobs in Whangarei's buoyant economy.
Julie Riggir - Pathways
The Social Science Department covers a huge range of subjects and interests, from social studies, future problem solving, and environmental studies in the junior school to geography, history, classical studies, economics and enterprise in the senior school.
Coming up in early March is an event that many classes will take a special interest in:
SEAWEEK
6 March 2005 – 13 March 2005
This is an annual, week long celebration of our marine environment co-ordinated by the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education Incorporated (NZAEE). The theme for Sea Week 2005 is " One Ocean " - “Te moana takutahi”.
Sea Week objectives :
We hope all students are now coming to school well equipped with all their writing materials and books, especially Year 10's with the new “My Skills Book” that will be used in class and for homework. It is a great little book for preparing students with many of the skills essential to succeed in senior options in coming years.
Enterprise
Our Young Enterprisers are at it again with Director Seminars in March. We have fifty students involved in this year's programme with students ranging from Year 11 to 13, as well as a new Young Entrepreneur company. There are already some fantastic ideas, so watch this space.
Also in Week 2 of this term a group of Kamo students participated in this year's Lion Business Experience at Tikipunga High School . It was an exciting event and Rebecca Andrews , Year 13, was a key member of the winning team.
Rebecc a has also been a real stand out in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards that is well supported by the Social Sciences staff. Such opportunities give our students a wide and well rounded education.
Alan Bayly – Social Sciences
To Sarah Trass on being selected by the Royal Society of New Zealand to attend the Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition in Beijing , travelling on 22 March this year, along with 4 other students from New Zealand .
You may recall that, following on from her local win at the 2004 Science Fair, Sarah participated in Realise the Dream in December 2004, and because of her achievements at that event she has been selected to attend the Beijing competition.
All travel, accommodation and activities are sponsored by Asia: New Zealand and the Ministry of Research Science and Technology.
We all know that Sarah will be an excellent ambassador for the school and New Zealand , and congratulate her on her achievements thus far.
Kia ora and welcome to the first Arts News for 2005.
We're all looking forward to a full year in the Arts Centre and hope to see you at one of the many arts events planned for this year.
Now that we have such a wonderful place to work and learn, we want to build upon the successes of the past and to shape a new future in arts education in Whangarei.
Our theme for this year in The Arts is:
He toi whakairo, he mana tangata
Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity
This theme is the same as in 2004 and really sums up the spirit of what we are about in The Arts at Kamo High School .
At the end of every year we celebrate student achievement at the Arts Awards. We have great pride in giving away these “flame” trophies to those students who are most deserving of recognition in the Arts. I challenge all students to make the decision to give their best to whatever they are doing this year in The Arts…… “Light the Flame”
I would like to welcome Kay Haigh to The Arts Department as the new Arts Co-ordinator. Kay brings with her a wealth of enthusiasm and passion for the arts and will take on a variety of roles in this area. Her main role is to support arts opportunities that enrich what is already happening in the classroom. She is the arts “front person” and is the first contact students will have when seeking information relating to The Arts. Kay will also let you know what is happening at school and in the community via these newsletters, notice boards and in the daily student notices. Welcome Kay.
I am very keen to invite working artists / professionals into school to share their knowledge with our students and to promote links with the community. I am hoping this will give our students “real” opportunities in the art industry.
In closing, I would like to encourage parents to contact me with any queries or suggestions as to how we can improve how / what we are providing in The Arts.
I look forward to meeting you throughout this year.
E noho ra
Ian Pritchard - Head of The Arts
Email: ianp@kamohigh.school.nz
From spending eight years as Canteen Manager at Kamo High School , I find my new role in the school dramatically changed as I start my journey as Arts Co-ordinator. To me this appointment is terribly exciting as I have always had a love of the arts - even in my position as canteen manager I endeavoured to present our foods from the visual aspect as well as taste.
Over this year I will assist the Arts teachers in bringing new and exciting experiences to the students - with our new state-of-the-art Art Centre the tools are already in place. “Here's to a GREAT year in the Arts Department”.
WHATS HAPPENING?:
DRAMA : Senior students will attend “Equus”, a play by Peter Shaffer preformed by the Auckland Theatre Co. They will also attend the “Outdoor Shakespeare 2005 Romeo and Juliet” at the Maidment Theatre, Auckland .
DANCE: A group of students have attended a demonstration and workshop by Dziah which was held at Whangarei Girls' High School. On 18 March a group will attend the Auckland Secondary Schools' Polynesian Festival.
ARTS : The visual arts students have visited “Florabunda”, an exhibition at the Whangarei Art Museum , starting off the year the way it will continue.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
FROM THE ARTS CALENDAR:
HAPPENINGS OUTSIDE SCHOOL :
ARTISTS IN SCHOOL… DO YOU WANT TO BE ONE?
If you would like to help out the Arts in any way or have an event in the Arts you would like to promote, please contact me at the Arts Department.
WANTED: Slide Projector… donations gratefully accepted
Kay Haigh - Arts Co-ordinator
STAGE CHALLENGE
The students are already working hard getting this year's stage challenge organised. Our central idea revolves around the effects of war. All students are welcome to participate and we will be needing a lot of help designing and building sets, creating costumes and general behind the scene activities. Meetings and rehearsals for the Stage Challenge will start later this term.
If there are any parents/caregivers who own or work for businesses and who might be interested in sponsoring or helping out, that would be appreciated; in particular we will be needing equipment such as paint, wood, cardboard and materials for costumes. Please contact me at the school if you are able to contribute. We anticipate an amazing Stage Challenge this year, and we look forward to sharing it with you….
Miss Brenda Meyer – Teacher of Dance
The first term of each year is always packed with sports tournaments and competitions, trials and rallies, organising teams, appointing coaches and managers, purchasing gear and uniforms, etc, etc. This year is no different!
Already we have had the Senior Volleyball Preliminary Tournaments (which both our girls' and boys' teams won), then Swimming Sports last Friday, Athletic Champs yesterday, and our cricket teams involved in Saturday competition, Robertson Shield and Northpower Cup tournaments. At the moment we are holding weekly rugby trainings, netball and hockey trials and rallies, touch and rugby sevens practises during lunchtime at school with the following still to come:
Girls' Cricket Leaf Cup - 6/7/8th March at Kensington
NSSSA Athletics Champs - 9th March at Kensington
KHS Surf Champs - 16th March at Ocean Beach
KHS Tennis Champs - 17th March at Thomas Neale
NSSSA Tennis Champs - 30th March at Thomas Neale
NSSSA Golf Tournament - 21st March at Northland Golf Club
KHS & NSSSA Triathlon - 22nd March at Ruakaka
NSSSA Volleyball Finals - 23 rd March at Kensington
NSSSA Trapshooting - 23rd March at Kaeo
NSSSA ODE - 30th March at Dargaville
Senior Basketball - 1st/2nd/3rd April at Rotorua
NZ Senior Volleyball - 4-10th April at Palmerston North
Whew!!
The Annual General Meetings of the Rugby , Cricket, Hockey and Netball Clubs were held recently and I must say that the support from parents/caregivers was disappointing considering the number of students involved. If you are able to assist with own transport or driving the school van, phoning team members, scoring cricket games, supervising, coaching or managing teams, etc., please phone me at school 435-1688.
A reminder to all, please, that students who have outstanding sports fees from 2004 need to make payment now or make an arrangement with Mrs Miller at the Sports Office before their 2005 sports season begins.
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
… members of our 1 st XI Cricket team who won the Men's Reserve Grade one-day competition played during the summer break.
… Simone Ackerman for being selected in the Inter districts Surf Life Saving Competition in Taranaki, and the New Zealand Age Group Swimming Championships in Christchurch during 28 February/4March.
… Alyx Pivac selected in the New Zealand Junior
Mounted Games team to travel to Australia in April.
… Todd Drinkwater , a Year 13 student and member of the Hurapaki Taekwon Do Club, who has been to three trials for the New Zealand Senior Men's Team and on 12/13/14 th March will attend the final trial and selection in Taupo. Good luck, Todd.
… Michael Villanova (together with his 4's and 8's teams) for qualifying for the National Rowing Champs to be held in Twizel during 28 Feb/5 March.
… Warrick and Rueben Wright members of Whangarei Novice Rowing 8 who got bronze at the North Island Champs and will be competing at nationals in Twizel also.
Gloria Miller - Sports Co-ordinator
I have heard that we have, new to our school this year, a very good squash player ( Alex) , some talented rugby players (Marcel, Te Ae, Corey), an experienced overseas volleyball player ( Izumi) , a keen hockey player from Germany (Katharina) and many other exciting sports people. Our Sports Department extends a very warm welcome to all new students at Kamo High School and encourages you to join with our present sports students and…
HAVE FUN, MAKE FRIENDS, TRY A NEW SPORT, COACH, UMPIRE, GET INVOLVED WITH SPORT AT KAMO HIGH SCHOOL!
Gloria Miller - Sports Co-ordinator
Kamo High School is committed to providing pupils the opportunity to play rugby for the school. The new jerseys have been ordered and subsidised medical and physiotherapy treatment has been confirmed to ensure that player welfare is not compromised. A weigh-in was held recently and we will definitely have teams playing at JB 7 and under 18 level. Coaches and managers have been finalised for those teams. In addition to this we have a number of boys at JB 8 and JB 9 level who wish to play rugby for the school. I will liase with the local clubs to investigate the opportunity for a combined team or pick up any surplus players they may have. This will ensure that boys who want to play rugby get to play.
Thank you to the people who have shown an interest to help in managerial roles and as technical advisers. We would welcome the support of parents or members of the community to assist as coaches. We will support your development as a coach by paying the fees associated with coaching courses.
Please contact the sports office or me if you are able to help in any way.
Darryl Davies - HOD Physical Education