Kamo High School

August 2005 Newsletter

Index:

Principal's Message
Board of Trustees
Open Afternoon/Information Evening
NZQA Confirmations
Uniform Changes
Where Will you be in 25-Years?
Canteen
Community Education
"Raising Teenagers"
International Students Department
From the Maori Department
Ball Sponsors
From the Arts Department
Sports News
Important Bus Information
Coming Events


"Encourage the Innovative; Achieve Academic Excellence;
Embrace Positive Citizenship"



Dear Parents

Kia Ora Tena Katou Katoa

Over the next several weeks we are busy getting information from students regarding next year. The enrolment of Year 8 students involves our staff visiting the main contributing schools and meeting with students and their caregivers. This is occurring in the week beginning Monday 22 August . If you currently have a son or daughter in that position, please keep an eye out for information from the school as to when that will occur, and take the opportunity to make an appointment.

Students who cannot attend an interview at that time, or who are currently attending a school we do not visit are invited to attend an interview here on Tuesday 13 September, from 4.00-6.00pm. Please contact the school office to arrange an appointment time.

On Wednesday 17 August we will be holding our open afternoon and information evening. This is an opportunity of particular interest to prospective Year 8 students and their caregivers, to visit the school and have a look through our spectacular facilities, and then stay on to hear some brief comment about next year. School tours, which will take approximately one hour, commence at 4.00pm and will leave from the front of the administration building from that time through to approximately 5.30pm. The information sharing part of the evening will be in the hall, commencing at 7.00pm. We encourage everyone to make use of this time to see and hear something of our school.

Currently enrolled students who are returning next year will be spending time this term completing option selections. This is a very important process, and one where we spend a lot of time providing advice to students. Careful thought needs to be given to subjects for next year, as future plans – whether academic or employment – frequently require particular subjects are studied. Each year we publish a subject handbook which details all option subjects. In addition to hard copies being available to borrow from Form Teachers, the office and the library, it is also available to view on the school's web site.

Many students and caregivers have also made appointments to meet with Mr Rivers, the Careers' Adviser, and there is a series of classroom programmes to assist students understand the many implications they must consider in making their choices.

Senior Examinations have now just been completed, and the results of these, plus the on-going internal assessment results students at Year 11 to Year 13 receive, provide a further guide as to what is appropriate to study.

It is important for everyone to realise that participating in the assessment process for each subject is a requirement in meeting course completion – and failure to do so without adequate reason will probably result in students being ineligible to study that subject at a more advanced level. This is particularly important when it comes to sitting external examinations.

PLEASE NOTE: Students who fail to sit any external examinations for which they have entered without adequate reason will be ineligible to study that subject at a more advanced level next year, and may place in jeopardy their chance to study the subject even at the same level next year.

 

SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORT:

There has been considerable publicity about suggested changes in the way in which school bus transport is provided for our students. You are probably aware that the government has placed on hold any significant changes, and so for the moment, there will be no difference to the eligibility or extent of school transport.

It is also seems more clear now that it is extremely unlikely future changes will create the concerns that we had feared might occur. From assurances we have received from senior Ministry officials, it seems highly probable that students will continue to be able to access transport to their nearest secondary school, and where needed then use the fare-paying service to get to their school of choice. All the secondary schools in Whangarei are pleased that what in our opinion is an excellent service, providing parents with meaningful choice for which school they chose to send their son or daughter to, will remain.

 

CELLPHONES:

I would like to again emphasise the difficulties created by students bringing cellphones to school and remind everyone of two fundamental rules:

1. Juniors (Year 9 and 10) are not permitted to have cellphones at school at all unless special circumstances have been explained in a note from home and a permit has been issued by the school. It is extremely difficult for Deans when a student, who should not have a phone at school, results in problems that are too serious for us to ignore.

2. Seniors may have a phone at school but it must be turned off in class time.

We ask for your support in enforcing what we think are very reasonable limits.

     

Richard L. Abel
Principal
11 August 2005

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Congratulations to students involved in the Stage Challenge and Rockquest competitions, Chamber Festival, Shakespeare group, and the Big Sing on your great achievements during last term, and to a number of our sports teams who have been celebrating wins recently. A big thank you to the many staff members, parents and other members of the wider school community who willingly put in the extra hours required to support all the extra-curricular activities available at the school. I am sure the enthusiastic and committed participation and success of our students makes it all worthwhile.

To parents and caregivers - your co-operation during that last week of Term 2 when we had to close the school for the day on the Thursday was appreciated. The decision to ask students and staff to stay at home was made in consultation with the other secondary schools following a specific weather warning received by our school from the Regional Council about midday on the Wednesday which predicted the very heavy rain to continue for the next 24 hours. Fifteen students were not able to get home that night and some buses had to travel alternate routes. With a very small window of opportunity between heavy rain falling and subsequent flooding effecting so many of our bus students in the outlying rural areas, it would have been foolish to ignore that warning. Murphy's Law prevailed when Thursday turned out to be reasonably fine.

Claire Watts - BOT Chairperson

 

OPEN AFTERNOON

On 17 August we have an open afternoon for parents/caregivers and students. Although it is primarily aimed at Year 8 students and their parents, it is a wonderful opportunity for all members of the school community to have a look around our attractive campus.

The first tour begins at 4.00pm from the front office; the last at 5.30pm.

Please come and have a look around and learn more about some of the courses our school offers at all levels.

Bruce Furrell – Senior Manager, Curriculum

 

NZQA CONFIRMATIONS

Students have been advised to check their results on the NZQA website. They should log in to the NZQA student area (www.nzqa.govt.nz) and check that the results NZQA are displaying are indeed correct. A brown envelope containing this information with instructions was distributed to all NCEA level students a few weeks ago.

Dianne Meyer – NZQA Co-ordinator

 

UNIFORM CHANGES FOR 2006

The Uniform Committee has been reassessing the uniform code, considering the following factors:

•  Summer/winter items
•  Junior/senior items
•  Identification to Kamo High School
•  Cost
•  Availability of fabrics/garments

•  Northland weather
•  Uniformity of styles
•  Timelessness of styles
•  Student perceptions

 

The committee's recommendations to the Board of Trustees were presented, discussed, adjusted slightly and accepted at the June meeting. The following summary outlines the changes made for the 2006 uniform .

There is a junior code – Years 9 and 10, and a senior code – Years 11 and 12.

Year 13 students may continue to wear mufti clothes suitable for school/work.

 

Junior Boys

 

•  Red polo shirt only with school logos, i.e. no white polo shirts

•  Regulation black trousers (there is only one style available) with school logos

 

Junior Girls

 

•  Regulation blouse with school logos

•  Regulation black trousers (there is only one style available) with school logos

•  Regulation – charcoal – girls' shorts with school logos

 

Senior Boys

•  Regulation short sleeved dress shirt with school logos

•  Regulation black trousers (there is only one style available) with school logos

•  Regulation black shorts with school logos

•  Regulation black school socks with green and red bands

 

Senior Girls

•  Regulation plain black skirt (there is only one style available) with school logos

•  Regulation blouse with school logos

•  Regulation black trousers (there is only one style available) with school logos

•  Regulation black shorts with school logos

 

All students

•  Trousers cannot be worn in term one

•  Trousers must be worn with shoes and socks

•  Shoes must be plain black, low heeled, lace-up, leather or leather look which can be polished, worn with black laces

•  Black sandals must be worn with a back strap. Socks are not to be worn with sandals

•  Caps in school colours (e.g. plain red, black, white or dark green) can be worn outside all year

•  Small jewellery items can be worn discreetly

 

Transition Time:  

The committee would sincerely like to thank Michelle Batty from Bethell's Uniforms for her direction, expertise and support in this process.

Karen Crowe – Senior Manager, Students

 

WHERE WILL YOU BE IN 25-YEARS?

When we were at Kamo High, I don't think we ever considered what we would be doing or where we would be in 25 years time. But here it is - 2005 and our Kamo High School 7 th Form Class of 1980 are about to hold a class reunion. Of the 41 students in our year almost 30 classmates will be attending, many travelling from other parts of the world. Most of us have not seen each other since 1980 so we will have plenty to talk about and catch up on.  Our weekend will consist of several social events including a visit to the school which should bring back many memories and lots of laughs. We will also hold a ceremony to remember three of our classmates who are now deceased. Despite not having contact with each other for so many years, we can assure you the friendships you make at Kamo High will last a life time – ours have!

Jude (Judith) Thompson and Paul Sykes

Head Girl and Head Boy, Kamo High School , 1980

P.S. We feel proud to have attended the best High School in New Zealand - you should too!

CANTEEN

Many parents may not be aware that the canteen is under new management. Below is the new menu including some old favourites as well as some new items that are proving very popular. It has been very rewarding to see consumption of pies drop by over 50% with these new introductions.

Parents and students may be interested to know that we have been serving breakfast from 8.15am.

Our new BREAKFAST MENU is as follows:

Breakfast items only will be sold before the first bell.

 

LUNCH MENU

(This term we will be introducing delicious 90% fat free pies with less fat, salt & calories, developed specifically for schools as a more nutritious lunch option)

NEW DRINKS

Julie McKeefrey – Canteen Manager

 

COMMUNITY EDUCATION WHANGAREI

Evening classes are available for adults 16 years and over. We offer a range of educational activities and opportunities within the community and support the learning needs of individuals, groups and businesses. For a full list of courses visit our website www.cew.ac.nz or collect a brochure from Kamo High School or your local library. Classes include Languages, Guitar, Photography, Tikanga Maori and of course a variety of computer classes. New courses available this term include:-

For further information ph/fax 4350889 or email cew@kamohigh.school.nz.

Learning for Fun – Learning for Work – Learning for Life

Shona Hill - Community Education Co-ordinator

 

“RAISING TEENAGERS”
'Parents Inc' (formerly 'Parenting with Confidence') is running a six session ‘Toolbox' course, starting 15th August on “Raising Teenagers”.
Cost $67.50 per person, or $90 per couple.
Ph. Equip Centre 4388000 to register or for more information.

"'Parents Inc' is headed up by Ian and Mary Grant, who are well known parenting experts.  They regularly hold seminars around the country, are on radio, and you may have recently seen them twice on the television programme 'Close-up'."

 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS DEPARTMENT

We are privileged to have another splendid group in International Students join us this term. They are:

  • Francesca Cerrone - Italy
  • Nathalia de Carvalho - Brazil
  • Ingmar Ferhle - Germany
  • Silvia Garone - Italy
  • Meike Herrmenn - Germany
  • Signe Jensen - Germany
  • Sophia Jung - Korea
  • Naoko Kashiro - Japan
  • Sachiko Matsuda - Japan
  • Alex Mendes - Brazil
  • Kim Muehl - Germany
  • Maria Vittoria Oliveira - Brazil
  • Elisabeth Rheindorf - Germany
  • Lea Stuhlmann – Germany
  • Sven Walter - Germany

 

Some of these students are here for a term, some for two terms and five of them are here for a year or longer. We look forward to getting to know them all.

Homestay parents: please remember we have a meeting on Monday, 15 August, at 7pm in the school library. This is an opportunity to meet other homestay parents and ask any questions.

Gaylene Sanford - International Student Coordinator

 

FROM THE MAORI DEPARTMENT

He Rau Aroha (Obituary)
It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of two of Tai Tokerau's dedicated teachers.  Mr Pia Ihaka was a member of staff at Taipa Area School and Mr Matiu Tohu was a member of staff at Broadwood Area School .  Both gentlemen passed away during the recent holiday break.  We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to their families and school communities.  No reira e nga rangatira, moe mai ra i roto i te ringa kaha o te Atua.  Arohanui ki te whanau.

Maori Parents' Hui
The second meeting of Maori parents was held on Wednesday 10 th August, with the next to be held on Wednesday 31 August, in the school library, at 7.00pm.  All parents and caregivers of our Maori students are welcome.

Kapa Haka
Unfortunately, kapa haka practices did not progress as we wanted them to last term, due to the start of winter sports, the flu and an extremely busy term.  We want to kick off the practices again this term, with a goal of a trip in Term 4 (details to be finalised).  We have new tutors who are

Maori Language Week (25 – 29 July)
Kamo High School staff and students joined together to face the personal and school challenges of participating in Maori Language Week.  Some staff joined a night class in Te Reo, some learnt Maori for the first time, some brushed up on their pronunciation and some learnt a song or proverb.  Students tried hard to use Maori greetings and put any knowledge of Te Reo, into action.  In all cases, Maori Language Week was well-received at Kamo High School .  Kia kaha tonu!  Keep it up!

Lucille Spring – Teacher of Te Reo Maori

 

BALL SPONSORS

The Ball Committee would like to thank the following businesses for their generosity towards the Kamo High School Ball:

 

•  Bayly's Hair Studio

•  Blue Revolution

•  Burger Wisconsin

•  Kensington Fitness

•  Mahana Confections

 

•  Palmer's Gardenworld

•  Pak ‘n' Save

•  Progressive Enterprises

•  Rodney Wayne

•  Sargent's Pharmacy

Without your support, events like these are not possible.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated.  

Kamo High School Ball Committee

 

FROM THE ARTS DEPARTMENT

The Big Sing:

Congratulations to the Kamo High School choir who won the trophy for the best NZ song in the Big Sing competition held on 13 June. As a result they were chosen to represent Northland as one of  four guest choirs to participate in the Big Sing National Competition. This is to be held in Palmerston North from the 17 - 21 August. Here they will compete against 19 other choirs from all over New Zealand for two coveted trophies. We are extremely proud of the high standard that has been set by all the members of the choir, and wish them luck in the forthcoming competition.

Music is food for the soul.

Carol Stanley – Choir Director  

Stage Challenge 2005

A huge congratulations to Brenda Meyer and her students who won 1st place in the Whangarei Event Night Two 2005 Stage Challenge. The hard work and long hours they put into getting the performance up to top standard sure paid off, on the night they all gave their absolute best which won them the following awards:

 

A very special congratulations goes out to Haley Wilkinson for her amazing backstage organisation and Natalie Ruddell, Lindsay Hardy and Nikita Veany for their great overall organisation and effort. Congratulations to all, watch this space next year.

Also, a big thank you to all our sponsors.

Raffle: The winners of our Stage Challenge Baskets were:

Cassie Ace · Elisha Semenoff · Bruce Judd

1st Year Birthday Bash:

This went off really well, being attended by a large number of parents and members of the community, who enjoyed an insight into life in the Arts Department , nibbled on snacks and later in the evening were entertained by our award winning Stage Challenge group.

“Eye Can See”

This is the exhibition of Year 13 Photography students work exhibited in the Arts Department and had its premier the same night, this was a tremendous success. The Arts Advisor and photo specialist for schools was very impressed with the high standard and presentatio n of t he students work. The next photography exhibition will be on show later.

Drama:

Year 13 Drama class will be attending The Pickle King, a performance in Auckland put on by the Indianink Company.

  Kay Haigh - Arts Co-ordinator

ART

Year 12 artists have again been offered the opportunity to have 3 days of tuition at the Te Kowhai Print Trust using their unique lithography press. Unfortunately, they have had to raise their fee this year from $20 to $60. This is still only a third of the price that is charged for Adult Education but as it is a big leap upwards we will be running some fundraising to assist the students. If anyone would like to sponsor this activity, in return for a choice of a lithography print, please contact

Ann Dugmore - HOD Art.

ROCKQUEST 2005

KHS band “DOWNBEAT” gained 2 nd Place at the Northland Regional Finals this year and also took away the Best Song Award on the night. They now progress to the National semi finals with 43 other regional finalists throughout the country. Downbeat are currently completing set tasks including running a school concert and recording their songs onto DVD for the National Finals selection process. (There were 650 band entries nationally this year so it's quite an achievement to reach the top 44.) Congratulations to Hakopa Wilkie (drums) Matt Easterbrook b Nathan Steel (guitar) Winiata Morunga (guitar/Vocals) and best of luck for the final selections!

Mr Wallace - Music Dept

 

SPORTS NEWS

Our first exciting big event of the term is our annual sports exchange with Rosehill College from Papakura. It is more than 3 years since Kamo High School has won the shield, but we are confident that this year we have the teams to do it! Our sincere thanks to the families who are hosting a Rosehill student on Sunday 14 th August and we invite you to be at the powhiri at 4:30pm in the school hall to collect your billet.

KAMO HIGH -v- ROSEHILL COLLEGE - Monday 15 th August

The second big event of the term is Tournament Week (29th August to 2nd September) with the following teams being involved:

Team

Tournament

Venue

Boys 1 st XI Hockey

NZH India Shield

Dunedin

Girls 1 st XI Hockey

NZH Federation Cup

Whangarei

Netball Team 1

Upper North Island

Mt Maunganui

IC Motors Boys Soccer

NZSS Rex Dawkins Cup

Auckland

Girls Soccer

NZSSGA Nthern Region

Whangarei

Girls Basketball

NZBB Northern Region

Whangarei

We appreciate the coaches, managers and parents who are taking these teams to tournament and trust that the players will appreciate the opportunity that awaits them.

 

SNIPPETS OF NEWS

Ex-student IWI HAURAKI, now playing rugby league in the Parramatta Under 20s, has earned himself a starting position in the Junior Kiwi Rugby League team for a series of test matches against Australia . We congratulate him and wish him all the best for his future games.

Ex-student MICHELLE PROWSE , now at university in Oklahoma , has qualified to compete in the 3000 steeplechase at the World University Games in Turkey later this month. We wish her well and will report more in our next newsletter.

Our boys' badminton team of SVEN WALTERS (recently arrived from Germany ), COREY POPATA, NICHOLAS ANSON and PHILIP CLEMENTS, won the NSSSA Division 2 teams tournament.

At the NSSSA Bowls Tournament held recently at Onerahi, HAYDEN SMITH won the singles title and now represents Northland at the Auckland-North Regionals tournament where he will compete to qualify for nationals and our girls' pairs of SARAH DUFTY and CASSIE RICEMAN placed 2 nd just 1 point behind the winners. Well done, bowlers! SARAH is in fact the Northland Junior Singles Indoor Bowls Champion and next week will represent Northland at the New Zealand finals in Auckland with the chance to make the North Island team. Her other titles the Senior Open Northland Pairs Championship and the Whangarei Champion of Champion Triples. Great results for such a young player.

The 1 st XV Rugby Team played the final of the Northland wide Under 18s competition at the ITM Stadium last Friday night, ending in an 11-All draw. They are joint winners of the title and share this with Kaitaia College .

We presently have many of our sports students selected in Northland teams – hockey, netball, soccer, basketball, rugby and rugby league – and we wish them all the best over the next few weeks of representative matches and games.

Inter-whanau sports this term will be Indoor Soccer during Week 5 and Unihoc during Week 7.

Interested parents welcome to attend:

 

School Hockey Meeting

Tues 16 th August

at 6:00pm

Jubilee Room

School Netball Meeting

Monday 22 nd August

at 5:00pm

Jubilee Room

 

COMING UP

 

THANKS

Once again, thanks very much to all the coaches, managers and parents who are assisting with and supporting the Kamo High School sports teams. You are providing some great opportunities for our students – thank you!

 

Gloria Miller - Sports Co-ordinator

   

IMPORTANT BUS INFORMATION

We have just received notification from Norman 's Motors that their Route 3 service from Onerahi via the Information Centre to Kamo High School (and return) will cease operation on Friday 26 th August.

After this date students living in Onerahi or south of the Blue Goose may use the WGHS/WBHS buses and then transfer to the Kamo shuttle.

Students living in the Regent, Riverside or Raumanga will need to use the public bus service run by Whangarei Bus Services. A bus leaves Smeatons Drive at 7.30am travelling via Morningside to Rose Street terminal, where they transfer at 8.00am to a Kamo bus (travelling via Tikipunga). There is a similar return service in the afternoon leaving the Kamo shops at 3.55pm. If using two buses you need to purchase a transfer fare which is $1.50 per trip.

Contact Gavin Roberts at Whangarei Bus Services (09-4322624) for specific times.

 

COMING EVENTS

 

15 August

Rosehill Exchange

17 August

2006 Open Afternoon and Information Evening

22 August/2 Sept

Year 8 Enrolling at contributing schools

23/24 August

Meningococcal Vaccinations (Stage 3)

25 August

Board of Trustees Meeting

26 August

Option Sheets Issued

29 August/2 Sept

Tournament Week

31 August

Maori Parents Hui – Library 7.00pm

2 September

Senior Reports Issued

5/9 September

OPC Week

5/9 September

2006 Option Selection Interviews – 3.30-4.30pm

8 September

PTA – Student Leaders

12 September

2006 Option Sheets Due

15 September

Next Newsletter

19/22 September

Year 10 Exams and Year 9 Assessments

23 September

End of Term

2 October

Daylight Saving Commences

10 October

Term 4 Commences

 

Richard L Abel
Principal
11 August 2005

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Updated 11 August 2005 by S Barker