Kamo High School: February 1997 Newsletter

It has been an excellent start to what I am confident will be a memorable year. A feature of the beginning of the year has been the way in which students have returned so promptly, and the comparatively few changes in programmes, and therefore timetables, we have had to accommodate. This is having the effect of ensuring classes quickly settle down to work.

A number of new staff have joined Kamo High School this year. Mrs Nora Elson-White is teaching English and Social Studies; Ms Kelly Gates Physical Education and Science; Mr Todd Hamilton, with responsibility for Chemistry; Mrs Sue Holmes, Mathematics; Ms Sheri Lawson, joining the Social Studies department and with a particular interest in History; Mrs Amanda Peeni who will be teaching English, Drama and Music; and Mr Ian Pritchard, Home Economics and Photography. Mr Greg Holman and Mrs Lowe will be with us for this term, in the Design and Technology and Biology/Science departments respectively. We are very fortunate to have been able to appoint such excellent teachers at a time of national shortage.

Examination Results:
We felt extremely pleased with the results gained by large numbers of our students at the end of last year. Indicative of the achievements are the 7 Scholarships won (Erica Brown - English; Victoria Hotchin - English; Tony Meyer - Accounting; Lauren Pevy - Mathematics; Andrew Prieditis - Mathematics with Calculus and Mathematics with Statistics; and Simon Thomson - English); the fact that 86% of our students who sat in 5 or 6 subjects gained either an "A" or "B" (with more than half these students gaining an "A" Bursary); and the gaining of "University Entrance" by over 80% of those students who sat in 3 or more subjects. There were some equally impressive results by students sitting School Certificate. For instance, Jessica Kerr, a Year 11 student, gained a "1 in Sixth Form Certificate English, a "1" in S.F.C. Mathematics, and averaged 91.5% in the four School Certificate subjects she sat (with her lowest mark being 89%). Such outstanding grades indicate that students are making use of the opportunities being offered. This is a credit to them, and just reward for a lot of dedication and hard work.

Scholarships And Awards:
A number of our students were successful in gaining various scholarships and awards last year:

Recent Developments:
A huge amount of work has been carried out over the holiday period. Everyone will have noticed the painting which has been completed. We are most grateful to the contractors, McNabb and Hay, for the way in which they have managed to do so much in such a short time. Although it has taken us a long time to gain the finances for this work, it is really having a positive impact on the environment. Building on the extensions are well under way. The "shed" is nearly completed. Inside the buildings a considerable amount of work has also been carried out. For instance, every desk in the school is now "as good as new" - many having been repainted over the holidays. The vast majority of rooms now have white boards instead of the old blackboards, and a number of rooms have been painted.

There have also been major additions to the computer facilities available for teaching programmes. The room which used to contain electronic typewriters has now been fully converted to contain 30 word processors run from a central file server. We have one room with 28 computers, and another two rooms which between them run a further 35 computers, running Windows 95, and numerous other software including Office 97, Publisher 97 and so on. The CAD/CAM facility now has 17 computers, and there are a number of additional "stand-alone" computers introduced into the school, many with specialist functions, such as that added to the Music department. All of this is in keeping with our commitment to ensure students are learning on hardware, and using programmes which are the very latest, and therefore of direct relevance to their future needs. We also are pleased that with so many computers in the school students will generally be able to gain access to one for their personal study, as well as during lesson time.

School Size:
I will be in a better position to inform you of the numbers attending the school in the next Newsletter. However, I thought you would be interested to know that at the moment we have 1139 students who have actually confirmed attendance in 1997. This is more than we had originally anticipated, with one of the significant factors in the increase being the greater than expected number of seniors returning. Although there is major pressure on buildings (classroom space; resource areas; specialist rooms and so on) we are wanting to avoid additional temporary buildings for this year, with the expectation that capital works will ensure the necessary improvements are achieved in the very near future. The support and urgency given in this process by the Whangarei Property Office of the Ministry of Education is much appreciated.

Homework Notebook:
The importance we place on communication between the school and the home is something referred to frequently. We also have a commitment to the importance of the schoolwork students do "out of class", and the very positive benefit this has on their academic success. To assist in both these aspects of school life we are this year introducing a Homework Notebook. We are excited about the positive effect we are confident it will have when used correctly. There are some important principles which I would like to outline for you:

The Homework Notebook is compulsory for every student, Year 9 to Year 13. Every student who has not already purchased one will receive a Homework Notebook at Form Period on Tuesday 11 February. They will be expected to pay for these as soon as possible (at a cost of $2.50). Replacements will be available from the Stationery shop.

The Homework Notebook will also be used by parents in writing notes to Form Teachers explaining absences.

This trial has been developed very largely as a result of comments and suggestions which have come through from all sectors of our school's community. It is important that there continues to be debate about its use, and that we discuss ways of improving its effectiveness as the year progresses. As always, your thoughts and ideas will be welcomed.

Buses:
Last year the decision to accept "Direct Resourcing" of the bus routes was taken by the various schools which share the majority of the bus services associated with Kamo High School and its contributing schools. Since that decision, there has been a large amount of work required to ensure we were able to start the year transporting the more than 650 bus students attending Kamo High School, plus the many primary and intermediate pupils who also use the buses. Allied with this move in administrative responsibility has been quite a major change in bus routes, largely caused by the changing nature of the school population.

We acknowledge that there have been some difficulties in the first two weeks of the service, and I would like to thank our students and parents for your patience and understanding during this difficult period. The major problems seem largely sorted now, and we will be able to concentrate on some of the individual problems which still exist.

Everyone should be aware that, although the motivation behind all the schools being prepared to accept responsibility for the bus management is to get as good a service as possible for our students, there is not an unlimited supply of money to provide this. I am confident we will end up with a better service than would have been the case if it had continued under the control of the Ministry of Education. This does not, however, mean that every person will get exactly what they feel is the ideal for them.

We also continue to have many of our students making use of the bus services of Tikipunga High School and Whangarei Boys' and Girls' High Schools. Although the feeder buses are under our control, the services of these schools are not, and so details regarding bus routes, times, loadings and the like are not matters we can change. Clearly, we want to be part of any negotiating with the schools, and I must stress there is an excellent relationship between all the schools, with everyone wanting to have what is best for the young people making use of the buses, whatever school they are attending. Parents need to recognise, however, that the decision to attend a school beyond your closest does introduce the potential for transport difficulties. I am confident that with patience and tolerance we will achieve very acceptable compromises.

If you have matters regarding bus routes, timing and other logistic matters of that sort, please make contact with Mrs Shirley Kearney (Executive Officer). If you wish to discuss matters regarding students, such as student behaviour, please contact Mr Garth Jennings (bus controller). If you have matters of major concern, or want to make comment on the wider issues influencing bus routes, please contact me.

Outdoor Education:
As I mentioned in the first Newsletter, Form 3 students will be involved in (3-day/2-night) camps later this term. The dates affected are Monday 17 March to Friday 11 April, with camps occurring at times throughout this period. Students will today (Friday 7 February) be receiving a letter detailing many of the arrangements for the camp, and the exact dates for each core class will be available as soon as possible. I only make brief mention of the activity in this letter, but would urge every student to take part. The camps will be held on the Bland Bay peninsular, and the cost of $45 per student ($60 if there are 2 from the same family) is as low as we can possibly get it. I know the benefits will be significant. In the letter to parents of Year 9 students, we are asking for assistance from adults who would be available to assist at the camps. If anyone who does not have a student at this level would like to be involved, you too are very welcome. I ask that you contact Mr Darryl Davies.

P.T.A.:
The Annual General Meeting of the PTA will be held on Wednesday 5 March, in the school hall, commencing at 7.30pm. Details regarding the format of the meeting will be sent home on Friday 28 February. In the meantime, please put this event in your diary.

Clothing Sales:
Warmest thanks to the PTA members involved in managing uniform sales before term started. The large number of donated items meant prices could be held down, while still adding to PTA funds. Thanks also to all who brought in uniforms.

New Badge:
All jerseys on sale have the new badge, which combines the crest with the tohu. Anyone who purchased "plain" jerseys last year may have the badge put on for no further charge at the end of term, providing the jerseys are all handed in (named) at that time.

School Ties:
A reminder that the school tie, containing the school crest and tohu, is on sale at the office for $18. They make an excellent addition to team uniforms and our daily uniform, for those who would like to wear them.

Colours - Holiday Achievements:
Where students have achieved success over the holiday period (or at any other time, for that matter) which makes them eligible for a colours award details should be given in writing to Mrs Karen Abel, at the sports' office. Parents are welcome to do so on their behalf, if you wish. One criterion to keep in mind is that the student must represent the school in the activity, unless National status has been reached in an activity not available through the school.

Senior Common Room:
The Year 13 Common Room committee are asking for donations to help furnish this year's Common Room. Any of the following would be appreciated: fridge; carpet/mats; jug and toaster; couches and arm chairs; cushions and bean bags; mugs and plates; coffee tables. Any contributions will be gratefully accepted. Pick-ups may be arranged through the school office.

NZ Waka Ama Outrigger Championships
Tui Timoko (5th Junior Boys 500m W1)
Te Riini Kapa (3rd in W6 Teams event)

Athletics - NZ Secondary Schools Championships
Stacey Rogers (Gold in Open Hammer)
- Michelle Prowse (10th in Junior Girls 1500m)

NZ Colgate Games
Michelle Prowse (1st in 1500m - P.B. of 4.57m, 2nd 800m - P.B. of 2.22s)

Yachting - Mahurangi College Junior Regatta
Hamish Wood (16th in fleet of 34)
Guy Wood (19th in fleet of 34)

Sports Clubs:
I hope parents are aware of the various Kamo High School Sports clubs which have responsibility for managing the many teams we have competing in a wide range of codes. We are always looking for additional support, and anyone interested in acting as a coach or manager is asked to contact the school. In the first instance, enquiries should be made through Mrs Karen Abel, Sports' Co-Ordinator.

There are a number of items I have been unable to fit in this Newsletter, and these will be included in the one to be issued on 6 March. I hope you will be able to attend some of the important events occurring in the next few weeks.

12 February	Swimming Meeting	am Championships	pm Whanau
18 February	Kamo High School Netball Club	A.G.M.
19 February	Kamo High School Rugby Club	A.G.M.
4 March	School Athletic Sports	and	Whanau Sports
5 March	Kamo High School P.T.A.	A.G.M.
6 March	Parent Newsletter No. 3