Dear Parents
Kia Ora Tena Koutou Katoa
In spite of the difficult conditions arising from both the shortage of classrooms and the very unpleasant weather, the school is working extremely well, and routines are now well established.
I would like to start this letter by discussing very briefly the question of communication. Fundamental to the success of our school is the emphasis placed on us working closely with our community, and it is important that parents in particular feel encouraged to make contact with staff. The most appropriate person to talk to obviously depends on the reason, and the office will willingly advise you on this if you talk with them. Staff who you may wish to contact include the form teacher, the subject teachers, Deans, Guidance or Careers Staff, the Assistant Principal, the Deputy Principal or myself.
General matters are presented to you via the regular Newsletters. We have monthly P.T.A. meetings. Students receive written reports during the year. There are parent report evenings held when staff are available to discuss student progress. Frequently also, staff meet at a convenient time (often lunchtime) to discuss the progress and needs of a particular student with his or her caregivers. These meetings are generally arranged by the Dean.
You will have received a calendar with the posting sent to all families in January, and this should enable you to anticipate many of these activities. Finally, the introduction of the Homework Notebook this year has provided an excellent and regular communication between subject teachers, form teachers and parents. I hope you are finding it as useful as we believe it to be.
We are very aware of the danger, as the school increases in
size, of our community feeling less informed, and that access to
staff is more difficult. We are determined to avoid this
occurring, and ask for your ideas and advice to ensure this does
not happen.
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One of the important events last month was the selection of prefects. Sixteen senior students were elected by Year 13 students and staff, from a strong list of candidates. The Prefect Appointment Committee also interviewed 11 nominees for the positions of Head Prefects. This was an extremely difficult decision to make because of the quite outstanding caliber of those interviewed. The final appointment list is:
Head Prefects:
| Haldane Blank | Angela Kingi |
| Anna Mathers | Karl Marsland |
Prefects:
| Toby Barach | Brad Carter |
| Gemma Day | Shelley Dickens |
| Shane Hohaia | Lee Morunga |
| Martin Richards | Delwin Langman |
| Sasha Webb | Becky Patu |
| Tammy Wrack | Kate Wood |
| Stephen Pohe* |
(*Stephen was a prefect in 1996, and has had his appointment confirmed for 1997.)
I would like to pay tribute to the way in which all our senior
students have contributed to the excellent start to the year. The
leadership and support shown by them, as well as the pleasing
concentration on their studies has been very special. A special
congratulations to those students successful in the recent
prefect elections. A positive aspect of the prefect system at our
school is that there will be additional appointments made as the
year progresses. I look forward to us being able to recognise the
leadership and initiative of many other students during the year
.
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The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the school, and meets monthly (traditionally on the last Thursday of the month). The March meeting, which is being held on Thursday 27 March will be preceded by the Annual General Meeting. All meetings are public, but parents may feel the Annual General meeting one you would care to attend. A notice will appear in the Northern Advocate closer to the time.
I have made reference to school buses in previous newsletters. Hopefully the initial difficulties are now settling down, and most of the problems are resolved, or are close to a resolution. Bus students will have recently received, or will shortly receive their bus pass. This is a most important aspect of the bus service we are offering, and should be viewed as proof of a student's right to travel on their bus. (Each pass identifies the particular route a student is eligible to use.) Bus drivers have been instructed to use the pass as a ticket, and refuse students access to buses if they do not have the pass to show. I have had a number of people express concern at the risk of over-loading on buses. I can assure you that all drivers have been very clearly told that under no circumstances are buses to load more students than the bus is licensed to carry. To enable this to be enforced, students must always travel on their entitlement bus, and the pass provides an essential control on this issue, fundamental to bus safety.
Student behaviour is another aspect which has added importance
on buses, because of the danger to other students, buses and
other road users if drivers are distracted. We have assured the
drivers of our complete support in dealing with students who
cause problems by not keeping to the basic and perfectly
reasonable bus rules. For the vast majority, this is just normal
behaviour. For the small minority who may place others in
jeopardy, serious consequences will result from a failure to heed
instructions.
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The road outside the school is an extremely busy one, particularly just before the start of school, and for the 20 minutes or so immediately after school. We have close to 700 students now traveling to and from school by bus, and after school in particular the loading of buses is a major exercise. As much as possible we would ask parents who are dropping students off, or collecting students from school to do so somewhere other than outside the school in Wilkinson Avenue. It would be more appropriate in many cases, for instance, to do so at the Kamo Road gate. If coming into Wilkinson Avenue is unavoidable, we would ask that drivers are particularly conscious of the danger of the road, do not stop in the bus stops, and avoid "U" turns in the road. Recently, with the weather compounding an already difficult situation, we have had legitimate concerns about the safety of our students in light of the driving of some vehicles in this section of the road.
The first of March is a significant time in Secondary Schools, as it is on the basis of the numbers at this time that funding and staffing are determined. The following figures will perhaps be of interest to you:
As at 3 March, 1997:
| Year 9 | 300 |
| Year 10 | 260 |
| Year 11 | 237 |
| Year 12 | 194 |
| Year 13 | 149 |
| TOTAL: | 1140 |
Important to our success has been the emphasis we place on keeping class sizes as low as possible. Average class sizes at the moment are:
| Year 9 | 25 |
| Year 10 | 22 |
| Year 11 | 25 |
| Year 12 | 21 |
| Year 13 | 20 |
In addition, we have this year increased the amount of time we have made available for staff with pastoral responsibilities, as well as increasing our commitment to providing both remedial and accelerate support for students. Although placing extra demands on staff, we feel the advantages to all students compensates for this, and the way in which the school has been able to get to work so efficiently this year is a credit to the commitment of students and staff.
Having said that, I also wish to mention the concern we are
feeling for a small minority of students who are at risk of
affecting the learning opportunities of others in their classes.
This is unacceptable. It is only through the support and
co-operation of the home that we are able to achieve positive
results with such students, and I urge you to work closely with
staff if approached about such concerns.
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There has been mention in the media recently of problems for a few students, including some from Kamo High School, with Biology Bursary marks. N.Z.Q.A. have now finalised the process of correcting the error, and we have pleasure in announcing that Debbie Nicole has gained a Scholarship in Biology. We wish her well in her environmental studies at Waikato University.
Scott Hooson, a Head Prefect from 1996, has been awarded an RSA scholarship worth $3,000. This is obviously a very sought after award. Congratulations to Scott.
For several years Mrs Kathy Hutchinson has organised
the PTA clothing sales, coming in at lunchtime on Fridays,
processing payments and arranging new items for sale. Kathy has
recently decided to "retire" and on behalf of all
parents who have bought or sold through the PTA, I extend our
warmest thanks to her. She will be a hard act to follow. However,
if there is a parent who would be willing to help, we would be
very pleased to hear from you. Please contact Mrs Rosemary
Pritchard through the school office.
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Kamo High School FORUM Monday 17 March
An illustrated talk followed by discussion on the work of PROJECT JONAH.
Steve Whitehouse talks of the need to protect whales, and what to do if you come across a stranded whale.
KAMO HIGH SCHOOL HALL Monday March 17
Begins 7.00pm Charge - $5.00
MUSIC HALL SHOW Wednesday 9 April
Get into the swing of the Edwardian era as you enjoy our show, based on the Music Hall of old.
KAMO HIGH SCHOOL HALL Wednesday 9 April
Begins 7.00pm Charge - $6.00
We are very pleased to be hosting the New Zealand Rugby Sevens
team on Friday 14 March, for their only public training prior to
leaving for Hong Kong. This is a unique opportunity to see this
world champion side, and we are delighted to have been chosen as
the venue. Everyone is cordially invited to attend the training,
from approximately 12.00 noon until 1.30pm. (There will be no
charge.) Later in the afternoon there will be a luncheon, which
will provide those attending to sit in comparatively small groups
and talk personally with a member of the squad. Anyone interested
in purchasing a ticket for this part of the day should contact
the school office for details.
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Each year we receive a considerable amount of assistance, both financial and in other ways, from a wide range of sponsors. The effect of this is to make it possible for us to do considerably more for our students in many ways. The names of our sponsors appear on the back of this Newsletter, and I would urge all members of our community to support them whenever possible.
I would like to finish this Newsletter by commenting on the
school policy regarding substance abuse. There is considerable
publicity about the amount of drug abuse, and in particular
marijuana, there is in schools. We too feel serious concern about
its presence in the school, and it is important that everyone is
aware of the seriousness with which it is viewed. I must stress
that students need to be aware that any involvement in any
illegal substance during school time, or while taking part in a
school activity will be treated with utmost seriousness, and
could well have serious implications for the future of a student
in the school. I would urge parents to contact someone within the
school - confidentially if you wish - if you have any information
you wish to pass on to us, or any concerns about a student you
feel we should be trying to assist with.
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A total of 6 teams are taking part during the second half of the 1996/7 season:
1st XI - Senior Reserve Grade
2nd XI - 3rd Grade
x 3 Under-15 teams
1st XI Girls - Twilight competition
Robertson Shield - the first game against Mahurangi had Kamo High School 1st XI taking a first innings victory. The 1st XI Boys this week beat Whangarei Boys High by 12 runs to take the lead and what looks like the competition (confirmation still to be made). This is an outstanding result, and is probably a "first" for Kamo High School Cricket.
Gillette Cup - our 1st XI team have won convincingly their first game of this New Zealand wide tournament beating Bream Bay College. Kamo High School 317 and Bream Bay all out for 26. Jason Lawry 100 and David Pinny 90. They are due to play Long Bay College in Auckland next week.
Northpower Cup - the 2nd XI Team are currently co-leaders along with Kerikeri and Whangarei Boys High 2. They are due to play Kerikeri in their next match.
Leaf Cup - The Girls 1st XI will be contesting this on
16 - 18 March. We wish them all the best.
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School Smokefree Championships - Champions for 1997:
| Senior Boys | Andrew Mullinger |
| Senior Girls | Kushla Chapman |
| Junior Boys | Lindsay Butler |
| Junior Girls | Trudy Rowsell |
Smokefree NSSSA Championships: - Our team performed extremely well, gaining 30 placings in 50 events. Northland Titles were gained by: Aaron Thomsen (x2), Kushla Chapman (x3), Lindsay Butler (x2), Trudy Rowsell (x2), Lucy Mullinger and Jan Rowsell. The relay teams won 3 out of 4 races, being placed 2nd in the 4th.
National Championships: - Division I champs are being held this week in Hamilton, with Kushla Chapman, Lindsay Butler and Jan Rowsell competing.
Division II champs were held last week in Dunedin with some outstanding successes for both Trudy Rowsell and Aaron Thomsen. Trudy gained 5 gold medals and 2 silver medals, setting 2 New Zealand records in the 400m and 200m Individual Medley. Her 400m race cut 10 seconds off the record, and also broke the Northland Under 16 Open Women's record. Aaron was placed 4th, 5th and 7th in his events which is also an excellent result at this very high level.
Later in March these same swimmers will compete at the North
Island Secondary Schools Meet.
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School Champions for 1997:
| Senior Girls | Louise Thompson |
| Senior Boys | Jon Cartwright |
| Junior Girls | Alison Smeath |
| 1st Team | Neal Turner, Kim Carthew, Bevan Martin |
NSSSA Triathlon:
| 1st Senior Girl | Louise Thompson |
| 3rd Junior Girl | Michelle Prowse |
| Athletics | Stacey Rogers, Michelle Prowse |
| Golf | Martin Duff |
| Outrigger Canoeing | Tui Timoko (placed 2nd in Boys 500W1 at Nationals) |
NSSSA Zone Tournament, we had 4 teams competing. The Senior
Boys A won this division and now go on to compete in the finals
on 15 March.
Stacey Rogers who is the current New Zealand Secondary Schools Hammer Champion, has lifted her Open NZ ranking from 14th to 8th. A great achievement!
E noho ra
Richard L Abel
6 March, 1997
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