Staff Change
Qualifications Information
Reporting to Parents
Jersey Badges
School Buses
School Ball
PTA Meeting
Children's Museum Of Louisiana
Photography
Sports News
Coming events
Dear Parents
Kia Ora Tena Koutou Katoa
This final letter for Term 1 provides another opportunity for me to discuss matters with you.
An important document in the school is the "Statement of Management Practice", which sets out the philosophy of the Board of Trustees as it applies to all school management practices, and then details how that philosophy will be put into practice. (A copy is held at the main office, and is available for anyone to study at any time.) Every section of the document is reviewed annually, on a carefully timetabled rotation. In order to ensure parents, and other members of the community, are given the opportunity to contribute to this evaluation, I intend to list the aspects which will be reviewed in the month of issue of each Newsletter. This month, for instance, the aspects being reviewed are "Discipline Procedures"; "Safety in the School Environment"; and "Out-of-School Activities". If anyone is interested in looking at the document, and specifically these sections, or if anyone is interested in making suggested changes to the way in which these particular aspects of the school management is handled, please contact the school office for advice as to who in the school to approach.
Finally, as part of our constant critical evaluation of what we have achieved, and how we can progress with even greater success, the "Head of Department" of every area of the school was requested to submit a report to the March meeting of the Board of Trustees. These reports have been collated into a booklet which was initially distributed to all members of the Board. They were so impressed with the value of the document and the importance of the information contained in it, that it has been decided that copies should be made readily available to the wider community. Therefore, there will be two or three copies held in the library for students to read, and a further two or three copies held in the main office for members of the community to borrow. I encourage you to make use of this opportunity to gain further insight into how departments are viewing the past year, and their aspirations and goals for the coming twelve months.
As the school has increased in size, so have the responsibilities of many of the staff. I am particularly pleased to be able to publicly announce that Mrs Pritchard's position has been re-classified as Deputy Principal. This will formally confirm the fact that she and Mr Clemow are both holders of senior positions with varied but equally significant areas of responsibility.
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Students in the senior school (Year 11 - 13) re all working
towards some form of external qualification this year, and it is
important parents/caregivers are aware of the costs which will
need to be met to gain these:
i. New Zealand School Certificate (SC)
| No. of subjects | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Fee | $27 | $39 | $51 | $63 | $75 | $87 |
ii. Sixth Form Certificate (SFC)
| No of subjects | 1 to 4 | 5 and 6 |
| Fee | $25 | $50 |
iii. New Zealand University Entrance, Bursaries and Scholarships (UEBS)
| No of subjects | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Fee | $53 | $81 | $109 | $137 | $165 | $193 |
iv. New Zealand Higher Certificate (HSC)
Higher School Certificate is awarded to University Entrance, Bursaries and Scholarships candidates who qualify, without payment of a further fee.
Candidates for Higher School Certificate only, who do not enter for any University Entrance, Bursaries and Scholarships examinations must pay a $25 administration/certification fee.
v. National Qualifications Framework
| If you have not paid a hook on fee | $30 |
| If you have already paid a hook on fee | $15 |
You will appreciate that these fees are determined by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. There is financial assistance available for students and their parents who qualify under a clearly established set of criteria. If anyone considers they may be eligible, or wishes to make further enquiries, please contact Mrs Nancy Beauregard through the school office. Application forms must be completed and forwarded by 1 May.
To assist parents in the payment of these fees, the school will arrange its collection during the latter stages of Term 2, with the final day for payment being 23 July - the first Wednesday of Term 3. Although parents may choose to pay directly to NZQA, for your convenience we recommend you make use of the school payment facility. Further details will be forwarded to you closer to that time.
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As part of our commitment to informing parents as early as
possible about student progress, we will next Friday - 11 April -
issue an interim junior report to every junior student. It is
still only early in the year, so obviously there will not be a
large amount of detail provided. The report should, none the
less, give you an idea of how your son or daughter has settled in
to the year.
Senior students will, on the same day, be issued with one or other of two possible letters. For students whose teachers feel some concern - perhaps because of poor attendance, a lack of commitment to assignment work, or failing to gain grades which suggests the year will be successful - there will be a letter which lists the subject areas of concern. For all others, there will be a letter which indicates general satisfaction with progress to this point.
Every student will receive something on Friday 11 April.
On 15 May we will be holding a report evening when parents and students are invited to come in and discuss in more detail with teachers, the year to date. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity, and in particular request that parents of students whose report or letter indicates a concern about class work make a special effort. Information regarding making appointments will be sent home early next term.
Many students purchased jerseys from Bethells prior to the new badges being available. Bethells have offered to put these new badges on all jerseys bought from them without the badges. Students need to hand their plain (unbadged) new jerseys, clearly named, on Wednesday 9 April, to the student centre. They will be returned to students at the beginning of Term 2. Unnamed jerseys, or those brought after 9 April, will not be accepted.
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The bus service has settled into a smooth routine which I am confident will now continue for the year. We are very pleased to have been able to improve the service offered to numerous sections of the school community, and also feel pleased that one or two other important additions and changes will occur shortly to rectify some further anomalies. Thankyou to all the students, and parents for your patience and forbearance during what has been a very demanding introduction into the management of bus runs.
Could I emphasize again the importance for students to always carry their bus pass. It is through this system that we can ensure we are covering important aspects of safety on the school buses, and students would view the passes as their "tickets to access" - a lost or forgotten pass will create problems for students regarding their eligibility to use the bus. Lost passes may be replaced through the school office. There is a charge of $3.00 to meet costs. Your continued co-operation is appreciated.
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This most significant event on the social calendar is being held at Forum North on Tuesday 5 May. Although there will be a further Newsletter issued prior to that date, there are some matters I would like to draw to parents' attention.
This evening (Thursday 3 April) there will be a display of ball dresses available for hire in the school hall at 7.30pm. The company presenting this display has offered a "lucky draw", with the winner being entitled to keep her dress, if at least 70 are hired for the night. Girls, and their parents, are cordially invited to this display.
The Parent Teacher Association meets on the first Wednesday of every month. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 7 May, and will start with a "tour of the school" at 7.30pm. Everyone is cordially invited to attend this evening - please meet at the Jubilee Room.
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In December of last year, Mrs McFarland was approached about the possibility of some of our students submitting contributions at the Children's Museum of Louisiana, in New Orleans. The exhibition focussed on "islands of the world", with a long-term aim of establishing student contacts on the Internet. With the help of Mrs Kerby, letters were sent to students during the holidays, projects were completed by Reuben Rusk, Karen Gibson, Rebecca Travalgia, Katie Browne and Letisha Burrough on a variety of topics. Their contributions have been enthusiastically received, and we will be receiving a package of photographs of our exhibits shortly. Meanwhile, the students concerned are learning how to use the Internet, with Mrs Beauregard's assistance.
With the increase in numbers of students interested in photography in the school, our present resources are being stretched. Any parents or friend of the school with unwanted photographic equipment willing to sell, or perhaps even donate to us would be gratefully appreciated. Darkroom equipment such as enlargers, easels, trays, development tanks and spirals are in particularly high demand. So far this term, our upcoming photographers are producing excellent results given the limited resources, with many more to come. Look out for the end of year portfolio exhibition at the school's art exhibition. This year's theme is "emotions".
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Athletics:
A the National Under 18's, Stacey Rogers received a silver
medal in the hammer throw, and was placed 5th in the Under 20
division.
NSSSA Champs: Northland titles were gained by Michelle Prowse (x3) Jeni Brash, Kushla Chapman, Melissa Te Kani, Farron Beazley, Alicia Kaptein (x2), Linda Heke, Stacey Rogers. Stacey was also made "female athlete of the meet" with an outstanding throw, setting a new record in the hammer.
North Island Champs: Five students were named in the Northland team - Stacey Rogers, Michelle Prowse, Alicia Kaptein, Leighton Edwards and Caroline Draper. Stacey was placed 2nd in the Open Girls Hammer; Alicia 3rd in Discuss, 4th in Shot.
Cricket:
Robertson Shield. The Boys' First XI have been confirmed as
winners of this competition, placing them "Number 1" in
Northland.
Gillete Cup. The final of the Northern zone, with he Boys' First XI convincingly beating Whangarei Boys High School. (KHS. - 236 for 6; WBHS all out for 131) This result places them in the top 8 schools in New Zealand.
Leaf Cup. After being runners-up for the last 4 years, our Girls' First XI won this tournament this year. They also won the right to represent Northland in the Yoplait Cup, unfortunately losing to Westlake Girls High School.
Northpower Cup. The Boys;' Second XI, a very young group of players mostly from Years 9 and 10, made the final against Whangarei Boys High School "2". Although unsuccessful, they had done extremely well to get this far.
Surfing:
A number of surfers competed in the Northland Coca Cola Grommet
Championships. Brad Thomson was placed 2nd in the Boys' Under 16
grade, and has been selected in the Northland team to compete in
the National champs in Raglan.
Swimming:
Div. 1 Champs. Kushla Chapman gained 3 Gold Medals and a Bronze;
Lindsay Butler 2 Bronze Medals, setting a Northland Under 16,
Junior and Senior record in the 400 Individual medley; Jan
Rowsell set "personal bests" being placed 5th and 7th
in her age group.
North Island Champs. Trudi Rowsell was 3rd in the Open 200 metres individual medley, and 6th in the 14 and under 100 metres Breastroke; Lindsay Butler qualified 5th in the 14 and under 200 metres Breastroke; Jan Rowsell was placed 6th in the Open 400 metres Freestyle; Aaron Thomson was placed 8th, 9th and 10th in his races.
Triathlon:
Louise Thompson gained first place in the Senior Girls section of
the Auckland Secondary Schools Triathlon. Louise has also
received sponsorship from "Breakaway Bikes" - a tribute
to her talent and successes of the past 3 years.
Water Skiing:
Reece Williams was named earlier in the he year in the New
Zealand Under 23 team to compete in Australia.
Yachting:
At the NSSSA sailing regatta, Guy Wood was placed 1st in the P
Class, receiving the shield, while Hamish Wood was 2nd in the
same division. In the Open Individual Handicap event, Bruce
Colebaker was 1st over the line in all 6 races. Over-all, Kamo
High School was placed 2nd in the Junior Division.
These are some of the highlights of the sporting activities of the last few weeks. A considerable number of further successes will be mentioned in the Newsletter issued at the commencement of Term 2.
| Monday FORUM
- 7 April ADOPTING CHILDREN FROM EASTERN EUROPE - an illustrated talk by Jenny Gow. Kamo High School - Starts at 7.30pm - Entry $5.00 |
| 7 - 9 April | Tai Tokerau Festival |
| 11 April | Junior Reports issued |
| Senior "letters" issued | |
| End of Term 1 | |
| 28 April | Commencement of Term 2 |
| 1 May | Newsletter issued |
| 6 May | School Ball |
E noho ra
Richard L Abel
Principal
3 April 1997
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