Newsletters

Index:
Principal's message
Board of Trustees
Student News
Tai Tokerau Festival
Community Education Whangarei
Enterprise news
Arts Department
Sports
Events calendar

Dear Parents

Kia Ora Tena Koutou Katoa

NCEA Results:

Recent publicity about percentage pass rates in NCEA Level 1 apparently showed us in a very bad light. While I would be the first to say we need to have our students achieve more highly, the situation is not nearly as bad as those figures appeared to make it, and there is a real danger in taking notice of simple percentages like them.

For example, the base number of students on which the percentage attainment was calculated was the number on our roll on 1 July, and included the Alternative Education students for whom we are responsible, but who do not attend our school. Considering these, and the number who left between then the end of the year, somewhere in excess of 150 students on the original count were not even eligible to gain NCEA.

There are also other factors which need to be considered by the school in regards, for instance, to the courses students study. Do we ensure students are taking subjects they see as really relevant and important for them, even though they may not have as much chance of success, or do we insist that they take courses where the chance of success is more important than the relevance? Do we block students who we consider unlikely to achieve a pass, from entering? Both those decisions have implications for the value we place on each individual in our school.

There is also much to celebrate in our statistics from last year’s results. One of our targets for the year was to increase our merit and excellence grades. At Level 2 our overall results show a higher number of excellence grades than the national figure, and as a specific example, English has 23% of grades gaining excellence compared to the national average of 9.2%; at Level 3, Physical Education and Health gained 58.7% merit and excellence grades compared to the national average of 42.7%. These illustrate that there is a lot for us to be proud of with regard our successes.

I do have to say, however, that there are a number of our senior students who are showing a distinct lack of responsibility towards their studies. I recently wrote to the caregivers of some students, all of whom are over 16, who are failing to attend regularly, are distracting and uncommitted in class, and who are failing to commit themselves to their study at all. Questions must be asked as to why these students are at school at all, and it is my strong advice that they look for more gainful ways of occupying their time – employment or trade training courses may be better alternatives. The additional pressure they place on resources, and the time demanded by them, is not assisting those who are here committed to achieve their best, and it is this latter group who should be our first priority.

The balance between trying to support and work with all students, while at the same time forcing some people to see the reality of what is needed in their immediate future is a delicate one.

The PTA is holding an evening on Wednesday 14 June to talk about a range of issues of relevance to the future of our students, and NCEA will be an important part of that. You may also like to visit the school website (www.kamohigh.school.nz) and look up the Subject Handbook which has several pages of important information for you. The NZQA website (www.nzqa.govt.nz) is another source of detailed information for your reference.

Boys’ Learning:

Parents will have followed in the media some of the discussions relating to the level of learning of boys compared to girls. Much of this was prompted by Paul Baker, the Principal of Waitaki Boys’ High School, who was presenting a paper at a conference in the term holidays. Just prior to that, I received the following email from Paul, and I thought the community might like to share in the good news it contains:

“ In my research on boys’ achievement I’ve identified the co-ed schools where boys do best, in relation to the achievement level for girls at the school, and to the average boys’ achievement level for that decile.  Your school is one of 14 schools in New Zealand I’ve identified this way. Congratulations!”

He went on to say: “ The purpose of identifying the best performing schools is of course to learn from them.  What are the ingredients of a positive learning culture for boys?  To what extent do boys do well simply when a school is well run, focused, positive, has excellent teaching, and a strong co-curricular programme, without reference to gender?  To what extent are special programmes or procedures or encouragements for boys necessary, if they are to lift their game?”

There is no simple answer to Paul’s questions, as there are many aspects of this school which I believe contribute – but it is a very encouraging recognition of our successes.

Lateness:

We are concerned with the number of students who are getting to school late and, too often, to class late while at school. We intend changing slightly the consequence for students who are late. Our computer student data system has this year started having entered in to it “demerit points” for negative behaviours (this is to balance the positive comments which have now been entered for a number of years). There will be a set number of points for particular offences, and if an individual reaches a certain total of demerit points some more serious consequences, including contact by the deans with the home, will result.

As a trial, therefore, we are going to respond to student lateness by entering demerit points. While some students may not consider that is a particularly serious matter, they need to appreciate that this could in fact have quite significant consequences. For example, employers understandably put considerable importance on reliability, and punctuality, and if our support of a student applying for a position is tempered by their lack of reliability that will definitely compromise their chances of success. Future positions of leadership in the school would be another area where the record of the individual would be considered.

Obviously, more serious breaches of our basic expectations, such as truancy, will also receive demerit points, and also have the effect of reducing the enthusiasm with which we can support them in achieving their future goals.

It is important that people show their increasing maturity by taking more and more responsibility for their actions – and accepting the reality of the consequences which will affect them in the long term if they fail to do so. It is, in many ways, a continuation of some of the points I made to students at recent assemblies when I emphasised to them the importance of being responsible for success in external qualifications. Your contribution to assisting students in seeing this importance would be appreciated.

Richard L. Abel

Principal

18 May 2006

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Appointment of New Principal – Mr Bernie Taffs

Further to my letter sent home to parents on 12 May, the Board is looking forward to welcoming Bernie Taffs to the school on Monday 17 July and you will be advised of the details of his official welcome in the next newsletter.

Farewell for Richard Abel

Students and staff will farewell Richard Abel at school assemblies on Friday 30 June. A community function to which parents and caregivers are invited will be held on Thursday 29 June at 7.30pm in the school hall. Further details will be sent to you at the beginning of June and we will be asking you to reply if you are intending to be present.

Claire Watts - Chairperson

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT DEPARTMENT

Following her appointment to a full time position for Northland Health, our Homestay manager, Michelle White, reluctantly resigned her position at the end of last term. Michelle would like to thank all of our Homestay families during the last two years and hopes Kamo families will continue to open their homes and hearts to this very rewarding experience.

Our new Homestay Manager, Mrs Sharon Bain, comes to us with a wealth of experience and we are confident our families will find her approachable and efficient in this role. If you are an existing Homestay family, you will be hearing from Sharon in the near future so she can get to know you. Those interested in becoming a Homestay family, please phone the school office (ph: 435 1688) and leave a message for her. Sharon will be on site each Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning and, of course, available for our International Students and Homestay families at all other times.

Two students are leaving us this month. Tanya Doelle and Signe Jensen are returning to Germany with many happy memories. We wish them all the best.

A representative from AFS (an international programme which assists students to become exchange students), visited the school on Tuesday, 9 May. Thirteen students wanted to find out about this opportunity. AFS will be organising an information sharing evening sometime near the end of May which parents can also attend.

Gaylene Sanford - International Student Coordinator

LIBRARY
We still have an unreasonably large number of books out from last year and earlier.   Would you please encourage your son or daughter to look in their rooms and return any library books that are overdue.

Did you know that the library is open for an extra hour (till 4.30pm) after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays?  All library facilities are available as well as tuition given by volunteer teachers.    This is a great opportunity for students to get their homework or research done, or get the help they need.

Alyson Gates – Librarian

TAI TOKERAU FESTIVAL

This year’s festival was held at Otamatea High School on the 11 th and 12 th of April, last term. The weather was cold and wet but the atmosphere, as always, was electric and did nothing to deter the excitement and enthusiasm displayed by our group of 28 students. Whilst the first performance in the marquee exhibited lots of nerves from the majority – who were predominantly Year 9, the hall saw them step out in the same confident, proud and high quality fashion demonstrated by the many Kamo High School groups that have stepped out before them. Congratulations to all our performers and many thanks to Loreen and Fred Henare for their tuition of the group, to Sophie Kelly for her outstanding leadership as the only Year 13 member of the group, and to Joe Mahanga for his assistance on the guitar. This festival also saw us stepping out in a contemporary style of uniform, which has been adopted temporarily while we seek funding for new uniforms for 2007. Our thanks to Pete Mullenger at Blue Revolution, Rachel Fitzwater and Milton Mahanga at Design & Print Direct, and Hot Printz for their assistance in the production of the kapa haka uniforms. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa!

NGĀ MANU KŌRERO

On the 14 th of June, a group of 9 students and I will be travelling to Northland College to participate in this year’s regional contest of Ngā Manu Kōrero. The contest runs through to Friday the 16 th of June and the winners of the five sections will represent Tai Tokerau at the National contest in Taranaki from the 12 th to the 14 th of September. Good luck to our speakers!

MAU RĀKAU

We are fortunate to have the services of Brenna Smith from Mātauranga Whānui, imparting skills and knowledge associated with mau rākau, to a group of 16 junior boys each Monday afternoon in the hall. Brenna is highly qualified in this area and we are rapt to have him. Our kaiāwhina, Joe Mahanga, is working closely with Brenna to deliver a programme that is stimulating and challenging for our young men. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of this programme at a later date, this term.

Kia kaha koutou e tama mā! Tama tū, tama ora, tama noho, tama mate!

Lucille Spring – Teacher of Te Reo Maori

COMMUNITY EDUCATION WHANGAREI

LEARN SOMETHING NEW …... offering adults an opportunity to learn new skills. Join the growing number of people who participate in our classes each term. Collect a brochure from Kamo High School or your local library. Spaces are still available in the following courses:-

Wine Appreciation

Indian Cooking

Indian Vegetarian Cooking

Organic Vegetables

Culinary Herbs

Garden Design

Life Drawing

Harmonica

Stained Glass & Leadlighting

Photography

Learn To Draw

Painting with Acrylics

Watercolours

Scrapbooking

Mosaics

Garden Art

Toi Kohatu: Stone Art

Ph/fax 09 435 0889 - cew@kamohigh.school.nz – www.cew.ac.nz

ENTERPRISE NEWS

Wednesday 17 May – Friday 19 May

LION BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

            Students from local schools will be at Kamo this week taking part in the LBE.

• Students work and achieve in teams during the three-day programme that focuses on the fundamentals of business.

         On the final day teams of students create an expo presenting their innovative business ideas to judges from the local business community.

         Parents and local business people are most welcome to come and see what amazing ideas are dreamt by the stars of the future. Friday around lunchtime will be a good time to see the completed ideas that will be ready for the judges.

Young Enterprise Scheme 

Oral  presentation are on again this week with grade going towards each companies national grade. Kamo company ‘Active Attitude’ have gained ajump on the field with the completion of an excellent business plan. The Teams product even has export potential. ‘Active Attitude hope to prominent at the E4E Showcase celebration evening held at forum North on the 23 rd May. 

Watch this space for further progress.

 Alan Bayly

  Enterprise Co-ordinator

ARTS DEPARTMENT

Kia Ora from the Arts Department.

The beginning of the second term has started well. The Stage Challenge cast are busy with rehearsals; they are all so dedicated they spent most days of their holidays practising. Keep an eye out for the Smoke Free Stage Challenge which will be held at Forum North on 20 th June.

We welcome Student teacher Diana Pottinger to the Arts Department, she will be with us for four weeks, working in Visual Art and Photography.

Year 12 and 13 Art students visited the Whangarei Art Museum to view !!uberkewel!!

This exhibition gave the students an opportunity to view famous artist’s works - Colin McCahon as well as Francis Hodgson to name a few.

The Ugly Shakespeare Company will be visiting on the 24 th May. This production gives the Performing Art students an opportunity to experience first hand a Shakespeare cast in action. The company will also be holding a workshop for those students interested.

Three of our students have won places in the ‘Off Da Hook’ Hip Hop Dance and Song. These girls will compete in the national finals in Hamilton later this year. They are Jessica Kaimarama, who won the song section, and Jen Horne and Alannah Curtis, who came second in the dance section. Congratulations to the girls, we wish them the very best.

One of our ex students Kelly Schicker has won the New Zealand Junior Press Photographer of the Year, in the Qantas Media Awards. We congratulate Kelly and will be watching her progress.

Kay Haigh - Arts Co-ordinator

Year 9 Art

Mention should be made of the 'clean-sweep' my Year 9 Art students had in the competition organised by the Whangarei Anglican Counselling and Care Centre organisation. The Church is going to build a new care centre opposite Christ Church on the corner of Mill road and is including a wall of glass bricks. They asked students to design a pattern using very particular colours and numbers of glass bricks. It was a difficult and disciplined design problem. 

The winner was Ihaka Dunn. His design (using 300 bricks) was in the form of an abstracted cross. Runners up were:- Michelle Jaggard, Sarah Telfer, Jessica Byrnes-Clark and Jessie Hunter. There was a prizegiving ceremony for them at Christ Church, where the Mayor, Pamela Peters, presented the prizes.

The church is using the bricks to fund raise - the cheapest cost $400 and names will be engraved on them. Ihaka will have his name on one of the 'special' bronze ones for super sponsors!

  Ann Dugmore – TIC Art

Shakespeare

Three groups from senior Drama classes took part in the local Sheila Winn Shakespeare Festival at Tikipunga High School on Friday 5 th May. Although we came away with no awards, except one for the Year 13 group which won best traditional costume, all of our students performed very well and gained much from the experience. We congratulate the winning group from Pompallier College. This is always an entertaining and interesting night to go to and we hope the funding crisis will be solved so that this festival can continue.

The Shakespeare Showcase was held on Wednesday night, 10 May in the Drama suite. Groups from all year levels performed pieces from “Romeo and Juliet”, “Macbeth”, “Much Ado About Nothing”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Hamlet”. We had hoped that we would have lights and blackout curtains for this presentation, but that was not to be – Murphy’s Law!!!!! Even without these, though, our students had the chance to prepare and perform work before an audience, which is a great confidence booster. We thank all parents and friends who support our students.

“Smithy” rehearsals are well under way now, with the multi-talented cast learning songs and moves under the direction of Mr Harris and Mrs Bell. For this show we are able to use the new Arts Centre for all rehearsals, which is really awesome! We hope we will see lots of you at the production, which hits the boards in late August.

Jessie Bell – TIC Drama

The Big Sing

This is the Northland choir competition where people compete for spots at the National level.  Kamo High School won last year and had a fantastic opportunity to be at the Nationals as a guest choir in Palmerston North.  We were billeted by some lovely families in Fielding, and thank them much for their support.  We’re hoping to defend our title, but this is always a tough competition.  The public is encouraged to attend.  It takes place at Forum North on Thursday the 22 nd of June, with a 1.00pm start.  Hope to see you there!

Mark Harris, TIC Music

REUNION

There is reunion talk around at the moment because of the WBHS and WGHS reunion in June.  People have been asking about Kamo High School’s next reunion.  We will be 50 in 2010, and we want old pupils to start thinking about that.

Jan Boyes

PAST STUDENTS

Carlos Mita recently graduated as Ordinary Chef from basic training at the Devonport Naval Base. Carlos was one of Kamo High School’s Hospitality class students and has obviously chosen to follow that career path with the Navy. Congratulations Carlos.

Craig Hayman and Lisa Egerton – Hospitality

SPORTS

EXCITING NEWS AND RESULTS

As a follow-up to the great result of winning Division 2 silver medals at the New Zealand Secondary Schools VOLLEYBALL CHAMPS in Christchurch in April, Derek Carpenter and Roy Griffin, two outstanding members of our Senior Boys Volleyball team, have been selected in the North Island Secondary Schools Volleyball Team to play in a tournament next month against the South Island and two Australian Secondary Schools teams.

Two of our junior players, Hannah Wilkinson and Katie Rood, have been selected in the New Zealand Under 17s GIRLS’SOCCER Training Squad who are preparing now with regular training schools for the 2008 World Cup event.

At the NZ Schools MOTORCROSS CHAMPS held on Saturday 6 th May at Ardmore, our school riders had awesome results competing against more than 40 other riders in their respective events:

We have not yet received confirmation of the school event placings, but the boys assure me that Kamo High School was “right up there” and should be in line for a trophy! We appreciate the support given these riders by their parents in transporting and supervising them at this massive event.

Our EQUESTRIAN riders have been achieving highly, including:

6 th place team (out of 48) at the North Island Secondary Schools Dressage Champs (Karla Frost, Alyx Pivac, Dana Genefaas, Emily Clyma); and

7 th place team (out of 22) at the North Island Secondary Schools Horse Trial Teams Championship (Karla, Alyx, Emily & Samantha Peters).

Also, Alyx was a member of the Whangarei Pony Club Team which won the NZ Pony Club Timberlands event, and Karla was a drafted rider in the Warkworth Pony Club Team which placed 3 rd.

WINTER SPORTS TEAMS:

The following teams have begun their weekly competitions. Fees are payable now at the school office, please.

TOURNAMENT WEEK

The following teams will be at regional or national tournaments during 14 th to 18 th August:

Parents, please be aware that these tournaments involve extensive expenses for the players to cover entry fees, umpires fees, travel, accommodation and food for 5-7 days and it is suggested the players start fundraising or saving now.

COMING EVENTS:

SPECIAL THANKS

.... To IC Motors Vehicle Services for their sponsorship towards our Boys’ 1 st XI Soccer Team. Their support is much appreciated. If you are contemplating purchasing a car from IC Motors, please contact the Sports Office as we have “Certificates of Introduction” which enables further sponsorship to our boys’ soccer team.

.... And to all our COACHES AND MANAGERS who dedicate their time and talents towards assisting our teams. It is expected that all players will appreciate their coach’s contribution and support them by being a reliable team member.

Gloria Miller - Sports Coordinator

COMING EVENTS

Unified Martial Arts

after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays

3.40 – 5.00 p.m - No charge

Geoff Prentice, Instructor

Black belts in Aikido and Tongil Moo Do

Contact school office on 09-4351688

Te Kowhai Print Trust,

The Quarry Art Centre, 21 Selwyn Avenue

ARTAS - Art After School

Te Kowhai's popular weekly After School programme 3.30 – 5.00pm

Start date Tuesday 16 th MAY.

A Multi media programme including print-making, introducing themes of puppetry and circus, will appeal to children aged 7 - 14 years. Limited to 15 places - Pre-booking essential.

Cost including materials for term 2, 6 weeks - $90

Bookings: Te Kowhai Print Trust - Ph 438 5868 - tkpt@igrin.co.nz

Manaia Arts - Ph 434 0540 - worksofart@xtra.co.nz

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