Wainuiomata High School Newsletter

July 2010

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Letter from the Principal
• Student News and Achievement
  - Aspire Community Challenge, Hospitality Achievements, Senior Formal,
    Year 8 Scholarship Winners, WHS Old Girl at Otago
• Sports News
  - Football!
• Staff News
  - Arrivals and Departures
• Careers Faculty News
• Board of Trustees News
  - Co-opting Members, BoT Survey
• Other News and Notices
  - NCEA Milestones, NZQA Fees, Uniform, International Students Exchange
• Coming Events

2 July 2010

Dear Parents and Caregivers, Kia Ora, Talofa lava.

I have been receiving great reports and comments from the public about our Year 9 students (and their Year 12/13 Mentors) who were involved in the Community Challenge; similar comments about our Year 10 students who were part of Work Week; and I was at the Formal and saw how wonderfully behaved and dressed the Seniors who attended were. We have some fabulous young people at the High School, whom we are very proud of.

By now you will have received your child’s Mid-Year Report. Remember that these show their progress for the first half of the year, and provide a “heads-up” on how your child is doing at school. For those who receive positive comments, it is an affirmation and acknowledgement of the effort they have put into their studies so far.

If your child isn’t making the expected progress in a subject, the report will usually offer good advice on how to make an improvement. Remember that we still have two terms left in the school year, and usually small changes in behaviour (e.g. completing homework regularly, revising notes, asking for help if needed) can have a big impact on results.

Please talk with your child about their report after the Parent-Teacher Interviews, particularly about things that are going well, and any suggestions the teacher makes about overcoming difficulties. Remember also that we welcome communication from parents at all times (not just at Parent-Teacher Interviews) – ring the High School Office (938-3224) and leave a message for the teacher, Form Teacher or Dean to call you.

Next term is an important one for all of our students. Those in Years 11, 12 and 13 will be finishing off internal assessments, and getting ready for externals. For our Seniors, the four weeks in Term Four (before they leave for NCEA Exams) goes in a flash, so they need to use Term Three to their best advantage. Year 10 students will be timetabled into their 2011 Year 11 English, Mathematics and Science courses based on their work and results; and Year 9 students will be joining the rest of the High School in selecting their subjects for 2011. Full attendance, self-discipline and self-motivation will be more important than ever in Term Three.

Enjoy the holidays—let’s hope it stops raining!

Martin Isberg, Acting Principal

STUDENT NEWS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Aspire Community Challenge

Our Year 9 ASPIRE students (along with their Peer Mentors) took part in a Community Challenge on 17-18 June.

Some of the projects undertaken included fence-painting to cover graffiti, clean-up of Petone beach, a car wash to raise funds for a local charitable organisation and gorse clearance at Rimutaka Forest Park. A children’s clothing swap was also very successful, and generated great publicity for the High School including an article in the Hutt News.

Over 200 students took part in the annual challenge, which enables students to provide services to the local community in the form of volunteer work.

Eseta Mamea and Asinate Hopoi at Petone Beach	Year 9 students at Wainuiomata Mall preparing for the children’s clothing swap

This event has always been well received by Wainuiomata residents and it gives our students a sense of involvement in and responsibility to our valley.

Kath McGuinness,
Teacher in Charge

Hospitality Academy

Term Two has been a busy time for the Wainuiomata High School Hospitality Academy. Amidst studying for theories and working on practicals, they have managed to squeeze in a few Hospitality Competitions to boot! Sarah O’Neill (TIC) recently took students to WelTec for the Wellington Regional Junior Hospitality Cookery Challenge, where they placed highly. Congratulations to the following students: Janine Dixon – Fruit Flan (Bronze) Casey Dutch – Fruit Flan (Bronze) Jaye Gilbert – NZ Pork Mince Main (Bronze) David Grant – Secondary Schools Challenge (Bronze) Jessica Harvey – Quiche (Silver) Karyn Johansen – Mocktail Mixology (Silver)  and High Tea (Bronze) Dana McLaughlin – Blueberry Muffins (Bronze) Jayden Newman – Quiche (Silver) Jonathan Tata – Secondary Schools Challenge (Bronze) Tab Venimore – Quiche (Bronze) Tara Wilson – Quiche (Bronze)
	Janine Dixon	Casey Dutch	Jaye Gilbert
	David Grant	Jessica Harvey	Karyn Johansen

Dana McLaughlin	Jayden Newman	Jonathan Tata	Tab Venimore	Tara Wilson

Hospitality Report - Karyn Johansen, 13DT

Wainuiomata High School, has an excellent Hospitality Academy, where we spend two spells a day with our teacher, Ms O’Neill.

We’ve learnt all different kinds of fruit and vegetable cuts and health and safety methods with food. The Hospitality Academy offers a lot of experience and it has helped me get into a couple of jobs for work experience and a part time job.

We’ve had many events so far this year and a few more to come. The first event was the Year 9 Aspire camp; where myself and five other girls went down to Brookfield camp and another group went down to Rimutaka Forest Park and helped cook and prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner and pudding for 300 people; Year 9 students, peer mentors and teachers.

The second event involved working down at the Wainuiomata Marae, where a group of two people went down in the mornings to cook and clean and a group of four went down at night time to help cook and clean for the guests that had came from all over the country.

Our latest event was the Hospitality Junior Cooking Challenge at Weltec, where several Hospitality students entered in a static image of food which could have been either blueberry muffins, quiche, fruit flans, or an afternoon tea. Three of our Hospitality students entered in the Live Cookery Challenge, where they prepared a meal and used tomato. Two students entered in the Mocktail Mixology where they produced a non-alcoholic cocktail (mocktail). Members of our Hospitality class were awarded several medals for the things we produced. Our Hospitality Academy so far has been a great experience for me and our other students.

Recipients of awards at the WelTec Hospitality Junior Cooking Challenge

Hospitality Burger Competition

Year 10 student, Jesse Johnston (right), competed at WelTec last Friday in a “Burger Comp” sponsored by NZ Beef and Lamb. Jesse was supported by Dillon Houpapa, also Year 10.

While Jesse didn’t place for his burger, he was praised by the judges and Weltec staff for his outstanding manners and behaviour, and he also received top marks for his cleanliness while cooking.

The school is very proud of his achievement and the way he portrayed himself and our High School to the public.

Jesse Johnston and Dillon Houpapa

Wainuiomata High School Senior Formal
“Through the Looking Glass”

On Saturday 26 June, the Wainuiomata High School Senior Formal, “Through the Looking Glass”, was held at the Wellington Overseas Terminal, attended by just under 200 students and teachers.

During the course of the evening, the attending teachers were asked to vote for the Formal Awards. The recipients were as follows:

Formal Prince and Princess — Lamon Henare and Kristel Esbach
Formal King and Queen — Kayla Randall and Alesana Mene
Best Dancer — Kylie-Regan Taiapa
Best Dressed Teacher — Richard Hatcliffe
Best Dressed Female — Jaymee Christie
Best Dressed Male — Tasi Tagaloa
Cutest Couple — Marty Mullin and Savannah Walters
Formal Joker — Hone Mateo

Special thanks to the Formal Committee who did a wonderful job of transforming the venue into Wonderland. The girls looked amazing; they had made an impressive effort with their dresses and presentation, and the guys were suited up to perfection, looking very grown up and handsome. We hope this really was “a night to remember” for our senior students. Photos are available for viewing online at www.duplico.co.nz.

Year 8 Scholarship Winners

Following on from the very successful Open Day on Thursday 18 May and the Scholarship exams, held 24 May, six Year 8 students were awarded with $300-$500 scholarships in front of a packed audience at the Parents’ Wine and Cheese Evening on Wednesday 9 June. Congratulations to the following students:

Sporting Excellence ($300) Ashleigh Bryan (Wainuiomata Intermediate)	Te Reo Maori Language Excellence ($500) Nikita Houpapa (Pukeatua Primary School)	Overall Academic Excellence ($500) Olivia Edginton (Wainuiomata Intermediate)
Overall Academic Excellence ($500) Ian Broadhurst (Wainuiomata Intermediate)	Overall Academic Excellence ($500) Jade Humphrey (Wainuiomata Intermediate)	Overall Academic Excellence ($500) David McCarthy (Wainuiomata Intermediate)

Enrolments are currently being taken for next year. Please forward the enrolment form and your son’s or daughter’s option choice form to the school as soon as possible.

If you would like a personal interview to discuss your child’s particular needs for next year please contact the office (ph. 938-3224) for an appointment.

Melissa Denzler,
Deputy Principal

University Update

Otago Runs in the Family for Wainui Old Girl Winner

Running and the University of Otago seem to run in the blood of Corrine Melrose. Her mum went to Otago for a PhysEd degree – She “loved it there.” Her parents met while running (her Dad once represented New Zealand).

And now, armed with a $5,000 scholarship, the former Deputy Head Girl of Wainuiomata High School and competitive cross-country runner is at University studying Health Sciences First Year.

Otago awarded the 18-year-old a Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship in recognition of her contributions to school during her time at Wainuiomata.

In addition to her Deputy Head Girl role, Corrine was a prefect, on the student council, a peer mentor (her favourite role), and a mediator. She also kept busy swimming eight times per week, playing tennis, and, of course, running.

The money has gone towards her fees at Arana College, one of 13 residential colleges catering primarily to first-year students.

And so far, so good, living away from home with students from all over New Zealand.

Looking back on her Wainuiomata years, Corrine credits two teachers in particular for influencing her decision to come to Otago: her Chemistry teacher Miss Aimee Furness, and Biology teacher Mr Jimmy Orange. But Corrine is also quick to thank her parents and her grandparents for their “incredible support.”

“I’m so glad I’ve come here. There is a real sense of community here, the weather is actually really nice at the moment, the University is amazing, the lecturers are really, really good. And they do care – you can go up to them and ask questions, and they’ll help you out.”

To find out more about the scholarships and awards offered by the University of Otago, contact the school’s Career’s Advisor or check out the University website at: www.otago.ac.nz/study/scholarships/undergraduate_scholarships.html.

SPORTS NEWS

Sporting Update - Football!

It is great to see all the coverage from the World Cup, as it is a wonderful learning experience for our High School footballers. We are proud to be living in New Zealand with a future in football, thanks to the Phoenix and now the All Whites.

Highlights from High School football:

• Junior Girls won the Hutt Valley Region and went through to Regional One
• 1st and 2nd Girls teams are top of the Hutt Valley pools and look to hold this position
• Both Boys teams are improving in their divisions, beating both Otaki and St Patrick’s Town in our last games

Pedro Garcias, Simon Younger, Martin Henry and myself could not run football teams without the great support we get from parents for transport and sideline support.

An extra special thank you goes to Mr Sheat and Mrs Webb who support Pedro and myself on Saturdays with the Boys teams, especially when both of us are unable to attend.

We also need to thank the boys who have helped ref for us while Pedro has been recovering from injury, especially Michael Sheat who attends both Boys and Girls games to support staff and referee the teams.

Golden Boot

Top three positions out of the two Boys teams are (figures in brackets are goals scored):
1. Alistair Richardson (7)
2. Michael Sheat (4)
3. Anthony Dunkley (3), Zac Roberts (3), Jamie Nicholas (3) and Michael Thomson (3)

Alistair Richardson	Michael Sheat	Anthony Dunkley
Zac Roberts	Jamie Nicholas	Michael Thomson

The top three positions out of the three Girls teams are:
1. Amalia Lipidis (15)
2. Gemma Krebs (12)
3. Cathy Fussell (6)

Amalia Lipidis	Gemma Krebs	Cathy Fussell

We have been accepted for both Boys and Girls Tournaments. Our Boys will be going to New Plymouth and our Girls to Palmerston North.

Jocelyn Reddy,
Teacher in Charge

STAFF NEWS

Farewell to Aimee Simpson, Assistant HoF Science, who leaves us at the end of the term. Aimee and her husband are moving to Thailand where she will be teaching at an International School in Bangkok.

We would like to congratulate Hazel Reddington who has been appointed as the new Assistant HoF Science. Hazel started at Wainuiomata High School in April (taking over from Jimmy Orange). Hazel joined us from Qatar where she was an Education Consultant with Cognition Education.

Farewell to Kimarina Leach, Mathematics, who departs at the end of Term Two to continue her learning at Victoria University. Kim will be completing her Masters in ESOL. We wish her the best with her studies.

Also leaving us as the end of Term Two is Dr Neil Leslie. Neil has been teaching Computing in the ICT Faculty and has accepted a position at Onslow College, commencing Term Three. We wish him well for his future endeavours.

Welcome to Margaret Ta’ala who joined our staff in April, to teach in the English Faculty. Margaret is a newly trained teacher who has been relieving at the High School and Intermediate in recent months.

And finally, farewell to Chris Wood (Acting Deputy Principal and HoF Social Science). Chris has been appointed Deputy Principal at Porirua College and will be leaving us on 6 August. We will miss you but wish you all the best in your Senior Management Career.

CAREERS FACULTY NEWS

Career News

The Career Faculty has had a very successful term. Year 10 Work Week (21-25 June) was very successful and some excellent feedback on our students and good references coming in to the school.

Our School Career Expo was held on Tuesday evening with many Tertiary Providers attending. It was very successful and great to see so many students and parents attending.

On 11 June seven Year 13 students went on a one-day ‘Applied Art and Design’ Course at Whitireia Polytechnic, which was enjoyed by all.

Nelson Fa’aaliga	Students going to Whitireia

The following Year 10 form classes will be out for Work Week from the 13-17 September 2010: 10SN, 10SS, 10TE and 10TW.

Any help you can give your student in getting a job would be very much appreciated. We are very happy to help any students who are having difficulty in finding a job.

Janette Tickner,
Careers Assistant

Gateway

Our first Gateway intake students have now moved back into classes, but many students are continuing their work experience.

There has been some excellent feedback on our students. The second intake has commenced and at the start of Term3 they will be doing their First Aid Course and Health and Safety.

We have been informed that a Gateway student from last year who went to Whitiriea Polytech this year to do the Youth Guarantee course in Automotive has now got an apprenticeship, which we were delighted to hear about.

On 23 June the Gateway Conference was held at St Patricks College Silverstream. Wainuiomata High School was responsible for the registrations and collecting payment with 92 delegates and speakers attending. The area the delegates came from was up as far as New Plymouth and Hawkes Bay.

Virginia Wilson,
HoF Careers and Transition

BOARD of TRUSTEES NEWS

Board Of Trustees - Co-opted Members

The Board of Trustees would like to co-opt parents/caregivers with financial experience and expertise, onto its Finance Sub-Committee. This would usually involve attending a Finance Meeting the week before a full Board Meeting (around eight times a year).

If interested, please outline your experience, and send to the High School Office, where it will be passed on to the Board Chair, Vicki Johnson.

Martin Isberg,
Acting Principal

BoT Parent Survey

The Principal of Wainuiomata High School, Mr Rob Mill, is currently on leave for 12 months. It is possible that he will continue on with the work he is presently undertaking in the United Arab Emirates. If he does stay in the UAE he would resign from Wainuiomata High School before 01 August 2010. The Board of Trustees believes that it needs to take action in the event of Mr Mill not returning. In particular we are updating both the Job Description and Person Specification for the position of Principal of Wainuiomata High School.

The Board of Trustees would like to consult with parents and caregivers in drawing up these two documents. To that end, we would be grateful if you would list three qualities which you believe a Principal of Wainuiomata High School should possess. Please email your thoughts to hayleyl@wainuiomatahigh.school.nz or you can write them down and drop them in to the school office.

Thank you in advance for your support in this matter.

Vicki Johnson,
Chair, Board of Trustees

OTHER NEWS and NOTICES

NCEA Milestones

Students at this time of the year are well aware whether they have gained enough credits to achieve success by the end of the year. Students who we feel are behind in their credit totals will not be granted Study Leave on 19-23 August prior to the internal senior exams (24 -27 August).

Students who are not granted study leave will be required to attend school to do catch-up assessments and organised study sessions. Parents of senior students will all receive a letter around 13 August informing them if their son/daughter has met their credit target and therefore if they will be granted home study leave.

Martin Isberg,
Acting Principal

NZQA Fees 2010

During the holidays all students entered in NCEA qualifications in 2010 will receive information by post regarding: NCEA Fees (includes an application for financial assistance), their NSN number, and a printout with the number of credits achieved so far this year. If NZQA fees are not paid to the school by 10 September, payment will need to be made directly to NZQA with a $50 late fee. If you have any questions regarding any aspect of NCEA please do not hesitate to contact me.

Janette Melrose,
Deputy Principal

Uniform Matters

Most of our students regularly wear the correct school uniform, and we thank all of the parents/caregivers who support the High School’s Uniform Code by making sure their children have the correct items. Next term we want to focus particularly on students who:

• Don’t wear the correct footwear (and especially those girls who persist in wearing Term One/Four slip-ons and keep their Term Two/Three lace-ups in their bags!)
• Don’t wear their school tie
• Wear a hoodie instead of the High School jersey
• Have facial piercings (please get your child to avoid having a piercing in the holidays!)

We will be enforcing the Board of Trustees Uniform Code, and we will also be closely following their Uniform Policy, especially about non-uniform items, as listed below:

Students who have a genuine reason for non-uniform items must see the Uniform Dean, Miss O’Neill, before Form Period to get a temporary permit.

Thank you in anticipation of your support with this. We have a uniform; we all need to make sure it is worn correctly.

Martin Isberg,
Acting Principal

Lost Your School Jersey?

Student Services have numerous school jerseys (and other lost property) which will be needed with the colder weather upon us.

If students are missing an item of uniform, lost during Term 2, they should go to Student Services to see if any of their property has been handed in.

It is very important that students have all uniform items named so they can be returned to the true owner.

International Exchange Students Information

COMING EVENTS

July 2010 Newsletter, online 8 July, shortly after the printed version was delivered.  News and views from our Principal, staff and students.  The words were processed by Hayley Lawrence.  Editing, HTML and publishing by Clive Grainger.

The following organisations and individuals have generously sponsored our Newsletter. Please support them:

©Clive Grainger 2010