ACG Sunderland Week 8 Term 4 3 December 2019

ACG Sunderland 09 838 7070 6 Waipareira Ave, Henderson, Auckland

ACG SUNDERLAND

WINGS NEWSLETTER Vol 14, Term Four, Week Eight, 3 December 2019

Dear Parents and Friends of Sunderland This will be our last newsletter for the year and I wish to take this opportunity to thank you, the parents for all your support of our school during 2019. It truly has been a wonderful year at ACG Sunderland. There have been so many highlights, many of these are expanded in the Yearbook coming out next week.

If you missed it, this year’s Head Girl and Head Boy speech at the College Prizegiving was pretty magical, I do not think there was a dry eye in the house. Both Chase and Stephanie spoke from the heart, the impact our school has had on them both as they navigated their journey through school here at Sunderland. I have included their speech in this newsletter, it is very special.

I am very proud of them both and equally proud of all our graduating students from Year Thirteen. We celebrated this graduation last week. This was an opportunity to reflect on the group as they depart our school in 2019 with most of them heading to University.

Please find below my speech to this group.

Good evening Parents, Friends and graduates of 2019. Tonight gives me an opportunity to celebrate your graduation from our very special school.

There are two themes that will be reoccurring tonight, both in Ricky Young and in my speeches,”Celebration and Opportunity”, both ideas I believe are true characteristics of Sunderland.

The time since you started at Sunderland has been significant. When you arrived, you were boys and girls and now you leave as young men and women. You have all grown, physically but more importantly, academically, emotionally and socially

ACG Sunderland 09 838 7070 6 Waipareira Ave, Henderson, Auckland

The committed staff here at Sunderland have also enjoyed this journey you have been on and share a great deal of the highlights you have all experienced:

 Quality teaching and learning  Examination results  Sports  Arts – Music/Drama  Camps Leadership Opportunities Ladies and gentlemen, you can now add this special night to that list. The next steps are now over to you.

Your teenage and childhood years have been highly structured, scheduled, supervised and tutored. Now you will be searching for your own role in life and the direction you will take. You have an array of career and lifestyle options.

You will all be graduating with a Cambridge International Qualification which will give you the opportunity and make it easier to study and working abroad in the near future.

A family friend of mine, their daughter has taken her international qualification from New Zealand and has been accepted into Jesus College at the University of Cambridge to study Law. A wonderful endorsement of the education available here in New Zealand, the power of an international Qualification and hard work also parents some pretty expensive fees too!!

Tonight, I do have some advice for you as you all depart for a summer break.

The truth is that successful people don’t look inside to plan their lives. They look outside and find a direction which gives purpose to their life. You don’t form a self and then lead a life. Your self will be constructed gradually by your calling. For the most fulfilled people, this purpose will last their whole lives.

Rather than seeking happiness and joy, accept the lessons that hardships and problems can teach you. If you just want to be happy, you will always take the easy choices and never know what great satisfaction and fulfilment you could achieve. In life, it’s excellence, not happiness, that drives us best. And then, we find the happiness that has been there all along.

While you might be told to march to the beat of your own drum, in the real world, jobs and relationships usually require us to set limits on our personal desires – being part of a team, following the rules of an institution, doing the things that ensure a good job.

Fulfilment is a by-product of how we live our lives, not the goal. Most of us will find true meaning only in those moments when the self takes a back seat. The purpose of life is not to find yourself. Try to lose yourself by looking outward towards others. That way you will find your real life.

Sunderland is a very special school, a special place and as students you have become members of an extended family. Like all families, we are intently interested in your success and are equally there to support you when life gets difficult too.

Families, particularly small ones, need to get on and this is a particular trait of our school that I have am so very proud of.

You, as students, have an amazing ability to work together, settle differences and act in a way that benefits us all.

As the 2019 Graduation Class, I’m very proud of the contributions that each and every one of you has made to the Year 13 cohort and the school in general. Sunderland is a better place because each of you have made significant contributions. (personally I thought the Legacy day was another huge success) As a staff, we very much enjoy students returning to school and sharing how they are progressing in the world. Don’t be strangers and do keep in touch. Enjoy the rest of the night graduates and don’t forget where you have come from.

Aspire Succeed Respect

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ACG Sunderland 09 838 7070 6 Waipareira Ave, Henderson, Auckland

On Monday the weather played ball and we were able to relax and enjoy each others company at our annual Whole School Picnic held at Long Bay. The entire school are able to get together in one place and have an enormous about of fun. From the Preschool to the Senior College students, everyone had a fantastic day in the sun before our formal events the following day.

Preschool Fun!

Again, thank you to the hundreds of parents who attended our two prizegivings. You will have noticed we changed geography with a move to the Gymnasium. The change worked very well, with lots of room, it was cool and light and everyone was engaged in the ceremony, all except the Year One lad who took a little nap in the front row of the Primary event).

Special thanks to Mrs Eldridge who managed the move and organised all the logistics for this event. Also a big thank you to Mr O’Connor who again did a superb job with all the musical events.

In the end both events were highly successful from my point of view, however, as with any prizegiving not everyone can cross the stage. I wish to congratulate all our students at Sunderland, you are all excellent students and ambassadors of the Sunderland Way and of your families.

May you all have a safe, happy holidays, have a wonderful Christmas and I will see most of you in 2020, Tuesday 28 January at 8.30am.

Aspire. Succeed. Respect.

Nathan Villars Campus Principal ACG Sunderland

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Head Boy and Head Girl Speech

ACG Sunderland 09 838 7070 6 Waipareira Ave, Henderson, Auckland

Chase: In Year Seven everything was a brand-new adventure Steph: In Year Eight we feared the arrival of the new kids Chase: In Year Nine we realised they weren't so bad Steph: In Year Ten we got stressed about subject choices for the first time Chase: In year eleven we freaked out about externals for the first time Steph: In Year Twelve we realised Year Eleven was nothing Chase: And in Year Thirteen we say goodbye Steph: It might seem like a clichéé, but it really does seem like only yesterday that we were in Year Seven, jumping over a maze of legs in the corridor. Or in Year Ten, when we all suddenly grew a billion feet over the summer and became those long legs in the corridor. Surely it was just last week that we were throwing pens at each other across the study room and stressing about exams. And by throwing pens Mr. Keen, I mean studying and only studying.

Chase: All of a sudden, the year has come to an end and for some of us, our time at Sunderland is drawing to a close. No matter how long you are here, the Sunderland way is something that sticks with you. Even after thirteen years I can still vividly remember my first day, the school’s first day, and looking back and seeing how far Sunderland has come and changed over the years makes me feel so fortunate that I got to witness it first-hand. The vast amount of memories that I have of this place will forever stay with me, this school will always be a part of me; it will always be a part of everyone who comes here.

Steph: Being such a small school, we get to know each other like a family. The love and support in the atmosphere of this school is a special one, and we have not only the students, parents, and friends of the school to thank but the teachers and staff who define the school. Dr Olsen, your English classes were always one of the highlights of my day, because they’re always about so much more than the book Cambridge has us read. Whether you are rapping Shakespeare or talking about sword fights with Mr Dr Olsen, offering the sage advice that writing exists so we can be someone else or having the patience to answer questions like “if a female hero is a heroine, what’s a male hero called?” Thank you Dr. Chase: Mrs Barlow. I can still remember the first piece of Science equipment I broke in your class as a Year Seven student and the sheer terror I felt in that moment. I’m sure a lot of you can understand the feeling! A year later and I’m sitting in your form class! Over the years you have been nothing but kind and supportive with not only my school-work but my life in general. You have helped teach me balance and organisation with making me rule up my diary every form time, not the most entertaining thing I could have been doing but it helped. Mrs Barlow, thank you for all that you have done for me over the years and thank you for always wanting me to be one of the first “dancing Scientists” as you have liked to say.

Steph: Mr Stephens. It remains a mystery to all of us how you manage to arrive fifteen minutes late to class, yet somehow still manage to cover everything you had planned for in the lesson, complete with a demonstration and an in depth discussion about something we never knew we didn’t know. At this point, we’ve come to the conclusion, that it’s just one of your superpowers as an educator, along with your uncanny ability to walk in on us students doing embarrassing things.

Chase: Mr Keen. The person whose booming voice can be heard from the opposite end of the school, the person who pops up when you least want him to, but also the person who has gotten myself and Stephanie through this year. Leadership Committee, Sports Council, Social Media Committee, AS Physical Education, even my study periods and Mr Keen’s free periods were the same! This just gave me another chance to annoy him or for me to be told off for not keeping on track. I think that you may be sick of me by now, but I doubt it cause I’m your favourite student aye Sir? Even though I nearly ran you over that one time (sorry about that). Mr Keen is not your ordinary teacher, and he is definitely not your ordinary Dean.

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ACG Sunderland 09 838 7070 6 Waipareira Ave, Henderson, Auckland

Steph: Sir, you go over and above for all of your students and I hope that everyone understands how lucky we are to have you. Memories of Mr Keen, there’s a few! Playing last card or some racing game on my iPad during form class.

Conversations in the study room that I then had to explain to Chase because apparently, we were talking in some cryptic language and he missed all of it. Taking one look at me in the morning and telling me not to stress about the test I obviously have or that I need to get more sleep. I could go on, but we remember what you said at the graduation dinner, so I’ll end here. Thank you Sir for everything. Thank you for always being there, for helping guide, support and mentor us and just for being you.

Chase: To all the staff we haven’t mentioned, we thank you greatly for everything you do on a daily basis. This school would not be the amazing place that it is without you.

Steph: We also want to thank our parents for sending us to this incredible school and for giving us a happy, healthy and full childhood. And I’m sure all the students here share the same sentiment. Without you we wouldn't be standing here today. Thank you.

Chase: To our fellow graduating classmates. We made it! We are going into the next chapter of our lives and although the future is unclear, it doesn’t matter because we are doing it together. Thank you for putting up with us, thank you for growing with us and thank you for being the ones who we will look back to in 10, 20 years time and remember the brilliant people with whom we experienced the emotional roller coaster that was high school. This place breeds life-long friendships and we just want to say that we love you guys.

Steph: Thank you to the Leadership team for your passion, dedication and unity. We weren't just a group of team members, but a group of friends and we are so grateful for all of you, Chase: even if you never did pull your socks up, Martin.

Steph: And finally, to each and every beautiful student sitting here, and all those that couldn't be here today, we thank you for simply being you. It’s hard to grasp as a younger student, just how special each little moment is. I certainly didn't use to understand why the Year Thirteens made speeches and talent show performances in tears. But as we completed our last Athletics day, our last swimming sports, our last day, I get it.

Chase: Your time at school isn’t remembered as a class, or by an exam result. Your time at school is a collection of moments, moments that paint such a stunning picture, the thought that there will be no more is heart-wrenching.

Steph: So while you’re here, don’t take it for granted. Do what you love and enjoy every moment. Remember that you are never in this alone and are capable of more than you know.

Chase: Though we could say goodbye, we choose to say see you soon because this school is too special to be parted from for long. Sunderland, we love you and we will miss you.

Steph: Have a nice day and thank you for listening to our Ted Talk.

Chase Leathard Head Boy 2019

Stephanie Weatherill Head Girl 2019

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ACG Sunderland 09 838 7070 6 Waipareira Ave, Henderson, Auckland

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ACG Sunderland 09 838 7070 6 Waipareira Ave, Henderson, Auckland

Traffic Flow

Traffic Flow for ACG Sunderland Before and After School

Year 1,2 & 3 Parent Car Park ONLY

DROP OFF / PICK UP POINT

WAIPAREIRA AVE

Year 4,5,6, all College Parents Car Park and Buses

Year 4, 5, 6 and all College Parents Car Park

Bus Drop off and Pick Up

BUILDI NG STAFF Parking PARKIN G

Gymnas ium Year 1,2, & 3 Parents and Visitors Car Park

PLEASE DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD OFF ON THE MAIN ROAD (WAIPAREIRA AVE) RIGHT IN FRONT OF ACG SUNDERLAND. THERE ARE YELLOW LINES IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL. Reception Gate: (Opposite Smith and Smith Glass/VTNZ) • Parents who are dropping off Year One, Year Two and Year Three students please use this entry/exit only • It is imperative for the safety of our students and visitors to the school that you do not use the parking by Reception unless you are using the Mobility Parking and you are a permit holder • Exit of this car park out to Waipareira Ave will be left turn only.

Primary Gate: (Opposite Get Fed Food) • Parents who are dropping off Year Four, Year Five, Year Six, all College students and school buses please use this entry/exit only • Gates will be opened at 7.00am and closed again at 9.00am. In the afternoon the gates will be opened at 2.30pm • We have over fifty parking spaces in the Primary area • The basketball court next to the College playground at the back of the school will be used for our school buses who be dropping off and picking up our students in this area. There will be no parking here • Exit of this car park out to Waipareira Ave will be left turn only.

Please remember: • • • •

The speed limit is 5kmph and I ask you to respect this. We wish to retain our 100% safety record. Keep your speed down, watch out for pedestrians and use the correct parking and drop off areas No overtaking on the road Always watch out for children Mobility Parking is parking only for those vehicles display a Mobility Parking Permit.

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ACG Sunderland 09 838 7070 6 Waipareira Ave, Henderson, Auckland

2020 TERM DATES 23 and 24 January: Tutor Days. Senior students confirm subjects • Parents / Caregivers and student meet with Homeroom Teacher/Form Tutor, • International Students Orientation

Term 1

Tuesday 28 January (Tue) – April 9 (Thu)

Term 2

April 28 (Tue) – June 26 (Fri)

Term 3

July 20 (Mon) – September 25 (Fri)

Term 4

October 12 (Mon) – December 4 (Fri)

Gold Sponsor

Lenco Schoolwear Shop has shifted to: 100/102 Central Park Drive, Henderson.

Telephone: (09) 838 6164 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm January and February Opening Hours are: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm Saturday 9.00am to 3.00pm Email: enquiries@isclenco.co.nz

School Office: Phone: 838 7070 Fax: 838 7040 Address: 6 Waipareira Avenue, Henderson, Waitakere 0610 Email: sunderland@acgedu.com Attendance: sunderlandattendance@acgedu.com Web: www.acgedu.com

The Kids at School Care afterschool programme has a 30 minute Homework Club. Available now before school programme care from 7.15 am to 8.30 am .

Please contact Nanette Carillo on 021 265 3242 or email nanettecarillo@yahoo.com

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