10 DHS Dispatch 26 November 2020

THE DHS

DISPATCH

Wisdom through learning : Akona to matauranga kia mĹ?hio

26 NOVEMBER 2020

Student Successes Great Barrier Island ~ Year 13's Final Week Talent Quest ~ Pre Formal Photos ~ Music ~ Drama

Click Here DHS WEBSITE

ACTING PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS As 2020 draws to a close, it is time to reflect on the successes and achievements of the year. We have the end of year prizegivings at which we celebrate the achievements of the students.

There are some outstanding achievements to recognise but is important to acknowledge that most of our students have made many improvements since the beginning of the year. For some, the improvements have been smaller but, for that student, it will have been very significant in comparison to previous years. To all students who have progressed their learning, improved their skills and become better people: well done.

By the time this is published, our senior students will be well through their exams. We hope they will be successful and that the exams will allow them to achieve the qualifications that they have been aiming for.

A group of our students will be leaving the school, many of them after spending seven years here.

This time will have been a very important part of their life to date.

I suggest they look back to what they were like as a person when they arrived here in Year 7 and look at who they are now. The school will have played a big part in that change. Students should take that with them and be proud of it. For many, their time here will have set them up well to face the next stages of life: they will always be ex-students of Darfield High School.

I trust that that their time here has been enjoyable and memorable.

There are also some staff leaving at the end of this year. Laura Petersen, Chrystal McIntyre, Caroline Harrington and Andrea Jacobs are all moving to the next stage of their careers. We extend our congratulations and thank them for their very significant contribution

to the school. Our students have been very privileged to have you as their teachers. Jude Elliot is also leaving. Jude has been with us for 26 years and has made an enormous contribution to the school, starting as a teacher and later as Principal’s Nominee (NCEA management in the school) and our very important Network manager.

I want to thank the school community for the opportunity to lead the school for the last term.

It has been a challenging but very enjoyable experience stepping back into a Principal’s role. It has been great to work with a very committed senior leadership team and staff.

I want to wish you all a very merry Christmas and an enjoyable and safe New Year.

Trevor McIntyre Acting Principal

Netball Coaches for 2021 Darfield High School is seeking expressions of interest for the positions of Senior A and B Netball Coaches for 2021. The successful applicants will work alongside the school’s Head of Netball to develop skills and support a great group of talented players.

These are volunteer positions. We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic people who must be able to commit for the 2021 season and be able to travel with the team to their weekly and annual events.

Sue Robinson and new Principal, Andy England, during one of his transition and handover visits. Andy will start at Darfield High School as Principal in January 2021.

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If you like working with highly focused and dedicated players, then we would love to hear from you.

Please send your expression of interest, by ​Friday 11 December​, to Pip Deans, Sports Co-ordinator, Darfield High School:​ ​sport@darfield.school.nz Sam Forward Deputy Principal

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School Notices Reporting Absences/Sick Students

Please let us know if your student is going to be absent. To report an absence, telephone the school on 318 8411 and leave a message, or email absences@ darfield.school.nz Email's sent to other addresses may not be cleared before a text message is sent to you.

School Bank Account

Darfield High School ASB Bank Limited, Riccarton 12-3147-0207317-00 Please include the student’s name and the reason for the payment, eg Camp Fees. This information is also on the Contact Us page of the school website.

PTSA Update

A big thanks to all who donated goods, baked, or provided time to help out with the recent Courtenay Show fundraiser. It was much appreciated. We managed to make around $1600 for the school.

The PTSA has donated $150 Mitre 10 voucher to the food room for all the help that they have given to us over the year and the help that they gave in preparing for the Malvern Lions partners' night event. They will be using this for improving their garden.

The Senior Prizegiving is on 8 December. If anyone is keen to help out at this event, please contact ptsa@ darfield.school.nz. We need help making sandwiches from 3.45 pm - 5 pm ish at the Rec Centre, and then preparing and serving food between 6.30 pm and 10 pm.

Please note that the next meeting of the PTSA advertised for the 15 December has been cancelled. With the Courtenay Show just been and Senior Prizegiving pushed back to 8 December, we have decided to cancel this meeting and meet again in February 2021.

On behalf of the Darfield High School PTSA, we thank all who have donated or given time to help out over this year. We wish you all a safe, happy and healthy Festive Season and a less disruptive pandemic year next year.

Best wishes for 2021.

Rhonda Hamilton Cross—Chairperson Darfield High School PTSA

Darfield High School

Term Four Events Friday 27 November • Years 7-8 Summer Quad Monday 30 November • Year 8 Life Education Trust (30 November - 3 December) • Year 10 Activity Day: Adrenalin Forest

Wednesday 2 December • Peer Support Training (2-3 December) • CPS Athletics Championships • Year 10 Activity Day: Surfing

Thursday 3 December • Year 6 Transition Day Friday 4 December • Year 8 Mini Fair (lunchtime) Monday 7 December • BOT Meeting 6.30 pm Tuesday 8 December • Senior Prizegiving • NCEA Last Day • Year 8 Trip

Wednesday 9 December • Junior Prizegiving Practice Thursday 10 December • Junior Prizegivings • Last Day Friday 11 December • NZSS Athletics Championship Tauranga (4-6 December) • Staff Only Day

DARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PRIZEGIVINGS Family and friends of the school are warmly invited to attend Senior Prizegiving Ceremony Tuesday 8 December at 7.00 pm Darfield Recreation Centre Years 7 and 8 Prizegiving Ceremony

PTSA

Thursday 10 December at 9.30 am

NEW MEMBERS NEEDED

DHS Hall

Come along and join the wonderful school helpers and fundraisers.

All money raised goes back into the school to help our students.

Queries: ptsa@darfield.school.nz

Years 9 and 10 Prizegiving Ceremony

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Thursday 10 December at 1.30 pm DHS Hall

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STUDENT SUCCESSES

MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tyler Wiremu

Mason Thompson The DHS Boys Motocross team competed in Invercargill in rather wet conditions and did extremely well. They were defending their 2019 title but just fell short.

Darfield High School came in second, behind Timaru Boys' High.

Mason placed second, Tyler placed third and Lewis placed seventh, in their respected classes.

Congratulations to Maddison Boekholt who placed third in New Zealand Women's Motocross Championships, for 12-16 year old girls 85cc Class.

A great achievement!

Congratulations to Molly MacPherson for taking top honours in the Canterbury Secondary Schools Junior Tennis Champs Year 10 Division 2 Girls Grade.

Molly played four matches, won four matches and only dropped three games overall, this is a fantastic effort by Molly.

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26 NOVEMBER 2020

STUDENT SUCCESSES

National MTB Championships Ethan Rose competed in the National MTB Championships during the School holidays. He was competing in the Under 20 Boys class and did exceptionally well. Congratulations, Ethan.

Second Under 20 Boys Cross Country Individual First Under 20 Boys Downhill First Under 20 Boys Enduro Special Olympics Lucas de Burger participated in the Special Olympics on 19 November in Christchurch. Lucas did extremely well.

Congratulations, Lucas!

200m Run - Fourth 5m Shotput - Second 80m Run - First Relay 400m (by himself)

Congratulations to Leah Hamilton-Cross who has been selected for the New Zealand team at the International Geography Olympiad.

The New Zealand Board of Geography teachers, who selected Leah, said, "The International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) is an annual competition for the best 16 to 19-year-old Geography students from all over the world.

Students chosen to represent their countries are the very best, chosen from thousands of students who participate enthusiastically in their own National Geography Olympiads.

The iGeo consists of three parts: a written test, a multimedia test, and substantial fieldwork requiring observation, leading to cartographic representation and geographical analysis. The programme also includes poster presentations by teams, cultural exchanges, and time for students to get to know their fellow students and explore the host city. The 17th International Geography Olympiad is planned to be in Istanbul, Turkey, and will run from 10 to 16 August 2021.

Leah had to write an essay, limited to 1,000 words; from there she was shortlisted as one of the top 10 candidates, and was then interviewed by one of the selectors. With COVID still an issue, it is likely that Leah will not be able to travel but will still take part in a number of workshops and do some online courses.

Chris Quinn

Leah Hamilton-Cross Celebrating the successes of our students is important.

There are a number of areas that students excel in. Whether this is part of or outside of the DHS community, please feel free to let us know, so we can celebrate their achievements with the whole community.

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Congratulations on your selection for the 2021 New Zealand Geography Olympiad Team

Simon Cushen and Amanda Brown Team Leaders

Date 05/11/2020

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STUDENT SUCCESSES Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Regional Awards On 28 October, SUDmerge from Darfield High School was one of the top-scoring YES teams for Canterbury Ōtākaro North and competed to be named as Regional Winners and go on to represent the region at the National Final in Wellington on 10 December.

In front of an audience of 200 people, the five finalists for each sub-region had a fresh opportunity to impress a panel of judges, making for an electrifying evening during which all of the pitching teams were in hot contention to be crowned this year’s winners.

(L to R) Rebecca Inch, Jessica Galletly, Emily White and Sophie Palmer

The judges read through the teams’ Annual Reviews—a tight summary document that persuasively outlined the teams’ business strategies—and listened to their professional pitches, before deliberating and reaching unanimous decisions. All of the featured pitches showcased perfectly how YES students adhere to the principle of a workable ‘quadruple bottom line’—seeking socially, environmentally, economically and culturally sustainable outcomes—but, in the end, only two winners could be chosen.

The winners were mOAT from St Margaret’s College and Flatless from FarNet. Idoia Alday Gonzalez, the YES Canterbury Regional Co-ordinator, summed up by saying: “This year, YES Canterbury (like many other organisations in NZ) had to essentially re-invent itself in the face of COVID, but we still managed to keep our delivery promise to the students. The quality of their experience was always at the forefront of our decisions as we found new ways to stay connected, deliver workshops, pitches and markets. As a result, we experienced completely the opposite of what we expected. We’ve achieved a higher percentage of student engagement and participation than in previous years, as well as higher completion rates, which all goes to show the extraordinary resilience and determination of the region’s young people.”

Jessica Galletly, presenting their SUDmerge product to the judges

It is a huge achievement for any team to make it to the regional finals; I am so proud of all the work SUDmerge has done this year. Both Darfield High School teams rose to the challenge of operating a business in 2020, and I congratulate both SUDmerge and AMBIKA on their attention to detail and success of their businesses. I wish these students well with their tertiary studies next year.

Caroline Harrington

DANCING SUCCESS

TM Dance World student, Caitlin Knowles, who is a dancer and teacher at the studio, passed her Level 9 Asia Pacific Dance Association Hip Hop exam with distinction and 100 percent! This means she has gained the top mark in this level in the Asia Pacific region. Caitlin will receive a top mark scholarship to pay for her Level 10 examination fees. We are 6

very proud of Caitlin's result; in all my years teaching, I have never seen 100 percent in an exam! Caitlin has also shown fabulous management skills, learning and teaching the APDA examination work to herself while teaching two others at the same level.

Tara McKeown Director at TM Dance World Studios

Caitlin Knowles

26 NOVEMBER 2020

STUDENT SUCCESSES

Canterbury Area Pony Club Inc 13th October 2020 Dear Mr McIntyre On Sunday, I was privileged to present one of your students, Charlotte Thomas, a prestigious national award. This was the New Zealand Pony Club Association (NZPCA) Achiever’s Award for 2020.

This is a national award of which only about ten are given each year; certainly, it was hotly contested in Canterbury where four nominees were put forward, Charlotte being the only recipient.

Charlotte’s list of local and national achievements was lengthy and displays a high level of performance in dressage, eventing and show jumping. Not only has she represented View Hill Pony Club but also Darfield High School (as you may know) and Canterbury, on numerous occasions, winning many national titles.

I have managed Charlotte at teams’ events in the past and she has impressed me with her horse management (she’s highly organised), her gracious sportsmanship and her supportive demeanour around others. She is one of those quietly conscientious and capable citizens, who does not ‘blow her own trumpet’ but sees what needs doing and does it without a fuss.

In her citation she was praised for her diligence and hardworking attitude, also for her quiet determination in reaching her goals and for being ‘an incredible role model and upholding the NZPCA code through and through.’

I know many families do not like to sing their own children’s praises, so in my capacity as Canterbury Area Pony Club Chairperson, I thought you would like to be made aware of Charlotte’s achievement; she is certainly a student any school would be proud to have.

Yours sincerely, April Fitzjohn Canterbury Area Pony Club Chairperson

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Student Successes 2020 Year 10 STUDENT LEADERS

Logan Barrett

Isla Blaber-Hunt

Esther Bruce

Blakely Bruce-Sheppard

MacKenzie Butler

Megan Chillingworth

Emma Cunningham

Katie Doncliff

Lilly Gilbertson

Jared MacDonald

Nicolas McLaren-Kirkwood

Isla McPherson

Charlise Miller

Neve Molloy

Lily Payton

Rory Perrin

Louis Ridgen

Ruben Serra

Rylee Shepherd

Jessica Stewart

Mason Thompson

Levi Turpin

Laura Wason

CONGRATULATIONS 8

26 NOVEMBER 2020

CultureFest was held at the Lincoln Event Centre on Sunday 18 October. Some of our Years 7-9 Kapa Haka students performed on the main stage with Te K훮hui Whet큰 o Waihora, the Selwyn Secondary combined Kapa Haka group, performing three waiata/haka items.

Te K훮hui Whet큰 o Waihora

YEAR 13 DRESS UP WEEK

Tradie Famous Mix it Up Throwback When I Grow Up ISSUE 10 / DHS DISPATCH

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E Block refurbishments are currently underway. The building work will be completed in February 2021.

TERM FOUR

AROUND SCHOOL PHOTOS

Awesome mufti day costumes by Heidi Lovelock (left) and Heather Hamilton (right)

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NCEA Exams are currently taking place. Best of luck to all students taking part.

Work by Year 9 Student Josie D'Ath

26 NOVEMBER 2020

The Junior Ukulele group, tutored

by Adele Langlands, performed to students

Staff (L to R): Megan Evans, Lottie Tregear, Laura Petersen and Andrea Hanson

Year 13ME Breakfast before finishing school on study leave

Year 9 Students ISSUE 10 / DHS DISPATCH

Food Technology Teacher, Katrina Boyd with produce grown in the school garden

Sheffield School Year 6 students enjoying a transition day at DHS 11

Te KÄ hui WhetĹŤ o Waihora Kapa Haka hosted by DHS

Senior-led Assemblies

Super sleuth students solving the mystery of the murdered librarian.

Was it the HOD of English, the other Librarian or the HOD of Science? 'Murder by the Book' is one of the activities in the library over two weeks of our Summer Madness programme 12

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On 10 November, we had a presentation from Endometriosis NZ to our Year 10 girls.

Through their programme, Endometriosis New Zealand (ENZ) has built strong relationships with schools since 1995. The Menstrual Health and Endometriosis programme is a unique, interactive, fun and informative health education programme for secondary schools.

Students enjoyed the enthusiastic presentation style, received fantastic resources and found the information both relevant and interesting.

With Endometriosis affecting one in 10 girls, the programme was well received; if we personally aren’t affected, we may know someone who is or will be.

If you would like any more information, contact the website www.nzendo.co.nz Jayne Mallinder

Te Hū o Kākāpōtahi Malvern Kāhui Ako

Thursday 12 November saw 135 kaiako from 13 learning kura attend the 2020 Te Hu o Kākāpōtahi Kāhui Ako Staff Only Day. This is a once a year event and a unique opportunity for teachers to meet, connect and share.

The day began with a wonderful mihi whakatau; ECE and primary kaiako were warmly welcomed by Sam Forward and a karakia led

by Mallory Gander as DHS staff welcomed other kura onto their land. Our first keynote speaker, Chantelle Forster, followed with an interesting session on what building culturally responsive practice could look like in our kura. Kaiako were encouraged into break-out groups to delve deeper and brainstorm initiatives. A quick morning tea included fruit supplied by Johnny Fresh and food from the Fat Beagle.

This was followed by 31 taster sessions, facilitated by teachers alongside outside providers. This was an opportunity for staff to share their specialisms and good practice and learn from each other.

It was wonderful to see such a wealth of knowledge on offer and a willingness to share.

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A splendid lunch (thank you to Lidia from Fat Beagle) was next. The day was rounded off with the second keynote speaker, Adrienne Buckingham, national facilitator with NZ Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience, NZIWR. This was an engaging session which challenged us to explore a schoolwide cohesive approach to wellbeing. One of Adrienne's takeaways was discussion around gratitude and to explicitly take the time to 'hunt for gold'.

A great day of sharing, cementing learning and networking across our learning centres, ECE, primary and secondary kaiako. Gold was all around and gratitude was first and foremost.

Ngā mihi nui Christine Mossop—ASL Te Hū o Kākāpōtahi - Malvern Kāhui Ako 13

Congratulations, to all who took part in the DHS 2020 Talent Quest, at the beginning of Term Four.

Overall Winner and Overall Winner Dance Presly McRae (Solo Dance) Second Place: Liam Morris and Jack Guy (Group Vocal) Best Vocalist: Tied: Jack Guy and Liam Morris (Solo Vocal) Rising Star: Lucia Tully (Solo Vocal/Instrumental) Most Entertaining: Vaughan Smart (Solo Vocal/Instrumental) Best Lip Sync: Rozelyn Doherty, Hayley Murray and Saskia Jansen (Group Comedy Act) Best Junior Act: Elsie Mauger, Ruby Flynn-Miers and Laura Longdin (Group, Vocal/Instrumental) Best Individual Dance: Lizzy Marvin (Solo Dance) Best Movers: Staff and Prefects (Group Dance/Comedy Act)

TALENT QUEST 2020!

An amazing, brave group of talented students and teachers! Special mention to Jess Galletly, for her outstanding MC role.

Amelia Scott Memorial KLUTZ Award: Jess Galletly (MC)

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26 NOVEMBER 2020

PRE FORMAL

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THANK YOU

DARFIELD!

On Thursday 22 October DHS hosted the New Zealand Community Blood Drive.

What an awesome effort by the students of Darfield High School and the community donors! We had a Total Target for the High School and Community combined at 40, as that is traditionally what we have collected over four hours at the Recreation Centre.

We had 64 donors attend. Six were unable to donate on the day. We had 24 NEW DONORS and collected a whopping 58 donations. We are thrilled at the result and the support we received from the community and school.

Thank you, Darfield!

Jules Askin Donor Relations Co-ordinator New Zealand Blood Service

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26 NOVEMBER 2020

Millie, Emma and I were lucky enough to receive a scholarship to travel to Great Barrier Island, to the Hillary Outdoor Education base camp, to explore and push ourselves to do things we may not have done before. We flew to Auckland early on the morning of Monday 28 September and caught a Great Barrier Air flight to the island. When we arrived on Great Barrier, we were greeted by an instructor, Sarah. And we met the group whom we were going to be doing all our activities with. We all got on really well and worked as a team to complete the day’s activities, which included coasteering, rock climbing, steep creeking, high ropes and paddle boarding. Millie and I took the opportunity to go swimming every day, swimming out to the pontoon in the middle of the bay and jumping off. We also played basketball, spotlight, and go home stay home.

Another activity was to sea kayak to an island out on the bay and stay over on that island. We set up camp, made dinner and just hung out and talked. It was nice to learn more about the people we had just met.

I know that all three of us definitely had a good time, took a lot out of this trip, and built new friendships.

the chance to give coasteering a go.

Coasteering is where you go along the side of the island on rocks and you go as far as you can and, when you can't go any further, you have to jump into the water and swim to the next available space. We had an opportunity to go up to the tallest jump. As I started to climb up, I was thinking, “Oh no, Millie, what are you getting yourself into?” As I stood up at the top of an approximately 60 m jump, the lady started to count down from three and I was thinking, “No, nope, I’m not doing it.” Then she said one, and something came over me and I jumped, screaming my lungs out and in shock that I had actually done it. I learnt from that moment that I needed to push myself to do things out of my comfort zone.

Lexie Sinclair

We would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who put this trip together. It was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity and one we won't forget.

On the trip, we had chances to go outside our comfort zone and try new things and things that would be once in a lifetime opportunities.

On the second to last day, we had ISSUE 10 / DHS DISPATCH

Millie Wilson While we were at Great Barrier, we were faced with many challenges, including high ropes, rock climbing, and the Via Ferrata. We all needed to encourage each other and take the lead at some point. The whole trip was a great opportunity for us to all strengthen our leadership skills as we had to work with many people whom we did not know previously.

Emma Wason 17

Week One Term Four

The Dreaming

Beauty and the Beast

DHS Production Week

DRAMA 18

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MUSIC With 2020 being so disrupted due to COVID-19, most of the usual performance opportunities, such as Rock Quest and Southern Jam, had to be cancelled, leaving few chances for Darfield High School Music students to show what they are capable of. This placed heightened importance on the end of year concert evening which was held in the school’s Drama room.

On the night, there was a high turn-out of parents, caregivers and friends who were treated to a wide variety of instrumentalists and ensembles. Even though nerves were evident back stage, each student performed well and with confidence when their time came. I know we all hope 2021 will be a more balanced proposition than this year but, if this evening is anything to go by, it will remain a highlight of the musical calendar.

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EVENING

Check out the Videos on our Facebook Page

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JAMES RUSSELL

120 Year 7 students were enthralled when they met bestselling children's writer, James Russell. There were loads of laughs as he enacted stories, particularly the one about being seriously wounded while trying to cook crumpets. James is best known to our students for his Dragon Defenders series. Through his funny and informative presentation, we learnt a lot about his writing process. These comments by our students say it best...

"How he got fired - he didn't give up on trying to publish books for kids to read and I learnt that when something bad happens, it could be the best thing that ever happened in your life."

"I have enjoyed the event because it was very interesting and it was pretty funny. My favourite part was when he was telling us about the time when he stabbed his hand. I learnt the daily routine of an author/ publisher. I also really enjoyed the AR app; it was unique and cool. He taught me that reading a book can be better than playing video games. (but I prefer video games)."

"He was soooo good."

"I enjoyed the event very much as James was very funny and told us a few funny stories from his life. James was very good at engaging us in his presentation and keeping us very entertained the whole time, which was very good. I have never read any of the books from James Russell before but, from what he read us, I have found out they are very exciting and you are constantly wondering what will happen next. I will definitely read one of his books, especially because there is an interactive app that you can use to see and do very cool things. I learnt a lot of things from his presentation and I would love for him to come back some other time :)"

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26 NOVEMBER 2020

Lockdown Writing All five of us rush

on I Know Well

rly Pers A Description of an Elde

My parents’ car pulls into the driveway. I see Grandpa sitting in his recliner watching the cricket. We walk in and, just like every other time, he has a huge smile on his face. We sit and talk for a while, but that doesn't last long. He leaves the TV running whilst he brings the chessboard out and we have a competition to see who can set up their side of the board first. My grandpa is a competitive person and never lets you win; that way, whenever you beat him, you know you really won. After a few games of us bickering at each other for taking our good players, we convince my grandma to drive us down to the auditorium where the snooker table is.

When we get there, people are already playing; lucky for grandpa, he is the best player in the village so nobody hesitates to let him join in.

Grandma takes me over to the hot chocolate machine and hands me $2 to get myself one, then she goes over and helps her friends with a puzzle. While I wait for it to cool down, I sit on the stands and watch grandpa dominate his games one by one. Slowly, people start to peel off from the table until it’s only grandpa left. He invites me down, to “show me how it's done” apparently. He hands me the shortest cue and lets me take the first hit at the ball. But, like always, I'll be waiting there for a while whilst he sinks all the balls and I lose. Even though he can beat me in snooker, I know I'll always beat him in a running race.

After grandma is done, she drives us home to where my parents are to pick me up. Grandpa insists on a beer with dad and that's always a cue that we will be there for at least another hour. So, to kill the time, I look at all the old photos, of me and my cousins, other family members and friends, that my grandma and grandpa have hanging on their wall. There is a photo of my grandpa leaning on his flash, wellmaintained car, with grandma, way back around the 1950s. You can tell that he takes pride in all he does, especially when it comes to his family. They finish up the conversation on why the team they support shouldn’t have lost the last match. We hop in the car and grandpa gives a big wave and a smile as we leave.

Tyler Wiremu

Sensory Descri

ption of a Place

The car felt cramped, but not uncomfortably so. The chilling atmosphere of the car breathed through my jersey. The tinted windows darkened the interior. The charcoal black seats felt like stitched leather and sounded like wood creaking softly. Smelling of coffee, the reusable shopping bags gave a slight rustle. The sun roof showed only the garage ceiling. Through the open garage door, people could be heard working, hammers, drills, and saws. It sort of felt like a bedroom at night, if you could comfortably lie down on the seats.

Daniel Lloyd The garden was small. It was recently planted. It smelled of fresh air and it smelled of leaves. The smell was very calming, as if you were in the middle of a lake. Whenever the leaves would rustle, you would feel less tense. All of the different types of plants made the garden unique, the big rock in the centre adding a little something extra and the little statue of a pig making everything seem bigger. Green plants, some full with small white flowers surrounding the tree with no leaves; brown bark covering the roots and dirt; brown-stained wood on the outskirts, and one plain piece of wood lying across one side waiting to be moved. It was the kind of garden that you would come to if you were feeling stressed. It was the kind of garden that made everything around you disappear.

Gemma Clucas ISSUE 10 / DHS DISPATCH

to get into the car because we're already late and she's probably started waiting all because mum was busy doing her hair. I mean how long do dreads take to tie up? We drive off down the shingle road playing 90s music as loud as the stereo can go on our way, driving an hour and half to visit Great Nana at her new house. She's been very lonely since Poppa died around a year ago. We park on the side of the street because Nana lives in a shared house with only one thin wall separating all four small buildings. As we all walk up the long driveway that they all share, we see little old Nana waving, looking excited, sitting on her little porch surrounded by lots of colourful flowers in the pots we painted her and Poppa for Christmas. She tells us she made us Dad's favourite biscuits and boiled the jug for her third tea of the day.

Nana doesn't feel like going out a lot these days. She lives by herself and doesn't own a lot of furniture so my sisters and I have to sit on the ground.

The last time we saw Nana she was sitting beside Poppa who was very pale and hooked up to a metal pole with a lot of wires attached to it. She had tears in her eyes. She looks a lot happier now and she has lots of pictures of him all around the house.

We all sit down and she says she has something to tell us. She waddles down the hallway and comes back with part of a newspaper she cut out. She is gleaming with pride. She shows me the newspaper. First it’s her and her friends from her bowling club on the very front page. The headline reads ‘Bowling Club Saved by Locals’. “The thing was,'' Nana exclaims, that they were planning to tear down her club and replace it with a playground and café, and they protested because no one needed another new cafe and playground. I take another look at the newspaper and, since she was the shortest, she was front and centre of a group of around thirty old people, all with their hands in the air with huge smiles on their faces. We all congratulate her on it because she has always been a lady with a strong character. She may look like an ordinary great grandparent but to me she's no ordinary grandparent.

She's never let anyone push her around and she's always stuck to her beliefs and morals, and that is why she is one of my biggest role models.

Kiara Paterson

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The Tiny Dragon

by Manawai Ponga

Jayne Mallinder It came from Mount Everest. It flew to me and landed in my hand.

It was as light as a Fantail. It had sharp claws and it’s tail wrapped around my finger. His tail was like a lizards tail but a lot pointier like a prickle. His wings were shaped like a leaf. His wings had veins in them like a leaf does. He had very small sharp spikes on the back of his head. They looked like a bunch of needles.

He sat on my hand and looked at me like he wanted to tell me something. He had smoke steaming off his head. He looked very wise, like he knows a lot. I think he will grow as big as a car when he gets older. I think he will be able to blow things up with his fire breath but he might be a very good dragon.

I suddenly heard a big roar. It was like thunder. There was also a loud whooshing sound. I looked up and saw a huge dragon that was the size of an aeroplane. The huge dragon looked identical to the tiny one in my hand. The tiny dragon saw the huge dragon and fluttered off my hand and shot up to the huge dragon. The huge dragon looked happy to see the little dragon. The little dragon was happily sitting on the big dragon’s back. They flew back to Mount Everest. I watched them fly back to their home and felt very lucky to see a dragon. I will keep this as my secret.

Does this sound like the best thing your young writers could do this summer?

This is our fifth year of running Write On Summer Writing School for Teens and every year we have young writers who say "I'm so glad my teacher told me about this!"

We ask them to go back to school and thank that teacher who took the time to read the information, make the connection to a keen writer and follow up with them. We know this takes valuable time but it is time used valuably!

January 18-23 2021 10-3:30 daily 5 days of writing with 1:1 mentoring opportunities Hagley College, Christchurch All of the details are on our WEBSITE with easy online booking now open.

This is a fabulous opportunity for young writers to spend time with like-minds in a welcoming and inclusive community.

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I've noticed since Lockdown we are seeing more and more issues around device misuse and overuse. Internet and gaming are real addictions which are having some serious consequences for our children. I've put together some suggestions and places to get more information.

Why am I/are they gaming?

Games can provide a sense of achievement, a sense of belonging and being valued, a sense of purpose and goals, a sense of freedom and escape, and even a sense of identity.

These same factors that make games engaging and enjoyable can also contribute to players developing addictions to gaming if they become the only ways in which a person experiences these things in their life. Recognising when gaming shifts, from being a fun way to relax, a hobby or a form of entertainment, to a potential addiction has a lot to do with recognising when the purpose of gaming has shifted into being primarily a way to meet some or all of these psychological needs. If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s gaming, a good place to start is always to ask: Why am I/are they gaming?

Ideas For Parents Model Appropriate Technology Use Helping children develop good habits with technology use begins with our own behaviour. Role model appropriate use. Have a ‘technology curfew’ for the whole family, with no-one in the house allowed to use phones/TV/computers after a certain time of night. Consider device-free days.

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Be Consistent Being consistent in how you approach the issue is also very important. This too may not be easy as you’ll likely go through periods of giving up or feeling resigned – ‘what’s the point of fighting it?’

Be willing to talk, take an interest, and really listen If they’re open to it, sitting down with them while they’re playing and getting them to talk to you about what they’re doing can be a good place to start. Also helpful is asking questions about it, like ‘What do you enjoy about that particular game?’, or ‘Who do you play with?’, ‘Are you competing with the other players or working together?’ etc. This may give you some sense of why they play.

Set Firm Boundaries Key to managing gaming with children and young people is setting firm and appropriate boundaries and limits on their behaviour, eg when they are allowed to game, for how long, what they need to do beforehand, how often they take breaks and so on. Only you can know what boundaries are appropriate for your child and your circumstances, but there are a few important things to note about setting boundaries.

Approach From A Position of Curiosity and Concern It's helpful to approach the issue with kids from a position of concern rather than one of judgement or criticism. One thing games do very well is provide an escape from negative feelings and experiences and so, if their experience outside of gaming involves a lot of criticism and hostility, then it is more than likely to make gaming seem like an increasingly appealing option. For this reason, it’s more helpful to say something like “I feel really worried that you won’t have many options available to you after high school because of your gaming” than “You’re messing up your life” or “You’re going to end up as a drop-out in a dead-end job if you don’t quit”.

ISSUE 10 / DHS DISPATCH

Provide and Support Alternatives One of the things that keeps a gaming addiction going is the fact that it meets a lot of important psychological needs.

In order for someone to get away from the games, they will need to be able to meet those needs in other ways.

Unfortunately, they will often be illequipped and not very motivated to seek other ways to meet those needs so long as the gaming is available. If a kid is having a hard time making friends at school but has a great set of friends online, they won’t have much incentive to seek out other social activities.

Give Room to Make Changes This is particularly relevant for teenagers, but most kids (and many adults!) will do nearly anything to avoid having to admit being wrong. What this means is that, if you’ve been fighting with them about something for a while, there will be a point where, even if they have internally started to agree with you, they will not want to show this. It’s crucially important, if you don’t want

to undo any positive progress, that you give kids room to make changes without them needing to admit being wrong, and without acknowledging too much the changes they have made.

What this means is that it’s important that, if things do start to change, you don’t require them to acknowledge that they were wrong or that they have changed their mind.

Get Family Counselling If things are not working out or if you are having trouble implementing some of the suggestions here, then I strongly encourage families to meet with a family Counsellor to discuss the situation.

For more support, please feel free to contact me at school.

Visit the sites below for more information and more detail: http://www.netaddiction.co.nz/ https://screenstrong.com/

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sports update ~ sports update ~ sports update ~ sports update ~ sports update ~ sports update ~ sports update

Congratulations to our Year 7 and Year 8 Girls and Boys teams who made it to the Canterbury Regional Cricket Play-offs

HAGLEY OVAL

The DHS Year 7 and 8 Boys Cricket team, in the stand at Hagley Oval, with current Black Cap, Henry Nicholls

Congratulations to our Year 7 and Year 8 Girls and Boys teams who made it to the Canterbury Regional Cricket Play-offs on 28 and 29 October at Hagley Polo Grounds.

This is a fantastic achievement for the school and a first for Country Cricket to have two teams from the same school.

This competition was to have been completed in March before COVID came along so, since the team has not had any games since February, circumstances have changed with regards to the coaching situation, and we are in need of a coach and some training tips for the girls team.

(L to R) Blake Taylor, Riley McNae, Austin Earl and Finn Jacobs

We are grateful to Simon Earl who has taken on the coaching role for the boys team and Andrea Jacobs for her brilliant organisational/ management skills.

Congratulations, Blake, Riley, Austin and Finn for being selected into Canterbury Country Cricket Association Rep teams recently.

Pip Deans

Riley and Blake are on the Red team, and Finn and Austin are on the White team.

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26 NOVEMBER 2020

sports update ~ sports update ~ sports update ~ sports update ~ sports update ~ sports update ~ sports update

Pip Deans DHS Sports Co-ordinator

Upcoming Sporting Events November 27 Year 8 Quad at Geraldine

Playing Touch, Volleyball, Cricket and Frisbee December 2 Canterbury Primary Schools Athletics 11-13 New Zealand Secondary Schools Track, Field and

Road in Tauranga.

Emily Walters and Kirsty and Jodie McCarthy-

Dempsey are competing

Congratulations to Quinn McClimont for being selected to play for the Canterbury Invitational Team.

Quinn played in the Under 13s 3x3 Canterbury Tournament on 11 October and his team placed third.

DHS Year 8 Basketball team finished fifth in Division One, out of nine teams. Pretty impressive considering we started as complete novices in Division Two! Thank you to the parents and teachers for their support.

ISSUE 10 / DHS DISPATCH

Basketball

A big step up in tournament games and great experience for Quinn.

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MASH

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MASH Tough Kids event held at South Brighton Domain on Wednesday 18 November. It was an awesome day. Fouty-two Year 7 and 8 students dressed up and completed a 2.7km obstacle course across the domain and in and out of the estuary. Lots of fun and a great day out!

26 NOVEMBER 2020

Girls Athletics Champions Champion Eva Gregorini Runner-up Aria Barnes YEAR 8 Boys Athletics Champions Champion Hamish Henderson Runner-up Tyler Hutchinson Girls Athletics Champions Champion Brooke Ebdon-Collings Runner-up Sara Hefferon Records Broken Year 8 Boys Hamish Henderson 1200m 4.15.90 Year 8 Girls Brook Ebdon-Collings Shot Put 8.51m

YEARS 7 AND 8 ATHLETICS

YEAR 7 Boys Athletics Champions Champion Shayden McDonnell Runner-up Toby Thwaites

ATHLETICS At the recent Years 7 and 8 Malvern Athletics competition, two records were broken: Hamish Henderson: 1200 m 4.15.90 m Brook Ebdon-Collings: Shot Put 8.51 m The Canterbury Primary Schools Athletics Championships will be held at Nga Puna Wai on 2 December, and teams have been selected based on the Malvern competition results.

ISSUE 10 / DHS DISPATCH

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NEW

DHS UNIFORMS

~SALE PRICES~ Summer study, has grown in popularity every year.

More than 1500 students took advantage of Summer School last year to top up their NCEA credits, enabling them to go on to either further study, training or employment.

LIMITED STOCK & SIZES AVAILABLE All queries to the School Office

Courses are delivered online so with access to a computer and the internet, students can learn anywhere and anytime.

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION

Click Here DHS FACEBOOK Student Run Page

Click Here WELL-BEING

Student Run Page

Mobile Phone Recycling Appeal The Mobile Phone Appeal has raised well over three million dollars for the New Zealand Charities. We have had a very successful year with Sustainable Coastlines our hardworking awesome charity.

With 69% of New Zealand’s rivers deemed unsafe for swimming after rainfall due to contamination, this is important work that we

hope you can support and promote through the collection of old and unwanted phones

To donate phones simply pack securely in a box or small jiffy bag.

Drop to any NZ Post Store free of charge, addressed to: Mobile Phone Recycling Appeal Private Bag 208004

THE

GREATEST

CHRISTMAS SHOW

Highbrook Manukau 2161 FreePost: 223107-Darfield High School

Tü Toka Tü Ariki

SONGS FROM POPULAR MOVIES LIKE THE

GREATEST SHOWMAN & SEVERAL BROADWAY SHOWS. COME, LISTEN AND DANCE!

Featuring

TAUTI MAI !

Christchurch City Chorus, The Vocal Collective

and A Cappella groups:

Euphoria, Alfresco, Focus and Hi Jinx Ngä Kawa

Tü Toka Tü Ariki

Uruora Junior Assistant Tutor Amokapua Assistant Tutor Pükenga Senior Tutor Ahorei Principal Tutor

Uruora Junior Assistant Tutor Amokapua Assistant Tutor Pükenga Senior Tutor Ahorei Principal Tutor

WHAKATAUÄKÏ

WHAKATAUÄKÏ

Darfield TAUTI MAI ! and Sheffield Ngä Kawa

• Swearing, put downs, bullying and TICKETS: fighting will not be Adult tolerated. $30 Live Stream $20 • Listen to your tutors.

School Children $20 SuperGold Card Holders $20 (Barrington Street entrance) • Look after ALL of your personal belongings/property and ensure all Tickets available from: www.humanitix.com are named.

• Always keep the marae clean & tidy.

• Abide by marae kawa.

SAT 12 DEC 2PM + 7PM CASHMERE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

Tü Toka Tü Ariki

Tü Toka Tü Ariki

ENJOY CHRISTMAS CAROLS, TOE TAPPING

Pools Are

• Swearing, put downs, bullying and fighting will not be tolerated.

• Listen to your tutors.

• Look after ALL of your personal "Ko Au, Ko Koe, Ko Tätou" belongings/property and ensure all "I am you - and we are us". are named.

• Always keep the marae clean & tidy.

POST REGISTRATIONS TO: • Abide by marae kawa.

OPEN for the

Toka Tü Ariki SummerTüSeason

PO Box: 10-339 Räkau Philipstown, Ch-Ch 8145 or email opening hours, visit: tutokatuariki@gmail.com • Do not use other warriors räkau For pool locations • Do and not use other warriors räkau

Räkau

• Don't put the arero into the ground • Don't putREGISTRATIONS the arero into the ground selwyn.govt.nz/summerpools • No helicopter drills • No helicopter drills $40.00 • Don't step over räkau • Don't step over räkau Due Rähina 14th December 2020 • No eating or drinking near your räkau • No by eating or drinking near your räkau

Malvern Swim School Term 4 Lessons held in Darfield and Sheffield If whanau would like to pay by

Internet Banking contact Tü Toka Tü Ariki Email:Contacts malvernswimschool@gmail.com at Wananga at Wananga at theContacts above email address ASAP Phone: 027 2721 7070 Te Mairiki Williams (021) 117 6223 Te Mairiki Williams (021) 117 6223 Facebook: @Malvern Swim School

• Darfield High School • PO Box 5, Darfield, 7541

• 7 McLaughlins Road, Darfield • 03 318 8411

WHANAU WÄNANGA "Ko Au, Ko Koe, Ko Tätou"

"I am you - and we areEstate us".

Ki Taumutu-Awhitu

W

Ki Ta

(Pohau Road) POST REGISTRATIONS TO:

Hakihea Tü17th Toka Tü Ariki21st Räpare - Rähina PO Box: 10-339 December 2020 Philipstown, Ch-Ch 8145 email NAUMAI,orHARAMAI tutokatuariki@gmail.com

PAPÄ MÄ, WHAEA MÄ REGISTRATIONS TANE MÄ, WÄHINE MÄ $40.00 TAMÄ MÄ, KOTIRO MÄ

Räp

N

PAP TAN TAM

TAUTI MAI

Due by Rähina 14th December 2020

If whanau would like to pay by ALL TAMARIKI UNDER 10yrs of age Internet Banking contact Tü Toka Tü Ariki MUST be accompanied by an ADULT the above email address ASAP for theatentire duration of the wananga.

• admin@darfield.school.nz • www.darfield.school.nz

ALL T MUST for the