h.g.h.s AUGUST 2013
Underpinning everything is the school motto “A wise woman shapes her own destiny.” Hamilton Girls’ High School
Principal’s Comment Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou
Marie Gordon
As a school we have shared
Planning for 2014 has
a number of successes in
commenced.
school, regional and national
invited to attend option evenings
competitions this term both with
if they require further discussion
staff and students.
on their subject and career
This month’s
Students will be
newsletter celebrates and shares
pathways.
many of these successes with
and tutor group teachers have
you, our school community.
also been available for extra
Ward Street, PO BOX 1267
Academic mentors
support through tracking their
Hamilton 3240
It is also very important that
Phone: 07 839 1304
at school and home we try to
Fax: 07 834 1394
help our students to carefully
In 2014, there will be a shift in
manage a busy school calendar
our timetable structure.
so that they are focused first
will be moving to one hour
and foremost on attaining their
lessons next year and also, we
qualifications, while aspiring to
will not be offering Individual
extend themselves and test their
Learning Periods or a Personal
character and resilience through
Development Programme in
co-curricular activities. We have
the senior school.
many amazing young women in
students will still have a study
our school who work incredibly
line allocated, and although
hard at achieving personal
rumours are rife at the moment,
excellence or in most cases,
the privilege of wearing tidy mufti
personal best.
to school will still be in place.
www.hghs.school.nz administration@hghs.school.nz
progress to date.
This focus is, in
We
Year 13
my view, part of the foundation of
Year 11-12 students will be taking
Hamilton Girls’ High School and is
six subjects next year that will
critical to our future direction.
have approximately 18-24 credits offered in a full year course.
A highlight for me this term has
Half year-semester courses will
been our Open Day.
be available for a targeted group
A slight
change to how it has been run
of students who may not have
in the past, we ran an exciting
passed Level 1 or 2, or who may
rotation of a “slice of life” as
find the programme of six NCEA
a Year 9 student studying at
subjects too challenging.
Hamilton Girls’ High School, where visitors took the opportunity to
We have some exciting times
experience and observe what
ahead of us.
our subjects have to offer.
It
was pleasing to see over 800
NAKU NOA
people come through our school, but more importantly for me, to
MARIE GORDON
see approximately 350 of our
PRINCIPAL
students give up their time to act as a tour guide or working at one of the 14 stations.
Congratulations to Mrs Kathy Paterson It is our absolute privilege to announce the appointment of Mrs Kathy Paterson to the position of Principal at Lincoln High School in Christchurch.
Mrs Paterson has many links to the South Island
and is really excited with the prospect of leading this wonderful co-educational school. She has contributed immensely to Hamilton Girls’ High School and has formed amazing relationships with students, parents and staff here, she will be sadly missed. Mrs Paterson will leave Hamilton Girls’ High School at the end of term 3 and commence her new position on October 14th. I know that you will join with me, in congratulating Mrs Paterson on her appointment and wishing her all the very best for her future.
SECURITY FENCE - We have commenced works on building a security fence around our school in the hope that it will deter the throughfare foot traffic of outsiders during the day, students from other schools coming onto our school grounds and a considerable reduction in vandalism.
In particular, we have homeless people
who sleep in our grounds as well as the skateboarders who believe our school is the new “skateboard park” in town.
It is our responsibility to ensure we provide a safe environment for both students and staff.
We cannot
afford to build the fence right around school, but will utilize our security cameras to focus on points of entry. The fence will come down Ward St, along Tristram St and up Hill St to the gymnasium driveway. closed during the day. Ward St.
Gates will be
All visitors to the school will be requested to report to the Administration block from
All students who wish to leave the school must sign out of the Student Reception area, receive a
pass and leave via Ward St or the gymnasium entrance. SNUP - We presently have workmen on site completing an upgrade on our network.
The Ministry of
Education’s School Network Upgrade Project (SNUP) subsidises and manages internal information and communication technologies (ICT) network upgrades (including cabling and switches) in state and stateintegrated schools. This upgrade ensures optimal use of the Government’s ultra-fast broadband initiative. NEW GYMNASIUM - The new gymnasium is still in the concept stage as we investigate Ministry approval and possible funding sources. WINTER TOURNAMENT - Good luck to all the Winter Tournament teams as they head to their respective competitions: 1st XI Football in Nelson, Premier in Netball Auckland, Premier in Basketball Rotorua, Ist XI Hockey in Levin and Ist XV Rugby Palmerston North. MALINS BUILDING - Woodview Construction have now commenced Phase 2 of the weather tightness programme in Malins Building.
Phase 1 has been completed successfully, with a new look in some of the classrooms.
SCHOOL NOTICES
FOUNDERS DAY
VISIT FROM THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION HEKIA PARATA
BY ALEX MAYER ON FRIDAY 2ND AUGUST,
path. If an opportunity arises for
more than others but it is the way
HAMILTON GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL
us to discover something new
we use our power that determines
WAS VISITED BY MINISTER OF
about ourselves and our passions
our success.
EDUCATION, HEKIA PARATA.
we can seize the chance; at any stage in our lives.
Several year 12 students had the
Students such as oursleves inspire Hekia Parata to use her voice
opportunity to speak with her
Using herself as an example,
in government to improve the
about our views on education and
Hekia Parata explained that she
efficiency of our education system
what we felt we would retain from
was on her fifth career and that,
to ensure that we get every
our experiences at high school.
looking back, she had enjoyed
opportunity to achieve the best we
Hekia Parata wanted us to realise
every one of them and felt no
can.
just how important our school
regret of moving on in pursuit of
years are to building ourselves
discovery.
a strong network within the
It was inspiring for us to see how a woman from such humble
community and to expose us to a
She told us that she was visiting
beginnings used her vivacity and
range of different areas which we
several schools throughout the
hunger for knowledge to rise to
can pursue.
North Island to talk to students
the position she holds today with
about making the most of our
the aspiration to make others’
An important message we learnt
education and ensure that we set
lives better.
was that in life we don’t just have
ourselves up for the future. She
to limit ourselves to one career
said everyone has power, some
BY ALEX MAYER 12HCC
Academic News Top: Year 11:, Rachel Li, Nazifa Rahman and Krystal Lin. Below: Year 9: Dru Brown, Casey Kennett and Paige Locke. Bottom: Year 10; Aashima Kansal, Eden Poihipi, Nodira Askarova.
ON THURSDAY, 15TH AUGUST
they made us proud of their
THE ANNUAL WAIMATHS QUIZ
efforts. Congratulations to the
NIGHT WAS HELD AT HAMILTON
girls for being the top of their
GARDENS.
year levels and representing the school so well.
Congratulations
This was a riveting evening
should also be given to Mrs
for our Year 9, 10 and 11
Anita Chan and Mrs Louise Pryor
quiz teams. This interschool
for being the organisers of the
competition is where teams of
event on behalf of the Waikato
three students pit their problem
Mathematics Association. It is a
solving skills against each
really big event and the evening
other. A total of 118 teams
went incredibly smoothly thanks
from 48 schools participated
to their superb efforts.
in this event. The HGHS Year 10 and 11 teams have been
Our Associate Principal, Kathy
working furiously towards this
Paterson, who has been the
event all year, while the year 9
Master of Ceremonies for this
team was newly formed. The
event for many years is leaving
HGHS Year 11 team lost by
HGHS at the end of this term
only 1 point for third place at
and this will be the last Quiz she
Year 11.
fronts. We are very grateful for
Too close‌.. All the
girls, including the reserves,
her contribution and she will be
deserve accolades for the way
greatly missed.
YEAR 10 ENTERPRISE STUDIES
What a night! So many products
also being very good patrons
were unveiled and lots of selling
of the events. We would also
soon followed. The students
like to thank Lisa Thomson for
had a spectacular time through
being our photographer and
the hands on experience of
our sponsors of the evening:
being small business owners
Waratah Tokoroa and Event
for the Product Launch Evening
Cinemas, Chartwell.
which was held on 5th of August and on Market day, 6th
Bring on Product Launch and
of August. It has been really
Market Day 2014!
rewarding to see our students shine in these events and earn profit after many months of hard work and dedication. Well done to Year 10 Enterprise Studies and Economic students. The Business Studies department would like to thank parents, family and friends who have supported our Year 10 Enterprise Studies and Economic students through their business journey and
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PRODUCT LAUNCH EVENING PRIZE WINNERS FOR 2013: • Sweet Things • Sweet Stop • Lavish Reaf • MommentYum • Lil Creations • The A Team
LANGUAGES ON TUESDAY 30TH JULY WE
and joined the Year 10 Japanese
Information about the proposed
WELCOMED A GROUP OF 16
class for various interactive
trip will follow later in the year.
GIRLS FROM KENMEI SCHOOL IN
activities. The students enjoyed
JAPAN.
their time in New Zealand
Anyone who would like to host
and are very grateful to the
a Japanese student for one of
They stayed with us for ten days
wonderful host families who
these short term visits in the
during which time they joined
looked after them so well. We
future should contact Head of
a PE lesson, made cranes with
are hoping to return the visit
Languages, Mrs Jo Barber.
9EA to commemorate Peace Day
with a trip to Japan in 2015.
ONCE AGAIN THE SCIENCE FAIR
O2 through H2O by Nazifa
HAS BEEN HELD. HERE AT HGHS
Rahman and Krystal Lin, Don’t let
IT IS VOLUNTARY FOR THE GIRLS
the Acid Rain by Eden Bates and
TO PARTICIPATE.
Izzy Clark, and Electricity 2015 by Rachel Li and Eden Poihipi.
Every year we have students put
Top: Krystal Lin and Nazifa Rahman represented HGHS at the Waikato Science fair with their project 02 through H20.
in a lot of effort to investigate,
Nazifa and Krystal represented
research and sometimes
us at the Waikato Science Fair.
to photograph scientific
Congratulations to all the girls
phenomenon in the world around
who participated in the Science
us.
Fair this year. We look forward to
This year’s projects were:
Impurities in Bottled Water by
seeing next year’s projects!
Aashima Kansal and Dipshaya Mahara,
BY JANET VOSS
YEAR 13 BIOLOGY
TRIP TO AUCKLAND ZOO AS PART OF LEARNING
primate species.
ABOUT THE BIOLOGICAL
We then had time to
AND CULTURAL
enjoy looking at all the
EVOLUTION OF
animals around the zoo
HOMININS (MODERN
and have a closer look at
HUMANS AND THEIR
the features of modern
BIPEDAL ANCESTORS)
primates which supported
AND PRIMATES, THE YEAR
our understanding.
13 BIOLOGY CLASSES WENT ON A FIELDTRIP TO
Overall it was a very fun
THE AUCKLAND ZOO.
and informative day, and great revision for the
We were lucky enough to see primate skulls and skeletons in two different interactive lectures which helped us understand the evolution of humans and also the biological differences between humans and other
external exam! BY KRYSTAL GERAGHTY AND KELLY LE QUESNE
YEAR 12 GEOGRAPHY THIS TERM IN GEOGRAPHY WE
Island Trust and looked at the
We gathered valuable
HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING
methods they were using to
information for our assessment
BIO-SECURITY AS A RISK TO
control and eradicate pests from
and learnt how precious our
OUR NATIVE NEW ZEALAND
Maungatautari. We were lucky
native species are. It is so
FLORA AND FAUNA.
enough to see three Takahe; a
important that we continue to
native New Zealand species that
control and get rid of the pests
We went on a fieldtrip to
is critically endangered. There
that threaten these species.
Maungatautari Ecological
are only about 250 of them left!
August is a busy time for the
This competition is one of the
This year we have three groups
music department as musical
highlights of the musical year
competing they are: Trouble
groups lead by HGHS itinerant
and provides students with a
Clefs (guitar); the Samba Band;
teachers prepare for the Band
great opportunity to perform
and the Combined HBHS &
and Orchestra Festival held at
alongside other groups from
HGHS Orchestra.
the University of Waikato on
around the Waikato and Bay
August 23rd.
of Plenty.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
BEYOND CROCHET EXHIBITION AT ARTSPOST BY ALISON GRAY
MRS GRAY HAS HER ART
Mrs Gray says that “Interesting
EXHIBITION ON DISPLAY AT
objects can be created out of
ARTS POST ON VICTORIA ST.
the most mundane materials if
Her works are the result of
we have the opportunity to think
noticing the light reflected off
outside the square”
the white balls of plastic string hanging in the supermarket. She has worked in both textiles and flat glass design and it is the light that fascinates her. Light accentuates textures and shadows in sculptural and low relief works, is reflected off surfaces or shines through textured coloured glass. Extensive research in Bunnings and $2 dollar shops have resulted in these experimental works using traditional crochet techniques. The colour palette is limited to what can be found in the appropriate weight of fibre. These include plastic string, raffia, plastic twine and blind cord.
BEYOND CROCHET AT ARTSPOST 23rd AUGUST - 23rd SEPTEMBER 120 Victoria Street, Hamilton Open 10:00am - 4.30pm Daily
Sports at HGHS THE FINAL OF THE WAIKATO
Good luck to the team as they
SECONDARY SCHOOL GIRLS
head to Palmerston North next
RUGBY COMPETITION WAS
week to compete in a knockout
AN EXCITING DISPLAY OF THE
competition.
HGHS RUGBY TEAM’S SKILL, FITNESS AND DEDICATION. HGHS won the final against Sacred Heart 53 – 0. There were outstanding performances by many of the team including Awatea Whitiora - Te Uira who scored 4 tries and Tenika Willison who helped the team along with 1 try and 4 conversions. The team remain undefeated as they won against Manurewa High School (47-0) to secure a place in the Top 4.
BY ALEX RITCHIE
Hamilton Girls: 53 (Awatea Whitiora 4, Ariana Hera-Herangi 2, Danielle Paenga, Tenika Willison, Manaia Willison tries; Tenika Willison 3 con, Ariana HeraHerangi con) Sacred Heart: 0
ROTORUA SPORT EXCHANGE 2013 HGHS
RGHS
Netball Junior
35
Netball Premier
MVP HGHS
MVP RGHS
24
Savon Tovio Smith
Ebony Church
42
27
Kuhu Kihirangi- Simon
Grace
Hockey 1st XI
7
0
Ariona Iremia
Sydney Murray
Hockey 2nd XI
8
0
Kelsey Hodge
Bryia Bayler
Basketball Senior
85
51
Stirling Walker-Pitman
Moerangi Verco
Basketball Junior
60
30
Raearna Parai
Rilee Pehu
Soccer 1st XI
11
0
Eiliesh Hayes
Hayley Smith
SPORT
WHAT AN AWESOME DAY FOR
Senior Basketball 1st and 2nd XI
three Auckland Girls Grammar,
HGHS ON WEDNESDAY 8TH OF
Hockey and 1st XI Football all
Tauranga Girls College, and
AUGUST, AS THE SUN WAS OUT
following suit taking out Rotorua
Rotorua Girls High School
FOR OUR ANNUAL EXCHANGE
Girls’ High School in all games.
We would like to take this
AGAINST ROTORUA GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.
opportunity to thank all those With coaches taking the
involved in the exchanges with
opportunity to try out new
coaches, umpires and TIC’s.
Premier Netball and Junior
combinations and set plays
Basketball took the court first
we are pleased to finish the
with 2 great wins with 9a Netball,
exchanges with winning all
BY JACQUI SUTTON SPORTS CO-ORDINATOR
TRIATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DEPUTY PRINCIPAL KATRINA
hard ever since to get fitter,
Both athletes are very excited to
WHAANGA AND HEAD OF
faster, stronger and ready to
race and honoured to wear the
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
take on the best in the amateur
Silver Fern and represent New
LYNN HODGKINSON ARE
triathlon world.
Zealand.
FOR THE TRIATHLON WORLD
They will race on the Olympic
They would also like to thank
CHAMPIONSHIPS ON SEPTEMBER
course in Hyde Park London,
the staff, students and school
15TH.
cycling past some of the most
community for their support
famous landmarks in the World
during this endeavour.
HEADING OFF TO LONDON
They qualified for this event at
(Buckingham Palace and Marble
the NZ Triathlon Nationals in
Arch), not that they will get to
March and have been working
enjoy them during the race!
YEAR 13 FITNESS DAY The 13 Sport and Outdoors class are currently training for a sprint distance triathlon and multisport race. Both classes have taken part in rigorous fitness tests and are now working towards improving them and completing the races to the best of their ability. It is part of their final assessments for the year and involves them racing, writing a training plan and evaluating the process. The races for the classes will be Friday 25th October for the Multisport race which is a 2.5km
TOUGH GUY AND GAL
kayak, 15km mountain bike ride,
The year 12 Sport and Outdoor’s
very tough conditions (torrential
7km run. The sport girls will be
class took part in the Tough Guy
rain and hail) and we had a
competing in the Lake Karapiro
and Gal race in Rotorua as part
large number of girls pass the
sprint distance Triathlon on
of their practical assessment.
assessment.
swim, 20km bike, 5km run. Good
The run is a 12km off road mud
A huge congratulations to Eileish
luck to all the competitors,
run which takes in some very
Hayes for being the first HGHS
remember to race hard, first you
challenging obstacles including
student across the line, gaining
have to train hard!
barb wire and electric fences.
an Excellence grade.
Saturday 2nd November, 750m
The girls did a superb job in
10 SPORT JUDO
The 10 Sport classes have been learning the skills and techniques required to take part in competitive Judo competitions. They have been attending Metro Judo Club where Sensei Terry has been coaching them through the different throws and holds. The girls have shown great tenacity in completing the course to a level where they were able to compete against each other. Learning one on one combat skills and using power and speed to beat an opponent. Well done to all you girls and good luck for the competitions.
International Students
ESOL We are very lucky to be hosting
Lily Duchamp (France) and
6 students from France again
Claudia de Souza (Spain) will
this year. They are here for
be here for 6 weeks. It adds an
6 weeks and add a lovely
extra dimension to our school
dimension to our classes. This
community to have these
is a photo of them getting ready
students in our school.
to sing “La Marseillaise� at the French themed dinner at the hostel. Also this term we have welcomed Lydia Chow and Janna Chow, from Hong Kong, who are spending one month with us. Marieke Nordmann and Romy Auer, both from Germany, are here until mid 2014. Year 10 Esol students performed plays in class recently. From left to right: Ann Danansuriya, Linda Nguyen, Yutong Chen, Ebtihal Naas and Zahra Abbassian mourn the loss of their pet budgie.
Above from left to right: Dorine Blondel, Anne Bouzy, Sarah Ritter, Alice Gouzer, Agathe Leclerc and Fanette Thibaut
WHY I DECIDED TO COME TO NEW ZEALAND BY ALICE GOUZER trip. I didn’t want to spend one
friendly. Three months later, the
year abroad, so I decided to
organisation called CEI sent me
go during my school summer
an email with the name of the
holidays.
school I would go to.
I couldn’t go to USA or Canada
Soon after that, I looked to see
because they would have been
where Hamilton was and what
on holiday too, and I wanted to
Hamilton Girls’ was like. I went
go to school, because I think it’s
on the website of the school,
easier to meet new people.
and I thought that the High School looked nice. Even if the
I wanted to go to New Zealand
After that, I had to choose
students are only girls, and have
to improve my English, discover
between two countries: Australia
to wear uniform.
a new culture and make new
or New Zealand.
friendships. I have chosen New Zealand So, in January, I looked on the
because there are beautiful
Internet to find an organisation,
landscapes, and I have read
which organises this kind of
that people are very nice and
SCHOOL IN FRANCE AND SCHOOL IN NEW ZEALAND BY DORINE BLONDEL Here, in New Zealand, students
For lunch, we have a canteen,
haven’t got the same students
where we sit down and eat a hot
in their class for every subject.
meal. We don’t have a cafeteria
In New Zealand, at school, the
or sandwiches with fruit and
hours are the same for every
water.
day except for Fridays whereas at school in France every day
In France, when we enter the
is different from the others. For
class, everybody says “Good
example some days we have
Morning Miss” and stays
nine hours at school, but on
standing up next to his chair
others we have only two.
and waits for the teacher to
In France, at school, the
say “Sit Down”. At the end,
students haven’t got a personal
In France, we don’t have girls’
everybody says “Goodbye Miss,
timetable but one timetable per
school or boys’ school. There
see you tomorrow !”.
class (we stay all the time with
are only mixed schools. The
the same people). The classes
French school is more strict
In France, we have lots of
are composed of thirty or
than the school in New Zealand
homework every day and tests
thirty-five students.
but we haven’t got a uniform.
every week ...
Careers & Gateway This term is a busy one for
These usually have an
Yr13 students deciding where
earlier closing date. All eight
to next. For those enrolling in
universities will be in school
tertiary study they can now
this term to assist with course
start applying for courses as
planning.
August generally signals the opening date for applications.
Students looking at employment for next year
It is important the students
should start to update their CV
check the closing dates for
and consider work experience
courses in particular ones
through volunteering as a
requiring additional information
way to increase their network
such as portfolios, interviews,
contacts.
Websites that could be useful: www.careersnz.govt.nz advice on how to write a CV, plus interactive tools to help with some of those career decisions. www.volunteeringwaikato.org.nz register for volunteer work if 16yrs.
references and auditions.
KEY DATES 15th Aug Auckland University – Course planning 22nd Aug AUT – Course planning 26th Aug Otago University - Information Evening 30th Aug Victoria University - Open Day
31st Aug Auckland University - Open Day 6th Sept Massey University – Course planning 10th Sept Waikato University – Course planning 12th Sept Otago University – Course planning 24th Sept Canterbury University - Course planning 22nd Oct Studylink – Loan and Allowance applications
SCHOLARSHIPS - Students are
It is always good to celebrate success and the following students are
still encouraged to seek out
former pupils who have graduated from Victoria University between
financial scholarships to assist
June 2012 and May 2013:
with studying costs. www. breakout.org.nz is a scholarship database that is accessible from school that has many scholarships not specific to universities. Students should also check each tertiary institution’s scholarship site. Assistance with any application is available from Careers staff.
Bonjers, Gillian Boulton, Louise Cameron, Paula Cox-Wright, Georgia Cram, Aneta Curle, Trelise Hale, Laura Hallam, Briar Higgs, Wendy Higgs, Wendy
GDTCSC BA BA GDTCPR BA GDTCPR BAHONS CERTCP MSC DCPSYC
Jens, Esther Jens, Esther Lloyd, Emily J McBride Stagg, Steffi Morris, Joanna K. Naidoo, Sereni Zari, Maibritt Reeves, Elizabeth Shea-Kelly, Joanna Ward-Duin, Gemma
BA BSCHON BA BA MA BAS PHD BBSC PGDHC BDI
We work so closely together in the same kitchen space so we got to know each other quite well, gaining new friendships as well as all the knowledge about the hospitality and food and safety industry. I have gained so many new skills and learned so much already that I didn’t even think you needed to know to work in a café, it opened my eyes up to a whole other world.
TATIANA FITZSIMONS AT MILK AND HONEY
This is something that I really
This year I had the amazing
I am extremely lucky to be able
who is interested in taking up a
opportunity to participate in a
to work with the barista Liam
career in the hospitality area to
gateway program which allows
and Laura every Tuesday from
do this; you will without a doubt
me to get some work experience
9am until 2pm until I have
benefit from it.
at a café called “Milk and
completed 80 hours of unpaid
Honey”.
work.
ANNA KEIGHLEY AT BLACKSANDS SHEEP FARM Over the term two holidays I
The best part of this experience
spent a week out on the coast
was gaining new skills and
on a sheep and beef farm as
gaining an insight into an area of
part of the Gateway programme.
study and work.
I helped with many jobs such
Participating in the Gateway
as drenching lambs and sheep,
programme has made me certain
working with a team of dogs and
of what I’d like to do in the
herding cattle from amongst the
future.
sand dunes. Working with Tony has been a real privilege.
enjoy doing and I urge anyone
e-learning CURRENT SITUATION AT HGHS: Students are encouraged to bring their own devices to school and use them in the classroom. We have a sophisticated wireless network which will only improve after the School Network Upgrade Project is completed in September this year. One Year 9 class has trialed bring your own devices and their English and Social Studies teachers have worked with the students. Our teachers have completed five years of professional development offered to them to up-skill their e-learning capabilities. We recently invited Year 9 parents to give us feedback on their thoughts about BYOD. We thank those who took the time to respond. The findings of the survey are below.
BY KATHY PATERSON
FINDINGS: • 97% said their daughter had access to a mobile device at home. • 58% said their daughter spent 1-3 hours on a device (laptop, computer, tablet, chromebook, netbook) at home each day. • 25% said their daughters spent more than 3 hours a day on a device at home each day. • 48% said their daughter had a device she could bring to school now. These devices included: laptop (23%), tablet (19%), ipad (3%) and netbook (6%). • When asked what mobile device you would prefer your daughter to use to access the internet at school for her learning, the following responses were noted: laptop - 52%; ipad - 32%; tablet - 32% and 23% were unsure and would like recommendations from the school. Note: people could select more than one device. Interestingly the Digital Horizons group (committed elearning teachers) mirrored the same preferences. • Parents were given approximate costings for devices.
THE RESULTS ARE BELOW:
ch
While 81% supported BYOD, 97% said their daughter would be able to access the internet from home if she had her own device.
We want students to be confident, connected, lifelong learners and BYOD can make a
positive difference for students. The parents were also asked to share comments, suggestions and raised the following: •
How can everyone afford a device?
•
How would they be safely stored at school? What locker facilities would be provided?
•
How would cybersafety issues be addressed?
“I consider this to be a positive step HGHS could make regarding the girls learning. My children have been a part of a school which has laptop options and the learning is richer as a result as well as information needed for learning is instant. The laptop is used in all curriculum areas of their learning hence showing them multiple ways of being able to use this technology.” (Parent feedback) We have considered these comments in our planning and have already taken steps to be able to provide a small number of students with a device at school. If you know of anyone who could provide sponsorship for some devices please contact the school – we welcome any ideas. The internet has monitoring software which many NZ schools use. BYOD is one way we can bring the student learning into the home and share in the richness it provides. How many teenagers do you know who don’t have: a facebook page, a cellphone; and txt incessantly? This is their world. When did you last use google to find out something? CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FROM RETHINKING EDUCATION IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY BY COLLINS AND HALVERSON (pg. 30). • From a principal’s publication in 1815: “Students today depend on paper too much. how to write on a slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves.
They don’t know
They can’t clean a slate
properly. What will they do when they run out of paper?” • From the journal of the National Association of Teachers, 1907: “Students today depend too much upon ink.
They don’t know how to use a pen knife to sharpen a pencil.
Pen and ink will never replace the
pencil.” • From Rural American Teacher, 1928: “Students today depend upon store bought ink. how to make their own.
They don’t know
When they run out of ink they will be unable to write words or ciphers until
their next trip to the settlement.
This is a sad commentary on modern education.”
• From Federal Teachers, 1950: “Ballpoint pens will be the ruin of education in our country. use these devices and then throw them away. discarded.
Students
The American values of thrift and frugality are being
Businesses and banks will never allow such expensive luxuries.”
• From a science fair judge in Apple Classroom of Tomorrow chronicles, 1988: “Computers give students an unfair advantage.
Therefore, students who used computers to analyze data or create displays will
be eliminated from the science fair.”
NZQA Issues and Fees Key NZQA Dates Last Date to Withdraw from Internal Standard
nd
Unless you have been given an adequate assessment opportunity
School’s deadline – 22 November 2013
External Admission Slips NCEA and Scholarship Examinations Start
Should be given them by 21 October 2013 th 11 November 2013
st
NZQA Fees were due to the Finance Office by the 28th June 2013 Unpaid NZQA fees are now overdue. If these fees are not paid before the school has to send the money to NZQA, then: NZQA will withhold your daughter’s results at the end of the year. This means they will not receive their results and certificates from NZQA. It will also mean for Year 13 students that they cannot enter University as they will have no results to prove that they are eligible for entry. Also, NZQA will charge a late fee $50 on top of the standard fee. This will bring the total fee up to $126.70. NZQA Fees for Domestic Candidates Entry Entry for all NZQF standards including Scholarship subjects
Fee
NZQA Fees for International Fee Paying Candidates Entry Entry for all NQF standards
Fee
Entry for each Scholarship subject
$76.70
$383.30
$102.20 per subject
Financial Assistance
To be eligible for financial assistance the applicant (normally the parent or guardian of the candidate) must be the fee payer and meet at least one of the following criteria: Be receiving a Work and Income or Study Link benefit. (benefit-based applications) Have a joint family income that would entitle the applicant to receive a Community Services Card. (incomebased applications) Have more than one child undertaking these qualifications in the same year, irrespective of income and the total fees to pay are higher than $200. (multiple candidate applications) To apply: Complete the “Application for Financial Assistance” form. This can be obtained from the Student Finance Office.
One child who is a candidate More than one child who are candidates
Eligible for beneficiary or income-based assistance
Not eligible for beneficiary or income-based assistance
$20.00
Full fees ($76.70 for NZQF and 3 Scholarship subjects)
A maximum of $30.00 per family
Where fees are payable for more than one candidate, a maximum of $100.00 per child and $200.00 per fee payer1
International fee paying students are not eligible for financial assistance. NZQF = New Zealand Quantifications Framework
Once the Financial Assistance Application has been approved the fee will be reduced.
MONITORING YOUR RESULTS:
Students can check and monitor their results directly on the NZQA website using the learner login facility. To use Learner Login, a student needs to register, if they have not already done so, then they should: 1. Go to the NZQA website at nzqa.govt.nz 2. Click on the “Login” link in the top right hand corner of the NZQA homepage 3. Click on the “Login” link in the blue background beside “Students & learners” 4. Then follow the instructions on screen.
Assessment Procedures
The school’s assessment procedures are entitled NZQA INFORMATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES for Senior Students for 2013. This document is contained on the school’s website (www.hghs.school.nz) under Curriculum, scroll down to NZQA Information and Assessment Procedures and click on HGHS Senior Students 2013 Senior students are expected to read the school’s assessment procedures.
Course Endorsement
Students will be able to have their strengths in individual courses recognised with a course endorsement at Merit or Excellence. Students will gain an endorsement for a course where they achieve: 1. 14 or more credits at Merit or Excellence at the lower level that supports the endorsement 2. at least 3 credits from externally assessed standards and 3 credits from internally assessed standards (Physical Education, Religious Studies and level 3 Visual Arts will be exempt from this) 3. sufficient credits in a single school year.
Certificate Endorsement
Students studying for NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3 certificates will be able to achieve these qualifications with Merit or Excellence endorsements. 1. Merit endorsement = 50 credits at Merit (or Excellence) at the same level, or higher. 2. Excellence endorsement = 50 credits at Excellence at the same level, or higher. 3. Credits can be accumulated over more than one year for the purposes of certificate endorsement. 4. In any one year a learner will be awarded an endorsed certificate only at the highest level of endorsement recognised that year except when a learner has achieved two or three NCEA qualifications in a single year.
School contact
Mr Mitchell is the NZQA Liaison Person at the school You can contact him by: E-mail: mitchellm@hghs.school.nz Phone: 07 839 1304 EXT 893 Mail: Mr Mitchell Principal’s Nominee PO Box 4082 Hamilton
Key Dates for September MONDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER
Health & Safety Course (ends 4 Sept) Winter Tournament Week (ends 8 Sept)
TUESDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER FRIDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER
Year 9 Jump Rope 10X F/T to Waikato Uni
SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
Hostel Set Leave (ends 8 Sept)
TUESDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER
Mufti Can Drive Girls and Boys High Talent Quest
WEDNESDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER
Option Evening 2014 Year 12-13
THURSDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER
Option Evening 2014 Year 10-11 KINGITANGA DAY TKA Camp 3 (ends 14 Sept)
TUESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER
MCAT Level 1 Maths Atrium Recital Series
THURSDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER
BOT Board Meeting
SATURDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER
SCHOOL BALL
MONDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER
Year 9 Starlab (ends 25 Sept) Young Singers in Harmony (ends 24 Sept)
TUESDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER THURSDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER
1ART Assessment Day Year 11-12 ENG Speech Competition 2ART Assessment Day Blood Service Visit
FRIDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER
SENIOR AWARDS ASSEMBLY SENIOR REPORTS HANDED OUT
MONDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER
NZSS Basketball