April 2015
Dear Parents/Caregivers In the closing week of Term One we have been in very busy, very productive mode as we approach the April holiday break. Summer Tournament week has seen sporting highlights from across several codes and our cultural successes have also been adding up via Shakespeare, Mashup technology, ANZAC plans and speech competitions. Congratulations to all participants in Summer Tournament week, as always, our girls were ranked at the top of their chosen sports and particular congratulations this year go to our Rugby 7’s, kayakers and rowers. Participation, creativity and innovation have certainly been to the fore for students and staff . Thank you to all parents who took the time to connect with staff at our parent / teacher evening for students in Year 9 and 10 on Wednesday 1 April. The on-line booking system for appointments continues to ensure that parents can take the opportunity for a face to face discussion of their daughter’s progress. Our learning environment is at its best when there is a three way partnership of support between parent, student and teacher all focussed on the best outcomes. As this is the last newsletter of the term I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved, staff students and community, in making term one such a positive and successful start to the year. In nine short weeks we have established a culture of
involvement and healthy competition, ably led by our senior student office holders, prefects and house captains that has given everyone the opportunity to explore and participate. Inter-House competition has been fierce, via all of our whole school athletic events, lunchtime competitions and challenges and it will be interesting to see who wins the House Shield this year! Certainly the leader board in the hall has changed positions on a regular basis all through the term. I wish everyone a restful, restorative and relaxing term break as we look forward to being back into the busyness of term two on Monday 20 April, fit and ready to pick up all the opportunities here on the journey towards “empowering tomorrow’s women”.
Principal
Sponsorship The School is leasing a Mini-Bus for the next three years and there are 2 spots available for sponsorship. For your contribution you will receive your Company Logo/Signage prominently displayed on the Mini-Van and also your logo with acknowledgement in every newsletter. For further information please contact the Executive Officer John Laugesen on 5788114 Ext 704. Thank you Active Schoolwear for your support.
International and National Achievements Athletics At the New Zealand Track and Field Championships held in Wellington 06-08 March Brooke Somerfield placed a very close 2nd in both the Junior 100m and 200m breaking her Personal Best in both races. She also ran in the Waikato Bay of Plenty Junior Girls 4 x 100 relay placing 1 st, and in the Senior Women’s 4 x 400 relay were they placed 3rd. Brooke also placed 5th in the Long Jump. Brooke also attended the Australian Junior Athletics Championships 12-15 March. She competed in the U20 age group where she placed 2nd in the 200m, 4th in the 100m and 8th in the Long Jump. Brooke was also a member of the Open Women’s 4 x 100m Relay team that placed 2 nd, breaking the New Zealand U18 record which she was part of last year.
Downhill Mountain Biking Shania Rawson competed in the National Secondary Schools Downhill Mountain Biking Championship 14 -15 March in U17 Age group. She is now the North Island and National Secondary School U17 Champion and also the National Sprint Champion.
Judo Jade Tuilaepa competed at the Queensland Judo Open where she won Silver in the U57 Cadet Women’s and came 5th in the U57 Junior Women’s. Jade has been selected to represent New Zealand in the U57 Cadet Women’s and U57 Junior Women’s categories. She will be attending the 2015 Oceania Judo Championships in New Caledonia in April.
Rowing At the North Island Secondary Schools Rowing held at Karapiro 06-08 March, the girls competed in 5A finals gaining Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. The U15 Novices Octi won Gold, the crew consisted of Aimee Channer, Sophia Holland, Renee Fettes, Claudia Lamberton, Mele Folau, Leah van Zyl, Amelia Gooders, Latasha Yorke and coxed by Rebecca Kneale. In the U16 Single Grace Holland gained a Silver medal. The U18 Lightweight Four gained a Bronze medal, the crew consisted of Bianca Ruegg, Lauren Shields, Briar Hudson , Aimee Channer and coxed by Grace Ede.
Surf Lifesaving At the U14 New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships held at Mt Maunganui Beach, Rebecca Barron gained 3 bronze medals in the U14 division. She was 3rd in the Tube Rescue, Diamond Race and Grand Cameron Relay. At the New Zealand National Surf lifesaving Championships held in Gisborne 13-14 March the following girls’ results are: Ariana Moffatt Gold in Open Women’s Surf Teams, Bronze in U19 Women’s Run, Swim, Run and Bronze in Open Women’s Taplin Relay Molly Alton Silver in U16 Women’s Surf Teams Erin Conway Bronze in U16 2K Beach Run Lydia Farrell Silver in U16 Board Relay
Triathlon At the Waikato Secondary Schools Triathlon Champs Kaylee Mudgway placed 2nd in the U17 age group.
North Island / Bay of Plenty / Local Achievements Athletics At Bay of Plenty Athletics held on 03 March Senior Girls Samantha Bitcheno 2nd 100m 2nd 200m Kirsty Burrows 1st 1500m Tayla Forward 1st 800m Hannah Philpot 1st High Jump 1st Hurdles Brooke Somerfield 1st 100m 1st Long Jump 1st 200m (new record for electronic timing) Jaysha Tippins 2nd 3000m Tauranga Girls’ College Senior team won the 4 x100m relay: Brooke Somerfield, Hannah Philpot, Samantha Bitcheno and Ella Apps. Intermediate Girls Ella Apps Paris Heslop Sophie McConnell
2nd Long Jump 3rd 400m 3rd 3000m
Junior Girls Minardi Daniel Tabitha Marshall Holly Topp
2nd Hurdles. 3rd 3000m 3rd Discus
3rd 800m
Erin Conway Frances Lloyd Felila Simanu
2nd 1500m 2nd Shotput 1st Discus
Meila Eades 2nd 200m Abigail Mortimer 1st 800m 2nd 1500m
At the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Athletics held 14 March Juniors Abigail Mortimer placed 2nd in 800m Intermediate Ella Apps placed 3rd in the Long Jump. Seniors Samantha Bitcheno placed 1st in 100m and 1st in 200m Hannah Philpot placed in the High Jump
Triathlon At the Bay of Plenty Triathlon Emily Kneale placed 2nd in the U16 division.
Competitive Swimming Results 2015 66m Freestyle Junior 1st Abigail Mortimer Intermediate 1st Ella Moor Senior 1st Danielle Waiari 100m Freestyle Junior 1st Abigail Mortimer Intermediate 1st Ella Moor Senior 1st Danielle Waiari 66m Backstroke Junior 1st Kim Cadzow Intermediate 1st Ella Moor Senior 1st Daniel Waiari 100m Backstroke Junior 1st Kim Cadzow Intermediate 1st Ella Moor Senior 1st Danielle Waiari
2nd Kim Cadzow 3rd Nicole Hudson 2nd Mackenzee Harris 3rd Lys Game 2nd Lucy Happé 3rd Ariana Moffatt 2nd Nicole Hudson 2nd Lys Game 2nd Ariana Moffatt
3rd Lucy Paterson 3rd Grace Westenberg 3rd Lucy Happé
2nd Tian Daniels 3rd Te Rina Leubert nd 2 Phoebe Edwardes 3rd Mackenzee Harris 2nd Ariana Moffatt 3rd Lucy Happé 2nd Tian Daniels 2nd Lys Game 2nd Lucy Happé
3rd Te Rina Leubert 3rd Emily Kneale 3rd Ariana Moffatt
66m Butterfly Junior 1st Abigail Mortimer Intermediate 1st Mackenzee Harris Senior 1st Danielle Waiari 66m Breaststroke Junior 1st Tabitha Marshall Intermediate 1st Grace Westenberg Senior 1st Hannah Philpot 100m Breaststroke Junior 1st Olivia Philpot Intermediate 1st Grace Westenberg Senior 1st Hannah Philpot 133m Medley Junior 1st Abigail Mortimer Intermediate 1st Phoebe Edwardes Senior 1st Lucy Happé Open 200m 1st Danielle Waiari Junior Champion Intermediate Champion Senior Champion
2nd Kim Cadzow 2nd Lys Game
3rd Lily Alton
2nd Abigail Mortimer 3rd Nicole Hudson 2nd Phoebe Edwardes 3rd Brooke James 2nd Ariana Moffatt 2nd Tabitha Marshall 2nd Brooke James
3rd Nicole Hudson
2nd Kim Cadzow 2nd Emily Kneale 2nd Hannah Philpot
3rd Tian Daniels
2nd Ella Moor
3rd Lucy Happé
Abigail Mortimer Ella Moor Danielle Waiari
Three swimming records were broken. Danielle Waiari broke the Senior 66m Freestyle and the 100m Backstroke. Ella Moor broke the Intermediate 100m Backstroke.
Tennis The Tauranga Girls’ College Senior Tennis Championships were held 20 March. Singles Winner Julia Newman Runner-up Joanne Sutton 3rd Catherine Sutton. Doubles Winners Julia Newman and Paris Patete Runners-up Naomi Stewart and Alexia Scholes Plate Alana Rowe and Payton Silvester
Wakeboarding Britney Emery competed at the Groms Wakeboarding Competition held in Mangakino placing 2 nd in the U14 age group qualifying her to compete at the New Zealand Wakeboard Nationals Easter weekend.
English The United Nations Speech Competition was held on 19 March at Bethlehem College. We had two entrants, Brooke Taylor Year 12 and Aine Blackman Year 13. Both spoke extremely well. Congratulations go to Aine Blackman for being the winner of the competition. This is the second year in a row that she has won this competition. Aine now goes forward to the national competition in Wellington next month. Other news is that students in Year 12 and some in Year 10 were privileged to watch a performance on the Merchant of Venice in school on 24 March. The next week was busy for the department as we had a Year 12 debating team going to the U3A meeting to debate against Tauranga Boys’ College on 27 March and three speakers entered for the Race Unity Speech Competition on the evening of Thursday 26. To contribute to the coming celebrations in honour of the 100 th anniversary of New Zealand’s entry into World War 1 we are running a poetry competition with works based around the topic of the war.
Board of Trustees Update I would like to welcome all new families to Tauranga Girls’ College. After a very busy first term we hope your daughters are enjoying school and have settled in well. As a Board one of the main strategic goals is lifting the academic achievement of all our students and we have certainly been pleased with the NCEA results and the high number of Scholarships awarded. We acknowledge the hard work of the girls and the dedication of the teachers and families supporting them. The remediation of the school buildings continues this year and the school is working hard to minimise any disruptions. Having seen the high standard of the work to date in the Library, Administration and Music blocks we are confident the next stages will also be worth any minor inconvenience. The Board has dovetailed some of our own property upgrade projects alongside those of the Ministry where we can. As the school again finished the year in a good financial position we can continue to resource our students to a high standard. Parents will probably have watched the St Bede’s disciplinary action with interest in the last few weeks. I would like to reassure families that our school has very good codes of conduct and policies in place for the expected behaviour of our students whether they are in school or representing the school out in the community. Our school sets high standards and our staff and BOT take their role of providing a fair and considered disciplinary process seriously. Taking a pro-active approach and encouraging and recognising good behaviour has proved to be effective and will be continued. Next year there will be national elections for school Boards of Trustees. It is likely there will be a number of the current Board members retiring and not re-standing having served two terms. Can I encourage any parents or community members who are interested to come along and observe one of our meetings? We meet monthly usually on the fourth Thursday of each month at 5.30pm in the Boardroom of the Administration block. I am sure any of the current Board members will be more than happy to talk about their role. They are a dedicated group of people and a pleasure to work with.
Lesley Jensen Board of Trustees Chairperson Phone 543 2158
Current Board of Trustees & Positions Molly Alton Steven Boyle Andrew Chancellor Megan Cleverley Pauline Cowens Lesley Jensen Tess Scully Kevin Turanga
Student Trustee Finance Committee Personnel Deputy Chair and Property Principal Chairperson Personnel and Staff Trustee Property and Personnel
Positive Behaviour for Learning Pride (Mana Motuhake) is important At Tauranga Girls’ College, we believe that we should: Be the best we can be
Be proud of ourselves and of our achievements Be proud to be problem solvers and innovators
Be proud to be a member of our diverse school community
Pride is a virtue of respecting oneself. It requires one to think highly of one's accomplishments and abilities. It is the pillar that supports one's mind. Without it, one would constantly question one's ability to make rational judgments. This quality is essential for our day to day living. With pride, we become confident and with confidence, we are able to work even harder to become even better. If we can instil this in our children, they will become successful citizens and this is what Tauranga Girls’ College endeavours to do - to empower tomorrow’s women. How parents and caregivers can instil pride in their children: Encourage our children to be the best they can be Promote a positive attitude Value the work our children do at home and at school Let our children learn that they need to be responsible for their actions at home, at school and in the community. By teaching our children about their ethnic background, countering the stereotypes about their racial group, parents can help instil pride in their children (http://racerelations.about.com/od/ raceconsciousparenting/a/Three-Ways-Parents-Can-Help-Kids-Appreciate-Their-Ethnicity.htm). Tauranga Girls’ College is diverse in its community; so is New Zealand and we need to be proud of this. Being non-judgmental will help us succeed in this diverse community and in order for our children to be non-judgmental, as adults, we need to be non-judgmental ourselves. In the words of Aristotle(350BC), PRIDE seems to be a sort of crown of the virtues; for it makes them greater, and it is not found without them(http://www.importanceofphilosophy.com/ Ethics_Pride.html)
Together we can make a difference
Tauranga Girls’ College Health Expo Thursday 07 May
9am - 1-30pm
We look forward to our biannual expo in Week 3 of Term 2. The expo gives students the opportunity to view displays and interact with personnel from a variety of Community Health Agencies including the Asthma Society, Cancer Society, Nga Kakano – Smokefree, Heart Foundation, Hearing Association, Family Planning and Family Violence. It is important for young people to be aware of the services available in our community that might be accessed to support their wellbeing. We are very fortunate to have the services of Toi Te Ora to help with the organisation of this event. Junior students will be timetabled to attend the expo as a class group. Seniors will be able to visit the displays at interval.
Motorbike/Moped Skills On Wednesday 06 May 2015 Tauranga City Council and Western Bay Riding is offering Tauranga Girls’ College students who ride a moped or motorbike, a 1 hour free group training session after school starting at 3.45pm Christine Welch from Western Bay Riding and Mark Revel-Johnson are both local motorbike instructors willing to teach students new skills and road safety In order to improve their riding ability. Spot prizes will be given on the day which include a new helmet, gloves and anti-fog spray.
Young Driver workshop This will be held on Friday 17 April (last Friday of the holidays) at the Arataki Community Centre from 10 -2pm for students on their learner or restricted licences. A parent or caregiver must attend the day with them but it is an excellent opportunity for students to up skill their driving. They must fill out a registration form and email it back to Alana.Rapson@tauranga.govt.nz or drop it off to the council as soon as possible to guarantee a place on the course. The forms can be collected from Student Office.
NZQA Entry and Fees The fee structure for National Qualification entries remains the same as last year.
Entry for all NCEA internal and external standards is $76.70 Scholarship subject entries are $30.00 per subject
The government provides financial assistance to students entering for school qualifications if certain criteria are met. Students can apply for financial assistance and the application forms for financial assistance will be available from NZQA along with the information about fees later. Students and families will be given deadlines for fee payment and financial assistance applications with their entries and fees information. These will be issued mid year.
Attention parents Cyber Safety presentation by Lee Chisholm from netsafe Tuesday 12 May 7pm Tauranga Girls’ College Library (entry from main carpark beside office) All parents welcome. This will be an opportunity to learn how to keep your teenager safe in the cyber world while using Facebook, texting, internet.
Dance Troupes 2015 Auditions have now taken place for the Tauranga Girls’ College Junior and Senior Dance Troupes for 2015 and the Hip Hop Troupe will be auditioned in Term 2. The troupes will be managed by Miss Caroline Gill (teacher of Dance) and have been given a fresh ‘face-lift’ with the introduction of names. The Junior Dance group has been given the name “Revolutionize” and is made up of eight Year 9 and 10 students who will focus on developing dance performance and physical technique. This group will rehearse weekly and perform at the Dance NZ Made Competition here in Tauranga in August, the Tauranga Performing Arts Competition in July, and prepare Dance music videos for the Asthma and the Blue Light anti bullying Campaigns video. There will also be opportunities to attend performances and workshops along with showcasing their talents to our school community in the two Dance Showcases available this year. The troupe will be coached by Year 12 Dance students Elizabeth Kulasingham and Alexandra Ritai. Congratulations to the following students for successfully auditioning: Kaitlyn Bengston Isabella Blanshard Isla Johnson Aliyah Le’Mon Skye Lunson-Storey Katie Oliver Hannah Pasquali Cindel Vlietnam The Senior Dance group has been named “Sole” and is made up of eight Year 11-13 students who will be focusing specifically on performing in a
contemporary dance style. This group will also rehearse weekly and perform at the Dance NZ Made Competition here in Tauranga in August, You Dance in Auckland in June, and The Night is Young. There will also be opportunities to attend performances and workshops along with showcasing their talents to our school community in the two Dance Showcases available this year. The troupe will be coached by Year 13 Dance student Tyler Nitschke. Congratulations to the following students for successfully auditioning: Izabella Cameron Elise Connor Rebecca Grindrod Laura Harkness Renee Perry Hannah Reid Teagan Wilson Loren Wilson-Innes The final Troupe, our Hip Hop Dance troupe named “Camo-Clique” will be holding auditions early next term and will be coached by Year 13 Dance student Tyresha Robertson. These students will also have the opportunity to compete in the Dance NZ Made Competition and Project 2015 (the national youth Hip Hop Dance Competition) along with performances at our school Dance Showcases. Students are asked to keep an eye out on the notices for auditions for this troupe but if you have any queries they can be directed to Miss Gill on cgill@tgc.school.nz .
Stage Challenge 2015 Auditions for the Tauranga Girls’ College Stage Choreographers: Izabella Cameron and Challenge for 2015 have occurred and preparations Elizabeth Kulasingham are well underway with a strong cast of around 60 Producer: Emma Rea on stage performers ranging from Year 9-13. The Costume Designers: Hannah Payne and theme for this year is: Emily Dixon Ella Williams and ‘Blossoming from Destruction’ and deals with the Set Designers: Rae Charman impact of the Christchurch earth quake. We hope Ana Morris that the audience will be taken on an emotional Drama Coach: Brooke Taylor journey and be left with the message that unity can Stage Manager: The performance will occur on Friday 12 June at overcome devastation. the Baycourt Theatre. Please book tickets early to Congratulations to the student committee: avoid disappointment as this is a popular event. Co-Directors: Phillipa Artus and Any queries about Stage Challenge can be directed Bridget Carlson to Miss Gill (Teacher in charge) at cgill@tgc.school.nz
Uniforms - Reminder At Tauranga Girls' College we place high value on students wearing their uniform with pride as one way of acknowledging that they belong to our school community. We appreciate your ongoing support of the contract you signed for your daughter on enrolment as we maintain the high standards for which this school is valued and recognised. All students and parents were issued with uniform information at the end of last year. Correct uniform must be worn at school as well as coming to and from school. If uniform is worn to town after school, uniform rules still apply. Your support in ensuring your daughters are correctly and appropriately dressed is very much appreciated.
Shoes to be worn from Queen’s Birthday For the remainder of Term 2 (from Queen’s Birthday weekend) and Term 3 winter shoes are to be worn. All shoe stockists have been advised of the requirements of Tauranga Girls’ College.
Students are:
To wear regulation black leather lace-up flat shoes and regulation socks or pantyhose. To lace the shoe over the top of the tongue of the black leather regulation shoes.
Please ensure that your daughter complies with these regulations.
Other Uniform Information Parents and Caregivers are advised that correct uniform is essential and while notes are required Either white ankle socks or black or navy blue pantyhose can be worn. Knee highs and sports for unavoidable incorrect uniform, the withdrawal socks are not acceptable. system still applies. Sports jackets/hoodies are for sports events Tutors and teachers will work with students to only, and are not part of the school uniform, nor monitor defects in uniform and to encourage them are puffer jackets. to have pride in their appearance and presentation Jewellery: A wristwatch, and one stud or as members of Tauranga Girls’ College. sleeper in each ear are the only jewellery allowed. All other jewellery will be confiscated.
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Year 13 Jacket The Year 13 girls are very proud of the 2015 Year 13 Jacket which is now in the school. With cooler weather this Jacket is a great optional addition to the school uniform. It has a Greek theme and incorporates both the Discobolus as well as the Tauranga Girls’ College tiger on the inside pocket. Full credit goes to the Jacket committee of Ellie Goff, Brittany Spencer, Brittany Williams, Hannah Payne, Janetta Kim, Brydie Mangos who not only designed but sourced suppliers for this Jacket. At present the girls are waiting for the second order to come into the school we are expecting this before the end of term. A third order will be made next term.
PTA The last PTA meeting was in the new library and what a treat to hear about all the fantastic facilities our girls have there! They can lounge on the carpet or use the ergonomic chairs, use their own devices or borrow library laptops, and best of all, they don’t have to be silent!
the International student programmes at Tauranga Girls’ College. Pauline will update us on the girls’ achievements over recent months and we will continue to plan for the iconic Fashion Show. Come along and get a better appreciation of the many opportunities available to our girls.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 20 May, 7.30 in the International Centre where we will learn about Contact Carol Jenkin for further information: 548 0161.
Calendar Day
Date
Event
Thursday
02 April
End of Term 1
Friday
03 April
Good Friday
Thursday-Monday
16-20 April
South Island Geography trip
Monday
20 April
First day Term 2
Wednesday
22 April
Field of Remembrance
Thursday
23 April
Ugly Shakespeare: Gym, lunchtime & P5
Friday
24 April
BOP Swimming Championships
Monday
27 April
ANZAC Day - school closed
Wednesday-Thursday 29-30 April
11TMR field trip: Matakana Island
Sunday-Monday
03-04 May
Napier Girls’ High School Exchange
Thursday
07 May
Health Expo
Contacting the College for 2015 We encourage parents to contact the College (578 8114) for support at any time during the year. The Pastoral Team includes: Year 9 Senior Leader: Mrs Bird Deans: Mr Andrew Chapman & Mrs Kylie Valentine Ext 769 Year 10 Senior Leader: Mrs Summerville Deans: Mrs Audrey Keightley & Ms Margot Glaser-Brown Ext 770 Year 11 Senior Leader: Mrs Ferguson Deans: Mrs Jackie Gould & Mrs Robyn Mankelow Ext 767 Year 12 Senior Leader: Ms Rowlands Deans: Ms Caroline Gill & Mr Don Wallis Ext 768 Year 13 Senior Leader: Ms Rowlands Deans: Mrs Carolyn Nemeth & Mrs Judith Somerville Ext 766 Guidance Counsellors Ms Judy Burr Ext 728 & Ms Chantal Stopford Ext 724 If any matter remains unresolved, or is taking too long, please contact the Principal, Mrs Cowens. 930 Cameron Road, Tauranga 3112
Ph: (07) 578-8114
Fax: (07) 578-8447