July 2014
Dear Parents / Caregivers
been able to cope valiantly.
The term began with a number of successes for students and their participation in the Commemoration of the Battle of Gate Pa.
In addition student behaviour and co-operation has also been superb, even at times of atrocious weather. Their willingness to adjust to room changes, different classrooms, alternative spaces with a smile and a friendly greeting is also very welcome.
It continued in this way with the PTA Fashion Parade, a large variety of winter sporting activities, Young Enterprise, Asia Wise for juniors in Social Studies and a number Music Department presentations culminating in achievement to a high level for Chamber Music, Symphonic Band, Big Band and our chorale, Luminosa Armonia. In addition you will also read in the newsletter of individual student and group achievements. In this last newsletter for the term I wish to acknowledge the massive contribution our teaching and support Staff make to the College and pay tribute to their dedication and loyalty! There is a special way they encourage and motivate each other and also in the way they work with our students. I see this in every area of the school – not just in teaching but with our Property Team, with our Administration and Reception Staff and with the Teacher Aides and Special Support Staff.
I also wish to thank staff, students and parents for the support given to me in my role as Acting Principal. We have a great and successful school which is made that way by our people. Enjoy the holiday break. He Tangata, He Tangata, He Tangata!
Leonie Summerville Acting Principal
The building remediation programme has required major adjustments from us all and everyone has
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 Cross Country At the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Cross Country Championships held in Palmerston North, Arleah Tippins placed 6th in the Year 9 division. In the Junior Girls Erin Conway, Kaylee Mudgway and Sophie McConnell won Gold in the 3-persons team and joined by Jaysha Tippins, Catherine Sutton and Joanna Sutton won Gold in the 6-person teams event. Congratulations to Michelle Pollard, coach of the Cross Country team, who has been selected to manage the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Cross Country Team for the Australian Schools’ Nationals.
North Island / Bay of Plenty / Local Achievements Squash At the Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools’ Squash Tournament Jamie Armstrong placed 5th in Division 1 Taylor Clarke placed 3rd in Division 2 Morgan Amos placed 1st in Division 5 Evi Haitsma placed 3rd in Division 5 th Naomi Stewart placed 8 in Division 5. Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools’ Teams Tournament Tauranga Girls’ College put one team in Division One and one team in Division Two. We came back with third place in both competitions. Underwater Hockey The Northern Regional Under Water Hockey tournament was held in Auckland 13-15 June. The senior team placed 4th qualifying them for Nationals in Winter Tournament week. Kirsty Burrows was named Most Valuable Player for the team. The Junior team placed 5th, and have been invited to the Nationals. The Most Valuable Player for the junior team was Jerushah Keightley.
Fair Play Promise
the opposition and supporters Help others in your team when you can Avoid putting people down or intimidating them “Give it heaps and don’t get ugly”.
This is a mid-season reminder of the Tauranga Girls’ College Supporters/Players Fair Play Promise that all players, umpires, coaches, parents and supporters must adhere to. Good sport is about positive attitude, the right tone and support and co Spectators/Supporters Code Respect that people are involved in sport for -operation. fun and enjoyment Support good play and applaud good To ensure we support the Fair Play Promise the performance from all competitors following are the guidelines that must be adhered Attempt to understand the rules of the game to: Learn the difference between supportive and abusive comments and rule out the latter Players Code Accept the decision of officials and coaches Play by the rules Display self-control on the sideline. Always be Never argue with an official positive. Never shout at or ridicule players Work hard to do your best at all times Remember that we are all capable of making Attend practices on a regular basis mistakes Be a good sport and recognize good players “Give it heaps and don’t get and good play by all involved ugly”. Remember to thank your coach, the officials,
Congratulations: Synchronised Swimming Janaya Worthington and Eva Morris represented Tauranga at the North Island Synchronised Swimming Championships, which were held at Diocesan School 21-22 June. Janaya and Eva swam together in the Senior Tech Team that placed first. Janaya also swam in the Open Free combination where she was one of the senior swimmers - proving an excellent role model and mentor for the younger girls. Eva followed on from her medal winning performances for New Zealand at the Oceania Championships, taking out top honours in the Junior Solo and Junior Duet (with her partner Jazzlee Thomas). She was also placed 2nd in Junior Figures. She, too, is an excellent mentor and role model for the younger girls.
Big Sing 23 choirs from schools all over the Waikato-Bay of Plenty gathered at the Bethlehem College Performing Arts Centre last Friday to compete in an annual Nationwide Festival known as The Big Sing. The major awards this year went to Tauranga Girls’ College's Luminosa Armonia Chorale who carried away a High Commendation for General Excellence across all of the competition criteria, the award for the Best Female Choir and the newly inaugurated Excel Cup for the most outstanding choir from the Waikato-Bay of Plenty region. Tauranga Girls' College has a long standing history of success in the choral scene, having won major awards both locally and internationally. Head of Music and conductor of the choir, Stephanie Geor was delighted with the result and attributes the success of the choir to the "enthusiasm of the girls and their commitment to excellence." "Choral singing requires an enormous amount of skill and the girls have put in hours of rehearsal to cultivate the art form. I am thrilled that their efforts have been rewarded with this acknowledgement" she said.
Waikato Analytical Chemistry competition This competition was held on Wednesday 18 June. Tauranga Girls’ College was placed 5th (out of about 30), and were the top girls team. The team consisted of: Christine Sutton, Melanie Duff, Emily McCarthy and Ada Ng. They won $80. The winners were Hamilton Boys, 2nd Hamilton Boys, 3rd Tauranga Boys, 4th Lynfield College.
Stage Challenge: On Tuesday 17 June, over 80 Tauranga Girls’ College students were involved in Stage Challenge, a ‘dramatic dance’ competition at Baycourt Theatre against seven other high schools from around Bay of Plenty. Our performance centred around poverty, and the need to raise the minimum wage in order to better meet the needs of our community. Currently, 1 in 4 Kiwi kids live in poverty so our goal was to raise awareness for the issue. Although we didn’t manage to take the competition out, we did pick up some prestigious awards for Choreography, Performance Skill, Visual Enhancement, Student Led performance and promoting health, life skills and creative thinking. We are so proud of all of our performers, along with our set designers, backstage crew and teachers who have made Stage Challenge such an amazing experience. Izabella Cameron won the award of excellence for student leadership in her role as assistant choreographer.
United Nations Tessa Adams and Emily McCarthy will attend the National United Nations four day conference in Wellington (at Victoria University and Parliament) during the upcoming July holidays. Tessa will be representing Cyprus, and Emily will be representing Jordan on the Security Council. The conference
involves workshops regarding global conflict and resolution through the ages and into the future, as well as four debating sessions over mock resolutions in which they must represent the nation's perspective on current issues, and social functions.
History students at ANZAC exhibition The Australian High Commission’s exhibition ‘Common Values’ came to Tauranga Girls’ College on 20 June. During the day History students attended sessions held in the hall which involved viewing photos taken by soldiers at the Gallipoli campaign, on loan from the Australian War Memorial, and participating in an interactive discussion with a visiting historian.
The exhibition marks the centenary of World War 1 which erupted in August 1914 and the ANZAC bond that has developed between Australia and NZ. The focus was on remembering , interpreting and understanding the experience of World War I, especially at Gallipoli, and its enduring impact on society.
Year 11 Maatangi Whenua Geography Competition This is a wonderful competition to showcase students geographic knowledge at the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional level. The team that won the trophy alongside St Peter’s College were Molly Alton, Kathryn King and Hannah Park. 5th placing went to Ruby Sealey-Lawson, Hannah Speight and Grace Wright.
Junior Dance Troupe Update Our auditioned Junior Dance troupe is made up of a group of Year 9 and 10 Dance students and led by Lily Wheeler, a Year 13 student . Throughout Term 2 they have worked hard to produce a short dance video which was submitted for the 2014 Dance 4 Asthma competition. The competition is purely to raise awareness and allow the students the opportunity to have fun while being confident, healthy and participating fully at school. Their video has featured on YouTube and is danced to the Moorhouse song Mama Said. Congratulations to Lily and the girls for all the hard work and effort they put in to this. We look forward to seeing more of what this talented group of girls produce.
Fresh Moves Dance Festival Selected students from the Year 12 Dance class were fortunate enough to be invited to be guest performers at this year’s Bay of Plenty Fresh Moves Dance Festival at Baycourt Theatre on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 June. This annual festival celebrates dance in schools and involves groups of between 20-50 primary school children creating and performing a 5-7 minute dance based on their interpretation of a theme, this year it was "Move That Thought". Our students presented their own choreographies which focused around a mood, feeling, image or aspect of the Gate Pa Battle to inspire and demonstrate to younger students how secondary school students work in a similar manner. The girls did us extremely proud and were presented with certificates to recognise the effort and time they put in.
Mid-Winter Christmas: International On Monday 23 June international students and their host families enjoyed a mid-winter Christmas evening with lots of food, games and the big man himself.
Thoroughly Modern Millie Tickets for the combined school production of Thoroughly Modern Millie are on sale through the Ticketek website or Baycourt box office. Get your tickets to ensure you don’t miss out. This one is looking fabulous!
Subject Selection for 2015 In Term 3 your daughter will be choosing the subjects that she wishes to study next year. It is very important that she makes choices that are well informed and based on her ability and achievement in the subjects that she has taken this year. During this subject choice time the Careers Advisor, the deans and senior leaders will be visiting classes to discuss subject choices and to go through the Curriculum Guide for subject choice, which your daughter will receive at the beginning of Term 3. A useful first step in planning courses is for your daughter to have completed the course planning exercise starting on page four of the Curriculum
Guide, which will take her through to career and education choices beyond school. Should you have any queries, your daughter’s Dean is the person to contact: Year 9: Year 10 Year 11: Year 12: Year 13:
Mrs Keightley & Mrs Glaser-Brown Mrs Gould and Ms Mankelow Mrs Keereweer and Mr Wallis Mrs Nemeth and Mrs Somerville Mrs Scott and Mrs Wilkinson
It is important to meet the deadlines set and to be accurate in selections. Changes are allowed up until the date indicated in the Curriculum Guide. However, students need to be aware that late changes may limit choices available.
Enrolments 2015 Enrolments will open for the year 2015 the first week of Term 3, 2014, and all contributing schools will receive their enrolment packs during that week. Applications for enrolment will close on Friday 05 September. All students living within the enrolment zone for the college have automatic right of entry. Out of zone students are also being accepted and enrolment packs for those students are available through the school reception. For those students the closing date is also Friday 05 September. If you have friends outside the Tauranga Girls’ College zone who wish to send their daughters to our school please draw their attention to the way in which enrolment packs can be accessed and the Friday 05 September closing date. Should too many applications from out of zone be received, ballot date for Tauranga Girls’ College is Monday 15 September.
Spanish - New Beginners Class with Sonia This new class will begin on Thursday 07 August 7pm to 9pm in room C5 at Tauranga Girls’ College. There will be 8 weeks of lessons during Term 3 and the cost is $80 per term. The class will continue Term 4. (Normally the classes start earlier in the term but Sonia will be away in Argentina at the beginning of Term 3.) Please email nrovekamp@tgc.school.nz for an enrolment form and further information.
Positive Behaviour for Learning Congratulations to: 9PTD 10ARM 10HNS 11BAI 11MRC 12JNS for being on time to all classes from Week 3 - Week 7 Term One
How to build resilience in our children From Parent Further: A research institute for families Research shows the benefits of developing resilience in our children to counteract bullying. With resilience comes healthy development and successful learning. Personal strengths are developed through family, schools and community. There are intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence a child’s resiliency and as adults, we must do the best we can to help our children build resilience.
What parents/caregivers can do
Be a good role model - our children are always watching us. Remember - what we, as adults do, may be replicated. Create a supportive environment - get to know our children, find out what interests them and then, support them towards these passions. Engage in positive family communication - keep the communication positive. Listen to what our children are saying. Sometimes what they do not say is more important than the things they do say. Promote positive relationships with other adults. Avoid encouraging confrontations with other adults. Share with our children how to deal with difficult situations. If unsure, seek assistance from others who have the expertise. Be involved with the schooling of our children. Encourage school and community involvement. Provide clear boundaries and safety. Have high expectations for academic and behaviour.
Tips for Active Listening Active listening is not as easy as it sounds but here are some tips shared by Thomas Gordon, Parent Effectiveness Training: The Tested New Way to Raise Responsible Children (New York: Three Rivers Press, 2000)
1 2 3 4 5 6
You must see your child as someone separate from you. You must want to really hear what your child has to say (even if you disagree with it). You must really want to help your child (not on your terms but on your child’s terms). You must accept your child’s feelings (no matter how much their feelings make you uncomfortable). You must accept that feelings change and not to be afraid of your child’s feelings. You must trust your child to handle his or her feelings and find solutions to his or her problems.
Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do betterMaya Angelou
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Health Centre Just a friendly reminder for parents and students regarding the procedure for students needing to go home due to illness. The procedure is that students are dismissed from class to go to the Health Centre where the student is assessed and the parent/caregiver called if student needs to go home. NOT for students to phone or text home first. This is for health and safety reasons. The Health Centre has being relocated to the Sports Pavilion behind the gymnasium from Wednesday 25 June. Students will no longer be collected from Student Reception, below are instructions on how to get to the centre: Drive down 22nd Avenue to the Tauranga Kindergarten entrance (past the bus bay) Follow the drive down towards the gymnasium Park outside the gymnasium canteen area Walk between the gymnasium and caretaker shed, round the end of the gymnasium to the left Walk round towards the pool, the pavilion is located to the right of the gymnasium
Health Centre
Measles information: While there have been no measles case in the Bay of Plenty since January of this year, Hamilton is currently experiencing a measles outbreak and therefore the risk of measles spreading to neighbouring regions is a real possibility. The best protection against measles is immunisation. All adults should be encouraged to check their immunisation status and get immunised for MMR if not immune. Under the Health (Infectious and Notifiable Diseases) Regulations 1966 (Section 14), a student or teacher with measles must stay away from school for 7 days from the appearance of the rash. Measles outbreak in a school setting can lead to significant disruption – unimmunised staff and students will be required to stay away from school for up to 14 days to limit the spread of the disease. Any person who is concerned that they have measles should seek medical advice immediately. Phone before attending the doctor or medical centre so appropriate steps can be taken to limit the spread of infection in the waiting room. Public Health will work very closely with school staff to manage any measles cases involving students or staff at the school. Parents and caregivers - please check that your daughter’s immunisations are up-to-date. Immunisation is free via your GP. Immunisation given on time is the best way to prevent measles. Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is 94 - 99% effective in preventing measles.
Administration Access: As of Monday 30 June the access to the administration area for students, staff and community will be through the main door of reception, as the door by the health centre will be out of action due to the remediation work. Student property delivered to the office by caregivers will be delivered to class by the office aide, it will be like courier post, requiring a signature of the student on receipt. The signed note will be returned to the office by the runner. Please Note: Items delivered by parents to the office must be relevant to the student’s day at school. Overnight bags do not meet this criteria.
Congratulations: Year 9 Deans 2015
Andrew Chapman
Kylie Valentine
Congratulations to Mr Chapman and Mrs Valentine who have been appointed Year 9 Co-Deans, 2015. Both are experienced members of staff who are looking forward to working with the students newest to Tauranga Girls’ College in Year 9 next year.
Parent Teacher Interviews -Year 9 & 10 Wednesday 23 July 2014 4.30-7pm These will be held in J & E Blocks. Please note that the school office is closed over Your daughter will receive her report on Friday 04 the holiday period so if you require July (last day of Term 2). The online bookings will help with bookings please ring at open at 3.30pm on Friday 04 July and remain open the beginning of the Term 3 until 4pm Wednesday 23 July . Monday 21 July after 8am.
Open Night
NZQA Entry and Fees
Candidate Information due no later than Friday 29 All senior students have been August for all students who are studying at senior level for Thursday 07 August at 5.45 pm. issued with the NZQA candidate information sheet this year. If you qualify for If you know of anyone considering along with a printout of the financial assistance with sending their daughter to Tauranga Girls’ College in 2015 please pass on standards they will be assessed these fees, then please complete the form issued in this date to them. Please invite them against for 2014. It is important that this information May and get it back to school to contact the school reception for has been checked carefully and so that we can process your further details. any alterations are sent to the application. Forms are also student office. available via the NZQA website: The table shows the fee www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/forstructure for National Entry Fee Qualification entries for An Option Evening is scheduled for: 2014. National Qualifications The government provides Framework Tuesday 12 August $76.70 (NQF) including NCEA financial assistance to 5.00pm - 7.00pm students entering for school and up to 3 Scholarship subjects in J Block. qualifications if certain You are encouraged to attend this criteria are met. Additional Scholarship $76.70 per with your daughter, so that you can NZQA Fees 2014 subjects subject discuss subject choices with staff. This term the NZQA fees are The Open Night for prospective students for 2015 will be held on:
Option Evening
management team, volunteer or sponsor please contact Pauline on pauline.happe@xtra.co.nz or myself on 544 9730. At our recent June meeting, Pauline Happé Our next meeting will not be until August, due to provided her update on the recent successful the school holidays. It will be held in the Tauranga Girls’ College Fashion Parade. The show staffroom, Wednesday 20 August at 7.30pm. was enjoyed by participants and audience alike and As Pauline Cowens will have returned from her demands a huge amount of organisation and recent sabbatical during Term 2 we anticipate she management from Pauline, Suzy Lochead and their will be available to speak to the PTA of her visits to large team of volunteers and our sponsors. Again a number of countries including China and Korea thank you all. The profit from the show was just covering a wide range of educational topics. Please over $6000 and PE & Health Department are the come along and join us and hear of her major recipients for their support. We look experiences. forward already to next year’s Fashion Parade. If Jean Walters you are interested in being involved, either on the
PTA
Calendar Day
Date
Event
Mon-Sun
30 June-06 July
Matariki Week
Wednesday
02 July
Senior Report Evening: 4.30-7pm
Thursday
03 July
Senior Drama field trip: Auckland Multi Cultural Festival: lunchtime Auckland University Day Out for Maori students interested in Health & Auckland University Enginuity Day for females interested in Engineering
Friday
04 July
Junior reports issued: 3.10pm Last day Term 2
Thursday
10 July
Canterbury University Open Day
Monday-Friday
21-25 July
Thoroughly Modern Millie, Tauranga Boys’ Graham Young Theatre Maori Language Week
Monday
21 July
Term 3 begins
Wednesday
23 July
Junior Report Evening: 4.30-7pm
Thursday
24 July
Rotorua Girls’ High School Sports exchange
Friday
25 July
Public Speaking Course: staffroom, 6-8pm
Friday
01 August
Hockey vs Oundle (English Team): Tauranga Boys’ College turf Public Speaking Course: staffroom, 6-8pm
Saturday-Sunday 02-03 August
NZSS Gymsport Competition: Auckland
Saturday
02 August
Global Connexions: Baycourt
Wednesday
06 August
BOP Junior Badminton Champs: Baycourt
Thursday
07 August
Open Night
08 August
NZSS Squash: Nelson Careers Expo Year 12—TECT Public Speaking Course: staffroom, 6-8pm
Friday
Happy Holidays Term 3 starts 21 July 2014
Contacting the College for 2014 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 Ferguson
Deans: Mrs Audrey Keightley & Ms Margot Glaser-Brown Ext 770 Year 10 Senior Leader: Mrs Bird Deans: Mrs Jackie Gould & Mrs Robyn Mankelow Ext 767 Year 11 Senior Leader: Mrs Summerville Deans: Mrs Kathy Keereweer & Mr Don Wallis Ext 768 Year 12 Senior Leader: Ms Rowlands Deans: Mrs Carolyn Nemeth & Mrs Judith Somerville Ext 766 Year 13 Senior Leader: Ms Rowlands Deans: Mrs Marge Wilkinson & Mrs Karen Scott Ext 769 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 info@tgc.school.nz www.tgc.school.nz