November 2015
Dear Parents/Caregivers Welcome back to the start of Term Four! For our senior students only two weeks remain until study leave begins for them for their NCEA external exams, two weeks to prepare thoroughly for the best outcomes in November. For our juniors there are another seven weeks remaining until our Junior Diploma celebration assemblies on December 14 (Year 9) and 15 (Year 10). Much to be done before those occur! There has also been much to celebrate across the curriculum in the last few weeks, with Sports Prizegiving on Thursday October 15 and Arts Prizegiving on Thursday October 22. The lists of achievements and the levels of performance have been outstanding. Celebrations continue with our, Academic Prizegiving on Wednesday November 04 and our Maori community Prizegiving on Friday November 13. It is a feature of the leadership development for students at this school that the House and Arts Councils take full responsibility for the Sports and Arts evenings, annual highlights for us and for them. Our guest speaker for Sports Prizegiving was Kelly Hudson, an International Hockey Umpire and for Arts Prizegiving Chennoah Walford, exHead Girl currently Equity Officer for the Student Association at Victoria University. Outstanding speakers and role models for our girls.
While our senior students focus in the upcoming two weeks on external examination preparation our Junior Students will be focussed on the Junior Examinations that begin in the sixth week of Term Four, as they prepare for their Junior Diploma certificate and graduation outcomes. Once the junior examinations are over the Deans at both Year 9 and Year 10 levels have been working hard on organisation for the period of time before the end of year, putting in place some extra learning opportunities both in and out of the school. At all levels of the school students are encouraged to make the most of the next few weeks, to invest time and energy in learning as they develop their talents and study skills, to seek help to fill any gaps in their understanding and to ensure that they are ready for the next steps on their learning journey into 2016.
International and National Achievements Cheerleading: Bay Twisters went to NZCU Cheer and Dance Nationals in October. Frankie Grainger, Bridie Waterreus, Kayleigh Julian, Lauren Herbison, Jahna Rodger and Zoe Jennings were members of the following teams who were placed: ‘Tornados’ Level 3 1st ‘Thunders’ Level 2 Seniors 2nd ‘Cyclones’ Level 1 Senior 4th
Surf Lifesaving Pool Championships. At the National Lifesaving Pool Championships, Molly Alton placed 2nd in the Open Womens’ Medley Relay, Lily Alton placed 1st in the U14 Womens Brick Relay and Grace Westenberg placed 2nd in the U16 Womens Line Throw.
Synchronised Swimming: Eva Morris excelled at Synchronised Swimming Nationals which were held in Dunedin during the school holidays. Eva came 2nd in Junior Figures and 1st with her duet partner Jazzlee Thomas in Junior Duet. Eva was also a member of The Team Combination, which retained the National title from last year. The team qualified to represent New Zealand with the routine at Oceanias in 2016 in Fiji.
Taekwondo Brooklyn Storey competed in the Union Nationals gaining a Silver in the Under 55kgs. After training she competed in the Under 52kg category where she won Gold. She has now qualified in the National Team which go to Thailand in December.
Volleyball: Jessica Lawrence represented Bay of Plenty at the U17 National Volleyball championships over the holidays. The team took out the National title. Also in the team from Tauranga Girls’ College were Georgia Coughlan, Paris Patete and Emma Mabbott.
North Island / Bay of Plenty / Local Achievements Equestrian: Bayley Coster and Kate Hardy represented Tauranga at the National Pony Club Show Hunter Champs. Bayley was placed 3rd overall in the Equitation section (judges on horse and rider) and 13th in Show Hunter (judged on the horse). Kate was placed 6th in the Show Hunter and won the Equitation. Kate was the captain of the team and the team won the Horsemanship Trophy.
Golf: EmmaLee Morrell finished in 6th at the Carrus Open this weekend and Yerin Choo in 10th. This is the biggest tournament that these girls have been a part of and have both done very well.
Hockey: Tauranga Girls’ College had eight students: Caitlin McGeorge, Isa Johnson, Leah Owen, Meila Eades, Toni Manyimo, Ella Steenson, Arleah Tippins and Brooke Aldridge who played in the Tauranga U15 Hockey Representative Team that placed 3rd at the National U15 Hockey Tournament in Whangarei. Bethany Millar umpired at this tournament and was selected to umpire the final as one of the two top umpires.
Judo: Jade Tuilaepa competed at the North Island Judo Championships in Auckland 04-05 September where she won Gold in the U57 Cadet Womens, Gold in the Open Cadet Womens and Silver in the U57 Junior Womens. Jade competed in the New Zealand Nationals in Tauranga on 17 October where she won a Silver medal in the U57 Junior Women’s section.
Netball: At the recent Harbourside Netball Centre Awards prizegiving Hunta Davies was awarded the Emerging Umpire Award. She also umpired at the UNISS Netball competition in Hamilton for Winter tournament week.
Running: At the Ekiden Relay held in Rotorua the Tauranga Girls’ College team of Arleah Tippins, Jaysha Tippins, Kaylee Mudgway, Paris Heslop, Lily Alton and Tabitha Marshall competed. The team placed 2nd in the school team section and also 2nd team in the Fancy Dress section.
Water polo: Congratulations to Lucy Paterson and Lucy Street who were selected into the U14 A Girls Tauranga Rep team for water polo.
Winter Tournament Week: placed 5th in the Premiership Zone Qualifying Tournament played in Rotorua, qualifying them for Nationals in September/October to be played Palmerston North Basketball Junior placed 7th in the Junior Premiership Zone Qualifying Tournament played in Rotorua st Hockey 1 X1 placed 4th in the Marie Fry Tournament, played in Tauranga nd Hockey 2 X1 placed 7th in the Chris Arthur Cup, played in Ashburton Football 1st X1 placed 14th in NZSS Premier Tournament, played in Taupo Netball League 1 paced 18th in UNISS Division 1, played in Hamilton Underwater Hockey Seniors placed 4th NZSS Underwater Hockey Championships played in Auckland Underwater Hockey Juniors placed 6th NZSS Underwater Hockey Championships played in Auckland Basketball Senior
Woman in defence experience through underground tunnels using night vision goggles and learning how to fire blanks from rifles. Three of our Year 12 students were selected to In the Air Force we experienced the different roles spend 3 days in Whangaparoa, Auckland, to offered in the Air Force, such as; Pilot, experience the lifestyle and roles of New Zealand communications and specialised mechanics. We set defence personnel. This is their story. We observed the three forces being; Air Force, Navy up 6 metre antennas and tracked satellites. From this once in a life time experience we took with us and Army. We completed many activities called the pride and dignity of New Zealand’s defence evolutions which focused on endurance, force and a hands on feel for what it would be like if perseverance and comradeship. As teams and we were to be a part of this community. individuals we undertook situations such as the The 58 women from the upper North Island and the flood unit in the Navy which simulates a sinking staff from all three forces. ship, where we had to work together and slow down the flooding by hammering wedges into the cracks, whilst ensuring everyones safety. We also had the chance to extinguish fires using multiple methods just like in a real life situation. In the Army we had challenges such as; navigating our way
October 2015 based at Whangaparoa
Sports Awards - 15 October 2015 At the Tauranga Girls’ College Annual Sports Awards the winners of the Supreme awards were: Meila Eades:
West Bay Performers Trophy for best all-round Year 9 Student.
Frances Lloyd:
Active Outdoor Clothing Award for Outstanding Achievement at a Junior Level.
MacKenzee Harris:
House of Travel Trophy for Junior Sport awarded to a student who represents Tauranga Girls’ College in a variety of sports and demonstrates leadership qualities.
Ella Lawry:
Hynds Trophy for Junior Sportsgirl of the Year.
Senior Underwater Hockey: ANZ Bank Trophy for Team of the Year. Kaylee Mudgway:
Eves Real Estate Trophy for Outstanding all-round Excellence in Sport.
Georgia Coughlan:
Chica Gilmer trophy for an outstanding sportswoman in Year 11 or Year 12.
Brooke Somerfield:
Rowlands Trophy for excellence in an individual sport.
Jessica Lawrence:
Christine Hammond Trophy .
Kirsty Burrow & Ariana Moffat co winners: Aneta Reweti Cup for Sportsgirl of the Year.
Arts Awards - 22 October 2015 The Arts Prize giving was another wonderful showcase of all that our girls are capable of, both those gaining awards and the girls who ran the evening.
Supreme Awards: Communications Design Arts
Hannah Payne
Music
Hyunah Choo
Nga Toi Maori
Hinemairangi Pahau-Wilson
Performing Arts Phillipa Artus Visual Arts
Ana Morris
Academic Prizegiving 04 November 2015 Congratulations to our: Dux
Proxime Accessit
Ella Williams
Aleisha Hulbert
Student Leaders for 2016
Head Girl:
Deputy Head Girl:
Arts Director:
Sports Director:
Tate Fountain
Molly Alton
Sarah Coleman
Georgia Coughlan
Fame 03-06 August 2016 Baycourt Director:
Toni Henderson
Tauranga Girls’ College with Tauranga Boys’ College look forward to show casing the talent of our students in the production FAME. Information packs are now available from the office covering characters, songs and storyline. A full audition pack will be available in February 2016 and auditions will be held the second weekend in March. This stage version of the original film and TV series is set in the 80’s and follows a group of students at New York’s School of the Performing Arts through their four year course. We see them coming to terms with life and relationships; we see those who persevere, who are resilient - and those who are not. Above all, we see them perceiving the need to strive for excellence. If being on stage is not you - there will be a number of backstage roles available including stage crew, technical, wardrobe and props. This is a high energy show and will be a great experience!
Junior Prizegivings
You are cordially
You are cordially
invited to attend
invited to attend
your daughter’s
your daughter’s
prizegiving ceremony
prizegiving ceremony
Year 9 Awards
Year 10 Awards
Monday 14 December
Tuesday 15 December
10.00am, Hall
10.00am, Hall
Māori Prizegiving Ceremony
Friday 13 November 5.00pm Pōhiri at Te Whare o Mereaira 6.30pm Ceremony in the School Hall
Message from the BOT Chair It is hard to believe we are into the last term of what has been a really busy and successful year for the school. We are pleased to have the school remediation work behind us for now and applaud the girls and staff for handling the construction around the school so well. The ERO visit was a very positive one and the summary of their report will be available on the school website shortly. I would like to encourage parents who are considering standing for the Board of Trustees in 2016 to make contact with myself or any of the current BOT Trustees. We are only too happy to discuss the role of Trustees and welcome you along to see how our meetings run. The Board joins me in wishing our senior girls all the very best for their end of year exams and if they are leaving us at the end of the year good wishes for the future. Lesley Jensen Chairperson Tauranga Girls’ College Board of Trustees Ph 07 5432158
Young Innovator 2015 Tauranga Girls’ Senior Individual entry list: Supreme Winner Senior & Internship Finalist Finalist Participant Finalist Participant Participant Participant Participant Finalist Participant Supreme Winner Senior Participant Finalist Participant
Charlie's Handgels Emoji Cup Flip A Bench Hide 'n' Safe Table M.A.A.L.C. Multi - Line Operation Supesnack Peltier Battery Raydar Sunburn Prevention Soapafresh Solar - pad Spring Back Road Marker The Double Light Panel The Lorax The Perfect Click
Hannah Chelsea Ashley Selena Eva Elisabeth Laura Sarah Kelly Hannah Chantelle Jaysha Emilee Maraea Georgia
Payne Clyde Cundy Wright Wilson Minards-Black Bennett Buet Tucker Sands Philpot Bartlett Tippins Carter Ranui Bartlam
Tauranga Girls’ College students took part in the Young Innovators Awards competition which invites participants to come up with new products or services. The competition was initiated in 2009 to inspire Bay of Plenty secondary students as well as young professionals to become involved in the process of innovative thinking and problem solving. Over 150 entries were received and Hannah Payne and Jaysha Tippins shared first place in the Senior category, each winning $1000. Hannah also won an internship which involves a two-week work experience placement with Locus Research and Woods Creative where she will be developing her product further. Hannah created gel cushion handles for crutches to make using them more comfortable. Jaysha had been working on the design of her product in her Design Innovation class, so apart from the winnings also attained 10 credits for this project. Jaysha created Spring Back Road Markers to replace the current road markers which break easily. These markers spring back into place when hit by a car, reducing the amount of broken road markers, thus creating a more practical end eco-friendly alternative. Dear PTA Recently I just embarked on one of the most amazing experiences of my life! The Spirit of New Zealand. I just want to thank you so much for making this opportunity available for me. I have gone out of my comfort zone and challenged myself, particularly when I was elected the leadership role of navigator on trainee day. I was able to make a lot of really good friends that I will stay in contact with and hopefully go travelling to see! To name a few of the many highlights; I was able to see dolphins swimming in front of the boat as we sailed to Great Barrier Island, Bonfire sing-alongs, night games, climbing to the top of the mast- the view was indescribable! And steering the boat! That is only naming a few. The memories I have made
will be cherished forever. I hope that you continue sponsoring such a unique, exciting, eye opening opportunity for the years after me. Yours sincerely Amber McNicol
Positive Behaviour for Learning: Exam Preparation
Parents can help support their children during this stressful exam time 1. Give your child enough time to study Encourage your child not to leave revision until the last minute. While some students do seem to thrive on last-minute 'cramming', it is widely accepted that for most of us, this is not the best way to approach an exam. Help your child set out a timetable for study. See that she writes down how many exams she has and the days on which she has to sit them. Then she needs to organise her study accordingly. 2. Help your child organise her study space Ensure your child has enough space to spread her textbooks and notes out. If your child studies in her bedroom, is there enough light? Is her chair comfortable? Are the cell phones out of sight? Try and get rid of all distractions so that your child is able to focus. For some people, this may mean almost complete silence; for others, background music helps. Some of us need everything completely tidy and organised in order to concentrate, while others thrive in a more cluttered environment. You and your child will know what works best.
5. Ensure that your child takes regular breaks While we may think it is best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually be counter productive. If we were training for a marathon, we would not try and run 24 hours a day! Likewise studies have shown that for long-term retention of kn7owledge, taking regular breaks really helps. Allow your child to enjoy the sunshine instead of being hunched over textbooks all day. Remember that Vitamin D is important for a healthy brain. 6. Your child needs 'brain food' snacks This is the time when your child should avoid junk food. She may feel like she deserves a treat but what she eats can really have an impact on energy levels and focus. She needs to keep her body and brain well -fuelled by choosing nutritious foods that have been proven to aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yoghurt and blueberries. The same applies on exam day – she should eat a good meal before the exam, based on foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout. Sugar may seem appealing, but it will not help when energy levels crash an hour or so later. She needs to avoid brain poison! Discourage her from eating foods with artificial colorant and sweetener. They destroy concentration.
7. Help your child plan her exam day Make sure she gets everything ready well in advance of the exam – she should never leave it to the day before to suddenly work out which room she is meant be in, or what she is supposed to bring. Get her to check all the rules and requirements. Your child needs to feel relaxed when she is in the exam, 3. Encourage your child to use flow charts and so you do not want her to arrive to the exam having diagrams had to run halfway or feeling frazzled. She needs to Visual aids can be really helpful when revising. give herself ample time and be punctual. Challenge your child to write down everything she 8. Your child must drink plenty of water knows about a topic. Then, she should look at her As a final tip, remember that being well hydrated is notes to fill the gaps that she has with her essential for the brain to work at its best. Drinking knowledge. Encourage her to have revision notes into plenty of water throughout revision, and also on the one-page diagrams. Getting ideas down in this brief exam day is crucial. It should be water rather than format can then help a quick recall of everything sugary drinks. needed for an exam. Coming together is the beginning Keeping together is progress 4. Encourage your child to practice on old exams Working together is success One of the most effective ways to prepare for exams Henry Ford is to practise past exam papers. This will help your child become familiar with the format and vocabulary http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/healthused in the questions. and-support/exam-preparation-ten-study-tips
What plans our Year 13 have for 2016? What opportunities have been available to them? Term 3/4 has been a very busy term for our Year 13 students. A large number of reports and references have been requested. These included Confidential references for University and Polytech Accommodation Individual student testimonials References for Nursing/ Teaching/ Midwifery programmes Specialist scholarship references Overseas University Applications Job References Overseas Opportunities---Camp America, Exchange Programmes At Tauranga Girls’ College we pride ourselves in offering opportunities for students to become well rounded empowered young women. The ability and diligence of the 2015 cohort as well as their involvement in a wide range of activities inside and outside of school is a credit to them. We have a number of students who have gained University and Polytechnic Scholarships and acknowledgements. These will be awarded at the Academic Prize giving. In surveying our Year 13 students at the end of Term 3 we found the following: This shows the wide range of pathways that our 2015 leavers are choosing to follow. Compared to past years we have seen an increase of students studying at the BOP Polytechnic. This year there has been a noticeable swing to students studying locally. This reinforces the strong link we have with the BOP Polytechnic and their partnership with Waikato University. It is also a sign of students choosing remain at home in order to cut down costs as well as taking advantage of the smaller class sizes in the first year of study. Some opportunities that have been offered are: The Trades Academy has enabled students to study one day a week at the Windermere campus while continuing at school. This has given a group of our students a real insight and confidence with their career decisions. We have Year 12 and Year 13 students presently studying at Level 2 and 3 with Vocational Pathway in Early Childhood and Business. The BOP Polytechnic has provided Smart Paths and Student for a Day courses. These have provided valuable opportunities for students to experience different courses of study. Students can access these through the careers department. Gateway students in Years 12 and 13 are able to experience work in an industry area that they think they may want to pursue in the future. This year students have been placed in Nursing, Equine, Retail (The Warehouse Red Shirts programme), Hairdressing, Early childhood Education, Tourism and Banking. Waikato University have also offered a number of experience days; Law Student for a Day, Entrepreneur for a day and Focus on Psychology Careers day. These have been excellent opportunities to learn more about study options and potential career pathways. The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and Waikato University plan to hold an event for all students enrolling in their programmes on Wednesday 09 December. More details are available from the Careers Office. At www.leavingschool.co.nz is a free downloadable magazine that is a useful guide to Study and Career options for all students.
PTA Calling all event organisers, fashionistas, choreographers, busy mums, dads, aunties!!! Next year is the 30th anniversary of the Fashion Show and the small but willing team of regular PTA helpers desperately needs someone to be the overall coordinator for this amazing event. There are plenty of people willing to take on specific roles, but we’re looking for someone with an interest in performance, fashion, event management etc to pull all the strands together.
Please contact Erin on 021 259 7795 or Carol on 021 209 6159 if you can help....or even if you could ‘job share’!! Provisional dates for the Fashion Show are 18-19 May 2016. The next PTA meeting is Wednesday 18 November, 7.30 in the Staffroom. Come along, its a great way to find out how the school works to support our girls. Thanks Carol Jenkin
Dates 2016: Monday Wednesday & Thursday Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Friday-Tuesday Friday
25 January: 27 & 28 January 03 February: 04 February: 05 February: 08 February: 25-29 March: 15 April
Office opens Course changes Year 13 start Year 9 start Whole school Waitangi Day Easter Term 1 ends
Monday Monday Friday
02 May 06 June 08 July
Term 2 begins Queen’s birthday Term 2 ends
Monday Friday
25 July 23 September
Term 3 begins Term 3 ends
Monday Monday Wednesday Thursday
10 October 24 October 14 December 15 December
Term 4 begins Labour Day Y9 finish Y10 finish
Reminder: Study Leave for Junior Students Monday that day.
16 November The school is closed to students on
World War 1 Commemorations This year we featured the centenary of Gallipoli, next year the focus turns to the Western Front and the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. With 1.2 million casualties, including 8,000 New Zealanders, Somme was even more traumatic than Gallipoli. The first New Zealander killed at the Battle was from Motiti Island. Planning is now well advanced for a trip of 28 to France and Belgium in April next year, as part of a History and Classics trip that will go on to Greece and Italy during the second week. We will go to iconic sites in Paris such as the Eiffel Tower, the Versailles Palace, and the Louvre Museum to name some. One evening we will go on a cruise along the Seine River which flows through the city. But our highlight will be an emotional experience up in the Western Front area. Last month, Maggie Barrie the Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister travelled there to present 6 large dioramas at battle sites which features New Zealand’s involvement. A few days ago we finalised a customised tour with local military historians. We will be based for 3 days at Ypres, in the Flanders area. For one day we will be undertaking a ‘platoon experience.’ Participants are dressed in authentic uniforms, equipped with a rifle and briefed to take the role of a soldier who was there. The group will walk in the wake of an actual platoon during their attack along the disused Leper-Roeslare railway track. To keep in the style of the times they will be served a genuine ‘Tommy Tucker’ meal of corned beef. Considerable research has been conducted into
stories of those who served in battle to create an authentic experience. The day ends at the Tyne Cot cemetery (where there are many Kiwi graves) and students learn of their soldier’s fate. That evening we go to the Menin Gate Ceremony, every evening the town stops for an hour service with the Last Post and laying of wreaths which we will participate in. During our tour around the area, we will visit and lay a wreath at the grave of Dave Gallagher, our 1905 All Black captain from Katikati. We visit the memorial of the Christmas soccer truce game in 1914 and the graves at Caterpillar Valley of the many Kiwi fallen, including the grave honouring the New Zealand Unknown soldier, who in recent times has been brought back to the National War Museum in Wellington. We will go into the Wellington Tunnels at Arras built by our tunnellers at the Front. A memorable visit will be to Les Quesnoy, this town champions the New Zealander’s who liberated it. The All Blacks visited in 2000 and the captain, Todd Blackadder in his biography writes, ‘ We walked around the town to the New Zealand memorial and laid a wreath there. I was standing by a Frenchman who had tears streaming down his face. He was moved by the generosity of the New Zealander’s all those years ago. It’s something you don’t understand when you are in New Zealand.’ And that is why we are going! On returning to school in Term 2, senior history students will be able to use their fieldtrip observations towards a research study around the Somme campaign for NCEA.
Calendar Day
Date
Event
Day
Date
Event
BOPSS Junior Volleyball 04 Wednesday Academic Prizegiving: Holy November Trinity, 6pm
Mon-Fri
16-20 Junior Assessment Week November
Thursday
Last day for Y11 & 12 05 students November International students BBQ
Monday
16 Junior Study Day November
Friday
06 BOP Junior Tennis November NCEA begins
Mon-Fri
Junior Production Week 23-27 Junior Volleyball November Wellington
Friday
13 Canterbury Show Day November Maori Prizegiving: Hall, 7pm
Thursday
26 Orientation Day for Y9 November students 2016
Sat-Sun
14-15 Junior Volleyball finals November
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: 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