GA

RIN

CO

LL

EG

E

25 Oct 2019

“Sm

all

Sch

oo

l, B

ig H

eart

...”

Year 17 Issue 33 of 40

Public Office Hours 8.15am -

3.30pm Monday - Friday

From our Principal, John Maguire

Tēnā koutou katoa ngā whānau,

I look back on previous newsletters as I start the next one, and smile as last week I talked about blossoms and today I look out my window at new snow! I’m sure it's all preparing us for a beautiful summer! “The art of life is that constant readjustment to our surroundings.”

As per usual Term 4 has the school busy and doing some of that ‘readjustment’ as we align student subject choices to classes and timetables for next year, staffing these new requirements and interviewing applicants. These changes are all currently being processed and whilst one change can cause a trickle effect, we are happy with progress to date. I will take the opportunity to inform you all as the picture continues to unfold.

However, as part of our process in making our staffing decisions for next year, I would like to inform the community of resignations effective from the end of 2019.

In 2019, Ms Elaine Rowling has been on refreshment leave and over this time has made her decision to retire from teaching to explore new opportunities both here in NZ and overseas. Her input to Garin College since her commencement in 2006 has been highly valued, especially in her ability to progress Mahi Toi over the years to the showcase it has become for the school - each year different to the one before but always growing in its capacity to highlight both the arts programmes within the College and also individual talent. Elaine’s impact on students' learning and lives has been highly valued.

Like Elaine, Mr Kyle Proffit took refreshment leave this year and after much soul searching has made his decision to have a career change and bid his farewell to Garin as our Music teacher. Kyle has been a staff member who has impacted broadly across the school with his support of the student body and also his relationship with the staff and whānau. He has grown students to levels of achievement which have met their wildest dreams. I think as a teacher, there can be no greater wish than to have achieved in this way. I also announce that Mrs Rebekah Proffit has resigned from her English teaching position. Rebekah’s time in the English faculty has been valued by students and her faculty team. For Kyle, Rebekah and their three beautiful children, we wish them a safe journey beyond their years at Garin. Their achievements and contributions within the College have set lasting legacies within the Arts and English Faculties, which the wider school aspire to.

I announce and congratulate our Assistant Principal, Ms Fiona Crump, on her appointment to Associate Deputy Principal at Waimea College, receiving her resignation this week. During her time at Garin, Fiona has impressed with her involvement in all facets of the school and her exemplary organisational skills in leadership, planning and reviewing. This has supported the work of the leadership team in creating platforms for ongoing growth and development within the College. Fiona’s contribution to Science and Netball have been appreciated greatly. In particular I would like to thank Fiona for the hospitality and warmth of welcome she extends to all guests at Garin College. We wish her every success in her new role and are happy to say she is “just down the road.”

Mrs Amy Cornelisen and Mr Daniel Allan have both had leave approved by the Board of Trustees for 2020. Their positions are currently advertised and we will inform you of appointments to all current vacancies in the weeks ahead as we continue with interviews and make these appointments.

I would like to commend Francis Potts, our Year 9 student who is this weekend competing in a National football event, Coastal Spirit Football tournament Under 19 competition - a great achievement for such a young player who is already showing such a strong prowess and passion for football.

To all, enjoy the break of the long weekend. I look forward to seeing many of you next week at Colours Assembly, Wednesday 30 October, in the School Gymnasium.

Ngā mihi nui, God Bless John Maguire

Take a Moment:

“Work hard, be kind and amazing things will happen” Conan O’Brien

C ALENDAR :

25th Oct Staff vs Year 13 Quiz

28th Oct School Closed - Labour Day

30th Oct Club Garin Colours Assembly

5th Nov End of Year Mass

7th Nov NZQA Exams start

3rd Dec NZQA Exams finish

4th Dec Prizegiving

5th—6th Dec Christian Service Days

9th—10th Dec Graduation Challenge

10th Dec Last Day of School

"Faith Facts" Week 2 - Term Four

Extraordinary Month of Mission - October

Pope Francis has asked all Catholics to celebrate a special ‘missionary month’ in October 2019. Pope Francis has set October 2019 as an Extraordinary Missionary Month to foster greater awareness of the Second Vatican Council’s decree on missionary activity, mission ad gentes – ‘To the Nations’ – and to enliven the missionary transformation of Church life and pastoral activity.

Prayer for the Extraordinary Month of Mission

Heavenly Father, when your only Begotten Son

Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He instructed His followers to

‘Go and make disciples of all nations’.

Your Holy Spirit has led us to understand that through our Baptism

we are called and sent to share in this mission of the Church. Amen

Garin College End of Year Mass

All parishioners, parents and Garin College community members are warmly invited to

attend the Garin College End of Year Mass on Tuesday 5th November (11:30am), in the College Gym.

We will celebrate the journey of our Year 13 College students and leavers of the College as they enter a new stage in their journey.

Call to Mission Serving Others Truffle Rolling

1st and 2nd November 9am - 9pm (but you can assist anytime)

Brightwater Hall

Funds go towards Global Impacts - Freedom Philippines anti-human trafficking campaign.

Youtube link for more info: https://youtu.be/m_sjhb06G6I

Year 13 Religious Education - Ethical Issues

During Term Three our Year 13 learners challenged and developing their understanding on a range of ethical issues. Part of this involved exploring the nature of an issue and what the Catholic Church’s teachings are in response. Learners demonstrated excellent critical thinking in their analysis and you can read their reflections below. Reuben Panting - Artificial Intelligence Click here Alisha Lewis - Environmental Change Click here Megan Ritchie - Euthanasia Click here

Part of our analysis involved an interview with Cheryl Doig and the future of Artificial Intelligence in our society. Cheryl recently led the Future of Learning Symposium in Christchurch during September. Please view her presentation on what she thinks the future of education will be for our learners.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=249&v=RbFG9adPzYQ

St Vincent de Paul Can Drive

“To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly

with your God.” Micah 6:8

The Justice & Ministry Team at Garin College have led an amazing initiative drawing together 1100 food items and over $500 for St Vincent de Paul, Richmond. This demonstrated our call to recognise the dignity of those in our community who require extra support and the call to serve others. They have demonstrated the call of Christ to be Servant Leaders, to meet the needs of others, as part of the Body of Christ.

"Faith Facts" Week 2 - Term Four

Summer Reading

Week 2:

Continuing on from our discussion last week on why is reading over the summer so im-portant, consider the broader picture:

“Self-selected reading, which is largely fiction, provides us with the literacy develop-ment and background knowledge that makes demanding texts more comprehen-sible. Studies also show that fiction exposes readers to other views of the world and increases the ability to deal with uncertainty, which is crucial for problem solving.” Ste-phen D Krashen

“Literacy skills are the gateway to the whole curriculum. Excellent literacy skills create greater accessibility, and not just in humanity subjects. Good readers have good order-ing skills and this helps with logic, sequencing and number work. Individuals with

high literacy rates have better self-esteem and higher earning power as adults. Countries with high literacy rates have stronger economies and citizens who are more politically active. I could go on…” K D Messik

Jim Trelease has summed up extensive studies, saying “By every measure we have, those children who read the most out-side of school, also read the best.” Children who read one million words in a year score in the top two percent on standard-ized tests. And in a year, children learn 4,000 to 12,000 new words by reading books. If one million words seem unattaina-ble- Even 15 minutes a day of independent reading can ex-pose students to more than a million words of text in a year.

(http://www.golocalworcester.com/news/why-summer-reading-is-essential-for-your-children)

Club Garin photos Photos can be viewed now at: www.vtphoto.co.nz/schoolphotos In “find my Photos” enter Garin sports You can order online or by completing the paper order form (bank details on paper form) and dropping off the order with either cash or cheque to the school office.

Orders need to be in by the 8th November.

From the Biology Department:

CLASH OF THE CLANS The study of Human Evolution culminated in the two Year 13 Biology classes battling it out for supremacy in a range of hominin skills: Clan Trog vs. Clan Feral It was a tie between the two clans for the art of making stone tools. Most river stones were fashioned into choppers from the most ancient tool culture but some (Reuben - Clan Trog) were more advanced Mousterian tools. Members of both clans found smashing rocks to be quite therapeutic! We are very grateful to Aria H [Clan Feral] and a huge thanks to her hunter friends too for sourcing two hares for this exercise. The stone tools were used to skin and joint a carcass. The enthusiasm during this task shown by some clan members [Rahania] - well, they were somewhat savage, to say the least. Clan Trog took out this competition - Jahmon’s skills were unsurpassed but it has to be said that the back steaks from Clan Feral’s hare did look pretty amazing.

The skinning led to two great clan totems, but again Clan Trog claimed supremacy with this spectacular specimen. The cave painting using animal blood, charcoal and fruit pulp was completed by Hannah P, Cailtin R, Rahania - all members of Clan Feral so the win for Upper Paleolithic art was theirs. Venus figurines were patiently sculpted from clay - some modelled on ancient relics, others more contemporary [a selfie-ready Kim K courtesy of Sierra] and again the result was a tie.

All the fire makers showed great persistence and are in awe of ancient Homo erectus who didn’t have a flint from Kathmandu but were able to make fire. Both clans resorted to the box of matches in the end and Clan Trog actually cooked, and some even ate, the quite tasty thigh cutlets. Result: an overall win for Clan Trog !!

Mixed Touch Team Fundraiser

WE NEED YOUR DEAD BATTERIES

Please email: justinebuler@cloud.garincollege.ac.nz to arrange drop off.

Kia ora Garin whānau

I hope that everybody is getting back into the swing of things. Sometimes it is easy to feel alone, unsupported, and even helpless when we are struggling with life's challenges. One parable that really speaks to me when I am feeling this way is footprints in the sand. (Please see below) Prayer, talking to a loved one, or a professional, can remind us that we do not have to struggle alone. It can really help to give those burdens to God, or share the load with someone you trust. Just another way of taking care of ourselves. Have a great weekend everyone, enjoy the sunshine! Ngā mihi Kate the Counsellor

Parents with NZQA/NCEA/derived grades or assessment queries please email sheilaghditchfield@cloud.garincollege.ac.nz

Many thanks, Sheilagh

Chilian Exchange This week we say a say farewell and ¨Adiós¨ to our two exchange students from Curacaví in Chile, Amalia and Sofia. They have been staying with Garin College students Hannah Price and Laura Davies (Year 13) during Term 3 of this year.

It has been a pleasure to have them in the Spanish classroom and to have the opportunity to converse with them in a more authentic and engaging context.

We wish them safe travels back to their country.