from our principal - otahuhu college · 5/17/2019 · opened in 2016, and the refurbishment of the...
TRANSCRIPT
Otahuhu College Newsletter
Friday 17 May 2019
From our Principal
Our Peace Ambassadors have done an amazing job this week in running assemblies. Our young people
are fantastic and that is showcased every day. Our role is to support them through their ups and downs
to help them make the most of the many opportunities they have to create a brighter future for
themselves and their families.
This week saw the government release their plans for NCEA, this will have staged implementation
commencing in 2022, meaning next years, Year 9 students will be the first through the new system.
Otahuhu College has placed a strong emphasis on external examinations, and like other top schools,
have exams from Year 9 to Year 13. This seems a sensible timeframe and will allow schools to work
through the changes thoroughly.
Also released this week was the Education Review Office report on our College. The good parts of the
report are below and reflect the hard work and excellent classroom teaching and the great job that all
members of the Otahuhu College community do for the students in our care. Despite this good report,
we are well aware that we need to continue to improve and strive to provide the very best possible
education for your children.
Important Dates 20‐24 May Prospective families guided tour of the school, between 10‐10.45am.
23 May Parent/Teacher meetings 26‐31 May Samoan Language Week
29 May TEACHERS STRIKE – more information to follow 31 May Teacher Only Day
3 June Queen’s Birthday – Public Holiday
4‐7 June Smilecare on site
4‐7 June ARTS Week
Our Commitments The focus for next week is being on time. Students are expected to be at school by 8:30am, and then
seated in the correct space in assembly. With the weather due to change to more wintery conditions,
your child should have a plan to get to school on wet days on time. With Auckland traffic, this often
means leaving 10‐15 minutes earlier. For those students who are late to school three or more times in a
week, they will be given a detention.
Please remind your child that they need to move to class as soon as the first bell goes, and they should
be seated, with their books out and bags on the floor ready to learn by the second bell.
Otahuhu College Board of Trustees Election
Nominations are invited for the election of (5) parent representatives to the Board of Trustees.
A nomination form and a notice calling for nominations has been posted to all eligible voters.
You can nominate another person to stand as a candidate, or you can nominate yourself. Both
parts of the form must be signed.
Additional nomination forms can be obtained from the school office.
Nominations close at noon on 24 May 2019 and may be accompanied by a signed candidate
statement and photograph.
The voting roll is open for inspection at the school and can be viewed during normal school
hours.
There will also be a list of candidates’ names, as they come to hand, for inspection at the
school. Voting closes at noon on 7 June 2019.
Education Review Office Report The school aims to provide excellent classroom teaching, personalised learning and high expectations
for children to have the best possible future. This is underpinned by the school’s mission to lead
educational excellence and endeavour in their community.
The board and the principal have overseen extensive property development, including a Science block
opened in 2016, and the refurbishment of the library and Music department. The library has been
recognised as a learning hub of the school.
National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) data show that over the past three years the
majority of students are achieving well in Levels 2 and 3. Achievement levels at University Entrance (UE)
has continued to rise. Overall, the 2018 Level 3 achievement data for all students in the school are
above schools with a similar profile. The number of NCEA endorsements continue to rise at all levels. In
2018 there was a significant rise in the number of students achieving NCEA Level 3 with excellence
endorsement. Māori and Pacific students regularly achieve well above national levels and comparable to
similar schools.
NCEA data over the last three years show high levels of achievement in numeracy and literacy for all
groups of students.
Over the past three years, high academic achievement for Māori students is evident at NCEA Level 2 and
Level 3 compared to Māori students nationally and in similar schools.
The school is successfully identifying students who need special assessment conditions. Students are
well catered for and experience a responsive and individualised approach to their learning needs.
English language learners are well supported. Effective systems and processes help identify these
learners and establish their learning needs.
Leaders ensure an orderly and supportive environment that promotes high expectations for learning.
Leaders across all levels of the school are working to strengthen conditions for equity and excellence.
They reflect on and respond well to achievement information, adapting and evolving programmes to
meet student needs.
Students learn in a positive and inclusive environment. They are supported in their learning by teachers
who know them well. Respectful and affirming relationships between teachers and students are evident.
Extensive pastoral care systems provide students with high levels of support to reduce barriers and
support engagement in learning. The vertical whānau class structure allows students to build and
maintain positive relationship across all year levels.
The board, school leaders and staff are building strong relationships and connections with the school’s
community, parents and whānau. Parents feel welcomed and valued as partners in their children’s
learning.
Parent-Teacher Meetings On Thursday 23 May, school will close for instruction at 1:00pm.
Parent‐Teacher Meetings will run from 2:00pm to 7:00pm. It will be an opportunity for Parents to meet
with Subject Teachers to discuss the current progress of their child.
Instructions on how to make appointments have been emailed and/or posted to parents/caregivers.
Curriculum and Study News
Beginning this term, our school now offers The Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award. The Award is about
individual challenge. As every individual is different, so too are the challenges that young people
undertake to achieve their Award. With guidance from their Award Leader, Assessor (or other Award
volunteers) each young person will be encouraged to examine themselves, their interests, abilities and
ambitions. Then students will set themselves challenges in the 4 different sections of the Award
(Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey). All of these challenges should require
persistence and determination to overcome. Limited places are available for students to join. Students
should see the Deputy Principal of the Junior School to register their interest.
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Help Centre
Students now have the opportunity to attend specific Help Centre’s with their subject teacher to gain
consistent and specific guidance. Please encourage your son/daughter to attend these additional
sessions. In addition, if your son/daughter is At Risk in English, please remember that these sessions are
compulsory as per the letter, which was sent home via email and/or post by Ms Norgate (HoD). Please
check with your child who their English teacher is and be aware of when these sessions are happening in
line with the below. This additional time can make a great difference in their progress and achievement
here at Otahuhu College in regard to gaining Literacy, which is essential in any manner of education and
progression into the workplace environment.
All Level 1, 2 and 3 At Risk learners are expected at compulsory Help Centre in the coming week with
their subject teacher.
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
A4 Ms Hibbs
A5 Ms Duynhoven
A6 Ms Norgate
A7 Ms Walker
A2 Mr Turner
A4 Ms Garrett
A8 Ms Meagher
M8 Mr Martin
M7 Ms Devi
Deadlines approaching
English Literature Level 1 deadline 1.4 Creative Writing – Wednesday 29th May (3 credits)
English Visual Level 1 deadline 1.7 Create a visual image ‐ Wednesday 29th May (3 credits)
English Visual Level 2 deadline 2.5 Oral Text – Friday 7th June (3 credits)
English Visual Level 3 deadline 3.7 Connections – Friday 24th May (4 credits)
Auckland Writer’s Festival
On Wednesday, Ms Norgate and Ms Hibbs took 43 Year 12 students and librarians into the city to the
Auckland Writer’s Festival. The students were lucky enough to open their morning participating in the
interactive presentation given by Akala which focused on Hip Hop Shakespeare. The incredible Akala
wowed the students with his historical knowledge of the rap industry and applied the same skill and
rhythm to Shakespeare’s work. We continued through the day exploring the importance of having a
mentor and valuing our teachers, exploring how to engage readers through our writing and learning
about how recognising our identity and culture through our work and reading is so vital. The students
had a wonderful day and represented Otahuhu College with maturity and laughter.
Gifted & Talented Study Day
On Wednesday 9 senior students attended a study day held at St Cuthbert’s College in
Auckland. The event originated in Oxford University and the study day has been presented in
New Zealand and Australian cities.
Our students received a solid programme of philosophy together with challenging questions –
for example “How do you know that what you believe is real?” “Is Tolerance as good as you
first thought it was?” There was room for a lot of debate and discussion.
Of particular interest was the work of Dr. Chris O’Neill from Oxford University. He outlined just
what defines ‘Outstanding Achievement; his studies have shown that most ‘top performers’
share similar habits, practice – lots of practice – up to 10,000 hours to perfect their skills. This
determined, deliberate practice is not just repetition, but concentrates on perfecting the task
and reaching beyond accepted levels.
“1% inspiration and 99% perspiration” Thomas Edison. In other words, lots of hard work,
never giving up, believing in yourself, and finding your inspiration!
Sports News
DAYS TEAMS VS VENUE TIME
SATURDAY 18/05
1ST XV RUGBY BOYS 2B RUGBY BOYS U15 RUBGY BOYS U14 RUGBY BOYS NETBALL SNR A SNR B SNR C Y10 A Y10 B Y9 A Y9 B Y9 C
PAKURANGA MT ROSKILL KELSTON BOYS S.C.C MACLEANS DIOCESAN BARADENE BARADENE TAMAKI MAGS ONE TREE HILL GLENDOWIE
PAKURANGA MT ROSKILL KELSTON BOYS S.C.C COURT 3 COURT 19 COURT 23 COURT 22 COURT 4 COURT 18 COURT 5 COURT 9
12.00PM
9.15AM
9.15AM
9.15AM
10.50AM
10.50AM
11.25AM
8.30AM
9.05AM
9.40AM
10.15AM
10.15AM
SPORTS DRAW FOR THE WEEK ENDING 18 MAY 2019
Arts and Culture News
Congratulations to the Junior School students that were enriched by their participation in the April
Holiday – Junior Enrichment Tutorial (JETs) ‐ Programme.
University Entrance
On 14 May, Leon Tione was given the opportunity to attend the Massey University Reboot Business Bootcamp for 2019. Leon was the only student who had been accepted to participate in the programme and he represented Otahuhu College proudly.
The business workshop has been running successfully for over five years and provides exposure for high school students to careers in the business industry. In the programme, students are able to connect to top – thought leaders from the industry and are encouraged to think creatively. The workshop aims to “Reboot” students thinking of what a career in business means and Leon was able to gain a better understanding through this experience!
Stem News Pulse Lecture
On 8 May 40 of our year, 12 and 13 pupils attended the first of the Pulse lecture series. The aim of the
public lectures is to give students an exciting taste of where mathematics or statistics can lead (outside
of the traditional and well‐trodden paths). The “Stats, Rats and Habitats” session on the eighth focused
on Statistics and how the Department of Conservation uses stats to help create a predator free New
Zealand. In this experience students were not only exposed to what a University lecture would be like
but were also able to familiarise themselves with the tertiary education environment.
Gateway Information
CV Workshops:
CV workshops are available each week for students to get help creating curriculum vitae (CV) ‐ essential
for part time or full time jobs, some scholarships and even volunteer roles.
All students are welcome – the workshops are run every week after school for the rest of term (will
continue in Term 3 and 4 also), and alternate between Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
3 – 4pm, in the Library ICT suite. See above picture for dates and what day they are on each week.
Drivers Licence Information:
For students wanting to get their learners licence, workshops are run every week on Thursdays, 3 –4 pm
in the Library ICT Suite. All students 16+ are welcome – content of the road code will be covered in the
sessions to prepare them for their test.
For students enrolled in Gateway, they have the opportunity to have the cost of their licence covered
(limited spaces) ‐ see the poster below for more information, but note that students cannot enroll in
Gateway with the sole purpose of getting their licence.
For students who already have their learners or restricted licence, Blue light are offering driving lessons
free of charge (car provided), and can cover the cost of their tests:
Library News Check out our Get Lit book club display at Mangere East Library in support of #pinkshirtday
Last week we celebrated Sign Language week. Massive thanks to Mrs. Duynhoven for giving up her lunchbreaks to facilitate and teach sign language to students in the library.
Community News