PO Box 14001, Longburn 4866, New Zealand

Ph: +64 6 354 1059 • Fax: +64 6 355 1350

Email: info@lac.school.nz

www.lac.school.nz

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER 15 NOVEMBER 2013

The Power of One

The recent images of the devastation in the Philippines and the millions of people affected bring to mind the story of the starfish: Tens of thousands of starfish were washed up on a beach as a result of a storm. An elderly man watched a boy on the beach picking up the starfish one at a time and throwing them back into the ocean. When he came closer to the boy he commented, "It’s hopeless, not worth trying to save them, all that effort won't matter!" The boy paused then threw another starfish into the waves and replied, "It made a difference to that one".

When disasters of the scale we have witnessed in the Philippines happen, we can't solve the whole of the problem but each of us can make a difference for someone.

Today we are holding a mufti-day to raise funds for the Philippines disaster; it won't raise a huge amount, but it will make a difference to someone. Robert Patton, an ex-student, is already in the Philippines assessing how ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) can best help with the situation. What we collect will go to that organisation and I know it will be used in a very practical way to help. "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

Bruce Sharp, Principal

IMPORTANT DATESTuesday 3 December Orientation day for new Year 7, 8 and 9 students for 2014 – details to follow.

9-13 December Year 10 Work Experience Week

10-13 December Year 7/8 Camp

Wednesday 18 December Y7-10 Prizegiving (12 noon) and last day of school year.

Start of 2014 school year Tuesday 4 February – Years 7-10. Wednesday 5 February – all year levels.

LAPTOPS AND TABLETS AT COLLEGE 2014 An increasing number of students are choosing to bring laptops or a tablet to college. This is an option that is open to Year 9–13 students and will increasingly become the norm. With the college connecting to N4L (Network for Learning) sometime in 2014, the use of laptops or tablets as tools of learning will become increasingly beneficial. The government is investing a huge amount to ensure schools make use of ultra-fast broadband (UFB) and this is opening an increasing number of teaching and learning possibilities. The college has recently made the decision to go with ‘google docs’ to deliver information to students, and a recent Ministry of Education agreement with Microsoft means that next year ‘Windows Office 365’ is available free of charge to students for their own laptop or tablet. Some factors that need to be considered before students choose to bring a laptop or tablet for use at college:

It needs to be a device that can connect to the college wireless network to be an effective learning tool. Tablets smaller than 10” are unacceptable. Anything smaller than this will make it difficult for students to input data. Both laptops and tablets need to be brought with a case to protect them when not in use. Tablets are far more useful if they include a case that has a built-in keyboard; this will allow much better input of data.

PO Box 14001, Longburn 4866, New Zealand

Ph: +64 6 354 1059 • Fax: +64 6 355 1350

Email: info@lac.school.nz

www.lac.school.nz

Students are responsible for the security and proper use of their device while at college and the device can be confiscated and held if it is being used improperly.

All students will be required to sign the new ‘Digital Citizen Agreement’ in 2014. A copy of this agreement will be available on our website and it governs the use of electronic devices at college.

UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE 2014 There are changes earmarked for University Entrance in 2014. Our current Year 12 students need to pay particular attention to the requirements for next year to ensure they meet the new requirements. These include: · Students must have at least 60 credits in Level 3 NCEA · They must have at least 14 credits in three approved Level 3 subjects* · They must have at least 10 numeracy credits at Level 1 or higher · They must have at least 10 Literacy credits at Level 2 or higher (at least 5 from reading and 5 from writing) *For LAC the ‘approved’ subjects we offer include: Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Mathematics, Music, Photography, Physics, Religious Studies (Bible), English, Economics, Classical Studies and History. (For details of these subjects and Achievement Standards that qualify, follow this link)

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/awards/university-entrance/approved-subjects-from-2014/ While a UE allows entrance to University, it does not guarantee entry into many of the courses universities offer. Where there is competitive entry, the number of credits gained with ‘excellence’ or ‘merit’ plays an important role in selection of who gets into these courses.

JUNIOR PRIZEGIVING (YEARS 7-10) AND LAST DAY OF SCHOOL YEAR Junior Prizegiving for Years 7-10 will be held on Wednesday 18 December, in the chapel, commencing at 12 noon. This is also the last day of the school year. Parents who are attending the prizegiving may take their student/s home with them at the conclusion of the programme. For other students, the buses will be running earlier as per a Thursday timetable (arriving at LAC at 2pm).

TRINITY MUSIC RESULTS Congratulations to the following students on their successes in the Trinity Music Exams. PIANO Grade 1: Darion Benjamin - High Merit Grade 1: Hayley Matata – Merit

SINGING Grade 4: Gabrielle Tongs - High Distinction Grade 8: Debbie Wilson - Pass

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Over the last few years students at LAC have contributed to the Shoe Box campaign. Although students have enjoyed taking part, we have never had a great turn out (maybe a dozen at the most). This year, however, was different. A great team of Year 11 students helped in organising a competition for ‘boy’ boxes versus ‘girl’ boxes. What an awesome success! The school collected 59 boxes: 42 boxes for girls and 17 boxes for boys. It truly was exciting to see the boxes coming in every day and it reminds us that our students at LAC love serving – even from a distance – and are compassionate.

PO Box 14001, Longburn 4866, New Zealand

Ph: +64 6 354 1059 • Fax: +64 6 355 1350

Email: info@lac.school.nz

www.lac.school.nz

UNIFORM 2014 Reminding you that for the new school year all students must be wearing the updated uniform items. We have had a transition period during which the ‘old’ style items were still acceptable; however, from Term 1 2014 the old items will not be permitted to be worn.

WONDERING ABOUT THE START OF NEXT YEAR? All the details about the beginning of the 2014 school year will be sent out

in a special newsletter within the next few weeks.