Taihape Area School Monday 3rd November, 2014

Term 4 – Newsletter Number 4

Phone 06 3880130

Email rmcmillan@tas.school.nz

office@tas.school.nz

Website http://tas.spikeatschool.co.nz

“Leading me to lead my Learning”

Tena koutou katoa

Welcome to another very busy week. For

the next few weeks, the School will never

really close, with students turning up at all

hours to receive tutoring, complete

assignments, or complete assessments. The

weekends are particularly busy as people

work hard to prepare for their external

examinations, and ensure that all end of

year requirements are met.

For teachers we have entered without

doubt their most busy period of the year.

As well as maintaining on-going

programmes, and completing the usual end

of year tasks such as report writing, we are

also in review and planning mode.

As a staff, and individually, we have begun

reviewing our performance, and the

performance of the school, through-out the

year. When the review process is complete,

planning for 2013 will be stepped up to

ensure that next year we are able to

continue to move forward. This planning

process involves setting priorities and

preparing a school budget, which is a

major task.

Our sole focus is to improve the quality of

teaching and learning in our school – that

is, add value to what we do. To this end we

will do everything possible to maintain

momentum, and to ensure that our school

is a progressive and dynamic place. In any

school change is great for everyone, as

long as it has relevance, is planned, and

has a positive impact on the quality of

teaching and learning.

The BOT is also reviewing its operation,

and the operation of the School. If you

have any ideas for improving life here at

Taihape Area School, please contact the

School, or a BOT Member. We would

appreciate any feedback or suggestions.

The School Charter provides the

foundation for our operation. Our Charter

is currently under review. Each year an

Annual Plan, based on the goals of the

Charter and Strategic Plan and the data

collected from school reviews, is

developed each year. Copies of these

documents are available from school –

they are displayed in the foyer.

The start of November, and we enter the

business end of another year. For our

senior students the next few weeks are

extremely busy as they begin their

examinations.

External

examinations

for our

Students begin

next week

(10th

November). Although most students have

been busy preparing for the past few

weeks, the time between now and the

examinations is still crucial for the students

involved - it is essential that they continue

to put aside time to study, and that they

follow their study plan to ensure that they

are fully prepared, and therefore able to

give themselves every chance of success.

I would like to acknowledge the significant

efforts of the teachers who gave up

valuable holiday time to provide tuition. It

should be noted that many of our teachers

also give up their weekends to assist our

students, either one on one, or in small

group situations. The teaching staff at TAS

is extraordinarily generous in terms of the

time and support they provide our students

as they prepare for NCEA.

If you have any concerns at all in the lead-

up to these examinations, please contact

the school.

Internet Safety

Last week we hosted John Parsons, an

Internet Safety and Risk Assessment

Consultant. He presented age appropriate

programmes through-out the day, as well

as a staff meeting after school. The

feedback from students and staff has been

overwhelmingly positive.

Unfortunately the parent evening

scheduled for the evening was cancelled

because of poor attendance. This response

is a real concern as it is crucial that all

parents and caregivers know exactly what

their children are doing on the internet, and

in the various online environments

available. As teachers we only have your

children for a very small part of the day,

and many young people spend a huge

amount of time using information

technology.

John Parsons promotes the rights of

children to be judged fairly, recognising

their rights to use digital communications

safety, and with respect for themselves and

others. However this doesn’t always

happen, and without support and active

supervision children can, and do, end up in

very dangerous circumstances. The cyber

world contains many traps and pitfalls, and

all young people require guidance to

negotiate these.

Used responsibly the internet is a

wonderful tool – it is our duty as educators

and parents to ensure children use it safety,

and with empathy.

Have a great week!!

Richard McMillan

Principal

The TAS School Wide

Behaviour Expectations are: - Rangatiratanga:

We are Learners

We show Rangatiratanga

Whanaungatanga:

We are Caring

We show Whanaungatanga

Wairuatanga:

We are Reflective

We show Wairuatanga

Manaakitanga:

We are Respectful

We show Manaakitanga

Tall Poppies The following Taihape Area School

students rose above the crowd

last week as outstanding

achievers, and members of our

learning community:

Jamie Abernethy (Room 1) - for great

perseverance to improve his speech;

Jesse Tweeddale and Te Huinga

Chambers (Room 6) - for actively leading

their own learning;

Alazaye Logan (Room 4) - for showing

Rangatiratanga. For consistently using

initiative and acting responsibly at all

times;

Poppy Fannin (Room3) - for the great work

she is doing in reading using de Bono’s

thinking hats;

Ashton Wirori (Rpoom 3) - for his positive

attitude in learning new small ball skills

Michela Williams (Room 3) - for her

positive attitude to using the value of

wairuatanga when reflecting on

her learning.

ROOM 3 IS THE FIRST CLASS FOR

ALL TAMARIKI TO BE AWARDED A

PB4L VALUES BRACELET.

Congratulations to Emma Collings who was

one of the first students in the kura to

receive a second values band having earned

50 reward cards.

All of the children in room 5 for showing

Wairuatanga “We are reflecting on our

Learning”;

Mikaera Grey & Kasey Coles-Lloyd (Room

9) - for settling well into room nine.

Aden Tapu, Peita Law, and Meryne

Hirst (Year 9) - for taking ownership of

their learning, and preparing well for their

Science Test at home;

Marshall Rukupo-Rihia (Year 9) - for

showing respectful manners, and being

highly motivated for his learning.

Tall Poppies from Learning Street for

Week 3

Planning for 2015 Planning for 2015 has started, and will

continue this term. It would be hugely

helpful if we knew of anyone who is

intending to enrol their children here in

2015 – or if you are shifting. This makes

planning easier.

An issue we face is ensuring that classes

are set up as well as possible from day one

– we endeavour to avoid disruption to

classes, but unknown enrolments can make

this difficult at times.

The Primary School Students will find out

their classrooms and teachers for 2015 in

the last week of term.

Hunterville Cross

Country We took 19 runners down to Hunterville

on Friday for the annual Inter-school Cross

Country Champs. They managed to get

through the first 2 races before the rain set

in.

It is a tough course - with a couple of big

hills, gravel and slippery mud. Making the

top 20 were:

Latrell Logan 13th in the year 4-5 boys;

Kasey Coles-Lloyd 17th in the year 4-5

girls;

Courtney Fannin 18th in the year 8 girls.

For many of the runners this was their first

taste of the event and the realisation that a

bit more training might need to be done

next year to be more competitive.

- Sue Whale

Cash For Communities Any farmer who purchases Balance Agri-

Nutrients Fertiliser, on their PGG

Wrightson Account, between September 1st

and November 30th 2014, can earn cash for

Taihape Area School.

When you purchase Balance Agri-

Nutrients Fertiliser please nominate

Taihape Area School at

www.cashforcommunities.co.nz!!

Cricket On Saturday Taihape hosted Wanganui

High School. Taihape batted first and in a

disappointing display staggered to 141 all

out in 34 overs. Poor decision making

contributed to the regular loss of wickets

which prevented the innings gained nay

real momentum. Dion Hooper top scored

with 29 (4 fours and one six). Marcus

Hirini showed grit in scoring 24. Phil

Hodges (10) and Brad Fannin (13) were

the only other batsmen to make double

figures.

However a committed bowling effort

followed and almost won the day. The

WHS batters were made to work hard, and

struggled against a determined bowling

attack. However they were aided by some

ragged fielding towards the end of their

innings, and eventually scored the winning

run in the 38th over, with only 3 wickets

remaining.

Nathan Chaney took 2 for 20, Kerran

Clark, 1 for 19, Peter Marshall 1 for 31,

and Brad Fannin 2 for 13. Richard Irons

and Marcus Hirini also bowled

economically.

Summary Taihape 141 (Dion Hooper 29, Phil Hodges, 10,

Brad Fannin 13, Marcus Hirini 24) lost to WHS

145 for 7 (Nathan Chaney 2 for 20, Kerran Clark

1for 19, Peter Marshall 1 for 31, Brad Fannin 2 for

13)

Next week Taihape play Old Boys in

Wanganui.

Exert from Sunday

News Hot tips on doing your best in

NCEA - By IMOGEN NEALE

Next week almost 150,000 Year 11, 12 and

13 secondary school students start their

NCEA exams, while Scholarship entrants

start on Friday.

Nothing beats well-planned study, but for

students light in preparation former

Rosehill College dux Sylvie Chan, who has

a string of academic Scholarships to her

name, says if it comes down to cramming,

practising the things that make up the bulk

of the exam is a must.

She says if an essay is worth 40% students

should focus on that, although she warns

“crammers” should still make sure they get

a good night’s sleep, and ideally spend the

day before an exam relaxing. “Don’t burn

yourself out,” she says.

Number Works’n’Words Christchurch

branch tutor Ivan Leary says “best of luck”

to any students who’ve left their study to

the last minute.

“Any work crammed at this late stage will

still be helpful though,” he says.

The best plan of action is not to panic, to

get a good night’s sleep and have a decent

breakfast.

“With a relaxed attitude, and full of

energy, all your hard work during the year

should pay off,” he says.

Tips on the Ministry of Education’s

Studyit website focus on what to do just

before the exam and

include double

checking you’ve got

the right time and

place for the exam,

avoiding people who

make you nervous,

and putting all your stationery in a clear

bag the night before.

Once in the exam, the website advises

students to stay calm, read questions twice

and answer the easy ones first.

Victoria University education, psychology and

pedagogy school head Dr Lex McDonald says

plan and schedule — even if there’s only a

day left.

“And it’s easy to say, but don’t panic.

Continue to read, summarise and put things in

your own words. That way you’re more likely

to remember it.”

McDonald says charts and maps can also

help, as can mnemonics — such as Never

Eat Soggy Weetbix to remember the

compass points north, east, south and west.

And even TV stars face everyday life, with

Pearl McGlashan, who plays Jasmine

Cooper on Shortland Street, sitting Year 12

and 13 NCEA exams.

The Western Springs College student says,

“Keeping yourself hydrated and fed is

definitely important”.

She says using your time well is important

because cramming too hard means students

risk burnout.

“And that’s not healthy. You’ll be too tired

to do the exam and that defeats the

purpose. People freak out when exams

come up,” Pearl says. “But people aren’t as

unprepared as they think they are.”

This year’s largest NCEA exam session is

level I English, with nearly 48,000

candidates, and the smallest is Scholarship

Latin.

Sun Safe in Taihape In New Zealand the incidence

of sun cancer is

growing, so much so that it is

now regarded as being a major

health problem. The intensity

of the sun, and the lack of natural shelter at

our school has really highlighted this very

important issue.

We encourage our students to wear Sun

Hats when they are outside for school

based activities, interval and lunch-time

play.

We ask your support and assistance in

encouraging all children to be sun safe –

i.e. to wear sun block and sunhats when

not at school.

The macho attitude “it won’t happen to

me” is naïve in the extreme, as constant

and regular exposure to the harsh New

Zealand sun does most definitely cause

serious long term damage, the effects of

which are not pretty, and can even result in

death. As parents we have a responsibility

to keep our children safe – protecting them

from the sun is an important part of this.

Facebook Do you know what your child/ren

are doing on Facebook ???????

Quotes of the week “Experience is the child of thought, and

thought is the child of action” - Benjamin

Disraeli.

“Happy are those who dream dreams and

are ready to pay the price to make them

come true” - Leon J. Suenes.

Piercings

Piercings

Please be aware that if a

student has a facial piercing,

and they are in school

uniform, then the piercing

needs to be covered with

plaster, supplied by the

student. If students do not

want to cover their piercing

then it must be removed.

Thanks you for

understanding and co-

operation in this matter.

Year 9 – 13 News

Our sincere thanks to all the students and whanau who attended the Year 9 Learning

Conferences and the Year 10 -12’s that came in on the 16th October to select possible

courses for 2015. The staff thought it was a great day. If a student who will be in Year 11-13

next year has not selected a possible course for next year please ensure that you make

contact with the Dean to do so.

Again many thanks for a great day.

Year 11 – 13 Course Completion and Study Leave

All Year 11 to 13 courses finish on Friday 7th of November in preparation for students who are sitting external exams which begin on Monday 10th November. A timetable has been sent home along with a student admission slip that is needed for each exam.

Students will not be required to attend school from Monday 10th but should they wish to they may come to school, for revision classes and to re-sit or finish internal assessments, this is by appointment and negotiation with their teachers who will continue to be available to assist them (during what would have been normal class blocks) until the 26th November.

Students can come in mufti and will be required to sign in and out at the office as part of the usual health and safety procedures. School rules regarding food and energy drinks will still apply.

Students who are not engaged in learning will be asked to leave as the remainder of the school is still involved in learning and do not need distractions.

Year 11 -13 students are expected to attend for Top Town on Wednesday 3rdh December and

for Prize Giving (in full school uniform) on Friday 5th December at 1pm.

Leavers Forms

All students who intend leaving at the end of the year need to complete a ‘Leavers Form’.

This needs to be signed by all teachers. Please see Whaea Janice for a form.

Classes remain the same for Year 9-10 students until Friday 5th December – the last day of

school for the year. End of year reports will be sent out before 12 December.

Best wishes to all students sitting externals – study hard and do the very best you can. Kia

kaha.

TAS 2014 SPORTS EVENING

In recognition of our valued coaches, managers and volunteers, who generously give up

countless hours to not only coach but support, encourage, motivate and provide

opportunities for our sporting teams and athletes.

WHEN: 7th November 6.00pm – 7.30pm

WHERE: Multifunction Centre – TAS

BILLY GRAHAM

Currently New Zealand’s Number 1 platform speaker. Enthusiastic, Bold, Passionate and

Energetic.

4x former New Zealand and Australasian Welterweight Boxing Champion.

Billy is an exceptional speaker with a proven track record, speaking internationally and

nationally, inspiring corporate groups, schools and sports teams including the All Blacks and

State of Origin teams.

Billy’s stories reinforce that anyone can do anything if they set their sights high and get on

with it, stressing the importance of combining a healthy body with a healthy attitude and

making the best of every opportunity.

Taihape Area School has this fantastic opportunity to have Billy Graham attend

and speak at our 2014 Sports Evening.

Being from a rural community it is not often that the opportunity arises to be inspired by

such a great man, so TAS would like to extend this invitation out to the community and

encourage them to come and be a part of what intends to be a great evening.

If you would like to come along there will be a small door charge of $5 to go towards the

cost of the evening.

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Term Four November

Wednesday 5th Scholastic Book Club Issue 7 Closes

Friday 7th Country 7’s

Celebration Assembly

Year 11 – 13 Courses End

Sports Evening

Monday 10th NCEA Exams Begin

Tuesday 18th – Friday 21

st Year 9 Camp- Whakatane

Thursday 20th – Friday 21

st Room 1 Zoo Trip

Friday 28th Year 7 & 8 Softball Tournament

December

Tuesday 2nd

NCEA Exams End

Wednesday 3rd

Top Town

Friday 5th Prize Giving

End of School Year

External Exams If students do not attend the external exams then on the official ‘Record of Learning’ that

employers want to see, students will have an absent against that exam which does not look

promising for an employer who is looking for academic success and reliability. If they attend

and do not write in the book they get a not attempted therefore it is imperative that all

students are studying now and do attend the exams.

Although many students have either their 80 credits or are close to it, several sitting

externals do not have the pre- requisite number of credits needed to enter next year’s

courses – another reason why sitting and passing the external exams is important. All of

this will help set up students for their future learning pathways.

Kia manawanui.