“Leading me to lead my learning”

Taihape Area School

Monday 23rd February 2015

Term 1 – Newsletter Number 5

Phone - 06 3880130

Email – rmcmillan@tas.school.nz office@tas.school.nz

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

Tena koutou katoa

Welcome to another busy week. Major

highlights of the week will undoubtedly be

the Year 10 Camp at Makahika, and the

Year 1-8 Swimming Sports on Friday.

We all lead extremely busy lives these

days, with schools in particular appearing

to keep adding events and activities to an

already overcrowded schedule. There is a

school of thought that for everything you

add, something should be removed from

the pile - however this is not always

possible.

Teachers are extremely busy people in the

normal course of events. However, to the

credit of the Teachers at Taihape Area

School, they are continually on the lookout

for ways to enhance the schooling

experience for our students. Often this

involves considerable additional time out

of “normal” school hours.

This term students can choose to be

involved in extra-

curricular activities most

days of the week. Pre-

Season Training and trials

for Winter Sport (Rugby,

Netball, and Hockey) has

started, while there is

Touch-rugby on Tuesdays, and Volleyball

on Wednesdays. Indoor basketball is

starting soon as well.

These activities are

organized by teachers

(and parents) who place

great value on the

involvement of our young

people in sporting and

cultural pursuits.

A number of other activities including

squash, golf, skiing, rafting, kayaking,

tennis. cricket, skate boarding, cycling,

mountain biking, and tramping (plus,

plus…) are all readily available in this

region.

Taihape also provides for the needs of

young people in a range of other artistic

pursuits including music and dance. In fact

Taihape is renowned for the quality of the

dance programmes available here.

The bottom line is that there is a huge

range of activities available for our young

people to explore and enjoy. The common

cry “I’m bored” is based on indifference

and attitude, rather than reality, and in the

immortal words of my late father, “only a

bore can get bored”!!

The issue of bullying

is always in the

headlines. There is no

denying that bullies

are present in all

schools, in fact in

many sectors of our society. It is also

undeniable that adults are often the worst

bullies of all, in terms of the way they

speak to others, treat others, and generally

abuse others. The problem of course is that

children, young people, are very

impressionable and, as they seek their

place in society, tend to imitate the actions

of the important adults in their lives.

“Leading me to lead my learning”

Unfortunately, schools can become the

meat in the sandwich as they endeavor to

enforce and develop socially acceptable

norms of behavior, attitudes, and values.

Sometimes it seems like an uphill battle as

we correct students for behavior’s they

often regard as being normal in their lives

outside school. Similarly in regard to the

situation with swearing and bad language -

we never teach children these things at

school. We do our level best to teach

children to respect each other, to look after

each other, to care for each other, and to

accept and celebrate individual differences

and attributes.

In other words to live our School Values

of:

Manaakitanga (THE ACTIONS THAT

INCREASE OR ENHANCE POWER, VALUE

AND RESPECT);

Rangatiratanga (THE ACTIONS THAT

BIND A GROUP TOGETHER);

Wairuatanga (THE ACTIONS THAT

SHOW THE OTHER SIDE OF YOU);

Whanaungatanga (THE ACTIONS THAT

CONNECT AS A TEAM).

We work extremely hard, often against the

odds, to instill these values in our students.

We always treat our students with respect,

sensitivity, and compassion even when

things turn to custard, and they are angry,

upset, or bewildered.

At time we have instances of harassment

and bullying at this school. However, I am

absolutely certain that this bullying is

considerably less than previously, and is at

the lower end of the scale. As well we have

procedures in place to ensure all students

are safe, and that any issues are

investigated and dealt with.

All students are encouraged to speak to an

adult about anything at all they are worried

about, or have concerns about. Generally

most are quite content to do this, and even

happily report their friend/s for

inappropriate behaviour. They need to

know that this isn’t “narking”, but a

positive way in which they are able to

retain their power, to stand up for

themselves, to protect themselves, and that

by doing so they may be helping prevent

others from developing anti-social

behaviours.

As someone who has taught for quite some

time – beginning in the late 1970’s heaven

forbid – I’m convinced that the level of

bullying is now considerably less, much,

much less in fact. In a previous era natural

justice often prevailed, and physical fights

were quite frequent.

The involvement of our students, during

intervals and lunchtimes, in a wide range

of physical activities (including the age old

favourites bull-rush and tree climbing)

definitely has some impact on channelling

their energy in a positive way.

I can’t finish this newsletter without

mention of the amazing performances of

the Black Caps over the course of the

summer. They have played at a

consistently high level all season, and have

produced some outstanding cricket, with a

number of real stars surfacing. Being a

long-time and loyal supporter of New

Zealand Cricket hasn’t always been an

easy ask, but from time to time we are

party to exceptional eras of brilliant

“Leading me to lead my learning”

performances, with the incredible win (on

Friday) over England a classic example.

For a tiny country at the bottom of the

world, we always fight above our weight in

so many realms – the efforts of our

cricketers this summer is another example

of that.

Have a great week!! Regards

Richard McMillan

Principal

Student Interview Day This is early notification that school will be

closed next Friday (6th March).

Organisation for this day: School will be closed for normal

instruction;

Year 9-13 Students will be

Timetabled for Goal Setting Interviews

with Deans;

The Junior School (Year 1-8)

Teachers are travelling to Wellington to

visit Island Bay School.

Tall Poppies The following Taihape Area

School students rose above the

crowd last week as outstanding

achievers:

Caden Turnbull and Jack Squires (Room 4)

- Achievement in writing

Room nine:

Khrome Rameka and Kingston Cane (Room

5) - for showing RANGATIRATANGA by

being engaged in learning at all times;

Reese Dickinson and Jahna Pekamu (Room

9) - for always displaying the TAS values.

TAS Touch team;

Hayley Maher (Year 12) - for producing

neat homework and submitting promptly in

Biology

Dylan Kennett (Year 9) - for being caring

(whanaungatanga) by tidying up a classroom

without being asked;

TAS Touch Team – for a great game vs

Manukura for their first game of the

round. Students from Year 9-13 involved.

Great spirit, dedication, leadership and

decision making from a team that coaches

themselves

Pia and Emma Collings.....first

students to gain their 100 PB4L

bands!!!;

Erika Elers- for pursuing wearable arts

with vigor;

Vidya, Nicola Mary and Mikaela Turfrey

(Year 13) – steaming ahead in Chemistry!!

Tall Poppies from Learning Street -

Week 4

“Leading me to lead my learning”

Math’s Classes Mathematics Curriculum

Leader Mr Vijay is running

after school Maths Classes

again this year.

Monday 3.00-4.30 These classes are for Year 9/10 Students. This is

an opportunity for students who require additional

practice, or for students who wish to prepare for

the Australian Mathematics Competition. This

support ends at the end of term 3.

Thursday 3.00-4.30 These classes are for Year 11-13 Students

working on NCEA Levels 1-3. This support ends

at the end of term 4.

Supporting Your Child’s

Learning Reading Listen to your child read regularly. In

Years 1-2, they should have a book from

school - encourage and praise their efforts;

• Read to your child - this models the skills

of reading for them;

• Allow your child access

to books of high interest

to them e.g. books from

home, school library, or

town library;

Maths Click on the following excellent site and

watch a video on how you can help your

child in math’s at home:

http://nzmaths.co.nz/families

While driving in the car, try this activity

with your child: as you drive in the car or

walk beside the road, write down the

numbers you see on vehicle license plates.

Add up each of the digits to give a total.

For example if the license plate has the

numbers 5682, the total of the digits is

5+6+8+2=21. Who can spot the car with

the highest total? Add or subtract the digits

to get as close as possible to zero. For

example, if a license plate has the digits

3726, you might say "7+2-3-6=0".

NCEA Whanau

Champions Hui NCEA Whanau Champions hui in

collaboration with the “Mokai Patea

Matauranga Strategy”.

An opportunity for “you” whanau to come

and ask ‘your’ questions about NCEA.

Your questions will be answered in easy to

understand, plain language, with practical

information & tips to support your tamariki

as they fast approach NCEA.

The hui will be facilitated by Mahuru

Robinson (Senior Maori Partnership

Advisor) and Hone Davis (Senior Advisor

MOE for whanau). Hone currently serves

whanau with high educational needs from

ECE, National Standards, NCEA and

pathways into trades and university.

There will be a lucky draw for whanau

who attend, $50 New World voucher

kindly sponsored by Mokai Patea Services.

Children of parents who attend will receive

a Values Reward Card.

THURSDAY 26th

February in Room 11

6pm – 7pm.

OPEN DOOR to everybody.

For any clarifications please contact

Ngahina Transom, Tracey Hiroa 388 1156

or Shari Chase.

“Ko te manu e kai ana I te miro, nona I te

ngahere.”

“Ko te manu e kai ana I te matauranga,

nona I te ao.”

“Leading me to lead my learning”

New Zealand Touch

Rugby Championships

Georgia Adams scoring for Manawatu

Dylan Sincock in action v Counties

Manakau

Warren Cooper scores v Bay of Plenty

Quotes of the Week “Face your life, its pain, its pleasure, leave

no path untaken” ― Neil Gaiman, The

Graveyard Book.

“The only way to survive eternity is to be

able to appreciate each moment” ― Lauren

Kate, Fallen.

Scholastic Bookclub

Issue 1

Closes

Wednesday 4th March

Please make cheques payable to

Taihape Area School

“Leading me to lead my learning”

Year 10 Mathematics and Science

Resource

Dear Parents/Caregivers of Year 10 Students

As we try to improve the achievement levels of mathematics and science students we have decided that in

2015 we shall introduce a system of regular homework by the use of homework books. These are write-on

tasks that are directly related to what the students are studying in class and give further opportunities for the

students to master and embed the processes and knowledge they are learning.

These books are produced by a credible publisher and will meet the aim of more practise for students. They

will need to be purchased through payment at the school office, after which the book will be issued to the

purchaser. The science workbook costs $18.00 and the mathematics workbook costs $13.00.

We would appreciate if you fill out the form below and hand it to the subject teachers so that we know how

many books to be ordered. If you have any questions about homework or courses, please do not hesitate to

contact us.

Year 10 Mathematics and Science Homework Books

Student’s name: Date:

Please tick one.

I do not need any homework books

I would like to order a Mathematics homework book ($13)

I would like to order a Science homework book ($18)

I would like to order both Mathematics and Science homework books ($31)

Parent’s

Alan Carson

TAS Science Curriculum Leader

Vijay

TAS Mathematics Curriculum Leader

“Leading me to lead my learning”

This Terms Calendar

February

Tuesday 24th – Friday 27th Year 10 Camp

Thursday 26th NCEA Whanau Champions Meeting

Friday 27th Junior Swimming Sport

March

Monday 2nd Junior A Netball Trials

Wednesday 4th Scholastic Bookclub -Issue 1 closes

Thursday 5th Senior Athletics

Friday 6th Wanganui Secondary Schools Swimming

Student Interview Day

Wednesday 11th

Wanganui Secondary Schools Athletics

Thursday 12th

Nga Tawa Equestrian

Thursday 19th Wanganui Secondary Schools Triathlon

Friday 20th

Junior Interschool Swimming

Monday 23rd

Junior Athletics

Friday 27th

Junior Swimming Sports

Friday 27th

Art Bus

Tuesday 31st Junior Interschool Athletics

April

Thursday 2nd

End of Term 1

“Leading me to lead my learning”