Waiopehu College
Term 2 2022
Kia ora Koutou
I trust this newsletter finds you all well as we arrive at the end of Term 2 Week 4. Time seems to be flying by and it is good to see a number of aspects of school life returning to normal.
I know a large number of students and families have been affected by COVID. We have also continued to be affected as a staff and I am actually writing this on day 5 of isolation having tested positive for COVID myself last Sunday! We have found that some students can find it difficult to re-engage at school following a period of isolation, whether that be through the feeling of being behind with schoolwork or ongoing tiredness. If you need any help to support good attendance for your son or daughter please let us know and we will be only too pleased to work with you. It is also especially important for students studying for NCEA to know that there is still plenty of time to achieve this year, and the flexible nature of NCEA assessments should help ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. Having said that, if you know your child is anxious or concerned that they are falling behind with NCEA assessments, please contact us at school and we will be able to help.
It is good to see a long list of upcoming events and the rest of Term 2 is shaping up to be very busy. These events are listed further on in this newsletter and I would encourage you to go through them carefully and make a note of anything you are interested in. In addition, it is exciting to see the return of our Restaurant Evenings following several cancellations over the last 2 years due to COVID. The evenings take place on Tuesday 31 May and Wednesday 1 June in our new café and I know they will be very popular.
Finally, could I thank you all for your continued support with our school uniform expectations. Most of our students always wear their uniform with pride and it has been wonderful to see virtually everyone now reaching these high standards. Your help with this has been greatly appreciated.
Enjoy the rest of this packed newsletter and I look forward to seeing you at school in one of more of the various events coming up very soon.
With every best wish.
Ngā mihi
Mark Robinson
Principal
Introducing our Junior Student Executive 2022
Junior Student Executive Team Building Day
Year 9 students were offered the opportunity to join our Junior Leadership team. Students had to give a presentation to a interview panel and answer questions. Welcome to our successful Year 9's.
On Friday 6th May the Junior Leadership team spent a day getting to know all of our new year 9 members. We got to work with Ms Spencer, Ms Marshall, Tacita and Mr Brown. We had lots of fun with team building activities which included cooking lunch from some mystery ingredients and writing words with pens held by string. We then had to find a worthwhile place in the community to donate our leftover ingredients from lunch which included meat and vegetables that had to be delivered on the day. The other challenge in the cooking was catering to all of the dietary requirements.
We have lots of ideas for the year ahead starting with organising Pink Shirt Day in May. We have decided that our overall theme for our big project this year will be Earth and the Environment. We are all looking forward to working with each other and developing our leadership skills.
Attitude
Year 9 - Hauora (Holistic well-being)
Year 10 - Sex with Attitude (Healthy relationships)
Year 11 - Attitude (Choices and resilience)
Year 12 & 13, - Relations with Attitude (Healthy relationships and break ups)
Fa'atasi Pasifika Group 2022
Fashion Technology
At fashion technology Shyanne was given the opportunity to make a Hoodie sweatshirt for winter. It was completed with flowers and a butterfly on back.
This is Shyanne's 1st attempt at sewing independently. WOW what is next!
Think Hauora Expo
Student Volunteer Army
On Monday 16th May it was fantastic to have Sophie from the Student Volunteer Army speak to our year 9 and 10 students about the origins of the SVA as a result of the Christchurch earthquakes.
She talked about what volunteering is and the benefits to our communities. In the afternoon Sophie ran a workshop with the members of the junior and senior leadership teams where they worked on ideas to help lead some volunteering initiatives in the school.
SVA have an award system that is an awesome addition to CV's. Students are able to sign up for the SVA service award by recording everything from babysitting to foodbank collections. It is as simple as downloading the app on your phone.
For more information of SVA click here
Duke of Edinburgh: Qualifying for Silver with a tramp into the Tararuas
The bad luck started with the challenging weather, as we took a group of 6 students through the Tararua Ranges to complete their qualifying journey for Silver on Friday the 13th of May.
Our first day began with a steep incline up to Rocky Outlook where our group rested for lunch. The weather was kind at first, as the hike started with light showers and a slight breeze. As we continued after lunch, we were meet with an even steeper decline down through the valley, tracking along the Waiohine River through to Totara Flats Hut. This track was approximately 13km of undulating terrain and a sporadic game of find the marker. The group displayed strong will and perseverance throughout as they showed little sign of fatigue even at the end of a tough first day.
We started Day 2 at 9.00am as we did our best to wait out the unforgiving weather that greeted us on Saturday morning. However, we needed to make good time to Cone Hut which was an estimated 10-12km from Totara Flats so we put our jackets and packs on and stepped off. Despite niggling injuries and rain that seemed to get heavier with every kilometre, the group arrived safely at Cone Hut. The students did very well to push on and even managed to spot a Geocache at a junction we rested at for lunch.
Our original plan on arrival, was to set up our camp by the river and enjoy the beautiful Tararua scenery. But as with many adventurous journey expeditions, you need to be adaptable. The weather was predicted to get worse overnight so our group decided to set up in Cone Hut despite the dated décor and minimal space as Cone Hut is the second oldest hut in the Tararuas. After a broken sleep in Cone Hut, we managed to catch a slight pause in the rain to step off for our final leg of the journey from Cone Hut to Waiohine Gorge Campsite. This included a steep incline to start, followed by a gradual walk across the top of the feature and finishing with a greater decline down through the valley to Waiohine.
It was a challenging Silver AJ with a series of challenges in-between. This specific group of 6 students showed strong poise and resilience to continue through despite all the obstacles they faced from injuries, weather to the rugged terrain. DoE at Waiopehu College would like to thank Bluelight and the staff for all their support in organising transport and accommodation for each of our AJ’s. None of this would be possible without their help. And with their continued support we aim to have more students complete their Bronze, Silver and Gold by the end of 2022.
Training with MOJO in Wellington
It is that time of year again when our students attend the one day Careers day at MOJO in Wellington. This is a worthwhile course that the students all enjoy and gain a lot from. They get the opportunity to be trained by MOJO’s head trainers and learn the techniques needed to pour the perfect coffee. They also learn about the career opportunities within the Hospitality Industry and in the afternoon compete in a competition of Latte Art. Here are some photos of the end results.
Front of House Training
In preparation for our first Restaurant Evenings on Tuesday 31st May and Wednesday 1st June the students have been learning how to take orders, set tables and serve our guests as part of their front of House Training. Under the guidance of our Head Chef Kristina the students have spent three days completing the training and they will gain their 9 credits after they have successfully completed two nights in the upcoming Restaurant. As we have not had a Restaurant in eighteen months due to the Café being under construction the students are looking forward to being able to participate in this popular event.
Waiopehu College Restaurant Nights
When: Tuesday 31st May and Wednesday 1st June
Where: Waiopheu College Student Centre
Cost: $36.00 per head (3 course meal)
Time: Book any time between 6.30pm - 8.00pm
Booking taken at the College Office, Phone 3688303
(These were so popular last year that you need to book fast so you don't miss out!)
Click here for the menu
Pink Shirt Day Friday 20th May
DanceNZMade
New Books available in the School Library
Waiopehu College Jackets
Horowhenua Learning Centre - Care-in-the-Community
If you need assistance with:
- Rent
- Medical needs e.g. doctor's bills and prescriptions
- Utilities e.g phone bill, internet, power
- General household items e.g clothing, blankets and bedding
- Transportation costs, e.g medical appointments and arranging delivery or collection of items
- Education needs e.g activity packs
Please click here to go to their website for further information and contact details.
Up coming events and Teacher Only days
20th May - Pink Shirt Day
26th May - Barbershop Regional's
31st May - 1st June - Restaurant Nights
9th June - Seniors Interview Evening from 2pm - 7pm
6th June - Queen's Birthday Public Holiday
10th June - Rockquest
15th June - Gumboot Day
24th June - Matariki Public Holiday
1st July - Fia Fia Night - Waiopehu College Auditorium
6th July - Year 8 Open Evening
7th July - Pasifika Perfomance - Palmerston North Regent on Broadway
8th July - END OF TERM 2
August 2022 - Friday 19th August Teacher Only Day
November 2022 - Friday 25th November Teacher Only Day
November 2022 - Monday 28th November Teacher Only Day
Contact Us
Email: secretary@waiopehu.ac.nz
Website: http://www.waiopehu.ac.nz/
Location: 74 Bartholomew Road, Levin, New Zealand
Phone: 06 368 8303
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaiopehuCollege