Menzies College Newsletter

Kia ora katoa

In our school calendar this week and next are Green Weeks.

These are weeks set aside with no events to interrupt learning. The focus is on routine and meeting the expectations that we know allow the habit of learning to flourish. To coincide with this, we have a focus on wearing correct uniform. School uniform plays a key role in

promoting pride and a feeling of belonging. It contributes to students wellbeing by

removing the additional pressures of deciding what to wear and added stress of

meeting the expectations of their peers. As the weather starts to cool hoodies and

other non-regulation jerseys become a problem. They are not part of the uniform.

Plain black jackets, school jackets, jerseys, vests and polar fleece give plenty of options for

added warmth. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Fortunately, cases of covid have not yet had the impact we were anticipating.

Although case numbers have grown in Year 9 and 10 this week. After the weekend

there was a jump in cases to 14 but that has settled down to single figures as the

week has progressed. There are currently no teaching staff absent due to covid. Any student

who is away due to being a positive case or a household contact can find the work

they are missing on their Google Classroom.

On Wednesday the Ministry of Education announced that RAT tests will be provided

to schools for the use of students and staff who are symptomatic at school. Students

will be given the test to take home and administer. No date has been set for delivery.

This week we welcomed the news that all children and young people enrolled in a

registered school are now able to participate in all school-organised teams and

groups regardless of their vaccination status. This change took effect from 11.59pm

Saturday 12 March. Please encourage your children to get involved with a winter

sports team.

With just four weeks left until the holidays, it is time to review the lunch menu.

Students and parents have been emailed a short survey to gain feedback before

planning next terms menu. Please complete the survey this week.

Nga mihi nui

Kath Luoni

Nga mihi nui

Kath Luoni

Principal

Pictured from L t R students and staff from TSA whanau

Beau Pemberton, Coby Power, Mr P Power, Bailey Morris, Anahera Browne, Amber Winn, Dusty Frost, Ciaran O'Connell, Arona Mason-Guillard, Sophie Ferguson, Olivia Perriam and Anna Sinclair

With the increasing number of absences at the moment, we have more students switching to online learning.

Students have all been made aware that their learning is being posted on Google Classrooms, accessible through their Menzies email/google accounts.

Notifications of any new work will come via this email.

Should the students have any specific questions about the work set by the individual teacher they are able to communicate directly with them.

Should your family not have access to a device to carry out this work, please notify your child’s Dean or phone the office.

Mr D Ritani

Deputy Principal

While the majority of students do wear the correct uniform, the range of footwear been worn lately shows a variety of colours.

Students are required to wear plain black lace up shoes. Shoes with large amounts of white or coloured trim, decals or logos are not allowed. As the photo shows, the correct shoe type can be purchased for a reasonable price from The Warehouse.

As the weather gets colder we are noticing more non regulation tops showing up. Please remember Back Road jerseys, hoodies (including rugby and netball hoodies) or other tops do not meet uniform requirements. We do allow plain black jackets to be worn.

Congratulations to the following students and staff members:

Week ending 11 March

Senior: Kimberley SImmons, Sar Latanafrancia, Tahlia Christiansen, Ralph Raluto

and Mrs B Gibbbs.

Week ending 18 March

Junior: Rocco Roberts, Paula Power, Kingston Trevithick, Charlie Blackmore, Mrs L Lee

The students from Biology 201 spent last Wednesday with Dr. Hustler and myself traveling down the Mimihau River collecting biological samples for their current Internal Assessment. It was a lovely day, not too much sun but dry and warm, and the students were an amazing bunch who worked extremely well in groups and managed to focus throughout the day. The students took note of the vegetation on the river bank at each site for a habitat health score, they recorded several physical (abiotic) factors and took kick samples in the river to collect a sample of the invertebrates that live at each site. We are hoping that as we travel down the river and the use of the riverbanks change from pine forest, to native bush and finally pastures, that we will find a change in the type and number of organisms.

For me, the highlight of the day was the enormous water spider Sophie, Naidene and Ellie found and I am relieved that Kliah’s mobile continues to work even though she fell into the river with it in her pocket.

Mrs K Clark

Science Teacher

201 students collecting samples

On Tuesday 8th March we were very fortunate to have two representatives from the Defence Force visit Menzies College.

Jasmine Bent – Regional Recruiter, and Sergeant Lachie Haddon – showed a presentation about the Defence Forces, shared their stories and talked about their careers so far, as well as answered questions from the interested students.

We would like to thank both Jasmine and Lachie for their visit.

Lincoln Joyce (Careers Support)

Pictured below are students who were interested in learning about the Defence Force.

Left front to back: Tysin Gaffey-Mansfield, Kimberly Orr, Amber Winn, Lewis McKelvie and Ethan Stewart (obscured)

Lachie and Jasmine seated at the head of the table.

Right side front to back, Josiah Ashman and Naidene Wilson-Hemara

Results :

Year 7 & 8, Diesel Ross third ; 50m backstroke and freestyle

Year 9 & 10, Sophie Ross third; 50m backstroke and freestyle

100m freestyle relay team second; Lachie Shepherd, Kadence Hunter, Zoe Muir and Diesel Ross.

Many of the team were finalists which is a tremendous effort, considering the size of the fields.

Thank you to Warren and Tracey Ross for the organisation of this event.

Pictured Left to Right....

Charlie Blackmore, Sophie Ross, Zoe Muir, Lucy Smyth, Lachie Shepherd, Diesel Ross and Jacob Stuck.

Absent from Photo. Dylan Marshall and Kadence Hunter.

Back L to R; Sophie Ross, Zoe Muir

Middle Row: Lucy Smyth, Kadence Hunter, Diesel Ross

Front Row: Dylan Marshall, Lachie Shepherd, Jacob Stuck

Kia Ora!

Another sports day has come and gone and what an amazing day this was despite not having the weather that we usually have. We had an awesome turn out with every house close until the final points were in!

We had not one but two records broken this year!! First up we have Diesel Ross, he broke the under 12 boys 200m record which was last broken in 1990 by Philip Winter, with a time of 29.9s and Diesel set a new record of 29.86s this is an amazing effort Diesel well done!. Our second record broken was by another under 12 student, Zoe Muir broke the under 12 1500m record which was set back in 1999 by Kerry McKenzie, with a time of 6m 15.4s. Zoe smashed this record with a time of 5m 50.08s. This is an outstanding effort from both Diesel and Zoe. We can’t wait to see what records are broken next year at sports day.

Sports day wouldn’t be sports day without house points! With that being said the points for sports day 2022 are;

Totara- 455

Matai- 405

Rata- 403

Rimu- 371

Our 2022 champions of each year group are;

Under 12 Boys- Diesel Ross

Under 12 Girls- Zoe Muir

Under 13 Boys- Hudson Roy

Under 13 Girls- Isla Maxwell

Under 14 Boys- Dion Ngatai

Under 14 Girls- Daisy Stewart

Under 15 Boys- Alex Hoffman

Under 15 Girls- Amy van der Straaten

Under 16 Boys- Hunter Richards

Under 16 Girls- Sophie Ferguson

Over 16 Boys- Josiah Ashman

Over 16 Girls- Josie McLellan

We can't wait for sports day next year. We will be in touch with students towards the end of the year about attending Southland athletics events as these have been postponed to later on in the year due to covid reasons.

Many thanks from the sports coordinators.

Sadly, Covid and camps really impacted the number of students we were able to send to the Southland Tennis Championships which were held on 23 February in Invercargill. Whilst it wasn't a 'great day on paper', Lewis and Oliver McKelvie were able to win a game and come close in the others. Throughout the day, they showed great sportsmanship, congratulating their opposition and encouraging other teams.

Mrs McKelvie (TIC Tennis)

With the sports season coming very quickly we have a wide range of sports to look forward to such as, Hockey, Basketball, Rugby, Netball, Football, Swimming , Bowls, Mountain bike champs and many more. Please make sure you are checking the daily notices and the sports notice boards (by the hall and in the library) . If you have any questions come and see Mrs Adam or Miss Yeoman or send us an email if there is a sport/event that you are interested in and we will see what we can do.

hayley.adam@menzies.school.nz kailey.yeoman@menzies.school.nz

IMPORTANT – REGISTRATION CLOSE DATE

Menzies Rugby registrations will close on 25th March 2022.

If you want to play for Menzies College rugby for the 2022 season please register, all players must be registered to take the field. On the Menzies facebook page is the link to register.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY REGARDING VACCINATION STATUS - PLEASE READ

NZ Rugby announced today as off 12/03/22 - Changes of organised school rugby now allows all participants, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS to participate. (for more information, read the post put up on the Menzies page earlier this evening from Eastern Rugby)

Thanks

Menzies Rugby Committee.

Due to the current Red setting, the annual Southland Secondary Schools athletics sports day and the Southland Primary Schools athletics day have been postponed until term four. The South Island Secondary Schools Athletics Championships have been cancelled for 2022.

Coming into 2022 sports, we have many events that are being modified, postponed or cancelled. If you have any questions about up coming sports events at school please email Mrs Hayley Adam the sports coordinator at hayley.adam@menzies.school.nz

With the increased emphasis on BYOD (Bring Your Own Devices) at Menzies this year there are some security/safety measures students can take to look after their devices. In the Year 7 and 8 homeroom classes students have access to a locked cupboard to store their devices during the day. For Year 9-12 students we have a number of lockable lockers around the school. If a student would like to hire a locker they need to see Mr Bennett. These cost $20 a year. Year 13 students have space in the common room to store their devices. If students take their devices down to the gym they can have them locked in a draw in the PE office. It is encouraged that students have some sort of cover for their devices as well.

We have been advised that The Warehouse no longer stock our Menzies College Blazers.

We now have more in stock for hire, these are $15 a term or $60 a year.

We also sell new Green Menzies jackets $100, PE tops $35 and kilts ranging from $175-$205 depending on the size.

Second hand uniforms are always available in the office to purchase.

Please remember to name your child's uniform so we can find the owners of lost property.

Thank you to all those who have sent in their photo orders, these will be processed and returned to the school on Friday the 1st April. This is also the last day for late orders to come in.

These are now available at the office for collection.

A reminder that parents/caregivers are to supply masks for students.

All 11 year olds are offered free immunisations against tetanus (bacterial infection), diphtheria (serious infection of the nose and throat) and whooping cough (infection which affects the lungs). You can get this free from your GP or Medical Centre and is part of the childhood immunisation schedule. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the Health Nurse Maria 027 523 7891.

YEAR SEVEN VISION SCREENING

The Vision Hearing Technicians from Population Health team, Southern District Health will be visiting your school to screen all year seven students for distance vision on

• Distance Vision (Amblyopia & Hyperopia)

This determines how well your child is able to see at a distance. It involves reading an eye chart.

(This free vision check is not required if student wears glasses and/or is currently under care of an optometrist or eye specialist).

If you do not wish your child to be screened please fill out an opt-out slip, which are available at the school office before our visit.

March

• 21-25 Green week
• 28 - Year 7 Vision testing (also any year 8 missed last time)

April

• 1 last day for late photo orders
• 5-8 Wanaka camp, Outdoor class
• 13 - Menzies Cross Country
• 14 - Last day of Term 1
• 15 - Good Friday (school closed)

May

• 2 - First day Term 2

Edge Parent Portal

• Go to the home page of the Menzies College Website http://www.menzies.school.nz/ find the Hotlinks and Downloads part and click on the edge login to the parent portal link. It will take you to the screen shown below:
• Your login is the email address that Menzies College has on file. If you do not remember which it is then please contact Menzies College office to check. If you have not given Menzies College your email you will not be able to log in.
• First time login you need to click on ‘forgot password’. You will be emailed a temporary password.
• Put your temporary password in. You will then be asked to change the password to something permanent.

To Download the Menzies College School App

Go to the App Store and search ‘SchoolAppsNZ’ and follow instructions. The following picture shows what can be accessed through this App.

When using the school App it is also a good opportunity to check out contact details etc for your child. Please notify the school if you wish for any alterations to be made.

The February grades are now available on the Edge app, click on Attitude to Learning and you will find them there.

The Wyndham Pioneer Lions collect many things that raise money for the underprivileged and disadvantaged but we can do more with your help. Bread tags raise funds for wheelchairs (if they are colour coded before they are handed in that would be great).

• Tear tabs from aluminium cans and wine bottle tops to raise funds for ‘Kidney Kids’.
• Glasses (both reading and sunglasses) and hearing aids are distributed to places like the Pacific Islands, to improve the quality of lives of those who cannot afford such ‘extravagances’.

• Aluminium cans and cardboard are collected by The Pakeke Lions in Gore.

If you can help it would be appreciated if you could take them to Menzies College or contact

Mrs C Garthwaite on (03) 206 6223.

These scholarships have been established by the Edendale R.S.A. to assist students of the district (Wyndham/Edendale), past students of Menzies College or direct descendants of past members of the Edendale R.S.A. in the first, second or third years of tertiary study. Applications close at 4pm on Thursday 31 March 2022. Applications are now open and full details are available from the Menzies College office.

As we plan for Omicron, the Wyndham Rest Home is looking for volunteers who could assist the Home if the district suffers a serious outbreak and our staffing rosters are impacted. Assistance offered could include delivering meals on wheels, volunteering in the Home making cups of tea or serving meals or other tasks which would free up our staff to continue caring for our residents. Full infection protocol training will be provided. For further information or to register your interest please contact Nurse Manager, Annette Sinclair on 03 2064901 or 0273860428. We appreciate the communities continued support during these challenging times.

Email: admin@menzies.school.nz
Website: https://www.menzies.school.nz
Location: Alma Street, Wyndham 9831, Southland, New Zealand
Phone: 03 206 4979