Newsletter - Term 3, Week 4

Monday 22 August: NCEA Accord Day (School closed)

Monday 22 August: Learning Differences Whānau Evening (School Library 7.00 pm)

Monday 29 August - Friday 2 September: Winter Tournament

Wednesday 31 August: School Board Meeting (School Library 7.00 pm)

Tēnā koutou katoa

It feels like an age since we last put out a newsletter, which indicates just how amazing the last couple of weeks have been here at College. It's a busy time of year for our students with camps, sports exchanges and unfortunately lots of sickness.

Co-curricular week

It was great to finally be able to get our students out into the community and to experience new places, new learning and new future opportunities. You can read more about the camps from the teachers that led them elsewhere in this newsletter but my overall impression is that the week was an awesome opportunity for students to learn together away from the traditional confines of the classroom. Whether they were skiing, hiking, telling stories in a camp hall, or experiencing a workplace during the week, all of these moments add to the learning journey students at Fiordland College undertake.

Covid / Masking / Sickness

The one challenge we knew we were likely to face during the co-curricular activities was the possibility of Covid. Two of our camps experienced cases - one at the start which fortunately didn't go beyond the first case, and the other on the final day of the camp which spread to 13 students and staff (as well as a couple of parent helpers too). I was incredibly impressed with the support we received from families and with my staff and students who managed these challenges incredibly effectively. It showed the value of planning for such events, but also highlighted the reality that all the best planning in the world cannot eliminate all risk.

We currently have as many cases as we did at the end of April (which was the tail end of our school peak). As such we will continue to wear masks for at least another week while indoors at school.

Finally, we also have a nasty cold going through the school right now. We've had between 50 and 70 students away each day this week. It's great that families are keeping their children home when they are sick. As a reminder, it's vital that you let the office know if your child will be away by calling, emailing or using our schoolapp prior to the start of the school day.

Teacher only day

A final reminder from me that Monday is a Teacher Only Day. The teachers will be planning for and developing their understanding of the changes being made to NCEA.

Ngā mihi nui

Steven Mustor

When nominations closed at noon yesterday, the following had been nominated for the Fiordland College School Board:

Parent Representatives (5 to be elected)

Kelly Clow, Moretta Excell, Robert Kempthorne, Justin Ludlow, Anna Midhun, Sinead Mulhern and Christine Wallace.

An election will therefore take place. Voting papers will be posted to those on the roll next week.

Staff Representative (1 to be elected)

Steve Davison and Kelly Hunter

An election will therefore take place. Voting papers will be delivered to those on the roll next week.

Fiordland College has enjoyed welcoming International Students from many different countries for over 25 years and takes pride in the unique Fiordland experience that the College and the wider community offers. With the re-opening of our borders, International Student applications are once again coming in.

We have a 16 year old male student from Germany who would like to study at Fiordland College in Terms 1-2 next year. We are seeking expressions of interest from families who would like to be Henrik’s homestay family. Henrik is an active teen who enjoys many sports including hockey, basketball and weight training. Henrik loves the outdoors and would like to have a homestay ‘brother’ of a similar age, although this is not a requirement.

Homestay families need to provide meals and snacks, a bedroom (which could be shared) and care for the student as they would for their own child. You would receive $260 per week for this.

Previous homestay families have found the experience worthwhile and enjoyable, with the whole family benefitting from having someone from a different culture in their homes.

If interested in homestaying Henrik or becoming a homestay family for other international students, please contact Cassie Thomson, International Student Co-Ordinator to find out more:

Email c.thomson@fiordland.school.nz or call on 249 7819.

A massive week of activities that extended students learning beyond our conventional curriculum was evident last week. These activities ranged from offsite in Queenstown, Borland Lodge, Stewart Island and Invercargill to school based learning where we need 'chunks' of time to get the best outcomes.

A huge thank you to staff for all the extra work involved - to the parents and caregivers who assisted and to all the other people in Te Anau and beyond who helped in some way.

Below is a snapshot of each year level. Later we will put some 'links' to photos so you can enjoy what your child enjoyed.

Year 7

Borland lodge was the venue again for activities that included archery, map and compass, tramping, marine studies, stream studies, rope and flax work, climbing, team strategies, games, astronomy and much more.

The Year 8's had a brilliant time during co-curricular week. They participated in an Amazing Race; walked with great attitudes for 16km; cooked yummy food on fires they made; ice skated in Queenstown; and skied for two days up the Remarkables in amazing weather, on beautiful snow! They were a pleasure to take away, and should be very proud of themselves.

Year 9 spent some time learning the Haka, Waiata and Karakia and other cultural aspects including Harakeke (weaving) before going to visit the Te Hikoi Museum and Takutai o Te Titi Marae in Colac Bay.

Work experience for 3 days then jet boating and a ropes course were the mainstays for the Year 10's. Thank you to the business's and personnel that had our students for work placement.

Careers focus including writing CV's and other important future skills. As well as a visit to SIT.

Stewart Island was the venue with a tramp, night activities and fishing. Also helping out the Stewart Island / Rakiura Community Environment Trust on their Butterfield's beach project, weeding, removing pest plants and clearing seaweed.

Travelling to the Cardrona Valley the students Nordic skied to a hut and overnighted there - including staying in a snow cave.

In the holidays I got the opportunity to spend five days on campus at Telford. During my time I met so many amazing people and made some great friends. I had the chance to have hands on experience trialling all different aspects of farming while working alongside some hilarious and talented tutors.

From this experience I gained more of an understanding of the bookwork and practical sides of farming. My time at Telford gave me a good idea about what life would be like on campus there, absolutely mean feeds which will keep you full for hours, as well as some awesome off campus views and sites such as Nugget Point. During the AG course we did a huge range of activities. We learnt fencing, drafting and drenching, shearing, and driving tractors, quads, side by sides and farm bikes. We got to work with horses and dogs as well as learning a little about the science side and how the farm system runs smoothly.

I would recommend attending one of these taster camps if farming might be in the picture for you.

Jorja Brown Year 12

In the first week of the holidays, I went to Telford Agricultural College. On the first day we went on a tour of the campus, and I checked out the dog kennels. The next day we went on a tour of the farm, and I also got to drive a side by side, but it had a speed limit of 10km. I spent two days doing work with horses and I got to lead a horse, brush a horse, and ride a horse. At night we could do social activities or just hang out in the rooms. It was a great experience.

Debra Blackburn Year 12

New website

You'll see that we have a new newsletter and a new website. More importantly however is that we have a new app that will support our communication with you. To download the app click here. We still have a bit of work to do in the background but you should immediately be able to use the app to submit absences, read the daily notices, view newsletters and get important updates on your phone.

The Under 16 Rugby Boys have had a season to be proud of. With only having 2 trainings before their first game, the boys have worked hard throughout the season and have worked together as a tight knit team, with the younger team members especially doing well.There have been injuries and illness which have seen them play with low numbers and no reserves, but they kept going steadily. Each win or loss made them more driven to do better. We have boys who had been selected to try out for the Southland Rep team and some are still striving towards getting a spot in the team. We are looking forward to next year's season with the boys already talking about pre season training, and building a stronger team with upcoming new players. The boys would like to thank Sam Wairau for stepping up to coach the team at short notice, Dave Smith for sponsoring the team by supplying vouchers for Player of the Day and all the parents/families for their ongoing support.

Rachel Lane - Manager

Photos supplied by: Rachel Lowrey

A significant number of our Year 13 and 12 students have been volunteering for community events lately. Our students have been seen at the Meridian Half Marathon, Southland Road Champs and the Family Community Fun Day helping out across many roles. Well done team.

Two of our students placed in the top 4.

Under 18 Girls 4km Nicole Green 3rd and Paige Grieve 4th.

The Te Anau Cricket Club have a fundraiser at Tower Peak Station on Saturday 27th of August (Reserve day Sunday 28th August) planting flaxes and tussocks. The funds raised will go towards a new artificial cricket wicket at Fiordland College.

Tom Clearwater from Tower Peak would like everyone there at 8.30am for a H & S briefing. If all parents could bring a spade it would be much appreciated (but please keep kids under 5 at home for H & S reasons).

There will be a BBQ provided.

Please let the school office know if you would like to be involved and we'll pass this on to the cricket club.