NGĀ KUPU O TE TUMUAKI- PRINCIPALS PIECE

HE KAUPAPA POUMAHI- STAFFING NEWS

KO TE AKONGA KEI TE PITO- STUDENTS AT THE CENTRE

KO TE HAPORI TE MANAWA- COMMUNITY AT THE HEART

NGĀ PĀNUI HAKINAKINA SPORTS AND CULTURAL BULLETIN

SCHOOL NOTICES

NGĀ KAUPAPA KEI MUA I TE AROARO- UPCOMING EVENTS

TERM DATES 2024

SCHOOL CAREERS & COUNSELLING SERVICES

ATTENDANCE

STUDENT WELLBEING SERVICES

Term two has started off well with a hive of energy and a hint of construction dust.

With several construction projects underway. While construction may bring its fair share of disruptions, it also brings a future filled with promise with upgraded infrastructure, and enhanced spaces await. So, as we navigate the maze of temporary detours and barricades, let's remember that every inconvenience paves the way for progress.

Amongst this, our school hall stage was set, the lights aglow, as students showcased their prowess at Spottys Got Talent 2024. From musical performances to jaw-dropping feats of skill, the evening was a celebration of the vibrant talent that defines our community.

To the students and staff who led and participated in this display of creativity, we extend our thanks. You remind us all of the power of expression and the importance of shared moments.

Here's to a term filled with excitement, discovery, and endless possibilities.

Ngā mihi

Nicola Ngarewa

PRINCIPAL

This year we are offering the Literacy and Numeracy co-requisites to students in Year 10 as well as Year 11 students. This is a new requirement needed to gain NCEA. There will be two opportunities for assessment this year (in May and September), with further opportunities each year until each student successfully completes them. (Please note that some students successfully completed these assessments in 2023).

We have our first set of co-requisite testing are on the following dates:

Literacy (reading): Monday 20th May, 9.00 - 11.00 am

Literacy (writing): Thursday 23rd May, 9.00 - 11.00 am

Numeracy: Monday 27th May, 9.00 - 11.00 am

These assessments are done digitally on a laptop. As such, we ask that you please ensure your child is at school on time on this day, with a fully charged laptop (and an approved calculator for the Numeracy assessment). Numeracy and Literacy teachers will advise students where these assessments take place.

Please note: not all Year 11 Students are entered in the first round of these assessments. Student's Literacy and Numeracy teachers will have advised them of this already. Students will have a further opportunity to complete this assessment in September.

We encourage you to have conversations at home about assessment dates and requirements to ensure that deadlines for other subject assessments are met, and that students have every opportunity for success in 2024. Please contact Learning Area Pouārahi if you have any queries about specific Level 1 courses.

A reminder that study class happens every Wednesday afternoon 2.15 to 3.15pm in A14 (the old staffroom at the back of A Block). Everyone is welcome to attend!

If you have any questions about the Literacy or Numeracy Co-requisites or NCEA Level 1, please contact Hilary Takarangi (hta@spotswoodcollege.school.nz).

Further information can be found on the following websites:

What is NCEA Literacy? A guide for students and parents.

What is NCEA Numeracy? A guide for students and parents.

Secondary School Information https://parents.education.govt.nz/secondary-school/

NCEA Education https://ncea.education.govt.nz/

NZQA https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/

Principal

Whaea Nicola email: nng@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Deputy Principal/Senior Leadership

Mr Daryn Shaw email: dsh@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Deputy Principal/Senior Leadership

Mrs Hilary Takarangi email: hta@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Deputy Principal/Senior Leadership

Mr Darren Scott email: dsc@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Year 12 and 13 Dean

Mr Wayne Cribb email: wcr@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Year 11 Dean

Mrs Hilary Takarangi email: hta@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Year 10 Dean

Matua Matty James email: mja@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Year 9 Dean

Mr Airana Ngarewa email: ang@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

International Director

Mrs Nicola Healy email: nhe@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Business Manager

Ms Christina Davis email: cdv@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Careers Advisor

Mrs Chell Lusk email: clu@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

As we navigate our daily tasks, it's easy to overlook the invaluable support system that stands behind us, ensuring smooth operations and lending a helping hand whenever needed. Thank you very much to the unsung heroes of our kura – our exceptional support staff.

Whether it's assisting with administrative tasks, providing technical support, or simply offering a kind word of encouragement, your contributions do not go unnoticed.

In moments of chaos, you remain the steady pillar offering support with a smile. Your efforts create an environment where everyone can thrive, and for that, we are truly grateful.

Spotswood College is committed to nurturing leadership and fostering student agency. These principles are a key aspect of our educational philosophy, empowering students to take ownership of their learning journey and enact positive change within their environment.

Our student-led Academic Committee focus on enhancing academic excellence beyond the confines of the classroom. Through their initiative, they organise study classes every Wednesday, providing a supportive environment for students to concentrate on their studies, collaborate with peers, and unlock their full potential.

Meanwhile, our Enviro Committee is also a great example of environmental stewardship, championing sustainability efforts within our school community. From conducting audits of canteen wastage to spearheading recycling initiatives, their dedication to creating a greener, more sustainable future is great. Their leadership is a reminder that every individual has the capacity to make a meaningful impact on the world around them.

On Thursday 2nd May a group of students from the Koru Programme went to Lake Rotokare. Rotokare is a 230ha pest free reserve located 12km from Eltham. The first and main thing we did there was play a game of Survivor. This exciting game is designed to simulate food chains, trophic levels, and ultimately animal survival. It is a physical game where players take on roles such as herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, natural disasters, and man. Animals must search for food and water whilst trying to stay alive for the duration of the game. Students had a great time playing this game, and also learnt a lot about the food chain / predators! After a break for lunch, students were very lucky to be given the opportunity to be a part of the Pāteke duck release. Pāteke were once widespread throughout New Zealand. However, they have suffered an ongoing decline in numbers and are now rare. Their numbers are estimated to be between 2,000 and 2,500 living in a wild state in New Zealand, making the species New Zealand’s rarest waterfowl on the mainland. While numbers are slowly increasing, pāteke are still vulnerable. They could become at risk of extinction if threats are not managed. It was an amazing opportunity for our students to be involved in the recovery programme of this species and listen to the conservation manager talk about this. Lastly, students were able to explore the bush classrooms, learning all about the predator proof fence and the work that goes on at Lake Rotokare to make it the sanctuary it is today.

On Friday 10th May Year 10 students from the Koru Programme visited three important battlefields from the War in Taranaki during 1860. An Educator from Puke Ariki Museum led us on this tour. We were very lucky that the weather was absolutely stunning on this day! Students enjoyed seeing the sites and the remnants of war that were clearly visible, and solidifying the learning they had done in class on this topic. Students were able to see and hold a musket (that Maori used during the wars) and play some games on the battlefields that stimulated attack and defense tactics used in the war.

Mr Dan Cleland’s class and Ms Tracey Laurence’s class both visited the current exhibition at Puke Ariki called ‘Kount Five Plus Two. Pop Culture in Retro Taranaki 1966-1983’. Many of you may remember the band Kount Five Plus Two - they were an iconic Taranaki covers dance band, playing regular dances, cabarets and at hotels. Starting out in the mid-1960s and continuing for 17 years meant the band played through a period of social change in New Zealand. The new generation was questioning the status quo and challenging established ideals. But it was also a time where music and entertainment were greatly valued, and Kount Five Plus Two was one of the many outstanding Taranaki bands that filled that spot. The exhibition is bright, colourful, and full of music and pop culture. Students explored what was big on the radio, tried on the retro clothes, and some even broke out their dance moves for the light up floor! We learned about musical lyrics and the messages that songs are attempting to get across, as well as the history of music and the background of this distinct era.

Term 2 is when Winter Sport comes into its own element. With school teams entered into our local leagues for netball, basketball, hockey and rugby; good luck to all those students wearing the Spotswood College colours with pride. There are students playing for various club teams in a range of sports and Spotswood College Sport extends our best wishes to those students and their teams, as they compete in their respective codes. Sport, other than a physical outlet, has a great place in the development of our young people and some key characteristics. Sport teaches them time and self-management, communication and problem solving skills as well as builds confidence and self-esteem.

We want to take this time to highlight the importance of coaches, managers, referees and of course the support of whānau, who help make sport possible for our students. Spotswood College Sport thanks all those who give their time to make school sport happen and acknowledge we could not do this without you.

A reminder that sports fees need to be paid to the Finance Office or subsequent payment plans arranged. We understand the financial difficulties many are having within our communities at this current time and encourage payment plans to be made according to your needs.

Spotswood College Sports wants to emphasise that any fees charged to students for sport, is done so via Regional Sports Organisations and that we do not dictate or add to these fees.

If you need to contact us regarding your child's sports fees or payment plans, please email sport@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

The school took down 2 teams and also had a 3rd team of ex Spotswood College students to take part in the Manawatu Open Volleyball at Palmerston North on the 4th May.

School senior boys team of (Dhio Yoshimura, Wairangi Davey, Christian Liebenberg, Swayde Jack, Zander Dodunski, Kingston Davis and Olly Smith) played in the A division with 15 other teams. In the competition they had an awesome day going through pool play and making it all the way to the final which was a good result as it was a chance to develop our next year's team. The results were they won over Wolves Women (Wellington), Silver Wings (Palmy), Girlies (Palmy), Kapiti Thunder (Wellington) in the Final they unfortunately lost to All Daks (Wellington) who are a very good side.

Spotty 2 Team (Haruna Saito, Lola Crawshaw, Samantha Hart, Ajae Brown, Yuta Saito, Matteo Schild, Freddy Digel) got together for the tournament as a mixed team and had a fun day trying to compete in the A division also. Their results were they lost to All Daks (Wellington), lost to 300+ (Palmy), lost to Massey B, Won Team Inv (Palmy), lost the playoff game for 13th/14th to Girlies (Palmy).

In the Open grade 9 teams took part in the Elite division of the competition with Year 13 students Balu Molnar and Zalan Lizan playing with ex-students Izac White, Robert Fox, Jayden Leece for the Ngamotu team they also had Caleb Hanfiro and Kaleb Hinton.

They had wins over FHS Development (Palmerston), Haikyuu (Wellington), Massey Men (Palmy), Stratford Kaos, The team made it to the Final with a match up against Wolves Men (Wellington). This was a tense final with our team battling it out in 3 sets to unfortunately lose in a nail biter. (Wolves men's team were 12th in New Zealand club nationals so it was a great experience for Balu and Zalan to compete at this level and show they can match it.

Pictures are on the Spotswood College senior boys and the team with Balu and Zalan also in it for (Ngamotu)

On Tuesday 9th April, a group of senior Drama students travelled to Stratford to take part in the Shakespeare Festival by performing their 15 minute Hamlet excerpt at the Kings Theatre. Despite not being selected to go to the nationals in Wellington they performed with confidence and garnered a positive reaction from the audience of students and teachers from around Taranaki. They should be very proud of this achievement.

Well done to the following:

Milo Hayman, Klaus Taki-Murray, Malachi Paraha, Hannah Postlethwaite, Luke Francis, Olivia Hoskins-Martin, Carli Culpin (stage manager) and Ed Perkins (director).

Will Manella and Alex Rata…moral and emotional support crew.

Thank you to Office Furniture First (https://officefurniturefirst.co.nz/ ) who have donated dividers for the hall for term 2 for the drama classes . Thank you very much!

WEEK 4

Tuesday 21 May - Barista Course VP Department

TSSSA Netball

Wednesday 22 May - PPTA PUM Meeting 1pm in Stratford: school will be closing at 12pm

Barista Course VP Department

WEEK 5

Monday 27 May - Progress Reports to be sent out

TSSSA Skateboarding

Board Meeting

Thursday 30 May - TSSSA e-sports

Friday 31 May - Teacher Only Day - NCEA Accord Day

WEEK 6

Monday 3 June - Kings Birthday

Tuesday 4 June - TOPEC Week

Wednesday 5 June - Manual Handling & Hearing VP Department

Thursday 6 June - TSSSA Badminton

Friday 7 June - Semester 1 ends

Art Auction - 5.30pm to 7.30pm

WEEK 7

Monday 10 June - Semester 2 begins

TSSSA Squash

Wednesday 12 June - Youth Responder VP Department

Thursday 13 June - TSSSA Junior 3x3 Bball

Saturday 15 June - School Ball

WEEK 8

Monday 17 June - PUANGA Festivities

Wednesday 19 June - TSSSA Snr 3x3 Bball

Thursday 20 June - Puanga Afternoon Festival

WEEK 9

Monday 24 June - Period 5 Levels Assembly

TSSSA Māori Games

Board Meeting

Wednesday 26 June - Life Education Trust Theatre programme in the GYM

Friday 28 June - Matariki public Holiday (School Is Closed)

WEEK 10

Wednesday 3 July - Respond to Small Emergencies VP Department

TSSSA Senior Festival Day

Friday 5 July - Period 5 End of Term Whole School Hui

Term Two: 29/04/2024 - 05/07/2024

• Wednesday 22nd May = PPTA PUM Meeting (School will finish at 12pm)

• Monday 27th May = BOARD MEETING

• Friday 31st May = Teachers Only Day

• Monday 3rd June = King’s Birthday

• Monday 24th June = BOARD MEETING

• Friday 28th June = Matariki Public Holiday

School Counselling Services are available to discuss academic, career, or personal/social support.

To make an appointment

Careers Officer Chell Lusk - clu@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Guidance Counsellors - manaakitanga@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Drop in Public Health Nurse hours - Monday 9.00 am - 2.00 pm.

MoneyHub has 10+ NCEA resources to help everyone attain merits and excellences - check it out and prepare for upcoming internals and externals with confidence.

https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/resources-for-ncea-students.html

Please make sure your teens are checking, opening and reading their emails. Opportunities are being missed.

Please see the link below for more information on scholarships available

We have a school attendance target of above 90% for every student. To ensure that together we reach this, it is important that if you know your child is going to be absent from school, that you please contact the school by using one of the following options.

Option 1: Call 06 751 2416 and press (1) to report a student's absence. Record your child’s name, parents' name, contact details and reason for absence.

Option 2: Send a text to the office on 02102466182

Option 3: Use the school app - SKOOL LOOP to submit an absence

Option 4: Send an email to absent@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Based on our attendance data system we will send an automated text to parents of any students that are absent, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

If for any reason you are concerned about your child’s attendance, you can speak with Jenine the Attendance Officer or she will pass you on to the DEAN or your child’s Learning Advisor.

Spotswood College will be using Skool Loop to send out notices and information to our whānau. This is a free app available on Apple and Android devices. You can also access newsletters, contact the school about absences and find helpful links as well as quick access to Kamar.

Sick or injured at school

The sickbay is closed for any sick-related issues. If your child is sick, we will contact home and ask for them to be picked up immediately. Students should not arrange this themselves as we need to know where they are at all times.

The sick bay is open to help with injuries.

A public health nurse is available for you and your caregivers if you have any concerns. This could be a rash, not sleeping well, regular headaches, ongoing health issues etc.

Please ask to talk to her privately. Consultations are confidential, offering information and advice. Health resources are available, with a choice of providers for referrals to agencies.

If you would like to see the public health nurse, please ask staff at student reception.