Stratford High Times

Tēnā koutou e whanau mā o te Kura Tuarua o Whakaahurangi

The place of cell phones in school has been a hot topic in education circles around the country, and across the ditch, with a number of schools beginning to ban cell phones during school hours. Each school's method of achieving this appears slightly different, but almost all schools speak positively about the outcomes, with increased social interaction, better engagement in the classroom and improved achievement outcomes.

Following the visit from Rob Cope last month, we have been discussing cell phones in school within our staff, and as a School Board. Our particular focus has been on what we can do to minimise the impact and risks associated with unsafe use online. Cell phones have become one of the biggest challenges in schools, and we are not exempt from that here either. Below, there is a mid-year feedback opportunity regarding our direction as a school. We would value your thoughts to continue to provide us with information to enhance your child's learning journey. As a part of this survey, we ask you for your view on whether you would support a ban on cell phones in school.

As you are aware, we have been working through some big changes at school with the implementation of our junior modules and BYOD programme, as well as looking forward to the changes in Level One NCEA for 2024. Changes like these take time to embed and require us to constantly review and consider tweaks where needed. As of 2024, we are moving to horizontal form classes, which means students will be in a form class with only those from their year level. With year level deans already in place, this will allow us to develop stronger support networks across each year group.

The feedback about the modules this year has been overwhelmingly positive. However, it has been indicated that students, particularly those in year 9, do not have the same opportunity to form strong relationships because of the choice element they have. As a result, we have made the decision that at Year 9, students will do some of their English, Maths, Science and Health modules in their form class for semester one each year, from 2024. This will allow students greater time together in these classes and as a result, stronger bonds will be formed throughout the first half of the year.

In staffing news, Danica Beaton had her last day with us at the end of term 2. Although we are sad to see her go, it is the right time for her to venture out and see the world on her big O.E. Kate Lepper will step in to cover her classes in the short term.

Stacey Seyb, our Teacher of Alternative Education, has also called time with us and we are working through a replacement for this position.

Anne-Marie Savill, our office administrator, moves to a role with Inland Revenue, where she was for some years when living in Wellington and Lauren O’Sullivan will have her last day with us at the end of week one, Term 3.

Ngā mihi,

Cam Stone

Principal

Thank you so much for all your support with our production of Madhouse! The show was filled with lots of laughs and quirky characters, and it was a lot of fun putting on this show with the students. Although rehearsals were disrupted by strike days and sickness, we shared a lot of giggles together and the students worked hard to ensure that the show was the best it could be. This has been such a positive experience for the students and staff involved and we would like to thank everyone who came along to our shows to support us!

Thank you for all the support we have received from the community. Thanks to all the staff at Stratford High School, Ian Anglesey and his students for creating the set, Baz Gordon, Patsy Commerford, and Tracey Reynolds for their amazing support and expertise, the Kapa Haka roopu for opening our first show, the parents who drove their children to and from rehearsals and provided kai for the students, the businesses who kindly donated to support the show, and of course the students who have been tirelessly working on this for three months! Every year, the commitment and talent of these students exceeds my expectations. We have some incredibly talented students here at Stratford High School!

Miss Heidi Seales

Director and Drama Teacher in Charge

Year 8 students and whanau were invited to school on the evening of Thursday, 29 June to get a glimpse of what High School life is like. They were greeted by the Head Girl and Boy and treated to a sausage sizzle on arrival. Inside the hall, everyone was welcomed with a kapa haka performance. The Principal and Head Prefects presented information about High School life. Volunteer High School students then escorted groups on a tour around the school so everyone was able to see the facilities, enjoy the displays and meet the teachers. Year 13 leader, Zoe Pitcher, who lead one of the tour groups said it was great to see the visitors asking questions and learning about our school.

Deputy Principal, Dr Michael Taylor, was pleased with the turnout of approximately 270 people. We were fortunate to see so many parents and students at the event. There was a really good atmosphere and it was great to see the young students enjoying the scavenger hunt.

We would like to thank the following sponsors of the Open Evening:

Advertising

Moa Milking

Fieldtorque

RAD Hire

Magnum Sports

Inkpot Café

TrustED Ricoh Taranaki

Electrical Professionals Taranaki

First National

Prize draws

Mackays Unichem Pharmacy

Dairymaster

ITM Stratford

First National – Donna Black

S Green Copy

Officemax

TrustED Ricoh Taranaki

The official opening of our swing was held on 20 June. We would like to thank all those who made this project possible: our Board of Trustees, Xpress Racewear, Brad Gibbons Builders Ltd, Mellowpuff Charitable Trust, Hope Foundation, Goldpine Stratford, Red Jacket Engineering Services New Plymouth, Willie Banks & the Stratford Basketball Association, Targa Rally and thanks to all our families who helped with fundraising.

Miss Jeanette Bell

Te Rangimarie Teacher

In week 8, 12-16th June, Stratford High participated in Schools' Pride Week. Schools’ Pride week has been running since 2020, making this the 3rd year we have celebrated Pride week in our school. Held by InsideOUT Kōaro every June, Schools’ Pride Week Aotearoa is a nationwide campaign celebrating rainbow staff, students and whānau in school communities across New Zealand.

Pride week provides an opportunity to build a sense of belonging for a wide range of students. It supports our school community to develop an understanding about inclusion and is an opportunity for schools to connect with local community groups. Under the principles of inclusion, schools are required to teach a curriculum that is non-sexist, non-racist, and non-discriminatory to ensure that students’ identities, languages, abilities, and talents are recognised and affirmed and that their learning needs are addressed. Acknowledging and recognising students through events such as Pride week supports tolerance and understanding of the diverse range of students that make up our school community.

This year a number of activities were offered to students to participate in during break times. Find a Pride flag, chalk art, non-uniform day, a mini variety concert and pop up canteen were well received. Utility time included a rainbow science experiment, decorate your form class door competition and a variety of educational clips to support understanding of our LGBTQ+ community. The library had a bright display of ‘out on the shelves’ – a display of books that have LGBTQ+ characters or authors.

I would like to take the time to thank all the students and staff for their support and efforts during the busy week and a big thank you to Yarrows bakery who donated a number of their famous M&M biscuits in support of Pride. Form class VM won the decorate your form class door with KD as runner up.

Ms. Liza Albers

School Counsellor

As we change to the second semester of the year, below is a timely reminder of the expectations in our Physical Education classes.

• To take an active part in all lessons and therefore become physically educated.
• Use and respect our school HEART (Honesty/Pono, Excellence/Rawe, Aroha, Respect/Manaakitanga, Tolerance/Manawanui) values at all times.
• When someone is talking to the class, everyone is listening.
• On the sound of the whistle – stop, look and listen.
• Students are required to wear correct PE gear. This includes black shorts and a Stratford High School PE shirt (appropriate shoes are optional). If for some reason this gear is not available students are required to bring a note (from a parent or guardian) explaining the reason for the incorrect gear. In this case it is important that students bring alternative gear, so they can still take part.
• It is our philosophy that if a student is too sick to do physical education, then they are too sick to be at school. If students are unable to participate due to injury, a note is required from a parent or a guardian. After a student is unable to participate in three consecutive lessons, a medical certificate is required from a medical professional e.g., a doctor or physiotherapist.
• It is expected that on swimming day’s students bring both swimming togs and PE gear, as the weather dictates what we do.

Miss Denise Kay

HOD Physical Education

We are already halfway through our Tuesday night football season, and it has been an absolute blast! Our players have been giving it their all and reaping the rewards with some well-deserved wins. The team's positive and fun-loving attitude has made the experience truly memorable.

As we enter the second half of the season, we invite you all to continue supporting our incredible squad. Join us for our home games kicking off at 4pm on Tuesday afternoons. Let's cheer them on and make the rest of the season an unforgettable one!

Mr. Andrew Hunger

SHS Football Coach

If you require your child to leave school early for any reason, please contact the front office or your child's Form Teacher or Dean as soon as possible. Only a parent or caregiver whose name appears on the student's school records can give permission for a student to leave school early. Photo ID will need to be shown to office staff at pick up time.

If you need to arrange for someone else to pick up your child, such as an aunty etc., this must be made clear to the office staff. We may call you to confirm if necessary. Photo ID will also need to be shown to office staff at pick up time.

On the day prior (if possible) to when you are requiring your child to leave school grounds during school hours, please contact the front office via phone or email or contact your child's Form Teacher providing the following information:

• Student name and form class
• Time that the student will need to leave school
• A brief description of the reason for early release e.g. dentist appointment etc.
• The name of the person collecting the student (if this is someone else other than you)
• Your contact details
• Your signature (if you are sending in a note)

If we receive an email or a handwritten note, you will receive a call from the front office to confirm the early release time and that the permission did indeed come from a parent or caregiver.

If a student is requesting to leave early and we have not received prior notification and we cannot get a hold of a parent or caregiver to confirm early release, the student will not be released from school.

Ms. Kelly Jennings

Deputy Principal/Pastoral Care

We strongly encourage students who have a device at home (other than a cellphone) to bring it to school on a daily basis. We are aware that some students are choosing not to bring devices which puts pressure on our internal loan system. Thank you for your support as we continue to embed the BYOD process at school. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office who will put you in touch with the right people.

If there are any students who are unable to bring their own device, they can speak to classroom teachers to support them in acquiring a borrowed device from school.

Please inform the school office of any student achievements so that we can join in celebrating with them

There are a variety of ways that you can make payments to cover school costs. The main office receives cash and EFTPOS payments and you can also pay online via direct credit. Parents can also set up an automatic payment to cover schooling costs. When setting up the automatic payment, consider a minimum payment of $15.00 per week, which is sufficient to pay for all school, curriculum and sport costs for a student during the year.

Payments will be automatically applied to “required payments”. Subsequent payments will sit as a credit on the student’s account. If you would like to have payments allocated to the “voluntary payments”, please email ts@stratfordhigh.school.nz with the details.

You can set this up by either using your bank’s online banking services or downloading the Automatic Payment Authority form and taking this to your bank. Please remember to use the students’ name for any payments.

Check out this Facebook Page set up by our Ball Committee. Students can join the group to make the Ball experience more affordable https://www.facebook.com/groups/216675021146626/

As we progress through the year, remember to check your son's or daughter's results on the Kamar app or portal: https://stratfordhigh.school.kiwi/ If you have any questions, please contact the subject teacher in the first instance.

- Dr. Michael Taylor

Deputy Principal (Curriculum)

Our metal department are on the lookout for any scrap steel that can be donated to the school Anything will be considered; old horseshoes, angle iron, anything.

Please email Colin Franklyn fc@stratfordhigh.school.nz

• MoneyHub has published a guide to hundreds of scholarships for any student planning to start university in 2024.
• https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/scholarships-nz.html is the link.
• The comprehensive list includes scholarships offered by every university as well as those specifically available to local students.
• A list of privately-funded, Maori, Pacific and International university scholarships completes the list
• Applications close throughout the year, with tens of millions of dollars available.
• MoneyHub has also published a list of tips for scholarship success.

Our Charter is now available to view on our website. The charter sets the direction for our school and identifies our priorities as a school community.

The Stratford High School Policies and Procedures are managed online, through School Docs. To visit our School Docs, click here.

Our school username is: stratfordhigh

Our parent password is: swansearoad4332

You will find policies for review and more information about the review process under the "Current Review" tab. We welcome your feedback via this review process.

Rummage around for those unwanted mobile phones to donate!

We have a Mobile Phone Collection Box in our office.

The Mobile Phone Recycling Scheme has raised over $3 million for NZ charities thanks to the support of Businesses, Government Departments, Organisations and many thousands of individuals from all over NZ.

Phones received are graded, data wiped and sim/memory cards removed and destroyed. Phones that can still be used are sold by tender to off-shore businesses that specialise in the resale of second-hand mobile phones. They are refurbished and sold as low-cost handsets to places like Africa and Asia. Phones that have reached their end of life are broken down and recycled in an environmentally friendly way with up-to 95% of their materials being recycled into other products. Regardless of condition, working or non-working, make or model all mobile phones are accepted by the Mobile Phone Recycling Scheme.

Massey University Open Days

All campuses REGISTER NOW

Victoria University of Wellington

Friday 25 August REGISTER NOW

Auckland University

Saturday 26 August REGISTER NOW

Canterbury University

Wednesday 20 September REGISTER NOW

The Stratford Library has partnered with Ciena and the Spark Foundation to offer free broadband to students and whanau who currently do not have a broadband connection at home.

What does a family get on the Ciena fund?
• A free modem.
• 210GB of data every month until December 2023.
• Data is automatically loaded on the 1st of each month and does not roll over. Any unused data expires at the end of each calendar month. Once all the 210GB of data has been used up, the data will come to a complete stop until the next month.

Check that Jump is available at your home address at skinny.co.nz/jump

If your address is eligible, please fill in the following form for office staff to prepare an application form for you Free Broadband for eligible students

All year 9 students at Stratford High School are offered a free health and wellbeing check, with the Public Health Nurse or Youth Worker.

This is intended to identify any health needs that your child may have that may affect learning and behavior in the school environment. It is also an opportunity for your child to start the process of understanding and contributing to getting their own health needs met.

The assessment will include measurements of height, weight, and blood pressure as well as a basic assessment of your child’s hearing and vision.

Other topics will be discussed, such as:

· Enrolment with GP

· Health factors related to home, school and friends

· Nutrition and exercise

· Interests outside of school

· Drugs, alcohol and sexual health

The health assessments will be completed over the course of the year, commencing at the start of term one.

Consent will be presumed unless parent or caregiver chooses to opt out. If you wish to opt out of the health assessment, please contact the school office

- Public Health Nursing Team

The Public Health Nurse will be at school one day every week for any health needs. Clinic is confidential and free.

• Health and hauora (wellbeing checks)
• General health concerns
• Contraception
• Condoms and pregnancy tests
• STI checks and the morning after pill
• Vision and hearing

To book an appointment, see the school office reception or contact the Public Health Nurse, Steph Bakker on 027 406 4822 or email stephanie.bakker@tdhb.org.nz.

Have you downloaded our school app yet? Moving forward, our app will be the one-stop-shop for communication between school and home. Download it and check out the features that are available!

I am a registered social worker, who has also studied Child Centred Play Therapy, as well as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. In addition, as a solo mother I have experienced the gauntlet in range of emotions a parent could face, and behaviours a child could exhibit. Probably the biggest lesson I have learned is how heartbreaking parenting can be if you don’t get it right. Hence my website www.nextchapterparenting.co.nz.

In addition to the resources on the website, I offer individual or group parenting classes for parents of preschool and school age, as well as a course for parents of teenagers.

Brigid Carkeek

Does your child require further support, over and above what can be offered at school?

Would your child benefit from bespoke and nurturing learning sessions from a highly experienced teacher designed to accelerate learning and boost confidence? We would love to help. We are a team of dedicated teachers, specialising in English and Maths support, for primary, intermediate and college students. Visit www.boostyourlearning.co.nz for more information or contact Jenny 021 223 3349 to book a free consultation.

I am an experienced singing teacher formerly from New Plymouth, now residing in Stratford. I am available to teach contemporary and musical theatre and vocal private lessons at the address below.

All enquiries please phone 0211905054

Mrs Mary WIlliams

38a Flint Road West

Stratford 4332

Advanced after-school coding lessons available for ages 9 - 18. To give your child the opportunity to learn how to programme technology apply now at codingnz.com/signup

Please find below key contacts for staff at school.

Senior Leadership Team

Principal: Mr Cameron Stone

Deputy Principal Curriculum: Dr Michael Taylor

Deputy Principal Pastoral and School Organisation: Ms Kelly Jennings

Assistant Principal/Academic achievement: Ms Allana George

Principal's PA: Miss Diane Lithgow

School Board Secretary: Mrs Amanda Hill

Principal's Nominee

For all enquiries regarding NZQA or Te Kura

Mr Dirk Vermeulen: extension 707 or email

Deans for 2023

Year 9: Mr Jeff Walker

Year 10: Miss Jodie Sullivan

Year 11: Miss Peta Apperley

Year 12: Mr Colin Franklyn

Year 13: Mr Bill McGeoch

Guidance Counsellor: Ms. Liza Albers

Learning Support Coordinator: Mrs. Lisa Dent

For all other enquires please contact the school office 06 765 6039

Have you moved recently? Have you changed your phone number or email address recently? Please fill out the following form to advise us of your new details. Also fill out this form if you have not been receiving emails from the school. There are a number of families who we don't currently have an email address for.

It is very important we have the correct information for your child in case there is an emergency and we need to contact you immediately. If any contact details change throughout the year please let the school office know.

Email: mail@stratfordhigh.school.nz
Website: www.stratfordhigh.school.nz
Location: Stratford High School Swansea Road, Stratford, New Zealand
Phone: 06-7656039
Facebook: facebook.com/SHSTaranaki

Instagram: @shstaranaki @heart_SHS @shs_SADD_team

We are delighted to advise Stratford High School are on the way to reaching the $1,000 threshold for redemption.

The current total is $740.

Once we have reached the $1,000 target we can redeem from a range of sports, technology, literacy, and music packages which will be hand delivered by your local Rural Sales Manager.

The Fuel for Schools sponsorship programme has helped put over $1.7 million dollars of resources into more than 600 rural schools in the last fifteen years.

Just a reminder of how SHS has received this donation...

SHS has been nominated by a local business/farm that receives bulk fuel deliveries from Fern, meaning that for every 100 litres of bulk fuel they purchase, 50 cents is donated to SHS. We would like to take the time to mention who those members of the community are that have contributed to SHS. They are listed as follows:

• Amberhay Limited
• Cornwall Park Farms Limited
• Cornwall Park Farms Limited - AGO
• G & M Collins Family Trust
• Makino Deer Limited
• Palmerdell Trust
• Palmerdell Trust 91 Only
• Palmerdell Trust AGO only

Rural communities and schools everywhere can enjoy the benefits of the Fuel for Schools programme. For more information about the programme, call 0800 99 99 89 or visit their website fernenergy.co.nz/community/fuel-for-schools