Newsletter - Term 3, Week 7

Friday 09 & Sunday 11 September: NZ Mountain Film Festival

Tuesday 13 September: MCAT Year 11

Thursday 15 September: Well-being Day

Thursday 22 September: Senior Subject Selection Evening (For this year's Yr10, 11 & 12s)

Wednesday 28 September: Level 1 English Derived Grade Exam

Tēnā koutou katoa

Board Elections - reminder

I loved hearing Ivan Temple and Josh Ruddenklau talk to the students at assembly this week about why they should be the student representative to the Board. It was clear to see that they passionately believe in the role and the role that students can play at the board level.

With that in mind I'll once again remind you that voting is open for both the parent, staff and student representatives. Have your say in this important process.

Student Voice

I'm a firm believer in the value of listening to and acting on student voice. My experience has instilled in me a strong belief that when students have a strong voice in their learning, the entire school community sees

• increased student engagement in learning
• increased collaboration between students and their teachers
• a more positive environment and culture
• more respectful relationships

One of the first tasks that the new Board will need to undertake is a consultation process with the entire community regarding our next strategic plan. This process will help set our direction for the next few years. I know that our students will be actively involved in this process, and I'm confident that our parents will contribute in the same way.

Senior Subject Selection Evening - 22 September 2022

I'm signalling this to you a few weeks out, mostly as it's an important opportunity for next year's Y11-13 students and parents to gain some valuable insight into what classes could be on offer next year. It's a great chance to ask questions about learning areas and find out how a class can support you in your potential pathway.

Ngā mihi nui

Steven Mustor

Fiordland College was represented at two codes at last week's Secondary Schools Winter Tournament Week - Netball and Golf.

In the Golf Championships George Prendergast finished 20th after a challenging last day. He had climbed to 12th, which enabled him to make the cut for the last days. Well done George, there are over 400 Secondary Schools in NZ!

The Netball girls competed in the South Island Secondary Schools tournament in Timaru and peaked perfectly for their event. Often up against much larger schools, our team finished 10th in B Grade. Well done girls - this is Fiordland's highest placing for a very long time.

A reminder that voting closes on 21 September at 4 pm.

Fiordland College runs examinations in the first week of Term 4 to:

• Provide an opportunity to prepare for the conditions of the actual examinations in November.
• Find out what the gaps are in subject knowledge so students can be fully prepared for the actual examinations.
• Provide a “Derived Grade” that may be used in the event a student is unable to sit an actual examination.

Students need to be spending time preparing for the Derived Grade Examinations so they earn grades that fairly reflect their capabilities.

Examination Rules

• Follow all instructions of any supervisor.
• All work you hand in for marking must be your own.
• You may only have an approved calculator in the exam room which has had its memory cleared and checked.
• You are not allowed to have the following in the exam room: Any electronic device unless it is switched off and handed in, and any notes in any form.
• You are not allowed to talk to, communicate with or disturb other candidates.
• You are not allowed to communicate with the marker, including writing or drawing anything that could be viewed as offensive.
• All pens, rulers etc must be in a clear plastic bag.
• Some students may need a fully charged device if they are doing a digital exam eg English or History.

Students will be expected to be in their examinations for the required time.