Newsletter Term 3 week 1
Wairarapa College 26 July 2021
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Welcome back and welcome to our new students and staff. Term 3 is my favourite term as the days get warmer and longer. It is also a work term with a focus on senior school exams, assessment, course selection and planning for next year. I am excited to have started planning for 2022 including a refresh of our junior curriculum.
I hope to start the term by further building on our school PB4L LEAD values with our students starting with Learn with Purpose. To me, Learn with Purpose looks like:
- "Do the mahi, get the treats” Mauri mahi, mauri ora - (through work, we prosper)
- “Make your bed” do the little things right - bring the required equipment for learning.
- “Eat a frog” stop procrastinating - be on time and make the most of class time.
- Learn from your mistakes.
- Ask for help when needed.
Staff update
Congratulations to Dr Karyn Saunders, Ms Katrina Matthews and Mr Steve Jar who have gained positions at new schools as well as Mrs Jo Brunskill who has accepted a position with the PPTA.
Staff changes:
· Mrs Jo-anne Bisset – Assistant Principal returns from medical leave
· Ms Maggie Fauvel – Acting HOD Music for Belinda Carey on study leave
· Ms Janet Chilton – English
· Mr Michael Eckford – French (from 28 July)
· Ms Heather MacLachlan - Whare Whakaruruhau Kaiarahi
· Mrs Jenna Katia – Whanaungatanga Dean
Welcome to:
· Mr Maia Maunsell – Teacher Aide
· Mr Sukh Singh – IT technician
Attendance Term 1 – Overall, our term 1 attendance data for students is similar to the national average and greater than the Decile 6 and Wellington region except for our Year 10 students.
Every minute counts! We understand that at times life can get in the way of students attending class on time. However, if this becomes a regular issue it can impact on learning and achievement. Our staff monitor attendance and achievement and I strongly encourage you to contact your child’s Group Teacher or Dean if you have any concerns.
Let’s have a great Term 3.
With wisdom and courage, kia mātau, kia māia
Matt White
Principal/Tumuaki
Newsletter proudly sponsored by
Poto College House 2022 enrolments OPEN NOW
Each student at Poto College House is considered part of an extended Whānau. We are a co-educational boarding establishment providing a structured environment which supports each child to be successful both in and out of school while developing life skills, pride and individuality.
We can provide flexible care for your Child. Poto College House provides the most affordable boarding option in the Wairarapa for 5 and a half days per week, Monday to Saturday. We also offer casual boarding (a minimum of three days per week).
You don’t need to live a long way from Masterton to come to Poto College House - You may simply commute for work and have a child who is heavily involved in cultural or sport activity after school! Poto College House offers support a few days a week to ensure your child completes their study, gets to and from their activities, is well fed, in bed at a good hour and at school on time!
2022 Enrolments are open now!
If you are considering boarding for your child, Poto College House Manager, Stacey Grant, would love to talk to you. Call 027 391 6311 or manager@waicolhostel.co.nz
Kapa Haka
Kapa Haka at Wairarapa College has had a major increase of members this year. Our practices happen every Tuesday period 5 with our amazing tutors Matua Jimbo Ratapu and Matua Maia Maunsell. At our practices we either learn new waiata and actions or work on what we have already learnt so that we are able to perform and showcase our culture to the wider school community. Students in kapa haka are able to express themselves by performing and not being afraid to show off who they are as Māori. So far this year we have had 4 performances which we have performed in our school hall for different events. We will perform at the end of term Wairarapa Kapa Haka Festival.
When students involved were asked what they liked about Kapa Haka, the main responses were that it made them proud and passionate about our culture and that they enjoy being able to share it with the community. The students also enjoy Kapa Haka because it is a way for them to have fun in a loving whanau environment. Students can also gain NCEA credits.
We would like to encourage and invite all students to come along, Tuesday period 5 in the wharenui, and join Te Roopu Kapa Haka o te Kāreti o Wairarapa.
Sam Marsh Year 13 leader
House Competition
Term 2 began with our school Cross Country event in the first week. Congratulations to all our age group champions and to the winning house TARARUA. Results from our end of term 2 House music were:
House Music results:
1st Rangitumau
2nd Aorangi
3rd= Puketoi and Maungarake
5th Tararua
6th Remutaka
Overall standings to date this year:
1st Rangitumau
2nd Aorangi
3rd Tararua
4th Maungarake
5th Puketoi
6th Remutaka
Student Volunteer Army Service Award
WaiCol is part of a national award to recognise volunteering in secondary schools. Students need to download the App, collect a form from Rm 51 and have it signed as verification of your volunteering.
The SVA Service Award App allows
• Students to log their volunteer hours.
• Earn SVA Service Award badges.
• Member badge 5 hours, Bronze badge 32 hours, Silver badge 250 hours and Gold 500 hours.
• Build a summary of service to use on your CV for a job application, tertiary and scholarship applications.
For more details https://service.sva.org.nz/
Helping young people stay safe online
Whether it’s using social media, gaming, streaming video or making content, the internet can be a treasure trove to keep the young ones entertained and informed. But once they’re online, it can be a bit scary not knowing what they’re viewing or who they’re engaging with. To help we’ve come up with a list of parental control tips to help you monitor and screen device use.
N4L’s Switch on Safety:
Here is a short video link to hear about this valuable filter. https://youtu.be/d0fuHTSUtzE
When children learn from home, it’s important to make sure they stay safe online. Here’s a simple, FREE way to block the worst of the web. To Switch on Safety, you need to change the ‘DNS’ setting on your child’s device. Simple instructions on how to do this are outlined below. Just click on the type of device your child uses below. Go to: SwitchonSafety.co.nz to gain further information.
On Line Bullying
One in five young people in New Zealand have been the target of online bullying – it can happen to anyone, and it can be hard for parents to deal with. Netsafe has advice for parents on what to do if you think your child is being bullied online:
Stay calm: Your child needs to be able to talk to you and know that you’ll be level headed, thoughtful and helpful in your response.
Evaluate the situation: It’s important to know exactly what’s going on before you can work out what to do next. Is it a few off hand remarks, or is it something more serious?
Understand how your child is being affected: If your child is upset about a situation, let them know that you understand and it’s OK to be upset.
Don’t take away the technology: Taking away your child’s laptop or mobile phone can alienate them from their most important support network – their peers.
Work through a plan together: If you need help about what you can do next email help@netsafe.org.nz or call 0508 NETSAFE 0508 638 723 seven days a week.
For more information about online bullying visit netsafe.org.nz/digital-parenting/
Upcoming Events
July 27 Palmerston North Girls' High Sports Exchange
July 30 ACADEMIC REPORT SUMMARY
August 1 Cook Island Language week
August 7 Senior Ball
August 9 TEACHER ONLY DAY
August 11 What's next Year 13 day
August 11 & 12 Matharapa
August 19 School Photos
August 24 WHĀNAU DAY
August 25 Yr 11 Careers Day
August 30 Winter Tournament Week
September 5 Tongan Language Week
September 10 Cultural Photos
September 13 Māori Language Week
September 20 School Exams
September 26 Tuvalu Language Week
September 27 Mental Health Awareness Week
September 30, October 1 Kapa Haka Festival
October 1 End of Term 3
Contact Us
Email: office@waicol.nz
Website: https://waicol.co.nz/
Location: 83 Pownall Street, Masterton 5810, New Zealand
Phone: 06 370 0400