Waiopehu College

Kia ora koutou

This is my first newsletter since my appointment to the Principal’s position for 2023 onwards. I want this opportunity to thank the Board of Trustees for the faith in me to lead the school forward.

It’s a been a busy end of year period, not only have we held our wonderful Senior Academic and Sports and Performing Arts prize givings, but we also have our Junior Prizegiving to look forward to on the last day of term.

Seniors are currently sitting their NCEA externals, good luck to any of you with exams still to sit. We also have some students who are finalising credits from internal assessments. It’s been good to see students striving to get the job done.

On the 10th of November we reinstated our Spring Fair after several years of not being able to hold it. There was a great atmosphere, and it was a fantastic opportunity for our Enterprise students and others to showcase and sell their products. We look forward to expanding on this event in the future.

A reminder that teacher only days on Friday the 25th and Monday 28th followed by an early closure for a Paid Union Meeting on Tuesday the 29th, where we will be closing at 12.00pm. Students will be given lunch as they leave. The Teacher only days were organised last year in conjunction with Horowhenua College as we were limited on the dates that we were allowed to hold these NCEA accord days, which are days for teachers to change for the upcoming changes to NCEA. It is unfortunate that the PPTA has recently chosen a date that falls immediately after these days.

Students are busy choosing their groups for Activities Week which will be the last week of term. We have a range of exciting activities organised by Mr Stout, and I am sure this will be awesome opportunity for the students to gain some new skills working in an environment outside the classroom.

We look forward to seeing many of you at our Junior Prizegiving on the last day of term, after which students will be released for their Summer Holidays.

Ngā mihi

Guy Reichenbach

It was wonderful to see the Spring Cultural Fair up and running again for 2022. It made a welcome return following its hiatus over the past couple of years. A huge thank you to Mr Shirriffs, Mrs Davies and the student leaders for making this happen. Thank you, also, to the stall holders for sharing their time and talents and to everyone who came and supported us on the day.

We look forward to an even bigger and better Spring Cultural Fair for 2023. Bring it on!

On the 15th of November the Science department took students from the Alive Science

class on a trip to Kapiti Island Nature Reserve.

Kapiti island is one of the world’s oldest and most important nature reserves in terms of birds and a place rich in human history. It is a pest and predator free environment which allows for many species of birds to flourish including the kea, ruru, and the endangered little spotted kiwi / kiwipukupuku.

It was an early departure from school on a perfect day weather wise. Once we arrived in Paraparaumu, our bags were searched for pests, mainly ants. It was a short ferry ride to the Island. Graham gave us an introductory talk about the history of the island including the different iwis who have lived (and are buried) there, the whaling stations, and its use as farmland until its present status of a reserve, established in 1897.

Following a suggestion from Graham, we took a short walk to the beach where we saw our first weka then proceeded to walk up to the lookout about 350m above sea level. Getting to the top was easier for some more than others but it was a great opportunity to see some of the birds. On the way up we saw North Island Robin, saddlebacks, and stitchbirds.

We went down to the beach about 40 min before the boat left and had a welcome paddle in the cool water. We were treated to the rare sight of paper nautili, a type of octopus.

A great, but tiring day was had by all. Thanks to the teachers and Kapiti Island Nature Tours for taking us on a memorable trip.

Māori Education Trust Scholarships open this month. Ngāpuhi secondary scholarships opened on the 1st of November 2022 and close on the 31st of March 2023.

The link below will take you to the Waiopehu college website where you can find links to take you to scholarship applications.

https://sites.google.com/waiopehu.ac.nz/maorischolarships/home?pli=1

If you require more information please email Caroline Kauri carolinekau@waiopehu.ac.nz

If you have a Waiopehu College uniform you would like to donate you are welcome to either drop it off at the school office or we invite you to support Skills4Living, a local community organisation that will take second hand uniforms, wash and repair them (if necessary) and resell them back to families at more affordable prices. Skills4Living is located at 8 Bath Street, Levin.

As the end of the school year nears and we farewell our senior students, I would like to share some of the work achieved during the year and wish our Year 13 students all the best for their future. For students who will be doing engineering next year I look forward to helping you explore your talents for design and making engineering projects. In Year 11 this year Te Amaru designed and made the blade for this Entrenching tool (photo below). Year 12 student Olly Forth designed his own rocket stove (pictured here warming up some bake beans). Two of our projects for Year 9 and Year 10 students next year will include making a tool tray and a junior hacksaw to name just a couple. Mrs Frances Matheson

On the 30th of September, we hosted our annual Shave for a Cure. Mr Gilson, Noah Watters, Lonnie Murphy and Aiden Burbery, all had their heads shaved on the day. Before this they had been fundraising for this cause, they have now raised over $1,000 collectively! A big thanks to Gideon Masoe who came in to shave their heads, and thank you to all who made this happen. It was a fantastic day, with heaps of support from their peers, family and the school community. Well done to these participants, it was awesome to see you all shave your heads for this amazing cause!

Please note the following dates:

Friday 25th November - Teacher Only Day

Monday 28th November - Teacher Only Day

Tuesday 29th November - Teachers Paid Union Meeting (school will close at 12pm and lunch will be provided before students leave)

Monday 6th December - Thursday 8th December - Activities Week

Friday 9th December - 11am-12.30pm. Junior Prizegiving.

Please find below start up information for the 2023 school year:

Tuesday 24h January 2023

School office opens 9.00am – 3.30pm

Tuesday 31st January 2023

Students in Years 9 and 13 only, come in from 9am to 3.05pm (Full uniform).

Powhiri at 9.00am for Year 9 and other new students. Families welcome.

Year 13 students will have the opportunity to confirm their courses. Year 13 students involved with the Year 9 programme will be required to stay the whole day. The remainder of Year 13 will be released at 12.30pm or when their courses are confirmed.

Wednesday 1st February 2023

Year 9 only from 9.00am –3.00pm, mufti dress code suitable for a variety of outdoor activities.

Thursday 2nd February 2023

Year 9 students attend from 9.00am – 3.00pm Mufti dress code suitable for a variety of outdoor activities.

Years 10, 11 and 12 students assemble in the auditorium at 10.00am. Full school uniform for Years 11 and 12, Year 10 in mufti so they can participate in a variety of activities. Students will be given a chance to confirm their courses.

Year 11 and 12 students may be released from 12.30pm if their course selection is confirmed. Bus students will be catered for in the school library.

Friday 3rd February 2023

Full school in from 8.40am. Full uniform.

Students are to bring chromebooks.

Monday 6th February 2023

Waitangi Day

Online Enrolment Forms available on our website www.waiopehu.ac.nz