Kia ora katoa

Today marks the midpoint of Term 4. In just four short weeks we will be holding prize givings and finishing the 2021 school year.

Next Thursday there will be a farewell dinner for Year 13 students and their invited guests (limit 100 in total). In the past, strange things have happened around the school on the eve of the final day for Year 13. This is always good natured, humorous and tasteful and I am sure it will be no different this year.

Next Friday is the final day for Year 11, 12 and 13 students with NCEA examinations starting the following week. After lunch on Friday there will be a House based sports competition and optional water fight to finish the day. All students can wear mufti on Friday and if they plan to take part in the water fight they must change into dry clothes before travelling home on the bus.

We have scheduled the final NCEA accord day for Wednesday 8 December. This will be a Teacher Only day. The Ministry of Education have just announced some changes to the planned implementation dates for changes to NCEA assessment. The planned changes to the Numeracy and Literacy ‘building block’ elements remain scheduled to come into play in 2023 meaning we have 2022 to prepare. All other changes to NCEA Levels have been extended by a year. Level One full implementation is now planned for 2024 so this means that the current Year 8 cohort will be the first to experience the assessment changes.

Congratulations to Dean Stewart for being one of two students to gain a Highly Commended award in the Senior Boys category of the Southland Secondary Schools Sports Awards.

Finally, all our best wishes to Trent Reriti, Lexie Farrell, Aaliyah McDowell-Peek and Wayland Maxwell as they experience the Portobello science extension learning from Monday to Thursday next week.

Nga mihi nui

Kath Luoni

Principal

The Menzies College 50th Reunion planned for Waitangi Weekend 2022 is still on despite other events around that time being cancelled. We are not relying on so many people arriving from northern centres and are hoping for good local support. Should matters become too uncertain, a final decision will be made and full refunds (less a small commission to our booking agent) will be granted. So, plan and book now for the best event in the South during this long weekend. You can email your interest to menzreunion22@gmail.com or click on the link below.

Congratulations to the following students and staff members:

Week ending 5 November

Seniors: Rose McDonald, Ollie Gutsell, Brad Hedges, JM Nunez and Mr Jonny Brown

Week ending 12 November

Juniors: Hunter Miller, Isla Maxwell, Daisy Stewart, Ruby Ritani and Mrs Lesley Lee

Your canteen vouchers can be collected from the office.

Menzies College has a vacancy for a cleaner. Three hours daily after school, plus some holiday work. Please apply via email with work experience and referees to judy.gould@menzies.school.nz or phone the school on 2064979.

• 18 November - Junior Speech Competitions
• 19 November - Last day for senior students
  
• 22 November - 10 December - NZQA Exams
  
• 23 -26 November - Year 7 & 8 Home Room conferences
• 29 November-2 December - Year 10 Mavora Camp

• 6-7 December - MAD Days
• 8 December - Teacher Only Day
• 10 December - Last day of school
• 10 December - Year 7-12 students Prize Giving in school hall (staff & students only)
• 10 December - Year 13 students Prize Giving at Wyndham Memorial Hall 7pm (students, staff & parents/caregivers)

2022

• 1 February - Teacher Only Day
• 2-3 February - Course Confirmation (seniors)
• 4 February - Year 12 & 13 students only attend
• 4-6 February - 50th Reunion celebrations
• 8 February - Full school attends
• 14-18 February - Year 12 Hope Arm camp
• 22-25 February - Year 13 Leadership camp
• 23-24 February - Year 7 Camp Columba

Year 7 and 8 Homeroom conferences are set for the week beginning Monday 22 November from 9am - 6:30pm. Staff will be available for conferences on the following days:

Monday 23 November - Lesley Lee

Tuesday 24 November - Samantha Johnstone and Lachie Hayes

Wednesday 25 November - Sarah White

Thursday 26 November - Carl Lambert

Appointments can be made for either a phone/video conference or face to face. These conferences are to discuss students' progress this year. If you choose to phone or video conference please book between 9am-3:30pm. If you choose a face to face conference at school please make bookings between 3:45pm-6:30pm. You will need to sign in at the office and wear a mask onsite. The school interview site is set up for phone OR face to face bookings. If you would like a video conference with the teacher please let them know and they will send you the video link (book under 'phone booking' as there is no separate booking for a video conference).

The link for the school interview site is:

https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/h3kc7

Coming to the Mavora Lakes soon - Year 10 camp

The Year 10 camp this year, will once again be held at the Mavora Lakes from 29 November to 2 December. There will be kayaking, mountain biking, rafting and lots of other fun outdoor activities. The cost will be confirmed early next term but we envisage it will be approximately $170. We have included the link to the permission form. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the school and talk with either Matt Cook or Bianca Gibbs, Year 9 and 10 Deans or flick us an email mcook@menzies.school.nz or bianca.gibbs@menzies.school.nz

Mr Matt Cook & Mrs Bianca Gibbs

Year 9 & 10 Deans

It's getting close to that time of the year! It would be appreciated if recipients of trophies and cups from last year's prizegiving could return these to the office as soon as possible. Your assistance is appreciated.

Donald Engineering Ltd is a small engineering company based in Edendale. We work on a variety of engineering projects around the South Island. Due to an increasing workload we need a labourer to join our team. You must have:

• Good communication skills
• A strong work ethic
• Be a Team player
• Have a current NZ Drivers licence

Please apply via email with your CV to office@donaldengineering.co.nz

This Youth Education Fund has a proud tradition of supporting families in need of financial assistance with the purchasing of a school uniform. Grant application forms from suitable candidates are now available from the school office or can be downloaded by using the link below. Applications are invited from students entering high school, college and intermediate for the first time. The closing date for applications is Friday 10 December 2021.

These grants must be used for the purchase of basic school clothing and footwear only [excluding roadshoes/runners/stationery/school bags]. Applications for uniform for 2022 will not be considered until after 10 December and purchase orders will be posted to successful applicants before Christmas. Parents/caregivers of any unsuccessful applications will also be advised in writing.

A huge congratulations to Dean Stewart who was nominated for the Southland Secondary Schools Sports Awards in the 'Senior Boys Sports Person of the Year' category. There was only nine athletes in Southland competing for this award. Dean made it through to the finals for his outstanding achievements this year with his multisport and adventure racing efforts.

Over the past year Dean has excelled in several multisport/adventure events including winning the Queenstown Big Easy Marathon placing 7th in the Catlins Coastal 71km Ultramarathon and winning the schools section of the two day Coast to Coast, while also placing 5th in men's open section. Dean was selected to be part of Academy Southland 2021 intake and is currently training as part of a team for the GODZone Adventure in March 2022.

On top of his training Dean plays a significant role in the Menzies School community. He is a member of the Sports Committee, 1st XV Rugby and Senior Boys Basketball. He has gained the 3000m school Athletics record, won the school Cross Country Under 19 Boys section and represented the school in many events, including becoming the Southland Secondary Schools U19 Orienteering Champion.

Dean was rewarded on the night with one of only two highly commended awards given out for this category. Well done dean for your efforts, we wish you the best of luck in 2022 with your upcoming competitions

Photo shows L to R: Senior Boys Winner - Quinn Hartley (James Hargest), Highly Commended - Jack Taylor (Southland Boys' High) & Dean Stewart (Menzies College)

Mrs Hayley Adam

Sports Co-ordinator

The Menzies Rugby AGM is being held on Wednesday 24 November, 7pm. at the Edendale Rugby Clubrooms. Apologies to Tracey McLellan at tamclellan@msn.com

At ImpACT-Mental Health we see many parents, teenagers and educators who enjoy our Resilience based education programmes, as well as one to one coaching packages. Covid, Lockdowns and our rapidly changing world appear to be causing higher states of anxiety and a decline in overall mental health, for our youth and adults alike. We would take this opportunity to share our latest blog - 'Building Resilience in Children during Lockdown and Life' which has appeared in the media and is being shared by schools.

https://impact-mentalhealth.com/top-tips-for-building-resilience-in-children-during-lockdown-and-life/

Parents/caregivers are eager for more tools, strategies and techniques to help them in the area of Mental Health. As authors of HATE MYSELF HATE MY LIFE - A Teenage Guide to finding self-confidence and inner-love, we are passionate about helping teens, parents and educators in all areas of mental health.

Sue O'Callaghan 021 390697

Joanne Webb 020 41821054

www.impact-mentalhealth.com

From 28 November 2021 it will be illegal to smoke or vape in any vehicle carrying people under 18 years (whether the vehicle is moving or stationary).

The Smokefree 2025 Action Plan will be a gamechanger for ending smoking-related harm in Aotearoa. To get the plan across the line, the Minister and the Government need to know they have your full support. Sign on to our Open Letter now to get the full Action Plan and end the harm of smoking in our communities. We are encouraging people to sign this open letter to support the Smokefree Action Plan. https://www.healthcoalition.org.nz/smokefree2025/

Sun protection is needed when the UV Index is 3 or above even on cooler cloudy days. You can check the UV Index at www.niwa.co.nz/UV-forecasts or download the free app UVNZ for Android and iPhones.

Bridget Forsyth

Health Promotion Co-ordinator Southland Cancer Society – Otago & Southland Division

0212351741

Email: admin@menzies.school.nz
Website: https://www.menzies.school.nz
Location: Alma Street, Wyndham 9831, Southland, New Zealand
Phone: 03 206 4979