Postal: PO Box 24, Te Kauwhata 3741 Email: admin@tkcoll.school.nz Phone: 07 826 3715 Fax: 07 826 3714 1 Web: www.tkcoll.school.nz

TE KAUWHATA COLLEGE

TE PANUI: NEWSLETTER Term 2, Issue 4, July 2017

Tayla-Rose Pearson – voted

Best Dressed Female at the Ball.

More Ball photos on pages 8-10.

KEY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Friday 7 July Last Day of Term 2 Friday 21 July, Saturday 22 July and Saturday 29 July School Musical Rehearsals Monday 24 July

First Day of Term 3 Wednesday 26 July DoE Elective White Water Rafting Thursday 27 July L3 Geog and L3 Tourism Field Trip to Rotorua Wednesday 2 August DoE Elective Tramp Wednesday 2 August to Friday 4 August Chainsaw Course Wednesday 2 August to Friday 4 August School Musical Performances Friday 11 August Years 7 & 10 Vision Screening Wednesday 16 August

“Attitude” Visit for Years 9-13 Friday 25 August (school closed)

Mid Term Break Monday 28 August to Wednesday 30 August

National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement (25 Year 8 students randomly selected to take part) Friday 29 September Last Day of Term 3 Term 3 Student Trustee Election

Kia ora koutou

TEACHING

Education today is increasingly diverse and demanding on teachers. Not only are our schools expected to be places of learning, but we have demands on us to be social workers, nurses and quasi police. Teachers have been trained in none of these – they spend years acquiring subject specialty knowledge, and then more time learning how to teach.

Curriculum Matters

In a world of increasingly fast-paced change schools have to try to stay not just up with the pace but be thinking ahead of it, because ours is a role of preparing our students for the future they will face. It is not the content that teachers deliver that counts, it is the enabling of students to grasp and engage with learning. This is why we keep referring to the NZ Curriculum – this tells us to concentrate on enabling our students through the Key Competencies rather than seeing them as vessels to be filled with subject content. The digital age means that Knowledge is free and accessible to anyone able to use a search engine. This is why the new Minister of Education is seeking change in the Curriculum to reflect Digital capacity. Teachers must focus on enabling students to think and problem solve with all the tools at their disposal.

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Activities Day

A focus on Key Competencies and an effort to expand our curriculum, while still offering the traditional choices for students at the Senior level, is the rationale behind the Activities and Day Zero concept. Mr O’Donnell, as the Senior Leader in charge of curriculum, has worked hard to deliver this and has undertaken a review of the success. He will present this review to the Board of Trustees at their next meeting early in Term 3.

As promised, we are modifying our approach this coming term. We will still offer Activities for Term 3, but only as one afternoon session rather than all day, and the least successful Activities will not run. Those Activities that are leading to real achievement will continue and committed students will be able to choose them again. Some new activities, which will be arranged to provide extra learning support or social development, will be compulsory for some students for a period of time. A limited sports academy will operate on these afternoons as well. Classes will run in the morning.

Those of us who have watched the events that have unfolded on Wednesdays have

(continued on page 2)

A FOND FAREWELL Many of you will have

had dealings with Amy Rusden, either when she

was in the Student Centre, or more recently in her role as Academic Secretary based in the main office. Amy has been working at Te Kauwhata College since Term 2 in 2008. During that time she has worked very hard “behind the scenes” and has been dedicated to the school. She has helped many students and their families with school life. We are very sorry to say that she has now decided to leave us at the end of this term.

Amy is going to WINTEC to train as a nurse. Best wishes Amy – we know that with your caring nature you’ll be an awesome nurse.

Postal: PO Box 24, Te Kauwhata 3741 Email: admin@tkcoll.school.nz Phone: 07 826 3715 Fax: 07 826 3714 2 Web: www.tkcoll.school.nz

RoboCup 2017

On Friday 23 June Mrs Cooke took our two Robotics teams

to Hamilton to represent Te Kauwhata College in the Junior and Premier sections of the RoboCup Waikato Regionals.

DAT BOI – Daniel Casey (Year 10) and Theo Holden (Year 9) – and our Year 7 & 8 team, ELECTRIC BLITZ, made up of De Anne-Maree Addison-Michalick, Cael Brown, Charlotte Casey and Joel Fluhler went to participate. Daniel Over was our Manager.

When we first arrived at the venue we tested our robot and discovered we had a few problems so we had to problem-solve on the run. To our delight everything worked when we tested it again.

We were nervous, but excited, when De Anne-Marie put the Robot on the tiles and were so pleased when we completed the round within the time limit and most of the course correctly. We had to complete four rounds and we completed three rounds perfectly, which was great, and gave us a score of 214 points. To our surprise our closest rival only gained 80 points. We were delighted to win with such a convincing margin.

We also received a prize for doing well in the interview where we had to present our log book and discuss how we built Electric Blitz and solved problems.

Dat Boi had a good day as well and came third in the

Premier category.

The time we took building our robot, and programming it at school, was definitely worth it when we won.

The whole experience was fun whether it was building the robot, programing it or testing it. If you are intrigued by our experience join us next year and come along to the RoboCup competition. It’s FUN!!!!

Charlotte Casey, Year 7

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE continued

been extremely impressed by the level of enthusiasm and the quality of work in many of the Activities. I would like to thank the teachers for all they have done to make this successful.

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOURS

We have continuing issues with some students saying nasty things to each other, particularly in the junior school. As signaled last term, we are beginning a police-led anti-bullying programme with our Year 7 and 8 students. This programme will run through their regular classes in Term 3. Those students who have been referred to the Senior Leadership Team for anti-social behaviour in other year levels may be required to participate in the programme as an Activities Day event. If you would like more information about the programme please go to the Police website: http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/personal-and-community-advice/school-portal/resources/successful-relationships/kia-kaha/kia-0

Activities Day will also give us an opportunity to do some work with a few on substance abuse.

SPORTS

Winter sports are well under way and the teams of boys and girls who represent our school generally do an excellent job, whether they are winning or losing. Our junior rugby team has been sorely tested at times, both by the level of competition that they have found themselves in and, at times, by some unsportsmanlike conduct from opposition players and spectators. We are very proud that they have conducted themselves impeccably and are actually the real winners because of this. Other teams are performing similarly well with some outstanding individual successes too.

STUDENT COUNCIL

Our Student Council is a proactive and effective group of young leaders who are working well together across the whole range of Year levels. They have decided to end the term with a focus on our own student welfare and keeping ourselves warm in winter, whilst adhering to the Uniform Policy. To this end they have fundraised by catering for the recent Kahui Ako hui and are holding a mufti-day with a focus on Winter Warmth to end the term. Please support them by ensuring that your child gives a $2 gold coin towards the fundraising efforts and comes dressed in theme. All money raised will go toward the welfare fund and will be used to purchase thermals that can be worn under the uniform and sold on to students at a much reduced cost.

SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

Next term the theme of ‘caring’ will continue, with a focus on the school environment – particularly respecting and caring for our grounds and property.

UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO

We are participating in the Te Ara ki Angitū programme with Waikato University to help local students attend University without necessarily leaving home. There is a free bus as well as scholarships to apply for. We can also offer University papers to some Year 13 students as additional to their school studies. Our Careers department and University liaison staff will be available to speak to about this over the coming term. I also have quite a bit of information for those who are interested.

Ngā mihi nui

Deborah Hohneck Principal

Postal: PO Box 24, Te Kauwhata 3741 Email: admin@tkcoll.school.nz Phone: 07 826 3715 Fax: 07 826 3714 3 Web: www.tkcoll.school.nz

The day started with a Poowhiri for Te Kauwhata College

and Te Kura Kaupapa Maaori o Manurewa who were accompanied by their Tumuaki.

Morning tea was supplied by Matahuru Marae. This was followed by a basic presentation about the Lake, the before and after and how we could look after it.

We then walked… "It felt like from Te Kauwhata College

to Maurea Marae" 😃 but the grounds were really muddy

"otherwise we could have driven there".

We met the ECO Scientists who were from USA, Europe etc.

Restoring Lake Waikare We planted soooo many Native trees. It was just fantastic and heaps of fun. "Who would have thought planting was

heaps of fun. 😃 But not just that, just knowing the purpose

of planting and how it would benefit the Lake. We are part of the history and I can't wait for the outcome.”

The Marae also supplied lunch. We ate and then Manurewa left and TK remained and continued planting until 3.30pm… then there was still that walk back! Lucky

for some of us, we managed to hitch a ride back to the Marae.

Overall, the day was amazing and I cannot wait for the next one in October.

Waikato-Tainui students

Dance and Drama Showcase

In Week 7 Milika Alexander and Amy Wang, our 2017

Arts Leaders, hosted a fundraising event to support Marina Wihongi’s efforts for her upcoming trip to China. The

hall was full of parents, friends, whaanau and community members who were entertained with an array of performances from the NCEA Dance and Drama students.

The evening opened with Pania Tata, our Kaiaarahi, saying

a karakia and Te Puawai singing a beautiful waiata.

A variety of dances were performed from Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Samoan Siva to the more traditional Kiribati dance.

The Level 1 Drama students had most of the audience in fits of laughter with their extracts from Matilda, the Musical, while the Level 2 and 3 students demonstrated their more serious pieces with extracts from The Crucible and Othello.

Overall the event raised $293. The Arts Faculty would like to thank everyone who attended for their ongoing support of the Performing Arts as well as their koha for Marina.

No reira teenaa koutou katoa

Whaea Sera

Postal: PO Box 24, Te Kauwhata 3741 Email: admin@tkcoll.school.nz Phone: 07 826 3715 Fax: 07 826 3714 4 Web: www.tkcoll.school.nz

News Worthy

at Waikato

Times Te Kauwhata College students learn

about life as a journalist.

Photo: Nichola Lobban

Waikato Times chief news director , Wayne Timmo,

speaking to our Creative Writing and News Worthy students

about how he got started as a journalist and the joys of

choosing journalism as a career.

Students Lego Rico, Alyssa Morgan and Althea

Ebdane enjoyed their visit to the Waikato Times newsroom

on 28 June, where they learned about the difference between

journalism and ‘fake news’, all the work that goes into news

reporting and how the job has changed over the years. All

students said they would be more likely to consider

journalism as a career after the visit.

Mr Timmo, who had wanted to be a journalist since he

was a boy after an unusual event involving a shark prompted

him to write his first (unpublished) news story, said constant

variety and the chance to be creative made it “the best job in

the world”.

BUILD-ABILITY CHALLENGE / TECHNOLOGY – HARD MATERIALS

A selected team of interested students was invited on the

“Big Construction Tour” in Hamilton. The tour was organised by the Building & Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO).

It was an amazing experience and a unique opportunity for the students to visit a large construction site, the biggest commercial joinery in the Waikato, a manufacturing plan for double-glazed panels and a manufacturer of transportable houses.

As one student commented, “We all learnt a lot and got an insight into future career choices. We would like to thank everyone involved for making it all possible.”

This tour coincides with the Build-Ability Challenge being run by BCITO. Te Kauwhata College is one of 14 schools participating in the Challenge and our team has started construction of an Insect Hotel. They have collected the materials they ordered and have been busy marking out lengths and cutting them to size ready to be put together. Their next task is to cut out joints as they are assembling the hotel using traditional timber joints.

We look forward to hearing how the team gets on in the competition.

LAST FEW – BUY YOURS NOW

The Whanau Support Group has fundraiser golf-style umbrellas available for sale for just $36.00 each. The umbrellas have the following features:

Bottle green colour complete with College name and crest

Wind resistant double canopy design

Extra strength fibreglass shaft

One touch opening system

Size 62 inches

You can buy your umbrella from the Student Centre or

office at the College.

Postal: PO Box 24, Te Kauwhata 3741 Email: admin@tkcoll.school.nz Phone: 07 826 3715 Fax: 07 826 3714 5 Web: www.tkcoll.school.nz

ACTIVITIES DAY Many students have continued to take advantage of the options available on Activities Day that are helping them to develop

their Key Competencies. When they come to apply for jobs in the future they will be able to talk about the essential skills they have learned through successful participation in the electives, thus giving them a head start over other applicants. They have also had the opportunity to try something different that they may not otherwise have the chance to try.

EMBROIDERY ELECTIVE Students who selected this elective for Activities Day have been busy learning new skills, as well as developing and practising Key Competencies. This has proven to be a popular elective with the students creating artistic embroidered items they can be proud of.

Postal: PO Box 24, Te Kauwhata 3741 Email: admin@tkcoll.school.nz Phone: 07 826 3715 Fax: 07 826 3714 6 Web: www.tkcoll.school.nz

SPORTS NEWS TUAKAU SPORTS EXCHANGE

The annual sports

exchange with Tuakau College took place on Wednesday 21 June. Our senior netball, hockey and 1st XV rugby teams travelled to Tuakau while our junior netball, U17s rugby, basketball and girls football teams all competed at Te Kauwhata. Despite having some losses it was a great day with excellent sportsmanship shown by both sides.

Postal: PO Box 24, Te Kauwhata 3741 Email: admin@tkcoll.school.nz Phone: 07 826 3715 Fax: 07 826 3714 7 Web: www.tkcoll.school.nz

SPORTS – TERM 3 CALENDAR

Fri 4 Aug Senior Badminton

Fri 11 Aug Junior Badminton

Tue 15 Aug Get 2 Go Challenge

Thu 24 Aug Boys Football

(Fri 25 Aug Boys Football back-up date)

Wed 30 Aug Girls Football

(Fri 1 Sep Girls Football back-up date)

4-8 Sep Tournament Week

13 Sep Thames Valley Year 7 & 8 Cross Country

(14 Sep Thames Valley Year 7 & 8 Cross Country back-up date)

Wed 27 Sep Thames Valley Year 7 & 8 Touch Rugby

(Thu 28 Sep Thames Valley Year 7 & 8 Touch Rugby back-up date)

Thu 28 Sep Thames Valley Senior Volleyball

Date TBC Hauraki Plains Year 7 & 8 Cross Country

** NB: Dates and events may be subject to change.**

SQUASH

Our squash players have

been very successful recently.

The girls competing in the Waikato Individual Squash Tournament on Wednesday 21 June had a great day. Megan Keeley won her division and Emma Keeley

was runner up.

The following week Emma and Megan joined forces with Imogen Whitaker to

make up our Girls Squash team for a Waikato inter-schools team competition. The girls had a great day and were very successful, coming first in their division.

Congratulations girls!

BOXING

In his spare time William

Brooks likes to go to a

boxing club. In June he competed in the Golden Gloves North Island Championships where he came runner up. This is a fantastic achievement, and he now goes on to compete in his next match in August.

Well done William, and good luck for August.

l to r: Megan, Imogen and Emma

William Brooks with his trophy

and certificates

BASKETBALL

Our boys’ basketball development squad won their

division last week under the coaching and mentoring of Mr Dunn. Huge congratulations to these boys and their coach. And special thanks to parents who help to make sure these competitions can happen for our kids.

RUGBY

Hot off the press… Shonte To’a, who left TKC last

year, has been selected to trial for the U17 & U18s Women’s Rugby Sevens. Good luck Shonte!.

POLICE RECRUIT ELECTIVE A popular elective has been the “Police Recruit” programme. The students have been involved in all manner of activities

and one of the recent ones was a visit from Constable Matthew Trudell. He came to work with our Police Recruits and give

them information about the many different career pathways the Police Force can offer. Constable Trudell also spoke about some of his experiences and he is keen on continuing to work with our students.

While Constable Trudell was here the students did a 2.4km time trial run around town, with Constable Trudell driving beside them in his police car and encouraging them as they ran around town. We were pleased to see the majority of the students get under the time for entry requirements into the Police Force.

This day was a wonderful experience for our students thanks to Constable Trudell.

Postal: PO Box 24, Te Kauwhata 3741 Email: admin@tkcoll.school.nz Phone: 07 826 3715 Fax: 07 826 3714 8 Web: www.tkcoll.school.nz

SCHOOL BALL

On Saturday 17 June the school hall was buzzing with

excitement as our seniors gathered together before travelling to Hamilton Gardens for the Ball. This year the theme was “Casino Royale” and was a fabulous evening by all accounts.

King and Queen of the Ball Deanna Majurey and Elly Burling

Prince and Princess Alex Moyer and Jaedyn Ardern

Best Dressed Female Tayla-Rose Pearson

Best Dress Male Trevor Rosser-Bowler

Postal: PO Box 24, Te Kauwhata 3741 Email: admin@tkcoll.school.nz Phone: 07 826 3715 Fax: 07 826 3714 9 Web: www.tkcoll.school.nz

Postal: PO Box 24, Te Kauwhata 3741 Email: admin@tkcoll.school.nz Phone: 07 826 3715 Fax: 07 826 3714 10 Web: www.tkcoll.school.nz

Postal: PO Box 24, Te Kauwhata 3741 Email: admin@tkcoll.school.nz Phone: 07 826 3715 Fax: 07 826 3714 11 Web: www.tkcoll.school.nz

Parawai School Golden Jubilee

We warmly invite all past pupils, staff, BOT, PTA and parents to join us in celebrating 50

years of education at Parawai Primary School on Friday 27 October and Saturday

28 October 2017.

~ Wheelie Bins ~ Front Load Bins ~ Gantry Skips ~ Huka Bins ~ Yellow Bags ~ ~ Recycling ~ Enviro Solutions ~ Supporters of Te Kauwhata College ~

Freephone: 0800 240 120 Tel: 07 850 2110

Postal: PO Box 24, Te Kauwhata 3741 Email: admin@tkcoll.school.nz Phone: 07 826 3715 Fax: 07 826 3714 12 Web: www.tkcoll.school.nz

Tickets available now. They can be purchased from the

Student Centre: Adults - $12.00, Students - $6.00.

EFTPOS available but no credit cards, sorry.

SCHOOL PRODUCTION As we mentioned in our last newsletter this year we will be presenting Aotearoa: A New Zealand Rock Musical and tickets are now on sale.

As one website puts it, this is “an award winning musical that is part love story, part eco awareness, part spiritual enlightenment, all wrapped around some of the great New Zealand rock songs of our time. There is a fraction too much friction when a developer threatens the endangered Rowi (Okarito Brown) Kiwi found in New Zealand. It includes songs from Split Enz, Crowded House, Dragon, The Mutton Birds and many more.”