Dear Nga Tawa Family
Thank you for your tremendous support of the changes to the use of technology and the availability of social media.
Information technology is integral to 21st Century teaching and learning; enabling the development of creative and critical thinking, and greater opportunities for collaborative learning. Increased student agency can be fostered, as learning is not limited to a classroom and students can self-direct the pace of their learning.
When we began our journey of utilising technology in teaching and learning we developed a digital contract. We thought, perhaps naively, that through discussion and a few reminders from staff, that students would become adept at self-regulation between education and personal use. It did become apparent that staff were becoming increasingly focussed on ensuring students remained on task to the detriment of the fostering of learning. Hence we are now blocking a number of social media sites during the academic day and after lights out in the evening.
Many of you would have watched The Hard Stuff with Nigel Latta Screenagers Living Online - click here to view. Access to the web presents limitless resources but, also opportunity for accessing inappropriate sites. Mentoring gives us a wonderful opportunity for ongoing discussion about the appropriate use of social media, the harm that can be caused through online bullying as well as what is appropriate to view. I know you will support us by discussing with your daughter and monitoring where possible, her use of the web. We will review our recent changes particularly related to the junior school and iPad use at the end of term. Your feedback is always welcome.
An Apology
We have received an apology from Mr Chris Moller on behalf of Whanganui Collegiate School. In a recent letter to Collegiate parents our examination results were published in a comparison with those of Collegiate School. Nga Tawa’s Level 3 results were recorded inaccurately as 76%, 20% lower than what was actually achieved. Chris will be amending the information to the Collegiate family. Our staff continue to work closely with students to ensure their examination success. Preliminary examinations beginning tomorrow, are an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning and for staff to give assessment feedback to improve student outcomes in the NCEA external examinations.
Lesley Carter
Principal
Academic News Updates and notices from the teaching team Reminder:
Yr 9 to 12 option forms for 2017 course selection need to be in today.
Senior preliminary examinations start tomorrow. Pleaseclick here to view the timetables.
Library News If Google is your go-to search engine, then consider how to become a ‘Google power searcher’. There are many video tutorials that can show you how to use the search tools available to retrieve relevant results. This video is a good starting point.
Career News
With the end of the year fast approaching and Year 13 students busy completing applications for hostels, courses and scholarships, it is important to remember that the entry qualifications for all their courses still have to be achieved. The requirements for University Entrance and a quick checking method to measure progress can be accessed here.
All applications for University Hostels should be completed by now. If the application has been submitted correctly the school will be emailed requesting a confidential report. These will all be completed by the end of next week.
The Year 11 students participated in very successful two days of Work Exploration and the employers completing the feedback form have been very complementary about the students they hosted. Once these forms have been copied they are given to the girls to be included in their personal portfolio. The student feedback form verifies the contact details we have so a letter of thanks can be sent to each employer.
Subject options are still being discussed and both students and parents may email the Careers Counsellor Mrs Murray here to discuss these.
Dates for University Course planning
Lincoln University
September 14
2.45pm
University of Otago
October 18
2.45pm
Your Daughter News and important information about life at Nga Tawa
Medications
We have a large number of girls bringing medications to school, both prescription and non-prescription items. We do ask that these are handed in to their boarding managers to ensure the safety of all our girls. Your support with this is greatly appreciated. Please click hereto view the Nga Tawa procedure for medications.
Year 9 Sustainability Trip
This term, Year 9 students have been learning about Sustainability in English, Social Studies, Science and Religious Education. As part of this cross-curriculum theme they will be taking part in a Stainability Day on Tuesday 20 September. This day is about putting into action their learning about sustainability and caring for creation. Please click here for more details.
Humantities
News and important information from the Visual and Performing Arts team
The Performing Arts Department has had a busy fortnight with girls heading out for examinations in Music, Speech and Drama as well as having NZMEB Exams at school. Preliminary results will be available shortly.
Mr Ellery will be away until the end of term as he is having heart surgery. We wish him the very best for a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on board next term.
We also welcome on board a new Music Teacher, Miss Caitlin Arthur who will be teaching violin.
House Music finals will be from 12.00pm - 2.30pm on Friday 23 September.
Sport
A wrap-up of sports results and matches coming up Cycling Report
Sundays cycle race was back at the difficult Hiwinui loop but we turned up with our largest group of smiley girls this season, 8 riders. 1 in the under 19, 4 in the under 17 and 3 in the under 15 grade. The under 17 and 19 grades raced twice around the 18km loop while the under 15 did one 18km loop.
Our standout rider today was Zoe MacClure coming in 3rd in the under 19 girls producing our fastest average speed of the day. Georgina Wallace showed great courage and determination to complete the 36km ride after crashing early on in the first loop. Bridget Bone, Kate Thomas, Georgina Bryant and Meg Thomas all improved their average speeds from their last visit to Hiwinui whilst our two newest riders, Amelia Bryant and Rebecca Nesdale were right on track for the upcoming Nationals.
We have a weekend off cycling coming up due to exams and netball, then down to a TTT at Koputaroa on the 18th as a warm up for the following weekend Nationals on the 24th.
Hockey - Winter Tournament Week
Please click here to view results.
Netball - Winter Tournament Week
Please click here to view results.
Hockey - Final Games
Please click here to view results.
Equestrian Equestrian Report A wrap-up of Equestrian results and events coming up Taupo Training Camp A team of girls, parents and horses spent the exeat weekend at the National Equestrian Centre in Taupo training for our trip to Marlborough, in the term holidays for the South Island Pony Club Eventing Teams Championship – Springston Trophy. We had a great time away gaining valuable cross country riding experience and enjoyed a dip in the hot pools and dinner at Lone Star in our down time!
Above: Training Camp Above: Girls enjoying a dip in the hot pools
Moutoa PC Show On Saturday 3rd September we took eight girls, six riding school horses, to the Moutoa Pony Club Spring Show. This proved to be a really valuable and enjoyable outing for our girls, a number of them attending their first show. Congratulations to Laura Hare riding her own pony Zen E Bear to Champion show pony! All of the girls came home with a ribbon which is always a nice reward for their efforts.
Above: School Pony Girls Above: Maria Naysmith-Wright and Annabel Rankine
Tielcey Park Combined Training Series Final We had 12 girls competing at the final show of this winter series. Both Rebecca Robertson and Yuki Komori won their classes and Rebecca was the runner-up champion of the series in her division. This series has been really valuable for our girls and horses to continue with their training over the quieter winter months.
Above: Rebecca with her Medals and Blue Above: Chirsty Lo For more details and photos check out our Facebook page here.
Community News
We are pleased to extend an invitation to all members of the local community for Yoga classes, here at school every Monday. Please note next Monday 12th September Yoga will be held in the Centennial Room (due to the Preliminary Exams).
Coming Events
Events and Notices about what's coming up in the next few weeks Saturday 10 September Our Year 12 and 13 Young Enterprise girls will be selling their products at the Trade Fair in the Square, Palmerston North from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
Saturday 10 - Sunday 11 September Horizons Netball Tournament Yr 9 -10 - Palmerston North
Sunday 11 September
Wellington SS Championships - Wellington
Sunday 11 - Wed 14 September
NISS Skiing Championships Turoa
The Pilgimage for Year 9 and 10 Students. Please click here for further information
Friday 16 September
Year 12 Formal at Nga Tawa - Starts at 7:00pm and finishes at 11:00pm
Please click here for more details
Friday 23 September
House Music in the Celebration Centre - Starts at 12.00pm - 2.30pm
