Newsletter 10 - 2013

Ngā mihi nui whanau,

With this week being Maori Language Week I will begin with a proverb or whakatauki related to our Kawa which affirms an individual’s strength and courage,

He toka tú moaná, ara he toa rongonui.

Translated this means ‘your strength is like a rock that stands in the raging waters’.

Attendance + Engagement = Achievement. This simple equation was presented in a Ministry of Education publication last year and sums up our focus in recent years. One of our specific goals this year has been to improve attendance through creating consequences for lateness and poor attendance. We have also followed this up with Individual Education Plan meetings with the student, parents and staff so that there is full understanding of progress and a team approach to solutions. These initiatives are making a difference with incidents of lateness at less than a third of those from last year and attendance at almost 90%. Nationally, attendance is around 88% for a school of our type. Our efforts, combined with the Positive Behaviour for Learning contract and other initiatives in our annual plan, are continuing to have a positive impact on our learning environment.

An indicator of this impact is the large number of senior students who have gained an Excellence in an internal achievement standard so far this year. In the past two years we have had around 45 students receive these awards at our academic assemblies but this year we had over 70 students, with half of Year 11 alone gaining Excellences. Our assembly to acknowledge these students was memorable - full of pride and respect in celebration of our students’ achievements and their courage to push for excellence. He rawe rangatahi mā (Well done to you all).

A well deserved draw was the final result in the teachers verses students netball game this week. The aim was to raise funds for the Senior A team to attend the South Island tournament next term. Having one of the students in the staff team as goal shoot may have helped the teachers scoring just a little. Our girls’ rugby team enjoyed their 7 a-side games against Dunstan on a frosty evening last week. Some strong running and punishing tackling. Congratulations to the U14 Cromwell Soccer Team on winning the Central Otago competition on Sunday. It was a great way to finish a frustrating weather-affected season. Two other junior teams also won their ‘plate’ finals.

Keep the evening of Sunday 4 August free to hear some of the experiences of the Everest Base Camp team’s adventures in Nepal. It is a chance to share some photos and stories and an opportunity to say thank you for the tremendous community support we received. The evening starts at 6.30pm in the College Auditorium and will be followed by a light supper.

Year 7 and 8 parents have had interviews with home room teachers this past week. We are trialing a longer conference where there is discussion of overall progress and achievement. We welcome feedback on this new format. We have farewelled Timo Steiner who has been with us for a year on a Rotary exchange. He returns for two more years of schooling back home in Switzerland. Our two Brazilian students Juliany Cordeiro and Luis Neto who have been part of our Apartments Programme are also away at the end of term. All three students have been excellent ambassadors and added much to the life of the college. We wish them all the best, haere ra, mauri ora! (Goodbye and stay well). Ka kite, Mason Stretch Principal

Whaia te taumata - Deserve Success

NEWSLETTER 10 5 July 2013

UPCOMING EVENTS:

9 –10 July - Waimate Exchange 11 July - Mid Year Reports posted home - Year 9 - 13 students 12 July - Last Day of Term Two 12 July - Rockquest 29 July - First Day of Term Three 31 July - Mufti Day 5 August - Teacher Only Day 12 August - School Photos

14 August - Year 9 - 13 Parent / Teacher Interviews 11 September - Soiree 20 September - Art Auction

21 - 27 September - Senior Assessment Period

Mufti Day for Foodbank, a Student Council initiative organised by Bianca Healey.

Pictured: Student Council Reps Will & Ra-

Students vs Teachers Netball Match

Year 9 Maori revising the kupu (words)

SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOCCER RIBBON MEET

On Wednesday 5th June a group of six students, David Beck, Ryan Francis, Luke Randell-Miller, Scott de Wit, Jock Gibson and Aiden Craw plus their two coaches Josh

Isaac and Jo Pugh travelled to Alexandra to take part in the Special Olympics Soccer Ribbon Day. The boys were split in to two teams combined with students from Wakatipu High School. They took part in four skills tests. Each team gained two firsts and two seconds. The two teams also enjoyed a friendly game against each other at the completion of the skills competition. A special thank you goes to both Josh and Jo for their support of not only our boys but all the competitors taking part. Well done all. It was a great day.

Judy Carroll - Teacher Aide

NOTES FROM THE OFFICE

Please can all parents and caregivers contact the school if their child is going to be absent from school. There have been an increasing number of instances where a child is absent and the school has not been contacted. Please phone the landline 4451121 to leave a message on the absences answer machine or txt 0274451121 or email [email protected]. Thank you.

We are trying to ensure that parent / caregiver contact details are up to date. Could you please let the school know if your details have changed. It is very important we have day time phone contact numbers in case of an emergency or medical situation. Thank you.

Scholarship season is now open. BreakOut is an online search tool full of information about scholarships, grants and awards. BreakOut is the tool to search and you don’t have to be an A+ student as there are scholarships for everyone. You can use BreakOut in the careers office, library and on the moodle page on the Cromwell College website. Talk to Mrs Page if you have any questions or need help searching for the right matches.

SENIOR A NETBALL

The Cromwell College Senior A Netball team recently competed in the A grade of the Otago Secondary Schools netball tournament in Dunedin. Over the two days the team played other Otago secondary school teams and although the results weren’t what the team had hoped for it was still a worthwhile competition to develop the team towards their main goal of competing at the South Island Secondary Schools tournament in Christchurch in September. In comparison to other years this year’s team is very young and some of these players are really standing up to a much harder and faster competition than they have previously experienced. Seven of this year’s players have made CO rep teams in their age groups – this shows the skill in the team; now it’s just a matter of turning these players into a team unit. Please support the team over the next couple of months as they fundraise towards their next tournament. We will be making and selling cheese rolls on 7

July – orders can be placed by phoning Karen Bolch 4450064. Marie Holden & Tash Lake - Coaches

Netball Representative Players: Shannon Jones, Otago Country U19, Nikayla Bolch, Emma Patton and Sophie McSkimming Central Otago U17, Della Clark Central Otago U15, Jesse Cox Central Otago U14.

UNDER THE HAMMER

Cromwell College Art Auction Friday 20th September.

Work by local artists and Cromwell College students. This is a College Home & School fundraiser; please keep this date free. More details to follow.

NZQA QUALIFICATIONS FEES

Students entering for an NZQA qualification this year need to pay their NZQA fee which is collected by the College.

The standard fee is $76.70 (this includes any students sitting up to three scholarship subjects). International fee payers to receive results are required to pay $383.30.

Financial assistance is available for those: Receiving a work and income or Study Link

benefit. Having a joint family income that would

entitle the applicant to receive a Community Services Card.

Having more than one child undertaking NZQA qualifications in the same year where total fees would be more than $200.

Financial assistance application forms can be sourced from the College or downloaded from the NZQA website www.nzqa.govt.nz.

Applications for financial assistance must be received at the College by 27 August. All NZQA fees must be received by 3 September (cheques made payable to Cromwell College).

Please contact Mr Streeter at the College if you have any questions. Thank you.

ELGREGOE – A RECENT SHOW FOR Y7 & 8 ‘You’ve got the Power’ is a fun and informative magic show that supports a caring message in schools. This year the theme was based on being a HERO.

Helpful Encouraging Respectful Opportunities

Students are reminded in a fun way to be helpful, encouraging and respectful to others when they can find the opportunity.

The school’s value for this term is courage – and it takes courage to be a ‘hero’ around everyone, no matter who they are and whether they are different to us or not.

Elgregoe said that saying ‘I’m sorry’ when you need to is very powerful. It’s about doing what you can to mend a relationship when you’ve made a mistake. This can take a lot of courage too.

The message of WITS is also reinforced as a way of coping with bullying. Bullying is never ok, and despite our best efforts, sometimes it still happens. Students were encouraged to:

Walk away Ignore Talk to someone about what happened Stop – tell the person to stop the behaviour

Elgregoe talked about being kind to others and having integrity – knowing what is good and right and acting on it – again, that can take courage. Vicki Patton - Guidance Counsellor

IT’S MY TURN TO COOK TONIGHT BOSCH SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM – JULY 15 - 17

The It’s My Turn To Cook Tonight Bosch School Holiday Program is FREE, ONLINE and FUN. It is available ANYWHERE there is Internet. This means no travelling, no pick ups or drop offs – your kids get food savvy and learn to cook in your home, using your food, cooking your dinner. Just by registering you go in the draw to win an iPad mini and there are lots of other GREAT PRIZES to win (movie passes, iPod shuffles, kitchenware and a fabulous Bosch mixer!) Find out more www.itsmyturntocooktonight.com.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM For further information/booking for paid activities, please contact Amy Philip. Ph: 03 445 1228 Email: [email protected] Facebook: thehut.cromwell

We would like to thank the following business for making our formal successful yet again; Cromwell College Home & School Committee, Tu Meke, Studio 16, La Touch, Video Ezy, Feast,

Cromwell Pharmacy, Scent Flowers, Paper Plus, Mainfreight, Inner Beauty. Regards, Cromwell College Formal Committee

Girls Rugby Team vs Dunstan High School

Full Calendar for 2013 online - www.cromwell.school.nz

SCHOOL HOLIDAY LUGE CAMPS

Once again the Maniototo Ice Rink and New Zealand Luge will be running the successful luge and ice (luge, skating & curling) camps during the July school holidays. The luge camp will take place Monday 15 to Friday 19 July The ice camp will take place Monday 22 to Friday 26 July The camps run from 10am to 3pm each day, the cost is $125 per camp and they are ideal for those 10 years and older. This year we will be placing the older and more experienced lugers into a separate group that will work more intensely with our Polish coach Adam and our athletes who have had overseas experience.

Registration forms are available from the school office; please complete them and get to us ASAP. Geoff Balme — New Zealand Olympic Luge Association Mobile 0274 958 923

CROMWELL KIDS FUN CLUB INC. HOLIDAY PROGRAMME

8am - 5:30pm Monday 15 July to Friday 26 July

Cromwell Kids Fun Club Incorporated is a not-for-profit school holiday childcare programme for children aged 5 – 12 years, operating from the Junction Suite at Cromwell Primary School.

Cost: $4 per child per hour. A 20% discount applies for 2 or more children attending from the same family. Numbers are limited.

To book: Email: [email protected] Text: 021 02634889. You will be emailed a booking form to complete even if your child/ren regularly attend the programme.

OSCAR Funding: Please be reminded that you are responsible for arranging any OSCAR funding with WINZ that may be available to you. Forms must include dates and total hours that correspond exactly with your booking. OSCAR forms MUST be submitted to WINZ by 12th July (BEFORE the program commences). Please note we will not be responsible for processing incomplete or late forms.

Under 18? You can receive FREE dental care every year until your 18th birthday!

Regular check-ups help you maintain healthy teeth for an attractive smile - enrol today What free dental care will I get?

A yearly check-up X-rays if necessary Cleaning to remove plaque, staining and tartar Fillings for teeth that have tooth decay (holes) Extractions to remove teeth that have been badly affected by tooth decay

Find a dentist providing FREE dental care in your area:

Call 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) (option 2)

SCHOOL HOLIDAY CAMPS AT WAIHOLA

Southern Lads Camp (Boys Yr 9 - 13)(15th - 19th July) - A Southern Lad is a guy that doesn’t care about dirty hands, loves the outdoors, enjoys good company and has integrity. Experience a farm camp like no other alongside the legendary Alf Bradfield – the Chuck Norris of Tuapeka – see if you have what it takes!!!. This camp may feature building and sleeping in a back country hut, deer stalking, possum trapping and is sure to involve good honest hard work with dirty hands and smelly ‘arm-pits’ coupled with a sense of accomplishment!!! You will sleep in a woolshed and experience good New Zealand tucker each day. There are only 6 spaces left in this camp. Girls’ Winter Camp (Girls Year 5 - 8)(15th - 19th July)

Boys’ Winter Camp (Boys Year 5 - 8)(22nd - 26th July) Go for Gold at our Winter Camps as we seek out gold at camp. The Winter Camps at CYC feature all the cool activities we usually do at CYC – flying fox, go carts, air rifles, archery plus much more. You’ve never experienced go carting unless you have done it in the mud at a CYC Camp. Loads of fun. Download an enrolment form from our website at cycwaihola.org.nz. Tim Wiel - Camping and Promotions Coordinator Christian Youth Camps (Waihola) Inc. P: 03 417 7120, E: [email protected]

WINTER DANCE SCHOOL July School Holidays 20, 21 & 22 Dunstan High School, Alexandra

African, Contemporary & Urban Street Dance Styles Phone Tania 03-4488782 or

email [email protected]

Senior A Netballers say a big 'thank you' to the staff for giving up their lunch break

to play us. It was a great game and ended in a 12-12

draw. The team made just over $70 towards their tournament costs.