It's 2024 already! The school is already buzzing with staff excitement for the new school year. We're looking forward to the students returning refreshed after their break.

Following initial ‘settling-in’ days at school, we will host a Mihi Whakatau to welcome our new staff and students. Further details will be available for all students closer to the start of school. This will be the first of many opportunities for us to meet. Another such opportunity will be a barbecue where you can meet the teachers, informally discuss your child’s Settling-in Report, and participate in our Graduate Profile Whānau Consultation. The barbecue will be held on March 7th from 4-6 pm at the rear foyer. 

At the start of the term, we welcome five new and one returning staff member. Melissa Neill - Primary, Margaret White - Primary, James Robertson - PE/Maths, Heather Dixon - Science/Maths, Freya Haanen - SENCo and Josh Dicinoski - Caretaker. Each will be featured in an upcoming newsletter so the community can learn more about them and the skills and talents they bring to Twizel Area School. I am sure that all of them will soon become accustomed to the rhythms and systems of Twizel and Twizel Area School – in the meantime, some of them will need to lean on your local expertise to guide them.

There are some role changes within the school to consider, too: 

• Taylor McGifford is our Middle School Dean ([email protected])
• Nyree Schaar is our Senior School Dean ([email protected])

We have received some enquiries regarding uniform changes. As you know, we completed a consultation last year regarding uniforms. We have collated that information, and you will be advised of future changes to the uniform later this year. Uniform change is a multi-step, multi-year process. As we transition to new styles, there will be plenty of notice of changes and a ‘blend phase’. This allows students to naturally outgrow items rather than have parents purchase new items immediately. We will keep you informed as the process continues. I can confirm that in 2024, we will add two items to our uniform range as soon as stock has been created at NZUniforms. We will add a TAS-branded, soft-shelled, black jacket for students of all ages. This will be allowed to be worn inside classes. We will also be adding a house-coloured PE T-shirt as an optional item. This will be available for all ages of students to wear for PE and house or sporting events, and not for normal uniform wear.

The new government has changed how cell phones can be used in New Zealand schools. We already have a Personal Digital Device Policy, which meets the requirements of the new legislation. We encourage parents to give feedback on this policy for the Board of Trustees to review. You can provide policy feedback by visiting our policy website and entering the username (twizel) and password (twizelarea).

You will note that the fencing project continues around the boundary of the school site and in smaller areas around the school buildings. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause during the construction phase. The fencing project is a necessary outcome of an MoE Special Education Review. Be assured that several gates are being fitted to allow access to the site from various points. Some of the gates are pedestrian-sized, and others are vehicle access points.

There are a few items of note as we reach the final stages of the holiday:

• Don’t forget about our Parent A-Z Guide - it has the answers to most questions about Twizel Area School.
• A reminder that our Main Office is now cashless. We have EFTPOS available, and you can make direct payments through the school bank account (06-0966-0083000-000) with your child’s name and the purpose of the payment as references. We are also working hard to provide online payments through the Portal...more news soon.
• NCEA results are now available online. Students can log in using the NZQA Student Hub.
• Students can check their provisional timetables via the portal. Any necessary changes will be dealt with at Course Confirmation or within the first few days of school.
• Secondhand uniforms are available at the school office from January 29th onwards (10 am-12 pm and 1-3 pm).
• BYOD (Bring your own device) – Students in Years 7 and above should bring their own device to school. More information is available on our school website.
• Sun Protection – don’t forget your hat if you want to play outside! Hats should be a style that protects the ears from the sun e.g. bucket or wide brim style.
• If you wish to volunteer on any trips and camps this year and have not yet been Police Vetted, or need to renew your vetting, please do so now to avoid disappointment. Depending on the Police workload, vets can take up to three weeks to be returned. 
• Our school calendar is always available on our website.
• Buses will run as normal from February 1st.

We will be reporting on our fantastic NCEA results in an upcoming 2024 newsletter; there is undoubtedly cause for many congratulations to our senior students. We’re proud of each and every one of them. Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei! Initial indications (without the late entry process completed) indicate that the pass rate for eligible students at each level surpasses national outcomes. TAS Level 1 is 77% (2022 national result was 65%), TAS Level 2 is 100% (2022 national result was 75%), and TAS Level 3 is 83% (2022 national result was 68%). 67% of our Year 13 students gained University Entrance (2022 national result was 50%).

Here are the start of school dates and details:

• Senior students (Years 11-13) should attend their Course Confirmation at 1.30 pm on Wednesday, January 31st. Uniforms are not required. This will be held in the rear foyer.
• Senior Students (Years 11-13) will be required to assist in creating a Peer Support Programme for our Middle School students on Thursday, February 1st. Please arrive at the Foods Room at 9 am for a full-day programme. Uniforms are not required; bring lunch. Buses run as normal.
• Middle School Students (Years 7-10) are required to participate in the Peer Support Programme on Friday, February 2nd, supported by the Senior Students (Years 11-13). All Years 7-13 students should meet at 9 am in the rear foyer for a full-day programme. Uniforms are not required; wear House colour clothing suitable for activities and sports shoes. Bring lunch and a water bottle, plus your stationery/school supplies. Buses run as normal.
• School starts for everyone on Monday, February 5th. 8.40 am for Years 7-13 and 8.50 am for Years 1-6. Students in Years 1-6 should go straight to their classrooms, students in Years 7-13 should meet in the rear foyer. Please ensure you have your PE and swimming gear available along with your stationery from day 1. Uniform required - don’t forget to name it!. Buses run as normal.

More Information

School Stationery

Uniform

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Sun Protection

Parent Portal

2024 Dates for Your Diary

Sport Calendar 2024

Parent Volunteers | We Need You!