| Term 4 | Week 6  |
Kia ora e te whānau,
Our Senior Students have begun their NCEA External Examination period. Thank you for ensuring the area at the rear of the school (the normal bus bay) is kept quiet at the end of the day. Our afternoon exams start at 2 pm and finish at 5 pm. In the newsletter last week, we wished them well for this final (and exceptionally important) part of the year.
Earlier this week, we welcomed Karuna Thurlow to our school. She has worked extensively with Mātua Karatī as his tutor during his Term 3 study leave. Karuna worked with our leadership team, Kapa Haka group, and other small groups throughout her two-day visit. Part of that work led to the development of a school waiata. We're excited to share it with you later in this newsletter!
We’ve also had the opportunity to farewell our leavers from Year 13 at an evening event. Of course, all manner of stories were shared of their differing journeys through school. The Leavers’ Dinner in every school is an event mixed with sadness and joy, ours was no different. It did, however, allow me to share with our Year 13 graduates my reflections on the opportunities Area Schools provide when compared to Secondary - you’ll know I have worked in both settings. Here is an excerpt from my speech:
“Be proud of your Area School roots, you have an established foundation that is unique to the Area School experience. You’ve enjoyed longer relationships with those around you, we know this is the key to educational success. You know how to work through disagreements and how to welcome differences. You’ve been involved in every team imaginable, and know that your participation is key to a team going ahead or being successful. You have enjoyed an opportunity to develop your value and self-esteem in a way that others of your age have not. Rather than underplaying the small-school experience in your next steps, think of the unique opportunities for development that this has provided you with. Your strengths and the opportunities you have enjoyed are not comparable to others of your age.”
This week and next, I’m looking forward to being on a variety of panels to award scholarships and future student leadership positions. It is certainly a busy time of year, but it comes with the high reward of observing the fabulous outcomes our students and those from the wider region achieve.
Reminder: The final Accord teacher Only Day for 2021 is tomorrow, Friday 26th November.
He waka eke noa,
Kate Staniford
Tumuaki | Principal
Ka nui te mihi koutou mā. This week we had the privilage of hosting Karuna Thurlow from Kai Tahu, she is a kaiako of te reo māori for Karatī and also mentors him. During her visit she worked with Karati to develop a new waiata for TAS.
Junior classes have, this week, enjoyed some tennis skills and coaching with thanks going to South Canterbury tennis coach Steve Dries. Watch out for the next Roger Federer and Venus Williams in the making.
Room 9 ākonga completed their year-long bean project last week with a harvest and tasting session! Their project centered around the question ‘will our beans grow in winter?’.
Whether you call them pancakes or pikelets, eat them cold or hot, with jam or butter, the M1 ākonga had a great time making (and eating) them!
Congratulations to Jack McLellan who was selected to play in the Year 9/10 South Canterbury cricket squad at Milner Park, Oamaru on Sunday.
Room 7 and 9 students buddied up on Friday afternoon to go on a Bear Hunt to the river. They didn't find any bears, but they had a great time rolling through the grass and climbing trees!
Twizel Area School Prizegiving Assemblies will take place on Tuesday, 14th December 2021. Of course, this year will be different. In order for us to acknowledge our students in a manner that falls within the present health guidelines, we’ll be holding ‘in-school’ small events.
A casual vacancy has occurred on the school board for an elected parent representative.
The 2021 NCEA Exams have started and continue through until December 14th. Here you can find all the information you require including the exam timetable, what to bring to the exams and general exam etiquette.
This Friday, 26th November there will be no classes due to a Teacher Only Day.
The pressure can mount as the year wraps up. Here are some survival tips for enjoying the ride.
The Ministry of Education have published a Whānau Pocket Guide, designed to help you better understand the changes taking place within NCEA.
Click here to view the updated Google Term Calendar.
|
|
|
|
