Term One comes to a close
Let us take this moment to reflect on everything you’ve achieved this term. Subjectively, we can state that it has been a delight to work with you so far this year. You have been polite, generous and mature in your interactions with us. Your teachers have frequently commented on your determination and self-discipline. The local community tells us that you are making a real impact through your voluntary work and your engagement with your sport and your cultural life.
There are some numbers we’d like to share with you that underpin this. None of this good reputation comes easily. So far, collectively you have conquered:
- 49,170 Hours of Learning
- 11 Year Level Meetings
- 812 Level 3 Credits
- 44 Whanau Periods
- 189 Full-Time Days of Volunteer Work
As we often say to you, it’s the small things that matter – and these aggregates just might illuminate that point. The good feedback you are getting, the results you are achieving and the difference you are making comes from the accumulation of hundreds and thousands of good decisions. We can’t deny: we are proud.
Year 13 Attire and Self-Representation
Charlotte and I have been developing a document that outlines our proposed approach to this contested area for some weeks now. We’ve received some feedback from some individual students, and passed this document past the powers that be, and now seek your feedback before it’s formalised. Please take the time to read it and let us know to what extent we speak for you – and if not, what you would have us say.
Please be invited to either comment on this document at the bottom of its website page – or to email us directly with your response.
Look After Yourself
Last week we discussed the importance of taking care of yourself. No doubt you’ll already be glazing over as you read yet another self-evident statement, but trust us, as you progress through this year (and those to come) the pressures are going to pile up. You’ve got your school workload, which comes in surges. You’ve got an expanded social life. You have the added complication of a drivers license. You have changing relationships with your family. Your volunteer work. Your part time job. On top of all this you have your exciting future looming, and all manner of decisions imposed upon you as to what direction you’re going to take yourself. It’s big.
We encourage you to focus on three things and promise us one thing:
- Focus on eating well
- Focus on getting enough sleep
- Focus on organisation. Write down your plans
- Promise us that you will seek help if everything gets too much. We are here. You pay us through your taxes so we can be here to help. Use the service. Whoever went to a buffet, paid the charge, and didn’t eat?
Get Out Of Jail Free
At the beginning of Term 2, as promised, all students who have a perfect attendance record, a Fortnightly Grade average over 3 and some Students in the Community hours registered from Term 1 will be given a Get Out Of Jail Free card. This will entitle those students to exempting themselves from all supervised study classes for the entirety of Term 2.
Our fortnightly system will still operate next term, so be assured that your strong, if not perfect, records will still be recognised – and you can always try for a card in Term 3!
Weekly Notices, Diary and Opportunities:
Firstly remember the trio of sites that have been designed to support your needs this year:
You can subscribe to these sites individually (use the follow button at the bottom right of every page) and then you’ll receive notifications when new information is added.
- For those attending to Otago University Open Day, check out their online digital programme.
- Job Opportunity: Looking for one or two students to set up desks in classrooms and do some lifting at the College for the Wanaka Autumn Art School on Easter Monday. Two –three hours work. $20/hour. Please contact Robyn van Reenen 027 443 1812.
- Free Tickets Available: “Her Voice” Public Lectures: https://theweavinghouse.nz/ – Contact Chris or Charlotte if you’re keen.
- Complete this survey to win free tickets to the Festival of the Future
- Kahu Youth ran a massive survey at MAC, asking all the students what they’d like to do during their holidays and in their free time. According to their most popular interests, they have put together a Holiday Program including activities like Wild Wire, Virtual Reality Outdoor Rock Climbing, Paintball, Horse Riding in Cardrona, etc. Check out their websitewww.kahuyouth.org to sign up online! Spaces are limited!
Diary Dates
- Otago Tertiary Trip from 5th-6th May
- Year 13 Hostel First Aid course Saturday 25th May
- Ara Polytechnic Presentation Wednesday 29th May
- School Formal Saturday 18th May
We wish you all the very best for a rejuvenating Easter break – and we look forward to seeing you all
Chris and Charlotte
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