End of Term Newsletter
Principal’s Update
He Karere nā te Tumuaki -
Welcome to 2022 – post pandemic and a new shade of Orange! New ways of doing, and new ways of being as we head into our third year of living with Corona virus. It will not be the old normal for us, but rather a new world with a reshaped economy – much as war and depression reordered life for previous generations. So too, shall we come together to help reshape the what teaching and learning looks like at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate. We have lost time, but we haven’t lost focus and I am excited!
This year we have many wonderful initiatives in place to further build on the curious minds of our learners. A new curriculum, amazing new staff, sports development and STEAM being the aspirational focus for 2022. So come along with us, because we can’t do it without your support and belief in our school.
How can you help you say? Help your child to be organised for school. Show interest in what they are learning. Be an active participant in their every day school life and most importantly of all – be their champion for change.
Education affords you choices. Education opens up the world of possibilities as well as provide security for the future. Make school and education a priority in your home. The positive partnership with home and school is how we reshape our economy and lay the foundations for your whānau to gain educational and personal success.
Thank you for your support and remember to thank the many teachers who enable your child to shoot for the stars!
See you all for the start of Term 2 – Monday 2nd May 2022
Celebrations
2021 Academic Result Celebration
Students who received NCEA subject or course endorsements finally had the opportunity to be celebrated in front of their peers. It was a beautiful celebration on one of the few occasions we have been able to come together this term.
Thank you to all the staff for your tireless work in the background to put on these celebrations for our students.
Congratulations to all our winners:
NCEA Level 2 Certificate Endorsement:
Excellence
Iunisi Mahe
Adeleine Eli
Merit
Trinity Arama
Jireh Vine
Mary-Anne Varu
Marcus Tuakana
Rebecca Naniseni
Kocheec Pirini
Sereana Hodge
NCEA Level 1 Certificate Endorsement:
Excellence
Penelope Tanuvasa
Mohanarathy Thurairajah
Merit
Moses Ah Chong
Silina Hiko
Meritiana Mikaele
Dredyn Pouwhare-Paraima
Charlotte Tereora Ahsin
Vivian Alapae Satui
Orlando Singh
Kopi Laalaai-Suasua
Ashwyn Moera Lemalu
Fesui Tagaloa
Alyis Masina
Charles Fetu'u
Naite Faulalo Peni
Fun Friday
There was also an opportunity for students to show enterprise by selling products to practise their business skills. With students dressed in house colours and an assortment of wild and wacky outfits, Fun Friday lifted the spirits of us all.
A great way to end a very different Term 1!
TRIPS
Level 3 History trip to the Waikato
Students had a learning enriched and fun day as the visited, Mercer, Rangiriri and Ngāruawāhia.
At Te Awamutu we were met by the education facilitator from Te Awamutu museum, Kerrin Carr. Kerrin accompanied us around the historic sites at Rangiaowhia, Orakau and Kihikihi and the class finished the day with a run up Pirongia redoubt.
Thanks to all the staff involved in this trip, you made it a really enjoyable day.
Experiencing the Outdoors PE trip to Duder Regional Park
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon in week 10 the GPEO (Experiencing the Outdoors) went on a day trip to Duder Regional Park. This trip provided the class with an opportunity to put their leadership strategies into place while Orienteering around the park.
The students had an amazing time exploring the park in groups, following maps and communicating via Walkie Talkies.
Year 9 Introduction Day at Kokako Lodge
Students participated in a range of team building activities to improve their cooperation, communication and how they interact with one another.
The students had a wonderful day together and started to form an awesome bond as a cohort.
COMMUNITY
South-Versed Art Exhibition
The South-Versed Exhibition at Fresh Art Gallery in Otara Town Centre is a self-curated group exhibition with artwork by Artists that work and live within the community. The exhibition includes mural designs from nine Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Art students, and it also has artworks from our Senior School Art teacher, Mr. Toetuu. The Artists have been brought together by the, ‘Otara Scorpions for Life Mural Project’. The exhibition will be held from the 9th April-28th May.
Congratulations to these students who have their work exhibited at Fresh Art Gallery:
Tangata Lakai
Olioni Latu
Nu’ualofa Seiuli
George Kelly
Ardyn Oa’ariki
Dredyn Pouwhare-Pairama
Joanna Tanielu Sami
Adine Vaisima
Moses Ah Chong
Important Dates and workshops details:
Saturday 16th April, 11am-2pm:
South-Versed Public Programme - AR workshop with Kat
Thursday 28th April, 11am-2pm:
South-Versed Public Programme - Pasefika Pattern making with Faleata Ualesi
Saturday 28th May: TBC: Closing event 9am.
Beyond The Walls Art Project
A selection of our Art students have been involved in this project and continue to participate in a series of group wānanga and arts-mentoring experiences with exhibition artists throughout the year. Each group are supported to develop their own responses to the current exhibition, ‘ Declarations: A Pacific Feminist Agenda’, which include 12 prominent Artists from across the Pacific.
The artworks in the exhibition set a feminist agenda by highlighting the important issues of our times, including climate change,resilience, tino rangatiratanga, activism and social justice.
Student Leader Workshops
Our Student Prefect and leadership team are fortunate to continue to work closely with Pasifika stalwarts and leaders from our community Vasa Fia Collins, Apulu Reece Autagavaia, Harry Toleafoa and Counsellor Fa’anana Efeso Collins - who this year is campaigning to be the first Samoan Mayor of Auckland City and a voice for South Auckland.
Covid mandates meant we were unable to travel as we have done in the past, to either the Manukau or Auckland City Council Chambers and instead we were generously hosted nextdoor by Willie Maea and the Ngati Otara Sports Complex.
Our Prefects worked together to better understand the nature of leadership and how diversity is a powerful commodity they bring to every situation and experience. They looked at ways to promote and advocate for the protection of our community by exploring different actions that help address issues of immediate concern to our whanau eg; housing, education, healthcare and so forth.
Our next group to work with these amazing political, legal, economic and educational leaders will be our Year 12s on 9 May. Make sure if you are a Y12 student that you are selected to be part of this leadership programme. And for more insights into the workshop and Fa’anana Efeso Collins mayoral campaign, watch Tagata Pasifika (Sunday 9 April episode).
Sustainability Group
Kahurangi Community Work
While the weather has been amazing Kahurangi have been making the most of what is left of the warmer days and have been doing collaborative activities together around school to whakawhanaungatanga and better connect as Pouhapai and members of the wider Kahurangi Whanau.
On Give Back Thursday our service activity and vision has been to try and beautify our schools shared spaces and Kahurangi have done this by;
picking up litter
clearing garden beds/areas around school
growing seedlings in pottles
transplanting these seedlings
watering and caring for garden beds
having a designated Kahurangi kaitiaki area which we look to develop next term
Another collective fun Kahurangi activity was to tie dye our tees, scrunchies and bandana’s in our house colour PINK for Fun Friday. We also celebrated the end of term by giving out certificates during Whanau Assembly to students who exhibited not only our school values but leadership qualities too.
Itinerant Music Lesson
In the Music department this term, we have commenced itinerant instrument lessons for our students. We have also opened our very own recording studio, so that students are able to create and record their own music.
There will be a school production later this year, and we hope to begin work on a school radio station as well.
Exciting things ahead for students at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate!
SPORTS
Volleyball Girls
The girls team struggled to find a Coach and Manager at the start of the season which put them behind at the beginning.
A massive thank you to Ms Lanumata (Manager) and Vai Aiono (Coach) for stepping up into these roles for the sake of our young ladies.
The addition of Covid restrictions on family and supporters was another obstacle for the girls to overcome through the season.
Adeline (Head Girl), Iunisi (Team Captain), Mela Baice (Deputy Head Girl) and Serena Hodge (Prefect) formed a strong leadership group within the team and should be commend on their ability to inspire and motivate the girls during a tough season.
Playing in the second division at Auckland Champs the girls - The girls finished 3rd in their division. With some great wins over - Saint Kents, Henderson, Papakura and Mcleans in the bronze medal game.
Southern East Zone Senior Boys Tag
Our senior boys tag team had an awesome campaign winning 4 out of their 5 games placing them second in their division (teams we defeated: Papakura, Onehunga, Tuakau & One Tree Hill).
Unfortunately we sustained 3 injuries and lost our only game to Aorere college.
On behalf of the coaching staff and managers we would like to acknowledge and thank all our supports that showed up to cheer our boys and girls teams. Our boys pushed through a lot of adversity to get to game day but their display of unity, respect and sportsmanship was what we were most proud of.
Meitaki Atupaka.
Southern East Zone Senior Girls Tag
They placed 1st in their grade. Shout out to Porohu Hagai Noa who was awarded Player of the Day and also top try score.