Ka nui te mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa

Last week’s announcements by the Government on the changes to Covid restrictions have had little effect on the day-to-day running of schools. Staff and students are still required to wear masks and social distancing practices are being maintained. The increasing of indoor venue limits from 100 to 200 people still means that we will not run regular school assemblies but we will continue with live stream assemblies and look to introduce some levels assemblies next term.

Changes have however had an impact on outside events, especially sports. All students can now compete in sports despite their vaccination status and similarly, there are no restrictions on spectator numbers.

Winter sport kicks off early into next term and it will be great to be able to return to regular competitions. We encourage our young people to take the opportunity to re-engage in sports and other co-curricular activities, like our school production which is back on track for term 3.

Staff and students must be congratulated for their efforts this term and their involvement in a range of community-based activities. They have worked extensively to create a sense of normality during an endemic, and very importantly some fun. Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou katoa.

Principal

Whaea Nicola email: nng@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Deputy Principal

Mr Daryn Shaw email: dsh@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Senior Leadership

Mrs Paula Cast email: pca@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Senior Leadership

Mrs Hilary Takarangi email: hta@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Senior Leadership

Mr Darren Scott email: dsc@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Year 12 and 13 Dean

Mr Wayne Cribb email: wcr@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Year 11 Dean

Mr Daryn Shaw email: dsh@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Year 10 Dean

Ms Ann Rodgers email: aro@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Year 9 Dean

Mr Airana Ngarewa email: aro@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

International Director

Mrs Nicola Healy email: nhe@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

New Zealand History Curriculum at Spotswood College

This year at Spotswood College we have introduced the New Zealand History Curriculum. We have incorporated this learning into our Marau-āwhina / Learning Advisory time on Mondays and Fridays.

Why is our History important?

Issues that are affecting and influencing many aspects of our lives today are often linked to past events. Knowing our history helps us to better understand these issues, and with better understanding comes more appreciation, better solutions, and more respect for each other.

The New Zealand History Curriculum states that:

• When ākonga place themselves within the context of Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories, they gain a deeper sense of who they are and how they and their ancestors came to be here.

• To give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, students need to understand its history and the perspectives of the diverse people who keep the Treaty alive.

• Learning about Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories helps students understand different perspectives and experiences, which grows empathy and builds connections between people.

• The study of history helps ākonga develop critical thinking skills and become informed citizens.

Our main focus this term has been whakapapa me te whanaungatanga - or culture and identity. We started the term off by looking at Te Kura Tuarua o Ngāmotu history and significance. For example, we learnt about our school pepeha and the significance behind it (which included a lot of local History), about the history of Spotswood College, and also the significance behind our four hapū which are named after the Ngāmotu islands (or Sugar Loaf Islands). Students were also given the opportunity to learn their own pepeha.

After this, our learning moved from the local setting to a more national context. We have learnt about Māori migration to New Zealand and traditional Māori culture, the early contact period and the Declaration of Independence as well as Te Tiriti o Waitangi. As you can see it has been a busy start to the year! There has been positive feedback from staff and students so far.

LA Curricululm Coordinator

Rebecca Willy

Te Waka Manaaki Rūma 1

Term 1 2022 has been full of sunshine and smiles as we started back into the school year. Whilst things are a little different than normal with singing being done outdoors, and masks being worn, returning students have shown great flexibility in the new normal, whilst our new students seem to be really enjoying coming to our friendly, happy classroom environment.

Our health class is investigating healthy eating and our science class is tying in with that by learning about the human body and its vital functions.

We continue with our journey on learning NZ Sign Language and it is great to see staff and students alike using so many signs as another form of communication, our department is certainly leading in this area of knowledge within the school.

The pump track with its great circuit continues to be a hit within our department, and our students keep active at least twice a week using this or swimming in our heated pool.

Junior Impact Inquiry projects are pumping - from working with engineers to subdivide our school, to designing properties including interior spaces to go on the subdivision, herbology, beekeeping, market gardens on a plate, marine biology, bringing art to life, planning and executing Street Food Extravaganzas, and so much more. Impact Inquiry is a powerful model that combines learning with making a social impact and finding solutions to local and global challenges.

Students have been leading the way in getting involved and contributing to community causes. Recently they raised awareness around Sexual Assault raising $800 by auctioning off teachers for dunking and a bake sale. Student leaders also coordinated being part of the community vigil for Ukraine and had a piece of artwork done that united Aotearoa with Ukraine motifs as a symbol of aroha and unity.

Student groups have also helped prepare Covid relief boxes for a joint initiative between MSD, local Iwi and TDHB.

We encourage student-led initiatives, and are grateful for their leadership and for the many student-led clubs that they run, from early morning swim sessions, chess, QSA, Feminine Empowerment and politics to name a few.

Spotswood College Ahurewa 2022, would like to announce that they were successful in securing a $30,000 digital inclusion grant with InternetNZ. These funds will go towards resourcing the 'Oranga Matihiko' programme with desktop PC's and broadcasting equipment.

We would like to express our gratitude to Te Papatipu Matihiko - Ngāti Gaming, Victory Up, Digital Natives Academy, InternetNZ and everyone who has been a part of this journey to help us achieve this great milestone.

"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi

Engari he toa takitini "

"My victory is not of one but of many"

VOLLEYBALL

Spotswood College Boys' Team

Spotswood college Senior Boys' Team of Zalan Lizan, Justin Goundar, Jayden Leece, Shaeden Wetere, Joe Cocker, Lucas Heggie, Juraj Krajci, Lukas Wall, Noah Fleming, Balu Molnar, won the Taranaki Secondary Schools Senior Boys' Volleyball Championships going through the competition undefeated winning all 8 games to win the championship without dropping a set.

Throughout the competition nights, several of the students were in isolation, this meant we only had 6 players available to play on finals night, the boys won the title making it the 7th year in a row, a streak going back since 2015.

Spotswood College Girls' Teams

The Spotswood college A Team of Mishka Rosa, Jess Proctor, Isabel Lindsay, Isis Kennard, Ellie Dinnis, Haruna Sato, Ailiana Scholey, won 6 and lost 2 to finish 2nd at the Regional Championships. This was a good result for the girls after finishing 3rd in the qualifying round.

The B Girls' Team of Tia Christiansen, Isabel McFarlane, Anna Clough, Kiralee Willan, Chelsea Gartner, Lola Crawshaw also competed on the finals day and finished in 8th spot.

Unfortunately, the School Volleyball Nationals were cancelled due to covid restrictions with the focus now being for several of the Spotswood College athletes to make the Taranaki team for the Inter-Provincial Championships, Wellington in June.

Congratulations to Josh Houghton and Blake Lusk who placed first and second at the Johnston THE HOME OF MOTO Cross Country Race!

This is a very challenging series with top competitors so our students did extremely well to place so highly.

AS we head into winter sports seasons, trials are taking place. Students are notified of these through the daily notices.

We thank all supporters of events and sports codes that have taken place so far this year and look forward to what the winter season brings about.

Photo of Year 10 Student Danu Fraser and Year 12 Students Jack Skinner, Joe Cocker and Lucas Heggie competing at TSSSA Surfing

Reminder school finishes at 2.10 pm every Wednesday.

April

4th - Start of Module 2

4th - Canterbury University visit

6th - Hearing Conservation and Manual Handling Course

12th - Sheilah Winn

13th - Sexwise Programme (Yr 9)

14th Teacher Only Day

14th End of Term 1

Thursday, April 14 will be a Staff Only Day, where staff will take part in professional Learning on site. No formal classes will operate on this day.

Spotswood College will be using SchoolAppsNZ to send out notices and information to our whānau. This is a free app available on Apple and Android devices. You can also access newsletters, contact the school about absences and find helpful links as well as quick access to Kamar. (Link below).

We have a school attendance target of above 90% for every student. To ensure that together we reach this, it is important that if you know your child is going to be absent from school, that you please contact the school by using one of the following options.

Option 1: Telephone the school on 06 751 2416 and speak to the receptionist (Tracey) or Attendance Officer (Jenine).

Option 2: Send a text to the Attendance Officer (Jenine) on 021 023 93060

Option 3: send an email to the Attendance Officer (Jenine) - jpr@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Option 4: Use the school app to log attendance.

Option 5: Leave a message on the Attendance hotline by calling the school on 06 751 2416 and press (1) to report a student absence. Record your child’s name, parents name, contact details and reason for absence.

If for any reason you are concerned about your child’s attendance, you can speak with the Attendance Officer (see contact details above) or she will pass you on to the DEAN or your child’s Learning Advisor.

Our expectation as a school whanau is that our young people are in the correct uniform at all times. As we are now heading into cooler weather, it is important that students have the correct winter school uniform. Items can be purchased from our Uniform Shop. Students will be required to hand over non-uniform items which can be collected back at the end of the week.

We also have a large accumulation of uniforms that are a part of lost property that is kept in this space, If your child has a missing school item, please encourage them to check the lost property racks.

Uniform shop hours

Uniform shop hours each week are as follows:

8.00 am to 9.00 am & Interval - Monday to Friday.

Phone 751 2416 Ext 721 or 022 676 2750.

Sick or injured at school

The sickbay is closed for any sick-related issues. If you are sick, we will contact home and ask for you to be picked up immediately. Please do not arrange this yourself as we need to know where you are at all times.

The sick bay is open to help with injuries.

A public health nurse is available for you and your caregivers if you have any concerns. This could be a rash, not sleeping well, regular headaches, ongoing health issues etc.

Please ask to talk to her privately. Consultations are confidential, offering information and advice. Health resources are available, with a choice of providers for referrals to agencies.

If further support or information is needed in regards to student wellbeing please contact Whaea Kiri on kfo@spotswoodcollege.school.nz.

TERM 1

Wednesday 2nd February – Thursday 14th April - (11 weeks)

Waitangi Day Monday 7th February

Anniversary Day Monday 14th March

Good Friday Friday 15th April

Easter Monday Monday 18th April

Easter Tuesday Tuesday 17th April

ANZAC Day Monday 25th April (falls in term vacation)

TERM 2

Monday 2nd May – Friday 8th July - (10 weeks)

Queens Birthday Monday 6th June

Matariki Friday 24th June

TERM 3

Monday 25th July – Friday 30th September - (10 weeks)

TERM 4

Monday 17th October – 9th December

Labour Day Monday 24th October