Start of Term 3 Newsletter
Principal's Message
Tēnā koutou e te whānau,
We celebrate Term 3 with the opening of Cook Island Language week. Kia Orana all to our students and families as we head closer to the dryer and warmer days of Spring.
Thank you to everyone – staff, students and families for navigating the difficulties of illness, including Covid-19 and its associated disruption. We have maintained our plan to keep the school open and operating as normal despite these disruptions.
We know that our students do better in gaining academic success and in their emotional wellbeing with routine and clear expectations.
WHĀNAU CONFERENCES – TUESDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
Our Whānau Leaders and Pouhapai are looking forward to meeting with families again for our second Whānau Conference on Tuesday 6 September from 10am - 6pm. There will not be scheduled classes on this day but the school will be open for parents and whānau to come in and discuss their child’s progress. We look forward to seeing you on this day.
ATTENDANCE – A NATIONAL CONCERN
Absenteeism has been understandably higher during the last two years due to the global pandemic of Covid. However, we are back to face to face learning and need whānau to ensure students are in school every day, all day.
Regular attendance and achievement go hand in hand. We are here to support every student and
build back the habit of attending each and every day.
IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE REMINDERS:
● Aiming for over 90% attendance
● High attendance leads to belonging, opportunity, good employment habits and success.
● Whānau support of attendance and punctuality is really important
● Arrive by 8.45am Monday to Friday.
● Seek help from your child’s Pouhapai or Whānau Leader for attendance support by contacting us at: please send us an email attendance@sehc.school.nz, free call 0508 4455279, (Hillary) or text 022 508 5800 with your child’s name and Pouhāpai, and the reason for their absence.
These Attendance fridge magnets are available for free at the front reception. One of the admin staff will be happy to help.
UNIFORM
At Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate, we take pride in our school uniform and members of our local community notice how the uniform is worn correctly. We expect all students to be in full and correct uniform when they are in school and travelling to and from school.
Correct footwear is crucial for students to be able to access practical lessons, in particular science and technology areas.
A reminder that slides, jandals, sports shoes and hoodies are not school uniform and are not to be worn at school.
Uniform can be purchased at NZ Uniform – Botany store - 16 Bishop Dunn Place, Flat Bush.
YEAR 13 BALL
A huge congratulations to the Year 13s on their wonderful school ball. Held at the end of term 2 at Ellerslie Convention Centre. Mrs Eldridge and her team did an amazing job on decorations and organisation.
Many staff from the Collegiate who attended said it was the best senior ball so far. The student behaviour was excellent, the dresses were stunning and it was an awesome night to celebrate our beautiful year 13 students.
The ball date for 2023 has been set and we will be having it in the Term 1 holidays in the 2nd week on Wednesday 19 April 2023
BoT Parent Elections
Voting papers have been posted. Voting closes 4pm on 7th September - Election Day.
More information will follow in the lead up to Election day.
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday 19 August Teacher Only Day (MOE Accord Day)
Tuesday 6 September Whānau Conferences 10am – 6pm
Monday 24 October Labour Day Public Holiday
Thursday 24 November Teacher Only Day (MOE Accord Day)
Friday 25 November Teacher Only Day (MOE Accord Day)
Friday 2 December Year 13 Prize Giving / Graduation
Wednesday 6 December Junior Prize Giving / School finishes for the year
Wednesday 19 April 2023 Year 13 School Ball
Cook Islands Language Week 2022
This week we celebrated Cook Island Language week. Each day we had a range of activities for the students to celebrate everything Cook Islands. See the images below for a few of the activities.
The theme for the week was:
“Atuitui’ia au ki te oneone o taku ui Tupuna” - “Connect me to the soils of my ancestors”.
Ei Katu workshop
Ei Katu workshop
School Assembly
Sustainability Corner
Term 2 was a busy term for our Sustainability students across the Collegiate. We are taking steps to connect with our local community, make some positive changes and plan for a more sustainable Hillary.
We have also been working with The Roots Collective, Pacific Vision Aotearoa and Auckland Council to revitalise our school gardens. The students' vision was to create a teaching garden that would welcome the community into our learning space, reduce and reuse food scraps and help with food sovereignty in Otara. See the planning below and some of the images from our working bees.
You will find us working in this space every Thursday from 3 - 4pm, come along, lend a hand and check the space out.
Annual Trees for Survival Planting Day
As a Collegiate we planted 800+ natives at a local farming site
Scan this for a video of the day
Otara Climate Action Challenge
Digital Design of the Vision
Sustainability Group
Working Bee
You will find us working in this space every Thursday from 3 - 4pm, come along, lend a hand and check the space out.
Junior Netball
The Year 9 and 10 Netball teams had an enjoyable netball season.
There was good attendance at practices and games. Great enthusiasm and sportsmanship was
shown during the games.
The girls were great ambassadors for our school.
Computer Studies Holiday Program
Congratulations to the following students who sacrificed their holidays to go to the course.
Naomi Rihari 13MEM
Manu Salima 11LTA
Pita Pau’u 11AFP
Ken Maalo 11SPK
Final Message
Finally, our refreshed Senior School website is a stunning reminder of the talent that exists within the Collegiate. The website refresh can enable all Senior School communication through this platform and allow whānau to access their child’s academic and attendance information in real time.
Not to mention new enrolments, lastest news and updates, and more importantly photos and videos of our amazing students. Come check us out at https://senior.sehc.school.nz/
We are excited about the year ahead and encourage you all to get involved with your child’s
learning. The last couple of years have been tough on us all, but as the new dawn approaches – so to do the Far Horizons ahead.
Kia haumaru, kia manawanui,
Kiri Turketo | Tumuaki