Buller High School Newsletter
Issue 10, October 2022
From the Principal
Term 4 has started with the knowledge that for Years 11, 12 and 13, then end of the school year and NCEA examinations are moving ever closer. External exams start on the 7th of November and all students should have an exam entry slip. If they don’t, they will need to see Mr. Forsyth over the next few days.
Next week we have two big celebrations for our students. Firstly, on the 3rd of November we have our annual Graduation ceremony so say farewell to our Year 13 and 14 students. This is followed up later in the day at the NBS when we have our Senior Prize Giving. Both are fantastic occasions for our students, staff and their families. I look forward to seeing many of you at these occasions.
For junior students, soon they will have the school to themselves as they prepare to finish the year and make decisions about 2023. It is their effort and attitude that will determine the success or otherwise for the year. For Year 9 students they will be choosing options to pursue in the new year, for Year 10 students, 2023 looms as a NCEA year and will be choosing subjects for the year ahead. We will support them at every step of their journey.
As mentioned above, NCEA exams commence on Monday 7 November, and we wish all our students the best. These exams for many, are the culmination of the year’s work and also the platform for further learning in 2023.
These exams contribute to:
- Overall NCEA Achievement
- NCEA Level endorsement
- NCEA Subject endorsement and
- Pride in performance – finishing the year by completing ALL assessment work.
It is essential that all students turn up to every exam. Attendance is the key to success always, and the exams are no different. I would be disappointed if any student lets themselves and their teacher down by not turning up.
The board has recently sent out a survey for parents. I would encourage you to complete this as much as possible. We want your feedback to ensure that we are heading in the direction that not only supports our children, but also their families and whānau.
At any time, please feel free to come and speak to me. We value your support and voice.
“ko te kai a te rangatira he kōrero”
The food of chiefs is dialogue
Head Student Profiles
Wānaka mau rākau
Over sixty ākonga from kura on Te Tai o Poutini (and Darfield) recently attended our final wānaka mau rākau for the year, hosted by John Paul II in Māwhera.
They put on an impromptu demonstration for pupils of St Patrick’s.
Next year in term one the wānaka (led by Jerry Pu) will be hosted here at Te Kura Tuarua o Kawatiri.
Members of the Kapa Haka returning from the WCSS wānaka mau rākau did a short hikoi along the Pororari track.
From Left to Right Back: Nausicaa Dohi, Ace Harmon, Caitlyn James-Watson, Alexis Kingi, Erica McKenzie, Lucas Allington, Kanui Hema
Front: Shayla Pawson
ORS senior class happenings
The ORS senior class keeps Mr Basher our Principal, abreast of the work in our department by sharing their completed workbooks regularly.
Students also shared muffins from cooking class with their school whanau, including Mr Schofield, to show generosity and kindness.
BHS is very important for ORS senior class; they love to show gratitude to the people who care for them.
Cherye Middleton ORS teacher BHS
Preforming Arts Success
A big congratulations to Leonie Wieczorek and Liam Anderson on their acceptance into NASDA!
Music Theatre (NASDA) is one of the country's leading musical performing arts schools. Students learn to captivate audiences throughout the world and make the best use of their talents in musicals, plays, concerts, TV and film productions. They could find themselves performing, presenting, entertaining at events, directing or producing performances, working behind the scenes, or in education.
We wish them all the best!
Whitebait Festival Champions
Miss Lucy Stephens and Mr Isaac Jeffries were selected from our staff to take part in the Whitebait cook-off over Labour weekend. Making it though the selection process gave us great confidence in their ability to put on a great show – and that they did!
In a tough field, they performed exceedingly well, obviously the crowd favourite. Although the judges awarded them the Runner-up prize, those of us watching saw the determination and skill as they used a local recipe to produce a quality product to stick between slices of white bread.
Lucy and Isaac, you are our champions!
2023 Stationery Lists
The 2023 Stationery Lists have now been completed and published. The lists can be found on our website https://buller.ac.nz/stationary-list-ict/ or downloaded from below.
If your child is a Year 10 or above, please check with them as to what classes they have selected.
Do you prefer to shop online for your child's stationery?
From 1 November, Officemax have our stationery lists pre-loaded on https://www.myschool.co.nz/. Just search for Buller High School and select the Year level and required classes, it's that easy!
Pouako Trophy
Sophia Lord is this year's worthy recipient of the Pouako Trophy. The award is for a teacher selected by Ākonga Māori for their efforts in uplifting Te Reo me ōna Tīkanga at Buller High.
Junior Science Update
Year 9 classes will be starting on their last unit of the year called Light and Energy. As part of this unit, students will be learning how knowledge of heat transfer can help them build their own solar BBQ.
Year 10 students are starting their last unit on Chemical Reactions which finishes with a chance to earn four NCEA credits for a practical investigation on reaction rates.
All junior students will also be working on some technology challenges and taking some tests to show off how their scientific skills have progressed this year. Nine lucky junior students will be selected to represent the school in the annual West Coast Junior Science Competition coming up in late November.
We are very proud of the work done this year by ALL our juniors.
SC10A exploring the difference between acids and bases
From left to right: Samara Shaw, Ashleigh Creedon, Jai Price. Ben Ritchie
Abby Duncan. Holly Cunneen, Zabeel Scanlon
Student Services Corner
Motivation: with NCEA exams on the way.
The topic of motivation may seem like a simple concept. However, sometimes when we are feeling unmotivated it can be hard to turn it around.
Motivation tends to come in waves. But when we are feeling unmotivated, we can address it in two steps
1. Ask ourselves why we are unmotivated – identify the why?
2. Ask ourselves what we can do to remove this barrier(s)?
Here are two examples to demonstrate how to apply it.
Example One:
Are you feeling unmotivated with your schoolwork? – why? – maybe the work is too hard, and you don’t understand. Remove barrier – email your teacher, ring a friend to help, you-tube it.
Example Two:
Maybe you are feeling unmotivated to get out of bed in the morning. Ask yourself why? – Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work you must do. Remove barrier - break down the tasks and chip away at them, one at a time, make a realistic plan for the day and reward yourself for meeting targets.
It is important to note that sometimes underlying motivation may not be this straightforward to solve. It can be effective doing the two-step process with another person. That person can give a different perspective and may have unique ideas you have not thought of.
In summary: Lacking motivation – ask why and then brainstorm how you can overcome this.