Wairoa College
Newsletter Thursday 10 November
Message from the Principal
Our Senior Prizegiving was a celebration of all the hard work students and teachers had put in this year. Students have shown resilience again this year with Covid interrupting their learning. Students and staff alike have found this year to be the most disruptive for teaching and learning. However, with resilience and manaakitanga, students and staff have worked together to find a variety of ways to support students to ensure they have the best chance of achieving academic success.
Prizegiving was also a time to reflect on our 2021 results.
The Academic results for 2021
Level 1 - we were 10.2% Above National and 21.2% above similar decile schools
Level 2 - an 86.4% pass rate. This was 18.1% above National results and 28.3% above similar decile schools
Level 3 - The best result in over 10 years at 67.9 %, this is 9.4% above National results
In summary 2021 saw us exceed NCEA Level 1, NCEA Level 2, NCEA Level 3, similar Decile, Māori and National achievement rates.
Our integrated approach for cross curricular at Year 9 and 10 connecting to our local curriculum has continued this year. Teachers have collaborated on units of work that cover all learning areas. We have seen greater engagement of students and the ability to transfer skills between subject areas is improving. The students can see a purpose for their learning.
Some examples include planting trees on Toby Taylor's farm to help with sustaining the wetlands after the devastating floods earlier in the year. Students also connected with our local museum to look at change through the years and visited the walkway along our local Awa at the different historic sites. This was all part of the Sustainability unit for Year 9.
One of our Year 10 units was about conflict - Jeremy Harker spoke to students about his experiences in the army and our Service Academy students conducted activities with our younger students such as drills. Another unit on wellbeing also included health professionals talking to Year 10 regarding wellbeing and careers, and we would like to acknowledge the support from Kahungungu executive and Wairoa Hospital in supporting this unit.
Service is about giving back, it is an action of helping or working for someone. As part of raising awareness and giving back to our community and beyond this year we have:
Participated in Pink Shirt Day an anti bullying event,
Raised money for Daffodil Day to support the Cancer Society
Also raised money to support families in Ukraine
Our Students Leaders cleaned up rubbish along our awa
Last week we had a mufti day and activities organised for the afternoon for Gumboot Friday to raise funds to provide free counselling for young people - Mike King Initiative
This year the Board has supported the purchase of equipment to enable us to have a room set up with Esports and VR equipment. Students have begun practising at lunch times as we are setting things up and next year we will compete in the National Secondary Schools competition. I want to thank the Board for supporting this idea, particularly Jeannie Clayton-Green. I would also like to thank Andrew Hume from Curve Technology and Johann Oosthuizen our Head of Technologies for supporting this initiative.
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification is now available to all students, staff and caregivers for free. These courses will officially be introduced as part of the Y9 and Y10 Digital Technologies curriculum in 2023. Students will be able to take Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams. Free night school classes will also start next year for our caregivers, kaumatua and wider community. Caregivers who are interested in joining our free Microsoft Office classes, can contact Mr Johann Oosthuizen.
Reclassification
We have had some whānau asking us what reclassification of a current Year 6 student means.
It is important for caregivers to have the correct information before deciding on the best pathway for your child and their learning journey. Below are two important parts of the Education Act 2020 to consider to help you understand what reclassification means for our tamariki.
If your child is reclassified
Because I am in Year 6 I do not get to do Technology (Science, Cooking, Sewing, Digital Technology) at Wairoa College.
Your child will not get to go to the AIMS (Intermediate) tournament for sport because they are not a Year 7 student. Wairoa College participates in District, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne sporting competitions eg netball, hockey, football, clay target, basketball and more
You can not turn 14 years of age before Year 9 - reclassification as a Year 6 student could mean you are 14 Years old in Year 8. This is not allowed.
If reclassified you could be much older than your peers in Year 10 and leave school at the end of the Year 10 with no qualifications.
Education Act 2020
(3) While a primary school is a contributing school, its board must limit the education
given at the school to students enrolled in year levels
(a) not higher than year 6;
62 Restrictions on primary school enrolment
The following persons may not be enrolled at or continue to be enrolled at a primary school or below year 9 at a composite school:
(a) a child under the age of 5 years:
(b) a child who turned 14 years in a previous year:
(c) a child who, in the Secretary’s opinion, has made sufficient progress, in terms of any
curriculum statement for year 8 made under section 90.
If you would like to meet with me to discuss further please contact the school office. I will be available at Wairoa College on Wednesday 16 November and Wednesday 23 November from 3:30 to 5pm if you wish to complete enrolment forms.
Ngā mihi nui
Mrs Jo-Anne Vennell
What is it, what does it mean for my child to be reclassified
Reclassification is a process used mainly at Primary School and is a way of adjusting the year level a learner is working at to better meet their specific needs.
This would occur because
- the learner is gifted and needs challenging e.g a Year 6 student could be reclassified as Year 7 and moved into a year 7 classroom in their Year 6 year - they would then be year 8 the following year etc
- the learner is very young for their age, or is struggling socially, emotionally or educationally and would be better to remain in their current year level again for the following year to get extra support e.g. the year 6 learner is reclassified as Year 6 - they would then become Year 7 the following year and continue on.
Reclassification should be done on a 1-1 basis in consultation with the whānau of that learner, and any support agencies involved with the learner.
Reclassification should take into account all aspects of the individual student's learning and well being – there is no formula as each learner is different. Some learners may be struggling academically but have strong relationships with other students in their peer group and are better to continue to progress through the year levels with their friends.
Others may be academically fine but immature, or have social issues that they need additional support with before moving on.
Once reclassified the learner will usually remain at this new level throughout their schooling.
Although the school may reclassify a learner, in discussion with whānau, they remain on the Ministry of Education (MOE) records as at their age appropriate level. If your reclassified student moves schools at any stage you will need to notify the school as they are likely to place them at their MOE level.
This may impact your child if they are reclassified at year 6 and then decide mid-way through the year that they would like to attend College. In this instance we would need to meet with you and discuss reclassifying again as the College can only accept students at Year 7 and up.
While this is possible it would mean they would have missed options for technology learning (Manual), during the time they were classified as Year 6, and also some opportunities for Year 7 teams for sports, external challenges and events. ( e.g AIMS, Sport Competitions in Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, Aspiring Leaders Programs are only available to Year 7 and 8 students)
In Dec 2021 a study by The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) looked at holding back students (in US called grade retention) after the lockdowns of COVID. Their findings:
- Grade retention is not effective over time, and is related to many negative academic, social and emotional outcomes for students
- Evidence shows other interventions such as targeted intensive tutoring, expanded learning time and supporting strong relationships between adults and learners have better outcomes for students.
If you are considering reclassification for your learner -
- Talk with the College and see what they can offer your learner if they enrolled and there were concerns for their learning or wellbeing.
- Talk with your child - what do they want to do?
- Talk with your school- what are their concerns that require reclassification and what extra support can they offer if your student repeats a year?
Mrs Diane McCallum
Board of Trustees Chairperson
Year 7 and 8 WYAT Aspiring Leaders Programme
“The goal for the WYAT Aspiring Leaders Programme is to enhance health and wellbeing and establish aspirational high-performance pathways for students at Wairoa College. A selected group of Year 7 and Year 8 are taken through a range of activities to enhance physical competency, understanding of hauora and success characteristics for life (team work, communication, resilience etc). We hope these aspiring leaders will realise their own potential and apply these skills to future endeavours.”
There is a overnight camp scheduled for tomorrow in Hawkes Bay. Some of the activities planned: are as follows.
- Log Carry
- Paper Mache Activity - Whare Tapa Wha
- Quiz
- Balloon Challenges
- Physical Competency: Balance
- Meke Meter
Ally Hislop
Sport Performance and Programmes Coach
EIT Institute of Sport and Health
Year 9 and 10 Examinations
Year 9 and 10 end of year exams will take place 7 – 14th November. It is important that
students prepare for these exams. The results help us to decide end of year prizes and are
also good practise for the NCEA exams students will sit in the senior school. Students will
have been provided with information about what is in each exam and what they need to do
to prepare.
Senior NCEA Exams and Reports
Senior exams have begun!
Reports
Year 11 - 13 reports were distributed last week. If students were not present to collect them they are available in the front office. Or you can access them on the Wairoa College Web Portal. (button below) If you don't have your user name or password, contact the school office.
9K Making Periscopes
The novel and movie War Horse were the basis of our Change Unit for Term 3. Following our novel and movie comparison, 9K made periscopes. We did this because we saw them being used in the trenches during WW1 in the movie. Part of this activity also included writing instructions on how the periscope was made. The photos show some of the tasks students need to complete to make their periscopes: for example, measuring, and cutting, along with some completed periscopes.
Kind regards
Wendy
Trades Academy Prizegiving
On Friday 4 November the EIT students travelled to Gisborne to attend the Trades Academy prizegiving. We are very proud of all our students representing Wairoa College. The were outstanding.
Robina Pene received: Top Student in Automotive Level 2
Rhythm Jury received: Elite Stylist Hair and Beauty Level 3
Zai Weekly received: Top Student in Pikitoi Level 2
CONGRATULATIONS
Student Leaders Beach Clean Up
The Year 7-13 student Leaders did the annual beach clean-up last Thursday on a beautiful day from the Wairoa Lighthouse, along Kōpu Road and to Whakamahia Lodge. The leaders were broken up into six groups and given an area to collect rubbish as part of Wairoa College’s contribution to the Wairoa Community. It took each group around 45 minutes to an hour to complete their area where the types of rubbish collected ranged from bottles, paper, plastic, cardboard, ropes broken cutlery and even odd bike parts and tools. The student leaders all made it back to the Wairoa Yacht Club with all their rubbish bags filled with rubbish before washing their hands and enjoying a BBQ afterwards before heading back to school. The rubbish bags were then taken to the Wairoa Landfall. A total number of 43 student leaders took part in the beach clean - up and was supervised by teachers, Ms Hayward, Mr and Mrs Keil and teacher aides, Mrs Makere Edwards and Ms Zhana Mitchell.
Student Leaders Gumboot Day Fundraiser
Hi, I'm Vahn Forrest-Solomon. I'm a Year 9 Student at Wairoa College and a Student Leader. The Year 9 and 10 Student Leaders organised activities for the "Gumboot Up Friday."
The activities were for all the Year 7 to Year 10 students. We raised funds and awareness for, "I am H.O.P.E", which is an organisation that supports mental health.
There was a range of gumboot activities:
- Gumboot Throw
- Sneak the Gumboot
- Capture the Gumboot
- Tug - a - Gumboot
- Gumboot Word Scabble
- Tapuwae Gumboot
There was enthusiasm, competitiveness and a fun time for students and staff.
Total Raised from Mufti Day was $248.90
Tourism Trip
On Wednesday November 26, Mrs Owen took us to Napier to look at different tourist venues and the possible career pathways we could think about.
The first place we went to was Faraday Museum of Technology. We saw a hearse with a coffin, we also saw olden day phones, an old square black and white television, which was playing a show with a dog named Lasey. The money back then was very different, like pounds and shillings. Lexus liked being in the telephone booth answering calls. We enjoyed the Faraday Museum because it was interactive.
At the MTG Hawkes Bay Museum, Tony talked about his background. His parents told him he should have got a degree qualification for his job as curator. We went upstairs to another lady. She gave us a talk about being the Marine Curator and how she got her job. She shared information about Marine Land in the 1980’s. We enjoyed looking at the old Māori artefacts and posters of sea creatures.
Our third visit was to the Curve/Te Pania Hotel. When we got there, we had to wait for the manager, so we started to talk to the front desk lady. She told us that there were 109 rooms for guests. We were led to the restaurant where Katie the manager came to greet us. She told us she was a chef when she joined the hotel, but she was not able to stay as a chef because she was allergic to seafood. Katie told us there were many different work roles in the hotel. Like cleaners, maintenance staff, chef, waitress, front desk, receptionist and managerial positions. The view from the guest rooms overlooking the sea was beautiful.
The last place we went to was called "Lick This," Marine Parade. This is an ice cream shop where you can get whatever ice cream flavour you want. It is a popular place, and the variety of ice cream is mouthwatering. We didn’t know there were so many different flavours of ice cream. If we were able to go back to all four places, we would in a heartbeat. It was a great experience.
By Henare Tawhai, Rhythm Jury, Lexus Te Kahu Brown.
PAID UNION MEETING - WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 30
Teacher Only Day - Friday November 25
Teacher Only Day - Friday December 2
Congratulations to our 2022 PB4L Grand Prize Winners
Mr Westwood
Deputy Principal
Congratulations
The following students were awarded this week for displaying one of our core values of:
Caring for each student (Manaakitanga),
Working together (Kotahitanga),
Respect (Whakamana),
and Resilience (Aumangea).
Gemohnei Solomon, Ben Kopilovic, Boss.E Thomson, Shevryn Boyd-Lafaiki,
Revel Jamez Hook, Olive Thurston, Oscar How, Kromm Rigby-Grace, Lincoln Peka,
Desire Bell-Douglas, Sencerei Kaimoana, Levi Parata, Tuki Huata,
Te Aoturoa Paul-Moses-Matamua
Upcoming Events
- Wairoa Aspiring Leaders Overnight Camp in Hastings - Thursday 10 and 11 November
- Year 10 AG Farm Taster - Wednesday 16 and 17 November
- Year 7 and 8 Touch Tournament - Thursday 17 November
- Wairoa Aspiring Leaders in Wairoa - Friday 18 November
- EPRO8 Challenge - Monday 21 November
- Year 10 AG Farm Taster - Wednesday 23 and 24 November
- Teacher Only Day - Friday 25 November
- Paid Union Meeting - Wednesday 30 November
- Teacher Only Day - Friday 2 December
- Year 7 to 10 Fun Day - Monday 5 December
- Junior Minor Prizegiving - Wednesday 7 December
- Junior Major Prizegiving - Thursday 8 December
COMMUNITY NEWS
Contact Us
Email: info@wairoacollege.school.nz
Website: https://www.wairoacollege.school.nz/
Location: Wairoa College Lucknow Street, Wairoa 4108, New Zealand
Phone: +64 06 838 8303
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wairoacollege