Newsletter Term 4 Week 8
Menzies College 10 December 2021
From the Principal’s desk
Kia ora katoa
From the Principal’s desk
Kia ora katoa
As I write this last newsletter for the year students are tidying up from the BBQ lunch and starting to play games on the field. There is a relaxed feeling and a sense of completion. While live streaming is a poor second best option for prize giving, it went very well. I hope you can make time to view some of the ceremonies and share your children’s special moments in the comfort of your own homes.
There are many groups I need to thank. First and foremost are the graduating Year 13 students. They have significantly contributed to the school culture through Peer Support, leadership on camps, coaching and role modelling for students in their whanau classes. The calibre and depth of leadership is a credit to the students, family, school and community. Thank you to Brianna and Brock for the integrity they have shown as Head Students. We wish them all well as they move into a new phase in their lives.
Secondly, I thank all the staff. Menzies College is extremely lucky to have a hard working staff who work as a team for the good of students. The canteen staff have provided delicious and nutritious meals under trying conditions while the 'lunches in school’s' scheme got up and running. The cleaning and maintenance staff have had to manage the covid requirements and ongoing disruptions from the building and fencing work that has experienced delays. The office and administration staff are, as always, the oil that allows the machine to function. Their cheerful approach to tasks and calm heads are always appreciated. Finally, the teaching staff need thanked. They are constantly adjusting what they do and how they do it to best to meet the needs of all learners. They go above and beyond normal expectations to offer extra opportunities for students, such as this week’s MAD activities.
Today we farewell Mrs Barnett our long serving librarian. Mrs Barnett has created a nurturing learning environment and mentored many students over the years. We also reluctantly farewell Mrs Dynes, our Sports Coordinator and Teacher Aide and Mrs McFadzien our administrator in the Careers and Gateway area. We thank them all for the kind way they have managed students and wish them well for the new challenges they are about to take on.
Mrs Robertson and Mr Cook have been granted refreshment leave for 2021 and Mrs Keil is on Maternity Leave. We look forward to welcoming them back in 2022 and wish them well for their time off.
We welcome Miss Soper in Year 7, Miss Ennor covering in the Home Economics area and Miss White covering in Social Science and Maths. Mr Power will take on more hours in the Technology area and Mr Philip Snedden will once again be teaching Digital Technology.
Congratulations to the new Head Students: Jake Kiernan and Arin Read and Deputy Head Students: Summer Edwards and Lisa Yorke.
Finally, congratulations to Dux, Brianna Ferguson and Proxime Accessit Dean Stewart.
I wish everyone a relaxing break and look forward to seeing everyone safe and well next year.
Nga mihi nui
Kath Luoni
Nga mihi nui
Kath Luoni
Principal
Dux 2021 Brianna Ferguson
Head Students 2022. L to R Deputy Head Lisa Yorke, Head Boy Jake Kiernan, Head Girl Arin Read, Deputy Head Summer Edwards
Approxime Accessit Dean Stewart
Achievement Slip Draw
Congratulations to the following junior students and staff members:
Week ending 3 December
Isla Maxwell, Jacklyn Orr, Allie-Rose Webb, Lexi Kimura and Ms Steph Parkinson.
Your canteen vouchers can be collected from the office.
Please note this was the last draw for the year. Well done to all the winners over the year.
Important Dates
- 10 December - Last day of school
- 10 December - Year 7-13 students Prize Giving in school hall (staff & students only)
- 15 December - P.T.A. Second hand uniform sale (12pm - 3pm)
2022
- 1 February - Teacher Only Day
- 1 February - P.T.A. Second hand uniform sale (2pm- 7pm)
- 2-3 February - Course Confirmation (seniors)
- 4 February - Year 12 & 13 students only attend
- 8 February - Full school attends
- 14-18 February - Year 12 Hope Arm camp
- 22-25 February - Year 13 Leadership camp
- 23-25 February - Year 7 Camp Columba
P.T.A. Second hand uniform sale
The P.T.A. will hold their annual second hand uniform sale in the school office on Wednesday 15th December from 12pm until 3pm. Also another sale on Tuesday 1st February from 2pm until 7pm. Eftpos available. Any second hand uniform to be sold on behalf or donated is to be handed in to the office prior to the last day of school 10 December.
Wyndham Pool Committee
The Wyndham Pool is now open to the public. Keys cost $95 for a season and $80 for renewal. These are available from Lee's Dairy and Menzies College Office. Please scan in and follow COVID guidelines. Any enquiries contact wyndhampool@gmail.com
Wyndham Pioneer Lions Club Recycling
The Wyndham Pioneer Lions collect many things that raise money for the underprivileged and disadvantaged but we can do more with your help. Bread tags raise funds for wheelchairs (if they are colour coded before they are handed in that would be great).
- Tear tabs from aluminium cans and wine bottle tops to raise funds for ‘Kidney Kids’.
- Glasses (both reading and sunglasses) and hearing aids are distributed to places like the Pacific Islands, to improve the quality of lives of those who cannot afford such ‘extravagances’.
- Aluminium cans and cardboard are collected by The Pakeke Lions in Gore.
If you can help it would be appreciated if you could take them to Menzies College or contact
Mrs C Garthwaite on (03) 206 6223.
School Holiday employment
Part-time and Full-time Staff Wanted at McDonald’s Gore. We are now hiring staff to work after school and/or weekends and who are available to work extra hours over public holidays, school and Christmas holidays. You’ll be happy to work one or two shifts a week during the school term and full-time hours during the school holidays, have great communication skills and understand the importance of the part you play in the McDonald’s team. We have a number of positions available in Customer Service and Food Preparation. Applicants must be aged 15 years or older. Full-time work also available for any parents or caregivers. Apply Now at https://careers.mcdonalds.com/new-zealand/ Enter Gore NZ as your location, OR scan the QR Code and begin your application. Alternatively drop your CV in-store today!
Adventure race
On Friday 26th November, five Menzies Junior teams competed in the Southland Junior Adventure race, held at Sandy Point. This event gives teams of four a chance to race, guided by a map to 24 checkpoints in the area. During the day they spend several hours trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. Although the day was wet, the kids stayed in good spirits, had great fun and worked well as a team. After the event, I received an email from the event organisers talking about the Menzies teams saying "We were so impressed at the student's manners and attitude out on the course. We had a few comments from volunteers about them so that was great to hear."
L to R: Logan van der Straaten, Ethan Stewart, Olivia Perriam and Ben Guthrie.
On the day our teams did extremely well with two teams making podium finishes.
Second Place with a time of 2hr 29min - Year 7/8 section (49 teams) - Junior Boys Red team, consisting of Hudson Roy, Lachlan Dale, Cooper Kennedy, and Jake Glynn.
Third Place with a time of 2hr 5min - Year 9/10 section (43 teams) - Year 10 team, consisting of Ethan Stewart, Logan van der Straaten, Ben Guthrie and Olivia Perriam.
A huge thank you to Mr Tim Landreth, Mrs Tracy van der Straaten, and Mr Andrew Roy for your help in supporting, encouraging, feeding and transporting the teams on the day.
Hayley Adam
Teacher in Charge
L to R: Lachlan Dale, Jake Glynn and Hudson Roy
L to R: Tom Blackmore, Lucas van der Straaten, Josh Landreth and Fletcher Morton
L to R: Daisy Stewart, Amy van der Straaten, Anna McMullen and Sophie Ross
Raffle winners
The following were the lucky winners for the P.T.A grocery hampers.
1st Logan Dean
2nd MacDonald family
3rd Petrina McDonald
4th Colin McDonald
5th Marilyn Hayes
6th Todd Kirkwood
7th Debbie Landreth
Congratulations to you all.
The P.T.A thank you all for your support in this fundraiser.
Merry Christmas.
School stationery lists for 2022
The stationery lists are now available on the school website to view or download. Also you can go to Officemax online, see the details below. Paper plus in Gore will have the lists online in the near future. Both these options are for pick up or online delivery. A paper copy is also available at the office if needed.
Contact Us
Email: admin@menzies.school.nz
Website: https://www.menzies.school.nz
Location: Alma Street, Wyndham 9831, Southland, New Zealand
Phone: 03 206 4979