Te Pūrongo o te kura - Newsletter
Hune (June) 2023 Newsletter
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
NGĀ KUPU O TE TUMUAKI- PRINCIPALS PIECE
NGĀ TAKE TŌRANGAPŪ- INDUSTRIAL ACTION
HE KAUPAPA POUMAHI- STAFFING NEWS
KO TE AKONGA KEI TE PITO- STUDENTS AT THE CENTRE
KO TE HAPORI TE MANAWA- COMMUNITY AT THE HEART
NGĀ KUPU O TE TUMUAKI- PRINCIPALS PIECE
Ka nui te mihi mahana ki a koutou,
We hope this newsletter finds you all in good health and high spirits. As we reach the midpoint of the year, we wanted to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for your continued support and involvement in our community. Your presence and contributions make all the difference.
Today, we would like to emphasise the immense importance of your feedback and ideas in shaping the path forward for our community. We firmly believe that collective voices are the key to progress, and as we embark on planning for the future, we value your perspective more than ever.
To facilitate this crucial dialogue, we invite each and every one of you to participate in our mid-year community survey. This survey acts as a powerful tool for gathering insights, suggestions, and aspirations from our whānau. Your input will be invaluable in guiding our decision-making processes and enabling us to develop initiatives that align with the needs and aspirations of our community.
Your feedback, or as we like to call it, "feedforward," serves as a roadmap for our future endeavors. It ensures that our decisions and actions remain relevant, inclusive, and sensitive to the aspirations and challenges faced by our diverse whānau.
We understand that time is precious, and we appreciate every moment you invest in providing us with your valuable insights. Therefore, we have made the survey easily accessible and have also included a printed copy for those who prefer a hard cop, available at the school office. The survey will be open for the next four weeks, allowing ample time for thoughtful responses.
Seeking ways that we can improve how we operate as a learning community is very important to us as a school and we invite parents to provide general feedback by filling in the survey in the link here.
Your feedback helps us to better understand the needs of our community and to make any necessary changes.
Remember, your voice matters! Together, we can co-create a community that thrives, where every whānau member feels valued and heard.
Thank you once again for your ongoing support. We look forward to the inspiring ideas and suggestions that will emerge from this survey, allowing us to shape a brighter future for our whānau.
Ngā mihi
Nicola Ngarewa
Tumuaki
NGĀ TAKE TŌRANGAPŪ- INDUSTRIAL ACTION
Due to intended industrial action by PPTA, of which a large number of our teaching staff are members of, if required Spotswood College will need to have the following year groups at home on the following dates
Week 6 Thursday 1 June - Year 12
Week 7 Tuesday 6 June - Year 10, Thursday 8 June - Year 9
Te Waka Manaaki Rostered home days
Week 7 Thursday 8 June - Junior Students
HE KAUPAPA POUMAHI- STAFFING NEWS
At the end of this term we farewell Matua Morehu Tuuta Ransfield, Matua has been with us for 9 years and has made a significant contribution in the areas of te reo Māori, tikanga and kapa haka for the school, and more recently e-sports in te reo Māori. Matua Morehu will go on to join national organisations in promoting and celebrating e-sports in te reo Māori.
We also farewell Kendyll Ahie Haapu who will have the rest of this year off for maternity leave, to return next year.
We wish both staff members all the very best!
Staff
Principal
Whaea Nicola email: nng@spotswoodcollege.school.nz
Deputy Principal
Mr Daryn Shaw email: dsh@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
Mrs Tulah Katene email: tka@spotswoodcollege.school.nz
Year 10 Dean
Mr Cameron Hopkinson email: cho@spotswoodcollege.school.nz
Year 9 Dean
Mr Airana Ngarewa email: ang@spotswoodcollege.school.nz
International Director
Mrs Nicola Healy email: nhe@spotswoodcollege.school.nz
KO TE AKONGA KEI TE PITO- STUDENTS AT THE CENTRE
Senior Koru Programme trip to Wellington
Last week, a group of 18 students from the Koru Programme went to Wellington for two nights. The main purpose of the trip was to attend the ‘More Able and Ambitious Conference’ which was held at Scot’s College. This was a really inspiring and interesting conference. It was presented as a series of lectures (with a debate at the end) that challenged students to think about certain things in different ways. For example, students learnt about making yourself stand out above others by showing creative problem solving skills. As a way to do this, students were asked to think about how they could answer certain questions such as ‘how many animals were in Noah’s ark?’ On the surface, this might seem like an odd question; however the conference showed us ways we could approach or answer such a question and others like it from a variety of different angles. Students showed our school values by participating in the debate at the end of the day. As well as this inspiring conference, students visited the Supreme Court, where we were hosted by ex-pupil Peter Greenhow. We learnt all about the Supreme Court, how it operates, and visited the court room and historic ‘holding cells’. Students also toured parliament and Te Papa museum. It was really interesting learning about how parliament works, seeing The Chamber where the politicians sit, and seeing the press conference room - which we all know too well since COVID. The Gallipoli exhibition at Te Papa was also a highlight. Overall students had a great time exploring the capital city and had the opportunity to think about, experience, and learn some new things.
Te Waka Manaaki
KO TE HAPORI TE MANAWA- COMMUNITY AT THE HEART
We are excited about two vibrant and meaningful celebrations that are just around the corner: Pride Week and Puanga/ Future Opportunites Festivities. These events offer us the opportunity to come together, honor our diverse identities, and celebrate the richness of our shared experiences.
Puanga/ Future Focus Festivities: The week of Monday June 12
As winter approaches, we have the privilege of welcoming Puanga, a significant and treasured Māori celebration. Puanga marks the rising of the star cluster in Taranaki, signaling the start of the Māori New Year. It is a time of reflection, renewal, and connection with whānau and community.
Puanga festivities invite us to gather and honor the past, present, and future. Through a diverse range of events and activities, we pay tribute to Māori culture, language, and traditions. From kai (food) festivals to waiata (song) performances, from storytelling to art exhibitions, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Join us in embracing the spirit of Puanga by engaging in an afternoon of cultural learning, experiencing traditional practices, and fostering meaningful connections, which have been led by one of our student inquiry groups. There is also a range of future opportunity workshops that the Careers Department have coordinated.
The Kōmiti Māori invite our wider community to join us for karakia and kai on Friday June 16, 5am at the front of the school.
Let us learn from the wisdom of our ancestors and work together towards a future filled with respect, understanding, and unity.
Pride Week: The week of Monday June 19 - Friday June 23
Get ready to showcase your true colours and join us in celebrating Pride Week in week 9. The student QSA group have been busily preparing this. This annual event is a time to recognize and support the LGBTQ+ community, promoting inclusivity, equality, and love. Pride Week is a powerful reminder that our community thrives when we embrace diversity and create spaces that allow everyone to be their authentic selves.
We kick off the week on Monday with an array of exciting activities and events taking place, including a colourful non uniform day parade, free face painting and stickers and a free sausage sizzle on behalf of the QSA. Throughout the week we will have local student enterprises in the quad selling Pride and Ball merchandise. On Tuesday we will have our regular Kai 2 ‘Open Closet’ QSA group meeting, always open to all who are on the waka with us, and on Friday we will have an educational talk in the hall for Year 9s delivered by InsideOUT, as well as a badge-making session in our QSA class in Cultural Widening Of The Mind. Whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or are an ally, your presence and support is vital in fostering an inclusive community where everyone feels safe and valued.
Let's stand together, loud and proud, as we champion equality, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate the beauty of our unique identities.
NGĀ PĀNUI HAKINAKINA SPORTS AND CULTURAL BULLETIN
IMPORTANT
With the traditional winter sport seasons well underway Spotswood College Sport would like to take this time to remind our supporters of the expectations when it comes to sideline behaviour.
Our coaches, managers and volunteers, are all exactly that. They VOLUNTEER their time to give YOUR child the best opportunity they can.
This often means taking time out of their lives, to provide for our students, for little to no reward in return. Sport in general, let alone sport at Spotswood College, does not and can not exist without these people. Whether it be coaches, managers, van drivers, uniform washers, or water bottle fillers; they make the sporting cogs turn and without them, your child will simply miss out on playing sport.
Any abusive, aggressive, or ignorant behaviour toward these people, our own players, officials, or the opposition; will not be tolerated at any time.
If needed, Spotswood College Sport in conjunction with our Regional Sporting Organisations, will take the necessary measures to protect these people and the integrity of sport at our school.
Spirit Of Adventure Recap
The Spirit of Adventure ship left Auckland on the 27th of May and I’m genuinely so grateful to have been on it for voyage 868. Right from the beginning I got to know the 39 other teenagers on board and they were all really nice and friendly. I was new to sailing so it was extremely helpful that in the first few days, alongside team building exercises, we got to know the different sail stations and what ropes corresponded to each sail, eventually building up to the trainees being able to sail the boat all by ourselves. The skills I learnt relating to sailing were all new and exciting and when I began to understand what was happening when everyone worked together it was really rewarding.
I felt possibly I was a little bit physically challenged on the boat in comparison to others but the people I was surrounded by were patient and helped me to recognise my strengths. I learnt to simply give every challenge a go and try my hardest even when I was struggling physically in situations where I lacked strength or mentally when we were asked to do things out of my comfort zone such as climbing the mast to release the sails. Even when I found things difficult, I was able to say every day “I am proud of myself.” Having a team was everything because we all supported each other and were able to get things done. We all found ways to have fun and mess about with each other in the evenings and during group activities.
In addition, the voyage helped me gain new skills in making relationships and leadership. I learnt some important things about listening to the person leading and that when you are leading it’s necessary to let other people do things even if it isn’t done exactly the way you want. Leading is knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your team and being able to connect with, teach and supervise them and this all comes together with someone who is good at planning ahead. The weather was often very wet and this was a test of morale but the relationships I made on the voyage will be ones I remember. We all went through the ten days together and while it was nice to be home and have a shower, I’ll miss everyone I met while I was away. On the Spirit of Adventure there was a place for everyone and I was really fortunate to meet such a wide variety of wonderful people.
VOLLEYBALL:
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent Taranaki at the 2023 Inter-Provincial Championships to be played at the Pettigrew-Green stadium, Napier at King's birthday weekend.
Under 17 Girls':
Anna Clough, Scarlett Dinnis, Chelsea Gartner, Haruna Saito, Aliana Scholey.
Under 19 Women:
Samantha Hart
Isis Kennard
Lola Crawshaw
Under 17 Boys':
Wairangi Davey, Rotz Kavanagh, Olly Smith, Tahi Te Awa, Dhio Yoshimura
Ajae Brown is a non-travelling reserve.
Well done to the senior girls' team who continues to do well in the 2023 New Plymouth Inter-schools Autumn league played at the TSB Stadium on Sunday nights.
Boys rugby is halfway through the season after a tough grading schedule. The boys continue to front on a Saturday and give it their all. Notable standouts so far are Seth ‘The Axe’ Smith, who keeps chopping down anyone in his path; while ‘The Weatherman’ Mason Cowley-Mosen continues to show his versatility and eagerness to get himself dirty.
Girls rugby kicked off in a combined team with IHS. In the first game the girls narrowly lost 38-27 to a well-drilled and cohesive SHGC, with goal kicking the major difference. Augustine Faga carried on from where she left off in 2022 with an industrial display, while Aliana Scholey made a good first outing showing pace and power with ball in hand.
Although Spotswood College doesn’t have a football team, we have many students out playing the game they love for local clubs. Joel Penno recently made his first premier men’s start for Moturoa AFC against NPBHS at the age of 15. An awesome achievement for Joel. The breathers Mitchelli Wong-Too, Bulldog Smith and Whitebait Bennett might not be far behind him with the form they’re displaying in the local comp.
Mr Moturoa, Scotty Manson and his Moturoa AFC Women currently lead the Women’s Federation featuring year 11 student Tia Chritsiansen, while Zara Erol-Watt continues her impressive 2022 form over at their local rivals New Plymouth Rangers.
Spotswood College Sports Committee
Sports Director Carlin Kumeroa sports@spotswoodcollege.school.nz
NGĀ KAUPAPA HĀKINAKINA KEI TUA- UPCOMING SPORTING EVENTS
The following TSSSA sports events are advertised through student notices.
Please contact sports@spotswoodcollege.school.nz if your child is interested in competing in any of the following regional events for this term:
Mon 12 June
Squash
Fri 16 June
Senior Festival
Fri 23 June
Badminton
Tues 27 June
E-Sports
NGĀ KAUPAPA KEI MUA I TE AROARO- UPCOMING EVENTS
MIHI TO OUR SPONSORS
A huge thank you to Moturoa Pharmacy (492 St Aubyn Street) and Family Health Centre (Dr. Peter Egli) 70 Vivian Street who are generously willing to fund the kiln furniture.
Thank you to the Chapman family and Liqui Gas for the sponsorship of the new Vex IQ robotics kit which are being used in our Inquiry space. The kit will be a great help with Nationals this year.
Career News
MoneyHub has 10+ NCEA resources to help everyone attain merits and excellences - check it out and prepare for upcoming internals and externals with confidence.
https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/resources-for-ncea-students.html
Please make sure your teens are checking, opening and reading their emails. Opportunities are being missed.
School Counselling Services
School Counselling Services are available to discuss academic, career, or personal/social support.
To make an appointment
Careers Officer Chell Lusk - clu@spotswoodcollege.school.nz
Guidance Counsellors - manaakitanga@spotswoodcollege.school.nz
Drop in Public Health Nurse hours - Monday 9.00 am - 2.00 pm.
Keeping Yourself And Your Whanau Safe In Our Digital World: Bullying And Harassment
Digital platforms can be useful tools, but in this time and age, there is a significant risk that social media platforms can be used by students to bully each other or spread rumours about others. We are asking for the support of this community to come together in addressing this.
The Spotswood College’s Responsible Use of Technology Policy is below.
As part of the enrollment process, an agreement is signed by both the student and the caregiver regarding the appropriate use of the school's ICT systems. The school offers a monitored internet connection and a safe environment for the students.
Unfortunately, students’ personal cell phones are not covered by the protections that the system offers. These devices can easily be used to cause harm including the form of unconsented recording or photography.
To prevent this, it is important that as a community we understand the Harmful Digital Communication Act and the impact that this form of bullying and harassment can have on the victims. In this digital age rumours and jokes can have lingering consequences.
The Netsafe organization is the best place to get help either by starting a conversation with your child, seeking advice to help create a safer home internet connection or getting support if you are already suffering from online abuse.
Skool Loop
Spotswood College will be using Skool Loop 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.
Website
Kamar Portal
Attendance
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 (Kara) 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's absence. Record your child’s name, parents' name, contact details and reason for absence.
Based on our attendance data system we will send an automated text to parents of any students that are absent, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
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.
Student Wellbeing Services
Sick or injured at school
The sickbay is closed for any sick-related issues. If your child is sick, we will contact home and ask for them to be picked up immediately. Students should not arrange this themselves as we need to know where they 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 you would like to see the public health nurse, please ask staff at student reception.
TERMS AND HOLIDAYS 2023
TERM 2
26/04/2023 - 30/06/2023
Monday 5th June = King’s Birthday
TERM 3
17/07/2023 - 22/09/2023
Teachers only Day = Friday 8th September
School exam week Wednesday 13th September - Tuesday 19th September
TERM 4
09/10/2023 - 8/12/2023
Monday 23rd October = Labour Day
Senior Prizegiving Wednesday 1st November
NCEA Exams start Monday 6 November - Thursday 30 November
NCEA Accord Day = Wednesday 22nd November
UPCOMING KEY DATES IN TERM 2
Week 7:
5th June - Kings Birthday
6th June - Semester 2 Begins
7th June - TRFU Rippa Tournament
8th June - TSSSA Jnr 3x3
Week 8:
CAREERS WEEK/PUANGA FESTIVITIES
12th June- TSSSA Squash
16th June - TSSSA Snr Festival
Week 9:
PRIDE WEEK
23rd June - TSSSA Badminton
Week 10:
27th June - TSSSA E-sports
30th June - Whole School Hui