INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Principals Piece

Staffing News

Students at the Centre of Learning

Community at the heart of who we are

Cultural and Sporting Success

Nga mihi nui ki a koe Whanau,

Student-Led Individual Development Plans (IDPs) with a focus on course selection 2023:

14th September

IDPs have been put in place by Spotswood College to strengthen the partnership between students/school and parents/caregivers. An IDP is a written plan which is part of the process of meeting students’ needs. It identifies:

• What are the student's learning needs

• What the student needs to learn

• What are the student's interests and goals

• What people will do to improve achievement

• What resources are needed

• What teachers do we need to talk with on the Meet the Teacher Evening on the 21st September?

IDP’s with a focus on course selection 2023 are on Wednesday the 14th September.

As this meeting is highly valuable, no normal classes will run on this day, however, students and families are ALL required to attend an IDP meeting.

It is important that parents/caregivers sign off on their child’s courses at this meeting. You can attend in person or online and the Learning Advisor will advise you of the room they will be held or send you the zoom link. It is important that whanau and students both attend.

The meeting will be on longer than 30 minutes.

The day has been set aside for Learning Advisors to meet with students and parents/caregivers in order to review any previous IDP goals set and develop new goals and next steps to achieve them which will lead to subject course selections for 2023.

Appointments for the Student Led IDP can be made by clicking the link https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code?code=5n3zy or through schoolinterviews.co.nz. The event code is:

pqtnp

Following on from the IDP, there will be an opportunity to further address any concerns around learning and achievement with subject teachers at a Parent Teacher afternoon……

2.30-4.30pm

Appointments for the Parent Teacher Evening can be made by clicking on the link https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code?code=f3q69 or through schoolinterviews.co.nz. The event code is:

N95y2

Course Selection Process

Junior

https://sites.google.com/spotswoodcollege.school.nz/2023juniorselectionguide/home

Senior

https://sites.google.com/spotswoodcollege.school.nz/2023seniorselectionguide/home

Course Selection

All Junior & Senior students will be working through a selection course booklet in Learning advisory Time

Reports will be sent out today.

We look forward to working with you.

Nicola Ngarewa

PRINCIPAL

Further Resources

Career Quest

Personality Test - what type of personality do I have (needs to be guided)

Jobs Galore - NZ Occupational Information Handbook

Occupational Outlook

Skill shortages - Whats happening in the Labour Market

Oompher - Video link to Career interviews

Just the Job

Changes to NCEA and University Entrance for 2022 The Associate Minister of Education has announced changes to NCEA that recognise the impact student and teacher absences due to COVID-19 and other winter illnesses have had on teaching, learning and assessment this year. In 2022, students will be entitled to one Learning Recognition Credit for every five credits earned through assessment up to a maximum of eight credits at Levels 2 and 3. To receive a Certificate Endorsement, students will need 46 credits at Merit or Excellence level instead of the usual 50. To be awarded University Entrance students will need 14 credits in each of two UE Approved Subjects and 12 credits in a third UE Approved Subject. The submission dates for some externally assessed portfolios have also been moved back one week. Further information is available on the NZQA website. Mr Andre Worsnop, Deputy Principal.

Spotswood College Board

Casual vacancy for an elected trustee

A casual vacancy has occurred on the Board for an elected parent representative.

The Board has resolved under section 105, Education Act 1989 to fill the vacancy by selection.

If 10% or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the Board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held.

Any eligible voter who wishes to ask the board to hold a by-election should write to:

Chairperson

Spotswood College Board

P.O. Box 6116

New Plymouth

by 30 September 2022.

We recently farewelled Whaea Kiri Fortune, our much-respected Guidance Counsellor who leaves us to undertake research and consultancy work.

Whaea Kiri worked alongside students, staff and whanau for years, making a huge impact on supporting the well-being of so many.

We wish Kiri all the very best in her new ventures.

Meet one of our very talented music teachers Matt Benton who shares his talents and love of music with us all readily!

Finding his musical groove at Intermediate school, Matt Benton pursued a career in performance music and fell in love with the sax. Feeling inspired by his newfound passion, Matt auditioned for the NZ School of Music and was accepted into their programme where he finished with quite an obscure degree in music, but the spark was never lost.

Fast forward to an opportunity to play some baritone sax for The Black Seeds next studio album, and the chance to hang up the paintbrush, Matt delivered a worthy performance and was invited to collaborate with the band.

12 years on and still loving it, Matt and The Black Seeds are set to tour Australia with 6 gigs before a jam-packed Summer schedule

Mustard Fridays is a mini-documentary series showcasing people in our local community doing awesome things. The impact they are making definitely cuts the mustard, so we are keen as mustard to share their stories.

Check out the Mustard Fridays Series here.

Principal

Whaea Nicola email: nng@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Deputy Principal

Mr Daryn Shaw email: dsh@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Senior Leadership

Mrs Paula Cast email: pca@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

Ms Ann Rodgers email: aro@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Year 9 Dean

Mr Airana Ngarewa email: aro@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

International Director

Mrs Nicola Healy email: nhe@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Performing Arts students have been very busy rehearsing for our school production, Bugsy Malone. Tickets are available on Eventbrite (see link below), giving family and other students the chance to see the dramatic talent our students possess.

Congratulations to all performers, and a huge thanks to Marie Hunneyball and her team, they all should be proud of their efforts.

Congratulations to all the students that entered the WITT Taranaki Science & Technology Fair for 2022. Although our numbers were down on previous years, we were still able to gain some credible awards. Well done to the following prizewinners!

Catherine Rielly-Leadbetter - First Prize - Scientific Photography - Years 11 - 13

Melissa Berridge - Merit - Scientific Photography - Years 11 - 13

Lola Crawshaw & Haruna Saito - First Prize - Water Rockets Challenge - Year 9 - 10

Louis Hickson & Jaimee Bloor - Third Prize - Water Rockets Challenge - Year 9 - 10

Catherine Rielly-Leadbetter - Second Prize - Scientific Journalism - Years 11 - 13

Our Year 10 Science Quiz team also did really well. They came a very close third place with only 4 points separating the top 3 teams! Well done to Haylee White, Caila Eagar, Sam Pattison and Aiden Hocking. Next year Spotswood College hosts the event so watch this space!

Students at the centre of learning:

The students in Manaaki 1 have been learning about the 6 Rs: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Recycle. We have been on two class trips. We went to the Govett Brewster Art Gallery and took part in an Upcycling art project.

We also visited The Junction Zero Waste Hub where we learnt how to separate our rubbish and watched how the machines sorted out the recycling.

Back at school we are collecting bottle lids, Tetra packs and soft plastics to take back to The Junction Zero Waste Hub where they will be recycled. The Tetra packs become a plaster board alternative called SaveBOARD. The soft plastics become fence posts avoiding more logging and toxins leaching into the soil.

Testing out our new water play equipment; Theme Wall: Pp for Panda ... our panda’s look fantastic; Maths: using number lines 0-19 to solve addition equations; Te Reo: using kahurangi and ma nga rākau to build a Maunga.

Great work everyone .... Kātahi rā koe

Our School Open Day for 2023 enrolments was a successful and well-attended event.

This would not have been possible without a significant number of students and staff being willing to give up their time to highlight the school and its teaching and learning programmes. Students did an excellent job acting as tour guides and undertaking activities in learning hub areas. Their support was greatly appreciated. Thank you.

: 2023 University Prospectus Books

: 2023 WITT Books

: School Leavers Magazines

all available now from the Careers Office.

Scholarships are well underway, keep an eye on the site to see anything new that I receive.

At the annual TSSSA Junior Girls indoor Volleyball championships at the TSB Stadium, Spotswood College won the event undefeated winning all games 2-0.

The team was:- Aliana Scholey, Scarlett Dinnis, Chelsea Gartner, Tia Christiansen, Larissa Hodges, Lola Crawshaw, Larah Mortimer, Jean Smiley and Haruna Saito

Jessica Proctor did a great job refereeing too!

From the sideline:

Winter Tournament Week -

Last run in 2019 before COVID took the world by storm, Winter Tournament Week restarted to great student-athlete fanfare this week, across the country and also within our kura.

Our junior basketballers have been up at TSB Stadium footing it with the best schools in the Zone 3 tournament.

Our junior girls were in the premiership division, up against some regional powerhouses which were always going to be a tough ask. You cannot fault the attitude of the girls for turning up game after game and leaving it all out on the floor.

Our junior boys had a mixed bag of results, earning some hard-fought wins, but then also lost a few they shouldn’t have. They beat Fielding High School 69-64 in the final game to

finish an admirable 5th in the 9-team A Division.

The potential in these squads to move forward together and compete at tournaments like this is certainly there, it is purely up to the players and whether they’re hungry enough to work for it.

Possibly by focusing on ensuring that student well-being needs are being addressed, we have not emphasised as clearly as we could the college’s expectations around the correct uniform and how it should be worn. We would like all students to wear our uniform with pride and as it should be worn.

Please could you support us in upholding this expectation.

Uniform items can be purchased from the uniform shop

Teacher Aide (Fixed Term, Part Time, Term Time Only) A Teacher Aide position is now available at the College. This is a fixed-term, part time position covering a staff member on leave. 18 hours per week, term time only. Starting as soon as possible and finishing on December 10. Do you enjoy working with teenagers and seeing them thrive? We are looking to employ a caring and enthusiastic Teacher Aide to join our Learning Support team at Spotswood College. Experience is not necessary, but the following attributes are appreciated: • Positive and enthusiastic • Enjoys working with teenagers • A willingness to get involved • Patience and empathy • Reliable • Flexible • Good level of literacy If you are interested in this position, email jbs@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Are you interested in helping students with Special Assessment Conditions?

Are you available during the last three weeks of Term 3 (13 – 30 September 2022) and the second half of November?

We are looking for volunteers to help during practice exams in Term 3 and the NCEA exams at the end of the year.

This position could include the following: • Supervision of a group of students • Reading exams aloud to students • Writing / typing out students’ answers • Both reading and writing for a student.

To be an Exam Assistant, patience, empathy, and a good grasp of the English language are needed. There will be a training session held at the college before the exams start. If you think you could help out please contact ddo@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Communication is essential and we strive to connect with our students, whanau, and community each and every day. We will continue reaching out to you with weekly emails, texts or through our app. We also encourage you to visit our website and follow our social pages including Facebook, Instagram, and our student-run official Spotswood College TikTok for announcements, information, and celebrations.

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 Counsellor Suzy Adair - saa@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Guidance Counsellor Paulette O'Neil - pon@spotswoodcollege.school.nz

Drop in Public Health Nurse hours - Monday 9.00 am - 2.00 pm.

6th - 10th - Bugsy Malone Performance

14th - Student-led IDPs

16th - Teacher Only Day

21st - Parent/Teacher Interviews

21st - 27th - Senior Practice Exams

30th - End of Term 3

October

17th - Start of Term 4

21st - Sports Prizegiving

24th Labour Day

26th - Junior Inquiry Show Case

November

2nd - Senior Prizegiving and Leavers Dinner

7th - NCEA Exams begin

28th - 29th Teacher Only Days

December

2nd - NCEA Exams end

9th - Junior Prizegiving

9th - Last day of term

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.

Spotswood College will be using SchoolAppsNZ 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. (Link below).

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 (Tracey) 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.

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.

TERM 3

Monday 25th July – Friday 30th September - (10 weeks)

TERM 4

Monday 17th October – 9th December

Labour Day Monday 24th October