The adventure began before our Year 7’s even left school, with some resourceful Dad’s and Mr Dixon jump starting the van to get us to Mossburn where O’Kanes came to the rescue with a new battery.

Arriving at Borland Lodge there was lots of excitement as everyone set up their spot in their cabins. After a chance to settle in, it was off for a 2 hour bush walk to Lake Monowai. Clambering over trees, navigating mud puddles, traipsing along goat-like trails and jumping a creek contributed to the adventure. Everyone was super excited to see Miss Culberson when they reached the lake - or maybe it was the 10 spare seats in the van that everyone liked the look of! The majority of students bravely undertook the return walk back to camp and built up an appetite for some Macaroni Cheese, Peaches and Jelly for dinner. Everyone was surprised to learn that there was a nearby pool at Blackmount and thoroughly enjoyed cooling off before bed. A few indoor games and day one was done.

Day 2 began without any porridge in sight. Everyone enjoyed some morning games of soccer, basketball and volleyball. Split up into groups, teamwork was important when undertaking a bush scavenger hunt. Then creativity took over as teams needed to create a bivouac each. As a surprise twist, after each group proved that 2 students could fit in their bivouac, Miss Culberson also had to try out each shelter.

Later that afternoon, 13 hardy souls joined several adults on the Lime Cliffs walk. This walk should have taken 3 hours but with a cracking pace they were finished in just 90 minutes. Tumeke effort. The other students played games and went for a shorter bush walk. After some Borland Lodge chicken, corn, carrots and roast vegetables, again everyone was off for a relaxing night time swim. More entertaining indoor games at camp and Mrs Leach was so grateful that everyone was sound asleep at a reasonable time!

Day 3 - Adventure day. No time for mucking around. Over the course of the day everyone undertook Abseiling, Ropes Courses, Kayaking and Board game rotations. It was wonderful to have Mr Wilkinson join us for the day and support our Year 7s as they undertook so many different activities.

After an action packed day, burgers and chips filled everyone's bellies. Most enjoyed the last swim for the week at Blackmount Pool before returning for some delicious Apple Crumble and Ice cream. Yum, Yum. More indoor games and skits ended the last night at camp on a high. Ten minutes after lights out and all 28 tired campers were sound asleep.

Day 4 was tidy up day. Everyone learnt the difference between throwing a sheet on a bed and making a bed properly. We even got an email from the camp manager thanking us for our great clean up skills. After some outdoor games and a BBQ lunch, everyone piled back in their vehicles for a much quieter trip back to school. A huge thank you to Michelle, Rebecca, Hanna, Wyn and Jeff for being amazing camp parents.

This camp gave everyone a great chance to get to know each other better and try new experiences - a wonderful way for our Year 7’s to bond as a year group.

If your child is ill, please keep them at home and notify the college either via absences on the school App or via phone message. There have been cases of Covid 19 at the college both in the junior and senior school. Please remain vigilant with testing and take the appropriate action if your child is showing any symptoms or has been in contact with someone who returns a positive Covid test. If your child does test positive for Covid they need to stay at home for 7 days before they can return to school.

Kapa Haka is starting for 2023 on Friday 24 February with Whaea Elysia and will be held during Period 2 in the library. Students will be expected to catch up on any classwork that they miss.

All are welcome. All students interested in being part of the Kapa Haka Roopu (group) should give their name to Mrs Rodgers. . The plan is to attend Polyfest this year.

We invite you to visit the site by clicking on SchoolDocs [http://nsc.schooldocs.co.nz/]

username: nsc

password: respect

To review these documents:

1. Click on SchoolDocs which will take you to the website
2. Enter the username (nsc) and password (respect).
3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
4. Read the policy.
5. Click the Policy Review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
6. Select the reviewer type “Parent”.
7. Enter your name (optional).
8. Submit your ratings and comments.

The Board of Trustees (BOT) elections at Northern Southland College have previously been held on a three-year cycle. The current Board Representatives would like to make a change by holding mid-term elections of the parent representatives as it is felt this would provide better continuity of expertise governing the school.

For more information on the process of Staggered (mid-term) elections, please look at this link. https://www.schoolboardelections.org.nz/board-resources/staggered-mid-term-elections/

The Board of Trustees would like to give notice to parents and students that this matter will be discussed and decided on at the Board of Trustees meeting held at 6pm on Monday 8th May, 2023 at the school. Parents and students have a right to attend this meeting (and any other BOT meeting) as part of the consultation process. It is the Board’s decision which three positions are for the three-year term of office and which two are for the 18 month term. The proposed date for the first mid-term election would be April, 2024

It would be helpful if you could notify the Board’s secretary by emailing anna.highfield@nsc.school.nz if you are going to attend so we can pick a suitable venue within the school.

Jonny Elder

Northern Southland College

Presiding Member

• NSC Athletics - Wednesday 1 March

• Southland Secondary Schools Athletics - Saturday 11 March

• Northern Primary Athletics (Yr 7/8) - Wednesday 15 March

• Southland Primary Schools Athletics - Saturday 25 March

• Southland Secondary Schools Swimming Champs - Sunday 19 March

• NSC Swimming Sports - Friday 24 March

Each year there is a growing number of students who participate in various sporting teams that travel to various parts of Southland. It becomes increasingly difficult to rely on parents for transport due to their workload and commitments.

We realise that you may want to support your child and attend their activities; however to ensure all children can have the opportunity to become part of a team, the Board of Trustees made the decision several years ago to purchase our school vans.

Sometimes with the number of players in a team/group we also need additional vehicles to get where they need to go.

To continue to provide transport we need to cover the costs of running the vans which is a fixed cost regardless of how many are in the vehicle. To simplify the process the cost of travel is factored into your child’s sub for the season. Generally speaking, this is around $10 per trip. Parents who use their car to assist with transport for the team will be subsidised a portion of their costs by way of vouchers for each trip made.

As with all school activities, parents who have contact with children, other than their own, will need to be Police Vetted and have a current driver’s licence, vehicle warrant and registration as part of the Transport Safety and Drivers procedure.

Should you have questions or concerns please contact either Michelle Elder or Anna Highfield.

Thank you to the many people who have volunteered to help at our school athletics. We have had such a wonderful response from many willing people within our school community. We no longer require offers of help as we have plenty. There will be a programme/timetable sent out on Monday with details of who, where and when volunteers are needed. If your name is not on the timetable we still encourage you to come along and support our Athletics Day. There will be coffee and food for sale.

Senior players - Thursday 9th March, 7pm

Senior and Year 11-13 - Tuesday 14th March, 7pm

Year 1-6 - Thursday 16th March, 4-5pm

Year 7-13 Thursday 16th March, 5:30-6:30pm

All trials will be held at the Mossburn Community Centre. Apologies or queries to Sarah Stark.

• Please select the Volleyball group on the School App to keep up to date with new information

• Please see school notices for practice times.

• Start date for travelling teams is Wednesday 1 March

https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/228594

Travelling weeks are as follows - 1 March / 22 March / 5 April

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected for Southland Volleyball Rep teams - Andrew Graham, Charlie Chen and Halle Canada

We are starting to look ahead to getting teams organised for Winter Sport. Please discuss with your child(ren) at home what sports that might like to commit to next term: Mixed Junior and Senior Hockey / Girls and Boys Basketball / Football / Rugby. Please sign up at the Sports Coordinators office.

If you are interested in coaching or managing a sports team next term please contact Michelle Elder (Sport Coordinator)

Please also make sure you have joined up with the alert groups specific to your children's sport to receive relevant notifications.

SATURDAY MARCH 4TH AT 10 AM (Please note the change of Date)

Bring Bikes, Roller Blades, Skate Boards, Scooters. HELMETS COMPULSORY. $5 Sausage Sizzle all proceeds going to Cyclone Gabriella victims.

(situated next to the Balfour Community Playground)