It is now week 5 and we are fully into the term, and working well. Students need to be attending every lesson every day if they are to learn. Research has shown that students who attend 100% of the time, have a 100% success rate in their achievements! A sobering thought.

The capital works building project is continuing to make progress albeit a little slower than we would have hoped. B block is on track to be finished before the end of term 2, and the crew will be beginning work on the hall and music suite in April. It is all go!

Our students are continuing to enjoy their Bee Keeping course, and working towards their 20 credits. This is a great opportunity for them with a realistic pathway into employment. Having the bees is also supporting the kiwi fruit block which is continuing to thrive.

It is great to be able to run Athletics sports again without the worry of Covid. A great day was had by all and the weather was very kind to us.

Athletics Results

House Champions: 1st equal: Hillary and Reed, 2nd: Rutherford, 3rd: Halberg.

2023 Athletics Champions;

Junior Girls: Waitahui Te Riini

Junior Boys: Waere Nikora-Wimutu

Intermediate Girls: Elias Ratapu

Intermediate Boys: Damien Waalwijk

Senior Girls: Paipa Edwards

Senior Boys: Blade Ngamare

I hope this finds you and your Whanau well following the terrible cyclone Gabrielle that has struck our country.

This is just a gentle reminder that Cell phones are not allowed at Edgecumbe College. This is a rule that has been in place for the last few years.

We find that cell phones at school, cause us so many problems, with students taking them out in class, rather than concentrating on their lessons. As well the negative influence of social media never leaves students and school needs to be a safe place for our students.

Many incidents of bullying and harassment occur and are fed through cell phones. Students need to have clear time at school free from these influences so that they can concentrate on their learning.

We have found that not having cell phones in the school has made a huge positive difference in behaviour and student learning especially off-task behaviour in class as well as reducing bullying and fights. Our students are also more active when their phones are left at home.

If a student needs to contact Whanau and must have a phone at school, then they can leave it at the office until they need to make a call. If you need to contact your student at school then please ring the office and we will make sure that they can talk to you.

Please support us in this, the rule is to help our students and improve their learning. We do not want to make this an issue for them, us, or yourselves. Ensure your student doesn’t bring a phone to school, and follow the rules and directions of Teachers if they need to take the phone off the student for the day.

These will be held on Monday 6th March and taken by Photolife ( https://photolife.co.nz/ ).

Students' photos will be taken in whanau ako groups as well as individually.

The cost for various packages is shown below. Photolife has now changed from the previous system of putting money in envelopes. Photo packages can now only be paid for online.

Students can order an ID card by paying $7 to the front office by Monday 20th March.

Formal Uniform code for the photograph

· Y9 to Y12 Black school polo tops only (no jerseys or thermals).

· Y13 white dress shirt

· Facial piercing needs to be discrete (Mr Murphy will make that decision).

· No bracelets

· No necklaces showing, unless religious or Taonga (Mr Murphy will make that decision).

· No hats.

· If a tee-shirt colour/writing shows through your black polo or dress shirt you will be asked to remove it.

· All other uniform needs to be correct including shoes.

School photos are formal and uniform requirements need to match. To avoid issues, wear studs or sleepers in the ears and a stud in any facial piercing for the day. If your uniform is incorrect you may not be allowed in the Whanau Ako group photo.

Details of how to order the school photos will be sent to parents/Caregivers via email.

I am a fencing contractor working in the Whakatane districts. We do Ag and deer fencing and some urban work. At present we have a vacancy for a fit young person that can follow instructions, doesn't mind working in changing weather and has a good attitude to work. Must be drug-free.

If you meet the criteria, please contact:

Doug Perkins: 0274830479 or email: douggeorgeperkins@hotmail.co.nz

What is the Parent/Student Web Portal?

The Portal provides the ability for caregivers to view student information held in the school database (KAMAR) on the web.

The following information is currently available:

• Daily Notices

• School Calendar of Events

• Student Details, including the ability to submit changes

• Attendance (delayed by 1 day) and Timetable information

• All Results, current year results and NCEA Summary

• Progress Reports

• Financial Summary

• Groups

• Pastoral

• Course Selection for next year's subjects (When appropriate)

• Pathways information

The information is read directly from KAMAR using FileMaker Server's Web Publishing Engine. This means the information is live and updated often.

The Portal can be accessed here https://kamar.edgecumbecollege.school.nz/

More detailed information on the Portal can be found in this pdf file https://edgecumbecollege.school.nz/parent-portal-overview/.

Did you know we have a specialised FB page dedicated to Career Pathways? Go find and like our page! It’s called Edgecumbe College Careers. This page is regularly updated with a host of information about where to seek job vacancies, apprenticeships, preparing for jobs, careers events, Open Days, scholarship and grant applications, and heaps of photos celebrating our wonderful students. Nau mai, Haere mai.