Buller High School Newsletter

It was a privilege to once again attend the ANZAC Day remembrance service in the holidays. It was well attended, and I was impressed by the speeches, not only from our Head Students Tui Marama and Maddox Manawatu, but also the students from the local primary schools. This day of all days brings our community together, both young and old, to remember the past, those that have passed and all those protecting the life and lifestyle that we enjoy today. It is interesting to note the large attendance by the younger members of our community. It is through them that the spirit of the ANZACS will continue.

We have launched an updated website this week. I want to acknowledge and thank Brooke Skilton for her leadership, hard work and perseverance in getting this project completed. The new format is more colourful, easier to navigate and hopefully a great window to our school and what we offer. The website address is https://buller.ac.nz/.

From Monday 23 May to Friday 27 May we are having a Technology Week. A week where students are encouraged to bring their devices to school every day, and teachers will be delivering lessons using technology. It is a fact that our curriculum is moving more online, and we can enrich the learning experience by accessing online content. Much of what we do is already supported by technology and assessment is increasingly being moved online as well. Over the last few years, we have encouraged students to bring technology and for parents/whanau to add this to a new student stationery. We hope that this week will encourage students to bring their devices each day, although no student will be disadvantaged if they cannot provide one. This does not mean the end of pen and paper but does mean that the boundaries for learning can be extended.

Term 2 is a particularly busy term for many students. It is a time when for Seniors, NCEA internal assessment requirements are heavy and winter sports are in full swing. It is important that our students realise that school is their ‘job’ and like any job we have expectations. These expectations include:

Turning up each day and on time – attendance and punctuality. Attendance rates of 90%+ are expected for all students to give them the best chance to succeed.

• Presenting themselves appropriately - wearing the correct uniform.

• Carrying out all of the work that is expected of them AND meet any commitments they have made.
• Meeting all deadlines set.
• Taking responsibility to inform the school when they legitimately are unwell or unable to attend.

The weather is beginning to cool, and this normally means that students’ uniform choices change. We have a wide range of winter options, which include a polar fleece, jersey, vest, the school scarves, black plain gloves, black school jacket and of course black lace up shoes. The uniform is a reflection of our school and most students wear it with pride, please support us by ensuring that your children are coming to school in the correct uniform. Learning is what a school is about. This includes learning about the values of Respect, Responsibility, Relationships and Resilience. We encourage students to take responsibility for what they are wearing and respect the uniform code that we have in place. If there are any issues with uniform, please contact the school Deans. We do have a selection of uniform items to provide temporary uniform for students when needed.

He rau ringa e oti ai

Many hands make light work

I look forward to once again sharing more student and staff successes and would encourage all parents and the community to be involved in the many events scheduled this term.

In March, just over 20 Buller High Mathematics students signed themselves up for the challenging International Maths competition known as the Kangourou Sans Frontieres (Kangaroos without Borders).

This competition has been running for over 20 years, and has around six million students from all around the world each year pitting their wits against tricky mathematical problems. The name is due to the competition being set up by two mathematics teachers from France, who were inspired by a competition running across the ditch.

No calculators are allowed, and the competitors really do have to give their maths skills a full workout. The Buller High School students did themselves proud, and their results included six credit awards.

Photo caption: Buller High School Kangourou Sans Frontieres competitors with their certificates (left to right): Turlough Bennett (Best in School), Arryn Duston, Mikah Blom, Thomas Ferguson, Fred Sanders (Best in Year 11), Caelan Nichol (Best in Year 9), Jon McLeod, Toroa Charteris, Hannah Jope, Tess Carlson, Levi Phipps, Luke Watts (Best in Year 10), Dylan Muir, and at the rear Jake Nelson. Not present for the photo: Tobias Bennett, Sakura Minato, Kristian Yap.

I have now been teaching drama and music at BHS for 16 years and have to admit that time has gone quickly. I am very fortunate to work alongside Rona Halsall in our music department. Last term I was preparing a presentation for the Board of Trustees and wanted to know what some of my students had done with their love for the Performing Arts. I decided to contact 17 students and they all replied with their current status.

I have decided to make a feature of their replies and in the coming newsletters, each student will be highlighted.

This newsletter features graduate of 2011 Charlotte Ensor.

Charlotte writes …”I can confidently say that Buller's arts programme set me up for the career I have now. After leaving BHS I moved to Christchurch and completed a double degree at the University of Canterbury. I graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Film Studies and a Bachelor of Music (hons), with a focus on conducting. This included taking on production and band roles in several of the musical theatre society's productions, including conducting, directing and singing. I also spent a semester in New York focusing on musical theatre and operatic studies. After graduating I became a piano and vocal tutor, working briefly in a music school and now teaching privately. I also have taken on the Arts Coordinator role at Burnside High School, facilitating one of the most respected Music, drama, dance and visual arts programmes in the country, including the Specialist Music Programme and Dance Academy. Working there has grown into also musically directing two of the school's choirs including competing in the national Big Sing competition. As of 2022 I also have now taken on the musical direction role of the Cantabile Community Choir as well as singing in the Voices Co. Adult Crew. My varied knowledge of music and theatre that I gained at Buller through school productions, piano lessons with Rona Halsall and Performing Arts classes with Mr Haussmann was the reason that I both chose my degree and was able to get the most out of the university's offerings both curricular and extra-curricular. I have endeavored to make sure that my students and choirs are likewise introduced to a variety of musical styles and experiences.”

This workshop runs in B2 on Wednesdays after school 3.30 - 4.30 pm. It is now open to all students whenever they feel that it might be useful to drop in for some support.

Attendance can really help to boost student confidence, improve student understanding, and level up student performance.

It may be particularly helpful right now for students who may have missed some lessons in the run up to the end of last term and who would like some time, space and further teacher support with their catching up.

With Year 11 and Year 13 internal assessments on the horizon, as well as the Year 12 resit, seniors are also strongly encouraged to take advantage of this extra support on offer.

Just drop in for as little or as long as you like. Mr Burns and Mr Weaver are looking forward to being able to support you.

On Monday 9 May year 12 Biology students went on a day trip to Tauranga Bay to see the Rocky shore species and measure patterns of zonation for an assessment.

We found a diverse community of plants and animals living in the low to mid tide zone – anemones were the favourites, but there were also crabs, seaweed, fish, cushion stars, snails, periwinkles, barnacles and mussels.

This is the third year that students have gone to Tauranga Bay for this study, and each year new species are found – this year a population of red beaded anemone was discovered under a boulder, and gooseneck barnacles were spotted. Along with looking at the zonation pattern, we try to spot as many species of the Rocky Shore food web as possible, observing sea birds and seals.

A visit to the seal colony found six young pups training in the big rock pool with many more pups lazing, wandering or hassling their mothers. We are very lucky to have such a lot of sea life so close to our school.

On the Friday the 22nd of April, Nathaniel West and Jai Price went to Blaketown to meet up with 10 others to go white water rafting down the Arahura River.

On the first night we stayed at the Waiuta Lodge. We explored the old mine and the stamping battery. We had to complete a scavenger hunt around the grounds.

On Saturday we drove down to the edge of the river. We had to wear very thick wetsuits which were hard to get on. We pumped up the rafts and set off down the river. The first few rapids were not too much of a worry but then we got into the white water where the rapids were a lot bigger. We had to stop and plan the route through them. We had to both paddle fast and work as a team to keep the raft stable.

We paddled for a couple of hours then we got to the camp site. We pitched our tents then started a fire. We cooked Lasagna for tea over the fire.

The next day it was raining, our wetsuits were cold and extra hard to get on. We continued down the river and went through some good rapids which was exciting, but we managed to hold on although someone lost their paddle, but we managed to find it.

It was a great trip and we made lots of new friends and I would definitely go white water rafting again if I got the chance.

By Jai Price

The trip was organised by WestREAP

To see what the minimum requirements for a laptop are, check out https://buller.ac.nz/stationary-list-ict/ and select your students Year level.