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Newsletter 8: October, 2014
Otamatea High School
Te Kura Tuarua o Otamatea
Junior Kapahaka Waiouru Trip
Principal’s Comment
We have recently received the confirmed reports from both the Education Review Office
(ERO) and New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) following their visits in Term 3. The
conclusion of the ERO report stated: “Otamatea High School is well led, managed and
governed. Leaders and teachers review the quality of teaching and pastoral care so that
students learn and achieve in a supportive and affirming environment. Student achievement,
including that of Māori students, continues to improve.”
The summary for the Managing National Assessment (MNA) visit included the following
statement: “Otamatea High School is commended for continuing to seek ways to meet the
assessment needs of its students. Courses are reviewed and new ways are being sought to
gather evidence of, and to recognise achievement. Teachers are collaborative and seek
professional engagement to develop their understanding of assessment practice.”
We have been granted the three year cycle for both review processes which is an
endorsement of our ability to continue to build sustainable practices. These reports are a
positive reflection of the hard work and dedication of the senior leaders, school staff and
BOT over the last few years. Full reports can be found on the ERO website and the NZQA
website under MNA Reports.
There have been some questions from the community about whether we will be operating
streaming in 2015 for Year 10 students. We are aiming to operate 4 classes at Year 10 next
year with all Year 10 students being able to gain some NCEA credits. We will continue to
stream Year 10 classes next year but we are currently reviewing whether we stream based on
students’ aggregate results (as is current practice), or whether we are able to stream subject
by subject. We are also considering offering two academic Year 10 classes next year. A
student who is gifted at Maths may struggle in English and vice versa; our approach aims to
build more flexibility into the system. Student engagement results from the NZCER survey
over recent years have indicated a dip in engagement at Year 10 level. Our intention with this
change is to respond to this data in a productive way whilst keeping our vision of ‘meeting
the learning needs of every student’ central.
Senior Prizegiving will soon be upon us and we are currently in the process of interviewing
candidates for Head Girl and Head Boy positions. We received a number of quality
applications from students wanting to serve the school as prefects next year. Prefect
positions will be announced and badges awarded at Senior Prizegiving. After Senior
Prizegiving parents will be able to collect school reports. Any reports which aren’t collected
will be mailed out.
Following Senior Prizegiving all senior students will be on study leave. NCEA Exams begin on
Monday 10th November. Full school uniform is expected for all exams. If students want to
come on the school bus for their exams they may do so. Please note that afternoon exams
start at 2:00pm so it may be necessary for alternative travel arrangements for the journey
home to be organised in advance, particularly if students are sitting more than one paper.
An allocated study room will be available at school for the time after morning exams and
before afternoon exams. Any arrangements to meet with specific teachers for revision
purposes must be organised in advance as teachers also have other responsibilities and
classes during this time. No students should be using school buses for any other purposes.
An NCEA exam timetable is included in this newsletter.
Senior Prizegiving – Tuesday 4th November starting at 1.30pm
We apologise. Incorrect information regarding the 2013 road race winners was advertised
in our newsletter. The 2012 winners names were accidently recorded instead.
The winners for 2013 were Rhys Shadbolt with a time of 19.08 and Ocean Shadbolt with
a time of 25.24.
The Accelerated Literacy Learning Programme
On Thursday 25th September those involved in the Accelerated Literacy Learning
programme held a morning tea in the school library. It was a good opportunity for
students, parents and staff to share the recent learning successes of these individual
students.
The ALL programme is a Ministry of Education initiative to support students in the
development of their literacy skills. Otamatea High School chose to focus on the writing
skills of Year 8 students. The assessment
results of students throughout New
Zealand who are involved in the ALL
programme will be used by NZCER (New
Zealand
Council
for
Educational
Research)to complete a report about the
effectiveness of the programme.
Students have worked on a scrapbook of
tasks and enjoyed sharing their personal
writing with their parents. Thank you to
the parents who were able to support
their child at the morning tea.
Otamatea High School Chess Tournament
Last month the inaugural Otamatea High School chess tournament was run at school. This
is an individual tournament that was completed over 4 lunchtimes. Ten students
participated over the course of the week,
playing four games each. After four
rounds, Elias Giles and Alex Damsted were
tied on 3 wins and a draw each, so it came
down to a deciding match to determine
the 2014 champion. Each player was given
15 minutes on the chess timers, which
was all the time they were allowed to
complete their moves. In a frantic finish,
Elias found himself with a material
advantage but in serious time trouble.
Despite some frenetic moves at the end
Elias couldn’t beat the clock and so Alex was declared the winner and 2014 champion.
Dirk Smyth
Pictured: Alex and Elias battling it out in the deciding match.
School Closing for tuition at 12.30pm on Wednesday 19 November
Aiming for Excellence
All senior students at Otamatea High School have
set academic goals for themselves this year. Many
are aiming to pass NCEA level 1, 2 or 3 endorsed
with excellence. If a student gains 50 credits at
excellence level then their NCEA (National
Certificate of Educational Achievement) will be
endorsed with excellence and this will be
reflected on their official record of
achievement. This month, Ellen Nelder, our
school prefect for Teaching and Learning, has
identified three students who are aiming for
excellence this year, and has profiled them in
this article: Jordan Hyland (year 13), Erin
Mooney and Natasha Tornquist (both year
11).
Natasha Tornquist is a Year 11
student whose academic goal for the
year is to receive NCEA Level 1 with at
least Merit but aiming for an
Excellence Endorsement. When she
leaves school Natasha is thinking of
going to University to study, or
perhaps travel. For other students
who want to do well in their school
work, Natasha advises that it is a
good idea to balance and organise
your priorities. She also says that it is
important to believe in yourself, that
you can do well, and if you put the
effort in it will definitely show. Trying
to decide on her favourite subject
was a tough decision for Natasha,
however, she came to the conclusion
that English was her favourite subject
because she likes to be creative and
detailed with her words. She has
always enjoyed writing and likes how
it expresses a message to the reader.
Jordan Hyland is a Year 13 student who
is in his final year at Otamatea High
School. Jordan managed to skip year 12
after excelling at Level 1 with
Excellence grades. Jordan has made his
academic goal for the year, to achieve
NCEA Level 3 with an Excellence
Endorsement and also he is aiming to
be the school Dux at the end of the
year. Jordan is planning on going to
Auckland University where he wants to
study Medical Science. He is also
thinking of being in a band with James
Finlay during his time at University. He
advises other students to believe that
the world is only conscious to yourself
and you have the ability to do anything.
Biology is Jordan's favourite subject at
school because he is able to get on well
with the teacher.
Erin Mooney is a Year 11 student. Her
academic goal for the year to is to gain
Level 1 Endorsed with Excellence, which
she has already managed to achieve. Erin's
favourite subjects at school is Science
because she enjoys it and wishes to
continue down this academic path further
by going to University and studying
Medical Science. Erin aims to become a
paramedic or neuroscientist. To help
others do better with their school work
Erin recommends that students keep up to
date with classwork and homework - don’t
fall behind because it can be hard to catch
up later.
Special congratulations goes to Erin who has now qualified for excellence endorsement at
NCEA level 1 and to James Finlay (profiled in last month’s newsletter) who has now qualified
for excellence endorsement at NCEA level 3. They join Ruby-Rose Hallamore and Jesper
Smyth who have already qualified for excellence endorsement at NCEA level 1 and were
profiled by Ellen in last month’s newsletter. This is an outstanding achievement given that
these students have yet to sit their external examinations
Dirk Smyth - Assistant Principal (Teaching and Learning).
Junior Kapahaka Waiouru Trip
On Monday 22nd September, the juniors in the kapahaka group along with the Nga
Ringaomatariki went on a trip to extend learning about the impact of war on Māori that has
been our focus for 2014 in recognition of 100 years since WWI started. Our first stop was
Tokoroa High School where we made lasting impressions on our Cook Island hosts. We were
lucky enough to learn about hydro-electricity onboard the Huka Jet in Taupo before we
continued our journey to the Waiouru Army Camp where we stayed for 3 nights learning
about the rigors of army life, the immense pride of Ngati Tūmatauenga and the huge
sacrifice our service men make for all of us “civvies.” We went tobogganing down Ruapehu,
snowball hurling and snowmen making. Then on our final day we heard a legend about
Ruapehu and the other maunga in the Central Plateau. It was an exhilarating week of fun
filled activities that helped impress upon us the value of the NZ forces. Ka mate he toa, ka
ara mai he toa. When one warrior falls, another rises in his place.
Sports Awards
ASB Sports Awards
This year the following students were nominated from Otamatea High School for their
sporting achievements over the last twelve months.
Annmarie Holst –squash, Danyon Tana – Tennis, Connor van Dalsum – Tennis,
Shuntel Rika – Tennis, Bayley Coates – Referee, Tyler Porteous – Equestrian, Cullen Curtis –
Quad bike/motorcross, Jojo Perrett – Rugby, Terina Wallace – All rounder,
Rhys Shadbolt – All rounder, Jasmine Sampson – Netball, Dylan Sims – Swimming.
All these students have shown outstanding ability in their chosen fields of sport. Like all
awards the judges then have to narrow down the contestants to finalists from all of the
Northland Secondary Schools.
We are very proud to congratulate the following students for making the finalists list. The
awards evening is next Thursday and we wish these students every success on the night.
Tyler Porteous, Cullen Curtis, Danyon Tana, Connor van Dalsum, Shuntel Rika and Jasmine
Sampson.
Silver Ferns Farms Kaipara Sports Awards
With these awards students from year seven and eight can also be nominated. Below are
all the Otamatea students nominated for the awards
ASB Youth Sportsperson Achievement Award
Rugby – Kharnse Namana, Ashton Coates, Rhys Shadbolt, Jojo Perrett, Tyler Foster, Brady
Foster Motorcross – Cullen Curtis
Tennis – Shuntel Rika
Multi Sports – Terina Wallace, Ocean Shadbolt
ASB Sportsman Awards
Swimming - Dylan Sims
Tennis – Connor van Dalsum and Danyon Tana
Squash – Kodi Foster
ASB Sports Woman Awards
Equestrian – Tyler Porteous
Squash – Annmarie Holst
Netball – Jasmine Sampson
Steinlager Pure Referee/Umpire of the Year Bayley Coates (netball)
Newman Engineering Ltd Leadership Award
Special Olympics - Te Whakakotahitanga Jenkins
Noel Radd Motors Youth Team of the Year
Otamatea Netball Team 5 year 7 and 8
Subdivideit Team of the Year
Maungaturoto E grade Squash Team
We are very proud to congratulate the following students for making the finalists list.
The awards evening is on the 7th of November and
we wish these students every success on the night.
The finalists are: Dylan Sims, Connor van Dalsum,
Danyon Tana, Kodi Foster, Tyler Porteous, Annmarie
Holst, Te Whakakotahitanga Jenkins, Otamatea
Netball team, Cullen Curtis, Ocean Shadbolt and
Rhys Shadbolt.
Maths Olympiad News
The fifth and final round of the Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads
(APSMO) competition was held at school last month. The year 7s are entered in the junior
competition and it was Maggie Hames who once again top scored, this time with 3 points.
The year 8s and 9s are entered in the senior competition and Isaac Sheppard left his
best effort for the final round scoring a perfect 5 out of 5. Claude Smyth continued his
consistent form with a strong 4 points to finish top overall.
Final scores after the 5th round are:
Junior Year 7s: Maggie Hames 16 points
Senior Year 8s: Isaac Sheppard 12 points, Pasindu Muddanayaka 9 points
Senior Year 9s: Claude Smyth 20 points, Ewan Smith 12 points
Maggie Hames is therefore Year 7 champion, Isaac Sheppard is the Year 8 champion and
Claude Smyth the Year 9 champion for 2014. Well done also to Oshani Muddanayaka,
Romero Madsen, Jacob Fox, Tyler Flannagan, Lucas Beeler, Mya Lawrence, Mason
Wintle, Jeremy McCallum and Bradley Hailes for all their efforts over the course of the
year.
You will find a copy of the Round 5 junior competition questions later in this newsletter.
The answers are 10800, 11, 405, 62, 670912
Shearing Course at Bryce Lupton’s farm Sept 16 – 20 2014
Ten young men arrived at Lupton’s woolshed at 8am on
Tuesday morning – two wearing shorts and the rest in
suitable shearing clothes. That was the last day anyone
wore shorts. Shearing is not kind to bare legs. The four
tutors from TECTRA started the boys on paperwork and
graduated to crutching and later being able to shear
three sheep in thirty minutes. Five days from 8am to 5pm
working in a woolshed is more work than most had done
before, but they all completed the course and were busy
shearing when I saw them last on Saturday.
An excellent course with well behaved hard working
students who hopefully will find the skills they learnt
useful in the future.
Students :- Ethan Pou, Tamati Hohepa, Daniel Wallace,
Goodwin Paikea, Isaiah Ratima, Antony Bradbury, Anton
Herewini, Sean Woodward, Kaipo Parker and Liam Day.
PTCA Second Hand Uniform Shop
Are you a school leaver – year 12?
Would you like to donate your unused uniform shirts, shorts, skirts etc to the PTCA?
Have you got any items that are too small? We would like to sell them in the shop.
Open Friday mornings 8.30 – 9.15am
You can leave your donations at the High School office.
If Friday mornings don’t suit – call or txt Karen 021 128 1670
Duke of Edinburgh News
The September holidays have been a busy time for OHS gold and silver DOE groups.
The gold group trained in the Tangihuas with instructors Robert Bruce and Matthew
Blainey.
The students built on their knowledge gained from bronze and silver level trainings, with
some new compass work being introduced and the ‘Leap Frog’ technique. This involved
bush bashing from one track to another on a set bearing and was a lot of fun!
Bivouacs were built and slept in on the Saturday night. As the rain pelted down some with
stood the elements better than others. Dylan’s group were rebuilding at 9pm and as for
Harri ………….
First aid scenarios in the bush were practiced and Robert demonstrated a safe shallow
water entry if you were trapped in a canyon.
Later in the week the gold group travelled to the Coromandel to complete their pre
expedition. They tramped to Crosbies’ Hut for a night, then on to the Pinnacles Hut. The
Pinnacles at sunset were amazing! This group is now ready to complete their qualifying
tramp 15-18 December in the Nelson lakes area.
The silver group travelled to lake Waikaremoana in the Te Ureweras 4-8 October.
Snow had fallen on the long, winding metal road to the lake so the usual snow fight
developed as we stopped for some photos. Kate saw and felt her first REAL snow!
We arrived at the Aniwaniwa Doc visitors’ centre where the ranger, Richard gave the
students an informative educational talk about the area.
After checking track conditions and weather reports we headed to camp Kaitawa for the
night.
Day One:
We were up at 6am and after dropping the vans for storage, we were on the start of the
track at Onepoto at 8.40am. The climb to the Panekife Hut (1,180m) was all upwards! It
was well rewarded at the Panekife Bluff with beautiful views of the lake. Lunch was at the
hut and the 2 hour tramp to follow was on a newly cut Doc track to the Waiopaoa Hut
beside the lake.
Here dinner was cooked communally by the groups and Blake introduced the group to
several frustrating games which left Mr Smyth still wondering just who did have the hat!
Day Two:
Saw the group tramp to the Marauiti Hut for lunch and on to a large Waiharuru Hut for the
night. Miss Parkinson brought out the five crowns card game which had Leslie and James
vying for a lake swim! The track today had been undulating, but a long 18km. the beautiful
Korokoro Falls were visited on the way.
Day Three:
Saw brunch at the Whanganui Hut and an exciting water taxi ride across the lake to the
Waikaremoana Holiday park where the vans were waiting.
It was an amazing achievement for the group to have accomplished their 44km tramp in
what has to be one of the most beautiful areas of New Zealand.
Mr Smyth almost had a ‘porker’ of a story
to tell Mrs Clothier-Simmonds how HEF6
got it’s first dent, on our return journey
back to Rotorua on the narrow metal road
where animals freely roam.
Thank you to Miss Parkinson, Sam Currie
and Mr Smyth for accompanying the
students on their qualifying tramp. We
couldn’t have done it without you!
Ngati Whatua/ Otago Uni Science Wānanga
Blowing up things, hands on fire, levitating objects, laser beams, chemical clock
experiments, electricity, magnetism, water-testing quality, liquid nitrogen ice cream
making competitions and astronomy were just some of the science kaupapa demonstrated
over the 3 days of the year 10 science wānanga, run in partnership by the Ngati Whatua
rūnanga and experts in science from Otago University that 8 year 10 students attended
atTinopai along with students from Dargaville, Ruawai and TKKM o Ngaringaomatariki at
the end of Term 3. We had high quality teaching by some of the most knowledgeable
people in their field and they were doing all they could to hook the students into the
subject that they know and love: science. It was interactive, engaging and highly
entertaining. Ngā mihi Otago University and Te Rūnanga o Ngati Whatua.
2014 NCEA timetable
Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads
OLYMPIAD 5
Time Allowed: 25mins
Time 3 minutes
Compute the value of the following:
123+777+123+77+123+777+
123+777+123+77+123+777+
123+777+123+77+123+777+
123+777+123+77+123+777.
Time 4 minutes
Three consecutive counting numbers are added. The sum is divided by 3, and the resulting
quotient is 10.
What is the greatest of the three counting numbers?
Time: 5 minutes
Billy starts with 15 and counts by 15’s: 15, 30, 45,….
Millie starts with 9 and counts by 9’s: 9, 18, 27, ….
Some numbers are in both lists.
What is the ninth number that is in both lists?
Time: 6 minutes
A large cube, 5cm by 5cm by 5cm, is painted silver on all six faces. Then it is cut into
minicubes, each 1cm by 1cm by 1cm.
How many of the minicubes are painted silver on an odd number of their faces?
Time: 7 minutes
In the expression MOSEY – REST = MOVE, each letter stands for a different digit.
What number does the six-letter word STORMY represent?
School Hours
8.50am – 3.30pm
Student Absence
Parents are requested to telephone the school, extension 206 if
their child is unable to attend school.
School Notices
Te Panui o Otamatea – The Notices of Otamatea High School are
emailed to all families and students every Friday.
FREE Counselling, Doctor and Public Health Nurse services available at the school
contact the Student Support Centre for an appointment
Otamatea High School
120 Bickerstaffe Road, Maungaturoto
Office Hours: 8am – 4pm
Telephone: 09 431 8230
Freephone: 0800 682 628
Facsimile: 09 431 8229
Email: [email protected]