1. education
2. school

BULLER HIGH SCHOOL
Te Kura Tuarua-o-Kawatiri
33 Derby Street, Telephone: (03) 789 7299, Fax: (03) 789 6790,
Email: [email protected], Website: www.buller.ac.nz, PO Box 87, WESTPORT 7866
Issue 4
May 2015
FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES: [email protected]
It was great to see such a strong Buller High School presence at the ANZAC
Parade and to hear the head boy and deputy head girl speak so movingly. Well
done everyone!
We are fortunate to have so many positive role models within the school
community. I have recently joined the PB4L team at BHS, which is a Ministry of
Education initiative focussing on building positive relationships, encouraging and rewarding
positive behaviour, and linking positive behaviour with helping students to achieve their
goals.
The team is keen for parents to get as educated as possible about PB4L strategies, so there are regular pieces in
the newsletter, displays around the school and at school events including parent-teacher interviews. There is also
lots of information on the internet.
School and home are partners in providing the best outcomes for our students, so working together using PB4L
strategies at home as well as at school can only be for the good. I encourage everyone to find out more; Caitlin
Nichol leads an enthusiastic PB4L team, all of whom are happy to talk to families and students about PB4L.
Best wishes, Michelle Lomax, Chair of Board of Trustees
FROM THE PRINCIPAL: [email protected]
ANZAC Day and its significance have been the talking points at the start of term two. All local
schools created their own “Fields of Remembrance” and it was interesting to see some of the
familiar West Coast surnames appearing on the crosses; this was noticed by our students and
made them reflect on the significance of the day. The ANZAC Parade was very well attended by
the community and it was with great pride that I listened to our Head Boy Tony Carleton and
Deputy Head Girl Maisie Halsall-Rae recount what the day meant to them and the memories it
provided. Of course, our Head Girl Georgina Lomax-Sawyers was representing us in Gallipoli,
which was also special for the School and community. It was a day when our whole community came together.
Term two has started off with the predictably cooler and wetter weather making an entrance. The school boiler is
now on to provide a comfortable indoor working temperature. I spoke at assembly of the need for students to dress
appropriately for the weather and at the same time abide by our uniform code. Winter options include a polar
fleece, jersey, vest, the school scarves, plain black gloves and of course black leather lace-up shoes. The uniform
is a reflection of the School and most students wear it with pride; please support us by ensuring that your children
are coming to school in the correct uniform. If you have any issues with uniform, please contact Mr Forsyth (DP) or
Ms Chapman (AP) at the School. As an aside to that, ear ’stretchers’ are not in the uniform code for summer or
winter and are not permitted at school.
The term has just begun, yet already students and teachers are gearing up for numerous sporting, curricular and
cultural events on the calendar. Already this term a group has travelled to Karamea to walk the Heaphy Track; we
have hosted the West Coast Model United Nations (MUN) with ex-student Ashley Stuart at the helm and have had
a group travel to Nelson for their MUN event as well. Ashley represented Buller High School at THIMUN which is
held in The Hague. Coming soon are the School and West Coast Cross Country, our two exchanges with Kaiapoi
(home) and Motueka (away), a Business Studies trip to Kaikoura, winter code sporting fixtures, kayaking for OE,
the Year 11 Leadership camp, a Careers Roadshow and Senior Reports.
There is a lot going on for our students and many opportunities beyond the classroom for them to be involved in. It
is important to remember that students need to balance this time with the demands of other curriculum subjects
and they need to take responsibility for catching up any work missed when they are away. By signing the consent
form, parents need to understand and confirm that their child will accept this responsibility.
As I have mentioned before, balance is very important, House teachers and Deans are happy to work with
students around this. The school diary is a tool that can be used to organise these commitments – we encourage
all students to make full use of these.
Mauri tū mauri ora
An active soul is a healthy soul.
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.
Junior Speech Final
Congratulations to the following students who competed in the Final of the Year 9 and 10 Speech Competition:
Sarah Casey, Zeta-Rose Aldridge, Daniel Beveridge, Laiza Abellanosa, Olivia Edge, Carlo Giacon, Bayleh
Jenkins-Kirkwood, Jack Hill, Josh Roche, Mia Bruning and Anika James.
The Year 9 winner was Jack Hill. Daniel Beveridge and Sarah Casey were first equal in Year 10. Sarah went on to
win the Rotary District Competition.
The Fields of White Crosses is a project which honours those who served and fought for our nation
during World War I. It commemorates, in particular, the 18,200 who gave their lives in this conflict. This
is a joint venture with the Ministry of Education. 80,000 white crosses were supplied to 2,531 Primary
and Secondary schools. 29 of the 30 crosses placed on the Buller High School ‘Field of Remembrance’
included the number, rank, initials, surname and honour of the soldiers or nurses from the Top of the
South regions who never returned from World War I. One cross had the words “Known unto God” to
represent the unknown soldier. Ms Christie-Cumming’s Social Studies class, 10N, undertook, with great
respect, the responsibility to construct the crosses and place them in the field in time for ANZAC Day.
These students did a commendable job in helping raise awareness in the consciousness of current
generations of the service and sacrifice given 100 years ago.
Masterchef Buller
We ran a Masterchef competition in term one with
teams trying to make the best product for the
school canteen. Three judges marked each product with points for taste, texture and
appearance. The Photo shows Max Dobson and
Olivia Williams in first place. Drew Donaldson and
Ami Ezoe were in 2nd place. Levi Garrett and
Lockie Reedy in 3rd place as well as
winning people's choice. Well done. Have a look
at our facebook page if you want to keep up with
news from the food and fabric department.
https://www.facebook.com/masterchefwestport
Thanks to Nicky at the canteen for her help with
the competition.
Photo from left back row: Drew Donaldson, Ami Ezoe, Max Dobson, Olivia Williams
Front row: Lockie Reedy, Levi Garrett
CONGRATULATIONS
Year 9 student, Karlia Holland, is
congratulated on her outstanding
success in this year’s Westport
Performing Arts Competition.
Karlia sang five songs and was
placed first in each category. She
received five medals for her placings
and five trophies from different
organisations.
She was also named the most
promising competitor in vocal over
12 and was the recipient of a sixth
trophy acknowledging this
achievement. Karlia, a student of
Tina Taylor, was told that she has
great potential as a singer.
We wish to acknowledge Karlia’s
success for this outstanding
achievement and look forward to
following her career in the years to
come.
Buller Electricity Limited Supports Buller High School Girls Basketball
'With the generous help of Buller Electricity Limited, the BEL BHS Girls Basketball team begin the road
to defend their Secondary Schools’ National title. This will not be an easy task, with a lot of hard work
and planning yet to be put in by the team, with lead-up games and qualifying competitions to complete.
The final team is yet to be selected, but the leadership group (pictured) wish to acknowledge the generous support of Buller Electricity Limited and with the help of BEL, our girls will be striving for a National
Title repeat in September/October 2015.'
Pictured left to right: Eamon Ginley CEO BEL, Kathie Adams EA BEL, and the BHS Girls Basketball
Leadership team of Robyn McMillan, Beth O'Connor, Barbara Stuart, Edee Richards, Nicole Stuart,
Claire Irons and Peter Kirkwood.
A
NEW AGRICULTURE CLUB FOR BULLER HIGH SCHOOL
About Us
TeenAg aims to introduce and promote a positive picture about agriculture and
agricultural careers from an early age. The goal is to show the stimulating and fun side
agriculture to students from all walks of life; you don't need to be off a farm, you just
need to have a love of the land and be keen to get your hands dirty. Members are sent
quarterly newsletters and competition entry forms direct to their mailboxes.
of
There are two core elements to TeenAg:
TeenAg Competition
The exciting TeenAg Competition series started in 2011 with resounding success. The Competition
series extends and challenges the competitors well outside of their comfort zone, builds character,
develops leadership skills and pursues excellence. The Competition runs alongside the ANZ Young
Farmer Contest Regional Finals across the seven Young Farmer Regions and culminates at the
Grand Final each year.
TeenAg Clubs
TeenAg has grown rapidly since the first clubs started in 2009 and now we have over 550 club
members throughout the country. TeenAg Clubs provide a context for learning about agriculture
and a place to develop broader life skills. We now have a TeenAg Club at Buller High School.
We meet every Friday @ lunchtime in G2.
If you would like any further details, talk to Tracie Ketcher who is our Publicity Officer for the
remainder of this year. Come along and find out what TeenAg is all about.
The Buller High School Way
One of the things we have focussed on as part of our involvement in the Positive Behaviour for Learning
(PB4L) programme has been the importance of student self-management. An important requirement, as
part of this focus, is that students should have a fiction reading book with them in all classes.
Why do we require this from our students? You might be interested in listening to a recent item on National Radio which discusses the relative merits of fiction reading and video gaming in terms of their impact on
academic achievement. International research confirms that students who regularly read fiction have a
distinct advantage over those who don’t. Here’s the link: http://rnz.to/1EqHRjn
Enhancing our School Parent/Caregiver Communication
Buller High School introduced its earlybird text messaging last year as a way of early notification that your child is recorded as absent from school. This year we are broadening the School-links communication system, and this will enable the School to:



Send a text message and/or email notifying you that your child is recorded as absent from school (currently in
place).
Send a text and email alerts in case of an emergency, school closure, cancellation, or for other important information.
Send our newsletters and notices online.
To ensure that we successfully communicate with all parents/caregivers, please advise the office of any changes to
your contact information.
Name of student
Name of
parent/caregiver
Phone
Cell phone
Email me at this
email address
2015 International Competition and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) in English
The 2015 ICAS examination for English will be held on Tuesday 28 July (the second Tuesday of term three).
This examination is available to all students at Buller High School.
For senior students, ICAS is a particularly effective way of preparing for the NCEA “unfamiliar text” examination at
the end of the year. For junior students, ICAS provides a valuable experience in sitting a competitive formal
examination in English.
Some of the English class time at all levels will be allocated to preparation for ICAS during the first two weeks of
term three.
Every student entering ICAS receives a certificate acknowledging participation. Special awards are available for
High Distinction, Distinction and Credit. All students receive detailed feedback on their performance.
The cost is $8.50 for Year 9 and 10 students and $5 for students in Years 11-13. Payment can be made to the
School office until Friday 15 May. We recommend this opportunity to all students.
You can contact me for further information on 789 7299 (extension 828) at school, or 789 5019 at home, or by
email at [email protected] Ray Curnow English Department
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HOST AN
OVERSEAS STUDENT?
Pathways
Experience another culture, make new
friends and improve your language
studies at home
The Pathways department will be offering the
ICAS Digital Technology (Computer Studies)
exam again this year. If you would like your
child to participate, please let the office know
along with $8.50 payment by Friday 8 May.
The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) Digital Technologies
assesses skills and knowledge in the areas of:
Databases, Graphics and multimedia, Internet
use and email programmes, Networks and other communications systems, Operating systems and computer hardware, Programming
(papers G and H only), Spreadsheets, Word
processing.
Hosting – An Experience for Life
Student Exchange is looking for host families across New
Zealand to welcome overseas students into their home
www.studentexchange.org.nz 0800 440 079 (cost of local call)
Ida, Year 11, from Denmark
Likes dancing, swimming and hiking
Matilda, Year 12, from Italy
Likes music and mountaineering
Buller High School Fundraiser
Where: Buller High School Hall
6 - 8pm, Sunday 17 May, $35
Tickets are available during school hours, at the
School office, phone 03 789 7299, or contact Jude
Eakin for further information on 027 238 8553.
(Please note date and time changes)
Are you interested in chocolate? Pick up a ticket to this chocolate tasting
evening and come along for a two hour journey into the history and mystery
of chocolate with passionate Chocolatier Oonagh Browne who is the cofounder of ‘She Chocolate School’ which features in Lonely Planet’s Top 10
Culinary Schools. That’s Top 10 in the world by the way! This is a wonderful
evening with a mix of savoury and sweet treats, chocolate fondues and lots
more.
This would make a great Mother’s Day gift.
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR we will keep you up to date
with current thinking on Career Education and with what is
happening in our Careers Department.
&
VISITS, TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES:
 University of Otago Thursday 18 June @ 9am
 Careers Roadshow Wednesday 24 June @ BHS for the whole day; parents/
caregivers will be welcome to attend after school
 TeenAg Club
Every Friday @ lunchtime in G2
HOW TO GET STARTED WITH PLANNING YOUR CAREER JOURNEY
Here are some options to help you plan your study, training or work options.
In this feature
of the newsletter
we offer advice,
tips and suggestions
about careers
1.
Find out where the job opportunities with the
free Occupation Outlook 2015 app for
information on education, employment and
income information on a range of jobs and
career options.
- Apple: through itunes
- Android: through the Google Play Store
2.
You can check out your Vocational Profile
at www.nzqa.govt. nz/login/ and see your
progress towards achieving NCEA Level 2 with
Vocational Pathways on your record of
achievement.
3.
Use the online Profile Builder to explorer your
study options and start building your Vocational Pathways at www.youthguarantee.net.nz/
start-your-journeynow
4.
Visit www.careers.govt.nz and your career team at school
5.
Discuss your options with your parents, family, whanau and education provider.
In this feature of the newsletter we provide brief profiles of New Zealand’s eight universities and various other education and training providers, starting with the upper North Island and working our way down
to the bottom of the South. This week’s focus is on Palmerston North.
www.careers.govt.nz
This university is consistently ranked in the top 3% of
universities worldwide. It is primarily based in
Palmerston North (Massey Manawatu), with
additional campuses in Wellington and Auckland. It is a leader in research, technology, design,
business, aviation, education, agriculture and veterinary science. It is ranked the No.1university
in New Zealand and 19th in the world for agriculture and contains New Zealand’s only
veterinary teaching hospital and school. Massey is also the leading New Zealand
university for distance learning. For entry, as well as UE, some degrees may have additional
entry requirements.
The Universal College of Learning (UCOL) is an institute of
technology and polytechnic with three campuses – Palmerston
North, Whanganui and Wairarapa. UCOL offers a diverse
selection of programmes, ranging from certificates and foundation
courses to diplomas, degrees and post-graduate study. Courses are
available in Health and Science, Arts and Design, IT and Business, Chef Training and
Hospitality, Beauty and Hairdressing, and Trades and Technology. For entry, programmes have
different requirements e.g. interviews or a portfolio.
OUR
CAREERS
TEAM
HOD:
Years 9-10:
Years 11-12:
Year 13:
MIRIAM COMESKEY
LAURA REDMOND
JACQUI CHRISTIE-CUMMING
DI HOOPER
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]