Congratulations! WGHS, 2011 NCEA Excellence Award Students, Levels 1, 2 & 3
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WGHS, 2011 NCEA Excellence Award Students, Levels 1, 2 & 3
Congratulations!
www.wghs.school.nz
Tena koutou katoa Simmonds, Rumbidzai
Kavhumbura
Dear Parents and Caregivers Citizenship Committee: Anna Laxman
Cultural Committee: Cindy Corne, Jana Lennard
Welcome to all returning and new stu- Design Committee: Maia Garry, Cynatra Major
dents and staff for another highly suc- Environmental
cessful year at Whangarei Girls’ High School. Already, Committee: Kate Allen,
so much has taken place in an extraordinarily short Anna Hewinson
space of time. Global Issues
We are thrilled with the high calibre of new staff who Committee: Ella McLeod, Allie Maxwell
have joined us this year. They are: Health Committee: Shambavi Patil
Victoria Blair –from Canada, teaching English House Captains:
Ashleigh Butler – from University of Auckland, teach- Bell Helen Blogg,
ing Te Reo Maori and English Hannah Russell
Anna Henderson – from Kamo High School, teaching Lovelock Beth Dennie,
Biology and Science Josie Robinson
Haggis Henderson – from Kamo High School, teaching Manaia Rachel Bol,
Physics and Science Kaitlin Crawford
Paula Henderson – from Rodney College, teaching Mansfield Kari Grierson, Olivia Sole
Languages (Spanish) and Social Studies Rutherford Tayla Cook,
Gabrielle Hopper – from Kaitaia College, teaching Anna Thompson
Physical Education, Health and Social Studies Seddon Emily Crum,
Leith Magon – New Era IT, IT Manager Gabrielle Eaton
Ruby Masom – from University of Auckland, teaching International
English Committee: Kaitlyn Barnett, Lily Grau
Bernadette Murray – from Northtec, librarian Newspaper Committee: Crystal Hay, Kate Wilson
Ashleigh Rule – from Canterbury University, teaching SADD Committee: Margo Wright
Visual Arts and Art History Sports Committee Julia Ferris, Taylor Wilkes
Brand new for us this year, and for the rest of NZ, is Last Friday, we were delighted to welcome our new
the transformation of the RTLB Service. We are a lead staff and new students with a powhiri which was fol-
school, which means ensuring the 21 RTLB now em- lowed by a special assembly where the prefects were
ployed by WGHS are deployed equitably across 74 badged and sports, cultural and academic colours were
schools to make a positive difference to the success awarded. A former Deputy Head Girl, Proxime Accessit
and learning outcomes for at-risk students. The man- and recipient of a Whangarei District Council Scholar-
ager for this new cluster is Kerrie Lomas and the RTLB ship, Ashleigh Ball, addressed the assembly talking
staff are: Fiona Baird, Jan Bell, Sharn Coates, Josephine about the importance of being inspired, making the
Corsbie, Donald Douglas, Raewyn Garelja, Gretchen most of opportunities and following your passion. Ash-
Gulick, Fiona Harkness, Fiona Heiwari, Paul Johnston, leigh is an outstanding role model of all those things
Allison McKellar, Christine Morris, Christine Mutton, and we very much enjoyed having her back with us
Alison Nathan, Margie Ormsby, Michelle Payne, Sherryl again.
Rope, Levonne Smith, Christine Ward, Shelley Wells The Get2Go team, comprising eight Year 10 (2011) stu-
We warmly welcome them all as part of our school dents from Whangarei Boys’ and Whangarei Girls’ High
community. Schools are national champions for 2011, after fending
off stiff competition at the week long event held on
As a result of feedback from 2011 prefects, for 2012 Great Barrier Island. Their coaches, Olivia Ford and Lee
we selected our team of prefects at the end of last Jones are to be congratulated on the dedication, time
year. Once again, the calibre of our senior students is and commitment they have given to the team to ena-
so high and it was a very difficult task making the final ble the students to reach this high standard. Taylor
selection. Campbell, Bridget Johnson, Sara McKean and Anna Mil-
Our Student Leadership Team for this year is: ler were all awarded sports colours for their tremen-
Head Girls: Hayley Phillips, Tiantian dous achievement.
Zheng It is most unusual for a Year 9 student to be awarded
Deputy Head Girls: Abby Davie, Grace Miller colours at the beginning of the year, but Mihi Shepherd
Ball Committee: Chloe Alderton, Michelle was awarded hers for her first placing in the national
pony championships in dressage – a remarkable
achievement. 2
Cultural colours were awarded to cheerleading students ming sports and House days are pre-requisites for consider-
who have an impressive array of titles and achievements in ation to be a Prefect.
regional, national and international competitions. Congratu- We have a busy term ahead with summer and winter sports,
lations to: Lily Grau, Hannah Russell, Michelle Simmonds, field trips, swimming and athletic sports, House Day and of
Jordanah Thomas, Lynelle Thomas, Sandi Williamson and course a strong focus on teaching and learning with pro-
Rael Wright. gress reports and a meet the teacher evening in March.
Academic colours were awarded to students who achieved We look forward to working with you all In pursuit of a high-
Excellence Endorsements for their NCEA results. To achieve ly successful year for every one of your daughters.
this, a student must gain fifty or more credits at Excellence
level across their range of subjects. We were thrilled with
the large number of students who achieved this, especially Warmest regards
the big increase in Year 13 where 9.3% achieved Excellence
Endorsements compared with 6.3% nationally. Congratula-
tions to those who received Academic Colours.
It is also worthy of mention that Tiantian Zheng and Rachel Anne Cooper
Evans achieved Excellence in all their subjects for NCEA Lev- Principal
els Two and Three respectively – an achievement of which
they can both be very proud.
At the end of last year, Enterprise Co-ordinator, Janet Lang
and I attended the Enterprise Awards evening where we
WGHS NCEA Excellence
were delighted to be awarded the overall prize for the En-
terprising School of the year. It was also wonderful for Edu-
Students
care and the students who worked on their mural project to
Level 1 Level 2
gain the Community Champion Award and the School Initi-
Katherine Beasley Rachel Bol
ated Enterprise Award. Congratulations to all the students
Lauren Bird Sarah Clarke
involved and to Loren Kerr, Elaine Grant and Jackie and Alan
Jodi Burton Cynthia Corne
Lints, who supported the students in their subjects! Tianti-
Kim Causley Heather Ferris
an Zheng also won an enterprise champion award.
Jenny Digby Maia Garry
Ashleigh Douglas Loretta Gerrard
Staff who went out to Year 13 camp at Pururi Bay at the
Elizabeth Garner Mikayla Hammond
beginning of this month are full of praise for this year’s Year
Anna Hales Brooke Hartigan
13 cohort. The girls excelled at camp and the learning and
Siobhan Hanchard Aradhana Laxman
personal growth they each gained will ensure they are well
Roimata Hanchard Jana Lennard
prepared for their final year at High School. Enormous
Olivia Jayaweera Natasha Lewis
thanks to Leone Neal, Hayley Segal and their team who put
Soomin Kim Frida Lotz-Keegan
in many hours to ensure the success of this camp. A huge
Selena Lawrie Cynatra Major
thank you too to the Year 13 students who made the most
Zoe Littlejohn Alexandra Mayo
of their opportunities and surpassed all expectations – a
Vanessa Martinovich Ella McLeod
great start to the year for everyone!
Laura Mattin Hanneke Meyer
Clubs and Socs Days were held this week, where all the vari-
Holly Miller Grace Miller
ous committees and clubs have stalls where students can
Sian Northey Kate Wilson
find out more about them and sign up to register their inter-
Briana Northey Tiantian Zheng
est. Every student is strongly encouraged to participate in
Jordyn Pitman
wider school life and this is a wonderful opportunity for
Alanah Prisk Level 3
them to see what is on offer. Winter sports are beginning to
Caitlin Reid Lauren Barker
get underway, so please check your daughter has seen the
Hayley Schultz Kendyl Bird
notices and knows what to do to participate in her chosen
Chenae Sketchley Winifred Edgar-Booty
sport.
Elisha Swainson Rachel Evans
Next Friday is our annual swimming sports. While is it is tre-
Michaela White Selina Kunac
mendous to see the large number of students who partici-
Courtney Woolston Vanessa Patterson
pate and support their Houses, it is always a little disap-
Kirsty Randell
pointing to see the large number of notes that come in ask-
Amanda Walker
ing for students to be excused for that afternoon. Please be
aware that it is a school day and full attendance is expected.
It is important for building House and school spirit, being
part of a team and being involved in wider school life. It is
also worth noting that attendance at events such as swim-
3
NCEA Results Year 13 Camp
Once again, we are proud of our students’ achieve-
ments in NCEA. The percentage of students achieving
each level of NCEA, gaining their certificates endorsed
with Merit and Excellence has improved from our 2010
results and shows marked improvement over the last 4
years. We are above the National statistics in every ar-
ea except the percentage of excellences at Level One
where we were 0.1 below overall, but above in Merit
endorsements. This is an excellent trend and one of
which we can all feel proud and work hard to continue.
The percentages of Merits and Excellences are given as
a percentage of those students who achieved at each
level.
Level 1 2008 2009 2010 2011 Nat
Achieved 71.3 77.0 76.5 78.5 64.1
Merit 25.4 23.4 30.5 36.8 33.6
Excellence 6.3 6.0 11.1 13.2 13.3
Level 2 2008 2009 2010 2011 Nat
Achieved 76.1 76.1 80.3 80.4 67.5
Merit 16.0 15.7 9.9 29.4 21.8
Excellence 3.3 6.6 9.9 11.9 7.9
Level 3 2008 2009 2010 2011 Nat
Achieved 59.2 64.4 55.1 56.4 53.6
Merit 10.6 16.0 11.8 19.6 10.4
Excellence 2.1 1.8 2.9 9.3 6.3
With the advent of individual subject endorsements,
students have the chance to show how well they can
perform in each subject. In order to gain a subject en-
dorsed with Merit, your daughter needs to gain 14
credits at Merit or Excellence, 3 of which must be inter-
nal and 3 external (final exams or portfolios sent away
for marking). Similarly, to gain a subject endorsed with
excellence, your daughter needs to gain 14 credits at
Excellence, 3 of which must be internal and 3 external.
This applies to all subjects except Physical Education
(all internal) and Level 3 Visual Arts (either).
This is an area a number of departments will be work-
ing to further improve this year.
Special congratulations must go to Tiantian Zheng and
Rachel Evans who gained all their subjects endorsed
with excellence in 2011. This is an outstanding achieve-
ment. Well done, Girls!
Noelene Martin
Deputy Principal
4
The department is pleased with our 2011 NCEA
Uniform results. Many students were awarded subject en-
dorsements of Merit and Excellence. This is some-
We expect all our students to wear their uniforms thing for our students this year to aim for. To gain
with pride. Most students do this well, however an Excellence endorsement in English, students
there are a few things which tend to cause prob- need to gain a total of 14 credits at Excellence lev-
lems and we ask you to assist us in maintaining el, with at least three of those credits being gained
high standards: in the external examination.
Blouses must be done up and only white This is a very busy time of year with several clubs
worn underneath and competitions advertising for students to par-
Skirts must not be taken up higher than 5cm ticipate. We encourage our students to listen
above the knee nor taken in at the sides closely to the notices for English Department op-
Pants must not be taken in portunities. This will include: Writing Club, De-
Sandals need to be slave sandals – available bating and various speech and writing competi-
at Hannahs and from Lastrite. Gladiator san- tions.
dals are not acceptable
Shoes must be plain, flat, black, polishable Lastly, please can I ask all students to have a look
leather – ankle boots are not acceptable at home for any English Department texts that may
Socks must be white be lying around from past years. We welcome
them back- NO QUESTIONS ASKED!
It is good to see students wearing their uniforms
well and we are grateful for your assistance with Margaret Northey
this. HOD English
Noelene Martin
Deputy Principal
Accomplished Writers
Congratulations are due to some accomplished
Prefect Uniform writers amongst us.
Second Hand Uniform Sale First of all Kate Wilson, who has had two poems
published in last year’s ”Redraft” which is a compi-
lation of the best secondary and tertiary writing
Early March 2012
throughout New Zealand. A place in this is always
(time & date to be advised) hotly contested but Kate has been consistently suc-
To be held in the WGHS Hall cessful over the last few years. Next we have Ra-
chel Machado, now in Year 10, who came second
in her section of the Western Districts Short Story
Extra special price with at least a third competition.
off normal price
Last but not least, two more students, now in Year
10, Hayley Simmonds and Mianee Baldwin, were
English Department Corner published in the Christchurch School for Young
Writers magazine “Write On”.
We are thrilled to welcome two new full time
teachers to the English Department this year. It is Watch the notices for more competitions this year
an exciting time of growth for us in the depart- or check the noticeboard outside the English Re-
ment and it is lovely to have such enthusiastic staff source Room.
on board. Welcome to Miss Ruby Masom and Mrs
Victoria Blair. We also welcome Miss Ashleigh But- Catherine McNamara
ler who is teaching a junior class in our depart- English Teacher
ment.
5
Deputy Head Girls’ Message From the Design Department
Hello The Design Department is thrilled to congratulate
Kirsty Randell for having her Year 13 Art Design Excel-
We are Abby and Grace and we are very excited to lence folio selected for the 2012 National Top Art Exhi-
be the Deputy Head Girls’ for Whangarei Girls’ High bition which tours the country as ‘best of the best’ ex-
School this year. Along with our Head Girls, Hayley emplars. Well done Kirsty!
Phillips and Tiantian Zheng, we were honoured to
be able to start the year off by badging our team of A sample of Kirsty’s work from her folio...
wonderful prefects and awarding colours for: Aca-
demic, Cultural and Sporting achievements to
many very deserving students from Year 9 through
to Year 13.
We are sure this is going to be a fantastic year and
look forward to seeing more successes celebrated
throughout 2012, to add to the outstanding
achievements recognised last week. We are also
excited for swimming sports next Friday, which will
be the start of a year of entertaining and competi-
tive house activities. Keep that house spirit high
girls!
Together with our prefects we have discussed what
we would like to achieve as leaders of the school,
and this year we would like to build school spirit
and encourage students to participate in House
Day and Swimming Sports day, we would also en-
courage students to be more involved in the com-
mittees and sports that our school has to offer. We
hope that everyone will make the most of all the
opportunities available at Whangarei Girls’ High
School so that this year can be the best yet!
Thanks
Abby Davie & Grace Miller
WGHS Deputy Head Girls
LOCKERS
Lockers are available again this year, $45 per year
plus a refundable $10 bond. If you would like a
locker for 2012, you will need to call or text Robyn
on (09) 4375818 or 0274 221 783 or fill in an online
order form at www.stowawaylockers.co.nz. GET IN
QUICK as they are going fast!
6
Continued…
Congratulations to Amanda Walker for winning the
Senior Product Design category in the New Zealand
Young Designer Awards.
One of ten workbook pages that were submitted...
Kate Simeonides
Graphics & Design Teacher
Year 13 Camp
We held a very successful Year 13 leadership camp at
Pururi Bay , made memorable with the girls being giv-
en the task of organising the last day of activities them-
selves. They did this with great flair and organisational
skill, and the teachers felt that it was the best last day
of camp we had ever had. The energy level was ex-
tremely high (especially considering the huge week
they had had) , and the girls all had a blast.
We would like to thank John Hewinson for loaning his
marquees and shade sails , and also for coming and
erecting them for us . The week was extremely sunny
and I really don’t know how we would have coped
without them to be honest.
The Pururi Bay DOC rangers , and other campers were
very complimentary about the girls, and all attended
our Wearable Arts Show on the last night. There are
lots of great photos on the school computers , that the
girls have access to.
Thank you to the staff who helped make this a very
worthwhile and memorable camp, and helping prepare
the girls for the challenging year ahead.
Leone Neal
HOD Camps
7
Form Time is compulsory for students throughout
Careers Department their school life.
We will be starting Term One with a ‘catch up’ with allHave a set study time each day for Homework or
Year 13 students. An appointment will be arranged at ‘Read Overs” (Designated homework from teachers
the Careers Centre, and each student will be provided or time for reading over notes – 10min per subject is
with a ‘Yr 13 Pack’ for them to start collecting usefulusually enough for this).
careers information and ideas throughout the year. Keep homework up to date – if your daughter is
starting to fall behind, it’s important that she gets
This is the time where we provide an overview for time management help. She should not rely on just
students of their year. We let them know what is hap- being able to ‘catch up sometime’. If she gets into the
pening and how best to prepare for each Term, so habit of doing homework/reading through notes dai-
that this can be a busy, fun and successful final year ly, from the beginning of the year, this will save a lot
for them. of pressure later in the year, when she will probably
Career Appointments for Yr 13’s will be in the school get busier than she thinks she will!.
notices from Week 3. If your daughter cannot make
her time, or misses her appointment for some urgent If your daughter does not have good study habits, or
reason, it is important that she sees Ms Crosby and is starting to lose motivation or get stressed about
arranges another time. juggling a number of study and other activities she
wants to do, it’s most likely that she will need sup-
Year 11 and 12 students will be seen later in the year. port to develop time management skills. There are a
They can also make appointments with the Career number of ways she can go about this:
Counsellor or Advisers at any stage throughout the
year. Let her Subject Teacher / Form Teacher or
Dean know
University dates for this term: Come down to the Careers Centre at Morning
The following Universities will be making visits on the Tea interval and arrange a time to see Ms Cros-
following dates this term: by
Auckland University Tue 28 Feb, 1.40pm Our Careers Team can help you and your daughter in
Waikato University Tue 6 Mar, 1.15pm the following ways:
Massey University Thu 8 Mar, 1.15pm
Otago University Tue 27 Mar, 1.40pm Marian Innes & Wendy Rees are the Careers Advisers
– 09 430 4460
Important Advice for Parents / Students Ms Innes and Ms Rees work closely with senior stu-
Workload management is a skill, and learned well, dents to:
can make the year a successful one for all students. - assist in their decision making for university and oth-
er tertiary study
More students are realising the benefits of good - help with subject choice
study and time management skills and are booking - they also assist all students to source and research
in for help with this, early in the year. information to enable them to make informed deci-
sions.
Useful tips you can support your daughter with, to
help with her time management: Loren Kerr is our Gateway Programme Co-ordinator
– 09 430 4404
Use a diary on a daily basis (record important notes The Gateway Programme provides students with the
in each subject period – assessment / homework de- opportunity to be in a work environment that relates
tails – don’t rely on keeping this information in your to the career direction they are thinking about.
head). Loren works with senior students, links in with local
Form Time – REALLY important as this is where ALL businesses and co-ordinates work explorations, to
school information is given out, including the daily enable students to ‘try out’ a work environment as
School Notices. part of the career decision-making process.
8
Continued... The Green paper for Vulnerable Chil-
If your business, or the business you work for, dren: Norm Hewitt asks us to “Say
would like to be involved in this programme, something and change children’s
please call Loren on 09-430 4404.
Loren also supports the Careers Team by
lives.”
-organising appointments and venues for tertiary
and other training providers, in and out of school, Like me, as parents I’m sure you feel angry and sad eve-
-a host of administrative duties involved in the ry time another child is deliberately hurt—or worse—by
collation and provision of careers information for their caregiver. Each year, around 10 of our children—
students our own tamariki—are killed by the very people they
are supposed to rely on for protection, while at least
Shirley-Ann Crosby is the Career / Guidance 160,000 children are living in conditions that mean they
Counsellor – 09 430 4460 x 220 are unlikely to reach their potential. We know the fac-
Ms Crosby works with students who: tors that make these children vulnerable—the big ques-
- have no idea what they would like to do beyond tion is how can we fix them? What needs to change to
school make NZ a great, safe place to bring up kids?
- who are beginning to lack motivation or direction
during the year These are the types of questions the Government’s
- who need some time management techniques Green Paper for vulnerable Children asks. Released in
to assist with workload management July last year, this discussion document is asking what
- need help with subject choice we think should be changed to ensure all children reach
- need CV & Work Interview support their full potential. We need as many New Zealanders
- have personal issues that are affecting their as possible to answer—it doesn’t matter what you say;
study you just need to say something. We aren't powerless to
stop child abuse—this is something we can all do to
If you have any queries, or want to discuss your help.
daughter’s career /future goals, please arrange a
time to come and talk to us. Please take the time to go to www.saysomething.org.nz
and have your say. You can also mail in a submission, or
The Careers Team post comments on Facebook or Twitter. After the sub-
missions are read, a Children’s Action Plan will be devel-
oped and released during 2012. As parents, you know
what it’s like to raise a child in NZ; you are the experts.
So, please, do your part to become part of this critical
conversation. Submissions close on February 28th.
Naku noa, na
Build a great family team and
have fun on the way Norm Hewitt
Join a Toolbox parenting group and discover new
Champion, Green Paper for Vulnerable Children
strategies and skills to add to your parenting
kete. Over six sessions key parenting principles
are explored to encourage and equip you in build-
ing your family.
Toolbox groups are free of charge to whanau
caregivers, foster carers, adopters, grandparents
raising grandchildren and Home for Life parents
thanks to government funding.
If you would like more information about Toolbox
parenting groups in Northland contact
Debbie Short or phone 09 433 5040.
9
School Calendar Mar 14 12PED camp
First aid course ECE
NSSSA Track & Field
Feb 16 Beach Volleyball
Yr 12 Art trip
15 12 PED camp
First aid course ECE
20 Yr 12 Caving—A
Newsletter issued
21 Bruce Scott Cricket
16 12 PED camp
Yr 12 Caving—B
NSSSA Swimming
22 13OED 1/2 day
17 Clay target shooting—1
Bruce Scott Cricket
23 Yr 12 Caving—C
24 WGHS Swimming Sports WGHS PTA
26 Triathlon Yr’s 10-13
Annual General Meeting
27 Swimming Sports pp
28 11 SCE Stream monitoring
6pm, 7 March 2012
Leef Cricket Cup
29 11SCE Stream monitoring WGHS Staffroom
Leef Cup Cricket Wine and Cheese Evening with
guest speakers
Mar 1 Volleyball NSSSA Snr
Yr 11 A Orienteering
Head of Departments
Yr 12/13 Drama trip
Yr 12OED first aid
2 Athletics Day School Accounts
NSSSA Snr Touch
Yr 11 B Orienteering Your daughter should have received an account for
Yr 12 OED first aid her school fees last week.
4 Beach 2 Basin
These can be paid at the school office by cash or
5 Athletics Day pp cheque. We advise the school does not have eftpos
First aid course ECS or credit card facilities, however we offer the option
6 First aid course ECS of paying direct to our BNZ bank accounts. The ac-
Yr 13 OED 1/2 day counts are in the name of Whangarei Girls’ High
School and are:
7 First aid course ECS
PTA AGM
School a/c—02 0492 0354488 00 for school fees
WGHS Athletics Day Hostel a/c—02 0492 0354488 02 for hostel fees
8 First aid course ECS
NSSSA Volleyball finals Please include the student’s surname, initial and
9 Athletics Day pp Year level as a reference. Payments may also be
Waka ama made by cash or cheque.
12 First aid course ECE Should you wish to discuss this account, please con-
13 12 PED camp tact us on 430 4460.
14MST field trip
First aid course ECE Front Office
Incubator programme 10-12
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