Upper Hutt College

Upper Hutt College
April 2011
Kia ora tatou
Since our last newsletter, the disasters in New Zealand and
Japan have dominated the news, and our thoughts have
gone out to all those who have been affected by these
events.
The Christchurch earthquake occurred as we competed,
cheered and had fun at our Athletics Day, and though it was
difficult to take in the enormity of the event, the very next
day I had students and staff wanting to “do something” for
those down south. Money was collected by students, plans
were formulated for events, and a red and black mufti day
was held with the largest amount of funds ever raised, targeted for specific schools in Christchurch. A teacher, Chris
Green, organised, in an incredibly short space of time, Voices for Christchurch, a fabulous concert that showcased a
range of talent from professional singing circles to our own
student performers. Ironically, it was during this concert that
we found out about the events in Japan.
We have welcomed the opportunity to have students from
Christchurch in our school, allowing them to continue with
their learning and make new friends, for whatever length of
time they are here. We have hosted students from Shibuya
Makuhari School in Tokyo, welcoming them in an emotional powhiri and providing friendship, fun and many positive memories during their short time with us. We invited
students from Hillmorton High School from Christchurch to
stay at our Marae, enabling them to compete in the Dragonboating competition, see the sights of Wellington and take
a short break from the difficulties of being in Christchurch at
the moment.
The last month has reminded us of how helpless we are
in these situations, but it has reminded me of the strength,
warmth, hospitality and kindness of the students, their families and the staff of our college. I am very proud that the
efforts of our community have made a real difference for so
many others.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it
is people, it is people.
The Upper Hutt College Sports Centre is very close to completion. The big job of moving into the centre will occur over
the next couple of weeks and we look forward to classes using the facilities from the start of Term 2. Our next project is
the construction of the Admin and classroom block on the
existing Astroturf area, and work will commence at the start
of April.
The recent PPTA industrial action meant we had to rethink
our parent-teacher interviews, holding them immediately after
school over 3 days recently. Feedback from parents at the
interviews has been positive and they have appreciated the
timing of the interviews. I was pleased with the numbers of
parents and caregivers who attended. It is really important
that parents and caregivers attend these interviews – they
provide valuable information about student progress and develop the important relationships between school and home.
We recently held a successful Pasifika Parents Evening,
where a number of parents and their children attended to
hear presentations from a number of people, including two
Pasifika police officers, and myself. We will be looking to get
the Rimutuka Whanau meetings up and running in a similar
format.
As we work to continually improve the academic achievement
of our students, we are focussing on a number of initiatives
that will build on the NCEA success we achieved last year.
All of our students have been through a goal-setting process where goals for academic success this year have been
set. Stuart Wright ran a series of seminars for Year 11 students (and staff) on study skills and the development of good
study and revision techniques. We will be tracking student
progress closely through the year and encouraging students
to be aware of the credits they achieve – course endorsements and NCEA endorsements are well within the reach of
many students.
Upper Hutt College is a community, passionate about learning
that encourages pride, participation and excellence.
Moonshine Road, Upper Hutt. Phone 04 527 8749, Fax 04 528 2491, www.upperhutt.school.nz
However, goal setting, study skills and credit tracking will
not lead to academic success if students develop a pattern
of being regularly late and/or absent from class/school. I
have spoken to assemblies about the importance of being
at school and in class, and reminded them that the reason
they are here is to learn, succeed and gain qualifications.
Although many of our students excel in extra-curricular
activities - the ‘icing on the cake’ - the core focus of the
school is teaching and learning. Therefore, some broad attendance goals will be set and any student who does not
meet a minimum attendance requirement of 85% will not be
permitted to represent the school in sports or participate in
any other event like the School Ball. At that level of attendance, which is more than 1 day absent per fortnight, there
is a problem, and figures from other schools suggest that
when attendance falls below 85%, the chance of success in
NCEA is halved. We appreciate the support and reinforcing
of that important message – that students must be at school
to succeed.
Kind regards
Congratulations
Congratulations Caleb White-Hodge who
has been selected as a NZ U15 Softball
rep.
Regional Athletics
On Wednesday 16 March Allan Andrews, Ashley Carmichael,
Liam Drinkwater and Thomas Loftus from our Awhina Unit
represented Upper Hutt College at the Regional Athletics
Meet in Newtown.
They competed against a number of students from Wairarapa and The Greater Wellington Region. All the students put
in their best efforts with the following outstanding results:
Thomas Loftus - 1st place 100m
1st place javelin,
1st place long jump
Judith Taylor
Principal
Ashley Carmichael - 1st place 400m
2nd 200m
Liam and Allan both achieved personal bests in the 400m
finals.
Congratulations to
all students and
thanks to Caitlin
Bedlington
and
Caitlin Taylor for
their encouragement and support
throughout
the
day.
New Gymnasium
College Sport Wellington
Triathlon Champs were held at Scorching Bay on Thursday
10 March.
We were represented by a Yr 9 team (Junior Girls), Yr 12
team (Intermediate Boys), Yr 13 team (Senior Boys) and
two Yr 12/13 teams (Senior Girls)
One senior girls team won their category - Aidan Flemmer
Yr 12 (Swimmer), Jess Thompson Yr 13 (Cyclist), Caitlin
Bedlington Yr 12 (runner). Well done!
Inside of the Gymnasium
SPORT
Summer Sport is in progress at UHC with 9 volleyball teams,
5 lawn bowls teams, 3 cricket teams, 4 touch teams, 2 dragonboat teams and, of course, athletics!
Hutt Valley Athletics
UHC took a team of 66 students to the Petone Recreation
Grounds. The UHC girls managed to defend the Brabin
Shield for the 4th consecutive year(most points accumulated).
Notable performances included:
Emily Patterson 1st Int. Girls 3000m
Caitlin Taylor 2nd IG 400m
Nicolette De Haan 3rd IG high jump
Courtney Poole 3rd IG long jump
Nikki Taite 2nd JG Discus, 3rd JG shot
Rebecca Williams 3rd JG discus, 3rd 200m
Kara Orr 1st JG 1500m,1st 3000m, 3rd long jump
Jess Smitt 1st= JG long jump
Courtney Buchanan 2nd JG 800m, 2nd JG triple jump
Mareana Pickering 2nd JG shotput, 3rd JG javelin
Alishah Poston 1st JG high jump
Faa Tuunia 2nd IB shotput
Jayden Treviranus 2nd JB 100m
Brandon Mudzekenyedzi 2nd JB high jump + 2nd long
jump
Jamie Whiteman 2nd SG high jump, 1st long jump, 1st
Javelin, 1st 4x100m relay
Caitlyn Bedlington 2nd SG 800m, 1st 400m
Shay Haimona 1st SG 100m, 1st 4x100m relay
Haylee Russell 1st 100m, 1st 200m, 1st 4x100m relay
Whitney Tapara 1st 4x100m relay
Amelia Sina 1st SG discus, 2nd shotput
Gavin Roil 3rd SB 200m
Lee Tukukino 3rd SB 800m
Siasi Sina 2nd SB discus
Eduan Struwig 1st SB discus, 3rd shotput
Wellington Regional Athletics
We had 27 students qualify for the greater Wellington meet.
This is a much higher level of competition.Top results in
their relevant age categories were:
Thomus Loftus 1st 100m, 1st LJ,1st Javelin-AWD
Ashley Carmichael 2nd 200m, 1st 400m-AWD
Caitlin Bedlington 2nd 400m major
Kara Orr 3rd 3000m
Brandon Mudzekenyedzi.3= HJ
Amelia Sina 2nd discus
Jayden Treviranus 2nd 100m major
Gavin Roil 1st 200m minor
NOTE: Jayden Treviranus, Amelia Sina and Eduan Struwig
were named to the Wellington Secondary Schools Athletics
team.
Volleyball Regional/National Tournament
Our Senior A Girls and Senior Boys took part in the Regional CSW tournament at the beautiful Te Raupahara Arena in
Porirua. The girls are using this as a platform for Nationals
which begin March 28 in Palmerston North where well over
130 teams will take part.
Central Regionals Touch Tournament
Our Senior Girls touch team placed second in the local regional tournament in February and thereby qualified for this
tournament in Palmerston North on the 27th of March. Last
year some of this team were in the college mixed touch
team which placed 3= at the Nationals.
Handball!...this sport has surfaced at a number of colleges
in the area recently. UHC features a Senior Boys and Senior Girls team in the local competition taking place every
Tuesday evening at Taita College.
Underwater Hockey anyone???
We are currently attempting to get this sport “happening”
at the college. Stay tuned to see if there is interest in the
growth of this sport. Please see Mr. Marshall for more information.
Rugby Administrator “RAS”
Hannes Venter is playing the dual role of rugby Convenor
and administrator at the college this year. Hannes was a
former teacher and Dean here at the college and community coaching coordinator at UH Rugby club last year. Please
direct any rugby inquiries to Hannes at venterhannes@yahoo.com.au
Netball Pre-season Tournament
Both our Premier 1 and 2 teams will be taking part in this
upcoming tournament to sharpen up for the approaching
season. We would like to welcome Kelly Gee and Wendy
Osborne as our Premier 1 and 2 coaches respectively for
2011.
Netball
The school is well underway with the 2011 Netball season
trials. We have once again the biggest numbers of any sport
in the school, and are placing players in teams. We have
very willing and talented girls, HOWEVER without a coach
and manager the teams will struggle to play on a Saturday.
So if you are a keen family member/caregiver/relative we
are in search of Coaches and managers for all age groups
at all levels. If you are interested please email your details
to dayshj@upperhutt.school.nz or marshallb@upperhutt.
school.nz. LET THE SEASON BEGIN!!!
Winter Sport
Everyone should be registered now for whatever college
winter sport they are playing.
How do I register? Form are available from your form
teacher, Mr Marshall or the school accounts office. Take
completed forms to the school accounts office with your
payment. Then listen to the notices! Unpaid/Unregistered
players will be withdrawn from teams.
Brad Marshall
Sports Coordinator
Geometry
Monday 14 March was Pi Day in Mrs Hall’s Maths classroom. Pi = 3.14159265358979323846264338..... and is
used mostly in Geometry for calculations involving circles.
Students shared around food and tried to memorise Pi to
the greatest number of decimal places. They also worked
together to create a Pi chain where each coloured link represented a decimal place. Altogether, the students made a
chain of over 1500 links.
Below is a picture of 11MAT with the completed chain.
When extended, it reached from H block to the Library
(Almost 100m). Next year’s chain will be even bigger and
better!
2011 TERM DATES
Term 1Monday 31 Jan - Friday 15 April
Term 2Monday 2 May - Friday 15 July
Term 3Monday 1 August - Friday 7 October
Term 4Tuesday 25 October - TBC
Dates to Remember
3 April
6 April
12 April
13 & 15 April
15 April
15 April
Day Light Savings Ends
Shakespeare Day
NZ Army Visit 1.30pm
Year 13 Student Run Production
Year 10 Cert of Achievement posted
Term 1 Ends
Upper Hutt College 50th Jubilee Reunion
Easter 2012
Organisation is well under way and we would still welcome
volunteers for the Organising Committee. Please contact
Helen Hepburn at the school office or email hepburnh@
upperhutt.school.nz.
Year 11 Study Skills Seminar
Career Notices
Tuesday 12 April - Army presentation at 1:30pm.
Tuesday 17 May - WorkChoice day for some year 12
students.
Thursday 26 May - Air Force presentation at 1:30pm.
Dragonboating - Update
Over the weekend March 26-27, UHC Storm travelled to
Rotorua to compete on the Blue Lakes for the National
Championship. The team was very motivated to make up
for their disappointment at the Regional Festival and keen
to turn the tables on Heretaunga Phoenix. In the heats
leading up to the final of the Premier event (500m), UHC
Storm improved their times as they raced against the adults
in these heats, and in the Secondary Schools final they
came 2nd by 1/2 boat length in the Mixed Grade. Storm’s
best part of their race was coming home in 1st place in the
200m with a time of 49.5 secs - a time that was 4th fastest
out of all teams, including open adults. The final race at the
end of the day was the 2km. UHC Storm raced a good race,
but came 2nd in this 10min long race.
UHC Storm 2011 showed plenty of heart and paddled with
passion. They have worked hard over the past 5 months
and have gained a lot more than the 1st place in the National 200m final. They stayed true to their values of Dedication, Perseverance and Te Whanau Tahi and indeed were a
great team to work with. Well done Storm 2011!!
Suzanne Jamieson
Over 250 Year 11 students recently attended a study skills
seminar known as the “Brain Gain”. These seminars were
facilitated by Stuart Wright from UCANDO and were very
well received by students. The students were taught to understand the importance of regular revision using a variety
of learning techniques and how to SCAR thoughts onto the
brain. Some of the feedback received from students was:
“It was excellent”; “I thought that it would help me through
my school exams and also life stuff”; “A good thing to learn
different ways of learning information”; “Very helpful, interesting and good thinking about how the brain works”;“The
techniques and ways to study were very useful”.
It is important that our students practise some of the study
techniques and develop good habits towards regular revision. The revision programme they were encouraged to
adopt in the seminars was:
Step 1: 40- 45 minutes revising a topic
40 mins
Step 2: review the information after 10 mins for: 5 mins
Step 3: review after 1 day for:
5 mins
Step 4: review after 1 week for 3 mins
Step 5: review after 1 month for 3 mins
Voices for Christchurch is
a group of top Wellington
musicians donating their
considerable talents to a
series of concerts raising
funds for the Red Cross
Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.
This group was delighted to have our school host their
rapidly put together but stunningly high quality launch
concert on Friday 11th March. In addition to the Voices
for Christchurch artists, the concert featured UHC’s Kapa
Haka, Merivi and Soreka Tiai, Finn Huaki–Feaver and the
Zippy Quartet. While over $2000 was raised for the cause,
the key goals of launching the group and creating a promotional video were fully realised leading up to their next
concert on 24th April (see www.voicesforchristchurch.com
for details)
Upper Hutt College would like to acknowledge and thank
the Christian Fellowship of Upper Hutt for the generous
donation of the venue Lane Park.
Dragonboating
Upper Hutt College’s tradition of being a strong Dragon
Boat school continued this year when on Sunday 20 March
both teams performed very well once again. Both the
UHC Force and Storm have been in training since early
November last year. It started with land-based trainings,
before taking to the water just 5 weeks ago. After 8 onwater trainings in the boats at Queen’s Wharf, UHC had
two very competitive teams. After the first round of heats,
UHC Force had the 3rd fastest time in the Mixed grade, but
despite this, they were disqualified and ended up winning
the Petite Final. The UHC Storm were unable to retain the
regional title, going down to Heretaunga College by 0.21
secs in the last race of the day. It was an epic tussle between the teams and truly worthy of a Grand Final. Both
UHC teams can be extremely proud of themselves and the
way they performed. On the weekend 26-27 March, UHC
Storm travelled to the Blue Lake in Rotorua to compete in
the National regatta.
Merivi and Soreka Tiai
give their first public
performance at the
Voices for Christchurch concert
UHC helps Christchurch Earthquake
victims..
Staff and students have been involved in a number of fundraising activities in support of people in Christchurch, affected by February’s earthquake. Two spontaneous collections by senior students raised initial funds, followed by a
mufti day on Friday 4th March which raised close to $2000.
Staff and students performed in a Voices for Christchurch
concert on Friday 11th March at Lane Park in Upper Hutt,
raising a further $2000. Funds raised are likely to be directed to schools in Aranui, a low decile area badly effected by
the quake.
The college has also hosted students in our wharenui from
Hillmorton High School who have been in Wellington for
a dragon boat competition over the period 19-22 March.
Several students from Christchurch have enrolled with us
since the earthquake for various time periods.
Over the period 18 to 21 March, UHC also hosted Christchurch Hillmorton High School. After an emotional welcome
put on by UHC’s Kapa Haka group, the students and staff
were made to feel welcome with plenty of food supplied
by the friends and family of Upper Hutt College. Had it not
been for the hospitality of Upper Hutt, this team would not
have been able to travel here and compete as they had
originally planned prior to the earthquake. It was pleasing
to see firm friendships being made through race day and
afterwards at a BBQ for all three teams. Hopefully there will
be a continued friendship between the schools in coming
years. Special thanks goes to Export Meats, H20 Extreme,
Heretaunga College and all the parents and students who
assisted in making the Hillmorton High School stay such a
memorable one.
Suzanne Jamieson
“Year 11 Transition are studying earthquakes. They unpacked Mrs Stronach’s emergency kit. Only 4 students
have a survival kit. Only 4 students have a family emergency plan. How well prepared are you?”
Bubble Dome
Have you ever wondered how 3D movies like Toy Story and
computer games are made? Learn the latest in 3 D Animation and Games Design on a Bubble Dome School Holiday
workshop these holidays. For students aged 6 to 18 years.
Tel 0800 GET BUBBLE (438 282) Text: 0270 273 7407 or
Email: info @bubbledome.co.nz or Book online at : www.
bubbledome.co.nz
Shakespeare Reminder
Yr 12 Shakespeare Day and Film
Festival. April 6th. Cost is $12.50.
12 English meet at school in costume, 12 Internal English meet at
Ascot Cinema in mufti. This day
contributes towards a three credit
Achievement Standard. Enquiries
to Dan Potts.
Shibuya Makuhari Junior High School visit
On the morning of Monday 14 March 15 students and accompanying teachers from Shibuya Makuhari Junior High
School in Tokyo arrived at Upper Hutt College just days
after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Obviously their minds were still on what was happening
back home but they hoped that their time in Upper Hutt
would help them to recover from that awful experience.
The powhiri the next day was a very emotional experience
that let them know that New Zealanders could relate to their
situation and share their feelings.
During the
12 days of
their
visit
the students
had many
new experiences,
including
visiting
a
farm, trying
their hand
at shearing
a
sheep,
feeding some animals, going horse riding, going to the
beach at Kapiti, visiting Parliament, introducing a little bit of
Japanese culture to students at a local primary school and,
of course, going to classes at Upper Hutt College with their
buddies. They got to live with their homestay families and
experience something of typical kiwi food and family life.
Several of the students commented that they were really
impressed by the kindness and friendliness of the students
at school. They have these fond memories to take back
with them as well as the certificates presented by Mr Lee at
the Farewell party. Thanks to all the buddy students, teachers and host families who made this such a memorable visit
for these students at such a difficult time for them.
“The Grind” Youth Band Sessions.
The Grind is an up and coming youth band session. On the
last Wednesday of each month, Grind organiser, Jade Eru
calls all local bands to play at The Ascot Cinema in Upper
Hutt. Everyone comes along, plays and generally has a
good time. I have played at this wonderful event 8 times,
every time a good experience. Come
along at the end of every month to
enjoy some local flavour!
The Grind – last Wednesday of every
month, 4-6pm, Ascot Cinema, Upper
Hutt.
Finn Feaver
NZSO Visit
On the 22nd of March we were extremely fortunate to have
a visit from four String players from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
This was part of their Educational programme and involved
having the players come into the school and give an hour
long seminar on the different playing techniques used for
string instruments and playing a Rossini sonata composed
for String Quartet.
38 Music students from Years 9-13 piled into the AV room
and were captivated by the players, especially the Double
Bass player with bright pink hair. They all really enjoyed the
seminar and were keen to see and hear more but unfortunately we only had one hour with the players.
The NZSO players were so impressed with the response
from our students that they have asked the students to
compose music for a string quartet and have offered to
come back and perform it for them.
The players, Hai Hong, Julia, Robert and Vicky were inspirational and great presenters and we are very fortunate to
have musicians of their ability and status to come into our
school and work with our students.
We are all looking forward to seeing them when they return.
Year 13 Student Run
Production
“And then there was One”
WHEN: Tuesday 12 to
Friday 15 April
TIME: 7.30pm
COST: $10 per Ticket
A night of laughs!!!!!
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