17 December 2015 – Issue 44

Ashburton College
Individual Excellence in a Supportive Learning Environment
Message from the Principal
Welcome to the final newsletter for 2015.
Rather than attempt to summarise the
year, by revisiting the key events, I instead
wish to focus on our most important asset:
people.
A sincere thank you is extended to all of ‘our
people’ – our Staff, Trustees and Volunteers
who have all contributed throughout the
year.
Thank you to all of our students, especially
those who not only worked hard to achieve themselves, but who also
went a step further to look after other students and support their
successes. To those students leaving College please accept our very
best wishes for your futures.
Thank you also to Parents and Caregivers. You have a critical role in
supporting your child, our student, to succeed. Thank you for what you
have done this year and the vital part you play.
Almost every week we receive positive feedback about this newsletter
and how wide the range and number of readers is. My sincere thanks
to the staff at The Courier, and in particular Murray Thompson, and to
Sheena Tyrrell for the work that goes into producing this each week.
Finally, I know our departing staff have been acknowledged in a number
of ways already, but to each of them we offer our thanks and best
wishes. Thank you for the differences you have made for our students
and your contributions to Ashburton College, and all the very best for
your next ventures.
There a few short weeks of term break ahead, before 2016 begins in
earnest. Until then may I wish you all a safe and relaxing festive season.
Cheers
Grant McMillan, Principal
Congratulations
Top Class Competition Down To The Wire
The conclusion of the 2015 Top Class Competition was very exciting and it
all came down to the final challenge in both year group competitions.
Poster Competition
This was the final challenge, where classes had to design and produce
a poster that depicted the AshColl Values. In Year 9, the winning design
was produced by Zif Balagulan from 9RW and in Year 10, the winner was
Maysie Willis from 10BE.
Year Level Winners – Year 9
After the six rounds, there were three classes tied for first place in the Year 9
Competition. On countback, the winners were 9OX (pictured below), from
9OW in second place and 9RW in third place.
Events
Phoenix Rising Choir ‘ Top of the South’ Tour
Choir Manager, Carolyn Clough, tells us that our Junior Choir, Phoenix Rising,
ended their year with a very successful tour to Nelson and surrounding areas,
from 02 – 07 December. This is a biannual event with the choir performing
a charity concert at home in alternate years.
The choir’s itinerary encompassed –
· South New Brighton School, Christchurch - giving an outdoor concert
for their 550 students;
· Hapuku School, Kaikoura – a small rural, bilingual, twenty four student
school: to perform, work-shop and watch their performances.
· Wakefield School, Nelson - where the Choir spent the afternoon
performing, and assisting students from their Choir and Kapahaka Group
in a workshop.
· Bridge Valley Adventure Camp was the accommodation base for the
remainder of the tour, an awesome facility where the students certainly
enjoyed making the most of the lake activities including waterslides and
kayaks, in the evenings.
· Motueka to perform for the elderly residents and their carers at the
Jack Inglis Friendship Hospital. This was a highlight of our last tour and
was once again one of our favourite performances, as was chatting with
the residents. This stop certainly makes us all thankful for our youth and
good health.
· Nelson Markets on the Saturday, including some busking, before a
performance with two adult choirs.
- The Boathouse Community Choir from Nelson and the Biggest Little
Town Choir of Mullumbimby from New South Wales invited the Phoenix
Chorus to perform in their Acapella Concert which drew a large crowd
of spectators.
- It was a delight to be invited to join in with these choirs and other
singers from the Nelson area for an Acapella Workshop the following
day. This was a great opportunity to learn new techniques and
share music between our choirs. We particularly enjoyed adding an
Aboriginal song and a Pasifika song to our repertoire.
· Phoenix Chorus Concert in the beautiful Nelson Cathedral. This was a
highlight, with the programme very well-received and drawing a standing
ovation. The choir was supported by performances from Year 10 student,
Erin Connelly-Whyte who played a Christmas flute medley; former student
Olivia Pike who sang ‘Sure On This Shining Night’ and then joined with Year
12 student, Lucy Clough, for a beautiful duet of Pie Jesu; and finally a duet
of ‘Into the West’ by Summah Ralston and Lucy Clough who accompanied
on ukulele.
· Tour Conclusion – saw a ‘Choir’ Talent Competition on the final night,
plus Hot Pools and the Waterslide at Hanmer Springs, before returning to
Ashburton.
Appreciation
Phoenix Rising would like to thank everyone who supported them on the
tour, including the many people at College and in the community who
supported their fundraising activities.
In particular, we would like to thank Musical Director, Mrs Angela Cresswell;
Choir Mentors, Lucy Clough and Summah Ralston; Accompanist, Olivia Pike;
Tour Driver, Josh Horsnell from Pearson’s Coachlines, and Mr Ron Cresswell
for his help and support. Additionally, the College acknowledges the tireless
work of, and organisation by, Choir Manager, Carolyn Clough.
We also thank the Rotary Club of Ashburton Plains, and the Elliott and Spicer
families for their donations and assistance.
Issue 44
News
17 December 2015
An Awesome ‘GOT’ (Get Out There) Day
for College Students
This, now annual, day was held on Tuesday 08 December with our Year 9 and
Year 10 Students distributed, according to their choice of activity, in many
different directions, accompanied by staff and, depending on the activity,
under the tutelage of qualified instructors.
Students were able to choose from a range of activities:
• Adrenalin Forest, Christchurch
• Paintball, McLean’s Island, Christchurch
• Boys’ Golf, Ashburton
• Sailing, Lake Hood
• Dezemberfest, Christchurch
• Skateskool at College
• Downhill Mountain Biking,
• Surfing, Sumner Beach
Christchurch • Mini Golf and Ten Pin Bowling,
• Erewhon Clydesdale Trip
Christchurch
• Henna Tattoo (temporary!) at
• River Track Walk
College and Indian Minar Restaurant • White Water Rafting, Peel Forest
• Tramping, Peak Hill, Lake Coleridge • Master Chef at College
• Jellie Park and Ice Skating,
• Orana Park, Christchurch
Christchurch
Master Chef Lunch
Sam Bubb, Charli Cotter and Sarah Dickson did an amazing job on Get
Out There Day, and put on a lunch for twenty of the College’s cleaning and
caretaking staff members,
producing the spread
within a three hour period.
(Pictured left, clockwise from the left):
Warren Lloyd, Marion Ward, Marion Sampson,
Hua Jing, Champa Maharjan, Christina Don,
Charlie Kelland (standing), Julie Tyson
(obscured) and Lynda Caldwell.
Surfing at Sumner Beach
Teacher of Phys Ed and Year 13 Dean, Ron Carlson, advised that a very
good day was had by all at the Surfing option, with no-one stopping early.
Apparently there were
some good spills into the
water but most seemed to
come up standing on their
boards.
(Pictured left, front):
Emma McDowell
(Pictured right,
left to right):
Emma McDowell,
Alexis Wendelken,
Shania Stempa,
Maddie Reed,
Jessie Banks.
Erewhon Station / Clydesdales
Year Level Winners – Year 10
A win in the AshColl’s Got Talent Competition by 10BC’s Britney Moore
enabled them to claw back 10GF’s early lead in the Year 10 Competition
and 10BC (pictured below) emerged as the overall winners from 10GF in
second and 10BE in third.
Meanwhile, on dry land, a number of students travelled to Erewhon
Station where they enjoyed learning a little about life on a Station, viewed
Clydesdale foals, rode in the Clydesdale-pulled wagon and had the added,
unexpected, bonus of a horse-ride.
(Pictured left): Phoenix Rising relaxing at Little Kaiteretere Beach after a
performance on tour.
Phoenix Rising Choir ‘Top of the South Tour’ Raffle Winners
This was drawn recently under Police supervision and all winners have
been notified. The Phoenix Rising Choir and College Management thanks
everyone who supported this and other fundraising efforts. Your support
was greatly appreciated.
Winners were - Ticket numbers:
126 – Samantha Bentley; 021– Lynda Caldwell; 014 – Dianne Carrodus;
190 – Yvonne Harrison; 166 – Tiipene Phillip; 595 – S M Watson.
College Students Support for Borough Students at Hakatere Marae
Fourteen Ashburton College students from the Year
10 Te Reo Māori class spent Thursday 03 December
tutoring and running workshops for visiting Year 3
and 4 Ashburton Borough School pupils who were
undertaking the Marae visit as part of their end-ofyear activities.
The morning programme was spent with
approximately sixty five Year 3 pupils, and the
afternoon with forty five Year 4 pupils, with both
groups taking part in a combination of activities
and Kapa Haka.
College students instructed poi, raranga/weaving,
waiata, tā moko/painting, rākau games and
running the kitchen. Matua Tiipene Philip, College
Teacher of Te Reo and Tikanga advised the students
all did a marvellous job and were a real credit to
Ashburton College.
He also said that the visitors were welcomed on
with a mihi whakatau and it was lovely to hear the
marae busy with the sound of the young voices.
(Pictured left and right):
Raranga/weaving, and rākau games.
Ashburton College
Individual Excellence in a Supportive Learning Environment
Events
News
Congratulations
Pakeke Lions Club Day Out for SLSU Students Year 13 Graduation Dinner
The Pakeke Lions Club of Ashburton recently took the SLSU students out, for
what has become an annual, end-of-year outing.
Travelling by bus to Violinos the Music Farmstay run by Ruth Hall, the
students were met with an array of musical adventures via traditional and
non-traditional instruments.
Mrs Hall delighted all their senses with her amazing venue. The Lions cooked
a great barbeque and the whole day was a very memorable experience. The
College’s grateful thanks is given to both the Lions Club and to Ruth Hall.
Issue 44
17 December 2015
Held at the Hotel Ashburton, on Sunday 06 December, the evening
provided a fitting farewell opportunity for 270 students, parents/caregivers,
and teachers, as our 2015 Year 13 group exits the College as students.
Knowing their peer links are now changing is always a mix of emotions for
the students as they recognise the security and friendships they are leaving
behind but also acknowledge excitement for their next phase of life.
The night was enjoyed by all, and was an entertaining occasion through
a variety of speeches on ‘thoughts of the year’ from Student Executive
members and House Captains.
Performances were given by Danielle Rigby-Brown, Olivia Stewart and
Tim Read (singing and drums), and Ben Sutton and Lizzy Leonard (drama
performance).
(Pictured left):
Head Boy
Lachie Davidson and
Head Girl Kate Whiting.
Year 9 and 10 Prize-Giving Awards
On Thursday 11 December, many students at the Year 9 and 10 Prize-Giving
ceremonies were acknowledged for their successes over a range of academic,
sporting and cultural highlights. Amongst these students were -
Ashburton High School Centennial Trust
Top Scholar of Year 9: Mollie Gibson
Awards gained by Mollie were –
• Top Student in Year 9 Mathematics
(Williamson Cup)
• General Excellence in 9OW
• Excellence in Year 9 Digital Technology
• Excellence in Year 9 English
• Excellence in Year 9 Science
• Application and Effort
Rakiura Trophy for the Top Overall Year 9
Māori Student: Sonia Stephens-Tahuri
Sonia was also awarded an
Application and Effort Certificate.
Ashburton High School Centennial Trust
Top Scholar of Year 10: Diana Barbu
• Top Student in Year 10 Mathematics
(McLean Cup)
• General Excellence in 10L
• Excellence in Year 10 English
• Excellence in Year 10 Food and Nutrition
• Excellence in Year 10 German as a second
language
• Excellence in Year 10 Materials Fabrics
• Excellence in Year 10 Science
• Excellence in Year 10 Social Studies
• Application and Effort
(Pictured top, left and right): Aidan Christie and Tom Southby creating
different sounds from brass bowls.
(Pictured above left): Levon Wilson ringing the bells.
(Pictured above right): Raymond Williams producing music from a wooden
frog.
SLSU Farewells Two Students
On Wednesday 09 December the SLSU Break-Up, Presentations and
Farewells were held, in front of family and staff, followed by an extraordinary
morning tea. As you can tell by SENCO, Cheryl Hardy’s ‘disguise’, it was a
festive occasion. A very special farewell was made to two students who are
now leaving Ashburton College.
(Pictured below left): Principal Grant McMillan presents certificates to
Dom Cotter and (pictured below right) Levon Wilson is the recipient of his
certificates from Grant McMillan, with Cheryl Hardy and Dom Cotter looking
on.
Christmas Comes to the Admin Block
Cheryl Hardy, Special Needs Co-ordinator) tells us that two to three weeks
ago students from the SLSU (Student
Learning Support Unit) completed
decorating the 2015 Christmas Tree
for the Admin Block at College, as
they do annually.
Students had been studying
‘Differences’ and this year’s tree has
flags to represent different countries,
plus students made ornaments such
as Danish hearts, Scandanavian
reindeer, American stars and Kiwi
ingenuity baubles.
The SLSU students wish all of the
College community a festive and
enjoyable holiday season.
(Pictured above: House Co-Captains and Staff Heads of Houses.
(Back row, left to right): Annie McDonald, Amy White, Beth Muir,
Jordyn Love, Clair Bedward (Staff Head of Green House), Claire van Polanen,
(Staff Head of Orange House), Stacey Monk (Staff Head of Blue House).
(Front row, left to right): Mark Tait, Ben Sutton, Donan Ashby, Sian Hurley,
Ryan Walsh (Staff Head of Red House).
Congratulations
World Championships of Performing Arts
(WCOPA) Beckons
Ashburton College Year 10 and Year
12 students Sam Bubb and Annelise
Diamond (pictured left and right)
have continued the fine tradition
of success of young Mid Canterbury
culturally-talented students.
Having individually auditioned in
front of judges in Christchurch,
they were recently advised of
their invitation to join the World
Championships of Performing Arts
(WCOPA) New Zealand team to
travel to Los Angeles in the student
break next July.
A team of just over forty five has been selected, from close to 200 who were
auditioned.
The venture to Hollywood has participants undertaking ‘boot camp’ training
before competing against contestants from more than fifty countries.
Team Director, Dina Janse van Rensburg, said the high proportion of
successful applicants from Mid Canterbury (which includes two presecondary school students), is indicative of the talent in the district. She is
quoted as saying ‘the talent in Ashburton is amazing’.
Maui Spirit of Tikanga Māori Award for
Top Overall Year 10 Māori Student:
Mange Witehira
Mange was also awarded an
Application and Effort Certificate.
New Zealand Honours Badge
These badges are awarded to students who are placed in the ‘Top 3’
nationally. Five students achieving this while at Junior School level is more
than impressive and a testimony to their commitment and hard work in
training.
(Pictured left to right):
Matthew Clough (Multisports);
Brendon Johnston (Rodeo);
Lanelle Millar-McArthur (Shooting).
Absent:
Matthew Harford (Swimming);
Jessica Windhorst (Karate).
Junior Speech Competition
From Factory Farming to Stephen Hawking and everything in between, the
2015 annual Junior School Speech Competition saw eight students take to
the Auditorium stage and deliver speeches that entertained, educated and
enlightened their audience.
Former College English Teacher Denise O’Halloran adjudicated the contest
and commented on the high standard of the speeches, which contained
good language choices, were relevant to the audience and challenged the
listeners with their subject matter.
Shane Crawford discussed Technology and Youth, and Toby Lee shared his
thoughts on Andre Agassi as an inspiration. For their efforts they took the
honours at Year 9 level, and Mackenzie Boulton claimed the top spot at
Year 10 for her speech on the importance of vaccinating children.
(Pictured left,
left to right):
Toby Lee (1st equal,
Year 9), Mackenzie
Boulton (1st, Year 10),
Shane Crawford
(1st equal, Year 9),
Jayden Collett
(2nd Year 9).
2015 Grain and Seed Merchants Cup
Recipient – Olivia Cunneen
Olivia received this award for the best
arable project over Years 12 and 13
Agriculture via a competition which is
open to all Agricultural Science students at
both Ashburton and Mt Hutt Colleges.
To win this trophy, and the prize money,
donated by the Ashburton Grain and Seed
Merchants Association, students have to
complete a two day work placement with
members of The Grain and Seed Merchants
Association and have their NCEA-assessed
project not only marked by their teacher
but also go before a panel of commercial judges.
After a lot of hard work in producing an outstanding project on wheat, Olivia
was judged top student for 2015.
College Office Dates
The College Office is now closed for this year.
It will re-open on Wednesday 20 January 2016, 8:30am – 4:00pm
Beginning of Year Dates
These have been advertised regularly in previous newsletters,
which can also be accessed on the College web-site:
www.ashburtoncollege.school.nz
They will be readvertised, with additional arrangements, mid-January 2016.