Celebrating SuccessOver the past week, we have celebrated the success and hard work of our Year 11, 12 and 13 students through prize-givings. It is humbling to hear the achievements of these fantastic young people. Prize-givings are a valuable time to pause, reflect and celebrate achievements. Life is busy. As we move towards exams, summer jobs and for those leaving school, the next step, it is easy

Ashburton CollegeNewsIndividual Excellence in a Supportive Learning Environment

Issue 377 November 2019

Staff Farewell

to constantly look ahead and focus on what is approaching. We all need to ensure that we take the time on occasions to step back and appreciate our achievements along the way. NCEA ExamsNCEA external exams are just beginning. They run from 08 November through to 03 December. I wish all students who are taking part in exams all the best. It is also worth remembering that the Ashburton College Library is open most evenings during the week from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. At the Library, there will be teachers present to help students revise a range of subjects in preparation for their exams. The timetable posted in the Library gives further information around these study sessions.LeadershipOur senior students have finished at school for 2019 and have gone on study leave in preparation for NCEA exams. When this happens, only Year 9 and 10 students are left at College. The Year 10 students are now the ‘leaders’ – the oldest and most experienced students left at school. This brings responsibility with it. Year 9 students also have a leadership role to play over this time. In the coming weeks, Year 8 students from contributing schools will be visiting the College to get information, meet people and experience lessons as part of their transition into Year 9 in 2020. When these students visit the school, they will be looking up to the current College students to see the AshColl Way – how we do things here at Ashburton College.Fortunately, our Year 9 and 10 students are not new to leadership. As the eldest students at a school in the past - be it primary, intermediate or both - they have experienced what it means to be a role model for younger students. Many have also taken on leadership roles in cultural, sporting, community or classroom contexts. Along the way, they will have made a positive contribution and made mistakes. This is normal, and all part of growing as a person. The final weeks of school are the next opportunity for our students to step up and challenge themselves. We look forward to seeing our Year 9 and 10 students model the College Values by Achieving Quality, Showing Pride and Having Respect while also growing their own leadership and role-modelling skills. They are, after all, our next generation of school and, eventually, community leaders. Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai - nurture the seed and it will blossom. Jono Hay Deputy Principal

Events

InformationDeputy Principal Message

Nicolette EnglebrechtNicolette has been in a fixed-term funded Learning Support Assistant position since mid-March, working predominantly with Year 11-13 students. College has appreciated her valuable diligence, student focus and support during this time. Students and staff alike have benefitted from her input.

Please note – News ItemsAt this time of year there are numerous events taking place at College and, on occasions, space and production dates have precluded reporting on them earlier. However, all events and congratulations will be recognised over the forthcoming weeks. Next week’s newsletter will contain recent Performance Awards and Principal’s Commendation Certificates, and prize-giving successes in the order they took place.

Study Nights for Exam Students –College Library, 7:00pm-9:00pm

Teaching staff are offering a significant number of study nights to support students with NCEA Exam preparation. We encourage students to take advantage of this help, and the opportunity for some compulsory study time where teachers will be available to assist.A list of attending teachers is available in the Library. One study night has been held to date, but the remaining dates are - Study Nights are –Thursday 07 November Monday 18 NovemberMonday 11 November Tuesday 19 NovemberTuesday 12 November Wednesday 20 NovemberWednesday 13 November Thursday 21 November Monday 25 November

Ashburton College Phoenix Rising FamilyPortrait Fundraiser

Photos by New Zealand Family Portraits’ Professional Photographers

Ashburton College’s Junior Choir, Phoenix Rising, is holding a Family Portrait Photo Shoot to raise funds for their ‘Top of the South’ tour in December.Cost – Just $20• For10”x13”(253x330mm)colourfamilyportrait.• Portraitsarenormallyvaluedat$79.00,sothisopportunityisgreatvalue.When and Where• Thursday14November.• AshburtonDomainPavilion–oppositetheCollege,onWalnutAvenue.Options• Otherphotoswillbetakenonrequest,andwillbeavailabletopurchase.• $20 family portrait is yours to keep regardless of whether additional

photos are purchased or not.• Family,friends,neighboursareallwelcome.Eventhefamilydogcanjoin

in if you wish!Timing• Thephotoshoottakesapproximatelytenminutes.To Make A Booking• Phoneortext: Carolyn–0272217143–forenquiriesortomakeyour

booking.• Or,ifyouhaveaform,completethisandreturntotheCollegeOffice,with

your payment.• Paymentisrequiredtoconfirmyourbooking.Please Note:• Keeptoyourappointmenttimetoavoiddelays.• Anadultmustappearinthe$20FamilyPortrait.• Viewing and collection of your portrait, and any other photos, must be

undertakenbyanadult.Thesewillbeavailableapproximatelytendaysafterthephotoshoot.

• Norefundavailableintheeventoffailuretokeeptheappointmentmade.

Ashburton College Netball ClubSubmissions of Interest – Coach and Manager Positions

Applications are now open for submissions of interest in positions of Coaches and Managers for all College teams for the 2020 netball season.

There is a very supportive and well-resourced Club and Committee to support our volunteers.

For further details please contact: PresidentVickiMcArthur, on0274913946;or email your submission to Club Secretary 

angescammell@hotmail.com.Submissions of interest close 15 November 2019.

Ashburton College Phoenix Magazine 2019 – Remember: This will be published at the end of February 2020.Payment for Magazine - $25 per copy

All families have nowreceived an updated account that will include the charge for the Magazine.

To secure your copy of the Phoenix Magazine, paymentwillberequiredbynext

Thursday 14 November.

Order a Christmas Magazine VoucherWe will also have vouchers available for purchase.

This would be an ideal gift for grandparents or other family members, who can then have a copy delivered once it is published.

Red Carpet EveningThis annual festival of music and showcase of College students’ talent was held in the College Auditorium on Thursday 24 October, performing to an appreciative audience. The evening also provided an opportunity to hear, for a final time, a number of our Year 13 students in their final public performance before leaving College. The programme was well-balanced, varied and all performers were of an impressively high standard.Enjoyed throughout the programme were performances from the Rock Band Empoly 8 of Ocean Waitokia, Calais Hill, Joseph Collins, Scott Thomson, Spencer Ifopo, Christina Francis and Barbara Nabeka; Christina FrancissingingSandcastles;theCollegeStringEnsembleperforming‘Gabriel’sOboefromTheMission’, with oboe soloist Alison Hetherington, and the ‘ThemefromSchindler’sList’withJayJung(violin)andHannahKuipers(viola).The balance of the first half held Joseph Collins (picturedbelow left) ‘ThisIs My Life’ original composition; Guitar Ensemble Jay Jung, Jade Jung, Marc Calzada, with Music teacher Michael Petrus; Jay Jung with ‘Fight’,| Ocean Waitokia singing ‘IToldYouSo’and concluded with Phoenix Rising(picturedbelowright)singing ‘FestivalSong’,‘InTerraPax’and ‘LoveCanBuildaBridge’.

Ashburton College’s Orchestra opened the second half, performing ‘PiratesoftheCaribbean’and ‘ThePinkPanther’ with student Tielu Iakopo on Tenor Saxaphone (picturedleft,centre).VocalistsJadeKrugerandBarbaraNabekasang‘OtherHalf’ and‘ISurrender’respectively before Rock BandMiddle Road (Liam Pram, Louie Pabualan, Jade Kruger, Toby Woolf )performed ‘Smoke and Fire’ and ‘Neon Lights’. The audience was then treated to Jay Jung (picturedright) on piano with an impressive medley, followed by the Blues Band (Liam Pram, Toby Woolf,Spencer Ifopo, Zac Woolf, with Music teacher Michael Petrus)performing ‘FlyMe to the Sun’, ‘AllMyLife’ and ‘TakeMeHome’.Concluding the evening was the String Ensemble with ‘Yesterday’sung by Joseph Collins, and ‘EleanorRigby’;before‘HeyJude’was performed by the whole cast.

Acknowledging Year 13 LeaversIn farewelling and wishing these students all the very best for their future opportunities, we thank them for all they have contributed in time and talent, to College and to the life and work of College music, and the enjoyment they have given.Additional AcknowledgementsAn event such as this night cannot be presented without the hard work of many and we give a special thanks to – the Music Department staff: Stephen Diedricks (Head of Department), Michael Petrus (Blues Band), Angie Cresswell (Musical Director Phoenix Rising), Paula Green (StringGroup); MC for the evening: Carolyn Clough; Set Design and Lighting: Claire Bubb; Stage Manager: Michael Petrus; Sound Technician: Ron Cresswell and the Lighting Crew; and to Dave Christensen (cornet),AlisonHetherington(Oboesoloist)andHelenWakelin(ArtsCo-ordinator).

(Picturedleft,lefttoright):The String Ensemble – MichaelPetrus(Tutor),Marc Calzado, Jay Jung and Jade Jung.

Ashburton CollegeIndividual Excellence in a Supportive Learning Environment News

Issue 377 November 2019

Congratulations

Coming Events

2019 End-of-Year Final Days, Prize-Givings, EventsParents, caregivers, family/whanau, friends and interested community members are most welcome at all prize-givings.

December08 Leavers’ Graduation Dinner, Hotel Ashburton, arrive at 6:30pm,

seated at 7:00pm.12 Year 10 Prize-Giving, 1:30pm, College Auditorium, and Final Day13 Year 9 Prize-Giving, 11:00am, College Auditorium, and Final Day

November07- 03 Dec NCEA Exams12 Year 9/10 Caroline Bay Relays, Timaru13 Aoraki Junior Volleyball Championships, Timaru14 Aoraki Junior Touch, Timaru18 Year 9 (for 2020) Scholarship exam Aoraki Secondary Schools’ Junior Girls’ Cricket19 SISS Lawn Bowls Festival, Timaru21 Hakatere Festival Aoraki Junior Secondary Schools’ Tennis, Timaru22 New Entrants’ morning (8:30am-12:00pm) Postponement Day, Aoraki Junior Tennis25 Aoraki SS Junior Boys’ Cricket, Timaru27 BOT Meeting, Menorlue, 6:00pm28 Year 10 Dance trip, Tinwald School29 Year 9 Community Services Day

Phoenix Rising Perform at Pakeke LionsPhoenix Rising had the privilege of singing at the recent Pakeke Lions meeting.  Choir Manager Carolyn Clough said it was such a pleasure to sing for the warm and appreciative audience. Through a thirty minute programme, Phoenix Rising presented a range of repertoire including some from their performance at The Big Sing and more recently-learned songs that will form part of the upcoming tour repertoire.  This included a Christmas bracket with the well-received ‘Holly Jolly Christmas’ featuring a kazoo trio of (left to right) Eddie Galbraith, Ollie Bubb and Jack Templeton.

AppreciationPhoenix Rising was delighted to receive a donation from the Pakeke Lions members of $1000 designated towards the cost of the ‘Top of the South’ tour to Nelson in December.  Ashburton College and Phoenix Rising sincerely thank Pakeke Lions for their generosity and also for providing us with a supportive performance opportunity in preparation for the tour, which will take place from 05-10 December.

Final Outdoor Education Event - Year 12 Cycle TourOn 17 and 18 October College Year 12 Outdoor Education students took part in their last trip for the year. The cycle tour group initially utilised Ashburton’s Mountain Bike Track and then continued down the Ashburton River Trail/Walkway Track to Hakatere. Outdoor Education teacher Luke Martin said that the students got to test their ability on the Mountain Bike Track and at the Skills Park, before a calmer ride to the coast. The weather was perfect on the Thursday, the sun was out which meant safe and easy riding conditions. Two of College’s Japanese exchange students Yuno Hioki and Hiromune Kakeda attempted a set of the smaller jumps at the Skills Park, excited at not having experienced such an opportunity before. Arriving at the Hakatere settlement, it was time to set up camp opposite the beach and enjoy a well-deserved rest after several hours of riding. Unfortunately, the weather changed overnight and was cold and rainy in the morning. Under tree cover the students practised their puncture repair skills, before heading back. Track conditions were now a lot more fun, or more scary, depending on your view! It was impossible to not get muddy and the conditions certainly made the trip back a lot more involved for each rider. Corners became slippery, with puddles there to catch a front wheel and send the rider off if inattention crept in.Fortunately, all students made it back in one piece, although the need for a shower was on everyone’s mind with mud, mud, mud, everywhere. The students gained a lot from the trip and it was a great way to finish the year. Now it is time for them to finish their theory work and evaluations of the trip in order to gain their final credits in Outdoor Education.

Annual Chess Match – Third Consecutive Victory to the Staff

This event is steeped in the annals of historical activities at Ashburton College. A set game of Chess is drawn out of a hat, in the staffroom at Staff Briefing to ensure witnesses! We are assured that this annual end-of-year event started as a very formal affair, with players wearing ‘boards’ depicting their positions. At some stage it morphed into the event it is today, always a lot of fun, and providing wonderful opportunities for students to douse staff and vice versa. This game, held this year after weather delays on Friday 25 October and still in cold conditions, is then played out on the College Chessboard with ‘players’ moved according to the real moves of the original game. Assisted by copious amounts of water and precarious forms of transport to remove ‘dead’ players, the event provided a fun entertainment option at lunchtime. As is also traditional, the staff moves are made by a long-serving, retiring staff member. This honour went this year to forty nine year-long History and Law teacher Mark Gleason, as he changed from his customary position as ‘King’ player on the chessboard. Making the moves for the students this year was Andrew Phimester with teacher and Chess Match organiser Jason Vannini calling the moves.

(Pictured left): The action increases while (below) the groups join for a final photo shoot at the end of the game, with the victorious teachers demonstrating some pleasure at this!

(Pictured right, left to right): Ready to start are Mark Gleason, Jason Vannini and Andrew Phimester.

High Distinction in 2019 New ZealandEconomics Competition for Ben Holland

Year 13 student, Ben Holland, recently participated in the 2019 New Zealand Economics Competition. This competition has been in existence since 1997, and is sponsored by The University of Auckland Business School, Treasury, and the Kelliher Economics Foundation. This was set up by the late Sir Henry J Kelliher, in 1965, to advance knowledge of Economics to the wider community.The 50-minute examination paper sat by students consists of forty multi-choice questions that test classroom theory and general knowledge of current economic issues. On achieving High Distinction in the exam, Ben was invited to attend the Awards Presentation Ceremony which was held at the Business School of the Auckland University on 17 October. From the 2,194 New Zealand students and ten American students who entered the competition, this ceremony recognised the 132 students who achieved High Distinction.The ceremony was hosted by staff members of the Business School and several economics students, with guest speakers Stephanie Honey, Associate Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum; and Tim Ng, Deputy Secretary and Chief Economics Adviser of the New Zealand Treasury. Certificates were presented to the students who attended the ceremony, and there were cash prizes awarded to the top-placing students. Ben’s family said that it was a real privilege for them to attend the presentation with Ben. Their thanks go to College Economics teacher Ange Mitchell and the College for support.

Sound Results at New Zealand Schools’ National Mountain- Biking ChampionshipsThe Ashburton College team of (pictured right, left to right) Jack Savage, Brad Blundell, Riley Blundell, Mya Johnston and Holly Trotter competed in this event in Dunedin early October, over the three disciplines of Enduro, Down Hill and Cross Country. At this event, spread across grades, over 400 riders competed, representing 108 schools from throughout New Zealand.Jocelyn Johnston, Manager, said that the tracks at Signal Hill were fast and dry and the sun shone on the Enduro event on Friday, with all of the team riding well. However, overnight rain meant the Downhill track was muddy for the practise runs and heavy rain just before the race created very challenging conditions to ride in, with everyone riding cautiously to make it down the technical course. Unfortunately Brad got a flat tyre and was unable to finish the race, but everyone else was happy to make it down safely. Sunday was a very early start for Cross-Country. With the tracks having dried out slightly, conditions were much better for racing. All of the team completed the course in good time amongst some very tough competition.The team appreciated parent Jeremy Savage volunteering as a Marshall for the Enduro race.

ResultsOverall Team Result – A very creditable 17th Team Placing Individual Results were - Enduro - Mya Johnston 7th, Holly Trotter 8th, Brad Blundell 12th,

Riley Blundell 31st, Jack Savage 31st.Down Hill - Holly Trotter 4th, Mya Johnston 5th, Jack Savage 24th,

Riley Blundell 41st. Cross Country - Mya Johnston 7th, Holly Trotter 8th, Brad Blundell 18th,

Riley Blundell 18th.Overall Championship To be eligible for placings in the overall category, riders must be entered in all three events.These placings were - • Mya Johnston 4th Under 16 Girls• Holly Trotter 5th Under 16 Girls• Brad Blundell 8th Under 17 Boys• Riley Blundell 14th Under 15 Boys

(Pictured above, left to right): Brad Blundell and Mya Johnston competing in the Downhill event and Riley Blundell in the Cross-Country event.

(Pictured right): Holly Trotter competing in the Enduro event.

What is a kazoo you ask? It is a musical instrument which adds a ‘buzzing’ timbral quality to a player’s voice when the player vocalises or hums into it.As well as performances by the whole choir, some of the young musicians were able to be featured in solo and group performances.  Year 10 student, Ngahuia Maeva (pictured below), stole the hearts of many with an original song as she accompanied herself on the ukelele.  The Year 11 Choral Leaders -Zoe Kenny, Emma Petrie and Emma-Paige Dickson - performed a vocal trio and our rehearsal accompanist, Chinatsu Hunt, combined with Musical Director Angie Cresswell in a Christmas duet on piano.