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James Thomas Principal

Dear Parents, Learners in Years 11 – 13 have little over one week with their teachers before their NCEA exams. This is a critical stage of the year and they should be concentrating their efforts on their preparation for their external exams. At recent assemblies and in classes learners have been given lots of encouragement and good advice. For example:

Remember – Success is a decision. Start with the right attitude.

Access the NZQA website and complete previous exams; then check with the answers (assessment schedules) provided.

Carefully consider what is required of a question before answering. Do a brainstorm and plan paragraph and essay questions.

Repetition, repetition, repetition. Some learners revise a topic once and think that’s enough! And later they’re surprised they can’t remember some details. Repeated exposure is important if we want facts, skills and understanding to be retained in our long term memory.

Recently I had the privilege of representing Whangaparaoa College by visiting eight schools in three different countries. Most of the schools were ones that have sent groups of learners to us for short term visits to further develop their English language skills. It is always good to speak with other Principals and teachers to share ideas. A few of my observations were:

Class sizes were commonly 45 – 50 per class

Facilities were limited in cramped conditions

Teachers predominantly adopted a lecture style with little interaction with learners

In some places students and visitors are met by fences and security checks

Extra-curricular opportunities were limited or non-existent. It was interesting to see how fortunate we are in New Zealand and especially here at Whangaparaoa College. The elections for the Learner Trustee on the BoT were held recently and Olivia Soesbergen has been re-elected for another year. I would like to wish Olivia all the best for the adventures ahead, and thank all those who put themselves forward for the election. Have a good week. Study well.

Newsletters If you do not already receive the newsletter link via e-mail, and wish to do so,

could you please e-mail newsletter@wgpcollege.school.nz

and advise Learner’s name and class.

2012 YEARBOOK A charge of $20 has been added to your child’s account this is an optional fee. If you wish to receive a year book for 2012 the payment needs to be made by

31 October 2012. After this date this charge will be removed from accounts.

mailto:newsletter@wgpcollege.school.nz

Whangaparaoa College 2012 Important dates to remember...

Nov 3 - 4 Duke of Edinburgh (Bronze) 14 2013 Enrolment 16 Staff-only Day 30 - 2 Dec Duke of Edinburgh (Gold) Dec 4 Excellence Prizegiving 6 Leaver’s Dinner 7 Last Day of Term 4 - finish 1.00pm

NEXT ENROLMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR 2013 AT WHANGAPARAOA COLLEGE

Wednesday 14 November from 4.00 to 6.30pm What to bring:

Enrolment application form can be downloaded from the Whangaparaoa College website: www.wgpcollege.school.nz

Proof of in zone residence (e.g. phone/power account, rates notice, rental agreement)

Learner’s original birth certificate or passport and residency status/student permit details

Copy of most recent school report

Friends of Whangaparaoa College

Meeting dates for Term 4

Monday 29 October 7.00pm Thursday 29 November 7.00pm – Social Occasion All meetings are held in the main Administration Building Staffroom 7.00pm start. This group is about support and communication between the college, parents, learners and the community.

NCEA EXAMS: 9 November - 4 December

NCEA Timetable Link http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/assets/qualifications-and-standards/qualifications/ncea/exam-timetable-2012.pdf

http://www.wgpcollege.school.nz

2012 Uniform Shop Opening Hours

Mon & Wed 8am - 8.45am Tues & Thurs 3pm - 3.45pm

HOMESTAY FAMILIES NEEDED

‘Enjoy the Cultural Experience’

We are currently looking for Homestay families with Whangaparaoa College students in the home, interested in hosting a Japanese student for a week in November (22 - 29).

Attractive remuneration is offered.

If interested please contact homestay@wgpcollege.school.nz or alternatively Ph: 424-9177 Ext: 236 for an application form.

Uniform Shop Limited Offer Polar Fleece - reduced to $30 While stocks last!

SENIOR UNIFORM CHANGES 2013/2014 After consultation with learners, parents, Board and staff we will be implementing a modification with regards to Whangaparaoa College senior uniform. From next year the senior uniform will be worn by Year 11-13 learners. We will be making 2013 a transition year which will mean that Year 11 learners can wear either the junior or senior uniform. However, from 2014 we will have the expectation that all Year 11–13 learners will be in senior uniform. We have endeavoured to order sufficient uniform to cover the availability for Year 11 learners to purchase senior uniform for 2013. This stock will be available in January when the uniform shop is opened prior to the beginning of the school year.

mailto:international@wgpcollege.school.nz

Play and Vote!

We are proud to announce that Nathaniel Faulkner, one of our Year 13 learners, has been chosen as a finalist for the 2012 Bright Sparks Awards. The judges of the contest loved Nathaniel’s on-line game which was created using Flash developer. The game features addictive game play, realistic physics and an on-line high score chart which encourages players to compete for a top score in each of the seven levels. You can vote for Nathaniel’s entry for the “People’s Choice” award at the following link: http://www.brightsparks.org.nz/crate-sorting-game/

The game can be played here: http://cratesorting.appspot.com/

LOCKERS - 2013 Some lockers are still available for Term 4. Please fill in an order form or contact Robyn to reserve one today! If you wish to reserve a locker for 2013 or keep your current locker, you will need to fill in an online order form at www.stowawaylockers.co.nz or call or text Robyn on (09) 4375818 or 0274 221 783 as soon as possible. Payments can be made from now until January 4 2013. If you no longer require your locker for 2013, and have your own padlock on, our padlock needs to go back on and ensure the locker is left empty, as any remaining items will be disposed of at the end of the year. Please return your key cellotaped to a piece of paper with your details for your bond refund. Keys will need to be received within one week of Term 4 ending and can be posted to: Stowaway Lockers, 220 Ngunguru Road, RD3, Whangarei 0173. Refunds will be posted or direct credited to your bank account in January 2013.

Aimee Riach was one of six finalists in the Milford Rotary Speech Contest Tuesday 25 September. The finalists were drawn from schools across the North Shore. Aimee was awarded a $75 book voucher. Congratulations Aimee on getting through to the finals and representing Whangaparaoa College so well!

Milford Rotary Speech Contest

http://www.brightsparks.org.nz/crate-sorting-game/http://cratesorting.appspot.com/http://www.stowawaylockers.co.nz/

Sports Talk WGP

Strategic plan initiatives Targets

To increase numbers playing rugby at Whangaparaoa College

5 teams playing for WGPC (1st XV, 4th, 6th, Girls and Year 7/8 Zone Day)

To develop players rugby skills Term 1 fitness/skills training program instigated

To increase the performance of Whangaparaoa College teams

1st XV playing in 1C

To develop our community of rugby coaches

Run a pre-season coaching course 1 coach per team has participated in a sanctioned coaching course

To increase numbers of referees in our community

Work with NH to give our community access to refereeing courses

To increase the amount of tours/competitions that our teams play in

AIMS team Western Heights (U15 team) 1st XV pre-season tour

To promote relationship with the wider rugby community

Create a memorandum of understanding between WGPC and Silverdale United Rugby Club. Member of WGPC rugby committee on NH TiC committee

2012 has seen the initiation of a Whangaparaoa College rugby committee. The first meeting was in late July at the end of the rugby season. This committee has created a strategic plan for Rugby at Whangaparaoa College for the next five years (below is the plan for 2013). We are lucky enough to have some very passionate people as part of the group. They are Paul Evans, Steve McDowall, Rob Fenwick, Deon Strydom, Steve Jenkins, Dave Fitzgerald, Calvin Howarth, Matt Dillon and Jason Pocock. I am sure I can speak for all of the committee in that we are available to answer any questions you may have regarding what we are doing, or if you have some suggestions for the group for the future. If you are interested in being involved in the committee, please email Jason Pocock jasonpo@wgpcollege.school.nz

Thank you very much for supporting Whangaparaoa rugby so far, and we look forward to some more positive results in the future. Jason Pocock TiC Rugby

Dates for your Diary All details will be updated on the Sports Board.

November 1 Zone Day Touch November 8 Year 7 and 8 Athletics November 23 Year 7 and 8 North Harbour Athletics

mailto:jasonpo@wgpcollege.school.nz

Thank you to our sponsors...

College Physio Clinic Monday, Wednesday & Friday 11.30am – 2.30pm - J Block John Lanigan Physiotherapist for all College sports teams, teachers and learners ACC treatment $10 Co-payment (subsidised) Strapping Tape $6 available For the convenience of on school assessment / treatment / referrals Text /Phone: 021 187 3299 or Manly Physio Clinic: 424-1309 Proud to support Whangaparaoa College Sport

Whangaparaoa win North Harbour 7’s Plate Trophy Whangaparaoa pulled off a major coup by defeating Orewa and then Northcote to clinch the plate trophy in the annual North Harbour 7’s tournament on 30 September at Albany. After a difficult opening round, Whangaparaoa found themselves in the plate section with a first up match against local rivals Orewa. The match was evenly contested with Whangaparaoa up 12-5 at half time. The team was able to maintain this edge, eventually ending up winners 24-12. The try scorers were Trent Mayes, Kieran Jenkins, Andrew Creevey and Jake Sheehan. This meant a match up with Northcote in the final. Whangaparaoa went in as underdogs having lost to Northcote in the opening round. Again the game was evenly contested throughout, Whangaparaoa finding themselves 19-14 down with time up. Trent Mayes made a good run down the sideline and was able to keep the ball alive. In the final move of the match, Jake Sheehan dotted down under the posts after a sweeping move that went through many pairs of hands. Jake was able to slot the conversion giving Whangaparaoa a 21-19 victory. Jake scored 5 tries in the tournament and was one of the leading players. Everybody contributed to the success. The quad was, Jake Seehan, Justin Koia, Sean Wills. Kieran Jenkins, Sam Seddon, Dallas Courtney, Sumner Maxwell Brown, Sean Plant, Andrew Creevey, Tiaan Oosthuizen, Trent Mayes and Jandrei Nelson. Special mention goes to Stephen Jenkins, for his excellent coaching. Mr Fitzgerald Manager