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06 3880130

26 Huia Street

Taihape, 4720

www.tas.school.nz

TAS Radio - 88.1FM

Principal: Richard McMillan

rmcmillan@tas.school.nz

Lead Me to Lead My Learning

Taihape Area School

Monday 5th November, 2018 Term 4 – Newsletter Number 4

Important Dates

This Week Wednesday 7th Open Morning for New Entrants Scholastic BookClub Orders Close Last day for Year11-13 Students NCEA Information Evening

Next Week Friday

Friday 7th December End of School

Year

Tena koutou katoa

Welcome back for another week. There are a number of after school events running at the

moment, including Junior Hockey and Junior Cricket (Tuesdays), and Junior Touch (Fridays).

It is very encouraging the range of activities available for our Students, and a real credit to the

people who give up so much time to make these all happen.

We have a busy week ahead with an Open Morning for New

Entrants and an NCEA Information Evening on Wednesday.

Scholastic Bookclub orders close on Wednesday, which is also the

last day for formal classes for Year 11-13 Students.

The rather dramatic earthquake last week was a timely reminder

that we live in a country with an extremely volatile and

unpredictable natural environment, and it pays to be prepared for

any eventuality. The week prior we had had a practice earthquake

drill as part of the Great New Zealand Shakeout. Some students

have difficulty accepting that earthquakes and other natural

phenomena are potentially very real. Even though the recent shake

occurred out of school-hours, there was certainly much earthquake talk around School the

next day.

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For Teachers we have entered the busiest period of the year. As well as maintaining ongoing

class programmes, and completing the usual end of year tasks such as Report Writing, we are

also in review and planning mode.

With November arriving, we have also arrived at the business end of the Year. For our Senior

Students the next few weeks are both busy and chaotic as they begin to reap the rewards of

their Years work. Assessments have been completed, work moderated, and their credit totals

have begun to mount, in some cases quite spectacularly. As well those following more

academic pathways, or seeking endorsements, have been preparing to sit their external exams.

While this preparation has been going on for the last few weeks, the time between now and

the examinations is crucial for the students involved. It is

essential that they continue to put time aside to study, that they

follow their study plan to ensure that they are fully prepared,

and that they give themselves every chance of success by

looking after themselves – this includes eating properly, and

getting plenty of sleep.

If you have any concerns at all in the lead-up to these examinations, please contact the

School.

Yesterday our Rafting Team began competing in the World White Water

Championships, in Argentina. It actually seems rather surreal to think that 6 young men

from Taihape (and TAS) are in South America competing on the World Stage. The fact

that they are able to do this is the results of a

massive fund-raising effort, which raised

about $30,000 from our local community. It

just goes to show that with vision, effort, and

perseverance great things are possible.

Have a great week.

Regards Richard McMillan

TAS School Wide Behaviour Expectations Rangatiratanga: Whanaungatanga:

We are Learners We are Caring

We show Rangatiratanga We show Whanaungatanga

Wairuatanga: Manaakitanga:

We are Reflective We are Respectful

We show Wairuatanga We show Manaakitanga

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Tall Poppies The following Taihape Area School Students rose above the Crowd last

week as outstanding achievers, and members of our Learning

Community:

Ajahni Gilbert and Rigby Haitana (Room1) - for showing great effort and enthusiasm in

swimming lessons;

Miles Maata (Room4) - for great work during Maths;

Chevvy Judge (Room4) - for great work during Reading;

Hae'zjahn Rameka (Room5) - for her outstanding effort in Mathematics;

Amelia Shaw (Room5) - for always being an active learner with a positive attitude;

Jesse James (Room5) - for an outstanding display of our TAS Values. Jesse found a cell

phone on the way to the Disco and did the right thing by handing it in:

The TAS Junior Cross Country Team - for their outstanding behaviour and effort at the

Interschool Championships in Hunterville, with special mention to Grace Fannin (4th Junior

Girls), and Hoani Herewini-Dygas (3rd Senior Boys);

Michela Williams (Room6) - for making the most money during the Room6 up-cycle challenge.

Tall Poppies from Learning Street – Week 3

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Tayla Nathan, Brie Paki, and Jacob Donovan (Year9) - for being a highly motivated

students who complete tasks independently in Science;

Level3 Geography:- Meryne Hirst ex, Kiahn Ranginui ex, John Geraghty merit, Bronte

Morgan merit, and Annalise Ziarno achieved;

Level2 History:- Caryse Clark ex Erika Elers ex, Emma Fellingham ex, Tiare Sciascia

ex,Harmony Lucas merit, Brook Elers achieved, Ky-Jerrau Gilbert achieved,Anahera Hapi

achieved, Anaru Hawira achieved, Jack Howell achieved, Dontaye Mihinui achieved, and Mac

Morgan achieved;

Level3 History:- John Geraghty ex, Lockie Murrell merit, Kiahn Ranginui merit, and Tyrese

Payne achieved.

Supporting Your Child The most important lessons your child needs for success aren’t taught in the Classroom,

they’re taught at home. Children’s performance in School has more to do with parents,

than with their natural brainpower, or even their teachers. One recent study claimed the

parental effect on exam results at 16 is 5 times greater than any other factor. So what

should we be doing to maximise their chances?

Never say you’re hopeless at Maths!!

Even if you weren’t much of a mathematician at School,

don’t pass on your fear and loathing. “We must get away

from the idea it’s okay to be useless at maths,” says Dr.

Rosemary Russell, author of Help Your Child With

Numeracy.

“Research shows a maths qualification counts most in the

job market later on.”

If you suspect your child is falling behind see the Teacher immediately because maths is

a linear subject – if you don’t get one part, you’ll struggle with the next, too. Help by

using maths in cooking, shopping, memory games, and games such as snakes and

ladders.

Scholastic BookClub Orders The last BookClub order for the year closes this Wednesday.

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Planning for 2019 It would be hugely helpful if we knew of anyone who is intending to enrol their

child/ren here in 2019 – or if you are shifting – as this makes planning easier.

An issue we face is ensuring that classes are set up as well as possible from day one. We

endeavour to avoid disruption to classes later in the Year, but unknown enrolments can

make this difficult at times.

The Primary School Students will find out their Classrooms and Teachers for 2019 in the

last week of term.

Parent Information Evening At the beginning of next, Year10 students will embark on their NCEA journey. This can be a confusing and intimidating for both students, and their Whanau.

To assist with the transition we are holding a Whanau Evening at which there will be a general introduction to NCEA, and an opportunity to speak to Teachers in Charge about the Courses they are offering at Levels 1, 2, and 3.

The Whanau Evening will be on Wednesday 7th November starting at 5:15pm, until approximately 6.15pm.

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/publications/nzqa-brochures/

The Internet – an analogy for parents of younger

children: “The internet is like a big city - there are

wonderful places to visit, see, learn and do. But

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there are also bad parts in town where kids shouldn’t

go”.

Year 11 – 13 Course Completion and

Study Leave Year 11 to 13 courses finish on Wednesday 7th November. Year 11 – 13 Students will

not be required to attend School from Thursday 8th November. Should Students wish to

they may come to School, for revision classes, and to re-sit or finish internal

assessments, this needs to be negotiated with their Teachers, who will continue to be

available to assist them (during what would have been normal timetabled class blocks),

until the 23rd November.

Students sitting exams also finish on Wednesday 7th November – for most Students

external exams begin on Friday 9th November, but they have been issued with a

Timetable. Students have been issued with an admission slip - this is needed for each

exam.

Year 11 – 13 Students may come in mufti,

and will be required to sign in, and out, at the

office as part of the usual Health and Safety

Procedures. Students who are not engaged in

learning will be asked to leave, as the remainder of the School is still involved in

learning, and do not need distractions.

We ask that if students are not at School to finish work, or for study that they also stay

away during lunch and morning tea breaks and no Year 11-13 Students are to be on the

courts during School Hours.

Year 11 -13 students are expected to attend for Top Town on Wednesday

5th December, and for Prize Giving (in full school uniform) on Friday7th December,

at 1pm (Students need to be seated before 12.45).

Leavers Forms

All Students who intend leaving at the end of the Year, need to complete a ‘Leavers

Form’. This must be signed by all Teachers and handed in to Cathy by 23rd November.

Please see Cathy at the Office for a form.

Congratulations to those Year 11 -13 Students who have gained Level 1,2 or 3 this year

and also to those who have almost gained the 80 credits required. Our pass rates for

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2018 are looking promising. Best wishes to all Students sitting externals – study hard,

and do the very best you can be.

Kia kaha

Barb Wallis DP

Please Note: Classes remain the same for Year 0-10 students until Friday

7th December – this is the last day of School for the Year.

End of Year Reports for Year 0-13’s will be sent out at the end of the Term.

Hot Tips for Doing Well in NCEA

Exams Later this week thousands of Year 11, 12 and 13 Secondary

School Students start their NCEA Exams. Nothing beats

well-planned study, but for students light in preparation

former Rosehill College dux Sylvie Chan, who has a string

of academic Scholarships to her name, says if it comes down

to cramming, practising the things that make up the bulk of

the exam is a must.

She says if an essay is worth 40%, students should focus on that, although she warns

“crammers” should still make sure they get a good night’s sleep, and ideally spend the day

before an exam relaxing. “Don’t burn yourself out,” she says.

Number Works’n’Words Christchurch branch tutor Ivan Leary says “best of luck” to any

students who have left their study to the last minute. “Any work crammed at this late stage

will still be helpful though,” he says.

The best plan of action is not to panic, to get a good night’s sleep, and have a decent

breakfast. “With a relaxed attitude, and full of energy, all your hard work during the year

should pay off,” he says.

Tips on the Ministry of Education’s Studyit

website focus on what to do just before the

exam, and include double checking you’ve

got the right time, and place, for the exam,

avoiding people who make you nervous, and putting all your stationery in a clear bag the

night before.

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Once in the exam, the website advises students to stay calm, read questions twice, and answer

the easy ones first.

Victoria University Education, Psychology and Pedagogy School Head, Dr Lex McDonald,

says plan and schedule — even if there’s only a day left. “And it’s easy to say, but don’t

panic. Continue to read, summarise, and put things in your own words. That way you’re more

likely to remember it.” McDonald says charts and maps can also help, as can mnemonics —

such as Never Eat Soggy Weetbix to remember the compass points north, east, south and west.

Advice from TV Star Pearl McGlashan, who plays Jasmine Cooper on Shortland Street, and

says, “Keeping yourself hydrated, and fed, is definitely important”.

The former Western Springs College student also says using your time well is important,

because cramming too hard means students risk burnout. “And that’s not healthy. You’ll be

too tired to do the exam, and that defeats the purpose. People freak out when exams come

up,” Pearl says. “But people aren’t as unprepared as they think they are.”

This year’s largest NCEA exam session is level I English, with nearly 48,000 candidates, and

the smallest is Scholarship Latin. - Imogen Neale (Exert from the Sunday News).

External Examinations

Very best wishes to all Students sitting Level 1-3 NCEA

Examinations – kia kaha !!

Living the TAS Values We have recently received some very positive feedback from the people in the Community,

including from the Éclair Shop: -

“The Staff at the Chocolate Eclair Shop, in

Ohakune, want to congratulate you on your fantastic

students. Each time they called into our shop after a

day’s skiing (not sure this stop was scheduled in

their itinerary!!) we were really impressed with their

manners and attitude. They are a credit to

themselves, their families, and your School.

Kind regards - Steve Nation and Staff”.

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Sun Safe in Taihape In New Zealand the incidence of sun cancer is growing, so much

so that it is now regarded as being a major health problem. The

intensity of the sun, and the lack of natural shelter at our School,

has really highlighted this very important issue.

We encourage our students to wear Sun Hats when they are

outside for School based activities, interval and lunch-time play.

We ask your support and assistance in encouraging all children to be sun safe – i.e. to wear

sun block and sunhats when not at school.

The macho attitude “it won’t happen to me” is naïve in the extreme, as constant and regular

exposure to the harsh New Zealand sun does most definitely cause serious long term damage,

the effects of which are not pretty, and can even result in death. As parents we have a

responsibility to keep our children safe – protecting them from the sun is an important part of

this.

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Quotes of the Week

TAS Behaviour

Expectation

Manaakitanga We respect everyone’s right to learn

uninterrupted. This sounds like:-

We consider other people;

We consider the learning of others;

We respect the wishes of others;

We allow students the time and space to

learn.

“Happy are those who dream dreams

and are ready to pay the price to make

them come true” - Leon J. Suenes

Frightlight @ Te Manawa Museum.

“Experience is the child

of thought, and thought

is the child of action” -

Benjamin Disraeli.

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Thanks Farmlands!! Last week we were invited to visit Farmlands while Otis Frizzell was busy painting the mural on their wall for their Heart of the Community project. Otis took time to chat with our students, and we could then watch him paint for a bit.

For those of us who were able to take up this opportunity, it was very interesting and we enjoyed learning more about his choice for the mural and how he paints.

Students were then able to complete a colouring in competition, where they had an opportunity to paint their own mural about what they think makes Taihape great, this was open to all schools.

On Saturday at the unveiling ceremony, Otis himself chose some winners for the competition. Of the 10 winners, 9 were from TAS!! Congratulations and well done to: Emma Collings, Te Kohatu Crow-Chase, Cleveland Whiu, Lea Ranginui, Aaron-Lee Sime, Chloe Gerritsen, Kray Maata, Chevvy Judge, Jessica Chase, and to Georgia Peed from Mataroa School.

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Junior Students – Cullen

Musgrove, Pele’Motopuna Simi-

Halo, and Ajahni Gilbert -

posing with some of our new

Sandpit Toys