From the Acting Rector’s Desk Greetings everyone to Newsletter 15 I think we can all reflect, with pride, on a wonderful week of achievements for many of our students last week. Tournament week saw a number of closely fought battles, wins and losses that all add to the rich experiences students enjoy as part of their schooling. We are very proud of all our teams and their efforts to represent us to the best of their ability and to always give everything a top rate effort. All the results from Tournament week are included in this Newsletter. Personally I had a great day on Thursday, supporting the Girls 1st XI soccer team as they beat Opohi College, and then I had the real privilege of watching Bethany Cox being presented with her Class Act award by the Prime Minister, John Key. It was a wonderful day supporting our students in their different endeavours. Our focus as a school now turns sharply to students’ academic endeavours. This is after all, our core business and one we take very seriously. The holistic education we provide is valued and special, and the fostering of students in their academic studies is the cornerstone of all that we offer. This is a time for students to seriously focus on the exams ahead, both the practice exams next week and the NCEA exams in November. Some students find this a difficult time, when they finally have to knuckle down and do some serious work, others will be well prepared, and yet others will relish these exams as a chance to really test themselves. Whichever category students fall into, they all need to realise that these practice exams are designed as part of their preparation for NCEA, are an integral part of their study programme and as such should be taken very seriously. These exams provide staff with some of the grades for assessing academic prizes later in the year, they also give us the basis for compassionate consideration grades in NCEA should they be required, they are a chance for students to fine tune examination techniques, and for all the above reasons they are an important part of the academic programme. I would urge all students to spend time revising carefully, and ask parents to support them in their efforts by providing a quiet, well lit study space at home, asking students about their study and giving them an opportunity to talk about and revise what they have been learning. Talk to them about what time of the day suits them for study, encourage them to take regular, short, breaks in their study schedule, to drink lots of water, eat well and get into good sleeping patterns. A calm positive atmosphere at home goes a long way to encouraging a calm, positive approach in an exam. Jackie Barron, Acting Rector SCHOOL HEALTH CLINICS/HEALTH NURSE There is a free health clinic available at the school every Wednesday lunchtime from 12.30 pm to 1.00 pm. The Health Nurse visits the school every Thursday from 1.30 pm to 2.00 pm. If you would like to talk to the Health Nurse, you can txt or call her on 027 445 2931 or email trudee.sharp@sdhb.govt.nz If you would like to see either the doctor/nurse, please see Mrs. Barclay at Student Reception to make an appointment.
IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICES - MEASLES OUTBREAK The Ministry of Health have advised us that there has been a rapid rise in the number of measles cases reported around the country. The school is required under the Health (Immunisation) Regulations 1995 to check that all immunisations are up to date. Students who have no proven immunity to measles (through immunisation or previous exposure) are to be sent home if there is a measles outbreak in their class. Please check that your child’s immunisation record to ensure that he/she is fully immunised. Immunisation is free. Once immunised, 90 to 95 per cent of people are protected from measles. If you have any queries, please contact the Public Health Nurse or the Medical Centre. CONJUNCTIVITIS A number of students have conjunctivitis at the moment. This disease is spread by direct contact with discharge from the eyes or items that are contaminated with the discharge. Early signs are an irritation and redness of the eye. Sometimes there is a discharge. While there is a discharge from the eyes, a student is extremely infectious. Students who have a discharge from their eyes, may not be permitted to come to school. HOLIDAY ADVENTURE AT STEWART ISLAND ABOARD ELWING – YEAR 6-9 5TH-9TH OCTOBER 2009 We have a voyage coming up in these upcoming October holidays, a fun holiday adventure for Year 6-9 young adventurers. Have you ever imagined living on a large yacht? This is your young adventurer’s opportunity. They will travel from bay to bay, explore rivers and hideaway coves, experience remote reefs and sandy shores, paddle kayaks up little creeks through the bush. As well as true adventure this trip is to enhance our appreciation of the environment, how to look after it and enjoy it to its full. Your young adventurer and the other students on board, with the aid of the skipper and his crew will raise and lower sails, sail to a new anchorage each night, at the end of the day will sit around, fill in their logs to recapture the adventures of the day. Interested?? Contact us – to find out more and make your reservation! Please telephone 034738914 or 0272768817 or email: elwing@clear.net.nz Website: www.southernlights.co.nz/elwing
GORE HIGH SCHOOL PTA GIFT BOOK FUNDRAISER Attached to this week’s newsletter is a brochure detailing books, cards and diaries available for purchase. Please return the order form with cash or cheque to the Gore High School office by 21st September. All funds raised by the PTA will go towards supporting your child’s education. SENIOR EXAMINATIONS MONDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER TO FRIDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER The school day will not change for juniors, only for seniors. Junior students will be restricted to certain areas of the school. Classroom changes may also be made. Any changes will be reported in the Daily Notice. 1. Lunch will be between 12.00 noon and 1.00 pm for senior students. 2. The afternoon examinations may finish as late as 4.00 pm. If this is the case, students are expected to make their own way home. If this involves using a car, you must have permission to either drive a car or be a passenger in a car. See the office for permission forms. 3. Students are expected to wear the correct uniform at all times. 4. If a student has no examinations, they are not expected to be in school. Seniors are encouraged to use this time productively, revising thoroughly. 5. No eating in examinations - only water is permitted. SPORT SOUTHLAND SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME FIVE DAYS OF ACTION PACKED FUN!!!! Monday 28th September Dolamore Park - Bush walk, scavenger hunt and creek time. Tuesday 29th September Farm visit and swimming (Gore pool) Wednesday 30th September Crafts, Biking and sports Thursday 1st October Cooking, Top town games and Ice Skating Friday 2nd October Camp Columba - Abseiling and Rock Climbing For more information and to register, please contact Sport Southland on 208 3846 or via email susie.burrows@sportsouthland.co.nz
FOOD AND NUTRITION POLICY The school is in the process of applying for a Heart Foundation Silver Award as part of its continuing healthy eating initiative. Could parents and students please read the Food and Nutrition policy as outlined below and contact Hayley Glover with any comments that you may have. Rationale: It is important that all students understand how to make healthy and nutritious food choices over their lifetime. We acknowledge that healthy food and beverage choices can enhance educational outcomes. Staff and students are encouraged to model healthy and nutritious eating as part of daily life. Date: 1 September 2009 Purpose (goals) • To establish and maintain healthy and nutritious eating practices e.g. class parties, role modelling around the school. • To promote national nutritional guidelines in relevant subject areas. • To ensure students receive clear, consistent messages about the importance of healthy eating. • To provide students with a range of healthy food choices at the school café ‘Ka Pai Kai’. • To provide healthy food options that are affordable. • To prepare food following the food and hygiene regulations. • Ban the consumption of ‘energy’ drinks within Gore High School. • Students will be encouraged to be physically active and take up opportunities as they are given to them. • Healthy fundraising options are available. • Food and beverages served or sold at events, e.g. sports days will fit within the ‘everyday’ and ‘sometimes’ sections of the food and beverage classification system. Strategies • Foods in the café will be labelled occasional, sometimes and everyday. A wide range of ‘everyday’ foods will be offered at the school café. • Staff and students will be encouraged to model healthy eating behaviours. • Subject teachers will teach about the importance of eating healthy nutritious food where applicable. • Posters, presentations and information in newsletters on the importance of healthy eating. • Loyalty cards will be issued to all students who purchase ‘everyday’ foods from the school café. Buy 9 and get 1 free. • Food made in the café is costed appropriately, specials offered on different days of the week, combo packs available. • Appropriate food and safety guidelines followed. • Canteen manager will consult with the health committee and TIC health before making any changes to the café menu. • PE students will encourage participation in physical activities. • A variety of fundraising options are offered to students which are health positive.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR TEENAGERS A workshop run by Nathan Mikaere-Wallis for parents, teachers and teens on understanding your teenagers. The workshops will be held in: Gore James Cumming Wing on Tuesday 6th October from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Cost: $10.00 per person. Wyndham Wyndham Rugby Club on Monday 5th October from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Cost: $10.00 per person. For enrolments and enquiries, please contact Janine and Tracey on 0800 111 117 or 03 236 6008. IMPORTANT NOTICE We have had a couple of incidences recently where students have telephoned to report another student’s absence. It is important that parents telephone to report any absences. Please also ensure that any notes to explain your child’s absence are written and signed by you. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Gore High Growers are selling native plants in direct planting pots for only $5 each. Support the environment, school and your community!
Cabbage Tree Tree Daisy Red Tussock
Lancewood Hebe Odora Kowhai
Please either telephone Sarah Main on 208 9130 or email gorehighgrowers@hotmail.com to place your order now!
RESULTS FROM THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT WEEK Event Date/ Location Timaru 31st Aug-3rd Sept Results
South Island Netball
GHS v St. Kevin’s College 46-18, GHS v Christchurch Girls 26-22, GHS v Lincoln High School 24-35, GHS v Rangi Ruru 24-39, GHS v St. Peter’s College 24-46, GHS v Burnside 35-37, GHS v Columba College 21-23 and GHS v Waimea College 34-33. Overall 15th out of 78 teams. GHS v Napier Girls 3-3, GHS v Palmerston North Girls 0-4, GHS v Mt. Albert Grammar 4-1, GHS v Villa Maria 0-2, GHS v Avonside Girls 3-1 and GHS v Palmerston North Girls 3-2. Overall 8th place. GHS v Mt. Maunganui 9-1, GHS v Hauraki Plains 6-3, GHS v Avondale 2-3, GHS v Freyburg 2-5, GHS v Otorohanga 2-0 and GHS v Avondale 4-1. Overall 5th place. GHS v Queens High School 4-0, GHS v South Otago High School 13-0, GHS v Cromwell/Mt. Aspiring 2-0, GHS v Long Bay/North Shore 0-0, GHS v St. Margarets 3rd XI 1-0, GHS v St. Peter’s College 0-3 and GHS v Long Bay/North Shore 1-1. Overall 3rd place out of 12 teams. GHS v Opihi 2-0, St. Hilda’s 11-0, Kaikorai Valley 3-0, GHS v Buller 3-1, GHS v Hornby 3-0 (called off) and GHS v Opihi 2-1. Overall 15th place out of 16 teams. GHS v South Otago High School 27-17, GHS v Wakatipu 22-17, GHS v John McGlashan 14-7, GHS v Dunstan 0-5, GHS v Menzies 7-12 and GHS v Nayland 22-0. Overall 3rd place. GHS v Cromwell/Dunstan 5-8, GHS v Burnside/Shirley 4-3, GHS v Otago Boys High School 10-3, GHS v St. Andrews College 8-4, GHS v Kings/Bayfield 4-1. Overall 2nd place in pool. Semi final game - GHS v Wakatipu High School 0-14. 3rd/4th place game - GHS v St. Andrews College 3-9. Overall 4th place in Tournament competition.
Marie Fry Cup Hockey
Rotorua 31st-4th Sept
Founders Cup Boys Hockey
Ngatea 31st-4th Sept
Jenny McDonald Cup Hockey Girls
Cromwell 31st-4th Sept
South Island Girls Soccer
Dunedin 31st-4th Sept
South Island U15 Co-ed Rugby
Invercargill 31st- 2nd Sept
South Island Ice Hockey
Dunedin 31st-3rd Sept
GORE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ HOCKEY B TEAM HAVING FUN IN CROMWELL
REPORT: GORE HIGH SCHOOL/ST. PETER’S COLLEGE ICE HOCKEY TEAM SECONDARY SCHOOLS ICE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT 31ST AUGUST – 3RD SEPTEMBER Team List: Chris Dale (GHS), Anna Goulding (GHS), Craig Hewlett (GHS), Logan Froriep (GHS), Jeremy Pay (GHS), Dane Dunlop (SPC), Lucas Roughan (SPC), Tim Keyse (SPC) and Liam Harrison - Goalie (Logan Park High School. This year, the team consisted of five students from Gore High School, three students from St Peters College and a goalie from Logan Park High School in Dunedin. First game up on Monday was against Cromwell/Dunstan. Missing Anna Goulding who was flying back from the Women’s Ice Hockey Nationals in Auckland, our team only had two spare players on the bench. The team started strongly, but couldn’t contain a strong forward in the Cromwell/Dunstan team losing 8-5. Our next encounter on Tuesday morning was against Burnside/Shirley winning a close 4-3. In the second game for the day, we were up against Otago Boys High School. By now our team had found its strengths, winning a credible 10-3. Two games on Wednesday was another busy day. St. Andrews College was always going to be tough as they finished runner up in last year’s tournament. Our team came out very competitively, ending the first period 1-1. Containing the second period to 5-4, just letting St. Andrews get a couple of quick goals in during the last few minutes, as our team started to tier. St. Andrews taking the win 8-4. This still allowed our team to go through to the quarter finals, beating Kings/Bayfield 4-1. Although Dunstan/Cromwell had beaten us on the first day we ended up even on points but edged ahead of them in our pool, on goal differential. Coming second in our pool was a great effort! Final day Thursday, we had the early semi final game against Wakatipu High School who won the tournament last year. A polished side with numerous age group representatives, the game ending 14-0 to Wakatipu meant we would play off for 3rd and 4th place. Coming up against St Andrews again, the team gave it their all. Everyone worked tirelessly and supported our goalie, but were not able to contain the full strength St. Andrews side losing 9-3 to end the tournament in 4th place. An extremely fine effort considering our team only had 8 skaters! A credit to every player who, every game gave it their all! Chris Dale was named MVP (Most Valuable Player) and Best Forward, for the tournament. Congratulations Chris. Thank you to the players, you all did extremely well and were a pleasure to take away to tournament. This was reiterated by the owners of the motel who said the team was one of the best they had had in, for a long time. Thank you also to the parent helpers Peter Dale, Lyn Roughan and Susan Keyse as well as Gore New World for their sponsorship of this event. It was very much appreciated.
GORE HIGH SCHOOL RUGBY CLUB - 1ST XV From the 3rd-8th September, the 1st XV were in Rotorua representing the South Island at the National Co-ed "Top Four" Competition. The two games played were against Fielding College (10-29) and Opotiki College (28-45). Both games were played in great spirit. Gore High School certainly competed well in both games. Sam Wohlers led the team extremely well. Morgan was named the player of the day against Fielding College, with Hamish Cooke being named the player of the day against Opotiki. All players should be congratulated for their attitude on and off the field as they were well received everywhere they went.