Newsletter - WE 20/10/2023

Kia ora Koutou

I trust that the term has started well for you all and that the school holiday break was enjoyable for all in our community. The term has certainly started with a hiss and a roar with Year 6 students enjoying their camp at Living Springs and Year 8 enjoying their camp at Kaiteriteri. My thanks to the staff and parents who led these fantastic experiences. Year 5 also enjoyed their big days out and Year 7 enjoyed exploring leadership and service. There are plenty of other exciting opportunities coming up later this term. 

Our senior students are busy preparing for their external examinations and we wish them all the very best as they study for these and finish off any last requirements they have in their courses. I encourage them to make the most of the assessments they have remaining to ensure as many credits are gained and course requirements are completed. 

I would like to wish Mrs Voice all the very best as she begins her maternity leave. What an exciting journey ahead for her and her husband, Russ, as they enter this next chapter. We welcome Miss Rebecca Symes who will be teaching in the Tapuae-o-Uenuku (Year 7/8) hub for the rest of this year and next year. 

In each newsletter I wish to share a bit about some of the changes that are occurring in the education space. In our last newsletter I shared some information about Te Mataiaho – the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum. In this newsletter I want to draw your attention to the National Education and Learning Priorities or NELPs. These came into effect at the beginning of 2023. These have informed our draft strategic aspirations and how we approach things here at school. The NELP’s outline five key objectives as follows: 

Learners at the Centre: Learners with their whānau are at the centre of education. 

Barrier Free Access: Great education opportunities and outcomes are within reach for every learner. 

Quality Teaching and Leadership: Quality teaching and learning make the difference for learners and their whānau.

Future of Learning and Work: Learning what is relevant to the lives of New Zealanders today and throughout their lives.

World Class Inclusive Public Education: New Zealand education is trusted and sustainable. 

You can read about these in more detail including the priorities that sit under each objective by visiting: www.edcucation.govt.nz and searching for National Education and Learning Priorities. 

Our value for this term is Pride and I encourage all of our students to think about how they can take pride in their learning, interactions with one another and care for school / learning environment. Please encourage conversations with your child/children about this value. 

 All the best for the term ahead! 

Kia kitea toikaka

Matt Barlow
Principal

****

Dates for Your Diary

October
23rd Labour Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
26th Hamilton Assembly @ 2:00pm
27th Primary Athletics - Year 1-8
30th Primary Athletics Postponement - Year 1-8

November
1st Senior study leave begins
3rd Christchurch Choir Festival at the Town Hall
6th HPSSA Athletics
7th Mitchell Assembly @ 12:20pm
8th HPSSA Athletics Postponement
16th Accord Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
17th Canterbury Anniversary day - SCHOOL CLOSED
20th-22nd Year 10 Camp - Windy Point
21st Children’s University Graduation
28th Caverhill Assembly @ 11:20am
29th CPS Athletics
30th Year 1-8 Market Day

December
1st North Canterbury Kapa Haka Festival - Hanmer
3rd Craig Pickering Memorial Trail Ride
5th Year 1-10 Transition Day
5th Year 6 Leavers Assembly
6th-8th Year 1-10 Reports emailed
8th Big Day In/Out - Year 1-10
14th Prizegiving at 11:00am - Last day of School

****

Primary School News

Kia ora parents and whanau

Camps are among the few things I remember from my own school days, they are great fun and definitely memorable. So, it was great to hear that Year 6 had a wonderful camp at Living Springs last week. Miss Paterson and Miss Garthwaite accompanied our students and supervised a series of exciting looking activities. Thank you to them and our wonderful group of parent helpers. We are very grateful for the support they provided. We hope you enjoyed the camp experience. As I write this, Year 8 are on their way back from Kaiteriteri, so we look forward to hearing about their camp in the next newsletter. Year 5 completed some Big Days out and they were big days! They had trips to Willowbank, The Antarctic Centre and Hanmer Springs hotpools. Thanks to Mrs Moke and all the parent helpers who provided transport, driving and supervision. 

We have experienced everything in terms of weather to start off Term 4. Our school is a Sunsmart school meaning we have our students practising sun smart behaviours. To keep our accreditation, sunhats are compulsory for students in Years 1-6. The sunhats are broad brimmed and have a string, so we can keep them on in windy weather! School sunhats are available from the school office, please ensure your child has one for outside play and for outside class activities.

Next Friday the 27th we have Primary Athletics which are the Hurunui Schools pathways for qualifying for HPSSA zones. Students compete in their year groups and Years 3 to 8 place getters may qualify for the Zone Athletics which are held later in November here at school. At the beginning of next year, we will have the senior school athletics which Year 7 and 8 are also involved in. The reason for this is there is a pathway for qualifying for Country High Schools for our intermediate students. 

We have recently noticed a few students starting to arrive at 8:00am when there are no teachers available to supervise. We ask that you keep your children with you until 8:30am when the teachers are in their classrooms. School starts on the primary side at 8:55am and students can start arriving at school from 8:30am. There is no supervision for children before this time. 

The primary assemblies for the remainder of the term are listed below. There have been a few changes to accommodate staff sickness, so please check these dates if you have already written them in your calendars. 

Term 4
20 Oct – Room 4
27 Oct – Primary Athletics
3 Nov - Room 7
10 Nov - Room 6
17 Nov - Show Weekend
24 Nov – Room 2
6 Dec – Terako (Leavers Assembly) 

A huge welcome to the following new Amurians: Carl Keiran Caballero has joined Mrs Van der Merwe in Room 2; Niran is in Room 4 and Aliah is in Room 3. We have also had Alfonso, JD and Penelope start their schooling with Mrs Jamieson in Room 1. Welcome to the whanau here at Amuri!

Finally, Mrs Voice is about to start her maternity leave and we wish her and Russ all the very best for their impending arrival. Whilst Mrs Voice is on maternity leave, Miss Rebecca Symes will be teaching the Year 7/8 homeroom class. She has been in working with Mrs Voice during the last fortnight, transitioning into the role. 

Ngā mihi nui

Kylee Habgood
Deputy Principal - Primary

****

Senior School News

Kia Ora Whanau

I would like to start my report this week by acknowledging outstanding academic achievements by some of our students.

Robert Morgan currently in his final few weeks at Amuri Area School as a Year 13 student, has been awarded one of Otago University’s most prestigious Academic Scholarships as well as gaining entrance into a degree programme in Commerce and Law. The scholarship awarded by the Chancellor of the University came with a letter that stated, “In making our offer to you, we have recognised you as one of the very best amongst a large number of worthy applicants.” Robert is a fine example of what can be achieved through hard work, diligence and fortitude.

Following in Robert’s remarkable footsteps, we would like to also acknowledge two Year 12 students, gaining recognition for their academic endeavours. Laura Cundy has been accepted into the Otago University Science Academy which is an exciting programme aimed at high-achieving Year 13 students, who have a passion for science and the potential to excel in their final year NCEA and/or scholarship science exams. Well done Laura for gaining a highly sought after place on this programme.

We would also like to acknowledge Hananiah Samera and her selection for Hands-On at Otago University Summer school which is designed to support and show interested students what researchers do, why they do these things and to encourage talented young New Zealanders to consider further study as a step in their career pathway.

Year 10 and 11 students will be given the opportunity to sit the Numeracy and Literacy common assessment exam for the second time this year. Students eligible to sit this exam will have been spoken to by their teachers. Parents of these students will receive further information in the coming days. Each exam is worth 10 credits at NCEA Level 1 and will be a requirement for passing NCEA Level 1 from next year.

The numeracy exam will be held on Tuesday 31st October and the literacy exam will be held on the 1st November.

NZQA external exams for students in Years 11 to 13 start on Monday the 6th November. As with prior years, students will be eligible to take study leave from the 31st October once they have been signed out of each of their courses by the teacher. Many students still have internal standards to complete before the 1st November. To gain study leave entitlement, students must have completed all learning and assessment opportunities available and be on track to achieve the NCEA level they are sitting. Further information will be available for parents as to how their child is tracking within the coming week.

All students sitting exams should be working on a revision and study timetable for both remaining school time and dedicated time outside of school to ensure that they are fully prepared to put their best effort forward. Teachers will be guiding students in school on what this should look like based on their academic commitments.

I would like to finish by wishing all the seniors well with their exams.

Nicole Peterson
Deputy Principal - Secondary

****

Congratulations and Good Luck to Mateo who will be travelling up to Taupo this long weekend to play for the NZ Area Schools against three other NZ teams. A great opportunity and reward for his outstanding play at the Area Schools tournament earlier in the year.

****

The Amuri Green Fingers Gardening Club often has vegetables for sale. At the moment we have mushrooms and spinach available. If you're interested in purchasing any vegetables from us, please email Denise on denisej@amuri.school.nz or Zandri on zandri@amuri.school.nz or pop into Room 4 or Room 7 to chat to us. All money raised goes back into the club for us to purchase equipment for our gardening.

****

Roll of Honour
Ruby Beens
Markheiff Penamante
Louie Rutherford
Janae Tily

1st Merit
Jennifer Bratschi
Reuben Chinnery
Regan Clark
Isaac Colebrook
George Croft
Hank Dugmore
Ashley Espiritu
Kees Flapper
Eva Johns
Holly Jones
Arabella Manifold
Indy Millen
Emily Van Arendonk
Anki Van der Merwe
Harmony Van der Merwe
Liv Whittleston

2nd Merit
Nilo Ackermann-Ffrench
Julia Black
Jakob Bush
James Clark
Ashleigh Clegg
Valerie Croft
Annabelle Cundy
Bianca Dela Vega
Michaela Easton
Lochlan Harrison
Alysha Hepi-Te Huia
Issac Lamont
Ryley Lauder
Riley Mason
Kace Perry
Yenzil Rana
Elliette Williamson
Jennafer Youngman

3rd Merit
Lucy Cater
Alysha Hepi-Te Huia

4th Merit
Alexandrina Godfrey-Grant
Isabella Godfrey-Grant

****

Enjoy this fantastic writing from Room 4

In the Term 3 holidays I didn’t spend much time on the lawn for it was wet. I tackled and read and swam. I didn’t go to France nor go snorkeling. I posed for a photo and went for a walk around the lake. I didn’t go down into the lake or have to eat many vegetables, but I broke one of the pool rules. I went in the pool so I could have some fun. I didn’t kayak or go body boarding. Yet it was the best!
By William Hamilton Year 4

In the Term 3 holidays I didn’t see any of my cousins for we were too busy. I played and read and ate. I didn’t go on the boat, nor did I get another animal. I heard lots of shouting and singing. I didn’t see any dolphins or whales, but I did see Welcome. Some of our friends came so they could play with Sarina and me. I didn’t fly in the wind or play netball. Yet I had a good time.
By Biddie Johnson Year 3

In the Term 3 holidays I didn’t cruise to the North Island for Mum says no. I played with my cousins, swam in the pool and watched a movie with Amie. I didn’t dip in the sea nor play with Harriett. I watched the cars go past and chomped on nachos. I didn’t play tag or think of Maths but I awoke for birds chirping. I went to Nana’s house so I could play with my cousin from Blenheim. I didn’t pass the netball to anyone or go to Harper’s house. Yet it was the best time.
By Lucy Cater Year 4

In the Term 3 holidays I did not run up a hill for it was way too tiring. Instead, I went to Hanmer Springs and swam for a couple of minutes. We ate fish and chips. I didn’t become Spiderman nor fly to Brazil. I went to Christchurch and also went shopping. I didn’t drive a car or a jet but I did play with my friend Aljon on my trampoline. The adults were resting so they could get ready for the next day. I didn’t buy a new car for it would be too much money. I didn’t explore Mt Cook. Yet I had an exciting holiday.
By King Tallar Year 4

In the Term 3 holidays I didn’t see my Uncle for he lives in Dubai. I did go to see my Aunty and my Nana and Popsy. I didn’t go to France nor go swimming. I did go to Punakaiki and saw Pancake Rocks. I didn’t go to The Bahamas or have a sleepover, but I did see my friends. I saw Harper and Lily. I didn’t go anywhere fancy. Yet it was amazing.
By Lottie Smith Year 3

In the Term 3 holidays I didn’t go swimming for it was too windy. I saw some old friends and I played with Tom. I went for a bike ride around the house. I didn’t clean the bathroom nor do exploring. My brother didn’t clean the toilet, but he should. Yet I had a blast.
By Zoe Green Year 3

In the Term 3 holidays I didn’t climb a cliff for it was too dangerous. I drove and flew and worked. I didn’t go to the museum nor go to Nana’s house. We went diving and saw a whale. I didn’t write a book or eat curry, but I did pull out a fence. I lit a fire so we could cook some pizza. I didn’t see Santa nor the Tooth Fairy. Yet I had good fun.
By Mac Langford Year 3