Newsletter - WE 18/08/2023

Janine Jack

— Aug 18, 2023

Kia ora Koutou

There has been a significant buzz around the pool area in the last couple of weeks. The Board of Trustees and Swim Club have been collaborating to update the original pool filtration system. The company contracted to do this work saw our old system and were heard to say they had ‘…never seen anything quite like it before.’ We understand the system was the original one from when the pool was first put in and must be nearing a special message from the King for 100 years. We now have a brand-new filter system installed and the finishing touches are being put on this ready for the swimming season this summer. There are plans for some more work to be completed around the pool by our Year 7 leadership group early next term.

Our Year 10-13 students are beginning to prepare for their derived grade exams which are here at school beginning Monday 4th of September. Following the exams, Mrs Peterson will be organising a career pathway evening where parents and whanau will be invited to bring their children in to discuss subject selection for 2024. Please watch for more information about this evening which will be towards the end of this term.

The 7-aside at Hurunui College is a well anticipated and looked forward to part of our primary zone calendar. Unfortunately the weather didn’t play the game and it began to rain in Hawarden as the games got started and managed to shower most of the day. This did not dampen the enthusiasm of the students who showed real sportsmanship and had a great time, both during and between games! A huge thank you to our team of staff and parents who managed and supported teams in the chilly conditions and to Hurunui College for hosting the day. Also a shout-out to Tony for racing the gazebos down at the last minute.

Meanwhile here at school, our Year 1-3 students hosted Year 1-3 students from Waiau, Rotherham and Waikari Schools. A slightly modified timetable had to be arranged due to wet conditions but that certainly didn’t stop the fun. It was fantastic to see our Amurians meeting and mixing with their peers from other schools. Thank you to Mrs Johnson for making this happen.

Sport is a huge part of our lives here at Amuri and we simply couldn’t provide these opportunities without parent and whanau support. A huge thank you to our drivers, coaches, supporters and managers who give up their time for these students to compete in Christchurch competitions for both basketball and netball.

We have had senior boys and senior girls competing in social basketball on a Friday night for the last 10 weeks. Thanks to all the parents, carers and staff who have chauffeured our teams to various gyms in Christchurch. Our senior girls team plays Cashmere tonight in Christchurch and we wish the ladies and their coach, Mrs Wilson all the best for their last game. Our senior boys basketball team plays Hurunui College for first and second in their grade here at home tonight in the gym. Come on down and support them if you can. Good luck team!

We entered Senior A and B teams along with a Junior (Year 9-10) netball team who have been playing in the Wednesday afternoon sport competition at Hagley Park. Over the last 10 weeks they have competed against schools from Christchurch. A small group of students have also umpired for these teams, providing them with good experience of umpiring unknown teams.

We have confirmed cases of chicken pox in the Primary school and along with other winter ailments, both students and staff are being affected. Thank you to parents who are keeping their children at home when they are unwell. Our Kapa Haka group attended the North Canterbury Kapa Haka festival yesterday in Rangiora. Thank you to the team of staff who accompanied the group and enjoyed the experience of performing alongside groups from other schools. Alix Bush has provided some brilliant photos of their performance to put in the newsletter. Thank you Alix!

A highlight for me this week was working in Te Kooti yesterday alongside Miss Paterson. We had Ms Campbell and her Year 10 Drama students come and work with our smallest Amurians and work on performing classic fairytales. We have some budding stage stars in our midst! It was a brilliant experience and it was enjoyed by everyone involved. Another great reason to be here doing what we do.

Have a great weekend.

Kylee Habgood
Deputy Principal - Primary

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Senior School News

Kia Ora Whanau

I hope this time of year finds you all well and warm. We have noticed a spike in absences related to sickness in the last few weeks. I encourage students in the senior secondary to make study plans around time away from school to ensure they make the most of their remaining learning time before exams kick in. A big thank you to the teachers and students for the continued learning and success that is occurring daily.

A big shout out to our Maths teachers for the organisation and oversight of Maths week last week which looked amazing.

Derived Grade Exams are scheduled to start on the 4th of September. These are our practice/mock exams in which we get really accurate data about how your child is progressing and what is needed to prepare for the final exams in November. Due to extenuating events in our recent past such as earthquakes and pandemics, our derived grade exams provide a grade that can be used in place of final exams in November if something were to happen to prohibit your child from being able to be physically present at their exams. So, they are important and students need to focus their energy into succeeding in these exams to the best of their ability.

Please note, students from Year 11 and upwards only attend their exams. There will be no scheduled classes being held during this week. If a student needs to stay at school to catch the school bus, the Library and Academy will be made available for study.

Year 9 and 10 will have normal timetabled classes for the week, except for Year 10 on Tuesday and Thursday where they will finish classes at the end of period 3 (12.20pm) have a 35 minute lunch break. Then sit a two hour exam under external conditions in our exam centre (Rugby Club rooms) from 1:00pm-3pm.

Pathway Planning and Option Selection for 2024
For 2023 we are trialling a new approach to our system of supporting our Akonga select pathways and options that support their abilities and passions.

Any students interested in attending a Pre-Trade course at ARA or NTA for 2024, should attend a workshop on the 21st August in the Academy from 1.30pm. We have our Liaison from ARA coming to share information on courses and the application process for next year. This workshop is offered to Year 10 students moving to Year 11 in 2024 and above.

ARA also has a Dual Enrolment Whānau Information Evening next week on Thursday 24th August. Please register online if you are interested in attending.

Courses available in 2024

Beauty Therapy
Hairdressing
Cookery
Barista & Front of House Service
Construction
Carpentry
Electrical Services
Engineering
Automotive
Plumbing & Drain laying

Spaces are limited, and students will need to apply using the application pack provided at the session and return with verified ID by the 28th of August to the front office. Selection will be based on numbers and students track record of behaviour, attendance and their willingness to succeed in given pathways.

In School Option selection for Year 10 to 13
The rationale of our change is to trial how we can have purposeful and meaningful conversations with our Akonga and Whanau about student progress currently in their learning and pathways available to them moving forward. In order to do this, we will be trialing the following timeline of process for this year.

I encourage all parents and whanau to start the discussions around course selection and pathways now and make the most of the information shared in the student reports that will be released by the 20th of September and then our Pathway expo on the evening of the 21st of September to discuss best next steps for success as well as pathways that will encourage your child to grow in 2024.

I will be sharing articles and information with our school community through our careerwise newsletters in the following weeks. Please feel free to email me if you would like to meet or receive a callback to discuss choices further.

Nicole Peterson
Deputy Principal - Secondary

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Primary School Assembly Schedule

Term 3
18 Aug (pp day for 7 aside) Singing
25 Aug – Room 2
1 Sept – Room 5
8 Sept – Room 6
15 Sept – Room 7 (Māori Language Week)
22 Sept – Room 2

Term 4
13 Oct - Room 4
20 Oct - Singing
27 Oct – Primary Athletics
3 Nov - Room 7
10 Nov - Room 6
17 Nov - Show Weekend
24 Nov – Room 1
1 Dec – Terako (Leavers Assembly)

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Piano Lessons with Andrea

Andrea currently has lesson times available. If you would like your child to learn the piano, please get in touch with Andrea either by
Phone: 020 4035 8805 or Email: hooperandrea4@gmail.com

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Dates for Your Diary

August
23rd Mitchell Assembly @ 9:00am
23rd Student Executive Meeting @ 1:10pm
25th Ethics Olympiad Training Day
25th Mufti Day for Daffodil Day - Gold coin donation with proceeds to Cancer Society
27th-1st SISS Senior Netball Tournament, Invercargill
30th Mitchell Assembly @ 9:00am

September
4th-8th Senior Derived Grade Exams
11th Year 11Ag trip
12th Ethics Olympiad Junior
13th Choir rehearsal at Haeata Community Hall
14th Caverhill Assembly @ 11:20am
20th Student Executive Meeting @ 1:10pm
22nd End of Term 3

October
4th-7th NZ MTB Champs
9th Start of Term 4
9th-11th Year 6 Camp to Living Springs
11th Student Executive Meeting at 1:10pm
16th-19th Year 8 Camp to Kaiteriteri
18th Board of Trustees Meeting
23rd Labour Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
26th Hamilton Assembly @ 2:00pm
27th Primary Athletics
30th Primary Athletics Postponement

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Roll of Honour

1st Merit

2nd Merit

3rd Merit

Isabella Godfrey-Grant

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North Canterbury Kapa Haka Festival

On Thursday 17 August, our Kapa Haka rōpū travelled to Rangiora for the North Canterbury Kapa Haka Festival. We got dressed and had a practice at school before we headed to Rangiora. When we arrived, we had lunch outside in the sunshine. The schools we watched perform were Tuahiwi, Amberley, Omihi, West Eyreton, Ashgrove and Loburn. Our favourite performance to watch was Tuahiwi School.

Before our performance, Alex and Alysha spoke to the MC and answered some questions in Te Reo Māori. We were very proud of them having the confidence to do this. They also entered a pukana challenge with tamariki from other schools. Molly entered a waiata challenge where she had to sing solo. These tamariki did our school proud.

Our Kapa Haka performance was fantastic. We performed Ko Wai Tēnei, Ngā kano, E minaka ana, Rona, Amuri e, Ko te kura ō Amuri, Tahu Pōtiki and Pahiwi. Many spectators commented that we sang beautifully, had nice song choices and flash uniforms. We presented ourselves well on stage and did the school proud with our top notch behaviour.

Our kaiako were so pleased with us that they bought us all an ice-block at the end of the day. We loved travelling to and from Rangiora with our friends and performing for our whānau and other spectators. We look forward to our next performance. Thanks to the whānau who helped with transport, applying lipstick, sorting uniforms and looking after us all. We are truly grateful for the love and support.Ka mau te wehi!

From the Amuri Area School Kapa Haka rōpū

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AMURI AREA SCHOOL PTA CALF SCHEME 2023

The Calf Scheme we run every year is our No. 1 fundraiser for our school. Every year, thanks to your generous support, we raise in excess of $30,000.00. All money raised goes to classroom resources, school excursions or any other needs within the school.

If you are keen to donate to this years’ scheme, please let us know and we will get tags to you.

If you would rather make a monetary donation, as any donation is greatly appreciated, please donate through online banking using your surname and first name as reference, code CALF. Our bank account number is 03-1582-0069597-00.

If you are after a tag or two or need any further information, please contact Vicky Hamilton on 021-134-1793 or Fiona Dwyer on 027-260-2027. Please note that you will need to ensure all donated stock are NAIT tagged.

Thank you to FarmSource, Livestock Exchange and Amuri Transport for sponsoring this scheme.

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