Kia ora whānau

The Burnside High School values and ethos that underpin our school’s culture are central components of our success. We care for and respect others, take responsibility for our behaviour, and set high standards and expectations. Our values and ethos guide us through the ongoing challenges of our times: the Covid-19 environment, student protests regarding gender equality and climate change, the rise of vaping in the community, the impact of social media on students’ personal relationships and school life. We are not perfect yet and are always seeking to be better. We rely on a strong, positive, constructive relationship with whānau. Thank you to the vast majority who believe in and support our school and its staff. Thank you for your tolerance when we don’t get it right all the time!

Waimairi-iri Burnside High School is a microcosm of society. At around 2,750, it is the size of a small town, with a community that is diverse in background, ethnicity, identity. Life here is co-ed! We endeavour to learn and work together in a respectful and inclusive way. Schools are increasingly called upon to be agents for social change; and much is expected of us. We are witnessing a rising student voice that is demanding to be heard, and demanding social change. How students do this is just as important as their message. I am so impressed with the way in which the BHS students approach this.

Listening to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at the National Remembrance Service on 13 March reinforced for me the power of words. She said: “While words in themselves cannot perform miracles, they do have the power to heal and bring change. Therefore, we must use them wisely.

Of course, we want our children to be resilient, but surely no more than we want our children to be kind? And so, we have to ask ourselves, what does it take to create a generation that is empathetic, but strong. That is kind, but fair. That is knowledgeable, but curious. That knows the power of words, and uses them to challenge, defend, and empower.

We all own and hold the power of words. We use them, we hear them, we respond to them. How we choose to use this most powerful of tools is our choice. We each hold the power, in our words and in our actions, in our daily acts of kindness. Let that be the legacy of the 15th of March 2019.”

At this remembrance service, held in the Christchurch Arena, BHS provided an orchestral performance after the names of the dead were read out. Under the direction of Dr Helen Renaud, our group gave a majestic performance of Gabriel’s Oboe, featuring E Wen Wong as soloist. This performance drew praise from all, and Mayor Lianne Dalziel wrote to us acknowledging including the orchestra’s wonderful contribution. I was so very proud to be in the audience that day.

Other highlights of the term include a wide range of sporting and cultural events and competitions. As students settled into the routine of academic work in Term 1, many also chose to participate in the co-curricular life of the school. I am pleased that so many of our students are involved, individually or in teams, at both local and national levels. I do enjoy watching them, and I’m so impressed with their skills and efforts. Full results appear elsewhere in this newsletter. Congratulations to the students, and thank you to the coaches and managers of these teams and groups. We are proud of you all.

Sporting Highlights

Notable results in the Summer Sports Tournament Week include the Seniors Girls’ A Volleyball team reclaiming their title as National Champions, an outstanding result and a credit to coach Mr Sam Ryburn. This is the third time since 2015!

At the Maadi Cup Regatta at Lake Karapiro, Cambridge, four of our crews made A Finals, three made the B Finals and one the C Final, claiming two gold and one silver medals! With a relatively small team of 19 students amongst more than 125 teams nationwide, Burnside HS placed 12th overall, and 6th in sculling. This was the first time in the school’s history that we gained multiple medals at this event (having last won a bronze medal in 2007).Thank you to Coach, Ms Christina Blackford; and our enthusiastic and hard-working parent group led by Mr Richard Landon Lane (chairperson) and Mr Reon Moriarty (secretary).

Other successes this term include: Girls’ Senior A Touch team, 7th, at the SISS championships, and noteworthy performances by the Boys’ A and Girls’ A Waterpolo teams, and Senior Mixed Softball team at their SISS tournaments. Forty-two students competed in the Canterbury SS Swimming Championships at Jellie Park. As well as a good number of titles, BHS was named top co-educational school. At Nga Puna Wai, fifty-five students competed at the Canterbury Athletics Championships, while thirty-five competed at the South Island Secondary Schools Athletics Championships; all performing with distinction.

Cultural Highlights

The annual SPACPAC Polyfest was held in the Red Zone on 13 March. This year forty-one students were in the group, including eight from Rangi Ruru Girls’ School. Once again, the tutors were Mr Greg Galovale and Mr Wesley Fifita (former student), with great support from our Pasifika Leaders. Our group gave a fantastic performance which drew praise from many sources. Thank you to Mr Darryn Findlay (Deputy Principal – Engagement) and Mrs Julie Kleinpaste (Pasifika Coordinator) for all their work with our Pasifika students. A major time commitment for all involved.

At the Sheila Winn Shakespeare Regional Competition on 27 March, our students gained awards for:

· the best combat scene, and creating the most cohesive world

· Lily Reed, 13OLK, best supporting actress

· Hayden McWha, 13KNC, best overall performance which puts him through to the National Globe auditions which are held in Wellington in October.

Congratulations to our Year 12 and 13 drama students; and well done to Ms Kate Olliver, HOD Drama.

At the Christchurch-based VEX Robotics National Series, the BHS team of Nathma Kalubovilage Don, Yr 13 in 2020, Alex Cuthford, 11SCSS, and Alex Rickard, 12NCGR, won the design award for their outstanding use of the design process. They also came second in the Robot Skills Section. Thank you to team manager, Mrs Katana Dunn.

Staff Changes

One of the most important things that Ms Andrea Griffin (Associate Principal) and I do as Principal is to employ great teachers and support staff for a strong teaching and learning environment. Our work this term has centered on integrating new staff members, while making appointments to replace staff members who depart through retirement or changing circumstances. We have a good number of long-serving staff at Burnside, who stay because they enjoy working with our students and the strong collegial relationships that exist. This is our strength and a sign of a very good school.

This term Mrs Emma Davison (Assistant HOF Health and Physical Education) and Mrs Gillian Hannan (Dance) returned from maternity leave. We welcomed seven new teachers: Miss Theresa Gimblett (Visual Art), Mr Victor Ji (Mathematics), Mr Victor Jones (Science), Ms Caroline Harrington (Social Sciences),Miss Claire Morris (English), Miss Hannah Parsons (English and ESOL), and Mr Jamie Wright (English).

Mrs Emma Childs (First Aid Support) and three new Intern Counsellors Mrs Zara Fraser (Te Puna Uru West Division),Ms Helen Pfahlert (Te Puna Tonga South Division) and Ms Kate Todd (Te Puna Tonga South Division) joined our staff.

Mrs Olivia Wells was promoted to Head of Faculty Health and Physical Education, and will take up this role when she returns from maternity leave at the start of Term 2.

At the end of Term 1 we farewelled:

Mrs Rebecca Moreno (Languages) – on maternity leave; Mr Ross Denny (Property Maintenance Technician) – retiring after seven years’ service to BHS; Mr Darryl Phipps (Counsellor in Te Puna Raki North Division) – after six years’ service to BHS and Mrs Helen Fitzsimmons concludes her role as Homestay Manager in the International Department.

We are fortunate that when we need to replace staff, we attract candidates of a high calibre. This makes a real difference to the achievement of our young people. In Term 2 we welcome Mrs Charlotte Glen (Languages) and Miss Amanda Gillespie (Counsellor).

Conclusion

Our aim is to create great students, who achieve excellence as scholars and as individuals, while developing high quality relationships with others. Students who, when they leave us, become the citizens who make a positive contribution to society – in their work, with their families, in their friendships, and in their communities. To achieve this aim, we are always: 

 - striving for an environment where staff, students and whanau feel connected, valued and respected, so they enjoy their experience with Burnside High School 

 - working together as staff and students, to build on our strengths, and to enhance our reputation as a highly-regarded, successful and sought-after school

I am constantly inspired by the young people and the staff in our school.

Thank you all for a very good first term.

Kia kaha, kia mau, kia haere tonu: Stay strong, hold fast, keep on course.

Phil Holstein

Principal // Tumuaki