The Pastoral Team

We welcome Kaylee Dawson to the Lydiard House pastoral team and farewell and thank Ian Johnson for his unstinting loyalty and dedication as Head of Lydiard House. Ian is off to teach in Myanmar and so we wish him well for an exciting step in his career.

For all email contact with your pastoral team, please note that their staff cypher should be attached to our high school email address. For example: wlv@rangiorahigh.school.nz

Hillary House

Head of House: Emma Gibson (GBE) ext: 2101

Email: gbe@rangiorahigh.school.nz

Dean of House - Kelby Hackler (HCK) ext: 2100

Email: hck@rangiorahigh.school.nz

Lydiard House

Head of House - Kaylee Dawson (DWK) ext: 2103

Email: dwk@rangiorahigh.school.nz

Dean of House - Jonathan Cowey (CWJ) ext: 2102

Email: cwj@rangiorahigh.school.nz

Mansfield House

Head of House: Robyn McGrath (MGR) ext: 2104

Email: mgr@rangiorahigh.school.nz

Dean of House: Shelley Taylor (TYS) ext: 2105

Email: tys@rangiorahigh.school.nz

Ngata House

Head of House: Vanessa Wilkins (WLV) ext: 2107

Email: wlv@rangiorahigh.school.nz

Dean of House: Tim Berg (BRT) ext: 2106

Email: brt@rangiorahigh.school.nz

Rutherford House

Head of House: Jonny Sim (SMJ) extn:2108

Email: smj@rangiorahigh.school.nz

Dean of House: Gillian Koster(KSG) ext: 2109

Email: ksg@rangiorahigh.school.nz

Sheppard House

Head of House: Keith Anderson (ADK) ext: 2111

Email: adk@rangiorahigh.school.nz

Dean of House: Mel Anderson (ADM) ext: 2110

Email: adm@rangiorahigh.school.nz

UNIFORM

The majority of students look great and are coping with the up and down winter temperatures. It is timely to remind students and families of our expectations around uniform so that we have a common understanding. Our Year 9 students look to the older students and take a lead from their example.

Our uniform provides plenty of options for students to wear what feels comfortable for them. We do ask that they wear it well and correctly.

Some reminders:

SOCKS - are plain black or blue. NO LABELS.

SHOES – are plain black or brown and made of polishable ‘leather’.

SANDALS – are plain black or brown. They must have a back strap for the ankle. Sandals cannot be worn in technology rooms.

JEWELLERY – one stud, or keeper in each ear. A watch. Pounamu or bone taonga may be worn. Any necklaces of sentimental value should be worn inside the blouse/short/dress.

HAIR – tidy, and of a natural colour, ie not blue, fire engine red, green or purple. Any length is acceptable but in technology rooms, hair should be tied back for safety reasons.

SKIRT/DRESS LENGTH – hems should be 4cm above the top of the knee cap.

GIRLS' TROUSERS AND SHORTS – are now available at The Uniform Shop. Girls are enjoying this option.

HOODIES AND T SHIRTS – are not part of our uniform.

JACKETS - check out the new soft shell jacket. https://rhs.uniformgroup.co.nz/product/jacket-softshell---new/xx6007btim.aspx It is a very comfortable, warm and smart addition to the choices of outer garments.

Undergarments - students are wearing all sorts of things under their uniforms, making their uniform look untidy. The jersey, cardigan and jacket are there for warmth. Polypropylene items should be either short sleeved or worn under a cardigan/jersey.

We have a number of ways to help you with uniform. Please contact Julia Malcolm (03 3118888 ext 2003 or email mmj@rangiorahigh.school.nz) for any help with uniform.

Attendance

Attendance – students must attend all classes. Absences must be explained no more than two weeks after the absence and definitely within the term in which they occur. Attendance includes form time, assembly and for Yr 13s INL periods.

YEAR 13

Independent Learning periods (INL) – Year 13 students study five subjects for four hours per subject, giving them 20 timetabled hours out of the total 24. For four hours they have Independent Learning where they have time for their own work, catching up, and study/revision. This is also a good time for them to connect with Careers Advisors who are based in Te Tauraka, the Year 13 common area. They should consider that they have a fifth hour for each subject. Given the increased workload at Level 3 and their many activities outside the classroom and in part time work, this time used well can be very beneficial.

Students who have Independent Learning period 1, 2, 3 and 4 MUST be present at school for their INL period.

In addition, Year 13 students do not have a timetabled class period 5 on a Wednesday. This is when sport and cultural competitions/training and activities take place. Students who are not involved in these activities may remain at school and work independently in Te Tauraka. They must sign in at the Student Office so we know they are here.

Year 13 students must sign out when they leave school for an INL period. This is a Health and Safety requirement so we know who is on site in the event of an evacuation.

YEAR 12

Year 12 students do not have a timetabled class period 5 on a Wednesday. This is when sport and cultural competitions/training and activities take place. Students who are not involved in these activities may remain at school and work independently in the Library which is supervised by a teacher. These students, who are unable to go home or who do not have your permission, must attend supervised study in the Library.

Alternatively with parental permission students may leave school at lunchtime and go home to work independently. They are not expected to be hanging around down the street. Students must bring a signed permission form (these have been emailed home – or they can get one from the student office). Once the form is received, a pass will be issued to them.

Students who do not have a pass will have their attendance marked and absence from Wednesday Period 5 will be treated the same as any other absence. Year 12s must have no more than 5% Unjustified Absences in order to attend the Year 12 Formal. Absences should be explained as soon as the student returns to school and within two weeks of the absence.

ATTENDANCE

Student absences should be explained by a note, email or contact to the school as soon as possible. Absences are coded as either JUSTIFIED or UNJUSTIFIED. This depends on the reason for absence. Sickness, medical appointments, bereavements, school trips and sporting/cultural fixtures, for example, are JUSTIFIED absences. UNJUSTIFIED absences include holidays during term time, avoidable situations such as sleeping in, missing the bus.

NEW SYSTEM - some of you may have received emails alerting of you of unexplained absences for your child in the previous week. We are hoping this will help us clear up absences on our roll and make sure they are coded correctly. It also means home adn school are working together to get our attendance rates up. If students are here, they are more likely to be learning and achieving their potential.

VEHICLES AT SCHOOL

Students who bring cars to school must register this with the office. This is for us to ensure student safety and the safety of their vehicle. We can alert students if their lights are on, their car is damaged, or if it needs moving for council works and services. We also will contact parents if a student is carrying passengers on a restricted licence. Students are asked to park on East Belt, south of D Block, in the parallel parking, or on Wales Street west of the Nursery School or north of Wales Street on East Belt. Our school neighbours are very understanding so we ask for students to be aware of where they are parking and not block driveways. Car Registration forms are available from the student office.

In this issue

Uniform Shop has relocated