Kia ora koutou.
Week 3 of the term and our senior students are about to embark on six days of prelim exams, important on two counts; firstly, they act as a way of gauging progress but also as a way of creating derived grades should the students not be able to sit their external exams in November for some reason. When they do return to class after the prelims in week 5, it will signal essentially nine school weeks until the end of the academic year. Certainly, this still provides the time to make the necessary changes both in attitude and effort for those who need it.
Mentioned in our previous newsletter was an invitation to a community event held in the first week of term which focused on our school’s approach to Global and Educational change. My thanks to those who attended. The evening provoked discussion around not only the challenges that we face in a rapidly changing world but also some exciting opportunities within the educational arena, specifically for us here at Riccarton High School. The audience was also briefed on some changes to be implemented at the school starting in 2020. These changes are derived from our Education Brief, a document created 18 months ago as a result of extensive consultation with a variety of groups. You are still able to read this Brief on our website.
The key changes include:
I encourage those who weren’t able to come to our community evening to watch the video outlining what is changing and particularly why it is changing. You will find details on how to access this in our newsletter.
At our recent PTA Meeting parents voiced their dissapointment at the lack of consultation over the placement of the Gun City store at Sockburn. Our understanding is that consent for this to happen was given back in 2018. Certainly as a school it concerns us, particularly after the events of March this year. Should you wish to discuss this further, please don't hesitate in contacting either myself or members of our guidance department.
Ngā mihi
Neil Haywood
On Saturday 3rd August 2019, ‘Te Hononga Wairua’ competed at the Waitaha Regional Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition at the Aurora Centre in Christchurch. This was a combined kapa haka group with St Thomas of Canterbury College, that was officially formed at the beginning of 2019.
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On Thursday 25 July, Riccarton High School held a community evening to present and discuss the drivers behind educational change and what that means for Riccarton High School.
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The Jazz Combo had a fabulous week in Blenheim just recently as they competed in the very popular Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival.
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Congratulations are in order to four of our Year 11 students who did RHS proud at this year's South Island Brain Bee Competition.
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During the Term 2 school holidays I had the opportunity to spend one week at St Andrew’s College in Christchurch, attending the 2019 China New Zealand Youth Leadership Summit, along with other New Zealand and Chinese delegates from across the country.
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Elisapeta proudly represented Christchurch in the National Samoan Language Speech Competition held in Auckland on the 1st August 2019.
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It has been a busy year for the Jazz Band so far. Regular rehearsals take place every Wednesday morning at 7.30am and on Friday lunchtime in order for us to prepare for the various musical events throughout the year.
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The SISS junior netball tournament is always a highlight of the year for our up and coming netball players. This year we sent our Yr 9A and Yr 10A teams to compete in what is always a highly competitive tournament with the top netball schools from around the South Island.
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Congratulations to Leah Albrow and Aislinn Rogers of 13TR who have been selected to take part in New Zealand's Student Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2019.
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Last week, SOFIA, the 747sp infrared telescope, went up with our very own Sue Napier and Remco Baars on board!
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Enterprise Studies is a course unlike any other, where students learn how to pull together and work as a team, developing a product with the aim of selling it to their peers in a high-pressure, one-lunch-break Market Day.
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While the northern hemisphere currently enjoys summer, this creates a very busy term three for our International Department as we welcome a great many new international enrolments.
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Sexuality education is one of seven key topics of learning in the health and physical education learning area of The New Zealand Curriculum. It must be included in teaching programmes at both primary and secondary school levels, using the strands and achievement objectives outlined in the curriculum.
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Our ethnic diversity is a great strength of Riccarton High School. Your school Board now asks for your help in bringing some of this to the Board table.
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We welcome contact from parents and caregivers and strongly support the partnership between home and school.
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Our second 'Student Achievement Interview Day' for the year will be held on Wednesday 11 September 2019 from 10.00am-8.00pm.
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A welcome new initiative has been put in place by the student and staff wellbeing teams.
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Starting with this newsletter, each month we are going to include a current events topic pertaining to schooling in New Zealand, simply with the aim of invoking thought and initiating conversation. This month we are taking a look into the pros and cons of banning phones within schools.
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The Senior Formal took place on Saturday the 27th of July at 'Sixty6 on Peterborough'. It was open for attendance by all Year 12 and Year 13 students. The organising of the event began back in January and with the help of the Senior Committee, we were able to plan an awesome night.
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Just a reminder as per the school’s calendar that next Friday 23 August 2019 is a Staff Only Day. This will enable our teaching staff to undertake some professional development in association with our planning for 2020.
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We have some invalubable and resourceful events coming your way.....
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We are pleased to advise that the Ministry of Education has confirmed that the newly proposed RHS zone has now been confirmed as the official RHS zone.
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Treat yourself to an evening out and be entertained by the beauty and joy of dance.
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This NCEA and career pathways session will be provided by the Ministry of Education to support our communities.
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It’s happening from the 9th to 19th September and has around 30 events for any stage of parenting.
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