Year 12 Leadership Camp
On the 17th and 18th of August, a group of Year 12 students made the trip out to Living Springs Camp.
Visit this articleKia ora Koutou
It was wonderful to be able to catch up with many of our parents and whānau at our Student Achievement Interview Day last week. I do hope that both you and your child found the day rewarding in terms of the feedback and guidance which was offered by our teaching staff. As always, our Assistant Principal, Carole Lake, welcomes any comments about the day. These can be sent to her email address: lk@riccarton.school.nz
Planning continues for the introduction of our whare (House) system to be introduced at the beginning of 2020. This model has proven to be very successful in other schools, however it is important that we put our Riccarton Way ‘flavour’ to this structure; one which will see both the Kaihautu (Head of House) and Kaitiaki (Dean) working together to lead a group of whānau teachers in providing pastoral support to our students. Whānau time will also take on a different look next year with students being organised into smaller vertical type groupings (Yr9-13) for 2 short and one longer whānau time during the week. While the shorter sessions will be used for basic administration tasks and whare assemblies, the longer whānau time will focus on providing our students with those essential life skills required for what is a radically changing world. We look forward to communicating further details around this exciting initiative in term 4. You will find an overview of all our planned changes for 2020 by following this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ZH7DnvR4lzu-n1gLByakrmnp5cnReUC/view?usp=sharing
Recently I have been having conversations with around 300 Year 11 and Year 12 students with regards to their thoughts on learning and how they think about Riccarton High School in terms of setting them up for the future. I have included below a few of the questions that I have been asking and the top 3 answers which have been given for each:
Question 1- What makes a good teacher?
Top 3 Answers
Someone who understands you and your needs
Someone who wants the best from you
Someone who uses humour!
Question 2 - What helps me learn?
Top 3 Answers
A good teacher- someone who is passionate
Being able to work in a group/collaborate/do practical things
Seeing the learning as relevant
Question 3 - What does ‘success’ look like?
Top 3 Answers
Being happy
Knowing you’ve done your best
Reaching your goals
One thing that I have really appreciated with this exercise has been the openness and honesty shown by our students. It was also interesting to note that for the majority, we as a school, rank highly in terms of preparing them for life beyond school, however, there is always work to be done and I look forward to exploring how this student voice can be used more in curriculum design, identifying appropriate pathways for our diverse students and in providing feedback to our teachers.
Enjoy the holidays and I look forward to seeing you in term 4.
Neil Haywood
Principal
Contents
2nd XI boys football showing the spirit of “Riccarton Way”
On a warm afternoon in late August, a group of Year 11 students stepped up for one of their biggest challenges of the two Term 2nd XI competition.
Visit this article
Women in Leadership
On the 28th of August, Ms Trott took eight Riccarton High Students to a ‘Women in Leadership Breakfast’.
Visit this article
The 2019 Windsor Gallery Canterbury Student Art Competition and Exhibition Opening Evening.
On Thursday 5th of September at the exhibition opening event, we celebrated the entry of three of our Level 3 students to the 2019 Canterbury Secondary Schools Art Competition.
Visit this article
Te Hononga Wairua Kapa Haka group perform on What Now to celebrate Te Wiki O Te Reo Maori
New Caledonia Visit - Come Back Soon
This is the third time Riccarton High School has welcomed students from New Caledonian to the South Island and our southern hemisphere. The New Caledonian students were welcomed to New Zealand and Riccarton High school with a pōwhiri which they all enjoyed. The exchange students stayed with Riccarton High School's junior French students as homestays to make the most of what school life and day to day routine is like for us. Whilst here the students have been joining in with some of our classes as well as going on excursions to make the most of the beautiful South Island. They have had the opportunity to visit Willowbank, the city center, the Antarctic Center, and spent a day up at Mt Hutt skiing. Both the New Caledonia students and Riccarton High School students really enjoy and get a lot out of these visits. It introduces new cultures to each other as well as providing an excellent opportunity to learn about each other; things like day to day routines, what differences there are in school and recreation between our two countries. Riccarton High School hopes that our exchange students had a warm and welcome time with us and enjoyed exploring the South Island. We hope to see them again soon.
Visit this article
International Food Day 2019!
On Tuesday the 27th of August, the Riccarton Highschool and the Cultural committee organized an international food day, held throughout lunchtime.
Visit this article
September is Arts Month
We are super excited about this initiative and are busy getting involved in what is a fantastic platform to give arts and creativity some serious oxygen.
Visit this article
Geraldine High School 2019 Sports Exchange
On Thursday the 29th of August Geraldine came up to verse us in the annual exchange.
Visit this article
Senior Art Exhibition
The Visual Art Department warmly invites all students, whānau and staff to attend our annual Senior Folio Art Exhibition.
Visit this article
SOCIAL MEDIA: an educational tool at Riccarton High School
With the ever-growing influence of Social Media in our lives, it has become one of the most influential spaces for kids and youth. Teachers from Riccarton High School have begun to take advantage of these heavily student used platforms, and are using them as a positive way to connect and reach out with their students.
Visit this article
Library News
Food for thought.........The art of balancing exams, stress and wellbeing
With the promotion and understanding of wellbeing featuring heavily throughout Canterbury and with exams looming, now is the perfect time to take a look at how we can help our Ākonga manage what is typically a very stressful time of year.
Visit this article
Christchurch Pink Star Walk
On Saturday 19th October Christchurch will hold its annual Pink Star Walk at North Hagley Park.
Visit this article
Spring is on the way and so is The Breeze Walking Festival
28 September to Sunday 13 October 2019!
Visit this article
The Christchurch City Council are currently seeking superstars
If you are keen to work during school hours and school terms only then you might just be the Swim Educator Instructor we need.
Visit this article