Noho Orohaki - a leadership opportunity
Last year’s Filipino student camp was such a huge success, so this year it was extended to a multicultural camp combining three culture groups: Chinese, Filipino and Pasifka students.
Visit this articlePrincipal’s comment
Kia ora Koutou
It has been a hectic last few weeks of school as we have carefully navigated around Covid restricted prizegivings, end of year celebrations, preparations for external exams and planning for 2022, all the while endeavouring to keep a sense of normality and routine with our junior students.
As Covid continues to present us with challenges, we march on with what needs to be done, particularly with our future planning. Over the last few months, a lot of work has been done in conjunction with the Board of Trustees around developing our Strategic Plan for the next three to five years. I believe our vision is both clear and exciting as we continue to work towards achieving the best possible educational outcomes for our students. You will find a brief summary of our mission statement (or key purpose) by following this link. Our one-page Strategic Plan can also be found by accessing this link.
We welcome any feedback on these documents – email me at pr@riccarton.school.nz
Our annual review also involves reflecting on what we are currently doing and asking the question of whether it is meeting the needs of our diverse learners. One aspect currently under review is the place of NCEA Level 1 at Riccarton High School, which is timely given the changes happening at a national level to NCEA starting in 2024.
Our thinking is around the challenges that three years of constant assessment brings to our students and staff while also acknowledging the need to have a robust way of assessing the learning and ensuring that the small number of students who typically leave us at the end of year 11 leave in the best possible position. This review will continue through the first half of 2022 and there will be opportunities for parents and whanau to feed in their thoughts on the topic.
Finally, we will go into 2022 with a degree of confidence that by years end, our long overdue redevelopment project will have begun. As mentioned previously, this will involve the combination of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing facilities carefully staged so that disruptions are minimised. I look forward to bringing you an update on this project early in the new year.
At the end of another far from normal year, can I extend my sincere thanks to all parents and whanau for your ongoing support. I wish you all a safe and relaxing Christmas break, and I look forward to catching up in 2022.
Nga mihi nui
Neil Haywood
Principal
Contents
Learning Committee – Student Research Partners with the Education Review Office (ERO)
Our student Learning Committee, led in 2021 by Ahmed Lulu and Fonie Ka, enjoyed the opportunity of being one of the first secondary schools in New Zealand to partner with the research team of the national Education Review Office (ERO).
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Important Messages
As we approach the end of the school year and look forward to 2022, we have some important reminders and messages to share with you.
Visit this articlePeerswick Magazine collection
Peerswick magazines are arriving today so seniors can come into school over the next few days to collect theirs from the main office, if they ordered one.
Visit this articleUniform donations
There is a box in reception for year 13s to drop off uniforms they wish to donate them to the PTA.
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Kapa Haka rōpu Te Hononga Wairua
The combined Kapa Haka rōpu Te Hononga Wairua, which unites students from Riccarton High School and St Thomas' of Canterbury, competed at Tūhono Kapa Haka Senior Festival on Saturday 23 October.
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Senior Prizegiving
Congratulations to all prizewinners who received an award at our recent senior prizegiving.
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Winning Junior debating team
The team of Hugh Ryan, Rahil Uddin and Adam Henderson recently won the Christchurch Schools junior debating final against St Margaret’s College.
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RHS Theatresports takes silver!
Congratulations to our Junior Theatresports team.
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Toloa Secondary School Scholarship
This year the Ministry for Pacific Peoples announced a brand new scholarship: The Toloa Secondary School Scholarship, which aims to inspire and support Pacific students in their engagement with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths.
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Young Women in Public Affairs Award
Congratulations to former Head Student, Carmen Holdaway, who was the club winner and overall 2021 New Zealand winner of the Young Women in Public Affairs Award.
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The World of Accounting 2021
Accounting graduates today find their skills are in huge demand, not just in New Zealand but globally.
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Final Careers Department Update for 2021
Employment Opportunities – Full time and Holiday work
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Library visit with Maria Gill
In week four of this term, we were privileged to have Maria Gill, an award-winning New Zealand author, with us at the library.
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Library News
Pictured above is our wonderful group of library helpers for 2021. They do an awesome job helping with general library service work, homework tutoring, GenConnect and library duty. We couldn’t do all the great things we do without them. A big thank your to all.
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Stationery lists
Students should come to class on their first day with at least pens, pencils and paper.
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PTA Second-Hand Clothing Sales
We have two opportunities to purchase second-hand uniform for next year...
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Risingholme’s Adult and Community Education Courses for 2022
Are you a face-to-face learner? Make 2022 your year to learn something new with Risingholme.
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