Raumati Leaders - What does Leadership mean to me? (Sophie Ballinger)

Being a Whanau Ambassador within Raumati whanau is a title I carry with huge amounts of pride. To be a Whanau Ambassador for Raumati is extremely rewarding in many ways. I have been on Whanau Ambassador camp, talked in primary schools about the college and hosted hui’s and celebrations. Raumati is a very special whanau for many different reasons. We currently hold a 4 year champion streak for the whanau challenges, won big sing and won the school haka off in 2022. Although we have won all of these different challenges, Raumati is special for different reasons. Within the Raumati Whanau there are many teachers who are willing to go out of their way to support you and your learning. I feel huge amounts of support from not only teachers but my peers within Raumati as well. The students we have in Raumati are passionate, supportive and happy learners. As a senior student in Raumati I get the pleasure of helping the learners grow and thrive to be the best people they can be. I feel great joy to say I am a Whanau ambassador in such a special and amazing whanau.

Raumati Success

There are a range of fantastic achievements that our Raumati learners achieve while at Rolleston College. We see this as supporting the three pillars of success in Raumati:

- High expectations for learning

- No excuse culture

- Every individual reaching their full potential. 

We congratulate the following Year 10 learners who have been recognised by our Raumati Ako staff as living the three pillars of Raumati.

Nuku Dinnington

Amelie Harris

Lucas Patterson

Josh Fitzgerald

Samuel Hendry

Nika Liebenberg

Kaden Marques

Tom Stenhouse

Emma Hunter

BP Challenge 2023

Year 10 learners on Thursday 8th & Friday 9th June, participated in the BP Challenge. The BP Challenge is a hands-on competition where students work as a team using simple materials to solve problems. Year 10 Raumati learner Tua Tiatia received the Hero Award for commitment, task completion and a significant contribution to building the business with his 3D modelling. Well done Tua in demonstrating your high expectations for learning!

Learning Conversations with your child

Raumati learners in Years 9 - 11 have a range of subjects that they take. This requires managing learning, understanding what is required and when particular aspects of learning are due. You can support your child by asking at home:

• Do you need any help planning your work or getting started?

• What pieces of learning do you have due in the next two weeks (there should always be something due)

• What was the most interesting thing you learned in school today?

• Can you share a specific moment in your learning today where you felt successful?

• What was something that you learned today that was new? How did this make you feel?

• Is there anything you are curious about or would like to learn more about?

• Can you tell me about any challenges you faced in your schoolwork today?

In secondary school, the support that we adults provide for our young people shifts to helping them organise themselves and develop good study and work habits. Raumati staff continue to be impressed by the intelligence of our learners and their enthusiasm for learning. However, they’re still adolescents and learning important life skills. Your support will ensure they are able to reach their full potential.

Big Sing Competition 2023

We are well underway with our Big Sing Competition and our Waiata is sounding amazing. We also have Year 9 learner Nathan Parker teaching learners New Zealand Sign Language for our Waiata, so all three of New Zealand's national languages will be present. Big Sing is an important part of our Raumati culture and we want to outline them below:

Firstly, the inclusion of Te Reo Māori language in Big Sing allows for the preservation and promotion of Māori culture. Language is an integral part of cultural identity, and by incorporating Te Reo Māori into the competition, participants have the opportunity to learn, appreciate, and showcase this beautiful language.

Secondly, the collaboration required to complete a Whānau House song promotes teamwork and unity. Participants are encouraged to work together, combining their talents and ideas to create a harmonious piece that represents their collective identity. This collaborative effort not only strengthens bonds but also nurtures essential skills such as communication, cooperation, and compromise, which are invaluable in all aspects of life.

Participating in Big Sing and engaging in the process of learning and performing songs is far from a waste of learning time. Music has been proven to have numerous cognitive, emotional, and social benefits. It enhances memory, concentration, and creativity while promoting emotional well-being and reducing stress. Participating in a singing competition helps individuals build confidence, stage presence, and self-expression skills, which are transferable to various areas of life.

Note - Big Sing is taking place during Week 10 of Term 2