This term has been busy and demanding on senior students in terms of internal assessment completions.

This means they need to make sure their time management is effective and meeting milestones in order to successfully hand in the assessment and attain the best grade they can. Year 11 students have been working towards gaining 4 credits for an investigation based on a Physics and linear relationship or Rates of a Chemical Reaction or a Biology focus on effects of exercise on Respiration. Year 12 and 13 students have been titrating, analysing, problem solving and critically thinking and justifying science outcomes. We hope they can all use these skills in everyday life and apply to other disciplines. Rotorua will be hosting the regional Science Fair in August and we encourage any students – especially Year 9 and Year 10 students to apply – see their science teacher for more information.

Year 12 Chemistry students Zara and Amiorangi proudly titrating

Ms Rebecca Odyssey Y11 Science students modelling moon phases with Oreos

Year 12 students enjoying engagement with the Science Staff member!!

FAREWELL FROM OUR SCIENCE TECHNICIAN - ALISON BLAKEY

I have decided to retire from my position here at RGHS as the science technician. My husband and I moved to Rotorua early 2017 and I was fortunate to have been appointed as technician here and began work the week after we had arrived.

For many years during the 1980s and early 90s we have towed our trailer sailor boat to Lake Rotoiti for our summer holidays. We enjoyed our time here so much that it never left our minds and the hope that “one day we could live in Rotorua”

That day came and we sold up and arrived. I have some friends here who put me in touch with Michelle because the job here became available.

I have worked in 5 Auckland schools previous to coming here and every school has it's unique environment but the biggest change for me was coming to RGHS. It is a wonderful school, my first single sex school and our young ladies are, mostly, a treat to be around. It is my first lower decile school (if that is still a thing) and the student body is over 70% Maori, something else I have not previously experienced. I am inspired daily by the commitment of the teaching staff here and all they do for the girls in their classes. There is a great spirit here and I will miss it.

However, we have a lifestyle block in rural Tikitere and the chickens and sheep, not to forget husband will benefit from having me there with them!

Thank you to everyone who has made my time here so enjoyable.

We welcome our new Science Technician, Kirsten Ah Chee and wish her all the best.