This email is to inform you of some of the important events and opportunities for our Year 7/8's in 2024.

Kia ora tatou

It is important to know that Year 7's in Whio are just as much senior leaders as Year 7's who are in Tūī. Opportunities will be made available for all Year 7's - regardless of their classroom. 

Family Group Leaders

This year we are consolidating some of our school leadership positions, with a real focus on using our family group leaders. Accordingly - the 16 family group leaders will take the place of the student executive, big brother/sister, and house leaders. 

Students from across Years 7&8 applied for these roles at the end of last year. The following students have been selected for 2024:

Baris Kaya, Claire Henry, Isaiah O'Dowd, Leo Findlay, Lucia Milnes, Luke Peterson, Mae Nicholls, Niamh Jennings, Olivia Blair, Parker Kneale, Portia Handley, Samuel Fahey, Seán McGowan, Sophia Gallagher, Talan Stewart & Theodore Houghton.

Technology Classes @ TMP - Mondays

Technology classes (formerly known as manual training) begin on Monday 12 February for Year 8's. They will travel by bus to and from Te Matauru Primary every Monday for the first two terms, they will then swap with the Year 7's. 

Because a lot of consumable materials are used for Technology there is a fee for these classes. This is highly subsidized by the school. In 2023 the fee was $67. Once this is finalized a more detailed communication will be shared. 

When the Year 8's are at technology the remaining Year 7's from Tūī will be taught by Mr Gorman or Mr Malone. On Monday afternoon the Year 7's from Whio will join with the Year 7's from Tūī.

Year 8 Leaver's Jersey

The last few cohorts have purchased leavers hoodies. Designs and quotes for these will be sorted over the coming weeks and orders will be placed then after. We allow leaver's hoodies to be worn instead of jerseys / cardigans on Fridays. 

Year 7/8 Overnight Retreat - 21-22 March

On Thursday 21 March, we will head to Ashley Gorge Camp Ground for an overnight retreat. We stay in the dormitories of the campsite. It is a great pre-cursor to our camp in Term 4. We do need a couple of parent volunteers to stay overnight... and need to get this sorted ASAP to ensure police vetting is organised. If you are available to attend Thursday evening and stay overnight please email ben@sjr.nz (or to ask any questions). 

We will also require several parent helpers for different parts of the retreat - but especially Thursday afternoon to supervise the students swimming in the river. This will be sorted in a few weeks when full details and permission slips are shared.

Strength to Strength - 3-5 April + 10 April 

We're very excited to have received funding to run the Strength to Strength programme for all of our Year 7/8 students. Expert facilitators will lead the students through a series of modules as they hone their leadership skills. A core part of the programme is the use of the Clifton StrengthsExplorer tool to identify each student's top three talents.

We expect the self-realisation and growth of each student through this programme to be immense. On the evening of 10 April, there will be an evening session for parents (with your child), where students will share what they have learnt and you can identify how you can support their growth as leaders moving forward. Mark this evening in your calendar now!

Y8 Wellington Trip - 9 May 

Each year the Year 8's have a one-day whistlestop trip to Wellington. We have again been able to source funding from the Aotearoa Gaming Trust to cover the flight costs. We will leave early in the morning, taking a 6.45am flight to Wellington, and returning to Christchurch at 8.30pm. 

While in Wellington we plan to visit Te Papa and Parliament as well as complete a fun scavenger hunt around the CBD. 

Year 7/8 Camp - 26-29 November

It's a camp year (we do this every two years). Mistletoe Bay has been our destination for the last few Year 7/8 camps. In 2024 we are moving across to the other side of the sounds to Curious Cove.

We are pushing the accommodation capacity at Mistletoe Bay. Curious Cove is larger, offers catering options and has onsite instructors to assist with some of the activities. 

This camp's costs are quite high. We hope to get some grant funding (this will dictate whether train travel is affordable). However, we will still need a few significant fundraising drives:

1. Cheese Rolls - we will need all hands on board to sell, make and deliver these. We have set aside the weekend of 14-16 June for this.

2. A Large Raffle - this will be held in the third term

3. T2-4 - profits from Friday Pieday go towards the Year 7/8 camp

Even with all this fundraising - please budget for approx $200 to contribute towards the cost of this year's camp. 

More information and the opportunity for people to help with fundraising and planning will be shared in due course. 

Year 8 Leaver's Functions

There are three main events that assist with closure for the Year 8's at the end of the year. These are:

1. Year 8 Leaver's Dinner - Monday 9 December, 6pm at Rangiora RSA. Year 8 students gather with staff and their parents for a meal and speeches. Cost usually around $30 pp

2. Year 8 Leaver's Retreat - Held during a school day - currently penciled in for Thursday 12 December at Fourvière Retreat Centre in Leithfield.

3. Year 8 Leaver's Liturgy - Tuesday 17 December, 7pm in the Chervier Centre. 

Our last day of school is Friday 20 December - with Thanksgiving Mass at 9am and Prizegiving at 10.45am.

If you have any questions or ideas about any of these events - please don't hesitate to contact us!

Arohanui

BEN & the team at SJR