Term 4, Issue 4, 30 November 2018

A Word from Fraser

Our final newsletter for the year so I just want to say a final thank you to all staff, students and whānau who have contributed to our school this year. I really feel that we are growing into a school that is truly part of our rapidly changing and growing community thanks to the effort of you all. It has been fantastic to be able to acknowledge some of our most outstanding contributors at our Iwi prize-givings over the last two nights. We have so many stunning students who have done themselves and you all proud this year.

We are saying farewell to a number of staff this year, some to take up new teaching positions, a couple who are heading overseas and others who have completed their fixed-term contracts. I want to publicly acknowledge their effort and thank them for their contribution to our school. The following staff are departing at the end of the year: Jane Healy, Kelly Cunningham-Cooper, Danielle Le Heron, Bridget McGrath, Louise Frame, Sjaan Cane, Chris Holmes, Torie Johns, Caitlin O’Brien, Franda Zondagh and Natasha Frethey.

Over the last four months I have been working closely with a team of architects who have been engaged to come up with solutions to maximise the use of space inside our buildings. This is partly a response to the rapid and ongoing increase in our roll and the need for us to be able to use every space available in our building effectively as a learning space. It is doubtful that any significant solutions will be in place by the start of 2019 and we are confident that programmes can run effectively with our expected starting roll of around 1230 students. However one measure that will be actioned over the term break will be the removal of all lockers from the JHS. We simply need the space and believe their removal will also simplify traffic flow before and after breaks. We do still have a number of lockable charging lockers for devices that will stay but students will otherwise be expected to carry their bags during breaks and between classes. Protective cases for devices have always been important and will be even more so with this change.

Have an awesome Christmas and summer break everyone.

2018 Cloak Awards

This week we celebrated those students who exemplify the CLOAK at RJHS. Our CLOAK Awards are given to those students who give their best to their learning, care and consider those around them and push themselves to achieve their goals. Congratulations to the following award recipients. 

Upcoming and Important Dates

November 28 - Prizegiving: Hakawai

November 28-30 - Orientation and Transition Days

December 04 - Year 10 Breakfast

December 05-06 - IEM Days

December 06 - Year 10 Formal

December 07 - End of 2018 year, school finishes at 12pm

IEMs Bookings and Supervision

As a school we are always excited about celebrating our learners and their success. As the 2018 academic year draws to a close it is with great pleasure that we can reflect on the dedication of students in pursuing personal success across multiple areas of school life.  This was particularly evident as we celebrated our ‘Nga Toi Arts’ week in Week Three, with students sharing their passion for the arts during break times and in a number of fantastic performances and events after school. In other areas many of our students continue to proudly represent the school in a range of summer sporting codes and as always there is a wide array of learning happening across the school.     

Again this Term we will be offering whānau an opportunity to come into school and share in the successes of their learners through our Individual Education Meetings (IEMs).  These meetings offer a unique platform for learners to celebrate the year and to reflect on challengers that they may have overcome during their year at RJHS. It is always a highlight for staff to see our learners passionately sharing such a variety of evidence that has been collected throughout the Semester.  During the meeting it is expected that, the student will feel sufficiently empowered to take the leading role during the conference and that the advisor is there to guide and support the process. As always we are appreciative of the time committed to these meetings by whānau and we again acknowledge the fact that it can be a challenge to get into school at this time. However, this is a crucial step in their learning and helps to continue the development of key ‘learning to learn’ strategies.   

IEMs are booked for December the 5th 8:30am-7pm and December the 6th 8:30am-4pm. If you have not had a chance to book your times please follow the link below. If your child/ren are needing supervision, please use the link below.

Policy and Procedures for Term 4

As part of our school triennial Policy and Procedure review process this term I would like all parents and whānau  to engage with reviews of the following policy:

• Improving Educational Outcomes for Māori Students

Visit the RHS policy and procedure, Schooldocs (click this link) website and then please follow these steps to complete the review/s online:

1. Enter the username (rhs) and password (rhs).

2. Follow the link to the relevant policy (Reporting to Parents).

3. Read the policy.

4. Click the Policy Review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.

5. Select the reviewer type "Parent".

​​​​​​​6. Enter your name.

​​​​​​​7. Submit your ratings and comments.

If you don't have internet access, we can provide you with printed copies of the policy and the review form (ask at reception).​​​​​​​

Advisory and Hapu Changes for 2019

Creating Advisory and Hapū groupings is a complex process; we make every effort to place new students with friends in either their advisory or Hapū groups. We also visit each contributing school and collect information about each student to ensure the best placement possible.  The advisory placements are completed and we cannot make changes once the groups are finalised. At this late stage in the process any change to an advisory would initiate a domino effect and with over 1200 students we simply can’t accommodate requests for changes.

This Friday you will receive an email letting you know your son or daughter’s Advisory Class for 2019.  We are looking forward to next year and our beginning of the year Advisory time.

One question we often get asked is why we have the first three weeks of the year in Advisory Classes.  We believe this first three weeks is critical to setting our learners up for a successful year of learning.  During this time, 5 days will be EOTC (off-site, outdoor education) activities, which leaves the remaining time to get to know our learners, complete standardised testing, introduce digital literacy and fluency, help new advisory groups get to know each other, develop leadership/ako, plus get all of our learner portfolios,Schoology and goal setting set up.  

Digital Citizenship

Kia ora, e te whānau,

Last Friday during Advisory time I wandered through some learning spaces and found Keira Meyer, Taylah Parker, Ashley Cloke, and Olivia Kjestrup-Traue busily preparing for their Individual Education Meetings (IEMs).

The students were reflecting on their learning over the past couple of terms and linking this learning to aspects of our CLOAK. They were doing this through our online Learning Management System called Schoology. I asked them what they thought about Schoology and the portfolios they were developing and planned to share at their IEMs. The students explained that the first time they took part in an IEM they were quite nervous and unsure about the process but now (as they have done these a few times) they are very comfortable and believe it is a great way to share their learning - “it is better because we can demonstrate and show what we have learnt and the fun we had”. They find it very enjoyable being included as part of the process and preferred this approach.

They also agreed that Schoology was a great way to share this learning as it helped them to stay organised as they could quickly check their grades, feedback and see how they were tracking overall. They also thought it was great as their parents could quickly see how they were getting on and liked sharing their learning with them in this way. The students have also enjoyed using the Google Apps for Education suite of applications (such as Docs and Slideshows) and they mentioned “once you get the hang of it, the tools are really easy to use”.

It was awesome to hear what a positive experience these students were having with regards to reflecting and sharing their learning using our digital tools effectively.  We hope you enjoy your children's IEMs and wish you and your whānau a fantastic Christmas and New Year. Stay safe and take care.

Sandra Silcock

WIMS Japanese Exchange and Hosting 2019

I am excited to announce that RJHS will be part of the Waikato Intermediate and Middle Schools (WIMS) exchange with Makuhari High School in Chiba City on the eastern side of Tokyo Bay. This involves a group of around 30 students coming to visit and being hosted by us in March for 12 days and then 6-8 lucky Year 7 or 8 students travelling to Japan for two weeks to be hosted by families over there.

This is amazing opportunity to establish connections and make new friends and is also an amazing opportunity for a small group of students to be leaders on a international stage. Travelling with leaders from nine other Waikato Intermediate and Middle schools and experiencing school and Japanese life (including significant sites) is a truly once in a life-time opportunity.

Are you interested? We are hosting an information session on Tuesday, December 4 at 6.30pm in the school staffroom. The cost of the trip is around $3500. This is open to current year 7 students and year 6 students who are enrolling for 2019. Come along and find out more about the trip.

We need hosts too for March 2019 so more information will be sent out soon.​​​​​​​

Everyday Heroes Event

We have the Police Eagle helicopter landing at 10am and Westpac Helicopter landing at 2pm and they will be open to viewing to the public.

As part of the event we are also running a ‘Dunk Tank’ to fundraise for KidsCan.  The community will get an opportunity to dunk a cop/fireman/ambo/famous person for a gold coin donation.

Come dressed up as your favourite everyday hero and you could win a spot prize of one of 80 Police teddy or Police dog soft toys.

Each agency will have an interactive display where kids and their families can get their hands on to learn safe summer tips; keep safe on our roads, in our communities and in our homes.

There will be loads of giveaway’s and things to do for all ages.

More info on the event can be found here.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1701257933318583/

For your information and consideration.

Constable Peter Van’t Wout

School Community Officer

Youth Services

245 Clyde Street

Hamilton East

P  +64 7 856 0291

M  +64 21 192 1572

E  Peter.Van'tWout@police.govt.nz

New Caledonia Trip

Opening of the Schick Civil Construction and Rototuna High Schools Bike Track

Kelly Sports Holiday Programme

Procedures for Sickbay/Attendances

Please report all absences to the school by calling (07) 8540541 - press 1 for absentees, or by emailing absences@rhs.school.nz preferably before 8:30am on the day of the absence. You will need to provide a reason for the absence for our records. Please do not email advisory teachers, the absence email gets checked first thing in the morning.

Absences are unjustified unless the student is too sick to attend school, or has suffered a family bereavement.  After three consecutive days of medical absence a medical certificate must be provided to the school.

Reminder:  When students are feeling unwell, they are to go to their teacher to get a sickbay referral. The nurse/first aider will then contact home if necessary. Students are NOT to contact their caregivers directly.  Please do not come to collect your child unless you have heard from the school.