Term 1, Issue 2, 12 February 2020

A Word from Natasha

He mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa, 

We have had a very seamless and focussed start to our year this year. I am so proud of all of our students and the focussed approach that they have overall applied to their learning in the first few weeks.

We have discussed four key things with our students as our basic expectations

• Right place, right time

• Mind the 80% (an iceberg analogy)- this is about presenting your best foot forward, the part that people see is what they often judge you on, we will learn more about the 80% over time but how do you want people to see you.

• Ready to learn

• Wear it with pride

If our students are able to demonstrate these expectations in an ongoing way, they will have set themselves up for both personal and academic success already.

As indicated in my last newsletter, at the end of last year the BOT sent a survey to all families seeking feedback on what it is that is important to you as members of the school community and how well you feel we are doing on the many facets of life and learning here at school. We had around 250 people contribute to this survey which was a pretty reasonable result. Thanks to those who offered us their feedback, a big thank you.

Two weeks ago the BOT met to consider the feedback received and are using this to inform the strategic direction of the school over the next three years. After our discussion the BOT identified three key areas where we want to continue to focus on and/or develop plans and improve our performance. These are:

• Communication, including our systems, reporting of progress, capturing and valuing student voice and ensuring everyone in the community understands how we approach teaching and learning and why.

• Knowing Our Learners including catering for learners of all abilities and celebrating and acknowledging the diversity in our community.

• Respect and relationships including how students relate and respect each other and again celebrating our diversity.

While we will also aim to improve what we do here at RHS it was pleasing to get the acknowledgement and support from whānau of the many positive aspects of our school. There were many comments regarding the positive impact of our approach to teaching and learning, the importance of relationships here and the value we place on achievement in all forms. 

Ngaa mihi

Natasha

Important Dates

Important Communication about Advisory Communication

Kia ora whānau,

As a kura /school we feel that it is essential to engage in a consistent approach to quality communication with our whānau. In an effort to do so, we wish to signal the weeks that you can expect communication from your child's kaīarahi. 

Communication could look like a phone call or an e-mail and will cover the following areas:

TERM 1:

Week 1: Whānau Conferences

Week 4: How is your child settling in? Well-being? NCEA Entries.

Week 7: What's on Top? Mid semester updates are approaching.

Week 9: Approaching holidays - What does your child assessment load look like?

TERM 2:

Week 3: Assessment, Work Load, Well-being, Booking Whānau Conferences

Week 6: Whanau Conferences 

Week 9: Settling In to Semester 2, Well-being, NCEA Entries.

TERM 3:

Week 3: What's on Top? Mid semester updates are approaching.

Week 6: Assessment, Work Load (tournament week), Well-being

Week 9: Well-being, Project Showcase

TERM 4:

Week 1: Semester 3 focus, Booking Whānau Conferences,

Week 4: Whanau Conferences / Course Selection 2021

We look forward to continuing to work together to ensure all of our students are being set up for success. 

Late Starts on Wednesdays - 

Teacher Professional Development

A reminder to all students and whanau that school starts late on a Wednesday at 9:30. This is an important space for our staff to develop professionally together and to learn especially with the NCEA changes that are upon us. We ask that students not be at school earlier than 9am.  The learning commons will remain closed until 9:15 when our professional learning has ceased. As this time is shared across both schools, there will be opportunities for students to engage in activities such as sports training  and other leadership opportunities with RJHS students. Further information will come out about these opportunities for students so they need to keep an eye out on their notices.

RHS Sports Day

RHS SPORTS DAY IS ON NEXT THURSDAY 2O FEBRUARY!

RHS Sports Day is a fun, full school event where students can come together as a Hapu/Iwi, increase the culture within you Hapu/Iwi, earn points and hopefully take out the Sports Day trophy!!  This is a great chance for them to Challenge their Mindset, give everything a go and have some fun!!!

This event is held at Rototuna High Schools, predominately on the sports fields and courts. Timings are as per normal, students to be in advisories at 8.40am and school finishes at 3.15pm.

All the information students need to know for the day is in the link below. The main points for students to take note are:

• Bring their lunch, a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle. No devices are needed for the day (leave them at home).
• Wear PE uniform or Hapu/Iwi colours
• Ensure you are in the correct age category (information in the document below) for your events

Parents are more than welcome to attend and watch. Please sign in at the main reception upon arrival.

From Sports Day we select students to compete in the following events:

• WIMS Athletics (Intermediate - Year 7&8) - Porritt Stadium - Tuesday 1st December
• Central Zone Athletics (Secondary Schools Year 9-13) - Porritt Stadium - Tuesday 3rd March

RHS Swimming Sports

Wednesday 26 February - Waterworld - 9am-1pm

The RHS Swimming Sports is being held on Wednesday 26 February at Waterworld. This is an optional school event for students. This year we are running the event during the school day in an attempt to increase participation. Similar to Sports Day, we are hoping to increase the culture within Hapu/Iwi, earn Hapu/Iwi points and hopefully take out the Swimming Sports trophy!!  

Full information and the link to register your child are below. Entries close on Monday 24th February.

Message From Our Nurse

You would have all received an email from Natasha and Fraser regarding the Novel Coronavirus and the steps we are taking to ensure optimum support and safety for our school community.  We are guided by both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. As I write this, the Ministry of Health is again updating their advice for New Zealanders. It is an evolving situation and I appreciate your patience and support as we communicate the latest pertinent information as it is received. I am in weekly contact with the Waikato DHB Public Health Team and am developing guidelines for our school community.  This ensures we can support any member of our school community should we receive notification of a suspected case in our geographical area. We have the capability and capacity to safely accommodate infection control/isolation measures here at school should it be deemed necessary by the Public Health Unit. Please do not hesitate to email me at catherinecharles@rhs.school.nz if I can help with any further information or questions. 

There has been no change to the Ministry of Education advice as it stood when you received the email. The Ministry of Health now has a dedicated Healthline number for those returning from or transiting through mainland China to register and receive support while in self isolation.  They have also created a facebook page where regular updates are posted. (Refer to the links below). 

I have been heartened to hear of the kindness and support shown to many of our school community as we all try to understand and comprehend this changing world health situation. (To date there have been NO confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus in New Zealand).

Helpful Resources: 

• Ministry of Health Website: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov
• Healthline dedicated 0800 number for health advice and information: 0800 358 5453 – it is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Ministry of Health Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/minhealthnz

An important part of pre planning for any health crisis is ensuring we have up-to-date contact details for all students. If your details have changed over the holidays please contact our admin team to enable us to update them. 

Please do let me know if your child/children require any additional health and wellbeing support here at school. If they should sustain an injury or long term illness, do keep in touch as I work closely with our teaching staff to develop plans to support them on return to school. Please also notify me if you require medication to be held in clinic for your child/children. Medication other than asthma inhalers must not be carried by our students at school unless prior approval and permission has been granted by me. 

I look forward to meeting more of you and our students as the year progresses.  I am here to support you and our students to optimise their health and wellbeing here at school. 

Catherine Charles 

Registered Nurse

RHS