Final Korero for 2009

Tena tatou katoa

Well here we are at the end of the year with only three weeks until Christmas! 2009 has been an exciting and successful year for Kuranui College and all of the planning that we are currently doing suggests 2010 will be also be full of new innovations and exciting changes. 


I would like to take this opportunity to farewell and thank the staff who are leaving.
Cheryl Iro and Matthew Carter – thank you for your work in Science and Horticulture.
Phillippa Park – thank you for contribution to Base 6 and Science. Good luck in your new position at Manawatu College.
Amanda Sinclair and Susan Jonas – best wishes to both of you for the pending additions to your families.
Ali Staples – enjoy your year of study away from the College.

Adult and Community Education [ACE]
Kuranui College will not continue to provide ACE to our local community from 2010. Without the ACE funding from government, our community including learners, have indicated that they will not be able to afford the rise in fees that we as a school will have to pass on to learners. We are left with no alternative but to close our ACE programme at the end of this year.

The “Stop Night Class Cuts” campaign is continuing and should the decision to cut funding be reversed, Kuranui College would like to continue to provide ACE for our local community with the support of government funding.

New Wairarapa Family Pass Offers Great Value for Money
The new Wairarapa Family Pass means going to Wairarapa’s top family attractions just got more affordable. The new pass gives entry for 2 adults and 2 children to Pukaha Mt Bruce, the Genesis Energy Recreation Centre, Shear Discovery and Cafe Solway & Golf Driving Range, (where families will receive four buckets of golf balls). As an added bonus children will receive free desserts with the card at Apache Jacks family restaurant in Kuripuni. Developed by Destination Wairarapa the Pass costs only $60 but is valued at over $100, meaning essentially kids-go-free. It will make a terrific Christmas gift for friends and family outside the region.
Get the Wairarapa Family Pass at the Masterton or Martinborough i-SITE Visitor Centres, phone 06 370 0900 or check out www.wairarapanz.com.

Uniform
The second hand uniform shop will sell items on your behalf. Clearly label clean unwanted items with your name, contact details and the price required and bring them into the college office before it closes on 15 December.
The second hand uniform shop will be open on January 29th during Senior College course confirmation day.
Just a reminder that our school is registered on the SchoolTex Rewards Programme. This is apparently the most successful schoolwear fund-raising programme in the country! By buying your Term 1 uniform from our local Postie+ shop in Masterton and quoting our school name we will receive up to 10% cash back on any SchoolTex garments purchased.
This year we received about $5,000.00 from Postie+. This money went into the Parents Association account which helped them to fund the recent Student Centre upgrade.

Course Confirmation Day
All Senior College students (Years 11, 12 and 13) must come in to the college on Friday 29 January at any time between 9am and 3pm to confirm their 2010 courses. Even though all students have chosen courses for next year there is no guarantee that their combination of subjects will necessarily fit the 2010 timetable which is currently under construction. Although we do our best to accommodate the individual requirements of every student this just isn’t feasible.

Junior Activity Week 
Activities begin on Tuesday next week and I am very concerned that a large number of students have still not returned their consent forms or paid for their activities. The consent forms are essential for off-campus activities because I cannot allow students to leave the college grounds without your permission. Unfortunately if these forms are not returned, we will have no alternative but to keep students here at college doing class work.

Activities Week is an important part of our curriculum as it gives students a wide range of out of class experiences and challenges. It would be a shame to have to consider removing this programme from next year’s calendar.

Policy Updates
The Board of Trustees has recently finished reviewing the college’s policies. To comment on the draft policies before they are ratified go to the college website. To make comment please email the office on office@kuranui-college.school.nz and write Policies in the subject line.

Sexual Health Consultation
Each year we are required to consult with the College community about the sexual health programme which is delivered in the Junior College. Those of you who are attending the Year 9 Family Learning Conferences will be given a consultation sheet. Please take the opportunity to complete these and hand them in to the College office as you leave.
If you are unable to attend the Family Learning Conferences, the consultation sheets will be available from the College office.

To all staff, students and families; have a safe, relaxing and enjoyable summer break. We will see you all in the New Year.

G Shepherd
PRINCIPAL