The Kuranui College Board of Trustees recently set the college’s strategic goals for the next three years. After consultation with you, the staff and students and after reviewing the college’s achievement data for the last few years the board decided that the top priority was to focus on raising the achievement levels of all students.
I spend a great deal of time thinking about why some students engage in learning, apply themselves and achieve and some do not. Unfortunately there is no one answer and certainly no one solution. I am convinced however, that success has a lot to do with self belief and perseverance. When we believe that we can do something we are half way there and this same self belief can keep us going when the going gets tough.
The staff and I have been talking about how we can help students to believe in themselves, how they can encourage them to “have a go” when the work looks hard and encourage them to stick at the task and get it finished.
Parents, I know that you all want the best for your children but I am concerned that too many of our students settle for mediocrity. Settling for less leads to poor qualifications and this reduces career and life options.
Throughout this year I will be focusing on and talking about raising achievement in every forum I can find.
Every student at Kuranui College should be achieving at or above the national average benchmarks. Together let's settle for nothing less.
Family Learning Conferences
Thank you to everyone who came and participated in the Family Learning Conferences. The feedback I have received from both parents and teachers has been very positive. The goal of the conferences was to establish a close relationship between the college and families so I hope that the lines of communication are now open so that together we can work toward maximising your children’s’ learning and achievement.
If you could not make the time scheduled for your conference form teachers can still be contacted to arrange alternative times.
If you have thoughts you would like to share about the Family Learning Conferences please email me.
Classic Hits Around New Zealand Air Safari
The Classic Hits Air Safari begins at the Hood Aerodrome in Masterton on 27th March 2 – 5pm. Sixty four aircraft of all types will be there. There will be plane rides, food, tours of the vintage aircraft museum as well as a chance to meet the pilots and t=view the planes involved in the Around NZ Air Safari.
“PDA’S!”
We have nearly five hundred female and male teenagers interacting in the same place every day and it is natural that relationships will develop between students. The college does however have a clear rule regarding the way students conduct their relationships during the day. We do not allow any form of “public displays of affection – PDAs.”
Harassment
With over five hundred people co existing at the college every day there is bound to be occasional instances of bullying and harassment. I want to remind everyone that the college takes a zero tolerance stance on all forms of harassment.
Inappropriate sexual advances, touching or comments, racial taunts and all forms of bullying will be dealt with seriously but this can only happen when we are told about the behaviour.
If you are being harassed you do not need to put up with it – tell someone! If you see someone being bullied – tell someone! It doesn’t have to be a teacher, it could well be a senior student, a sports coach or the office staff – find someone you trust and tell them.
Board of Trustees Election
There is still time to nominate someone or to be nominated to stand for a place on the college’s Board of Trustees. It is essential that the college has a committed, enthusiastic board to lead it into its next fifty years. The current board and I welcome any enquiries about the function and responsibilities of the board. Alternatively you could log on to the NZSTA web site to get a detailed picture of the role.
Uniform
Parents/Caregivers, by the beginning of term two all Year 12 and 13 students should be wearing a blazer and tie to college everyday. Blazers can be ordered from Ms Lennox. There is a very limited supply of second hand blazers in the uniform shop. Enquire at the college office.
Uniform Shop
I am seeking someone to operate our second hand uniform shop for three hours every week. This has always been an unpaid position but the college will pay the successful applicant for three hours at a negotiated hourly rate.
Contact me at the college if you would like to know more about the position.
50th Jubilee
Our plans are coming together and we are excited and full of anticipation.
We have received many registrations from around New Zealand and overseas and now finally we are getting more from local people. Please, if you are planning to attend our 50th celebration please get your registrations in!
We are pleased too with the response from current students who have indicated that they will help out in some way. Some sports teams and other groups will be holding stalls at the food fair on Easter Saturday. This will help them with their sports expenses.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to call me at the College office.
Trish Heming - 304 9116
Adolescent Self Harm Behaviour
A reminder that this is on in the auditorium on Tuesday night at 7:30pm – NOT 7pm as stated in the last Korero. Free admission.
Overdue Books
There are a significant number of books overdue from the library. Parents - it would be appreciated if you could discuss this issue with your child and if necessary, do a quick check under beds, in schoolbags, etc for overdue items. We appreciate your assistance.
Junior Activity Week
A preliminary letter regarding the Junior Activity Week at the end of the year was given out on Friday at the Family Learning Conferences. If you did not receive one of these letters, please ask your child today if they received one in form time. Spare letters are available at the office for those who do not have them.
Year 10 Ski Trip
Information about this ski trip in September was given out last week, along with consent forms and payment options. Once again, if you did not receive this information, please collect one from your form teacher or the office.
From the Sports Desk:
Hockey - Congratulations to the following players who have made the Hockey Wairarapa Under 15 Representative teams: Braden Smith, Jordan Yee, Laura Pitt, Emily Jane, Kim Cryer, Mikaela Bird, Shannon Burgess and Chelsea Brunton.
Croquet - Our team of Finn Harman, Matiu Te Maari, Keith Finlayson, Taylor Hilston, Sean Spooner, Rowan Pemberton, Arjun Pathmanathan and Thomas McAvoy retained the Croquet Shield played for against Rathkeale College.
Uniforms - If you still have Kuranui sports uniforms still to be returned, please return them urgently to the Sports Office. If you have netball uniforms to sell, please get them to Mr Yee ASAP and he will sell them on your behalf.
Winter Sports Coaches/Managers - Required for Netball and Basketball. If you can help in any way please contact Mr Yee on (06) 3049116, Extension 728.
Donald Yee
Sports Coordinator
Congratulations to…
• Samuel Pepper who qualified for 15 events at the recent Division II National Swimming Competition held in Wellington. Samuel gained a 1st placing in the 200 m freestyle and 2nds in both the 50m and 100m freestyle events. Samuel also recorded ten personal best times at the competition. Well done Samuel…. what an impressive set of results!
• Bridget Kershaw who represented New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman High School Rodeo Team recently. Bridget was also the captain of the Barrel Racing Team. The overall competition finished in a draw after three tightly contested rodeos.
• Bridget Kershaw and Louis Gray who were selected to represent the Wellington Region at the North Island Secondary Schools Athletics competition.
Good luck to…
• Callum Moore, Joubert Botha and Nathan Pitt who are competing in the New Zealand Intercollegiate Moto-Cross Championships to be held in Rotorua later this week.
• Wade Lovett, Thomas Uatuku, Tristan Williams and Dylan Duffy who will represent Kuranui in the NZ Secondary Schools Wrestling Champs at Tawa on Saturday. The team is coached by Bevan Thurston.
G Shepherd
PRINCIPAL
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