Week 6, Term 3 | 2021

WORD FROM MS ADDISON

Kia ora, e te whānau - parents, caregivers and families of Whitby Collegiate,

It is with a sigh of relief that we are able to return to school and we have really enjoyed these last couple of days. It has been wonderful to see our students back with such a great attitude and It was clear that they were happy to be back, even though I did have some comments that some of them were missing sleeping in!!

It is in times of crisis that we see our communities come together for the greater good, and I want to give an enormous vote of thanks to all those parents who I know, would have had to juggle a myriad of challenges during lockdown. Your commitment to ensuring your child was able to meet the academic tasks set by staff has not gone unnoticed, and as with the last lockdown there are some who thrive in this environment and there are those who struggle.

At all times the school is here to support your child's educational journey and I know our staff will continue to work with each student to ensure that they have the best possible chance for a positive outcome by the end of the year. Mrs Mitchell will talk about the good news that has just been released by NZQA in regards to NCEA recognition credits, that will now be afforded to all schools and not just those in Auckland.

Student mental health and well being is also very important at this time, and the senior leadership team has been working to ensure that we are able to pivot and make adjustments to timetables and schedules. This will mean a balanced load for students and will be closely monitored on an ongoing basis and adjustments will be made when necessary.

Covid-19 will not be a short term issue, but we have been in this position before and we will continue to be adaptable and importantly resilient, as we continue to navigate our way through living with this pandemic. We look forward to connecting with families over this time and please do not hesitate in contacting the school if there is anything that we can do to help.

Ngā mihi nui,

Shelley Addison
Chief Executive

FROM THE ACADEMIC DEAN

Kia ora e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,

Yesterday we had some good news. NZQA announced all students who have been disrupted by 16 days of COVID-19 Lockdown this year are eligible to receive Learning Recognition Credits (LRCs) at a rate of 1 LRC per 5 credits achieved through assessment, up to a cap of 8 LRCs at NCEA Level 1, and 6 LRCs at Levels 2 and 3. The thresholds for endorsements and University Entrances will remain at the normal level. I welcome all students who have questions about their number of credits to email me to make an appointment to see me next week.

Here is the Derived Grade examination week timetable for Monday 20 - Friday 24 September. There are some changes from the original timetable, so please check carefully.

Next week’s assembly time slot will be dedicated to reassurance and reconnection. Senior students will have the opportunity to sit down with the Senior Leadership Team and their Tutor Teachers to discuss their concerns over the changes that have been made due to Lockdown. There will be the chance to ask questions and alleviate concerns. Junior students will have an extended Tutor Time to spend some time with their friends and Tutor teacher.

Please remember to reach out if I can be of any assistance.

Ngā mihi,

Debbie Mitchell
debbie.mitchell@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

FROM THE SENIOR PASTORAL DEAN

Mālō e lelei to our Whitby Collegiate community,

For many of our students, it was welcome news to hear that they would be returning to school this week. During the past 4 weeks, I have thoroughly enjoyed talking to students during Google Meets, hearing how well they have coped with lockdown and ways in which they made sure their wellbeing was a priority. It was pleasing to hear from students how much they appreciated the flexibility of online learning and structured weekly schedules allowing them to plan their weeks more effectively. I am grateful to the following students for allowing me to include in this week’s newsletter what they did during lockdown to ensure their wellbeing was looked after.

I am really missing the students and staff but am grateful for the past four weeks of seeing their smiling faces during our Google Meets. I look forward to returning to school soon. Please take care, stay safe and email me if you need further support for your son or daughter.

Ma'u ha aho lelei.

Ainslie Sauvao
Senior Pastoral Dean
ainslie.sauvao@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

UPCOMING EVENTS

Term 3-4 Activities/Events

Key dates are located on the website calendar. Please check for your activities.

Add the Whitby Collegiate calendar to your Google Calendar
To add the school calendar to your Google Calendar, click on the link above and then click the ‘+’ button located on the bottom right corner beside the Google Calendar logo.

SCHOOL NEWS

Holiday Programmes - October

3D Printing & CAD Software Holiday Programme
Whitby Collegiate will be hosting a 3 day introduction to 3D printing and CAD software holiday programme in October. Our IT experts will teach students how to design a 3D model using the modelling computer programme SketchUp and view, interact and evaluate their designs using Virtual Reality devices. Students will keep their printed 3D designs. No previous experience is necessary. Students must bring their own chromebooks/laptops. Limited spaces available.

Dates: Monday 4 - Wednesday 6 October 2021
Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Cost: $270
Ages: 10+

Optional extra - $10 per day for Domino's pizza or fish & chips lunch and drinks.

Minecraft Holiday Programme
Whitby Collegiate will be hosting a 3 day Minecraft holiday programme in October. Our IT experts & Minecraft administrators will teach students how to build their own servers, download and utilise mods using Forge servers. Students will be put into teams to compete against each other in Minecraft challenges. Tutors will be on hand for tips, tricks and help along the way. All skill levels are welcome. Students must bring their own device, charger & mouse - Windows 10 with Minecraft owned, installed and tested on their own account. Limited spaces available.

Dates: Monday 11 - Wednesday 13 October 2021
Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Cost: $220
Ages: 10+

Compulsory supervised breaks will be held in the school gym - volleyball, basketball, badminton skills or football on the field.

Optional extra - $10 per day for Domino's pizza or fish & chips lunch and drinks.

School Backpack

We have taken onboard parent/caregiver feedback about the current school backpack and have explored further options, sourcing another backpack option that will be added to the uniform list. This is much larger in size and has the following features:

• Reversed zips

• Padded back panel for extra spinal protection

• Sternum & side compression straps

• Mouldable internal spinal board for custom fit & to assist load distribution

• Padded laptop pocket

• Contoured adjustable shoulder straps

• Mesh side drink bottle holder

• Black pick up loop

• Unique multi fit sliding waist belt mechanism - Adjustable & padded waist belt

• Front accessory pocket & two double zip main compartments 

The price of this backpack is $120 and there will be limited stock available to purchase from NZ Uniforms in due course. Please fill in the following pre-order form if you are interested in purchasing one of these. You will be advised as soon as these are available in store. 

Please note the current backpack will continue to be available to purchase. 

Māori Language Week

Next week is Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Māori Language Week has been celebrated each year from 1975 and commemorates the presentation on the 14th of September 1972 of the Māori language petition to parliament. 

Unfortunately Delta Level 2 guidelines mean lots of activities like raranga, waiata, kapa haka and shared kai can’t go ahead. We are looking at alternative ways to acknowledge te reo Māori at our special kura next week. One way that you can get on board is to learn your mihi. A mihi (or mihimihi) is an introduction which can take place at the beginning of a gathering or meeting. It is used to establish links with other people present and let people know who you are, and where you come from.

Check out the three simple steps here

Kia kaha te reo Māori 
‘Kia kaha’ is well understood in New Zealand English with its meaning of ‘be strong’. We often talk about languages as if they are people – talking about language health, strength and revitalisation. So when we say ‘Kia kaha te reo Māori’ we’re saying  - ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong'.

SPORTS UPDATE

Sport at Covid-19 Alert Level 2:

• You can do organised sports if you can do them safely;

• Contact tracing is mandatory – scan QR codes at entry points;

• Gatherings are limited to 50 indoors and 100 outdoors. STRICTLY NO SPECTATORS;

• Wash & dry your hands before and after playing; equipment to be sanitised after every game/practice;

• You must maintain physical distancing (2 metres) when not participating in sport or activity;

• Face coverings do not need to be worn when playing sport but should be worn before and after at indoor facilities;

• Be careful of “high touch items” like handrails, gates and park benches – avoid touching these or wash/sanitise your hands after touching them;

• If you feel unwell, stay home and get a Covid-19 test.

Stay safe Whitby Collegiate families ☺

2021 Summer Sports Registrations (Term 4)

Term 4 sports registrations are now open. Please click on the appropriate link below to see what sports are on offer and register using the online registration form. Deadlines for registrations is Friday 17 September.

For all sports information, latest draws & results, sport clubs and registrations please click on the appropriate link below.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

We love to celebrate our students’ achievements. For inclusion in the Whitby Collegiate newsletter or on our Facebook page, please forward student achievements to communications@whitbycollegiate.school.nz and sporting results to the Sports Coordinator, sally.rose@whitbycollegiate.school.nz

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