Week 4, Term 4 | 2021

WORD FROM MS ADDISON

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

It was a week of contrasts this week. We have said farewell to our senior students as they head into study leave in preparation for their exams, and it is always with a degree of sadness that we say goodbye to our Year 13 students who have contributed so much to the school in their time here. The annual "prank" day saw some real inventiveness with chairs appearing in all sorts of strange places, the staff offices filled with balloons and post-it notes, and of course, the juniors had to retrieve their desks from the middle of the field. 

Today we welcomed the large group of the 2022 Year 7 and 9 students for their orientation day. The excitement around the school was very evident as our current students mingled with the incoming group. It was great to see everyone being so encouraging and friendly and giving them a real Whitby Collegiate welcome. 

Thank you to our school community for understanding about the decision we have had to make in regards to prize giving. This was a very difficult decision but with the public health order coming into effect from midnight Monday, this exacerbated the situation. We invite everyone to join us through the live-stream video link available here and know that it will be a wonderful occasion where we recognise the endeavours of our students. More information will be sent out early next week.

Wishing everyone a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

Ngā mihi nui,

Shelley Addison
Chief Executive

FROM THE ACADEMIC DEAN

Kia ora e te whānau o Whitby Collegiate,

We had a fantastic New Entrants’ Day today welcoming some of next years’ Year 7 and 9 students to Whitby Collegiate for a morning of testing, an afternoon of workshops, and a fun day of mingling. I hope the students enjoyed meeting each other and looking around their new school. I am looking forward to seeing them back next year wearing their new Whitby Collegiate uniforms with pride.

I farewelled Year 11-13 students at Wednesday’s assembly with their examination admission slip and a highlighter (and a piece of chocolate). The admission slip is a required piece of paper that is needed for each NCEA examination, and should be checked carefully that every standard that students are entered into appears correctly. Any errors, or should the slip be damaged or misplaced, then students must see me for a reprint so that I can sign the new copy to authenticate it.

The highlighter is to remind students to read examination questions carefully and answer the question being asked in a succinct manner. I encourage students to have a study timetable and stick to it. Students should include breaks and family/leisure time, as well as exercise and brain breaks into their study plans. It is important that everyone looks after their mental wellbeing at this time, as well as revising.

By now our exam candidates should be well aware of the expectations for the NCEA examinations. Students met Ms Downer, our Exam Centre Manager, on Tuesday, and have received the NCEA Candidate Information Sheet with rules and instructions for the exams. Students must notify the school if they are running late for an exam - they cannot enter the exam room more than 30 minutes late and no extra time will be given. If a student is unable to take an exam for an acceptable reason (a serious illness/injury etc), then they may be eligible to apply for a Derived Grade and should contact me. More information about the Derived Grade application process can be found here.

I look forward to seeing students at tutorials over the next few weeks, the live document for which was emailed to all senior students and parents last week - there will be no tutorials on Wednesday 17 November. From Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics students can also access free webinars by industry experts by accessing the links on this document. Once again a reminder about the information on NCEA student exam hub with exam tips, reminders about digital devices, and links to other resources.

Any questions about preparing for examinations, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Ngā mihi,

Debbie Mitchell

UPCOMING EVENTS

Term 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
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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

College Sport Wellington SPOTYS Awards

Congratulations to Raine Menzies and Meg Kelly for winning code awards at the College Sport Wellington SPOTYS Awards on Wednesday night.

Raine won Softball Player of the Year and Meg Emerging Sports - Water Skier of the Year. Well done to both students on their awesome achievements. Keep up the great work.

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

SCHOOL NEWS

Parents/Caregivers Visiting the School

Under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order, everyone who works on a school site who may have contact with children or students or will be present at a time when children and students are also present must have had a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Monday 15 November and be fully vaccinated by 1 January 2022.

The term ‘works’ includes all paid and voluntary contributions and may include Sports coaches, team managers, contractors, tradespeople and consultants (and all their staff and subcontractors) and parents or visitors volunteering their time within the classroom.

All visitors, including parents and caregivers, must adhere to the following health and safety protocols when visiting Whitby Collegiate. This includes parents picking up or dropping off students as well as those who are just visiting reception (e.g. dropping off something for a student).

• all parents, caregivers, visitors and contractors must enter via the main reception doors

• you must scan the QR code or provide written details in the box provided for contact tracing

• you must wear a face mask when entering the school grounds. Please keep your mask on for the entire duration of your visit 

• please ensure you adhere to social distancing recommendations when interacting with both students and staff

• sign in using our visitor tablet if you will be proceeding past our reception area

Level 3 Biology Zoo Trip

A trip to Wellington Zoo was a great way to finish off the year for the Level 3 biology students. After a quick stop at the cafe, the class had a look at the fun-loving otters, gibbons, lemurs, and squirrel monkeys. We fawned over how cute they all were.

We then met Tim who took us through human evolution. We played with model stone tools, skulls, and other parts of human evolution that are useful for our exam. It gave us a greater insight into our ancestors.

Next, we got taken on a tour to have a look at and learn about some different animal behaviours. Finally, to end the day we got to witness some chimp drama, saw the new baby chimpanzee, with a stop at the gift shop before heading back to school.

Overall a great day with lots of laughs and interesting information.

Alexis Wilson

School Tuck Shop

The school food truck will not be open on Prize Giving Day which is next Wednesday 17 November. Students will also not have the use of the microwaves in the old tuck shop to heat any food. Please ensure your son or daughter brings morning tea and lunch that does not require heating in the microwave. The final day for the food truck will be Friday 26 November.

Parents’ Association Movie Fundraiser

The Whitby Collegiate Parents’ Association invites you to its movie fundraiser screening of the film ‘A Boy Called Christmas’ fundraising for sports equipment. This will be held on Thursday 25 November at 6pm at The Lighthouse Cinema in Pauatahanui. 

Tickets are $20 each and are available through Anita at anita@sharpsautoglass.com or 0210593523. Please RSVP by Friday 19 November. Limited tickets are available.

ARTS & CULTURE UPDATE

Student Art of the Week

SPORTS UPDATE

Whanganui Rowing Camp

The Whitby Collegiate Rowing Crew enjoyed an awesome rowing camp in Whanganui over the weekend. Thank you to the Union Boat Club Wanganui for loaning us a quad, double and coastal single!

Year 7 & 8 Introduction to Hockey Series

Golf Academy at Judgeford Golf Club

Volleyball

Junior volleyball team practice will be held on the following days:  

• Boys - Tuesday and Fridays in the school gym from 3:30 – 5:00pm. 

• Girls - Tuesday and Thursdays in the school gym from 3:30 – 5:00pm. 

Sports Uniform Return

Please return your winter sports uniforms to the Sports Office (Room 4) ASAP. Uniforms not returned will be charged to students' accounts.

We are currently at Alert Level 2, please remember:

• NO SPECTATORS/PARENTS allowed (only managers and coaches allowed). This includes children.

• Contract tracing is compulsory at venues. 

• Warmups should be completed outside the venue before entering.

• Please use a Face mask/covering when if you are not actively playing.

• Please sanitise when entering and leaving the venues.

• Please cough/sneeze into your elbow.

• Stay home if you feel unwell.

• Teams must leave venues as soon as their game finishes.

Stay safe Whitby Collegiate families ☺

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

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