This week we welcomed students who will be new to our school next year. This transition day was an opportunity for them to get to know our school and our teachers so that their start at the beginning of the year will not be quite so stressful.
Our short and productively busy term is drawing to a close and this brings with it some events that we look forward to each year. These include our presentations of gift baskets for families who are less fortunate than ourselves. Family Support will be visiting us on Monday for our presentations of the hampers. Activities on Tuesday and Wednesday is an opportunity for students to have a go at activities they may not have tried before and a time to have some fun together.
We welcome families and friends of our school to the Junior Prizegiving on Thursday 1.30pm when we will celebrate the achievements and successes of our junior students.
Our Prefects for 2012 are:
Head Prefects: Emily Powell and
Dan Dooley
Art Prefects: Francie Kemp and
Ashton Buckingham
Sports Prefects: Candace Gough and
Glen Drake
Deputy Prefects: Zoe Mehrtens and
Scott Willoughby
Congratulations to these students on their selection and to the other students who put their names forward for selection. The selection panel of students and staff were particularly impressed by the calibre of all applicants.
Janette Packman
Principal
The school is at present undergoing our major IT network upgrade. This is a Ministry of Education initiative to bring all schools up to the same standard in preparation for increased use of digital technologies. It is great to see ex-students undertaking some of this work.
Jarred Matthews and James Morgan, both working for Plunket Electrical and Willy Francis for A.C.L. Communications.
Jarred has been away from school for three years and went straight to an apprenticeship as an Electrician. He has completed this and is currently working as an electrical security technician. A keen sportsperson at school, Jarred plays rugby for the South Canterbury Heartland team and enjoys his summer cricket with the Waimate senior team.
After a year spent on tractor work and silage making, James, who left us two years ago, also decided to take up an Electrician's apprenticeship. As for the future he wants to complete his apprenticeship then maybe travel overseas. Also keen on his sport, James plays both basketball and touch in the local competition.
Willy also has been away from High School for two years. For the first eighteen months he worked on the family farm, then decided on a Hospitality (Café and Barista) Course which he has since completed. He is now working for A.C.L Communications who are renewing the cabling throughout the school. In the New Year Willy hopes to travel overseas, either to England or Spain.
Activity Days
If anyone has any spare ice-cream containers or broken tiles/pottery they can donate, they would be useful for the Mosaics activity next week. Thanks
Payments for Activity Days
It is the expectation that students pre-pay for their activities, unless it is pre-arranged with the school administration staff. As these are extra-curricular activities they will not be automatically added to the student's account.
If you are unsure please contact the school office.
Under 18 Dance Party at St Patrick's School Hall on Friday 2 December 2011 from 8.30 pm to 11 pm. $3 entry
South Canterbury Active Kids Holiday Programme
Monday 23 Friday - 27 January 2012. For ages 5-13. Session times available 9-12, 9-3 or 9-5
SBS Events Centre, Morgans Road, Timaru. Register on line www.sportsouthcanterbury.org.nz or for more information phone 03 686 0751
or email lee-anne@sportsouthcanterbury.org.nz
Calendar
Mon 5 Dec Prefect Leadership Day
Tues-Wed 6-7 Dec Activities Day
Wed 7 Dec Athletics S C Timaru
Thur 8 Dec Junior Prizegiving
Fri 9 Dec Teacher Only Day
2012 School Term Dates
Term 1 Mon 30 January – Thurs 5 April
Term 2 Mon 23 April – Fri 29 June
Term 3 Mon 16 July – Fri 28 September
Term 4 Mon 15 October – Thurs 13 December
Year 10 Peel Forest Camp review
Three days of excitement, challenge and sunshine awaited the 28 students who attended this year's Yr10 Camp at Peel Forest. Our base was The Eco Lodge and from here we filled our days and nights with Tramping, Rafting, Star Gazing, Spotlight and the High Ropes course at Geraldine High School. Apart from the epic games of Ultimate Frisbee that took place, the highlight for most students was on Thursday with the Rafting trip down the Rangitata River. The instructors made sure everyone got a good soaking in the icy water, and made us do a compulsory banana dance to warm ourselves up.
Our camp would not have been the success it was without the help and generous contributions of food and transport from parents. Also a big thank you to Mr Botica, Mr McGirr and all the staff that attended this year's camp.
