Star Board Term Three Week Six

Principal's Message

Kia Ora Whanau

Viva Camerata

Prior to this week I made my way to Christchurch to be present at the spectacular that is the Big Sing Grand Finale. Our very own Viva Camerata were there to perform with 24 other incredible Choirs from across Aotearoa. By the time Lindsay and I got there each choir had performed their pieces over a few days to an esteemed judging panel. The culmination was the Gala Concert, at the end of which were the Awards.

To be there as one of the top choirs in New Zealand is an honour in itself; for Viva to receive a Silver Award was the coda (final note in a song).

Congatulations to Kiewiet VanDeventer, Ruth Eckford, and Andrea Thompson for the mahi you put into all that Viva is and has become. The choir is amazing because of all of you.

Tournament Week

Is there such a thing as Frequent Driver miles? I have covered a fair share of real estate over the last few days - in the Manawatu for Tournament football and the Grant Jarvis Cup, and then the Hawkes Bay for the Federation Cup Hockey, and the LNISS Netball.

The pandemic has prevented these events for around two years, so 2022 promised to provide a lot of game time for our top teams- and in a very short space of time. From my perspective it provided intense exposure for us and other Wairarapa schools to top secondary schools competition and that has been excellent for our growth.

I witnessed all sorts: wins and losses, our students getting down on themselves, absolute elation, the pain of injury, and utter exhaustion. What I also witnessed was camaraderie, support, and team spirit- all have been takeaways to develop all involved. Our teams are really good. I am incredibly proud of them.

I want to give an immense ‘shout out’ to our Coaches, Managers ( aka Parents), and School Staff- who gave up a week of work to commit themselves to the mahi of Tournament week ( by the by- if I have missed your name let me know and I’ll make sure that I am post it next time).

In Netball: Coaches Deb Julian, and Amy Williams. To Stats and medics, Stu Williams and Rachel Shearing. Also to Louise Wellington and Emily Beetham on scoring.

In Hockey: Coaches and Managers, Amanda McLeod, Kylie Baron, and Tony Lyford. Our travelling staff- Sandie Sherwen, Alex the tutor, and Suz Leckie.

In Football: Coach Bryan Taylor, Managers Belinda Culpan and Katherine Domanski. Our travelling staff- Maureen Ingham and Bronte the tutor.

Of course every team needs a pep squad so I extend many thanks to the myriad of supporters of parents, grandparents, rellies; young and old, old girls, and staff who boosted spirits on the sidelines.

Back at school base staff and students have beavered on and supported from afar.

Kia Manawaroa with whanau Māori

Kia Manawaroa is the Ministry’s dedicated newsletter published every fortnight by Māori for Māori. Read the latest issue here:

https://mailchi.mp/education/kia-manawaroa-26-august-2022.

Find out how to submit an article and other information here:

https://parents.education.govt.nz/essential-information/kia-manawaroa

Household contact definition for school camps and trips

I thought I would put this in again. The Ministry of Health has recently updated its definition of a household contact, which may impact your planning for, and response to, COVID-19 cases on school camps and trips.

You are a household contact if you:

• normally share a residence with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (either on a permanent or part-time, or shared custody basis)
• spent at least one night or day (more than eight hours) in that residence while the person with COVID-19 was infectious
• don’t normally share a residence with the positive case but have spent a night together in the same room.

School hostels continue to be specifically excluded from the above definition (the same applies to other group accommodation providers such as backpackers, halls of residences and boarding houses).

You may wish to review your contingency plans if someone tests positive for COVID-19 while on a trip as it will be necessary to manage household contacts for a period of time.

How will I know if I’m a household contact? – Ministry of Health

To stay up to date with the latest education outside the classroom (EOTC) guidance, register with the national coordinator database.

EOTC learning through COVID-19 – Education Outdoors New Zealand

National EOTC coordinator database – Education Outdoors NZ

I wish you a safe weekend.

Ngā Mihi

Kiri

Around School

Boarding note from Jo Booth

During the week we had a visit from the carpet layers who replaced the worn carpet at the top of the landing in Main House. This photo was taken when the carpet had been lifted exposing the gorgeous wooden flooring beneath. Although the floor boards are lovely to look at, I think all boarders appreciate the warmth and feel of our new carpet.