Inspiration from the past, learning, contributing, empowering for today and tomorrow ISSUE 18, 10 November 2017 Tēnā Koutou

Message from Our Principal

Both NZQA and school junior examinations have commenced for our students. Below is some useful advice from a clinical psychologist, Amy Wilson Hughes, for parents and whānau to help your teens deal with the stress of exams, published on 31 October 2017: I spend my days working with teenagers, and I know that term four can be rough. Heck, they’re teenagers – every day is rough. But exams add unique pressures all of their own, and what I’ve noticed is that parents have a tendency to add to this pressure rather than scaffold their teenagers through it. Results rest entirely on the teenagers’ shoulders, but parents can feel entitled to anger or disappointment should their young person fall short in their eyes. I can understand how this dynamic develops, but I’ve noticed that when it comes to exams, a little help can go a long way. A lot of parents think that “helping with study” means having the knowledge to teach the subjects that their offspring are trying to learn. This may be true of helping with homework in primary school, but you don’t need to be able to ace an NCEA exam in order to support your teen in reaching their potential. Here are a few ways that all parents can support their kids, no matter what level of exams they’re facing. Get a sense of what exams actually mean to your child Not all attitudes towards exams are created equal. Exams can mean anything from “nothing, I’ve already passed with internals so I don’t care” to “if I don’t get excellence in every single one, my self-esteem may shatter into a thousand tiny pieces”. Some young people may need certain grades in exams to get into accelerate classes or certain subjects the next year, or to get accepted into specific university courses. The best way to help your child will be to get a sense of their expectations of themselves, and to start from there. Help with scheduling and time management The brain structures needed for time management, impulse control, and forward planning don’t finish growing until our early twenties, so no matter how mature your child seems they physically cannot be completely adult-like in these ways. Sitting down with your teen, taking a look at their exam timetable, rating the exams in order of difficulty and importance and using these to allocate study days according to need is something best supported by adults. Young people tend to study for exams in chronological order, which can lead to unproductive levels of stress when a difficult exam is nestled right behind a less important one. Helping your young person see the exam period as a whole rather than a series of individual events is a simple way to support your teen without any knowledge of the subjects themselves. Make sure your child knows how to study This may sound like a strange one, but it’s important. Different kids learn in different ways, and the same applies to studying. Reading over old notes or textbooks will do little if it doesn’t stick. Talk to your child about what works best – that may be reading notes or chapters aloud to themselves, re-writing or highlighting important notes, testing themselves using past exam papers, being tested by parents using flash cards they’ve made themselves, or creating mnemonics or poems to aid memory. Simply encouraging them to “study” or “revise” may lead to your child attempting a method of learning that actually helps very little come exam day. Keep the motor running Just as walking uses more energy than sitting, studying uses more energy than watching television. Teenagers are often left to their own devices during study leave and exam time, and may not be able to make the best choices about keeping their brains nourished and functional. If you’re not at home during the day, consider what easy-to-grab foods and snacks are available and do what you can to increase the quality and quantity of what’s there. Whenever you are at home with your studying teen, a snack delivery service is one of the most helpful things you can provide. This also applies to assisting your child to get sufficient sleep – our brain does a lot of work making memories stick overnight, so turning off the WiFi or doing a device collection when you head to bed may be something you can do to help. A spoonful of teaching helps the learning go down The very best way of consolidating learning is by teaching what you’ve learned. The reason this works is that it forces us to truly understand and internalise the concepts we’ve memorised, rather than just how to execute them. Understanding what a parabola is is every bit as important as remembering how to calculate one, but something that often gets overlooked in the rush to jam equations into teenage brains. If you can, make yourself available for a little while each evening to be “taught” whatever your teen spent the day learning. This way you’re both able to keep track of whether they’re working as hard as they’d planned to be, and help them cement whatever they’ve learned. Be kind This last one is the most important of all. The idea of helping your teen through exams is to relieve some of the pressure they’re under, not to increase your stake in it. Exams don’t measure how intelligent, caring, generous, funny, or generally wonderful your child is. You can go to university when you’re older no matter how bad your high school grades were.

Phone: 06 835 1069 Fax: 06 835 8164 Web: www.nghs.school.nz Principal's Secretary Email: [email protected] Main Office email: [email protected]

As an adult, your NCEA marks aren’t tattooed on your forehead – ask yourself how many people around you know (or care!) if you passed School C science with an A or a B. Also remember that none of us are at our best when we’re stressed out or under pressure – try to have a little extra grace for crankiness or rolled eyes throughout exam season. One of our school core values is respect. This includes respect for self, for others, Good luck for exams this year, parents – I’m sure you’ll do your best. Amy Wilson Hughes is a clinical psychologist who trained at Victoria University and now lives in Auckland with her wife and cat. She is passionate about supporting young people and their families to live their best lives – and also about cats, the internet and fried carbohydrates. We wish our students all the very best for their examinations.

Nga mihi nui

Mrs Dawn Ackroyd

other cultures and our environment.

Wearing our school uniform well reflects respect for self and pride in belonging. This term we are focusing on personal presentation with regards to school uniform and ask for your support so that when your daughter leaves home for school, she is meeting our uniform expectations. The only jewellery that may be worn is a watch and plain gold/silver studs in the ears. Ankle socks must be plain white. Thank you for your support with this.

NATIONAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ROTARY NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FORUM IN AUCKLAND

We had a number of high achieving Year 12 students from Napier Girls’ High School who were considered for this scholarship. These students had to go through an intense application process which included interviews. Congratulations to Carolyne Nel who was selected to take part in the National Science Forum which runs over two weeks in January and brings together talented students from all over New Zealand. This will be an outstanding experience for Carolyne in a science programme which is supported by a number of tertiary institutions in Auckland.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH - bronze INFORMATION EVENING Thursday 16th November 2017 5.30pm - 7pm

I would like to invite Year 9 students and their parents/caregivers to an information evening about the Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award and how we run the prorgamme at Napier Girls’ High School. This evening will outline what is involved in the award from Bronze, Silver and Gold and give students and parents an opportunity to ask questions. Louise Bassett-Foss

DANCE & FASHION PERFORMANCE 'Identity'

On Wednesday 1st November, the students who have been involved in 'Dance Club' performed in front of a full audience in the school hall The evening also showcased work from our talented fashion design students which enhanced the energy of the show with their modern and contemporary designs. The performance was titled 'Identity' and highlighted a range of dances from a mix of different genres. All dances were choreographed by the girls at school during lunchtimes and gave them the opportunity to express themselves in a creative way whilst having fun at the same time. Most of these dancers were also involved in the Hawke's Bay Dance Festival and DanceNZMade earlier in the year, therefore celebrating their hard work in this show 'Identity' was a wonderful way to finish 2017. It was a fun and lively night and we look forward to continuing with 'Dance Club' next year.

BEACH RESCUE Year 12 student, Bella Herbison, has aced her first beach rescue after spotting four youngsters struggling in rough waters at Waimarama Beach. She helped four children aged 7 to 12 who were swept down the beach by strong currents. "There was a really strong current and the waves were two metres high. I saw these four kids next to me and they were all in life jackets so I tried to keep my eye on them because they didn't have anyone with them and seemed quite young. The current pushed us all the way past the surf club. I noticed when we were about to go back to surf that these kids were constantly out of breath and the life jackets didn’t seem to be helping them much." Bella swam across to the group and helped them to get to shore. When they were all safely back on the beach, Bella noticed their mother who was just about to jump in with her clothes on. Bella has been a lifeguard for two and a half years. In March this year she also gained her Royal Lifesaving Society Distinction Badge at Napier Girls’ High School.

INTERNATIONAL TEAM NEWS We welcome Paloma Lecocq from New Caledonia. Paloma is a student at Collège de Normandie in Nouméa and she will be with us until April next year. Paloma has settled quickly into life in New Zealand and is thoroughly enjoying living with the Bruce family. We are grateful to all our homestay families who provide a home away from home for international students. Congratulations to Aoi Mashima who was presented with an Honours Award in a special school assembly recently. Aoi was awarded this in both badminton and softball. Last week we enjoyed our International Leavers’ Dinner at Indigo Restaurant. This occasion gives us the chance to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution our international students make to our school. The flashes were blinding with a night full of selfies and group shots. We had a fun time. Our non-NCEA senior students have been having a great time this week. They have been helping teachers with all kinds of jobs. They have also been surfing at Waimarama Beach with Mrs Firman on Wednesday and on Thursday they enjoyed a Sports Day with other international students in Hawke's Bay at Havelock North High School. Some of the non-NCEA seniors are currently taking advantage of the approved holiday tours provided for International students. Riikka Buelow and Kendra Benkendorf are in Rarotonga, and Isabelle Muempfer and Chiara Volkmar are exploring nearly all of the South Island, starting and ending in Christchurch. Enrolments for 2018 are arriving so we are on the lookout for more homestay families.

Would your family be interested in hosting an international student? Do you have a spare bedroom with a study desk? Do you enjoy interacting with other cultures and showing students our kiwi way of life? Short term (holiday and weekend) hosting for our hostel girls is a fun option. We would love to hear from you. Please call or email Sara Firman. Ph 8351069 ext 208 Cell 021 541791 Email [email protected] Ana van der Linden, International Dean

MATHEMATICS HEADS UP PARENTS OF YEAR 9 AND 10 STUDENTS

A heads up that from 2018 we are requiring Year 10, 11MAS and 11MAT students to have a graphics calculator. This calculator is more sophisticated than the scientific calculator that they have used in Year 9. This calculator allows students to draw graphs for statistics as well as create straight line graphs and curves from equations, and solve some higher level algebra problems. It allows them to run simulations and do a whole variety of tasks which the scientific calculator does not do. We would like the students to be learning how to use their calculator earlier, rather than in Year 11, as they currently are doing. Gaining more understanding of how to use the graphics calculator will give them an advantage in Year 11 where they can be doing more practice with the problems rather than trying to learn how to use their calculator. This graphics calculator can be used throughout their high school years and also at University or EIT. The graphics calculator is the Casio fx-9750 GII and can be purchased from HB Office Products at the start of the year for approximately $110, with your daughter’s other stationery requirements. Although the recommended retail price for this calculator is $159.95, most stationery places have it on special at the start of the year for between $110 to $140 or you could pick them up second hand on Trade Me or from a big brother or sister who is no longer using theirs. The students can still keep their scientific calculator as well, or give to a younger sibling. Students are disadvantaged in the Level 1 Achievement Standards Maths ( 11MAT and 11MAS) courses if they do not have one. The 11NSM course students are fine to still use their Casio scientific calculator fx-82 AU PLUS II, which they were asked to have in Years 9 & 10. Year 10 girls will know which Level 1 Maths class they are in nearer the end of the term. If you have any questions please email Miss Ching on [email protected] or Ph 8351069

NEWS FROM THE ARTS JUNIOR AND INTERMEDIATE SOLO SINGING

Junior and Intermediate solo singing was held last week and there were record numbers of students involved. Congratulations to all students who participated. Intermediate Solo Singing results: 1st - Billie Swayn 2nd - Olivia Zuiderwijk 3rd equal - Anna Morley & Anneliese Van Florentein Junior Solo Singing Results: 1st - Jorja Tobeck 2nd - Te Ao Rakete 3rd - Jovalannah Leato

SPRING CONCERTS

Last Wednesday we had our final lunchtime concert of the year. Once again we were lucky to have a lovely sunny day to be able to sit outside the Nixon Performing Arts Suite and listen to the bands and soloists. Performing this week were soloists, Ruby McKnight, Anna Morley and Molly Kerr. Also, two of our bands ‘Black Out’ and ‘Bandits’. At these lunchtime concerts the Year 11 music students who are taking Music Technology standards have the opportunity to have their skills of setting up the PA system assessed. They did a fantastic job setting up and working on the sound desk throughout the concert. We are very fortunate to have Mr Rinie Coppelmans and Mr Jason Alexander on hand to help with these concerts. Thanks and well done to everyone who performed and helped with these concerts.

GUITAR CONCERT

On Thursday evening we had our annual Guitar Concert. In this concert all students who learn guitar at school perform items they have been learning in their lessons. It is a good chance for parents to hear their daughter perform in a group with the backing of their teacher Mr Boston. Thanks to Mr Boston and all the guitar students for this enjoyable evening of music.

CAREERS UPDATE Congratulations to all the senior students who have gained Tertiary Scholarships for 2018. Currently, we have over 50 students who have been awarded Scholarships. Congratulations also to Janayah Lewis, a Year 11 student, who was a successful recipient of the University of Otago Ngā Mahi-a-Ringa Pūtaiao Scholarship. Janayah will participate in a week-long programme at Otago University from Sunday 14 January to Friday 19 January, 2018. Work Experience: Year 10 During work experience students see first-hand what happens in a typical day on the job. Students get a realistic idea of the positive and negative parts of a job which helps them to make a more informed choice about their future courses. All Year 10 students are expected to participate in work experience. Students need to organise their own work experience. The scheduled day for work experience this year is Friday 1 December. Students will be issued a work experience booklet to complete. If students need a letter for their employer they must collect this from the Careers Centre. If students cannot arrange their work experience themselves they must see Ms Myra Storey in the Careers Centre. If parents have any concerns please contact Mrs Caroline Johnson: [email protected].

Mrs C Johnson - Careers Adviser EIT SCHOLARSHIPS AND PATHWAYS FOR MAORI AND PASIFIKA STUDENTS

We had an inspiring visit from the EIT Maori and Pasifika Team on Wednesday November 1st. Rhys Thurston, the Maori and Pasifika Liaison Officer, brought a past NGHS student, Kylarni Tamaiva-Eria, who is currently embarking on a Masters in Visual Design, and a Gisborne student, Atawhai Papuni Hohepa, a Māori student in her first year of Bachelor of Nursing. Around 80 Maori and Pasifika girls from Year 9-13 attended the session and were buzzing at the end, many staying to ask questions and talk further. An inspiring video featuring Maori and Pasifika students focussed on the support and community at EIT and Rhys, Kylarni and Atawhai talked of the way further study had opened up opportunities for them and their futures. Rhys and his colleagues gave specific information to the girls about subject choices and financial scholarships and emphasised the need to have careers talks in Year 10, 11 and 12 in order to choose the best subjects to study at NCEA. It was wonderful to have old girl Kyalarni back, as she gave our girls valuable messages for their time at school and their thoughts about the future. Key messages that girls took away were: • They are needed by, and invaluable to, health and education professions in particular • To surround themselves with good people that help you to stay focussed and support you when work seems difficult • That there are lots of people to support you through further study and a great deal of financial aid • To think ahead now and work hard at school as this gives you the opportunity to have the life you want. For further information please contact Mrs Caroline Johnson or Mrs Catherine Kelsey.

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS 2017 HAWKE’S BAY SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS AWARDS Congratulations to the following Napier Girls’ High School athletes who were winners at the Hawkes’ Bay Secondary Schools Sports Awards, held at the Napier Municipal Theatre: Basketballer of the Year : Rosalia Samia Equestrian of the Year : Ruby Mason Netballer of the Year: Jaydi Taylor-Chaffey Volleyballer of the Year : Rosalia Samia 2017 Female All-Rounder: Rosalia Samia

Rosalia Samia

Ruby Mason

Jaydi Taylor-Chaffey

STUDENT COACH AWARDS

Well done to Skye Wright, Mollie Lord, Ally Richardson, Kiah McCorkindale, Aria Transom, Gabrielle Howe, Kaitlin Cotter, Sophie James, Rileigh Knapp, Vianca Troy, Caitlin Wilson and Scarlet Patterson who were awarded their Growing Coaches awards from Sport Hawkes’ Bay last week. Congratulations to Scarlet Paterson who was awarded a $2,000 Growing Coaches Scholarship from MACCA Sports Leadership Academy.

TENNIS CHAMPS

Our school tennis championships were held this week, in lovely weather. Well done to the following girls who won all their games to become the Napier Girls’ High School Tennis Champions for 2017: Junior Champion - Ruby Roberts Intermediate Champion - Lily Verhoeven Senior Champion - Sophia Nash

CAPE CHALLENGE

Two weeks ago the Napier Girls’ High School team of Frances Rainbow, Brianna Lee, and Emily Dunn won the open women’s team division of the Cape Challenge in a time of 3 hours 15 minutes. The Cape Challenge is a 32 kilometre race out to Cape Kidnappers - along the beach, inland up a very steep hill, over farmland, and back to the start, via a number of river crossings. The girls competed against 40 other teams and won by 19 minutes.

BASKETBALL

Rosalia Samia was a member of the New Zealand Under 17 Womens’ Basketball team that recently travelled to India to compete in the World Championship Qualifiers. Her team succeeded in qualifying for the 2018 U17 World Basketball Championships. This is the first time a NZ Women’s team have reached this top level in basketball - Fantastic job, Rosalia!

FOOTBALL

Maggie Pedersen, Cate Pedersen, Aimee Atkins, Charlotte Lancaster were all recently selected into the Central Federation Football team to attend the National Age Group Tournament in Wellington in December. Maggie, Cate and Aimee are part of the U16 team and Charlotte is in the U14 team. Cate Pedersen, Aimee Atkins, and Charlotte Lancaster will all continue from this tournament in the U15 girls Federation team from January to April next year.

CRICKET

Cate Pedersen and Margot Scoular have been selected to trial for the Central Districts under 21 cricket team in Wanganui… good luck, girls!

ATHLETICS

Most of our top school athletes are currently preparing for National Secondary Schools Athletics Championships in the Regional Club Competitions. At the recent Central Regions Athletics meet In Wanganui, Brianna Lee showed that she is well on track to retain her NZ title in the Junior Girls 800m, with a 400m time of 60.01s and a personal best in the 200m of 27.46s. Combined with Nina Boesch, Libby Girvan, and Briana Stephenson, they went on to win the 4 x 400m Relay, with Brianna coming from behind in the final leg to claim victory. We are very fortunate this year to have the National Secondary Schools Athletics Championships located on our doorstep in the Hawke’s Bay. These championships are to be held at the Hastings Sports Park on 1st-3rd December. Schools across the Hawke’s Bay will be assisting in the running of this event, and Napier Girls’ High School is helping on Saturday 2nd December. If you are able to assist please let Sheila Smidt know - [email protected] You don’t have to be a super athlete, or know much about how the events are organised - helpers will be given easy instructions on the day!

Jo Owen, Head of Sport