ISSUE 5, May 13 2016

Message from our Principal Term 2 has got off to a flying start. The Grease production preparation is in full swing and this is a show not to be missed. When talent, focus and work combine it is a powerful combination and I predict this show will be one of the best ever. 2015 academic results continue to grow with yet another NZQA Scholarship awarded. Tara Vaessen gained a Scholarship in Photography taking our best ever total up another notch to 44. This places NGHS at 19th in New Zealand based on the number of scholarships. When the size, decile and location of the school is considered, we are in the top handful in the country. Numerous students are being selected into representative teams for winter sports and hundreds of girls are involved in a wide variety of activities this term. Hostel interviews for places in Year 9 2017 are underway with very excited applicants hoping they get the opportunities provided here at Napier Girls’ High School. By now you will have heard the news that I have been appointed as the next Principal at Takapuna Grammar School. I take up this position at the start of Term 3 2016. I am very sad to be leaving Napier Girls’ High School after 10 wonderful years here. But there is a time for everything and another principalship will bring new challenges for me and fresh eyes to Napier Girls’ High School. A change of leadership is refreshing and with the school in such good heart, the position here will be highly sought after. There will be a time for our goodbyes and until then I wish everyone the best for this term and encourage everyone to keep focused and smiling.

Mary Nixon

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

SPORTS NEWS

BASKETBALL

Congratulations to Rosalia Samia who was selected over the holidays for the NZ Under 16 top team for Basketball.

NETBALL

Congratulations to these students who have been chosen to represent the region in netball this year.

Hawke’s Bay U17 Squad Jade Poi Briana Stephenson Jaydi Taylor-Chaffey

Hawke’s Bay U15 Team Parris Petera Ashleigh Poi Jaimee Tapine Valentine Kahukura Janayah Lewis Maddison Kaye Lyric Wesche

Hawke’s Bay Under 15 Development Team Kiah McCorkindale Renee Karaitiana Angel TeHiko Charlotte Turner Shyan Murphy Emerson Chrystal-McGrath Emily Wakely

VOLLEYBALL

Laina Samia is reserve for the Junior Women and in the NZ Junior Development team. Rosalia Samia is reserve for the Youth Women and invited to trial for the North Island Youth team.

CANOE POLO

The Canoe Polo winter league will begin on 18 June and end with finals on 24 September. Students wishing to play in this league should have registered their interest with Mrs Tamsin Haseltine and collected a letter outlining information for parents and caregivers.

SAILING

New Zealand Secondary School Teams Sailing Nationals.

This six day regatta was held in Algies Bay during the April holidays. This year’s team had their strongest start to date, being ranked in the gold fleet from their fabulous result at Central North Island regatta in Year 12 students Briana Stephenson and Jaydi Taylor-Chaffey participated in March. Napier Girls’ High School was the the International Secondary Schools’ netball tournament on May 3-6, held only girls team in this top division of the at The Trusts Arena, Auckland. Playing at wing attack for the NZ Secondary competition of 31 teams. Over the course of the regatta we clocked some solid Schools’ team, Briana helped her team win the gold medal. The final was wins against a few high calibre teams such as; New Plymouth Boys, Westlake against Australia and New Zealand won 31-21. Jaydi, playing for the Aotearoa Boys, Wentworth, Queen Charlotte College and Kings College. Overall, we Maori team excelled at wing defence and centre. Her team secured the finished up in 9th place, achieving Napier Girls’ highest result ever. This also bronze medal in the play-off for 3rd/4th. They played Fiji, winning 43-15. NZSS meant we won the top girl school in the country, warranting us a spot at the and Aotearoa Maori met each other twice. NZ won 37-26 in the first match Interdominion Championship later in the year. This takes place between the and were lucky to win 29-28 in the second match, shooting the winning goal top 3 boys and top 3 girl schools of Australia and New Zealand, as well as other in the dying moments. The girls never actually met on court, Well done girls! invited international teams. This is the third year in a row that Napier Girls’ High School won best girls school in the country.

INTERNATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS NETBALL

Thank you to all of the parents who helped us along the way, especially Rose Mannering who looked after the team during the week. Also, we would like to extend a special thank you to Mr Mannering for his coaching and guidance leading up to the nationals and Mr Otto as well. Mr Otto travelled with us to nationals and did an awesome job at umpiring throughout the regatta to keep the racing fair. by Ava Mannering, Y13

ROWING

Congratulations to Georgia King who has been selected as part of a squad of junior New Zealand rowers to take part in the 2016 World Rowing Junior Championships being held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in August. Georgia was selected to represent New Zealand following a rigorous six day trial. Junior representation is considered an important part of the Rowing New Zealand high performance pathway. We wish you all the best with your preparations and competition at this event, Georgia.

ORIENTEERING REPORT

NORTH ISLAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS CHAMPS APRIL 28-30, 2016

Napier Girls' High School regained its place at the top of the North Island Schools' orienteering tree by winning back the Top School trophy at the North Island Schools' event held in Hawkes Bay over the last weekend. With roughly 400 school’s competitors at the event, it was a remarkably comprehensive victory, as Napier amassed 150 points each day to finish with 454 altogether. This was too much for the closest rivals, Pukekohe HS with 321, Auckland Diocesan School 266 and Havelock North 265. While the team was anchored by the experienced Seniors and Intermediates, the Juniors with 12 first year orienteers also pulled their weight, which augurs well for the future. The team started strongly in the Sprint race held around Anderson Park, Taradale, where the Seniors excelled with Harriet Holt winning the Sprint title, Claudia Layton taking Silver, and an off-colour Georgia Creagh 5th in a field of 35. Intermediate Girls had a field of 50, and Napier Girls’ placed three in the top half of that grade, including Carolyne Nel 5th, while Juniors had 44 starters and also managed three in the top half (Siena Harrison 7th) to give Napier the lead overall by 44 over Pukekohe. Day 2 had the team move to Waipoapoa Station near Mohi Bush, south of Maraetotara for the Long Distance event. The Senior Girls would have been a little disappointed with results there, but the damage was alleviated by the performances of our Standard Grade runners, Olivia Beckman who was 2nd and Olivia Heal 5th. Georgia Creagh battled through both blisters and a heavy cold to run 8th in the Championship grade with Harriet 9th. The Intermediate grade steadied the ship, with Carolyne running second in Championship and Emily Dunn 1st in Standard Grade. Juniors performed extremely well in Standard grade with Napier taking first, second and third, thanks to Frances Rainbow, Kate Stewart and Billie Swayn, in that order. Siena had another good run for 6th in Championship, giving Napier a 79 point lead after Day 2. The final day saw the relay competition near Te Awanga, which provided great spectator viewing although the grey day was a stark contrast to the previous HB sunshine. The girls closed out the event with a solid performance across the board in the relays with no mispunches. Highlight was the Intermediate Girls’ victory, with Polly Cavanagh continuing some fine form (11th in the Sprint and 12th in the Long Champs) leading the field after the first leg by nearly two minutes, then Bella Holt holding second for Carolyne Nel to come through and take the win by two and a half minutes over Pukekohe. Seniors took second place after Georgia Creagh was a close second after Leg one, Claudia came in 3rd, and Harriet pulled the team back into 2nd place. Our Junior Girls teams finished 6th, 8th and 9th, and that was easily enough to extend the final margin to 133 points. The 6th placed team was Siena, Frances Rainbow and Zarah Anderson. Other points scorers were Maddy Pinckney (Junior Sprint) and Zarah Anderson (Intermediate Sprint and Long) , while Susan Eatson showed her class in the Senior Relay with 6th fastest time. There were 33 girls competing for the School this time, and as we prepare this term for NZ Schools and the possibility of being chosen as NZ representatives to the World Schools next year in Italy, it would be useful to see us take more than that to Waikato next holidays. Those that feel they are a chance to be selected for NZ Schools to travel to Australia in late September should be planning to attend the Queen’s Birthday event in the Manawatu area, which is the main selection trial, along with the NZ Schools event.

Derek Morrison (Manager/Coach)

DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S HILLARY AWARD Bronze Award

Congratulations to all the students who have now completed both their Bronze Training and Practice Tramps. Last weekend the second group of Bronze Award students tramped The Te Puia Track in perfect weather. The students, lead by Mr Megchelse and the team from Maka Hika, continued to learn skills that we hope will create a long term love of the great outdoors. A high level of physical fitness, organising food and overnight camping gear, basic bushcraft, mapping and working as a team are all skills highly regarded throughout the Duke of Edinburgh Award. All students had a lot fun and are on track for their final qualifying tramps on either 19-20 November or 1-2 December. Special thanks to the fantastic parents who gave up their weekends. Parent support on these tramps is not only crucial but also a wonderful opportunity for parents to participate in an activity with their teenage daughters and her friends. All students should be very busy getting the other sections of their award completed and signed off. As soon as they complete their qualifying tramp they need to hand their completed books to me for processing. It is important that students are well organised and don’t leave it all to the last minute. If any student has any concerns about any aspects of the award they need to see me. I am in the library every Tuesday for just this reason.

Mrs Bassett-Foss Award Leader

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

WINEMAKING 2016

A group of keen science students and some of their teachers from Napier Girls’ High School took part in a winemaking course at EIT over the April holidays. On the first day students went out into a vineyard and picked grapes which they processed further in the EIT winemaking facilities. Processing involved a variety of analytic methods which included some work in the chemistry laboratories at EIT. In groups, student prepared their own wine in fermentation containers. On the second day the young winemakers learned more about techniques to improve the quality of the fermentation processes. The busy program also included a visit to a working winery which provided further insights into this thriving industry in Hawke’s Bay, which included a spectacular display of one of most advanced harvest machines in the world. The work on the wine is ongoing and it is expected that the wine will be ready for bottling in November. Many thanks must be given to the dedicated staff at EIT, in particular Tim Creagh, who allow the girls to learn about the fundamental processes of winemaking while providing a good insight into this exciting career option.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

We welcome Theerada (Ai) Jumroonpong to our international student community. Ai is from Thailand and has settled in quickly to school and homestay life. We thank the other international students and wider school for their warm welcome to Ai. This year we are fielding an international netball team again. Netball is a new sport to all team members so they are keen to learn and develop new skills and have fun along the way. Team members are Katrin Tinnacher (Austria), Kaon Shimono, Chihori Matsuoka, Aoi Mashima, Nene Takeuchi, Aya Oi, Mayo Mimuro, Mayu Nishimura (all from Japan), Ai Jumroonpong and Ploy Dhamkawtrakul (both from Thailand). They will play on Wednesdays after school and are coached by three senior students. Team manager is Mrs Firman. Mr van Florenstein attended an international student marketing event in Hamburg, Germany last month to promote our school to prospective international students. It was good to further develop the international connection with the area from which we draw our current German students. Eleven students along with Mrs van der Linden are looking forward to our annual Wellington trip next week. The Lord of the Rings fans among us can’t wait to see Weta Cave.

Ana van der Linden International Dean

Ai Jumroonpong

TRAVEL NEWS

During the April holidays sixteen students and four staff were extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Japan. The trip provided them with invaluable social experiences, a chance to use the language in authentic contexts, and opportunities to visit key cultural sites such as Miyajima, Hiroshima Peace Park, and Kiyomizu-dera among others. Students also immersed themselves in modern pop culture by visiting game centers and the shopping precincts of Harajuku, Nakano Broadway and Akihabara. Some novelties they enjoyed were Cosplay Purikura and UFO catchers. While watching a Tokyo Giants baseball game two students had the opportunity to dress up in mascot costumes, go on the field and have a race in front of fifty thousand people! The highlight for many was the chance to experience Japanese family life on a homestay and school visit with our sister school in Tokyo, Kosei Gakuen Girls’ High School. The students made many friends, built on their international knowledge and understanding, returning to New Zealand with new found confidence and maturity.

ANZAC DAY

On Monday 25 April, the Prefects of Napier Girls’ High School attended the ANZAC Services at Napier and Taradale. A wreath made by students and staff of the school was laid at both ceremonies. The services, which commemorate all New Zealanders killed at war as well as honouring returned servicemen and women, were well attended.

CAREERS UPDATE

Tertiary Open Days 9 May - Dunedin Tertiary 13 May - Waikato University 14 July - Canterbury University 15 July - Lincoln University 3 August - Massey University – Manawatu 20 August - Massey University – Auckland 26 August - Massey University – Wellington 26 August - Victoria University 27 August - Auckland University 27 August - Auckland University of Technology The school will organise trips to both Massey University, Palmerston North, and Victoria University, Wellington. More information regarding these trips will be available soon. HAWKE’S BAY CAREERS EXPO 2016 Napier Girls’ High School is booked to attend the annual Careers Expo at Pettigrew-Green Arena, Wednesday 25 May, from 10.00am to 11.00am. This is compulsory for our Year 12 students and is optional for Year 13 students. The charge is $4 per student and students need to return their permission letter by Tuesday 17th May. The Careers Expo has become a highly successful event and is an excellent opportunity for students to speak with the experts in their field and to view the array of options available in the career decision-making process. The Expo is also open to parents/caregivers and all students on Tuesday 24 May, 4.30pm to 7.30pm at Pettigrew Green Arena. Work Experience at the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Lab - Natalie Exeter: Whenever people asked me whether I could picture myself working in a lab, I really had no idea what to picture. This is why it was so awesome to experience a lab in full action. I never realised how busy and systematic everything was. It was like a separate little community set above the hospital, doing all the behind the scenes work which is then delivered to patients downstairs. Our day was pretty full on with approx. an hour in each area of the lab, where we carried out experiments and discovered what it’s really like to work in each department rather than being told what it may be like. My personal favourite was microbiology. It was so interesting yet horrifying to see the many different types of bacteria we unconsciously are surrounded by in our everyday life and how antibiotics works against some types. Getting to use all the new equipment, which we do not have access to in our school science labs was also a great opportunity to further discover which department was best suited to us. I am glad I took this opportunity, as it has given me a much better idea of what it would be like to pursue a career in a lab. STUDENTS EXPERIENCE VINTAGE Students from Napier Girls’ High School recently had a hands-on experience of vintage, picking grapes, analysing the fruit and making their own wine. The group took part in a two-day workshop, one of a range of holiday tasters offered by EIT to senior high school students, giving them the opportunity to explore career and tertiary study options. For the School of Viticulture and Wine Science taster, the group hand harvested Merlot from a vineyard in Omarunui Road, Taradale. Students recorded pH levels and titratable acidity in EIT’s science laboratories. The exercise concluded with them bottling their wine, which EIT presented to their parents and caregivers. The students completed their taster with a trip to Trinity Hill, to see vintage in action at a commercial winery.

And the word is getting out!! You will have noticed our banner proudly flying across Tennyson Street and the signboard at the front of the school. They must be effective as ticket sales continue to rise at a good rate. The cast and crew are entering the final phase of preparation and will be working some long hours over the next three weeks as they put the final details into place for opening night on May 25. This is a large cast show (80 onstage) and the sound they are creating is most impressive. Remember the key details: Wednesday 25, Thursday 26 and Friday 27 May at 7.30 pm. Napier Municipal Theatre, Tennyson Street. Tickets only $15.00 single or $50.00 for 4 (Booking charges will apply) We welcome GEAREY PAINTING COMPANY as another sponsor of our show. They join FASTWAY PRINT as people who have offered us support and we ask that you consider using them as a thank-you for their help to us.

SCHOLARSHIP

2016 Scholarship Workshop Sessions These workshops are designed for students sitting Scholarship subjects in 2016. The majority of the workshops are being held at EIT, Gloucester Street, Taradale. The cost for students is $50 for one, $60 for two and $70 for three or more workshops. This fee will be charged to your daughter’s account. All students registered will be charged. Attendees will need to bring their own snacks/refreshments. Any questions, please contact Caroline Johnson, [email protected].

May 12, Thursday August 4, Thursday May 19, Thursday Second session TBC May 28, Saturday

4pm – 6.30pm 4pm – 6.30pm 4pm – 6pm

DVC (@ Karamu High Tec10)

9am – 1pm

June 13, Monday June 15, Wed June 17, Friday June 17, Friday June 18, Saturday June 23, Thursday June 25, Saturday July 26, Tuesday August 6, Saturday August 13, Saturday August 16, Tuesday (To be Confirmed) August 20, Saturday August 30, Tuesday Sept 8, Thursday Sept 10, Saturday To be confirmed

4pm - 8pm 4pm - 8pm 1 – 3 pm 3.30 – 5.30 pm 9am – 1pm 4pm - 8pm 1pm - 5pm 4pm - 8pm 9am – 1pm 9am – 1pm 4pm - 8pm

Visual Arts EIT LT2 Media Studies (@ Lindisfarne Room F4 – Media Studies – Francis Block) Physical Education EIT A101 ESSAY WRITING A – for Arts/Humanities/SocSci EIT LT1 ESSAY WRITING B – for Science/Math/Tech/PE EIT LT1 English EIT LT2 Economics EIT A101 Biology EIT LT2 Chemistry EIT A101 Physics EIT A101 Accounting EIT A101 Geography EIT A101

9am – 1pm 4pm – 8pm 4pm – 8pm 9am – 1pm

Technology (@ HNHS Rm 207)

Statistics EIT A101 Calculus EIT A101 History EIT LT2 Classics EIT LT2 Drama

NZQA SCHOLARSHIP Congratulations to Tara Vaessen Another NZQA Scholarship has been awarded to a NGHS student. Congratulations to Tara Vaessen who has been awarded a NZQA scholarship in Photography. NZQA Scholarship is the very highest academic award in New Zealand. It is an extremely demanding and challenging examination designed to identify the top 3% of students in each subject. With the recent release of the NZQA Scholarship Examination results, we are very proud to announce that NGHS achieved the highest number of scholarships (44 scholarships) outside the four biggest metropolitan areas of Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. We gained 19th place overall for all schools in New Zealand. We also attained the highest number of scholarships for all girls’ schools outside the Auckland region and fifth highest in the whole of New Zealand for all girls’ schools. The school’s focus on personalized learning and the implementation of e-learning and teaching is clearly impacting on student achievement. We would like to congratulate all our students and teachers who took part in the Scholarship. The hard work and dedication they displayed is a very high benchmark for future year groups to aspire to.

Congratulations to all the other schools who strove to keep challenging the highest academic benchmarks and the fabulous results in 2015.

NCEA - MEDICAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

If your daughter is sick for an NCEA assessment she is required to complete a ‘Missed Assessment’ application form (found in her handbook) and supply a medical certificate. A medical certificate may allow the Principal’s Nominee to: • use existing, accumulated evidence to award a grade • grant an extension • set a new assessment date A medical certificate may be obtained by: 1. Seeing your (regular) doctor 2. Visiting your health provider and being assessed by the practice nurse (rather than the doctor) who will provide an appropriate note explaining your illness. Please contact your health provider to find out whether this option is available to you. 3. Coming into school on your day of illness and being assessed by our Deputy Principal, Ms Downs. Ms Downs will make a decision as to the appropriate course of action. Should you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact me at school.

Evert van Florenstein

Deputy Principal/Principal’s Nominee

NZQA - THE APPEALS PROCESS

This process may be used if your daughter disagrees with any decision relating to assessment: a grade awarded, provision of an assessment opportunity or extension, or allegation of a breach of the rules. The teacher will explain the criteria for each grade or an assessment when it is handed back to your daughter. If she thinks that an assessment has been incorrectly marked, she can ask the teacher to reconsider. In this process the teacher should explain the result and make any necessary alterations. If she is unhappy with the teacher’s explanation or decision, she may ask the Head of Department for a decision, using an ‘Appeal Application Form’ (available online). This must be done within 3 school days of receiving the grade. If your daughter disagrees with the Head of Department’s decision, the Principal’s Nominee will be asked to consider the case. The Principal’s Nominee may consult with the Head of Department, Dean, Counsellor or family. The Principal’s Nominee’s decision is final.

FORTNIGHTLY CALENDAR

OUR FULL CALENDAR CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE MAY Week 3 Mon 16 Tue 17 Wed 18 Thur 19 Fri 20 Sat 21 Sun 22 Week 4 Mon 23 Tue 24 Wed 25 Thur 26 Fri 27 Sat 28 Sun 29

ECNI Cross Country relays Havelock North 12-3.30pm 20 students. Year 12 Young Leaders' trip to Wellington BOT Meeting 5.30pm in H7 Hui 4-5pm. Year 12 Young Leaders' trip. Normal Start. 1-3pm Young Enterprise Dragons Den Event, Havelock North. Grease - first full day rehearsal at theatre Grease rehearsal 5-11pm. School Production dress rehearsal day 8.30-11pm. Senior Adventure race Palmerston North. School Production "Grease" 7.30pm Municipal Theatre. HB Careers Expo Year 12 students and interested Year 13 studnets 10-11am Late Start. School Production "Grease" 7.30pm Municipal Theatre School Production "Grease" 7.30pm Municipal Theatre Tauranga Girls' College sports exchange. HB Rock Quest heats

KAHUI MĀORI

This group fosters the growth of Tikanga Māori throughout the school. One goal is to maintain and develop relationships between the junior and senior girls to ensure that their peers have strong role models to aspire to and can share in and experience their own success. Back row left to right : Forne Burkin, Miro King, Grace Heays, Tiara Crichton, Charei Hooper, Te Aorewa Areta, Terell Lambert Front row left to right: Beth Murfit, Teilah Ferguson, Jade Poi, Briana Stephenson, Ocean Royal, Lyric Cleal

FRENCH NEWS

Junior French students enjoyed an interactive browsing session of French literature with the arrival of a touring French Bookvan at school on Tuesday the 10th and Wednesday the 11th of May. The girls learnt a lot about Parisian culture, French literature for children and made an iconic bookmark to take home with them. Merci beaucoup Faustine et Samuel!

Miss Rosaria Campbell

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION A meeting was held onThursday 10 May. The following was discussed at the meeting:

Tertiary Education Evening Tuesday 28 June 7.00pm in the Staffroom The Parent Teacher Association would like to invite parents and their daughters to a meeting to help explain what happens at University and other Tertiary institutions. Old girls, who are currently studying at these institutions, will share their thoughts and advice. The Napier Girls’ High School Future Focus Team will also discuss how they are preparing students for tertiary study. Banking representatives will discuss student finance management. This is a great opportunity to find out what really happens! Napier Girls’ High School Ball Friday 29 July at the Rodney Green Events Centre The Ball is a Parent Teacher Association fundraiser. The PTA Ball sub-committee is working with the Student Ball Committee to make this a fun filled and glamorous evening! If you are able to assist with decorating on Friday 29 July, please email me at the address below, with when you are able to help between the hours of 8am and 2pm. This is a great way to support the Parent Teacher Association without attending regular meetings. An hour or two of your time would be a huge help and very much appreciated. Suzanne Downs, PTA Chairperson, [email protected]

CHANGE TO TIMETABLE TERM 2 AND 3

From the beginning of Term 2 and continuing in Term 3, school will start for students at 9.15am on every alternate Thursday morning only, to enable staff to undertake training in a number of areas identified in the school’s strategic plan. Staff appreciate the opportunity this presents to work on a variety of topics which range from ICT through to Personalised Learning. The plan below gives the start time for each Thursday in Terms 2 & 3. Students will not lose class time with the later start on alternate Thursdays – an extended form period slot has been adjusted instead. On the Thursday when there is a late start, the Taradale, Greenmeadows and Tamatea buses will arrive 30 minutes later than usual to bus stops. Bayview and Clive buses will continue to run on their Term 1 times as these are Ministry of Education buses which transport students from many schools. Students who need to be at school earlier than 9.15am will be welcome to use the school library and classroom facilities. Parents have been very supportive of this initiative since 2003. With the many changes taking place in education these days, it is essential that staff have more opportunities to meet workload and professional training needs.

Term 2 Thursdays Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Date 5 May 12 May 19 May 26 May 2 June 9 June 16 June 23 June 30 June 7 July

Description Normal Late Normal Late Normal Late Normal Late Late Normal

Term 3 Thursdays Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Date 28 July 4 August 11 August 18 August 25 August 1 September 8 September 15 September 22 September

Description Normal Late Normal Late Normal Late Normal Late Normal

Normal = 8.40am starts with assembly Late = 9.15am start Period 1: 9.15-10.10am Period 2: 10.10-11.10am The rest of the day is normal