BOARD UPDATE November 2017
Tēnā koutou katoa Term 4 is always such a busy term in the life of the school. It has been wonderful these last couple of weeks to attend the first of our celebrations of student achievement through the Sports and Cultural awards. We will soon be having our Gateway graduation, Service Academy Prize giving, and our junior and senior academic prize givings. I so enjoy being a part of these events- it is great to acknowledge all the successful young men and women who exemplify the NUA way across multiple facets of school life. At our last Board of Trustees meeting we farewelled our outgoing student representative Toni Baker. Toni has made a significant contribution during her time as a student trustee these last two years, and we will miss her! We so appreciate all that she has given, not only to the board, but to school life in general…
BOARD UPDATE September 2017
Kia ora tātou Only a week to go till school holidays! I do hope all our college staff and students have a good break over the vacation. Thank you to the more than 40 parents and caregivers who have responded to our school charter survey – we so appreciate the time you have given to do this. In Term 4 we will be working on our new charter goals and your comments will help us produce the key aspects of these goals. In our August board meeting we spent the bulk of the evening meeting with the Heads of Faculties (HOFs). Earlier in the year we had a meeting where we identified priorities for 2017 and the focus of our evening meeting was reporting back on how these priorities were being addressed, and on the identification of the enabling and limiting factors for increasing student achievement. Going forward into 2018…
2nd Placing for College Quiz Team
The 34th annual Jimmy Carter Quiz competition, hosted by Manawatu Lions, took place in Palmerston North on Wednesday. Our team in the photo are (from left around the table) Jesse Dahya, Jasmin Beach, Madison Walsh, our Lions’ coordinator, Jotham Harris (Captain) and Oliver Bau. Questions ranged from aspects of the America’s Cup, to the speed of thunder, the spelling of local Maori names, and definitions of rainfall. After the half-time interval Horowhenua College was in 1st place (we have never before been there!) but after a closely fought last hour we were pipped by 2 points by PNBHS. For this we won trophies, library books, Christmas cakes and a model of the Sky Tower. The team was coached by Mr Smith, mentored by Mrs Corbett and supported on the night by Mr O’Brien. Next year our aim is clear: a win. Roll on 2018!
Students put Pasifika pride on stage
Article courtesy of the Horowhenua Chronicle Augst 2017 Pasifika pride rocked the stage at Levin Performing Arts Society recently as students from Horowhenua and Waiopehu colleges showcased their performances from this year’s Pasifika Fusion regional competition, joined by Taitoko school and solo and group singers. In front of a packed theatre of cheering, clapping friends and whanau, Jandal Jam raised the roof bring the Pacific Islands to Nua in a vibrant array of costume, dance and song performed with passion and energy. During the evening scholarships worth $250 each were awarded by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples and Fale pasifika Horowhenua: Pacific Youth Leadership Award – Sina Crichton (Horowhenua College); Pacific Pride Award – Ruth Siania (Horowhenua College); Pacific Youth Leadership Award – Christiana Samuelu (Waiopehu College); Pacific Inspiration Award – Antonio So’oalo (Waiopehu College). It is the sixth year Fale Pasifika Horowhenua has organised the event, and chairman Aleni…
Keeping up with changes in technology
Heads Up at Horowhenua College article from the Horowhenua Chronicle Friday 18 August Kia ora koutou Talofa lava Greetings everyone Computers, the internet and digital technologies are changing the face of how students learn. No longer is the teacher “the font of all knowledge” who stands at the front of the class and tells students what they need to learn. More and more, teachers are “the guide on the side” who facilitate their students’ learning and share on the journey of learning with their students. Using technology, students are able to share their work with their teachers on-line and receive feedback on-line outside of school hours. Using devices, teachers can link their students with a class in other countries, take them on a virtual tour of famous museums and art galleries around the world, speak with an author from another country as well as use google to find the answer…
Living Wage Increase
Article courtesy of reporter Ashleigh Collis from the Horowhenua Chronicle Two Horowhenua College students refuse to sit back and let poverty statistics increase. Danielle de Burgh and Chloe Yates are trying to influence a policy change to raise the minimum wage by encouraging the public to sign an open letter to Otaki MP Nathan Guy and Labour leader Jacinda Ahern. The Year 13 students set up a stall at Te Takere on Tuesday and plan for another next Thursday. The idea was triggered by a social studies project requiring studnets to influence a policy, and the pair chose to tackle the issue around the minimum wage being $4.55 lower than the calculated living wage of $20.20. “We have both grown hugely passionate about this topical issue which is affecting many people in our own community”, said Danielle. “The living wage in 2017 has been calculated to be $20.20. It reflects…
Meet the Board of Trustee Members – Dylan Kiriona
Each month in our Board Chairs update we profile a Board of Trustees member. This month we have parent representative Dylan Kiriona. Tēnā koutou katoa, My name is Dylan Kiriona and I descend from Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Huia. I am a Parent Representative on the Board of Trustees as well as the Finance Committee and am an active whanau member of Rangatahi Ora. My wife Laurae Broughton-Kiriona and I have 5 children with 2 of them currently attending Horowhenua College. I am currently a Primary School Teacher at Levin East School and am actively involved in Kapahaka as well as coaching a range of sporting codes. It has been a pleasure to represent whanau on the board and work with an amazing and committed team under great leadership. The range of skills and experience that each member brings to the table ensures that issues are viewed from a variety…
Pasifika Youth Jandal Jam
Proudly brought to you by Fale Pasifika Horowhenua. Poly groups from Horowhenua and Waiopehu Colleges and Taitoko School will be performing in the Pasifika Youth Jandal Jam on Thursday 3 August at 7pm at the Levin Performing Arts, Queen Street East, Levin. Entry fee $5 per person at the door.