New Science Laboratories
After 10 months of construction we were able to bless and open five new science labs late in Term 2. These have been years in the planning but the wait was worth it. These new labs enable our students to actively engage with the significant changes that are taking place through science based programmes. The new labs have specifications that enable us to extend students through experimental work and practical activities. It was appropriate that two of our students who have career paths based on the sciences, be involved in the opening of the labs. These two students were Isaac Bishop and Tonga Ngaluafe. The science labs are open for instruction onday one of Term 3.
New DP ready to make changes in technology
Article courtesy of the Wanganui Chronicle. Photo: Grant Congdon, Principal Horowhenua College and new Deputy Principal, Jason White The new Deputy Principal at Horowhenua College has big plans to lead the way in digital integration. Jason White, 32, first became a DP at 29. Brought up on a dairy farm in Eketahuna, Mr White graduated from Massy University in 2007 and taught at Whanganui High School and William Colenso College in Napier before getting his first DP role at Ruapehu College, Ohakune where he spent three years transforming the school to reach its highest academic results ever. Mr White said when he first arrived at Ruapehu College it was in “quite a bad way” and was under Education statutory management. “I loved it, being able to just get stuck in and role my sleeves up,” he said. “We effectively got the school back on its feet and functioning really well…
Reel Earth Film Festival Winner – ‘3 Boys and a River’
Reel Earth Film Festival Winner – ‘3 Boys and a River’ Our students have been participating in a science/technology program funded by The PTC Trust (Partners Through Collaboration) and MBIE Unlocking Curious Minds to study the water quality of the Ohau River. In Technology, they created videos to showcase how what they have learnt affects their decisions for the future. Five of our students, Charn Murphy-Eagle, Derome David-Harper, Toko Finau, Tupou Tosi and James Betty submitted their video to the Reel Earth Film Awards and won the Kaitiaki Award. The story begins with three boys chillin’ at the Ohau River, Horowhenua Levin. They interviewed Matua Lindsay Poutama Education Manager for Te Iwi o Ngati Tukorehe Trust who tells them about the damage farms and pollution are doing to the river. He explains to them the responsibility we all have in guarding the water quality. The boys then gain the opportunity…
BOARD UPDATE August 2017
Kia ora tātou It seems like the months are flying by – we are now well into term 3, and already looking toward to 2018 with our focus on charter review and the recent Open evening and day for prospective year 9 students. In preparation for our last board meeting we received summaries of all the feedback from parents and caregivers obtained from the questionnaires administered by our trustees at parent interviews and Open night. We are interested in what is working well for you and your child, what might be improved and what parents would like to see as part of their young people’s education. It was suggested that we also place the survey we administered on-line, so expect to see this in the next couple of weeks. We want to hear from you and would really encourage you to write down your thoughts and ideas, whether you have…
BOARD UPDATE July 2017
Tena koutou katoa We held our final board meeting for the term in Week 9. The last few weeks of term have been particularly busy with sports matches and exchanges, flag assembly, report evenings, open days and the house haka competitions. A group of staff, students and representatives of Muaupoko headed off to Auckland on June 27th to celebrate the success of the Rangatahi Ora programme. Though we didn’t win our category we were one of only eleven schools (out of 2539 schools in the country) who made it to the finals, so that alone is an impressive feat! We also celebrated the opening of our five new science labs last week, these had been on the drawing board for many years and it was fantastic to see them come to fruition. Thanks to all those who had a hand in their design and build especially Colspec Construction and Proarch…
2017 Open Evening
We recently had a very successful Open Eveing where Year 8’s and their families came to visit the college. Should you have missed visiting us on the night please do not hesitate to ring the college on 0800 467694, extension 703, or email the college office at office@horowhenua.webhost19.inspire.net.nz to arrange a tour. Prospectuses have been posted home to Year 8’s and we are now accepting enrolments for 2018. Please contact the college office if you have any questions.
Board of Trustees Student Representative
My name is Toni Baker and I am the Student Representative on the Board of Trustees and am in my second term on the board. I am currently in year 13 at Horowhenua College. I am looking to do a conjoint degree in law and commerce at university next year and hopefully from there I will end up working in Corporate Law or in politics for the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice. As the student representative I have been provided with the opportunities to learn about governance, to further my abilities as a leader through attending a 5 day course at Great Barrier Island, and to develop my appreciation of all the hard work the teachers and staff put in, in order to make sure each and every individual at Horowhenua College achieves to their highest potential. This has honestly been the most enriching and valuable experience…
International Representation
Photo Courtesy of reporter, Ashleigh Collis, Horowhenua Chronicle. Horowhenua College student Mike Searle, 17 (left) won a silver medal in sparring at the recent Taekwon Do Regional Competition held in Levin. Mike has been selected for the New Zealand Team to compete at the world championships to be held in Dublin, Ireland later this year. Tom Biggs, 19 (right), a former Horowhenua College student, will also be representing New Zealand. Mike, a member of the Southern Cross Taekwon Do Academy, will be competing in four events: Individual Male Power; Individual Male Sparring – Hyper; Team Male Power and Team Male Sparring.