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Year 13 Graduation Ceremony Tonight it is our pleasure to showcase and acknowledge our successful students at our Year 13 Graduation Ceremony, from 7:30pm at the Ashburton Trust Event Centre. This evening is a significant marker in the lives of our graduating students. We of course wish them well as they move out into the ‘real world’ (although many would argue Ashburton College News Individual Excellence in a Supportive Learning Environment Issue 36 31 October 2019 Message From The Principal that University study is like an alternate universe). This evening always provides a small sense of a job well done, for staff. There is a considerable degree of satisfaction seeing students departing at eighteen and well on their way to becoming positive members of society. 2019 Student Leaders This year group has been fantastic. They have been a cohesive group and have accomplished much. I would like to acknowledge, in particular, three groups of students: The first is our four Head Students and the Student Executive. The second is the number of students who have been willing to provide mentoring to their younger peers - whether it be words of wisdom, as reading mentors, cultural groups or sports coaches. All of these have been greatly appreciated. The third group is the number of senior students who got involved in support of the duty teachers. Being able to look out and see a mixture of green and orange vests has helped our school become very settled. Acknowledgement On the subject of acknowledgement there will be a number of farewells for teacher Mark Gleason. Mark has recently announced that this year at Ashburton College will be his last. This is his 49th year of continuous service and many people I meet in the community have spoken fondly of their memories of him as a teacher. We will wish him well in his retirement at the end of this school year. Red Carpet Evening Last Thursday we had our Red Carpet Evening which celebrates the cream of musical performance within our College. It is always a fantastic event and this year was no exception. In addition to the performers, I would also like to acknowledge our Music Tutors, Music Teachers, and also Ron Cresswell and his technical crew who provide the performance support that makes this evening so special. Noteworthy Events Next week we have several noteworthy events. On the evening of Monday 04 November we have our Art Department exhibiting students’ work in both Art and Photography. If you have a child doing these subjects you will understand how much work and care goes into these folio boards. This will be a great evening to come along and have a look at the standard of work these students are producing. You will be impressed. This event will be held in the Ashburton College Staffroom, from 4:00pm and all are welcome. Our Year 12 Prize-giving is also on Monday 04 November followed on Tuesday 05 November by our Year 11 Prize-giving. Both events start at 7:30pm in the College Auditorium. We invite all families to come along and celebrate the achievements of our students. Many thanks, Ross Preece Principal Ashburton College Phoenix Magazine 2019 This annual production is a wonderful record of each year at College, and becomes a more important record of memories the longer students and staff are away from Ashburton College. Remember: This will be published at the end of February 2020. Payment for Magazine - $25 per copy All families have now received an updated account that will include the charge for the Magazine. To secure your copy of the Phoenix Magazine, payment will be required by Thursday 14 November. Obtaining your Magazine Copy These will be delivered to students in-College at the end of February. For students who have left – families will be notified that the Magazine can be collected from the College Office. Where this isn’t possible we will make arrangements to ensure you receive the copy. Information Open Night is next Monday 04 November in the College Staffroom, so please do join us for refreshments, and of course the experience of enjoying a range of student creativity and passion that explodes onto the page. Head of Arts Faculty Milly Brown said the students have worked hard, and would love to share their work with you. If you can't make it on Monday 04 November, then the staffroom will be open after school on Tuesday 05 November until 4:30pm, for a wander through at leisure. We look forward to seeing you there! Ashburton College Art Exhibition – ‘This Is Us’ AshColl is proud to present 'This is Us', an Art Exhibition showcasing all the amazing up-and-coming talent in Ashburton. Ashburton College Year 9 Academic Scholarships Criteria and application forms are now available from your child’s school. The Closing Date for applications is Thursday 07 November 2019, 3:30pm. The academic examinations will be held at Ashburton College on Monday 18 November from 9:00am–11:15am. Enquiries and applications to be made to Sheena Tyrrell, Management Administrator, Email: [email protected] Phone: 308 4193, extension 812; 027 247 8003. Please note that these Scholarships are Academic Excellence Scholarships. Staff Farewells Regretfully we farewell two staff from College this week, and we thank both for their positive inputs. Tony Robson - Tony has been with Ashburton College since the beginning of 2017, as Head of Faculty Physical Education, Health and Outdoor Education. During this time he has assimilated well into the culture of Ashburton College, also taking up extra portofolios. Very supportive of inter-cultural relationships Tony held responsibility for Pasifika Student Performance, being involved in promoting and co- ordinating students to various events, including sPACPAC speech and performance occasions at which our students gained some notable successes. Tony held an Across-Schools’ Teacher position under the auspices of the Kahui Ako o Hakatere (Hakatere Schools’ Community of Learning position) and was also committed to leading curriculum change and innovation through the various evaluation Middle Management forums within College, including the Innovation Project Ashburton team. We are sorry to be losing Tony as a person and his input, but do equally wish him well on his promotion to Deputy Principal at Opihi College. Tony leaves us tomorrow to take up this position. Teri Nichol – has been Ashburton College’s Student Careers Co-ordinator since August 2016. Teri came with a background of knowledge, experience and expertise in this area and quickly found her feet at College. Work experience relationships have been maintained and built with the Mid Canterbury community, which remains very loyal to supporting our students as they evaluate and experience employment and training options. In her three years in the role, many students have benefitted from advice, opportunities, expo visits and expos co-ordinated on-site at College. Students will be very appreciative of the time Teri has given them. Teri’s input and support will be missed by staff and students alike but she is wished well for her new ventures in Christchurch, with our appreciation for all that she has contributed. Teri’s last day at College was today. Government-funded Service: Hearing Service for Sixteen Years and Over How’s your Hearing? Even young people can lose hearing through noise exposure, heredity and some medical conditions. If you feel you are not hearing well, have your hearing checked before starting tertiary education or entering the work force. Heather Talbott, at Life Unlimited Hearing Therapy, provides FREE (Ministry of Health-funded) hearing tests and advice for people sixteen years and over. Call 0800 008 011 for an appointment in Ashburton. Order a Christmas Magazine Voucher We will also have vouchers available for purchase. This would be an ideal gift for grandparents or other family members, who can then have a copy delivered once it is published. College Tour Parties Over the September-October holiday break College had three tour parties overseas. We now report on the final tour to return. German Tour 2019 A group of twenty one Ashburton College students visited Germany from 21 September-13 October. The tour group landed in Düsseldorf and made their way by bus to their first accommodation in Köln. (Pictured right): View over Düsseldorf from the TV Tower. Staying in Köln for a total of three days, visits included famous Dom (Cathedral), Innenstadt (Old City part) and the Lindt Chocolate Museum. Tom Kitchen, staff tour leader, said they also visited Phantasialand Resort on one of the days and enjoyed all the rides that the theme park had to offer! After Köln, it was off to Grevenbroich to stay with host families for five days. Tom said that the students relished learning how most German families live, and enjoyed the different cultural experiences. Homestay is a great way to see how ‘authentic’ German people live and do their day-to-day business and go about their routines. A lot of students caught up with friends who they had hosted in New Zealand earlier this year, and all attended school with their host sibling for two days. It was a shock for them to be in a classroom without devices, and seeing the teachers still using blackboards! The school in Grevenbroich (Pascal Gymnasium) is slowly moving into being a BYOD school now, which is very modern for Germany. The group also went to Dachau and Munich to see a Concentration Camp, and the Oktoberfest. The students gained a real feeling of what life in a Concentration Camp was like when they read the well-detailed signs, and a sombre mood was shared by all when we left there that day. Next it was up the Eastern side of Germany to Leipzig, where two days were spent. With a market set up on the Saturday, the students could taste many traditional foods there. Of note was the GDR (German Democratic Republic) History Museum which told the story of former East Germany, from the end of the Second World War all the way through to reunification in 1989. The group finished off the tour by spending five days in Berlin, where they could enjoy lots of shopping on their free days! As a group they undertook a bike tour together on a day where it poured with rain, but that didn’t stop them from learning lots and having a good time. They even got to witness the climate change group ‘Extinction Rebellion’ during a peaceful protest outside the historic Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag building (pictured below, left and right). One of the last nights was spent in the D light Disco at Club Matric, where only students could go on that evening, as the club closed its doors to the general public. While in Germany, students experienced and enjoyed very traditional and modern aspects of the culture, and all of the different cities we visited. Event The group then travelled down to Nürnberg in South Germany, staying here for four days. During the time here, viewed was the traditional old style of a castle city from the medieval times, and a day trip to Lauingen where the tour group’s jacket sponsors (Deutz Fahr) have a factory, in Lauingen (pictured below). Ashburton College Individual Excellence in a Supportive Learning Environment News Issue 36 31 October 2019 Congratulations Ashburton College Winter Sports and Cultural Colours and Blues Awards Colours Awards Colours Awards are presented to students who are national champions or who have been selected for a national sports team or are a member of national cultural group. A Colours Award is recognised as the most prestigious of the Awards process. Students who receive a Colours Award do not receive a Blues Award. Unlike the Blues Award the Colours Awards are not confined only to Ashburton College-based activities. Nine Recipients Nine recipients gained Colours Awards, being added to Sophie Adams who was honoured in June at the Summer Blues Awards Ceremony, for Basketball Achievements. At this assembly the following were presented with their framed certificates and Colours Badge. Air Pistol Shooting Laura Cameron, Mia Chambers, Charlotte Clifford This was the Year 9 girls’ first year as part of the AshColl Air Pistol Team. Earlier this month they competed in the Air Pistol Nationals as part of the New Zealand McMillan Cup Competition. Not only did they win the Intermediate Grade and the Nobes Cup, but they were also 6th overall from fifteen senior school teams. This was a truly impressive result from a team to watch in the future. Equestrian Brittany Fowler Brittany’s year started off with a first placing, both Individually and Nationally, and subsequent role as Captain for the New Zealand Pony Club Association Dressage Team. This was followed up at the Canterbury Area Pony Club Championships with a first placing in dressage. In April Brittany travelled to Australia for the Inter-School Equestrian event where she was placed 1st in the Eventing Australia 95cm International Challenge. Being one of only four New Zealand competitors, and the only South Island competitor, made this a real highlight. Karate Taylah Burrowes At the start of this year Taylah travelled to Australia to compete in the Australian Secondary Schools’ and Australian Karate Open Competitions in Sydney. This event is the main event on the Australian Karate calendar and has athletes attend from all over Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia and Tahiti. Whole College End-of-Year Assembly This important whole-College occasion was held, in rather cool conditions, on Thursday 25 October with the timing brought forward to avoid the southerly and rain coming through. A full programme at this Assembly saw the prestigious Sports and Cultural Colours and Blues Awards presented; the 2019 Head Boy’s and Head Girl’s valedictory speeches; speeches from the shortlisted 2020 Head and Deputy Head Student candidates; and the awarding of the highly contested House Trophy. Principal Ross Preece welcomed all to the assembly. Ross acknowledged the levels of success gained by students, thanked this year’s student leaders for their meaningful contributions to Ashburton College and commended aspirant leaders who were putting themselves forward to roles in 2020. This year Taylah’s categories had a huge number of competitors: Sixteen in the Australian Secondary Schools’ Cadets (Under 16) Kumite, in which she won this title. Nineteen in the Australian Karate Open Cadets (Under 16) Kumite where Taylah placed 3rd. From here Taylah also went on to win the New Zealand Open Title in April, and the New Zealand National Secondary Schools’ Title in July. Karate Kyle Cabangun Kyle has achieved some great results nationally and internationally this year. He attended the Australian Karate Open Competition in April this year, placing first in the Junior Male-55kg Kumite. At Nationals in July this year, Kyle placed second in the 16/17 Years -55kg Premier Kumite and at the New Zealand National Secondary Schools’ placed third in the Under 16 Male Kata and second in the Under 16 -58kg Male Kumite. Smallbore Rifle Shooting Shania Harrison-Lee In 50m outdoor shooting was selected in the Target Shooting New Zealand team to represent New Zealand at the Oceania Games in November. In 25 yard indoor shooting, selected to: - New Zealand Junior Team (Under 21) as Captain and top-scored for the team - New Zealand Women’s Team - New Zealand Open Team - New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Team Smallbore Rifle Shooting Emma Smith In 25 yard indoor shooting, selected to: - New Zealand Junior Team (Under 21) - New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Team Swimming Blake Farr The New Zealand Short Course Swimming Championships were held in Auckland from 01-05 October and Blake returned having won a National Title in the 100m Freestyle and a Bronze Medal in the 200m Freestyle. Blake achieved personal best times in every race he competed in, which is a fantastic achievement. 2019 Winter Sports and Cultural Colours, Blues Awards In establishing Award recipients, each sport has specific criteria that is used as a guide for nominators. A select committee then discusses the nominations and makes final decisions. This year eighty five students were acknowledged across Sports and Cultural activities. In acknowledging students’ successes we recognise the impressive accomplishments of our students, and contributions of all, within and outside of the College, for their time and effort given to so many College teams and students through cultural and sports activities. These contributions to the successes of College individuals and teams is greatly appreciated, providing significant opportunities for students. Blue Award Recipients are – Basketball Fotu Hala, Samuel Pearce, Quinn Ritchie. Cross-Country Toby Woolf Cycling Oliver Davidson, Isabella Roulston, Ethan Titheridge. Drama Joseph Collins, Imogene Felton, Calais Hill, Georgia Muir, Ocean Waitokia. E-Sport Jade Jung, Jay Jung. Equestrian Harriet Stock Football Ben Holland, Sapphire Kururangi, Amy Pearson, Bradley Phillips, Gemma Taylor, Lauren Taylor, Toby Woolf. Golf Josh Ackerley, Hiromune Kakeda. Gymnastics Ellie Lawn. Hockey Emily Armstrong, Zoe Aschen, Chloe Buchanan, Jacob Gray, Tegan McIntyre, William Wallis, Reece Watson, Zac White. Kapa Haka Shante Kereopa, Sonia Stephens-Tahuri, Monaro Tahapehi. Music Joseph Collins, Willow Diedricks, Zoe Diedricks, Mitchell Farr, Christina Francis, Spencer Ifopo, Jay Jung, Tori Kelland, Jade Kruger, Oliver Livingstone, Bridget McArthur, Barbara Nabeka, Liam Pram, Louie Pabualan, Harriet Stock, Scott Thomson, Ocean Waitokia, William Wallis, Alex Wood, Toby Woolf. Netball Grace Adams, Samantha Holden, Poppy Kilworth, Danielle McArthur, Mia Pearson, Hayley Tallentire. Pasifika Performing Arts Jacklynn Afu, Blanch Chute, Jaimee Chute, Joseph Collins, James Foaga, Amon Pongia, Lupepe Saofai, Sonia Stephens-Tahuri, Bobby Tomokino, Isileli Ula. Rugby Ben Donald, Aidan Elvines, Thomas Middleton, Christian Thompson, Madison Trusler-Clark (TC), Brynmor Workman. Skiing Cole Beeman. Smallbore Rifle Shooting Jacob Kilworth, Jack McIntosh, Charlotte McKenzie, Samuel Smith. Squash Isaac Bazley, Brooke Cornish-Madden. Trampoline Marlese Schoonderbeek. (Pictured above, back row, left to right): Kyle Cabangun, Brittany Fowler, Charlotte Clifford, Mia Chambers. (Front row, left to right): Shania Harrison-Lee, Emma Smith, Laura Cameron. (Pictured below, left and right): Taylah Burrowes and Blake Farr. College Rugby Caps In some sports, players receive recognition for service to the team. In College Rugby, if players demonstrate a commitment to the team, are a role model for other players and take the field in a significant number of games they earn the honour of being capped. At this presentation assembly the following two girls were presented with their rugby caps: Madison Trusler-Clark and Emma Rollinson (pictured right), receiving her cap from Team Captain Aidan Elvines). Victorious Red House – Trophy Winners, for the fifth consecutive year After a fifteen year drought Red House wrestled this strongly sought-after trophy off the other Houses back in 2015. Since then, they have backed this win up by taking the trophy each year since, and 2019 was no exception. It looks like some hard work may be needed to release their strangle-hold on the trophy next year! A healthy House rivalry permeates amongst students and staff during the year and acknowledgement is given to the Staff House Leaders – Stacey Monk (Blue House), Clair Bedward (Green House), Hayley Wards, and latterly Pete Lee (Orange House) and Sarah Lassen (Red House) - and to the Student Co-Captains of each of the four House Executives – Liam Pram and Meg McIntyre (Blue House); Josh Jones and, initially, Katie Polmear (Green House); Titus Lambert-Lane and Aidan Elvines (Orange House), Grace Adams and Sam Pearce (Red House). (Pictured right, back row, left to right): Dani McArthur, Grace Adams, Kaleb Finn, Sam Pearce. (Front row, left to right): Tegan McIntyre, Quinn Ritchie, Alena Patterson. The Final House Points for the year, after twenty seven events, were - Red: 182.37 points Orange: 156.14 points Green: 150.78 points Blue: 140.71 points Coming Events November 1 Aoraki Sports Awards, Southern Trust Events Centre, Morgans Road, Timaru; doors open 5:40pm, 6:00pm start. Postponement day – Regional Girls’ Cricket Tournament, Hagley Park, Christchurch. 04-05 Art Exhibition ‘This Is Us’, AshColl Staffroom. 07- 03 Dec NCEA Exams 12 Year 9/10 Caroline Bay Relays, Timaru 13 Aoraki Junior Volleyball Championships, Timaru 14 Aoraki Junior Touch, Timaru 18 Year 9 (for 2020) Scholarship exam Aoraki Secondary Schools’ Junior Girls’ Cricket 2019 End-of-Year Final Days, Prize-Givings, Events Parents, caregivers, family/whanau, friends and interested community members are most welcome at all prize-givings. November 04 Year 12 final day. Students finish at 1:20pm. Year 12 Prize-Giving, College Auditorium, 7:30pm. 05 Year 11 final day. Students finish at 3:05pm. Year 11 Prize-Giving, Auditorium, 7:30pm. College Auditorium. Mollie acknowledged the valuable support from William, and the Deputy Head Students, Carl Cayanan and Harriet Stock, without whom their roles would have been more difficult. Thanked also were the Student Executive members who had worked tirelessly to complete tasks, achieve a range of outcomes and provide exciting opportunities for students. Mollie acknowledged the Senior Leadership Team and staff who had supported them, provided opportunities and guidance. She wished the House Captains and Executives all the best for the House Trophy outcome, saying she knows how hard they work to build House participation and loyalty. Mollie wished all students well for the future. William endorsed Mollie’s comments with his own appreciation to staff, Deputy Head students, Executive, House Captains and Executive and the Student Executive, acknowledging their dedication to the weekly 7:30am meetings. There was a clear reference to Mollie having sat behind him in their Year 9 class and William claiming not to have ever heard her speak for the first three terms! At this stage William got a verbal response from her, and then lay claim to ‘teaching her to speak’! He concluded by saying that being Head Boy will always stay as having been a lifetime experience, and one he would never forget. He wished this year’s Head Student candidates all the best as they look to leadership roles next year, and assured them it was ‘well worth it’. (Pictured left and right): Head Girl Mollie Gibson and Head Boy William Wallis giving their valedictory speeches to the school’s community of students and staff.
