in Si GHt S 2019 PG1 A newsletter brought to you by Southland Girls’ High School Volume 1 15th February 2019 Tena Koe Welcome to all new and existing parents and whanau. This year we have hit the road running with our later start. We hope your daughters have settled in well. Last week Academic Tutors spent a lot of time preparing the girls for the year. One of the really important things we spent time on was going over the Whanau Hononga book with the girls. It clearly articulates expectations and rules whilst having valuable information for you as parents, particularly around how and who to contact at school if you need help. We are a community based around home / school / Student partnership. It was really important that we gave you and the girls a reference book that was small enough to put on your notice board etc at home, but also easy to read. Probably the best section is the Frequently Asked Questions section which covers off some common issues that we often have each year. This booklet is well worth reading and by now your daughter should have brought it home for you to read, and sign off on her Caregiver/Contact Information Check Sheet. We are looking forward to working with you all, to make your daughters high school year some of the best years of her life. Nga mihi nui Yvonne Browning Principal IMPORTANT DATES Wednesday 20th February Parent and Whanau Information Evening Friday 22nd February Level 2 Biology Trip Tuesday 26th February Year 8 HPV No 1 Vaccination YES Kick Start at Centre Stage Wednesday 27th February Whole of School Athletics Day at Surrey Park Thursday 28th February Cancellation Day—Athletics Senior Maori Marae visit Friday 1st March SISS Tennis in Timaru SISS Volleyball Champs in Christchurch Tuesday 5th March Otago Polytechnic Liaison Visit to Careers Wednesday 6th March Victoria Uni Liaison Visit to Careers Friday 8th March SISS Rowing Lake Ruataniwha UNIFORM MATTERS It is great to see the girls wearing their uniform with pride. A general reminder that the only jewellery that is acceptable to be worn is one small stud in each ear, and a watch. Rings, bangles, necklaces and other such items are not to be worn with the school uniform. There is no change in the school rules, this has always been the case and girls are well aware of what is permitted. SCHOOL SITE OPENS 8.00AM Please be aware that students should not be onsite until 8.00am. While there are staff on site working, there is no supervision until 8.30am.
Transcript
inSiGHtS 2019 PG1
A newsletter brought to you by Southland Girls’ High School
Volume 1 15th February 2019
Tena Koe
Welcome to all new and existing
parents and whanau.
This year we have hit the road
running with our later start. We
hope your daughters have settled
in well.
Last week Academic Tutors spent
a lot of time preparing the girls for
the year.
One of the really important things
we spent time on was going over
the Whanau Hononga book with
the girls. It clearly articulates
expectations and rules whilst
having valuable information for
you as parents, particularly around
how and who to contact at school
if you need help.
We are a community based around
home / school / Student
partnership. It was really
important that we gave you and
the girls a reference book that was
small enough to put on your notice
board etc at home, but also easy
to read.
Probably the best section is the
Frequently Asked Questions
section which covers off some
common issues that we often have
each year. This booklet is well
worth reading and by now your
daughter should have brought it
home for you to read, and sign off
on her Caregiver/Contact
Information Check Sheet. We are
looking forward to working with
you all, to make your daughters
high school year
some of the best
years of her life.
Nga mihi nui
Yvonne Browning
Principal
IMPORTANT DATES Wednesday 20th February Parent and Whanau Information Evening Friday 22nd February Level 2 Biology Trip Tuesday 26th February Year 8 HPV No 1 Vaccination YES Kick Start at Centre Stage Wednesday 27th February Whole of School Athletics Day at Surrey Park Thursday 28th February Cancellation Day—Athletics Senior Maori Marae visit Friday 1st March SISS Tennis in Timaru SISS Volleyball Champs in Christchurch Tuesday 5th March Otago Polytechnic Liaison Visit to Careers Wednesday 6th March Victoria Uni Liaison Visit to Careers Friday 8th March SISS Rowing Lake Ruataniwha
The Edge Caregiver portal allows you to view school information about your daughter. The portal gives you quick and easy access to the information for students in your household.
a. click the icon. A popup will appear asking for your login details as above. On entering this correctly the edge caregiver home page opens, or
b. type in the email address your supplied to the school. You will then be asked to supply a password. Choose the ‘Forgot Password’ and you will be sent an email (to the address you logged in with). This will allow you to reset your own password.
c. Select one of your children from the top row. Each students’ summary data is displayed in separate tabs (dependent on whether they’re attending a primary or secondary Edge school) for:
• Attendance,
• NCEA Progress,
• NCEA Credit Summary,
• Timetable,
• Attendance Summary,
• Student Reports * * Reports are available once published by the school.
All other information including Attendance is live. Where relevant, information from previous years can also be accessed. If you haven’t given the school an email address, or are unsure about the detail please contact the Edge Administrator on: [email protected] Logging in uses the secure OpenId and Facebook Connect protocols to connect an existing online account you already have, with Edge.
Logging into the Edge App is quick and easy with just a few steps required to get you underway.
First of all you need to download the app for your device. It is available for both Apple and Android devices and can be downloaded from the relevant stores.
Click on the picture below to go directly to the app download page.
To add the Edge App to an iPad, search and download the Edge App
under iPhone not Tablet. There may be a filter to select> Supports> and select iPad only.
Once you have downloaded and installed the app the first screen you will see on the app is the following. This is where you set up your PIN.
You will need enter your PIN twice to confirm it.
Once you have done so you will be presented with the login screen.
If you have set your school account up with GMail you can use the G+ authenticator to log in. If not, enter the email address and password you would use to log in to the Caregiver portal website on your browser. If this is the first time you have done either, please refer to the following web page for further information. Setting up a Caregiver login These steps will only have to be done the first time you Log In. If you use the Log Out function in the app you will need to repeat the above steps. Once you have logged in you will be
presented with your Dashboard, and from
here you can view your child/children’s data including (but not limited to)
Attendance and Timetable. The Settings menu can be found in the top right
corner. From there you can Change your PIN, View your Profile etc as well
as log out of the Edge account (only necessary if you have multiple Edge
As a School we are very grateful to the members of the SGHS PTA who
donate their time to operate the school Unishop for pre-loved uniform
items. The Unishop will now be open on the last Friday of each month
from 3-4pm (in the Shop room, by the drop off zone).
The shop will open for the first time this year on Friday 22nd February 2019. Buy ins and sales most welcome.
How about considering joining this valued group?
The PTA is looking for new members. The next meeting is on the 1st April 2019 at 7pm in the Principal’s office.
These meetings are held bi monthly – a great way to meet new parents and be involved in school activities. __________________________________________
It was Celia Lashlie’s dying wish to make this documentary so that as many New Zealanders as possible could hear her messages and continue her work.
inSiGHtS 2019 PG6
USA BOUND:
Two students from Southland Girls’ High School have been selected for the
trip of a lifetime to the United States.
Sarah Humphries, 17, and Kayla Calder, 16, have been chosen to attend
the 4-H Congress in Bozeman, Montana in July.
They’re among six TeenAg members from across New Zealand picked to
take part in the sought-after exchange.
“I’m really excited and a bit shocked. It’s going to be such an amazing
opportunity,” said Sarah.
Her parents own a 570-hectare farm at Five Rivers, which runs sheep and
grazes dairy heifers.
“The United States has large ranches and feedlots and I can’t wait to learn
more about their style of farming,” she said.
Students will stay with host families and explore Yellowstone National Park
as part of the three-week exchange.
“A highlight will be spending four days attending the 4-H Congress,” said
Bridget Huddleston from NZ Young Farmers, who will chaperone the
students.
“The girls will participate in educational workshops, hear from professional
speakers and mingle with 400 other delegates. It will be an amazing
opportunity.”
inSiGHtS 2019 PG7
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE PERFORMING ARTS
Below is information about the various opportunities available to SGHS students throughout 2019
SGHS’s Year 9 – 13 audition entry choir. This is a full year commitment.
The choir rehearses on a Thursday from 3.15pm until 5pm.
AUDITIONS are now completed.
SGHS Year 9 – 13 come one, come all choir. This is a full
year commitment.
Sanguine competes in the NZCF Big Sing as well as
performs at Open Night and Prizegiving.
Auditions will begin week three. The first rehearsal for Sanguine will be week four. Day and time to be notified. Information about audition times will be in the daily
notices.
SGHS Year 7 and 8 Choir. Audition entry.
Focus for this choir is ILT Invercargill Schools’ Sing Out,
as well as Open Night and Prizegiving.
Auditions will begin Term One, week five. Information regarding time of auditions will be in the daily notices as
well as passed on to Year 7 and 8 Homeroom teachers.
The final choir will be announced week six with rehearsals
starting that week.
Registrations are now closed
Meetings with Itinerant will take place in week 3 with
lessons starting the following week.
Lessons are available in Strings, Woodwind, Brass,
Piano, Vocal, Guitar and Drums / Percussion.
SENIOR PRODUCTION
This year the senior production is FOOTLOOSE. Year 11-
13 students may audition for this show.
Information regarding the Senior Production for Year 11-13 students can be accessed from a website. Information about this can be found in a separate announcement in this week’s newsletter. Any relevant information will be in the daily notices and on the noticeboard outside 1
Elizabeth Clarkson Place.
Auditions are Term One, week four and five with
rehearsals starting the week after the final cast is
announced. Show week is May 27th – 30th.
SCHOOL ORCHESTRA This group meets once a week, performing at such events as Senior Music Recital and Open Night. Students need to have at least two to three years’ experience on their instrument. Information about when the Orchestra will first
meet will be in the daily notices and newsletter.
SHEILAH WINN
Available to Year 9 – 13 students enthusiastic about performing Shakespeare with a modernized twist. SGHS will be entering one 5- minute student directed piece in the competition which is to be held at Verdon College on 3rd April. See Miss Rae if you are keen to be considered for a role or you would like to direct one of the excerpts.
Please note: rehearsals will be in your own time.
inSiGHtS 2019 PG8
SGHS / SBHS SENIOR PRODUCTION
28th – 30th MAY 2019
One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the live stage with exhilarating results. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn't prepared for are the rigorous local laws, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher.
The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 15 million copies!) and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, FOOTLOOSE celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.
Audition Information available 20th February
CHAMBER MUSIC CONTEST Advanced musicians who are keen to be part of an ensemble should look at this opportunity. NCEA students can use this as part of their group performance work. Support to assist in selecting music and preparation will be given by the Itinerant
teachers.
The contest is on 6th June. See Mr. de Blois if this is
of interest to you.
JUNIOR PRODUCTION Junior Production for Year 7 to 10 students is at the end of November. Information about the show and when auditions are will be available mid-way through Term three through the daily notices and the school
newsletter.
DRAMA CLUB For Year 7 and 8 students, this group will meet in the lunch hour and be organised and run by our school Drama Captain. Fun activities will be included to develop confidence, group work, Improvisation and
Theatre Sport skills.
As information comes to hand it will be put in future newsletters as well as daily notices. Year 7 and 8 homeroom teachers will also be informed so they
can let the girls know directly.
SHOW QUEST This is a Performing Arts Competition run by the Captains of Dance, Music and Drama. Students from
Year 7 – 13 are welcome to audition.
Information regarding Show Quest, which is to be held on the 14th May will be available through the
school notices.
There will be a participation cost. This will be advised when more information comes to hand from
the event organisers.
DANCE CLUB Year 7-13 are invited to participate in this club which
gives opportunity to try different dance genres.
The group will meet at lunchtime and be organised and run by our school Dance Captain. As information
comes to hand it will be put in the daily notices.
Smokefree Rockquest is an annual music competition for intermediate and high school bands
throughout New Zealand.
The Southland Competition will be held on Friday,
28th June. More information to follow.
inSiGHtS 2019 PG9
Kōrero with Year 7 and 8
Welcome to the start of an exciting year with our Year 7 and 8 team!
It was fantastic to meet so many of you during our Open Home and Year 8 Mini PLCs, taking some of those start of year nerves away and establish positive relationships between home, teachers, and students. It was great to be able to put faces to names and kick start the year of learning.
Roles:
•As Head of Junior School (HOJS) my role has oversight of everything for our Year 7 and 8 students. Whilst primarily I spend my time with curriculum and as a voice for Year 7 and 8 on the Senior Leadership Team, I am also a support person for pastoral issues and anything else that crops up for our Year 7 and 8 students.
•Within Year 7 and 8 we have two Year Level Coordinators (YLCs). Our role is to look after the social, emotional, and physical wellbeing of our girls, and support teachers to ensure each girl is happy, settled and learning to the best of her ability. The role in-cludes aspects like running leadership roles, organising assemblies and supporting classes to lead these, sharing their learning and skills. It also encompasses listening to and supporting students and whanau when they face challenges, whether these are social, personal or learning.
Recently we stumbled upon wise words from Maggie Dent via her article “Surviving the First Week of High School”:
“All change triggers our primitive brain and our biological drive to survive. It is stressful for everyone.” Puberty means our students are already in a massive state of change before adding in starting back at school.
What can we do?
•Talk about change - it is ok to feel nervous, anxious and a bit scared. It is ok to be worried about getting lost, making friends and getting to know new teachers.
•Help them to prepare - last minute rushing adds to anxiety. Getting her into a routine where she goes through tomorrow’s timetable and packs her school bag each night before going to bed may help
•Get to know the school / new year with them - get them to share their timetable and school map with you, sit down and talk it through together. Where are the toilets, different classrooms, lunch areas etc. A copy of the timetable might be useful on the fridge too. Get them to explain to you all the different codes on their timetable
•Set up a firm bedtime - having good sleep routines is one of the best ways to stay healthy as an adolescent. Make sure the bedroom is a device free zone
•Set out technology boundaries from weekdays and weekends - device free time is really important for us all, especially teens. Some times that work well for device free time during the week are during meal times and the hour before bed as well as overnight
•Encourage your daughter to join an activity they will enjoy - this is often where they make like minded friends. There are so many activities on offer from Rosso Choir, Touch, Netball, Librarian … the list goes on!
•Take care in how you talk about school and making friends - diffuse any ‘catastrophising’ from your daughter about teachers, classes, subjects, friends. Encourage her to speak to her teacher or other school personnel about any issues. Encourage her to look for the positives. Get her to shift up her routine - eg. if hanging out in the classroom at lunchtime isn’t helping her to make friends encourage her to head to the gym, library or quad instead!
We hope the start of the school year is going well from your perspective and we are looking forward to meeting again at our Whānau Evening where we have both a Year 7 session and a Year 8 session. At each session we delve into and discuss the unique needs of the year level and give whānau a chance to meet and talk with others. More information will be coming soon.
Athletics day is a championship event similar to 2018. Students will compete in up to four
events and have the opportunity to compete for House points and qualify for the Southland
Secondary Schools Athletics Day (Years 9-13) on 15th March or the Primary Athletics
championships (year 7 & 8) 30th March.
Academy Southland The Academy Southland Programme provides performance services and support to assist Southland’s aspiring and talented athletes. It is governed by Talent Development Southland and supported by Southland’s Regional Sporting Organisations (RSO’s), Sport Southland, ILT Foundation and The Community Trust of Southland. Academy Southland provides a sport support network for top athletes and their coaches with this programme being tailored to meet the needs of young Southland based athletes.
Applications are DUE by Monday 25th February 2019 For further information and an application form contact Carly Anderson, Academy
