Aihi N ews 19 February 2020 - Waihi School
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Waihi N
N ews
19 February 2020
From the Headmaster
In this issue:
Dear Parents
From the Headmaster Recently I reread an extract from a letter Benjamin Franklin once send to a friend.
Franklin had decided to financially assist his friend who was in need. This is part of
Meet the Teacher and
what he wrote
Swimming Sports
“… I do not pretend to give such a deed; I only lend it to you. When you meet with
Diagnostic Reports
another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him;
Immunisations enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall
Welcome meet with another opportunity. I hope it may thus go thro' many hands, before it meets
with a Knave that will stop its Progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good
Well Done! with a little money...”
Open Day Signs In a previous newsletter I discussed the similar message using a reading from the book
From Learning Support The Power of Small: Why little things make all the difference by Linda Kaplan Thaler and
Robin Koval. They state that: ‘Getting noticed in a meaningful way is less about the
Sports Illnesses and
grand gesture and more about the small, thoughtful things we do every day. There’s
Cancellations
often a pay-it-forward beauty to going that extra inch. It can be as easy as writing a
Waihi Strategic Planning thank-you note that isn’t expected, or asking after your colleagues’ children by name.
– Parent Survey Too often in our elbows-out world, it’s assumed that being considerate and being
Haircuts competitive are mutually exclusive. The opposite is true.’
Devices – An Update The idea of Pay It Forward is something that we have encouraged the boys to consider.
If someone does you a good turn, how can you pass this on to another in similar need. I
Pyne House Fun believe that pay-it-forward is more than just a ‘nice gesture’ there are many powerful
Three Weeks Ahead social and emotional benefits to this that can have a positive effect on our
communities and the learning within our school family.
Waihi Friends Souvenirs
Such positive social interaction can bring benefits in many other areas and encourage
Outdoor Education
us to act cooperatively. Over the past few years Insights from many different fields are
John McGlashan Sports Fixture helping to create a new understanding of learning One of the key principles, across a
Photos from first three weeks range of areas and ages that arise from the new learning research is that Learning is
social.
Our Tutors
The young learn best from people in human social interaction. The goal for educators is
Senior Schools Information to create teaching tools to harness the benefits of such cooperative learning. The
reason that social networking technology is so popular today is that it allows people to
tap a 'distributed knowledge base'. They can engage in collaborative learning and
inform each other, even work in groups, at great distances. This is great preparation
for the ‘real world’ in the 21st Century, because the 'real world’ now includes
technology.
Headmaster’s Thought for the Week In many ways the staff at Waihi have been using these ideas,
and the concept of service, with our boys over the past couple
of years. Last year we worked with local organisations such as
Arowhenua Support Service and ECAN to help our local
community. Mr Clayson, our new housemaster, is keen to
further develop this idea of ‘outreach’ into our community,
particularly with our boarders. It is important our boys see
themselves not only as important members of our local
community ‘beyond the hedge’ but that they can also
understand the impact that small actions of goodwill can have
both on others and for their own wellbeing.
Best wishes.
Allan Short
Headmaster
Meet the Teacher and Swimming Sports
The day will start with morning tea and a brief meeting in the School Hall for all parents, followed by an opportunity for
everyone to meet with their son’s teacher in their classrooms. This is not a chance to discuss individual students,
however parents may make interviews at any time to discuss their son. We hope that every boy will have at least one
parent at this event.
Lunchtime will be held as class picnics on
the Quad, with parents bringing a picnic
lunch to share with their son. If any
parent is not able to attend with their
picnic, don’t worry your son will be fed!
This is then followed by our swimming
sports.
It’s always a great day and we look
forward to seeing you all there.
Timeline for the day is on page 4 of this newsletter.
Day boy parents – please notify your bus driver of arrangements for your son for Friday afternoon. The bus services
will only be operating if we know there are boys needing this.
Note – there is a traditional ‘parent and son race’ at the end of the afternoon. The boys love swimming a length
alongside a parent, so bring your togs and towel too!
Diagnostic Reports
At the ‘Meet the Teacher’ event all parents will receive a short report. There will be a brief pastoral comment from your
son’s class teacher indicating how he has settled into Waihi life; an Attitudes and Habits report and a short diagnostic
listing the results of your son’s initial PAT assessments.
Whilst the majority of the first few weeks are about getting the environment in and out of the classroom right, and
making the boys feel happy and secure in their new surroundings, there will also be a few small diagnostic tests.
Our rationale for the initial testing is threefold:
1. To give a baseline from which to report progress (boys will have matching assessments later in the year).
2. To help in the initial grouping, setting and differentiating of boys’ learning objectives and tasks.
3. Assisting in the identification of learning support and extension needs.
Immunisations
§ Year 8 HPV
All Year 8 boys are again eligible for the funded Human Papillomavirus (HPV) immunisations.
Information pamphlets and parent consent forms from our Public Health Nurse for parents to take home, consider and
made a decision, will be given 8 parents along with their son’s diagnostic report on Friday 21 February.
There are three options available:
• No
• Yes, to be given at school by Public Health Nurse
• Yes, to be given by your own doctor
You are under no obligation to have these done at school,
but they would like everyone to complete the consent forms,
even if the answer is NO.
2 Waihi News 19 February 2020
Logan Connolly (left) was the overall winner
of the 600m race at The Ruby Swim at
Wanaka on 25 January. Logan had to swim
from the shore to Ruby Island in very tough
conditions as the wind had chopped up the
lake. He was one of the youngest
competitors, racing against adults, and won a
Ruby trophy (below) for being first finished.
Scott McLachlan, Dougal Grant
and Archie Bowan (below) were all
accepted into the Year 7 South
Canterbury Cricket Team this year.
An awesome achievement and
they also won all their games in
the tournament.
Mitchell Johnson (right)
won Gold in his age group
for the 400m at the
Athletics Colgate Games in
Christchurch in January.
Open Day Signs
We are welcoming
With our first Open Day for 2020 fast approaching (Sunday 1
two new boys to the March), we are looking to get our signs out on display in the
Waihi family this community as soon as possible.
week: Sam Johnston If you have a prominent position that you feel would be suitable to
(boarder) and display one of these, please contact Debra on 03 687 8071 or
Thomas Clayson executive@waihi.school.nz. It doesn't matter how far from Waihi
(dayboy) both join you live, all advertising is appreciated. Thanking you in advance.
our junior classes. These signs are 1200mm x 900mm in
size in either portrait or landscape.
I am sure both boys
and their families will For parents that already have signs from
last year and are happy to
receive a warm continue to display these for us, you
welcome from all of should have already received
the Waihi community, (or are about to receive) the change of
particularly the boys. date stickers for these. Thank you again
for your continued support.
Good luck to them
both.
3 Waihi News 19 February 2020
From Learning Support
An extract from a recent article in ‘The Record’, a magazine published by
Speld New Zealand Inc.
Twenty-five-year-old Aidan Milnar speaks of transitioning to the workforce
for those with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities. He said …
“At primary school I was just labelled the lazy kid
who just needed to try harder and stop misbehaving.
As a contrast, I recently helped lead the geology input as part of a major bid to design and
construct the new Manawatu Gorge Replacement Road. Our bid team won the $620
million project and my geology model will play a key role. Who would have thought that this would
one day be my reality? The ten-year-old in me would never have imagined this life was possible!
It just goes to show that with the right support and hard work,
anything can happen.”
Sports illnesses and cancellations Waihi Strategic Planning
We thought it timely to remind you of our school policy
– Parent Survey
around a boy's illness or injury and participating in As discussed late last year the Waihi Board have this
sport. year set themselves the task of undertaking a
To take part in weekend sports, boys should be at major Strategic Planning Review. They have set aside a
school and 'well' for a minimum of 24 hours before the weekend in March for this process and as part of the
event. For example, to play cricket on a Saturday preparation wish to survey parents regarding their
morning, boys need to be at school on a Friday to be thoughts on our school.
available for selection. The same applies for sports A short survey has been uploaded online and you
fixtures. should by now have received an email invitation to
If your son is unwell overnight prior to weekend sport, participate. We would very much appreciate each
please contact his coach to advise of his absence. parent taking a few minutes to respond. The survey
should only take five or ten minutes to complete and
The wellbeing of all our boys is of the utmost we encourage additional individual comments on any
importance and our responsibility in assisting them is
issue. All responses are confidential and will help to
something our staff team all take seriously. guide the Headmaster and Board in reviewing parental
If weekend sport is cancelled due to increment opinion of school performance and setting objectives
weather conditions, a text will be sent out to all for the Strategic Plans.
parents on Saturday morning. If you think sport may be The survey will be open until the start of week six,
cancelled, please wait to receive a text rather than
Monday 2nd March, and we appreciate you taking the
contact our staff. time to respond. We are really keen to try and get
Thank you for your continued support and responses from all families. Your comments are equally
understanding. as important as direct answers. If you think things are
great, please tell us, equally if we can do better, we
want to know that too!
Haircuts
A couple of parents have asked me recently about whether we
have a school policy on haircuts. We have never seen the need to
go to great lengths describing what is expected regarding boys’ hair
other than to say it needs to be short, neat and sensible.
Obviously as fashions change some boys may wish to ‘experiment’
a little and the description above is open to interpretation.
For those who seek more guidance, perhaps we could say that the
style of the hair should not be extreme, including, but not limited
to mohawk, mullet, shaved styles and/or patterns, hair tied up or
braided. The colour must be the student’s own natural colour.
4 Waihi News 19 February 2020
course of the day, please contact prefer that boys did not have any
Devices – An update the School Office in the first such watch at school please.
instance and this will be passed on. To finish however with a ‘good
This year we have asked all parents;
In the evenings you may phone Pyne news’ story. The removal of devices
both in the parent handbook and
boarding families handbook, as well House and speak to the Matron, from Pyne House has been a quiet
Housemaster or duty staff member. success over these first few weeks.
as a message via eTap, to help us
manage the distraction from A second, growing, cause of The return of the art of ‘letter
devices. distraction has been with ‘smart writing’ by the boys has been lovely
watches’. This year a number of to see, and similarly parents are
Unfortunately over these first few
weeks of classes we are still having boys have arrived at school with a reciprocating and the excitement
watch that is ‘more than just a each day when the ‘mail’ arrives is
boys receive messages, emails etc
timepiece’. We have boys with fantastic. Thank you to all parents
from parents during class time. As
watches from which they can play who have supported this initiative.
you can imagine this has caused
games as well as make and receive
some distraction. We would
appreciate it if you could avoid messages. As you can imagine to
have young boys with these devices
doing so. If for any reason your son
on their wrist all day, and to expect
does contact you during the
them to resist the temptation to use
academic day, or during prep time,
them for uses other than telling the
please let us know so that we can
discuss appropriate device use with time, is quite tough! In addition
these watches can be quite
him.
expensive and boys don’t always
Should you require a message to be take the greatest care when playing
passed on to your son during the games outside! We would much
Pyne House Fun
We have had a great start to the year in Pyne House. Judy and I have thoroughly
enjoyed this and the class of 2020 look like being a vintage group.
My thanks to the Waihi staff who have assisted around Pyne House over these
first few weeks of term. We also appreciate the support of recently retired
weekend matron, Louise Horne, who came back to ‘show the ropes’ to our new
weekend matron, Lynne Davison. I would also like to particularly mention our
three gap tutors, Max, Kyle and Braden. They have thrown themselves into the
Waihi experience with energy, enthusiasm and fun. However they really are
looking forward to a weekend off … being now in possession of a greater
appreciation of just how much energy little boys possess!!
The Pyne House boys have been having some great fun over these first few
weekends, both at Waihi and further afield around South Canterbury. The first
weekend saw the whole boarding house travel up to Tekapo to enjoy the huge
water slide and hot pools at Tekapo Springs.
The end of Week 2 saw the Year 8s depart for their annual family trip to
Omarama Station, where much fun was had by all both at camp and also out on
Lake Benmore – thank you to our Year 8 parents for their organisation.
Meanwhile the younger boys were treated to the arrival of
the ‘Radical Run’, a giant inflatable obstacle course … races
lasted all afternoon and the boys slept very well that night!
Last weekend a smaller number of boys had a great Sunday
morning coastal walk along the Dashing Rocks walkway in
Timaru. After building up quite an appetite they went back
to Mr Short’s home where dozens of fresh pancakes were
consumed by the hungry trampers! Then followed an
afternoon of games, backyard cricket and croquet, and a
different type of ‘egg hunt’ as the boys searched for just
where the chickens where laying! Thanks to Kendra, for a
yummy lunch, and the older Short children for organising
the games.
5 Waihi News 19 February 2020
Three Weeks Ahead …
Tuesday-Wednesday 18-19 February Year 7/8 Cricket Tournament
Friday 21 February Meet the Teacher / Swimming Sports
10.00am Tea/coffee and morning tea available for parents
10.30am Headmaster’s address and introduction
11.00am Classroom information meetings
Collect diagnostic reports and immunisation information
11.45am Class picnics on the Quad
12.15pm Friends Committee AGM in Hall – all welcome
1.00pm Swimming Sports races start
Followed by prizegiving
Saturday-Monday 22-24 February Exeat weekend
Monday 24 February Boarders roll call 5.00pm
Boarders/family barbeque
Tuesday-Friday 25-28 February Juniors camp week
Sunday 1 March Waihi Open Day 1.30pm
Monday 2 March Cathedral Grammar sports fixture (home)
Thursday 5 March Kids’ Lit Quiz at Waihi
Christ’s College event at Ashburton (see senior schools timeline later in
newsletter)
Saturday 7 March Waihi tent at the Winchester A&P Show
All items on sale from
10.00am on
Friday 21 February
Get your house cap
to support your
son’s house
6 Waihi News 19 February 2020
experienced individual to take up the reins of this
Outdoor Education programme. In addition, our Orchard project initiatives
this year will include several additions for OE use. As the
As mentioned in our summer newsletter, Outdoor
year begins the boarders are once again enjoying
Education (OE) has been one of the most popular
additions to the Waihi curriculum since its arrival in building ramps and jumps for their mountain-biking too!
2017. The learning that boys enjoy through OE has Week 9 YEAR 5/6 BOYS
become an integral part of the ‘Waihi Experience’.
Mon 23 March Tramping
Initially boys had one summer and one winter term of Wed 25 March Water Activities (kayaking, raft
OE each year (approx 20 hours two terms per year building, water confidence)
spread across weekly sessions). Over this time what
Fri 27 March Sailing
developed was a popular, engaging and challenging set
of experiences for our boys. Week 10 YEAR 7 BOYS
To ensure that our boys continue to get their OE Mon 30 March Water Activities (River
experience we have organised a series of full OE days experience/raft building etc)
later in the term (details below). These will allow the Tue 31 March Sailing
boys to try some new skills offsite in areas including Wed 1 April Tramping
sailing and kayaking.
Week 11 YEAR 8 BOYS
We will send home details of specific clothing
requirement prior to your son’s OE week but as a heads Mon 6 April Sailing
up a wetsuit and shoes suitable for water-based Tue 7 April Tramping
activities and outdoor walking would be extremely Wed 8 April Kayak River Adventure
useful for your son to have.
The board are committed to further developing this area
over the coming years and we are currently seeking an
John McGlashan Sports Fixture
Thursday/Friday 13/14 February
TENNIS
On Thursday four tennis boys went to John McGlashan to play in the inter-school sports fixture.
We were lucky enough to get all the games played without it raining., All the games were very competitive games and
Waihi came out as winners.
We all enjoyed billeting with the John McGlashan boys and their families. It was good fun and a good experience as
we all made new friends and met new people.
Logan Connolly 8NM
CRICKET
Our first fixture of the year saw the boys braving the elements somewhat, on what was
a very cold day in Dunedin. Character building to say the least!
After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, the boys put in an outstanding
performance considering the wet conditions. All the bowlers proved difficult to get
away, consistently attacking the stumps and building pressure on the McGlashan
batsmen. At the halfway point of their innings, McGlashan were crawling along at less
than two runs per over. Risks were taken in the final part of the innings and they
managed to get through 113 before being bowled out before the end of the 35 overs.
Waihi got off to a shaky start losing Connor Howes early, before Eddie Burgess and
Jacob Gilkison steadied the ship. Following the departure of Gilkison, Hamish Peck
joined Eddie and these two broke the back of the innings putting on an excellent
partnership, characterised by positive running between the wickets. Although Waihi lost a couple of quick wickets
attempting to finish the game quickly, the team finished off comfortably winning by five wickets. A great result
considering the boys have only just started playing together.
There is considerable potential evident both in terms of individuals and the team as a whole. Looking forward to a top
season with these boys!
Mr Morland
7 Waihi News 19 February 2020
Some photos from the first three weeks of term …
8 Waihi News 19 February 2020
Photos from the first three weeks of term continued …
Our Tutors
for 2020
Max Carr
Kyle Naude
Braden van Wyk
9 Waihi News 19 February 2020
Senior School Information
Christchurch Boys’ High School Enrolment Process for 2021
§ Adams House
Applications for Year 9 close Friday 27 March 2020.
The form “Application for Admission as a Boarder” is available on our website
under Boarding and is required for all applications.
Those accepted for Adams House will automatically be offered a place at the School.
§ Open Day – Thursday 21 May, time to be confirmed
For all enrolment information please contact Janine Larter, Enrolments Officer, larterjtl@staff.cbhs.school.nz.
Christ’s College Enrolment Timeline for 2021
5 March, 6-8pm – Christ’s College/Waihi School Ashburton Community
Visit held at Somerset Grocer, Ashburton •
17 March, 1-5pm – Open Day •
29-30 March, 12pm - Year 8 Boarding Experience •
30 March – Year 8 Boarding students – A day at Christ’s College and
Boarding interviews •
1 May – Year 8 scholarship applications for 2021 close •
6 May, 6.30-8.30pm – Information evening •
21 May, 9am-12pm – Year 9 Academic Scholarship exam •
21-22 May – Year 9 Scholarship auditions (drama, choral, instrumental, sports) •
29 May – Year 9 enrolments for 2021 close •
10 June – Year 9 Scholarships awarded •
For more information contact Sarah Fechney, Registrar, registrar@christscollege.com or 03 364 6836.
John McGlashan College Enrolment Process for 2021
§ Boarding applications close 31 July 2020.
§ Day Boy applications close 15 August 2020.
§ Open Night – 30 July, 7pm
§ Open Afternoon – 1 August, 2pm
For all enrolment information please contact Jan Owen, jan.owen@mcglashan.school.nz
or 03 467 6633.
Otago Boys’ High School Enrolment Timeline for 2021
Boarding applications close Tuesday 31 March 2020 •
Day Boy applications close mid August 2020 •
Open Night – Wednesday 29 July from 6pm •
For all enrolment information please contact Gillian Skilton,
gillian.skilton@obhs.school.nz.
10 Waihi News 19 February 2020Senior School Information continued …
St Andrew’s College Enrolment Timeline for 2021
3 March – Boarding Road Show, Lushingtons Café, Ashburton, 5pm-7pm •
25 March – Open Day, 9am-12pm •
3 April – Enrolment applications for Boarding close •
6 May – Year 9 Information Evening, 7pm-9pm •
15 May – Enrolment applications for Day Boys close •
15 May – Scholarship Applications close •
25 May – Academic Scholarship exams •
25 May – Pipe Band Scholarship auditions •
27 May – Music Scholarship auditions •
29 May – Year 9 Sports Scholarship try-outs •
10 June – Scholarships offered •
For more information contact Lynn Smith, Registrar, enrol@stac.school.nz or 03 940 2016.
Timaru Boys’ High School Enrolment Deadlines for 2021
§ Boarding – Applications for Year 9 Boarders close Friday 28 February 2020
After this time late enrolments will be placed on a waiting list
§ Day Boys – Enrolment forms for Day Boys are due in mid-August.
§ Open Day – Sunday 15 March 2020, 12.00pm
We are getting to that time of year when many of you are preparing applications for your son's preferred
senior schools. Each of the schools concerned will have their own particular enrolment procedures and
requirements. Many schools specifically ask Waihi for references, sometimes in the form of a questionnaire
regarding your son.
The staff and I have started to receive requests from families for references to accompany their son's
application. To ensure consistency and to avoid doubling up on the workload it is easiest if you inform Debra
of the application(s) that you are making and we will, in most cases, send references directly to the schools
concerned in whatever format they request.
With all the Year 8 boys to prepare references for I am sure you will appreciate the large workload this entails
for staff. The staff teaching your son will all have the opportunity to provide input to a final reference. It is
appreciated if you can provide details of any such requests as early as possible, particularly for references
that need to accompany application deadlines.
Once you have made your decisions, please can you email Debra on executive@waihi.school.nz with details
of the schools that you are making applications to. We will then ensure that references are provided in a
timely manner.
11 Waihi News 19 February 2020You can also read
