Welcome to the 2011 school year

Welcome to the 2011 school year. Our year 13’s returned from leadership camp with a plan for the year and a challenge for us all in 2011. This will be the footprint that they leave this year and hopefully others will grow on. It is one of teamwork and pride, which they hope all of the school family will embrace.
When I started thinking of what to say in our first assembly I felt it was like the ‘state of the nation’ speeches that our politicians give at the start of each year. It outlines what the political party hopes to achieve during the year. The year 13’s have certainly stated their intentions. As we start 2011 I do hope that you have all had a relaxing holiday and are refreshed and ready for the challenges that 2011 may throw your way.

I would like to welcome all new students to our school. I know that your time here at Stratford High School is one of achieving the goals that you set and also of participating in activities around the school. Along with new students there are new faces amongst our staff: Mrs Kuriger (Special Needs), Mrs Neild (Maths), Miss Sullivan (SS, Maths, Outdoor Education) and Mr Woodd (English). To all I hope that you enjoy your time at Stratford High School.

To those year 12 and 13 students who were involved in NCEA examinations last year congratulations on the results that you obtained. The school will over the coming weeks acknowledge those students who gained endorsements.

Well done to the year 9 and 13 students and staff who were involved in tabloid sports. It is always a great start to our school year and shows enthusiasm and teamwork amongst the forms. Congratulations to Amess who were the overall winners on the day. Last week some of you will have received PEAK and the homework diary. These showcase Stratford High School achievements in 2010. The challenge now is what do we want for 2011? It will bring what we want it to – our destination is in our hands. The year 13’s have shown what they want 2011 to be about.

As I have enrolled students over the holidays I have talked about setting goals (academic, sporting or cultural) and respect and getting it ‘right’. Respect means having respect for ourselves, others and the environment. This single work can cover all our school expectations; our culture is based on the word respect – the way things are done around the school is based on respect.

Some staff would say two words describe our school:

QUALITY AND RESEPCT

At the end of 2011 it would be great to say “We are the Champions”.
Do something positive and make our school a better place to live, learn and achieve in.

Philip H Keenan, Principal.

Latest Newsletter

Latest Newsletter
The latest newsletter went home with students on Monday afternoon. The full newsletter is on the school website.
http://www.stratfordhigh.school.nz/


Greetings to you and your family.
THANK YOU!
         As this is our last newsletter of the year, the school would like to extend sincere thanks to all parents, community supporters and sponsors who have given so much to our school and our students over the year. Your support has made it possible for our students to achieve highly in academic, sporting and cultural dimensions of the school. Thank you very much.
         Over the last two weeks we have celebrated with our seniors as we acknowledged their academic, sporting and cultural successes at the senior prizegiving. The ceremony showcased the real heart of our school with the community coming together to recognise the success of our senior students this year.
         One could not help but be impressed by the breadth of talent on display—students succeeding in all dimensions that make SHS so special. We congratulate the prizewinners and those who supported them on the day. The day was also made special by the contributions of our Kapa Haka group, school choir and our guest speaker, Sarah Mako, whose speech was very timely for those leaving us.
         Junior prizegiving will be held at 11.30 am on Friday 3rd December. I extend an invitation to all parents, family and friends to join us for this occasion. I would like to remind students and parents / caregivers that school does not finish until Thursday 9th December, which is at the conclusion of our activities days. Normal school expectations re absences are expected.
        In 2011 we will be modifying our absence system so that when a student is absent from school we will send a text message to the parent or caregiver. At the beginning of 2011 we will be asking for all details to be updated or checked by parents and caregivers.
        At the senior prizegiving I made mention of the schools Charter and Strategic Plan needing updating. This will mean the school community will have an opportunity to have input into the schools direction over the next 3 to 5 years.
         Finally my thanks to the staff and BoT at SHS for their hard work this year. It is a joy to lead such a willing, highly skilled and dedicated group of people. Best wishes for a safe, relaxing and happy Christmas and I look forward to 2011.
Philip Keenan, Principal

November updates

Senior Prizegiving
A reminder to all parents and caregivers that the senior prizegiving will commence at 1.00 pm in the Assembly Hall. We ask that parents are seated prior to this so a start can be made promptly. Senior students will have study leave on Friday in preparation for national exams starting on Monday 15th November.

Book return day will be Friday December 10th. All seniors will need to return any school materials, uniform for sale, etc on this day in the school library.

Junior students are advised that there will be no classes for them on Thursday 11th November. Junior Prizegiving will be held on Friday 3rd December with activities week for juniors from Monday 6th to Thursday 9th December.

ICAS Maths results
Students were presented with certificates for Proficiency, Credit and Distinction at this weeks assembly for their performance in the ICAS Mathematics competition. Distinction was gained by Jason Hamlin (Y) and Anjela Frost and Kathleen Robertson (Y10). A full list will be in the next newsletter.

Farewell to librarian
It is with sadness that we farewell Mrs Marie MacGregor who has ably worked in the library for the last two years. Her successor is Mrs Riejanne Campbell. Mrs Campbell has been operating the school canteen this year and is well known to the students. The canteen will still be operated by Mrs Campbell and her family.

P H Keenan
Principal

Library Report

Wheelers Fundraiser for our library.

Shopping online is more and more common and Wheelers books are offering the school $1 for every $10 spent on the Online bookshop. They have 6.2 million titles to choose from.

1. Visit http://www.wheelers.co.nz/
2. Search and select your titles
3. Select Stratford High School at the Checkout
4. Books are delivered directly to your home and the school benefits.

For those of you interested?
If you haven't seen it already, the UK School Library Commission report has recently been released.
You can download it from this site.
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/policy/nlt_policy/school_library_commission

Marie McGregor
Librarian
mm@stratfordhigh.school.nz

High School Corner

Junior Workday
Many thanks to members of the community who offered support to the junior students for workday. Final totals are not yet in but we are hoping that both major projects for the Student Council will happen.

NZ Secondary Schools Indoor bowls
Anjela Frost, Taranaki under 15 Indoor Bowls Champion was placed 3rd in the NZ Junior Indoor Bowls Championships on Saturday 28th August in Wellington. She was knocked out by 2009 NZ champion Teri Anderson in the semi final. One champion from each region competes in this tournament.

In the NZ Secondary Schools Champs on Sunday 29th August, Anjela Frost was 9th in the championship singles, while Rebekah Frost (5th) and Kylie Rowlands (9th) played in the consolation round. In the NZSS Pairs competition on Monday 30th August Anjela and Rebekah won all qualifying games and finished 9th in NZ. Jacinta Frost and Kylie Rowlands also won all qualifying games and finished 5th in NZ at their level.

Congratulations:
Jessica Short, Nathan Heine and Alexandra Merson were presented with a Level 1 Basketball Umpires certificate at assembly last week. We hope to see them umpiring at Stratford games in the near future.

Maria Gaudin won first place with her dog Dream at the Taranaki Toy Dog Show on 29th August.

Ex pupil Bryce Looms (2002) has recently finished a Diploma of Digital Media at the Media and Design College in Auckland. Bryce is now working the website design field, updating and design websites. This college offers other diplomas in the graphic media fields of game development, VFX and 3D Graphics.

Philip H Keenan
Principal

High School Corner

SHS Hockey
Well what a great season we have had for hockey. We started with the usual Senior A Boys & Girls teams. Fortunately we had an overflow with the boys so we were looking at combining with Waitara High for a second boys team but this did not work out. We entered a B Boys team in the B division Grade and we had sufficient boys put their names forward which was great to see. What a season they had. They came together with strength each week and it paid off for them as they finished 5th equal with Hawera High B. all teams have had successful seasons, with the Boys A team finishing 2nd in their league. The Girls A team after a roller coaster season, with injuries throughout the team and a tense finish to pool play kept themselves in the top 4. They lost the semi final but in the bronze playoff finished with a draw and a 3rd equal placing with Spotswood College. To all three teams well done I think this would be our best year for some time.
Desiree Alexander, Hockey Manager

New Caledonia Grocery Raffle
The grocery raffle was drawn on Monday and the winner is Mr P Keenan. The New Caledonia tour party would like to thank all people who have supported them with the raffle and the Stratford Rotary Club for allowing them to help sell sausages.

Junior Workday
There will be a junior workday during week 8 this term. If you need a student for the day please contact Mr Richard Armond at the school. More information will follow.

Methanex Maths winner
The winner of the Poetry and Creative Writing prize was Danielle Vickers, which was mentioned incorrectly in the last school newsletter. Members of PPTA who visited the school were impressed with our display last week.


Philip H Keenan
Principal