Cellphones and newsletter

As good as our modern communication developments are, there is a down-side to the possession and use of cell phones. In a learning environment they are a distraction in class. Furthermore they become a target for criminals. Cell phones which are stolen or lost cause a huge amount of work and we cannot spend valuable time following up missing cell phones.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR CELL PHONE AT HOME.
If a student is seen using one in class or around the school it will be confiscated. If a cell phone is confiscated more than once a parent will be asked to come and collect it. Students who bring a phone to school do so at their own risk. We ask parents to support us in this and ensure that cell phones are left at home.

The latest newsletter has been posted on the school website for viewing at http://www.stratfordhigh.school.nz/WebSpace/358/

P H Keenan, Principal.

Newsletter

The latest newsletter is available on our website, or a hard copy can be picked up from the school office, Stratford and Eltham public libraries. Visit: http://www.stratfordhigh.school.nz/WebSpace/358/ for the latest issue.

WW1 memories

We have had two emails from visitors to Longeuval, France who have seen the wreath laid on our behalf by the College Jean Fermel. This link will take you to the school website news centre where you can open the photos and letters.
http://www.stratfordhigh.school.nz/NewsCentre/57/

Measles Information for parents.

Measles Fact Sheet - What is measles?

We have been advised by Taranaki Health Board to put the information about measles out to our community. Please read this carefully and if you think you have any symptoms, please contact your doctor.

Measles is a viral disease that may have serious complications. In the past, measles infection was very common in childhood. Measles is now rare in New Zealand because of immunisation.
What are the symptoms?
The first symptoms are fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes and feeling unwell. A few days later a rash appears. The rash starts on the face, spreads down to the body and lasts for 4-7 days.

Up to a third of people with measles have complications. These include ear infections, diarrhoea and pneumonia, and may require hospitalisation. About one in every 1000 people with measles develops encephalitis (swelling of the brain).
How is it spread?
Measles is usually spread when a person breathes in the measles virus that has been coughed or sneezed into the air by an infectious person. Measles is one of the most easily spread of all human infections. Just being in the same room as someone with measles can result in infection.

People with measles are usually infectious from just before the symptoms begin until four days after the rash appears. The time from exposure to becoming sick is usually about 10 days. The rash usually appears around 14 days after exposure.
Who is at risk?
Measles was common before 1969, so most people born before then are immune.
People at risk of measles include:

• people born during or since 1969 who have never had measles and who have not had two doses of Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine from the age of 12 months. 
• people with a weak immune system (e.g., people who are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer or people who take high-dose steroid medications) even if they have been fully immunised or have had past measles infection. 
• people who are not immune and who travel overseas. 

How is it prevented?
The best protection against measles is immunisation with two doses of MMR vaccine. This vaccine provides protection against infection with measles, as well as against mumps and rubella.

MMR vaccine should be given to children at age 15 months and a second dose is given at 4 years of age.

Anyone born during or after 1969 and who has never had measles infection or MMR vaccination should make sure that they have had two doses of MMR vaccine at least four weeks apart.
It is safe to have the vaccine more than twice, so people who are unsure should be vaccinated.
People with measles should stay at home until they are no longer infectious (i.e. until 4 days after the rash starts).
For people who are not immune and have come into contact with a person with measles, infection can sometimes still be prevented with MMR vaccine if given within 3 days of exposure or with immunoglobulin within 7 days of exposure.

How is it diagnosed?
Whenever measles is suspected, a blood test and samples from the nose and throat should be collected to confirm the diagnosis. Confirmation of the diagnosis is important as it allows prompt public health follow-up of other people who are at risk of measles.
How is it treated?
Measles is suspected when a person feels unwell, has a cough, runny nose or sore eyes and a fever followed by a rash. 
People with measles infection are normally advised to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take paracetamol to treat the fever. There is no specific treatment.
While a person is infectious with measles it is important that he or she remains at home to reduce the possibility of spreading it to other people.

What is the public health response?
Doctors, hospitals and laboratories schools and childcare centres must notify cases of measles to the local public health unit. Public health unit staff will interview the doctor and patient (or carers) to find out how the infection occurred, identify other people at risk of infection, implement control measures (such as immunisation and restrictions on attending school or work) and provide other advice.

For further information or advice please contact your local doctor or the Taranaki Public Health Unit on (06) 7537798

Year 8 Scholarships open

Following our successful open evening on Tuesday 24 June, the year 8 scholarships are open. Forms can be downloaded from the school website.

RR Tyrer Scholarship for Rural Students.

Year 8 students or students currently attending Stratford High School, who attended a rural contributing school, can apply for a one off scholarship to assist with school costs for the next year. The scholarship is based on school and community involvement. For the current year 2014 the value of the scholarships was determined by the Board of Trustees at $400 and two scholarships were given. Up to three scholarships may be awarded.

The 2014 application form is available from the resources section at the side of this screen. Written applications must be in the hands of the BoT Secretary, Stratford High School, by close of business on Friday 22^nd August, 2014. A decision on the 2015 recipients will be made by the Board of Trustees at the October board meeting.

RR Tyrer scholarship 2104

Two scholarships were awarded from the RR Tyrer bequest for students who are studying at SHS in 2014. Joshua Kirkham and Ethan Martin, both from Ngaere School are the recipients for 2014. There were a record number of applicants for this scholarship.

BoT Academic Scholarship

This scholarship is available to all year 8 students who are intending to study at Stratford High School. The total value of the scholarship is $1200 payable over five years with $400 in year 9 and $200 each year thereafter depending on academic results. Students sit two examinations at the school in September.

The 2014 BOT application form is available from the resources section at the side of this screen. Written applications must be in the hands of the BoT Secretary by close of business on Friday 22^nd August 2014. Only students who have completed the application form will be eligible to sit the exams on Wednesday 10^th September, 2014.

Twenty year 8 students sat the BoT academic scholarship exams and with very close results, five students were selected to receive the scholarship. Braeden Harrison (St Josephs), Gabrielle Scherrer (St Patricks), Kristy Smith (Kaponga), Jackson Taylor (Ngaere) and Rhiannon Utton (Stratford) are the recipients for 2014. This scholarship continues during their academic career at SHS depending on results each year. The student must receive an excellence grade in the final junior graduation report and either a merit or excellence endorsement at level 1 and 2 to continue to receive this scholarship.

Fundraiser for Sports Council

SHS SPORTS COUNCIL
A new initiative at Stratford High School for 2014 is a Sports Council which will include staff and students, who will work towards providing more sporting opportunities and improving facilities at the school, for the benefit of all students and the community.
The first fundraising event is for a fund to resurface the netball/tennis court area with synthetic turf, making it an all-purpose area. This will be selling Canterbury track pants and shorts as per the attached order form.
We envisage that this area could then be used by hockey and football teams for practices as well as our school netball and tennis teams. Many community clubs and groups also use this area for practices and competitions outside school hours so it would also be of great benefit to the community.

Of course this is a huge project and we will apply for funding from other organisations to help finance it. We would also like to install lighting to extend the hours of usage available.

These track pants will not replace any part of the Stratford High School uniform and therefore are not to be worn in this manner. However, it is our intention that students travelling to sports and TSSSA events are not in mufti, but in a sports uniform; a school top or jacket (provided on the day) and black shorts or track pants to maintain a tidy and respectable dress standard. The shorts can be used for both PE and rugby.
Please support this fundraising initiative by approaching family, friends and neighbours to place orders.
Pricing, dates and other details are on the order form; available from the school office, student office and sports office or the school website. Please return order forms with the correct money to the student office by Friday 16th May. Thanking you in advance.

Matt Cleaver and Philippa Merson