Forthcoming Events
Friday 20 March
We have a busy and exciting week and a lot has been going
on. It was wonderful that so many parents were able to
attend last week’s Learning Conversations/Mentoring sessions.
We all gain such a tremendous amount from these occasions.
Many thanks also for last night’s Parent Teacher discussions
and for those signed up for Monday. Please note that the last
day of this term for students is Wednesday 1 April, the day of
our House Drama competition. Parents who are free to come
along and watch are most welcome.
Next Friday 27 March we will be a holding a mufti day to raise
funds for relief work in Vanuatu. The theme is any of the
letters making up the word VANUATU and students will all be
asked for a gold coin donation, regardless of whether or not
they dress up.
Monday 23 March
Teacher/Parent Interviews,
Y11-13, 4-7.30pm
Wednesday 1 April
House Drama, 1pm, school
gym
Last Day of Term for Students
Thursday 2 April
Staff Only Day
Friday 3 April
Good Friday
Monday 20 April
First Day Term 2
Our Swimming Sports on Tuesday, held in the new venue in Paraparaumu, was just
about the best ever! Like Athletics Day, many long standing records were broken
and the atmosphere on the day was enthusiastic, fun and exhilarating! My thanks
as always to those students for whom swimming is not a favourite occupation but
who turned up anyway and got into the water to provide their house with those
extra house points, which can, in the end, make all the difference. You are to be
congratulated
We are pleased to be able to take the Year 7s to Orongomai Marae again this year.
This will take place on Wednesday 22 April and students from Karori and Whitby will
be out from 8:45am returned to school at 5pm. We would be really grateful for any
adult speakers of te reo Maori in our community who might be able to support the
trip by playing pivotal roles during the powhiri. If this is you, please contact Fiona
Crawford, Head of Humanities on fiona.crawford@marsden.school.nz or 476 8792
xtn 845.
On Monday 30th of March during Tutor Time and period 5 we will be hosting Carl
Wilkens, humanitarian aid worker, to talk to all Year 10-13 students about his
experiences during the Rwandan Genocide. When the genocide, that eventually
claimed over 800,000 lives, began in April of 1994, Carl refused to leave, even when
urged to do so by close friends, his church, and the United States government. As
the only American to remain in Kigali, the capital city, Carl ventured out each day
into streets crackling with mortars and gunfire. He worked his way through
roadblocks of angry, blood-stained soldiers, and civilians armed with machetes and
assault rifles, in order to bring food, water and medicine to groups of orphans
trapped around the city. His actions saved the lives of hundreds. In his presentation
Carl doesn’t focus on the horror and loss nearly as much as he focuses on those who
stood up against the wrong, along with the 20 year recovery process. The goal of his
speaking tour is to inspire and equip people to stand up against genocide, racism,
intolerance and bullying. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact
Kirstie Smith, Associate Dean.
Marsden Whitby Scholarships 2015
Scholarship examinations for students entering Year 7 and Year 9 in 2016 will be
held at Marsden Whitby School on Saturday 23 May 2015 at 1.30pm. Full details of
the Scholarships and an application form are available on the Marsden Whitby
website. Go to Admissions and then click on Scholarships, under How To Apply.
Applications close on Wednesday 13 May at 4.30pm.
Please can you help?
For several years now Marsden Whitby has had a very strong and successful hockey
team. This year, sadly, we are short on numbers and would hate not to be able to
field a team when we have such a wonderful reputation out in the hockey
community. Please talk to your sons and daughters (from Year 9 upwards) and
encourage them to consider joining the team. There is no need at all for any
previous experience. All we are looking for is enthusiasm and commitment. The
commitment is all centred on one day of the week - practice Wednesday mornings
and games Wednesday afternoons - and transport is provided to and from school via
the school minivan. The emphasis is on fun and learning new skills and the team is
incredibly welcoming. It already includes students from all years 9 through to 13.
If you think this could be the ideal thing for your son or daughter please contact
Bridget Bauman at b.bauman@xtra.co.nz
Students’ Belongings
We continue to have issues with students leaving their belongings in an untidy
manner around the locker bays so I thought I would take this opportunity to remind
everyone of the expectations regarding this. Students all have use of a locker for the
year. This should be kept locked at all times in order to secure the belongings inside.
Students may leave their PE bag on top of the lockers but there should be no loose
belongings of any sort left anywhere in the locker areas. If students lose anything
they are expected to actively search for it around the school before reporting it
missing to the School Office. All belongings should be clearly named in order to
make it easier to locate missing items. Recently we have been unable to return Lost
Property to the rightful owners because it was not named anywhere.
Kirstie Smith, Associate Dean
Financial assistance is available to assist with the payment of entry fees for National
Secondary Schools qualifications. To be eligible to apply you must be the fee-payer
and meet at least one of the following criteria • be receiving a Work and Income or
Study Link benefit (benefit-based applications) • have a joint family income that
would entitle you to receive a Community Services Card (income-based applications)
• be a fee-payer with two or more children who are candidates, irrespective of family
income (multiple candidate applications), where the total fees you would have to
pay would otherwise be more than the $200 multiple candidate maximum. If you
wish to apply for this assistance please go tohttp://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualificationsstandards/qualifications/ncea/entry-into-ncea/fees-forncea/financial-assistance/ for
further information. The application form should be forwarded to Ms Sharron Morgan
for processing before the end of term.
2015 International Science Opportunities offered by the Royal Society of
New Zealand
London International Youth Science Forum, 22 July - 5 August
(Open to Year 13 students only)
Three students will be selected by the Royal Society of New Zealand to attend the
London International Youth Science Forum which takes place over two weeks in
July/August of 2015. This is a residential event held at Imperial College London.
Participants will attend lectures and demonstrations from leading scientists, visit
research centres, scientific institutions and world class laboratories and universities.
Professor Harry Messels International Science School, Sydney, 28 June 11 July
(Open to Year 12 and Year 13 students only).
5 students will be selected by the Royal Society of New Zealand to attend the
Professor Harry Messels International Science School which will be held at the
University of Sydney. The theme of ISS is BIG - big experiments, big discoveries,
big ideas. Students will be treated to a unique lecture series by leading researchers,
participate in hands-on activities and attend formal University events and social
outings. Students will be accommodated on the university campus.
USA International Space Camp, Huntsville, Alabama, 18 July - 23 July
(Open to Year 12 and Year 13 students)
The Royal Society of New Zealand will select three students to participate in an
international gathering, and experience the Advanced Space School Program at
Huntsville, Alabama. Successful students will be immersed in a programme that is
designed to promote space science and exploration. Activities will include hands-on
astronaut training, as well as learning about the mental, emotional and physical
demands astronauts must face. Leadership training is also included and the
students will experience scuba diving and four G's of lift-off force and actual
weightlessness in the space simulator.
Asia Science Camp, Patumthani, Thailand, 2-8 August
(Open to Year 13 students only)
The Royal Society of New Zealand will select 5 students to attend the 9th Asia
Science Camp in Thailand. The programme will involve lectures from 7-9 Nobel
Laureates and will include science workshops, discussion sessions, excursions and
social activities.
XLAB International Science Camp, 22 June - 13 July, Gottingen, Germany
(Open to Year13 students only)
The Royal Society of New Zealand will select just one student to be selected for this
three week intensive science program. This programme attracts interested high
school and undergraduate students aged between 17-22 years. The number of
participants is limited to 32 world-wide.
Youth ANZAAS (Australia, New Zealand Association for Advancement of
Science), Adelaide, Australia, 5-10 July
(Open to Year 12 and Year 13 students only)
The Royal Society of New Zealand will select 6 students to experience a five day
programme together with up to 50 Australian secondary school students. Students
that are selected will visit top scientific and technological institutions and participate
in a hands-on programme.
More information regarding criteria, application forms and closing dates of the above
opportunities can be found on the Royal Society of New Zealand website: Please
visit:
http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/programmes/competitions/international-secondary/
Star Taster Courses offer an insight into some of the career options available within
the travel industry to be held in May and September 2015. Tourism and Hospitality
in New Zealand is a programme for students who have not gained NCEA Level 2 and
provides an introduction to the tourism and hospitality industry. See the flyers
attached for more information.
Youth ANZAAS (Australia, New Zealand Association for Advancement of Science),
Adelaide, Australia, 5-10 July (Open to Year 12 and Year 13 students only) The
Royal Society of New Zealand will select six students to experience a five day
programme together with up to 50 Australian secondary school students. Students
that are selected will visit top scientific and technological institutions and participate
in a hands-on programme. More information regarding criteria, application forms and
closing dates of the above opportunities can be found on the Royal Society of New
Zealand website: Please visit:
http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/programmes/competitions/international-secondary
Careers and University Visits
University of Otago are visiting the school on 30 April in lunchtime to meet with
students and talk about courses available at the university.
OF INTEREST
Study Smart Webinars
Learn the powerful strategies that make a difference to your study. Through the use of simple,
easy to apply and yet practical ideas, you can boost your own performance and your exam
results. Far too many people study harder rather than smarter and they end up burning
out…Sitting and passing exams is supposed to get you ahead in life — not make you a
nervous wreck. With simple and effective techniques described in this seminar you can
massively increase your ability to pass exams and even reduce your study time. In these one
hour fast-paced interactive webinars, International presenter, Karen Boyes from Spectrum
Education will share many simple and practical ideas. March 19th, March 26th, April 2nd, April
9th and 23rd April. For more details, or to talk to the team at Spectrum, please either call us
on 0800 37 33 77 or email us on info@spectrumeducation.com
Senior Youth Leadership
A development programme in Porirua East, at Freedom House (Bedford St in the Creek)
starting on Tuesday 7th April for the Senior Youth (14-18yrs old). It's all free to those who
Step Up! Senior Youth age 14-18 yrs old, www.facebook.com/spiritofrangatahi.
Following the great success of our programme in January this is a great opportunity to learn
more about leadership skills AND have fun during the Easter holiday break. This programme
is designed especially to include Sports and Arts/Cultural leaders. Understand more about
team roles and responsibilities! What skills do you have? What skill do you need to develop?
What is your leadership style? This Leadership development programme builds on the
identity as Maori, Pacific Islanders and Pakeha in order to cultivate strong confident young
leaders. The team leading the programme are from Samoan, Tokelauan, Fijian, Tongan,
Maori, and Pakeha backgrounds. We will be doing an exciting community project for a local
primary school which will be revealed at the concert. Everyone is invited to join us for
our Concert 1pm Friday 17 APRIL 2015. This promises to be great fun because it is a
collection of spoken word, skits, insights, cultural expressions and other surprises of what
they have learned so far over the two weeks.
Guardians of Pauatahanui Inlet runs an annual photo competition open to everyone, adults
and young people alike. There are four categories for photos of Pauatahanui Inlet: Nature,
Recreation, Human Impact and Artistic (any Inlet-related subject). Prizes are sponsored by
local businesses. We warmly invite students and school families to enter the competition,
which is now in its 15th year. Entries close on 15 April. Full information, conditions of entry
and an entry form are available on the Guardian’s website www.gopi.org.nz
Asian New Zealand Foundation
Please go to http://nihaocc.org.nz/school-holiday-programme/ for the holiday programme
for Chinese classes. Term two classes start 20 April http://nihaocc.org.nz/classes/classschedule/.
Newtown Movie School is again running popular stop motion animation workshops in April
2015. Stop Motion Animation in Porirua, Saturday 25 April 2105 - 10am to 4pm
$85. www.newtownmovieschool.co.nz for details or contact Craig Lauridsen on 021 966
277 or nms@acumen.net.nz. Flyer attached.
School Holiday Computer Classes
For ages 5 - 16. New Minecraft advanced classes. Create 3D Video Games, Learn to
Program, Web Design, Animations, Video Editing and Build a PC. Free transport
from Petone/Upper Hutt. For further information call Ed Brown on 499 2211
or www.grandtraining.co.nz.