Mackenzie College
NEWSLETTER
February 2007
Dear Parents and Caregivers
A very warm welcome to all parents of new students as well as a welcome back to a new
school year. It often seems that the beginning of the school year and fine settled weather
coincide.
As usual we will have run the Year 13 leadership camp on Wednesday and Thursday, as well
as a Teacher Only Day on Monday. The swimming sports are on Friday 16 February and, as
usual, we would love to see parents supporting students. The school athletic sports are to
be held on Wednesday 28 February.
NCEA results are generally pleasing with a good number of merit grades (25 students out of
32 achieved Level 1 certificates, 16 out of 16 Level 2 certificates and 15 out of 20 Level 3
certificates).
As this is the first newsletter of the year I thought I would include the following advice on
ways parents can support their children at school.
Ways parents can help teachers to teach their children better
The partnership between parents and teachers is expressed in many ways. Some of the
most basic elements of this important partnership are also the most important for a happy
student doing well at school.
 Start each day smoothly and peacefully with kind words, smiles and a hug. A child
leaving a happy home starts the day in a happy state of mind – the best precondition for good learning.
 Ring-fence time every day after school to spend with your children, hearing about
their day, listening to what they are saying and paying them your full attention with
no interruptions.
 Send your children to school with a nutritious breakfast inside them – one that
includes protein, fruit and good carbohydrates. Pack nutritious, healthy and tasty
food in their lunch so they eat it all.
 Make sure they get plenty of sleep every night so their brains and bodies can grow.
 Use non-aggressive conflict resolution strategies so your children learn by example
how to deal effectively with their anger and frustration with others. Help them
learn to share and take their turn.
 Place a high value on good manners and respect for others and their property.
 Model and teach time management and organisational skills. Use calendars and
planners for school and family life.
 Show your love of learning by going with them to the library, to concerts and art
galleries. Find out the names of plants and birds in your locality and go for walks
together. Fill your home with books.
 Talk with respect about teachers. Deal with any issues in private, not in front of
your child.
 Encourage them to take responsibility for their own learning.
 Let your children know every day how much you love and value them.
Paul Hudson
Principal
SWIMMING SPORTS PROGRAMME
Friday 16 February 2007
9.15 – 10.15 am
Yr 7 & 8:
Girls
Girls
Girls
Finals
25m Freestyle
25m Backstroke
25m Breaststroke
Boys
Boys
Boys
25m Freestyle
25m Backstroke
25m Breaststroke
10.15 – 11.15 am
Yr 9 & 10:
Girls
Girls
Girls
Finals
25m Freestyle
25m Backstroke
25m Breaststroke
Boys
Boys
Boys
25m Freestyle
25m Backstroke
25m Breaststroke
11.15 – 12.15 am
Yr 11 & 13: Girls
Girls
Girls
Finals
25m Freestyle
25m Backstroke
25m Breaststroke
Boys
Boys
Boys
25m Freestyle
25m Backstroke
25m Breaststroke
Lunch Break
1.15 – 3.15
Yr 7 & 8
Yr 9 & 10
Yr 11-13
pm
Girls
Girls
Girls
75m Freestyle
75m Freestyle
75m Freestyle
Boys
Boys
Boys
75m Freestyle
75m Freestyle
75m Freestyle
Yr 7 & 8
Yr 9 & 10
Yr 11-13
Girls
Girls
Girls
75m Backstroke
75m Backstroke
75m Backstroke
Boys
Boys
Boys
75m Backstroke
75m Backstroke
75m Backstroke
Yr 7 & 8
Yr 9 & 10
Yr 11-13
Girls
Girls
Girls
75m Breaststroke
75m Breaststroke
75m Breaststroke
Boys
Boys
Boys
75m Breaststroke
75m Breaststroke
75m Breaststroke
Staff v Yr 13 Students Relay
House Relays (2 girls and 2 boys)
Yr 7 & 8
Yr 9 & 10
Yr 11 -13
ALL WELCOME
The following is the recently reviewed Complaints Policy, for your information.
COMPLAINTS POLICY
Rationale:
To ensure that all complaints are heard fully, fairly and in accordance with the principles of
natural justice and the requirements of the relevant employment agreement and
employment legislation, and that appropriate action is taken in response to complaints.
Goals:
To develop sound procedures that treat all parties fairly and consistently,
encourage constructive communication, and promote improvement in the
school’s services.
To provide a fair and just mechanism for dealing with complaints from staff,
parents, caregivers, students and members of the wider community about
school employees, Board of Trustees members, or any other related school
matters.
Guidelines:
1.
All members of the school community will be made aware of the processes for
raising concerns and making formal complaints.
2.
Definitions:
(a)
A raised concern is any comment made about any teaching or nonteaching employee or Board of Trustees member of Mackenzie College
that raises questions about the appropriateness or professionalism of
that person’s behaviour.
(a)
A formal complaint is a signed copy of a concern against any teaching or
non-teaching employee or the Board of Trustees member of Mackenzie
College.
3.
A person about whom a concern is raised or formal complaint is made must be
informed about the matter as soon as practicable and in an appropriate
setting.
4.
A person about whom a concern is raised or a formal complaint is made must
be informed about his or her entitlement to representation, including union
representation if applicable, at any discussion relating to the complaint.
5.
Requests for confidentiality as to the identity of the complainant will be
respected unless natural justice demands otherwise. If disclosure of identity
is deemed necessary, the complainant will first be given the option of
withdrawing the formal complaint. Information about complaints shall be
confidential to those directly concerned.
6.
If a complainant remains unsatisfied after discussing a concern with a teacher,
dean, tutor, guidance counsellor or other staff member, that person may make
a formal complaint to the Principal.
7.
Formal complaints will be accepted in writing or orally. Oral complains are to
be recorded in writing and signed by the complainant. Appropriate records of
meetings concerning the complaint should be kept, copies to be available to
those directly concerned.
8.
All formal complaints will be notified to the Chairperson of the Board of
Trustees.
9.
Formal complaints about employees will be dealt with by the Principal. The
Principal may consult with Board of Trustees members. If the complainant is
dissatisfied with the outcome the Principal will advise of further avenues of
complaint such as the Office of the Ombudsman.
10.
Formal complaints about the Principal will be referred to the Chairperson of
the Board of Trustees, who will determine, in consultation with the Deputy
Chair, if the complaint warrants a hearing. Any such hearing shall be held
before the Chairperson and at least two other Board members and two of the
school’s senior management team.
11.
Formal complaints about Board of Trustees members will be referred to the
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, who will determine if the complaint
warrants a hearing. Any such hearing shall be held before the Chairperson and
at least two other Board members.
12.
Formal complaints about the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees will be
referred to the Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, who will
determine if the complaint warrants a hearing. Any such hearing shall be held
before the Deputy Chairperson and lat least two other Board members.
13.
The hearing of a formal complaint must be held as soon as practicable and
without undue delay. The Principal, or in the case of a Board of Trustees
hearing, the Board of Trustees Chairperson/Deputy Chairperson in consultation
with other Board members present, will then determine an appropriate
response. This decision will be conveyed in writing to the parties as soon as
possible.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTIONS
Nominations close 15 March
- forms available at office
Visual Arts - Painting and the School Uniform:
In the Art Room, when students are painting, they are encouraged to take care as
the paints used are good quality and have strong pigments. The students are
directed to use the aprons and smocks provided, when using paint. Although every
attempt is made to minimise damage, accidents do happen so the following
information may be useful:
If accidental staining does occur, soak garment in cold water and detergent
overnight. Hand wash to dissolve any residual paint. To remove any pigment
stains remaining in the fabric use a stain remover such as Preen or Sard’s Wonder
Soap and follow the packet directions. Gently scrubbing with a stiff bristle brush
can help remove the remaining pigment stains. If staining is still present, we also
recommend using Detol, Windex, Whiteboard Cleaner or Preen Dual Action over
the stained area and carefully rub back to help remove the residual pigment. Once
this has been removed, wash and rinse as normal. Never place clothes in a drier
until all residue has been eliminated.
(This information is from an Australian company so some of the cleaning products
may not be available here but similar cleansers will work just as well.)
Food & Fabric
Materials for this subject are provided by the school and an annual fee is charged
to cover these costs. The only item students are required to bring for practical
food classes is a container. Ice cream containers or 1kg yoghurt containers are
suitable. Your son or daughter will know what they are making ahead of time and
may choose an appropriate container. Sometimes a piece of greaseproof paper is
also appropriate, depending on the product.
If anyone has a surplus of the following please send along to the school:
Icecream containers
Kg yoghurt containers
Small jars (fancy jams, pesto etc)
Sauce/dressing bottles (small)
A reminder that filled-in shoes are required for practical classes ie during summer
trainers may be worn instead of sandals.
Health
A charge of $3.50 for workbooks will be charged to the accounts of students
taking Health this year.
Vertical Form Teachers
DOBSON A
DOBSON B
GODLEY A
GODLEY B
MACAULAY A
MACAULAY B
TASMAN A
TASMAN B
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Bruce Keys, Jean Macdonald
Keith Roberts, Robyn Hudson, Bev Giddings.
Catherine Gibb, Marina Charlton, Peter Munro.
Michael Gilchrist, Sue Mitchell, Pat Pudney
Ed Walls, Tanya Marris, Sheldon Lee.
Amanda Macleod, Heather Fifield, Chris Anders.
Jenny Cleland, Scott Marris.
David Gibb, Rosie Adams, Arlene Waite.
LUNCH ORDERS
Lunch orders will continue the same as last year, as
follows:
Monday:
Filled long bread roll, muffin and fruit - $3
(or with 2 x filled bread rolls - $5)
Tuesday:
Filled bun, fruit bar and fruit- $3
(or 2 x filled buns - $5)
Wednesday: Hot dog and chips or fish and chips - $3
Thursday: 2 x Sandwiches, muffin and fruit - $3
(or 4 x sandwiches - $5)
Friday:
As for Monday
A list will be kept by the pie warmer for students to fill out each day and place the
money in one of the envelopes provided. Mrs Anderson will fax orders through.
Please note there are no drinks included in these lunches. Please remember
your water bottles or use the drinking fountains.
Happy, healthy eating!
Lunch Passes:
A reminder that lunch passes are issued to town students only. A lunch pass gives
permission for Yr 7-12 students to go home to their place for lunch. Lunch passes
are not issued to go to another student’s place for lunch. Yr 13 students are
permitted to go to town for lunch. Lunch Pass forms may be obtained from Mrs
Anderson in the office.
MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS & ACCOUNTS
A reminder that newsletters and accounts will be distributed on the first
Friday of the month. These will be sent home with the eldest student in
each family. If an account is not received there is no money owing.
Prompt payment is much appreciated.
Please contact Mrs Whitehead if you wish to set up an automatic payment
system. Regardless of the date of the account the payments received
are for the prior month only. Direct credits are also welcome and if
paying by this method, please ensure the student's name is included.
Students Bringing Cars to School:
Students MUST complete a school permission slip, have
it signed by a parent/caregiver and returned to Mr
Cassidy, if they wish to bring a car to school.
PRINTING
Students and parents are reminded of the need to purchase printing
credits in advance of when they are needed. They can be purchased in
multiples of $2 (33 credits) from the office.
Students are expected to conserve paper, and their credits, by proof
reading on screen and, in class, by only printing with the teacher’s
permission.
Exercise Books (1E5 and 1B5) are available from the office, at a cost of 50
cents each. This service is considered to be for “emergencies” only. Students
must bring the money to school as these purchases cannot be charged to school
accounts. Also available are 128-page 1B8 Binder Books at $1.20.
NZQA Results
All of last year’s students should have received their papers. Teachers are very
happy to discuss those papers with students, especially the possibility of sending a
paper back for reconsideration (due by 23 February).
Gap Year Possibilities
The school year is not yet underway but anyone considering a gap year needs to
know that the closing date for applications to at least one scheme, is 31 March.
For more information see the following websites –
http://www.careers.govt.nz/dfault.aspx?id0=39907&id1=9962
http://www.gapnewzealand.org/
Report Timing
Thank you to all parents who responded to our phone survey of Yr 11 and 12 parents
and to those who sent in a response. A decision about the timing of senior reports
at the end of the year is coming very soon.
Uniform
The Uniform Committee of parents, Board and staff met late last year and
reviewed the uniform code. The following minor changes have been made:
Make-up
Light or none.
Hair Ties
Black, bottle green or Mackenzie tartan.
Shoes
Black or brown leather lace-up or t-bar/buckle school shoes are
to be worn (photos of approved shoes available at the office).
Socks
This ruling was changed back to light grey walk socks for
summer and grey for winter for boys.
We have received $497.51 from Postie+ as 10% cash back through the SchoolTex
Rewards Programme. Thank you for quoting Mackenzie College when purchasing
clothing.
Computer Ink Cartridge Recycling
The school is collecting empty computer ink cartridges as a small
fundraiser. Please send these to school.
Sue Mitchell
NEW STAFF
G’day! My name is Chris Anders. I moved to
Fairlie in late December from Victoria with my
wife (a kiwi) and our two young boys. I have
been teaching at Mirboo North Secondary
College, a small country town not unlike Fairlie,
for the last three years. Before changing to
teaching, I was working in the plastics industry
as a Mechanical Engineer. I will be teaching
Maths, Physics and General Science.
I am a “cricket tragic”, and have already begun
playing for Timaru seniors. I also love skiing
and have worked in two Australian ski resorts
for two winters.
I am excited about, and looking forward to,
meeting the students and their families and
beginning teaching at Mackenzie College.
Jean Macdonald
I have been involved in the commerce
area in Christchurch teaching
Accounting, Economics and
Information Management and, most
recently, have been doing secretarial
work in various businesses and
government departments, also in
Christchurch. My interests centre on
family, sport and the arts.
I consider myself fortunate to have
this opportunity to teach in Fairlie for
the year (while Jo is on leave) and look
forward to being part of the school
and wider community.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ELECTION
Nominations are invited for the election of five parent
representatives to the Board of Trustees.
A nomination form and a copy of this notice will be posted to all
eligible voters. Nomination forms are also available from the office.
Nominations close at noon on 15 March 2007
and should be accompanied by a candidate’s statement.
The voting roll is open for inspection at the school and can be
viewed during normal school hours.
POLL CLOSES AT NOON ON 29 MARCH 2007
Parents are encouraged to consider allowing themselves to be
nominated.
Current Board members are happy to chat with any parents interested.
Barbara Adams 685 8056
Steve Barlow
685 8804
Chris Haugh
685 6162
Irene Emond
685 6212
Dwin Bishop
685 6075
A warm welcome to our Yr 7 students (photo below)
and also to our new students in other year levels.