Principal's Message

Kia Ora Koutou

This newsletter has a sports and culture vibe. Both have been plagued by an ‘on again and off again’ or ‘on again but with alterations’, and the list goes on.

What has remained is the expectation of respectful and fair play on the field by the players, and off the field by our spectators. I found this document prepared by a sporting code in New Zealand. I thought it was sad but clearly it had become essential that a code of ethics for the spectators was enforced. It looked like this:

Parents and Spectators Code of Conduct & Ethics

As a parent/guardian and spectator of ‘sport and sport related activities’ held by or under the auspices of ‘sport’, you are encouraged to meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct during any such activity or event:

1. Support the removal of verbal and physical abuse from the game.

2. If you disagree with an official, raise the issue via appropriate channels rather than question the official’s judgement and honesty in public.

3. Teach players that effort is as important as victory, so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.

4. If players are interested, encourage, and support them to play. Avoid forcing players to play if reluctant.

5. Players learn by taking risks and making mistakes, encourage and support this.

6. Remember players are involved in ‘sport’ for their enjoyment not yours.

7. Recognise and value the importance of coaches and other volunteers who give their time and resources to provide netball - they deserve your support.

8. Applaud good play by players on both teams.

9. Encourage players to play to the rules of the game and respect umpires’ decisions.

It is important that we remember these things. Life is hard but decent behaviour should be automatic.

Tournament Week

The Secondary winter sports week had many of us sending a lot fewer teams away to compete at tournaments next week, for us it was our Hockey 1sts. Others, namely our A Netball and Football 1sts, unfortunately had their fixtures cancelled in light of the Alert Level 2 requirements. For teams travelling away the following useful tips were provided to ensure the safety of the events. Each team had to:

• Be confident that the host venue had appropriate health and safety planning in place, which could include limiting spectators, having clear contact tracing systems in place, and systems for managing congestion.

• Be Confident that Sport NZ’s clear guidelines for Alert Level 2 (please note the gatherings limit in Auckland from next week will be 10, not 100) were adhered to so as to provide reassurance that the host venue was meeting requirements.

• Note the gathering limit is per sports field, not the entire ground which might have multiple fields in the same space. So, 5 fields means 5 x 100. However, these groups need to remain separated.

• Consider own team’s practices, you may choose to limit accessing the pavilion or changing rooms, unless confident in the systems in place.

• Where practicable, be able to change and shower at own accommodation rather than at grounds.

• Wash hands regularly.

• Have hand sanitiser available.

• Remember that no one travels if feeling unwell, and if they become unwell are immediately isolated from others while you seek advice. You may need to clean all surfaces the person may have had contact with as an easy precaution.

• Have disposable facemasks in own first aid kit (for the person who is unwell to wear and potentially for a carer who cannot keep a physical distance)?

• To note that the team and management are essentially their own bubble and should stay physically distant from people they do not know as much as possible. Supermarket runs and other shopping should be limited to a small number of people (or where possible, one person only).

Once all these conditions were honoured then they had to play their best games. Our girls can feel proud because they played some very well drilled teams and come back home with the following results: Game 1 vs Wai-Col 1-1, Game 2 vs Feilding 2-1 win to us , Game 3 vs Napier girls 4-1 to Napier , Game 4 vs Whanganui 2-0 to Whanganui , Game 5 vs Taradale 3-2 to Taradale. This last came was Abby Crawley’s 100th and it was televised, so you can watch it back on https://www.sporty.co.nz/hockeymanawatu/2020-Lower-North-Island-Secondary-School-Prem?em=0&ts=0.15283442389335988.

A few general reminders about sport under alert level 2. Under Alert Level 2 the disease is contained, but there is still a risk of community transmission. The objective of these guidelines is to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus, and to be able to rapidly track and isolate any cases that may arise.

Subject to the range of public health measures outlined below, play, active recreation and sport can take place under Alert Level 2. This includes contact team sports and physical activities only if good contact tracing is possible and hygiene measures, particularly washing and drying of hands with soap, and regular cleaning of equipment and surfaces are in place. Make sure you know (or can identify) anyone who is participating in your activity, including players, officials and spectators/supporters, in case someone gets sick.

House Music

The House Music event was under the radar , as were all big events affecting the school as soon as we went into Lockdown. Alert 2 saw many things go into postponement mode. Alert 1 gave hope that some events could still occur, but ‘when’ became moot. There was thought given to cancelling House Music this year, but given the Alert 1 status we wanted the students to have something to look forward to especially given the cloud created by the Pandemic.

Different scenarios were considered when we were in Alert 2 status the first time, as we did not know how long that would last. So now in Alert 2 again we have revisited some of those suggestions in readying ourselves for the upcoming House Music event.

We are aware that Alert 1 may exist for regions outside Auckland after September 6, but the decision has been made to prepare for the House Music based on what we actually know.

Following deliberations with the House Music committee, a proposal from senior students, other discussions with House Leaders responsible for organising their Houses for this event, and Alert 2 requirements a decision has been made as to the date, time, and programme for House Music.

Please note this is not an ideal, and please also note that the involvement of year 13 in House Music practices has been the best we have seen. They have stepped up as a group of leaders.

Our preference would be to celebrate our musical culture in our usual fashion. So many have had to give up eagerly anticipated events like Tournament week so we are pleased that we can offer an abridged form of togetherness despite the barriers we have encountered.

So House Music will, this year, be at school on Thursday 10th during the school day and finish in time for students to catch buses. Our event will occur in the school hall . After discussions the Programme will now include other Acts which will be prerecorded. Planning under Alert level 2 means there will be no audience. Live stream will mean families are able to watch on the day, or later and this link will be made available closer to the time.

Follow the protocols, be safe and your best selves

Ngā Mihi

Kiri

Around School This Week

School Waiata

Tournament Week

Level Two has provided many challenges for organised tournaments, resulting in the cancellation of Netball and Football.

Our First XI Hockey team travelled to Palmerston North to play in the Lower North Island Hockey Premiership in Palmerston North. The girls played off for 9th and 10th today, winning their game 5-1 against Sacred Heart New Plymouth. Follow the link below to a game that was televised yesterday against Taradale College. A huge thank you to Amanda McLeod (coach) and Kylie Baron (Manager), and the parents and staff for travelling with the team and guiding them through the week.

Squash Success

Year 9 Lunch