Principal's Message

Kia Ora Koutou

The first week of the final term of 2020 is now behind us and it has seen: summer uniform replace winter, pink shirt day, Anti-Bullying week, DGEs beginning, the first use of Lazarus after four years, visiting authors Charity Norman and Stephanie Parkyn, Mary Poppins rehearsals, and teaching and learning. It might be the shortest term but it is no less busy.

Culture

In the cultural arena ‘Mary Poppins’ cast and crew are working hard in their rehearsals so they can bring this much-loved show to the stage for our enjoyment. The show’s director Doug Davidson is to be congratulated for the tireless hours he puts into these extravaganzas. I also celebrate the commitment of the staff and girls to this event.

Sport

In sport, Corrin Prince, in addition to the placings Corrin achieved at the recent South Island and NZ Secondary School Championships, Corrin also competed recently in the North Island Secondary School Championships in Hamilton. At this competition, Corrin came away with the GOLD MEDAL in the Ladies North Island Points Score championship.

This is a fantastic result. To put this into perspective all competitors shoot the qualifying round which is out of a possible of 60 points. Corrin's result was 59/60 along with four other girls to then compete in a shoot off until a winner is found. Corrin was the only one to shoot all 5 of the targets first shot in the final to win the Gold Medal.

Being Kind

In reference to the Anti-bullying week my recent assembly speech had this as its close; “I have realized that, as educators, we have done some of you our students a disservice. We have instructed you potentially about bullies and bullying behaviour. We have given you potentially detailed ideas of what bullies do and told you not to be one. We have put in place consequences for bullies once we know about them. What we have not done as well as we could and should though, is to teach you how to be nice to one another. How to be kind to each other. We just assume you know. We hope that when we tell you to “be nice” that you know how, but often you do not. So that is what we need to do. We need to smile more. We need to be nice more.” We want this to be no place for hate.

Ngā Mihi

Kiri

Equestrian

HETTANZ Fashion Awards Finalists

Congratulations to the following girls who are finalists for the HETTANZ Fashion Awards for 2020:

Senior Technical:

Isabaella Robson, Ruby Wells, Pippa Raleigh, Maddie Wellbrock, Felicity Johnson, Olivia Cooper

Senior Creative:

Jade Stratmore, Emma Johnson, Ruby Bermingham, Stella Masters, Harriette Klingender

Sustainable:

Ruby Kyle, Jiya Patel, Isabaella Kennedy

Junior Technical (Year 10):

Hannah Mathewson, Hester Radford, Arna Williams, Zoe Krenynhop

Junior Creative:

Bella Beetham, Lucy Boschma, Emma Kitchingham, Kersha Napier

Senior College News

At this time of the year, we start to hear about students who have been awarded scholarships for University study next year. To date, we are aware of the following and there will certainly be more to come. In the meantime, warm congratulations to:

• Noah Boyce, George Tanner and Neve Hopman: Tangiwai Scholarship to Victoria University

• Phoebe Morrah and Cassandra Purcell: Faculty of Science High Achiever Scholarship, University of Auckland

• Isabaella Robson, Isaac Noble and Elizabeth Cohr: Go Canterbury Scholarship, University of Canterbury

• Hannah Penn: Go Waitaha Scholarship and the Hiranga Scholarship, University of Canterbury

• Gus Borren: Haupatu Sports Scholarship, University of Canterbury

• Amanda Harris: Future Leaders Scholarship, Lincoln University

• Anna Bebbington: Performance Scholarship, University of Otago and a Tangiwai Scholarship, Victoria University.

Adam Gordon, Deputy Principal Rathkeale College and Head of Senior College

Coming Up on the Calendar

Week Two - Term Four

Monday 19 October - Whanau time, Junior Choir, Solway Equestrian, Viva Rehearsal,

Tuesday 20 October - No Senior Chapel (Study Leave)

Wednesday 21 October - Junior Assembly (Singing), Orchestra, Viva Rehearsal, Ballroom Dancing, Year 11 study leave and derived grade exams end

Thursday 22 October - Junior Chapel, Jazz Band, Year 10 Social

Friday 23 October - Orientation Day for new students 2021, Mary Poppins Dress Rehearsal for Orientation Day, Whanau time, Year 12/13 study leave and derived grade exams end

Week Three - Term Four

Monday 26th October - Labour Day Holiday

Tuesday 27th October - Senior Chapel, Year Level Meetings, Mary Poppins Matinee

Wednesday 28th October - Assembly, Orchestra, Viva Rehearsal, Mary Poppins Matinee and evening show

Thursday 29th October - Junior Chapel, Sports Awards Assembly 2pm, Jazz Band, Mary Poppins evening show

Friday 30th October - Mary Poppins Matinee and evening show, Whanau Time, Year 11 Orientation to Senior College, Viva Break-Up

School Notices

Ballroom Dancing

This takes place on Wednesday this week for Years 9 and 10.

Exeats

A reminder to all Boarding families that there is only one exeat this Term - Labour Weekend.

Orientation Day - Friday 23 October

On Friday 23 October we welcome our new students for 2021. This will include our current Year 8 students. The girls in Year 7/8 are asked to wear mufti that day. Current Year 8 students will join with the incoming students for 2021 and sit the CEM exams (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring - University of Canterbury). These tests are 35 minutes each in English, Mathematics and Reasoning. The girls will have buddy to look after, share morning tea and lunch together, before our new students will have the treat of viewing our Junior Production of Mary Poppins.

Teacher Only Day

There is a Teacher Only Day on Tuesday 17 November. This is to advise us regarding the changes to NCEA. School will be closed.

Mary Poppins - Junior Production

Dates for the End of the Year

Below are end of year dates:

Thursday November 11 - Senior College Prizegiving 7pm

Monday November 16 - NCEA National Exams begin

Friday December 4 - Non-NCEA students released from instruction Carol Service and Leavers' Service - 6pm St Matthew's Parish Church

Saturday December 5 - St Matthew’s Prizegiving -ALL students required - 12pm Wairarapa College (Please note change of time from 9am)

Wednesday December 9 - NCEA National Exams end; School and Boarding House(s) Officially closed

Monday December 14 - Year 13 Leavers' Ball

School Community

Rathkeale College Christmas Fete

Pukaha Community Open Day 2020 – All you need to know!

Sunday, October 25

The Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre will open its doors to the community and welcome attendees to their third annual Community Open Day. The wildlife centre at Mount Bruce is just a 20 minute drive north of Masterton on State Highway 2. Everyone is welcome to attend including out-of-town friends, family, and guests.

Gates will open from 10am – 4pm, and entry will be by koha (donation). There will be plenty to see and do with a focus on fun, families, and education for all ages. For those who haven’t visited in a while it’s a great opportunity to venture out, see the wildlife and walk amongst nature in ancient native forest. There is even a two-hour looped walking track that visitors are welcome to do. It takes in scenic mountain vistas with bush habitats that are home to wild kōkako and kākā.

Extra wildlife talks will happen throughout the day including at the Kiwi House where Manukura – the world’s rarest and most famous white kiwi resides. People that visit her will be able to get their photo taken with the Manukura mascot. There will be loads of free children’s activities including rock painting, kiwi art creations, seed pot making, and native wildlife stories read by a VIP guest.

The Two-dollar ice-creams that were popular last year will also be making a welcome return.

Visitors should bring cash with them to support the array of local community market stalls as no eftpos or credit card facilities will be available. There will be everything from informational booths through to arts and crafts, clothing, hand drawn art, knitted animals, face painting, and produce items such as vegetables, honey, and olive oil. Radio station MoreFM will attend throughout the morning to run prize giveaways.

The Department of Conservation will provide a sausage sizzle and the Kākā Café at Pūkaha will be selling takeaway food items which will cater to all dietary requirements.

BYO food and drinks are allowed inside the reserve and people are welcome to picnic at the tables onsite, but no alcohol will be allowed on the premises and pets are best left at home. The wildlife centre is asking those wanting to attend to please consider car-pooling in order to ease traffic congestion on the day.

A free Tararua return bus service collecting people from Dannevirke, Woodville, Pahiatua, and Eketahuna is being provided by the Tararua District Council.

A free South Wairarapa & Masterton return bus service collecting people from Martinborough, Featherston, Greytown, Carterton and Masterton is being provided by the Masterton District Council.

Places for both buses are limited and need to be pre-booked with Jo at Pūkaha. Anyone wanting a seat for either bus should book their place with Jo by no later than 1pm on the 23rd of October. To book, please email: accounts@pukaha.org.nz or call 06 375 8004 ext11 and leave a message with clear name and contact details and Jo will call you back to confirm your booking arrangement.

Further details about the event including a schedule of what’s on throughout the day will be posted to: https://www.facebook.com/pukahawhanau/

Any monies raised will be used to support Pūkaha’s forest restoration efforts, captive breedingprogrammes and the release of rare native birds into the wild.

Please head along if you would like a fun day out and to support local community conservation efforts.