Blake Inspire Scholarship Recipient – Beatrice Proverbs
As a recipient of a Blake Inspire Scholarship, Year 13 student Beatrice Proverbs (pictured above 9th from the right, back right) attended a one week course hosted at the University of Auckland campus during the first week of the term one school holidays.
This is a prestigious award that allows the recipients to stay with other like minded students at the university campus and learn from scientists, academics and work placed experts through a range of practical workshops and field trips in the area of environmental sciences.
The following are Beatrice’s reflections on her experience. “I really enjoyed everything the scholarship had to offer. Through practical activities such as kayaking up the Puhoi River, taking a day trip to the island conservation reserve Tiritiri Matangi, and even a mock-parliament policy simulator, I learnt about many aspects of New Zealand’s unique ecosystem and how various groups of people are helping to preserve it. I was even able to do a bit of teaching within my group about climate change in the climate change workshop by using the knowledge I’ve gained from the university paper I’m currently doing on the subject. However, the workshop I found most interesting was on Mātauranga Māori which introduced me to the Māori perspective on the natural environment and how this blends with Western environmental studies. Everything I learnt during this course has further encouraged me to turn my passion for New Zealand’s natural environment into a career.”
Beatrice would encourage any other senior students interested in the environmental sciences to consider applying for this scholarship which covers between 75-100% of all the costs.
Beatrice Proverbs pictured centre.
ANZAC Day Service
A group of our Year 13 leadership team attended the ANZAC Day Service at Memorial Park on the 25th of April with our two Head Boys, Tomas Andrew and Josh Brown. They are pictured below laying a wreath on behalf of Ōtūmoetai College. ~Lest We Forget ~
Kindness Cookies by Year 9 Students
Year 9 Food Technology students in Term 1, were given the opportunity to come up with a design challenge with a focus on thinking of others in our community.
Through using the design process, they landed upon rest home residents. This led to a brainstorm of ideas, research, testing and trialling to produce a product that would be suitable for residents of Radius Matua.
The result was over 300 individually wrapped biscuits with personalised messages being delivered to Radius Matua. Our students’ contribution and the empathy they showed for others was a fantastic outcome for everyone involved!
School Uniform Reminder
Wearing the correct school uniform is important to us.
The weather is beginning to get a little colder and we felt that a proactive and timely reminder was required to prevent uniform transgressions. Please also find below the link to our full school uniform code.
Common complaints of staff in the past have been, socks and sandals, wrong coloured, long sleeved under garment and hoodies.
Importantly, we are acutely aware of the financial burden and stress that a school uniform can cause some families and whanau. Please feel free to contact the two Assistant Principals: Richard Brown or Ash Lack in confidence to discuss solutions for hardship situations.
Below are some reasons why a school uniform is important to us.
- Promotion of Equality: School uniforms can help reduce socioeconomic inequalities among students by eliminating visible markers of wealth or social status, such as expensive clothing brands. When everyone wears the same uniform, it can create a sense of equality among students.
- Fostering a Sense of Belonging: Uniforms can foster a sense of belonging and unity among students. When everyone dresses alike, it can promote a feeling of camaraderie and school spirit, contributing to a positive school culture.
- Minimising Distractions: By standardising clothing choices, uniforms can minimise distractions in the classroom. Without the pressure to compete with peers in terms of fashion, students can focus more on their studies and less on their appearance.
- Enhancing Safety and Security: School uniforms make it easier for staff to identify students on site, which can enhance safety and security measures. It also helps to distinguish outsiders from students, reducing the risk of unauthorised individuals entering the premises unnoticed.
- Preparing for the Future: In some professions, wearing a uniform is a requirement. By enforcing a uniform policy, schools can help students become accustomed to adhering to dress codes and professional standards, preparing them for future endeavours in the workforce.
- Reducing Peer Pressure and Bullying: Uniforms can reduce peer pressure and bullying related to clothing choices. When everyone dresses the same, there’s less opportunity for students to judge or tease each other based on their attire.
Click here to view Uniform Options
Please see reminders below.
Second Hand Uniforms
The 2nd Hand Uniform Shop at Shed 1 will be open every Wednesday lunchtime (from 8th May) during Term.
Black jackets (old style with hoods) and green jerseys are available.
University of Waikato Leadership Hub Day
Over the last three months, the student leadership team (Tomas Andrew, Joshua Bown, Emily Bibi, Kara Blackstock and Wesley Newland) has been attending and completing our Waikato University Management Paper. We have had the opportunity to learn about new leadership concepts and how to become a better leader overall.
When we were at the university on Monday, we had to present our group presentation to the other students taking this paper. Our presentation was on ‘Model the Way’ and this is one of the five leadership concepts that we have learnt are vital for leadership. Our presentation displayed ideas on understanding your own values in leadership and ensuring that we don’t experience Imposter Syndrome.
This paper has left all of us feeling inspired and motivated to make a positive impact in our school as we develop our leadership with these new concepts.
Weta Experience
At the end of last term Mrs Rowe and Ms Pengelly took a group of Senior EEVT students to Auckland’s Weta Experience. We had a fantastic time touring around their film sets and taking part in a practical workshop. At the end of the visit, the organisers commended our students saying they were “The best College we’ve ever had visit”.
As well as gaining a great deal of knowledge about the process involved in film and prop creation, we had a great day. Well done team. Proud of you.
