Principal's Newsletter - Kelston Girls' College

KELSTON GIRLS' COLLEGE
June 2012
Principal’s Newsletter
Dear Parents
It is hard to believe we are at the end of Term 2 already!
Annual Targets for 2012
Our top focus is on successful learning outcomes for every student. Education is the
pathway to a better life. There is now a raft of research to tell us that the better qualified
we are, the greater our earning power is in dollars.
In the junior school, our focus is that every student will move at least two sub-levels in
literacy and numeracy on the asTTle measurement tool.
Parents, you can help us by making sure your Year 9 and 10 daughters read at least
two pages of their book each night and complete at least one exercise in their Math
Homework book. If your daughter does not have a library book on the go, or doesn’t
have a Math Homework book, please ring or email your daughter’s form teacher or
Dean to find out how you can get these.
In the senior school, our focus is that every student will achieve NCEA Level 1 and 2
Literacy and Numeracy and when your daughter leaves Year 13, she will have a minimum
of NCEA Level 2 and a career pathway out of school. Has your daughter had a
meeting with Ms McKegg, our Careers Counsellor? Encourage her to make an appointment.
As parents, you are welcome to make an appointment with your daughter.
Again, you can help your daughter by coming to the Student Achievement Meetings
with her on Wednesday 25 July from 2:30pm to 8:30pm discuss what she should focus
on over the next two terms. Did you know that our Homework Centre is open 3:30pm-
4:30pm every Tuesday and Thursday with teachers and senior students available to
help with homework and study?
If your daughter is not at school, she cannot learn. Our attendance target this year is to
improve student attendance by 2.5% points. In Term 3, KBHS and KGC are employing
an Attendance Officer who will be employed to follow up students who are not in
school. A particular focus at Kelston Girls’ will be on our senior students.
Combined Kelston Choir
The Inaugural Choir began at KGC in 2011. Down the track they were joined by students
from KBHS. Six weeks ago, the Choir began rehearsing in earnest for the National
Secondary Schools’ Choir competition, The Big Sing. Two weeks ago, this very
new Choir were awarded a commendation for their performance, the only new choir to
achieve this recognition.

Way to go Choir and big ups for Choir Director Lydia Ta’ale, Choir Conductors and tutors
Janice Mantell and Daphne Collins, and accompanists Nancy Lai and Sina Eti.
These good people generously gave their time and energy for this project.
Kelston Combined School Ball
I spent a thoroughly pleasant Saturday evening surrounded by Gods and Goddesses
as young men and women enjoyed themselves in the tastefully decorated ballroom of
the Pullman Hotel. Our thanks go to the Ball Committee and to Mrs Van de Water and
Mr Rob Lindsay who organised the event.
Year 9 Camp
Despite the cold weather, Year 9 students and Peer Support Leaders were in high spirits
when I visited Camp Adair on Thursday. They were enjoying the physical challenge
of a 20km tramp, the flying fox, the confidence course and rope climbing. It was wonderful
to see the cooperation and genuine friendships that operated amongst the girls.
Thank you Jane and Tony from FYD, Francois Coetzee (Year 9 Dean), Julie Hathaway,
Jason Conway, Janine Joyce, Ursula Rumold and Ari Te Kakau for being such good
sorts as Year 9 form teachers and thank you to our Year 13 Student Leaders for being
such great role models for Year 9.
Principal’s Sabbatical
In Term 3, I will be on sabbatical, initially studying at Harvard University in Boston,
USA, and later on visiting schools in New Zealand, Australia and UK. Mrs Buckland will
be the Acting Principal and Mrs Martin will be the Acting Deputy Principal in Term 3. I
look forward to returning to school at the start of Term 4.
How students learn and how schools operate is changing rapidly. This year we took
a first step in this direction by including longer periods, a late start to the day, online
learning through HarbourNet, and the concept of a Careers Academy. Other alternatives
we may consider in the future are modular timetables, form time prior to interval,
and period 1 starting at 9:15am. We would also welcome closer learning links to
KBHS: for example, the opportunity for senior students to pick up a subject at the other
school if they have a timetable clash. Please email me if you have ideas about any of
these suggestions—principal@kelstongirls.school.nz
Updating the Uniform
The Uniform Committee has reviewed uniform costs and styles, and students and staff
are being consulted at present. The biggest difficulty is trying to contain costs and at
the same time, maintain quality.
Early Term 3, please go the Kelston Girls’ College website and look at the proposed
uniform and recommended retail prices. We believe that having a basic skirt, blouse,
cardigan and jacket across the school will reduce costs for parents.
Farewell to Nurse Di McGregor, who has worked in the Hauora Centre for two years.
We wish her well in her new nursing position.
I wish you all a happy time with your daughters over the holidays and look forward to
being with you again in Term 4.
Linda Fox
Principal

From the Kelston Girls College Board of Trustees
Dear Parents
This has been a busy term for students and staff at school. Equally, it has been a
busy time on the Board.
It is my pleasure to welcome Mike Hirst, West Auckland Regional Director for Westpac,
who has been co-opted to join our Board. Welcome Mike!
Early in Term 2, we celebrated the completion of four classrooms, two classrooms
with access to purpose built IT centres. We plan the next stage to begin later in
2013.
We welcome the Wynton Rufer Football Skills specialists to our school. Training
schools to hone the skills of young women keen on football start in Term 3. Please
contact Sasha Beamsley, Sports Co-ordinator on 8279628 for more information.
On behalf of the Board, I thank all staff for their work with our young women this
term. We wish Principal Fox well for her term 3 sabbatical.
Kind regards,
Dr James Prescott, Chairman
Kelston Girls' College Board of Trustees
Congratulations!
World Refugee Day Celebration
Kelston Girls’ College participated in the Auckland Schools Refugee Day Celebration
at Owairaka Primary School Hall on the 22 nd of June. Congratulations to Fawzia
Qari, Luwan Iskiyas, Fatima Mohammadi and Kemmerworke Kassa who led the
programme effectively with their excellent skills as MCs. Nila Khulia delivered a
wonderful speech while Alda Goma and ex-student Jennifer Batende sang melodiously.
African culture was well conveyed through a traditional dance by Yordanos,
Siraneesh, Kasaye and Kemmerworke. Angelica Arreola was the 2 nd Runner- up
and Khatima Mohammadi won the First Prize in the Poster Competition.
Netball
We have come to the end of round 1 for Netball and as we move into round 2, the
majority of our teams have moved up a grade or remained unchanged.
Junior teams have all moved up a grade with our Year 10A team in the top grade for
the age group. Our two senior teams, Kowhai and Red have both moved up a grade
with Team blue unchanged. Good luck for Round 2!

IMPORTANT DATES
Monday 16 July First Day of Term 3
Wednesday 25 July Student Achievement Meetings (School
finishes 2pm)
Thursday 9 August Arts Festival
Monday 13-Friday 17 August Matariki Week
Friday 31 August Exams start
Friday 7 September Last Day for NCEA Fees
Saturday 8 September Enrolments 9am-12pm
Tuesday 18 September Enrolments 2:30pm-6pm
Thursday 20 September Enrolments 2:30pm-6pm
Music Concert
ARTS FESTIVAL 2012
This is the ARTS event of the year with Dance, Drama, Music, Singing, Wearable Art and
an amazing Art exhibition. Please support the students and the Arts Committee who will be
involved in this event as we are rehearsing and busy organizing already. Please put this
date in your diary Thursday 9th August at 7pm.
HOMEWORK (MATHEMATICS)
Homework is a vital learning tool. It provides students with the opportunity to consolidate
what they have learnt in the class room. It also helps to develop the regular study habits
required at junior and senior levels. These are vital to enable students to produce the good
grades of which our students are capable. In our experience poor homework habits are the
biggest handicap to good results. Mathematics homework books are available for purchase
at a nominal cost.
Years 9 and 10 Homework Books are $15; Years 11-13 Homework Books are $25. Please
encourage students to buy homework books and also please supervise their work at home.
Mrs S Yapa
Head of Faculty, Mathematics
NCEA FEES ($76.70) MUST BE PAID
ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY 7 SEPTEMBER
The fee can be paid in instalments if that is more convenient for parents and caregivers. A
receipt will be issued for any payment made to the school. Financial assistance forms will
be available from the school from the beginning of term 2. Parents and students are encouraged
to check the website, nzqa.govt.nz, for information on fees, financial assistance,
student progress towards gaining NCEA and study facilities etc.

THE HOMEWORK CENTRE
What is it for?
�� Homework and completing class work.
�� Research and completing re sits.
�� Assistance – from teachers and senior students.
�� Reading
�� Using computers for research and accessing study sites.
�� Reading through your notes from the days lessons.
Why Go?
�� The preparation and planning you do now, will make a difference to how well you do
in assessments and class work.
�� Completion of homework and class work will help your understanding.
�� How well you do this year will affect your future years.
�� Start good habits NOW.
In the Library every TUESDAY and THURSDAY 3:30PM-4:30PM
FOR BRIGHT CHILDREN WHO AREN'T LEARNING
For individual tuition specialising in Dyslexia, spelling, reading and comprehension from
children through to adults. For Danks Davis Tutoring, phone Zannie Danks Davis on 818-
8167 or Robyn van den Berg on 816-9499.

AUCKLAND MUSIC SCHOOL
Flute lessons are available!
Call NOW to enrol. Phone/fax: 838 8853 or email akmusltd@hotmail.com. Level 1, 357
Great North Road, Henderson.
What is it all about?
Gives an Opportunity for everyone to develop:
�� Fitness and Physical Health.
�� Physical Skills.
�� Self Esteem & Confidence.
�� Excitement, Fun, & Travel.
�� Friendships & Working as a Team.
�� Achievement & Challenge.
�� Intricate Rhythmical Movements set to Music.
ROYAL GUARDS MARCHING TEAM
There are three parts to Marching: Review & Inspection; March Plan; Display Dance to music.
Under 12 & Kiwi Team from 5 Yrs. to 12 Yrs. Under 16 Team from 10 Yrs to 16 Yrs.
Join our Team Contact On Below Detail:
Jennifer on: 021 186 9685 Jennifer on: 09 838 0330
Gail On: 027 5080 292 Janet on: 021 612227
Or Text a landline number to ring you back.
Alternatively email: royalguards@xtra.co.nz
www.sportsground/royalguardsmarchingteam