Southern View: March 20, 2018

SOUTHERN VIEW Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Tuesday March 20 2018 11
Linwood
College
PERSONALISED
PATHWAYS
TO SUCCESS
Principal’s Report
NCEA Excellence @ Level 1 Art
Kia ora koutou.
Talofa. Kia Orana.
Malo e lelei. Bula.
Fakaalofa atu.
Namaste and
Kumusta. Greetings
to the Linwood
Community.
I am very pleased to
be able to report to
the community that 2018 has begun well for
the school. This page shows the wide range
of positive activity that we would expect in a
busy, thriving secondary school.
Our 2018 school year has begun with an
increased school roll, considerably so. This
has resulted in some timetabling challenges
and prompt action to appoint further staff.
Thank you to the students and staff as they
manoeuvre their way round some crowded
classrooms.
2018 also starts with the first full year of our
being in two Kāhui Ako-Communities of
Learning, Tamai – Linwood-Woolston, and
Aupaki – the Bays, Heathcote and Lyttleton.
I have written about Kāhui Ako previously.
They are schools collaborating to ensure that
the student is at the centre of all activity but
not just in the individual school the student is
in at the time, but as the student progresses
from early childhood centres through their
schooling to tertiary and the workplace.
Effective schools and communities have
been doing this for decades, of course, so it
Festival of Nations 2018
Last month, Linwood College was once
again on show - in all its glory. The ‘Festival
of Nations,’ one day event, celebrated the
breadth and richness of cultural heritage
amongst our students. With initial speeches
and a flag parade attended by local MPs,
Poto Williams, Dr Duncan Webb and Ruth
Dyson, the College’s sports' field was
transformed into a vibrant cultural throng of
colour and enthusiasm.
The festival concluded with a Cultural
Evening, a night of spectacular
entertainment, with music and dance
performances by students from around the
world.
is good to have this part of official national
education policy.
As we know, 2018 is our last full year in the
old LHS/LC school buildings. In mid-year
2019, Term 2, Linwood College will shift
off-site for the duration of our re-build to what
will be by then the former Avonside GHS
site. This is a very good thing for us all as we
will not have to live in the middle of a major
building site for what would have been three
years. It takes a year off the building timeline,
from the three years to under two, and this
means a saving of one million dollars. This
saved money does not leave the budget so
we can use as we see fit.
Our community consultation about the new
Linwood College has given us clear direction
and everything that we do is based on this.
We all agree that it is true that buildings
alone do not necessarily improve education
– the relationship with the teacher and the
personalisation of learning are the two key
factors for this – but there is also no doubt
that new, purpose-built buildings and spaces
can contribute hugely to these two factors. It
is Linwood College’s turn.
Finally, I am always keen to meet people, so
if any member of the community wishes to
talk to me about anything, please contact the
office to arrange a time for this to occur. My
door is open.
Ngā mihi nui
Richard Edmundson: Tumuaki-Principal
Mathematics Success
We are very proud of Jeremy
Kyle who received an
‘Excellence’ grade for his NCEA
Level 1 external portfolio. His
body of work had been part of
a year long project around the
theme, ‘My connection with the
world around me.’ Students were
able to interpret this theme into
their own context.
We are proud to congratulate the following students who excelled in their work and achieved
the 10 Numeracy credits required for NCEA as Year 10 students in 2017. They are:
Cory Aberhart, J C Aguilar, Ethan Alderley, April Anderson-Hill, Jessa Arcayera, Kane
Arps, Analea Cavanagh, Jecus Culanag, Mario Cvetkoski, Danae Ganela, Desiree Garner,
Serena Gerrard, Orlando Saul Goxhaj, Jeikob Hart-Floyd, Paigan-Lilly Hall, Dallas Keating,
Kaylah Hoskins, Nabiha Irsad, Jade Jackson, Tau Jackson, Andrei Laxamana, Alana Le
Cren, Orion Lynch, Patrick Maravilla, Ethan Moscrop-Giblin, Robert Paul, Leah Pearce,
Patricia Pangilinan, Luka Russell, Tanisha Reddy, Jenna Roberts, Savanna Seinafo, Bethany
Shanks, Josh Stiles, Dylan Taylor, Den Vergara and Jessica Wheble.
Coast to Coast Champions
Last month six of our Linwood College students:
Emmaline Stott, Finn Pierce, Julian Lui, Mapu
Uasi, Kyle Amer and Moahengi Ngauamo
competed as the 'Coast-to-Coast Rangers' in the
annual Coast-to-Coast race.
This intensely challenging race started on the
West Coast's Kumara Beach and finished on the
East Coast at New Brighton Beach.
What an amazing accomplishment it was for
them all to get across the finish line after just six
months of tough training!
We would like to thank all who supported our
team including LC students Aaron Skow, Tane Bradshaw and Alisha Ungerboeck as well as
Jess de Bont and Matt Mark who instigated this amazing experience for the Rangers!
As a past participant, Jess de Bont said, “I'm blown away by these teens. They have pushed
themselves more than many people will in a lifetime and have shown such respect for each
other and for us coaches. They totally inspire me."
Use the following video link to follow them through the course.
https://www.facebook.com/coast2coastrangers/
Star Activities Day
In early February all Year 9 classes attended an exciting
activity day at The Groynes.
Students participated in team building activities and
climbed high ropes testing their courage to take on new
challenges. It was great to see the students working
together as they got to know one another.
Chilling
This term Level 2 Science students visited the
Antarctic Centre to experience survival in an
extreme environment and to explore how organisms
are able to survive in the extreme cold.
After huddling like Blue Penguins in the chilling
‘Cold Room’ (with a wind-chill factor of -18°C), we
were then escorted to see some real-life rescued
Blue Penguins in action during feeding-time.
To end our adventure, we were introduced to some
very well-trained Siberian Huskies, during which
time we were told about these special dogs that can
survive in such raw weather.
Linwood College • Phone: 982-0100 • office@linwoodcollege.school.nz • www.linwoodcollege.school.nz