Ashburton Courier: April 02, 2020

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Page 6, Ashburton's The Courier, Thursday April 2, 2020 Design ideas needed for sign at Mt Hutt Bike Park Mid/South CanterburyContinuous Spouting Stay fit &earn $$$ at the same time Spend a couple of hours every Thursday delivering the Ashburton Courier and Realty in the Ashburton urban area. Enjoy the fresh air, stay fit and reap the health benefits! Phone Leonie todayon308 7664 to get startedoremail leonie.marsden@ashburtoncourier.co.nz 2264292 TM TM TM TM Well-known Methven sculptor Hannah Kidd. The community is being asked to come up with creative ideas for a new sign that will clearly state what Bike Methven is all about. The sign will be be positioned at the new car park at the Mt Hutt Bike Park and will catch the eye of visitors and promote the outstanding biking area maintained by the volunteer group. Bike Methven maintains over 30km ofcrosscountry, downhill and single track trails and is in the process of extending the intermediate level tracks around the lower part of the bike park and also a UCI spec BMX track in central Methven. Wellknown Methven sculptor Hannah Kidd is lending ahand to facilitate the design process of the new bike park sign and willapply on behalf of Bike Methvenfor funding from the Creative Communities Grant administered by Ashburton District Council. Ms Kidd said designers should think big, ‘‘but not so big we can’t afford to make it’’. ‘‘Anything goes, but obviously think a little about materials, the environment this willsit in and how it willbeeffected by the elements like the wind and snow.’’ Basically, go crazy, design something wicked, Askabout our large capacityspouting for commercial and farmbuildings Residential –fascia, gutter and downpipes Snowprotection our specialty she said. Although she wasn’t commissioned to make the sign, she was happy to donate time and tools if needed. ‘‘Because the design brief does not specify materials, anything can come in and much could be beyond my area of expertise.’’ There was no time line for the design production, but the competition had been brought forward because of the current lockdown situation. The project would go ahead with or without the community grant because the Bike Methven community was determined to make it happen and was generous when it came to donating time, skills, gear and materials, said Ms Kidd. Design entries will be judged by the Bike Methven committee and close on April 10. Email designs to sculpture@hannahkidd.co.nz. The Original Spouting Specialists Serving Mid/South Canterbury for over 26 years Your new spouting proudly installed by Craig or Josh John Tull ...providingoutstandingservice, afterinstallation care and pricing requirements! Phone him on 021 288 8290 Email: john@canterburycontinuous.co.nz www.continuous.co.nz Freephone 0800 50 1993 2263153 Lockdowndoesn’t mean you can’t view properties! With us there’salwaysopen homes! Take a3Dvirtual tour fromthe comfort of your ownhome...anytime Scan the QR code using the cameraon your phone to view our current listings in 3D Local news at www.starnews.co.nz Challenging times, but respect lockdown rules Everybody has got to do their bit and be realistic about the risks of Covid19, says Justice of the Peace and celebrant Carol Gunn. Mrs Gunn said weddings should be one of the happiest days of acouples life, and funerals achance to grieve, but in the Covid19 pandemic environment there was alot of confusion and uncertainty. Prior to the lockdown more and more weddings Canterburywide were cancelled and funeral directors widening gaps between chairs for mourners. Since the lockdown even morerestrictions are in place. Mrs Gunn said all funerals, weddingsand JP functions were required to stop until the lockdown period was lifted. It’sbeingdone to protect people's healthand ensure the health systemcan look after New Zealanders who become sick but bereaved families and whanaufrom all cultures and backgrounds will findthis timechallenging. The FuneralDirectors Association of New Zealand (FDANZ) has just thisweek offered a Covid19Grief Resource information sheetto supportbereavedfamilies, whanau and friends who are extremely distressed that during the lockdown no funerals, tangi or farewell gatheringscan be held for theirloved one. The new process applies to all deceased persons, regardless of whenand wherethey died, or the cause of death. And includespublic gatheringsat burials, cremations, memorial services,funeral wakes, processions or receptions and social gatherings, both indoors and outdoors. The information says while funeral directorsare encouragedtocarry out burialsand cremations as quickly as possible theremay be other options available to family such as holdingthe funeralor tangihanga until after the after the Alert Level 4 restrictions ease,live streaming or providing photos of the service and/or burial,cremating the deceased and burying the ashesatalaterdate or holding a memorialservicelater, when restrictions on gatheringsare lifted and it is safetodoso. Evenunder AlertLevel 2amere week and a halfago Mrs Gunn said those thathad continued Everyone has to do their bit and be realistic, says Justice of the Peace and celebrant Carol Gunn. with their services did so under abit of acloud with less guests able to attend and limitsaround numbers. Even wantingaregistry office wedding was not an option in Ashburton; the closestofficesare in Christchurch or Timaru. Some couples had considered getting married and having apartywith friends and family at alater date. It also meant Mrs Gunn was offering her services differently,either meeting people in the driveway for document signings, wearing gloves to handle documents, spending lesstime at ceremonies and keeping asocial distance from other people. She said, of late, there had been atrend for older people to ‘‘notwant afuss’’ withfuneral services and suggesttoloved onestohave afamilyonly ceremony as away to keepnumbersdown. However until the lockdown periodislifted people will be looking at other ways to connect as part of theirgrieving process for loved ones. Award for musical theatre stalwart Alice Sollis has been awarded a Merit of Achievement Award by Musical Theatre New Zealand. The Timaru based musical theatre enthusiast has directed and performed in more than 50 musicals and plays spanning well over 25 years. She is well known in Canterbury musical theatre circles and is involved with the longrunning Mid Canterbury Summer Singing School alongside Jo Castelow. Last year she directed the Mid Canterbury Children’s Theatre show Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR and has also directed Ashburton Operatic’s productions including Oliver (2016), Grease (2015) and Steel Magnolias (2005). Her career on stage began as a dancer in South Canterbury Drama League revues, before developing her craft to become ahighly respected and soughtafter director across the central South Island. Her more than 50 stage productions include The Soundof Music,Grease, The Addams Family, Chicago, All Shook Up, WizardofOz, Calendar Girls, Steel Magnoliasand Legally Blonde. Mrs Sollis has also assisted and mentored many up and coming directorsand choreographers. She writes compilation shows, has worked in radio,creates sound effects for plays, performs as a soloist and sings in the band The Drama Queensatprivate functions and leadsschool holiday drama programmes across Canterbury. Alice Sollis
Local news at www.starnews.co.nz Ashburton's The Courier, Thursday April 2, 2020, Page 7 Ashburton College Individual Excellence in aSupportive Learning Environment News Issue 9 2April 2020 Message From ThePrincipal COVID-19 These are certainly not ordinary times, and the onset ofCOVID-19 has seen our Government act decisively and I’msurethatall schools applauded their decision totake the necessary steps before the pandemic really takes hold within New Zealand. The pace ofthe spread and the changing picture faced by schools has been stunning. Canterbury-West Coast Principals’Association On Friday 20March all of the Secondary Principals from Canterbury and the West Coast assembled in Christchurch for abriefing from Health and Education faculties and, yes, we adhered to the social distancing guidelines (pictured below). The Canterbury Secondary Principals also agreed, atthat stage, asa collective tolimit asmany face-to-face meetings as possible, and that staff meetings and student assemblies wouldn’t be happening. This was quicklyovertakenbythe Government’snation-wide requirements! Other events such as Open Evenings,cultural and sporting events,School Balls,Parent-Teacher interviews, areall postponed foratleast the duration of Term Two. We will look at the viability of an alternativedatelaterinthe year,for ourCollegeBall. Rapidly Changing Scene Icame into CollegeonSundaymorning 22 Marchtoworkonsome plans that were aimed at getting us through until the scheduled end of term (then Thursday 09April). Iremember thinking that was ambitious but, giventhe information we had it mightbemanageable. By Sunday evening it became apparent that seven buses would not be running the next day(drivers over 70) and by Mondayafternoon we were advising students not to attend College until at leastTuesday 28 April. MinistryofEducation Support Iwish to acknowledge our Ministry ofEducation who have provided regulardaily updatestoall New Zealand schools. AcknowledgementtoCollege Staff –DistanceLearning Iwouldlike to acknowledge ourCollege’s staffwho have worked hardto prepare for distance learning, after the revised holidays end on Tuesday 14 April, and the new ‘distance learning’ term starts on Wednesday 15 April. An advantage is that many of our courses are already available via google communities or other electronic means. Staff have also made hard copy work available where possible. There are, of course, a number of courses with huge practical components, and learning is being modified and accommodatedasisviable. KeyMessage My key message to parents is to look after the mental health of yourself and your children. This may beatime to teach your children to do new things such as cooking, baking, gardening, fence painting or other renovation projects.All of theseare real-worldlearning opportunities that could be fun. The importance offun and keeping things low-key will be essential over the next four weeks. Distance learning will also offer your student anopportunity to keep learning progressing, to have activity to fillthe days and contactwith their teachers. Additionally, students will be supported tocomplete asmuch work as they can, in the timethey have available and through whichever medium or devicethey have available. Remember, staff will be available tohelp and can be contacted byemail forquestions, from Wednesday15April,nextterm. NZQA has just put out information to schools re managing assessment and qualificationsand this will be shared with families at afuture time. Good Wishes Finally, onapersonal note can Iwish you and your ‘family bubble’well. These areinterestingtimes forall of us.Inmyhouse there will be six adults and my twograndchildren. In the meantime,Ilook forwardtocatching upwithour communityinfour weeks’time,ifthatremains as ourrestarttime. Best of luck. Ross Preece Principal •Tumuaki Events Year 12 and 13 HistoryTrip to Banks Peninsula On Thursday 19 March College’s Year 12 and 13 History students were treated toanadventure toBanks Peninsula to investigate the local history of the area. Teacher Greta Hampton said it was anearly start and along, but worthwhile, day for students and staff as they visited many places of historical significanceonthe Peninsula. Students enjoyed awalk up Ōnawe Peninsula (pictured below) to see the siteofthe battle between Ngāti ToachiefTeRauparaha and local NgāiTahu chiefTeMaiharanui. Changed DatestoSchool Holidays due to COVID-19 Shut-down Please note: Theschool holiday dateshavebeen changed and arenow scheduled from last Monday, 30 March, to Tuesday14April. This means thatdistance learning will startfrom Wednesday 15 April – whichwill be the beginning of Term Two. Events Innovation Trip forYear 9Y Group Choosing Innovation Class placement has been an option available at College, since the start of2019 for Year 9students and, this year, extending to students transitioning into Year 10 this year.Thereisstill an option forfamiliestochooseenrolment in the traditional subjectmodel. 9Y’s trip to Lake Hood wasaperfect example of cross-curricular learningin action Mary-Anne Evers, teacher ofEnglish, Year 9Dean and English Head ofFaculty support, describes that, at Ashburton College, Innovation Class teachers work to create authentic learning opportunitiesthatincorporateskills and knowledge from each of theirlearningareas. Off-site activities can often occur with minimal disruption to learning in other subjects, asthey happen during the class-time usually scheduled forthese subjects. 9Y is an Innovation Class featuring the subjects of Health/Physical Education, Social Studies and English. The combined topic for thesesubjects is ‘Identity’. At the recent Lake Hood trip (pictured right), onTuesday 17March, Health and Phys Ed featured in the physical activity of walking the lake and exploring its sporting connectionstoour communityand wider. Social Studies featured in study of the role Lake Hood plays in the Mid Canterburyidentityasarecreational and sports area, as well as the planning andadministration aroundthe creation of suchanarea. Final College Newsletter forthe Forseeable Future As youcan appreciate,this will be our final newsletter forthe next fewweeks,given the current lockdown situation and no activitiestoreport on! We do,however, look forward to sharing our newsinthe future whenwewill value being outand about again and enjoying the freedoms we previouslytookfor granted. In the meantime,weacknowledge also thatthese aretoughtimes formanyinthe community-across the rangeofhealthconcerns, employment and financialinsecurities. These pressures arerecognised. English skills were puttouse in areflectiveblog postwherestudentswrote abouttheir experienceand includedvisual representations(photos) of their experiences. As an extra, anumber of keen students ran the whole lake, but most took the option to enjoyabrisk walk,followed by lunchlake-side. Students thoroughly enjoyed their time and are already thinking of other opportunitiestoapply their Innovation class learning in real life. Other highlights included visits to the French cemetery, local museum and Britomart, the site where Britain raised their flag and claimed sovereignty over the French in the area (pictured below). Therewerealso lots of laughs,diet coke and lollies during the day! Students will use the research they did at the site tocomplete internal assessments towards NCEA. Teaching staff accompanying the group were Greta Hampton, Amanda Grigg and Patrick Sandrey.
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Ashburton Courier: April 02, 2020

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