new site blessing - · pdf filetel: (64) 3 3897199 email: [email protected]...

Tel: (64) 3 3897199 Email: [email protected] Website: www.avonside.school.nz

1

Issue 4—July 2017

New Site Blessing An important milestone was reached on Friday 23 June 2017, with the blessing by Ngai Tuahuriri of our new site at

QEII.

The blessing was conducted by Corban Te Aika and Lynne Te Aika, representatives of Ngāi Tūāhuriri (Ngāi Tahu).

The next step will be a sod-turning ceremony that will take place later next month. It is great to see progress and and to

know that we are on track for the new schools to be open in time for Term 2, 2019.

Navigating the Career Maze

The school PTA the Careers Department invites you to

come along to a careers night in the school staff room on

Thursday 10 August. The evening will begin at 6.30pm

and end at 8.00pm.

The theme of the night is

"Navigating the Career

Maze". There will be a

panel of ex Avonsiders who

will talk about their career

paths, and some helpful

hints for you in your role

as career allies to your daughters.

Thursday 10 August coincides with course selection time

at Avonside and there will be an opportunity on the night

to have your questions answered regarding courses for

2018.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday 10 August

2017.

Mud Run

This year, 25 students

attended the annual Mud

Run at Motukara Raceway

on Sunday 18th June.

Ms Corbin and Ms Exon

joined the students in

competing this year. There

were a number of obstacles

that were challenging.

However the students and

teachers enjoyed the

experience even though it

was cold.

A welcome warm drink

awaited the participants at

the end.


2

Kia ora tatou

I write this looking out on a grey winter’s day, feeling

pleased that the shortest day of the year is behind us and

that we are heading towards more sunlight and warmer

temperatures.

Winter ills have had an impact on members of our school

community in recent weeks. I trust that the imminent

holiday break will provide the opportunity to rest, relax, and

recharge in readiness for the new term.

Attendance is an issue that I want to raise once more.

While we are impressed by the students who achieve

100% attendance, and the 45% of students who have an

attendance rate of 95% or better so far this year, we are

concerned about erratic attendance for a number of

students, which makes it very challenging to support them

to achieve the goals that they seek. It is perhaps a

statement of the obvious, but if girls are not in class, they

are not accessing the learning that will enable them to

succeed to their potential.

While we are very clear that we do not want girls at school

if they are unwell, we note that some girls find it difficult to

get into the habit of attending school for five days a week,

with their records of attendance routinely showing gaps.

This concerns us as our experience tells us that

successful transitions beyond school are more challenging

when the habit of attending school on a routine full-time

basis has not been established. Such students are also

disadvantaged in progressing their learning which in turn

contributes to a continuing pattern of poor attendance.

Our pastoral team reports that we have some girls who get

tired and find it hard to get themselves to school on time, or

at all, on some days. We ask that you support your

daughters to develop the habit of punctuality, as this is

essential, not only for success here at school but for future

employability. We also ask that you support sufficient and

regular sleep times for them by monitoring screen time. We

find that some girls are sleep deprived and therefore not

ready for learning because they choose to spend time at

night when they need to be sleeping, on a device.

Thank you too, for ensuring that girls are on time for

learning. Classes start each morning at 8.30am and we are

sometimes faced with a long line of girls arriving late for

learning. Late arrival in class not only means that the late

student misses out on valuable class learning time; it

impacts as well on the other students and the teacher. We

really need and appreciate all the support you can give to

ensure your daughter is punctual each day.

While we communicate frequently with families where we

have attendance concerns, we invite any parent or

caregiver who wishes to discuss attendance to contact

your daughter’s kaitiaki (Dean) so that we can work

together on finding solutions.

Reports are being finalised for our senior students and are

able to be accessed at the end of term, while junior reports

will be available early in term 3. Students will have been

reviewing their progress and goals with their pouako over

recent weeks. That process, together with the teacher

feedback on reports will provide a solid basis for discussion

at home on progress to date and what is needed over the

remaining very important learning time in term 3, to

achieve learning goals. Senior students are more than

halfway through their learning programmes for the year; for

them it is especially important to take the opportunity to

refocus, as strategies implemented now can certainly

influence how their year’s learning will end.

I have enjoyed the contact with parents on the sideline at

recent sporting events. It is great to see you supporting

your daughters’ extra-curricular activities and like me, I am

sure you feel proud not only of their achievements but of

the spirit in which they compete.

Wishing you a restful term break with your daughters.

Ngā mihi

Sue Hume

Principal

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Please Note:

TEACHER ONLY DAY

Friday 25 August 2017

This is to provide time for teachers to focus on future

planning work.

Supervision is available in the school library for any girls

who wishes to come to school and work independently.


3

WELLBEING HUB

Reports

Children and teenagers take their cues from the respected

adults in their lives. How parents see their children’s

reports affects how they see themselves as learners.

Watch this before opening your child’s report!

https://vimeo.com/219326386/4efcdd6c2e

Mean Girl Behaviour? Or Something More?

Relational aggression is the psychologist’s name for what

the rest of us call ‘mean girls’ behaviour. It is a pattern of

behaviour typically played out by school age girls, but it is

not exclusive to them. In fact, where do they learn it if not

from their adult role models? Adults are just more subtle

about it.

Relational aggression may include:

Exclusion

Gossip

The silent treatment

Belittling (Often hidden behind the expression ‘just

joking’)

Conditional friendship

The first four are self-explanatory, but ‘conditional

friendship’ is more difficult. The child knows there are

unspoken rules about behaviour and ‘going along’ with the

group. It is why many lovely girls behave very poorly.

Inclusion is incredibly important to their developing psyche

and they will do anything to remain within the inner circle.

Why Does It Happen?

Girls learn from a very young age that when you create

exclusion you create inclusion. Another feature of this form

of aggression is that most kids get a turn. You can be in

the inner circle one day and then for no apparent reason,

on the outer the next. Groups also work in formation with

one another. If a child has been frozen out of one social

group, they are unlikely to be accepted by another.

How Is It Managed?

Making girls feel personally responsible is about the most

effective technique that is used in schools. If the girls can

sit with a suitably equipped adult, as a group, and discuss

what is happening and how it is making each person feel

there is a chance that it can be resolved.

How Can Parents Help?

This is learned behaviour and learned behaviour can often

be unlearned.

1. Make friendship cool. Modelling by adults is the most

powerful way of doing that. Talk about the great qualities of

your friends to your kids. Too often we niggle at our

friends’ weaknesses instead of verbally celebrating their

greatness.

2. Explicitly teach kindness, compassion and empathy. We

know kids have the capacity for these qualities. They are

often evident at home or with people of different ages, but

they are not being engaged in their relationships with

peers.

3. Explicitly teach emotional intelligence. Help young

people recognise who is loyal and who is safe. Talk to

them about relational aggression. They should be able to

recognise it and name it.

4. Teach young people to be:

a. Upstanders –These are people who stand up for victims.

It’s been proven that if you can stand up to a bully for 8

seconds, they are likely to back down. Some young people

are stronger than others. We need to make it cool to be

strong and able to defend others.

b. Distracters – It is important that young people be able to

recognise when a mean moment is coming and distract participants away from it.

c. Supporters – young people can be encouraged to do

something as small as make eye contact with a victim

while aggression is happening. That shows the victim that

the behaviour is seen and acknowledged. It makes the

victim seen and acknowledged. They aren’t alone.

5. Carefully manage on-line activity. A lot of relational

aggression happens out of school hours, in cyberspace.

Young people need a break from their friendship groups.

6. Create opportunities for children to meet lots of new

people outside of school and get to know them well.

Sourced from: https://santamaria.wa.edu.au/girls-and-their-

frenemies/

Wellbeing App

The All Right App helps you improve your

health and wellbeing by reminding you to do

the simple things that make a difference.

The All Right App will give you an easy ‘mini mission’ each

day, around the area of your choice. The best bit is that

each mission will give you a quick wellbeing boost,

because they're based on international research into the

things that help us feel good. It’s all about doing what we

can and enjoying what we do because when it comes to

feeling good, the little things we do really add up.

https://vimeo.com/219326386/4efcdd6c2e


4

WELLBEING MESSAGE

There has been a lot of public discussion about youth

mental health recently. The Ministry of Education has

asked all schools to let parents know where to find

information to support the mental health and wellbeing of

their young people.

Parents are encouraged to regularly check in with their

child about how they are doing and the things going on in

their lives. You’ll find links to organisations you can contact

for help and advice if you are concerned about your child:

www.parents.education.govt.nz/mental-health/

Please communicate with the school through our pastoral

network. Appropriate contacts are listed below and include

your daughter’s pouako, kaitiaki, Head of Level, Head of

Guidance or counsellor. Please contact the school office

should you wish to talk to any of our staff about your

daughter’s wellbeing at school.

School Wellbeing Network:

Your daughter’s Pouako teacher.

Your daughter’s Kaitiaki

Mrs Robyn Armstrong, Kaitiaki for Sheppard

Miss Elaina Smith, Kaitiaki for Batten and Cooper

(relieving for Ms Failing who is on sick leave)

Ms Lisa Mackay, Kaitiaki for Mansfield

Other key people:

Ms Tanya Phillips, Assistant Principal, responsibility

for wellbeing portfolio, Head of level for Years 9 and

13.

Ms Nardine Schroder, Head of Guidance

Ms Maggie Flanagan, Counsellor

Mrs Hilary Parker, Counsellor, (on leave for term 3)

Ms Lecia McCallum, Pasifika and Maori Liaison

Coordinator

Mrs Katrina Boxall, Head of Learning Support

Mrs Carole Lake, Assistant Principal, Head of Level

for Years 11 and 12

Ms Penny Prestidge, Deputy Principal, Head of

Level for Year 10.

FROM THE PTA

Mid-year report:

The weeks and months are flying past and the PTA has not

been idle.

We have been delighted to welcome several new members

to the PTA this year, and all members have enjoyed some

robust discussion about issues that have concerned them.

This included several issues with Sports Day, the

introduction of a new uniform, ideas as to what we want to

achieve and discussion about aspects of the new school.

To date this year, we have allocated funds to:

Cactus programme

Year 10 camp

Commerce trip to USA

Rowing trip to Cambridge

Te Ora Otautahi

Pouako

“Grease” musical production

The PTA has made a large donation of $14,000 towards

the purchase of a school van. This was much larger

donation than usual but there has been an accumulation of

funds over a number of years with this goal in mind.

We have assisted with the school Open Night and have

hosted the Junior Dance.

Discussions have been held with Vicki Summerfield, the

school Careers Advisor and have provided ideas and

opinions about the programme for the upcoming Careers

Evening and assist with hosting this event.

We are currently assessing interest from the Year 13 girls

in offering a “Dress for Success” programme that may be

held in the evening or at lunchtime depending on interest.

Our meetings are held every second Monday of the month

during term time at 7.00pm in the staffroom. All interested

parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.

UNIFORM

Congratulations to the majority of our students who wear

our uniform well, keep warm and look smart.

The holiday break will be a good opportunity to make sure

that uniforms are clean and ready for the new term.

Please note the following:

All girls from Years 9 – 12 are to be in correct winter

uniform throughout term 3.

Outer garments are a red woollen jersey/cardigan

and green school blazer. A red school jacket is also

available. No other items are permitted at school or

travelling to or from school.

Brown or dark green tights are to be worn or, if

preferred, knee length fawn or white socks. No other

tights, leggings, pyjama pants are acceptable.

Girls have the option of wearing thermals under the

uniform for additional warmth, but if these are to be

worn, they are not to be visible.

http://www.parents.education.govt.nz/mental-health/


5

Music Department

The ‘Grease Musical’ Band Lights up YMCA

These students provided the music for ‘Grease’ earlier this

term: Emily Robertson, Susanna Collins, Nadia Back, Rion

Ormandy, Kurumi Mori,

Abby Wilsona and Zoe

Rhoades. The girls

started working on the

Grease music in

February and practised

over 20 numbers!

They played to a very

high standard and were

a real joy to work with

over the many weeks

of rehearsals. Over the

years that I have worked at Avonside, I cannot remember a

group working and performing to such a high standard.

They are all outstanding students and represented the

Music department with aplomb.

Orchestra Camp

Thirty students attended a very successful two day music

camp held at Living Springs. The students had great

camaraderie and were passionate about making music.

The Orchestra is currently preparing a selection of music

which includes a wide variety of pieces, ranging from

Mozart to American punk rockers Green Day. The

students were a real credit to themselves, to the Music

Department and to the school.

Derren Coles, HOD Music

Japanese Language Department

On the 8 June, Years 11, 12 and 13 Japanese classes

went to the University of Canterbury for a Japanese

Immersion Day. This day was organised by the Japanese

teachers of Christchurch and the University staff. The aim

was to provide workshops focussed on NCEA objectives

while giving our students an opportunity to meet each other

and learn together. The key note speaker was Mr Tim

Williams (co-founded the internet advertising company

Value Click and later founded the e-commerce company

Value Commerce). It was interesting for our students to

hear how his Japanese connections have played a big part

in his work opportunities and experience.

The Japanese drum group (Takumi) entertained us with a

captivating performance and the day culminated with the

300 students joining together to enjoy singing and dancing

as a whole group to the hit song ‘Koi’.

Mathematics Competition

Hilary Bloomer-Law, Jade Chase, Holly Murrell and Sola

Woodhouse represented Avonside at the Year 11

Calculator Competition held recently at Hagley Community

College. It was a great to see the girls enthusiastically

pitting their calculator skills against other Christchurch

schools.

The final two rounds

were particularly tricky

and involved some

very complex

calculations. Hilary

was the team

representative in the

quick-fire, individual

knockout competition and came a very impressive third.

Well done girls.

Dance

On 28 June, members

of Jolt Dance Company

conducted a dance

workshop for our two

Year 11 Dance classes.

Jolt Dance Company is

an integrated dance

company which means

some of its members have disabilities. They run classes in

the community and also perform.

Our students really enjoyed the workshop and learnt a lot.

This is the first time that Jolt has taken a workshop in a

secondary school and we hope to make stronger ties with

them. Already a number of students have shown a desire

to go their performances and classes. The Year 11

students are studying a dance performance by Touch

Compass (an Auckland based Integrated dance company)

for their external exam this year.


6

Dance

This term the students had the opportunity to attend

performances from two professional dance companies in

New Zealand.

The first was a performance by Footnote Dance Company.

They are a professional contemporary dance company

from Wellington. They performed three pieces on a hot

pink dance floor with accompanying live percussion music.

The second performance was by the Royal NZ Ballet

Company at the Isaac Theatre Royal. They performed

three contemporary pieces by A Ekman, a Swedish

choreographer. The dancing, lighting, sets and music were

amazing.

The dance educator

from the Royal NZ

Ballet came into

school and taught a

workshop prior to the

performance.

In the workshop the students learnt some of the steps from

one of the dances. They could then identify the steps when

they attended the performance.

Because the dance department can get the tickets for $15

each this is a fantastic opportunity for the students to

attend live dance in a beautiful theatre.

SPORT

Physical Education—LEAP

Our Physical Education LEAP classes have been working

with five other schools in our local area which is helping to

build relationships between Avonside and our community.

Our Year 13 LEAP students have been coaching

Chisnallwood Intermediate teams in inter-school sport, and

the same class has also been busy creating a recreational

program for students from Ferndale and their Haeata

Special Education Unit.

Our Year 12 LEAP classes just completed a 9 week unit

where they coached students from Bromley School and

Linwood North Primary School. This was focused around

basic coaching fundamentals, as well as the development

of organisational abilities, interpersonal skills, planning,

evaluation, time management and building a team culture.

The Year 12 LEAP classes also completed their First Aid

Certificate in Tem 1 and they are about to embark on mini-

tramps into the Port Hills that will better prepare them for

an overnight tramp to Mount Somers.

Sports Ambassador

Seminar

Two of our students recently

attended a Sports

Ambassador Seminar run by

Mrs Gemma McCaw. The

girls found it extremely

beneficial to help them apply

the techniques to their

demanding training

schedules to achieve the

goals they have set.

Rugby

Congratulations to the CAM Cats (Catholic Cathedral,

Avonside, Marian) rugby team, who have been promoted

from the UC Cup Development draw to the UC Cup

Premiership Draw after four straight wins.

They will now face- CGHS, Rangiora 1st XV, Burnside-

Briar Elliott-Gregan Y10, Mrs Gemma

McCaw and Natasha Johnson Y11

Wednesday Sport Can parents please ensure that your daughter is

wearing the school tracksuit correctly and not wearing a

hoody underneath the top, as this is not permissible.

We suggest wearing a thermal underneath the tracksuit

top.

SPORTS DRAWS

These can now be found on the parent portal, under co-

curricular/sports/weekly sport draws.

Demmy Kowenberg Y9

competed at the

Canterbury Secondary

Schools Gymnastics

Championships 2017

Trampoline Competition

and won B Grade.


7

International

The winter months are upon us and we have been keeping

busy in hope that winter goes fast! Below are the activities

our International department and students have been

involved with this term.

Our student volunteers have been helping in the

community with the Ronald McDonald Street Appeal

and the Mother of all Clean Ups around the Avon

River.

Lisa, our International administrator, went to Fiji this

month and visited St Mina’s Children’s Home to

deliver the lovely sundresses we have been sewing

for the Dress A Girl Around the World

organisation. St Mina’s have 18 children, aged 2

months to 12 years, living there and they were

excited to receive the dresses and gifts we gave

them.

Shirley Boys’ High organised a skating and

barbecue event for us this term. The girls learnt to

how to skateboard and inline skate and also had a

game of skate hockey with the boys.

Some of our international students teamed up with

their Kiwi friends and competed in the Mud

Run. This is always a fun event and of course

muddy!

Our students always look forward to the Senior

Formal. There is lots of preparation, with the buying

of dresses and shoes and the all-important decisions

about makeup and hair!

Our Japanese students attended the NCEA

Japanese Day at University, which is was a great

experience for them.

Our Term 2 trip to Dunedin was a success. We

were lucky to be there for the Mid-Winter Carnival

and enjoyed watching the lantern parade around the

Octagon. The Chocolate Factory and Butterfly

House at the Otago Museum are always a favourite

for the students.

Sadly we farewell three long term students next

week. Kanako, Mai and Antonia have been awesome and

they will be missed.

HOMESTAY OPPORTUNITIES

Our International Department is always looking for new families to host students. The students could be here from 6 weeks to

one year. There many short term students who come for Term1 or Term 3. The payment for hosting is $240.00 per week.

If you would be interested in hosting an International Student please contact our Homestay Manager, Lisa Garrett, by email

[email protected] and she will send you an application form and also answer any questions you may have.


8

BYoD is Coming Happening Now!

After two years of a few digi-classes we now have all Year 9 students bringing their own device to school. This means

the students are able to access learning in places beyond the walls of the classroom, and at times beyond the

boundaries of the timetable. It means they can learn together on collaborative activities even when they are not

physically together. It means they can demonstrate a physical skill (using video) rather than write about it, and it means

they can access a range of explanations of new concepts to supplement the

classroom lesson. It is the way of 21st century learning.

Next year students in every class from Year 9 to Year 11 will be expected to

bring their own device to school. Here is an example of an appropriate device for

general learning which is currently available in the city, and this is very good value for

money!

All students at Avonside are able to download and install the Microsoft Office Software Suite (including Word, Excel,

Powerpoint, OneNote etc) for free – AGHS has subscribed to “Microsoft Student Advantage” which provides this.

A slightly higher-specification machine, with the added feature of touch-screen, and

conversion to tablet mode, but also at an added cost, is also pictured.

Both of the devices pictured weigh approximately 1 kg, and have sufficient battery power to last through the school day.

Pasifika Update

Our senior Pasifika students are

working hard to build on their

excellent academic results in

NCEA last year – 83% success at

Level 1, with 63% gaining a merit

endorsement.

During week two of the holidays several of them will be

attending a three-day holiday programme at UC where

they receive tutoring and special focus workshops to

supplement their learning.

The UCMeXL programme will run for a further six days

during the October holidays. The students will be collected

from the school gate, and returned there at the end of the

day.

Library

I am the new Librarian, Miss Seaton, who started at the

beginning of this term. I have a background in both public

and school libraries. It has been a pleasure to meet and

work with your daughters, especially our wonderful student

librarians. A few changes to the library have been made. A

Senior Fiction Collection has been created, to make it

easier for senior students to find a book for their NCEA

wider reading. Please note that as some of these books

deal with serious themes requiring mature understanding,

they may not be suitable for younger readers.

To ensure that students all have access to our resources

we will be sending out reminder and overdue notices by

email which will go to both student and parents. The first

will come two days before the book is due back and will

remind the student that if they would like another three

weeks to finish reading the book they can ask for it to be

renewed. Then there will be three overdue notices before

the book is charged to your account. Please do not

hesitate to contact me is there is a problem so that we may

work out a solution.

If you have any issues or queries I am happy to discuss

them with you. I can be contacted by phone - 389 7199 ext

701 or by email - [email protected]


9

NOTICES

Term and Holiday Dates for 2017:

Term 3: Monday 24 July—Friday 1 September

NOTE: Teacher Only Day - Friday 25 August

School Holidays: Saturday 30 September—

Sunday 15 October

Term 4: Monday 16 October—Wednesday 13 December

Public Holidays: Labour Day—Monday 23 October

Canterbury Anniversary Day -

Friday 17 November

School Emergency Communication

In the event of any emergency which requires

adjustments to hours that the school is open, we will use

a variety of ways to communicate with families.

1. Website

2. Text message

3. Radio broadcast

It is important that parent and caregiver contact

information is accurate and up-to-date. Please contact

the School Office if any contact details have changed. Lost Property

Lost property will be displayed once a term under the hall

verandah. Anything not named can be taken by anyone

or sold by the office.

We encourage parents to name all clothing and gear.

Student Attendance

It is important for your daughter’s learning that she

arrives on time to school each day.

Please either give her a note or phone the school if she

will not be on time. Please note, the student must sign in

at the office or an absent text will be sent.

A parent/caregiver is required to telephone the school on

389 7199 or email the School Office

[email protected] to report an absence.

Students Leaving Early during

School Hours

If your daughter is required to leave school

during school hours, a written explanation and

signature from a parent/caregiver is to be

provided.

Paying Accounts On-Line

When paying for your daughter’s account on-

line, please ensure you use her name, number

and reason for payment .

For Example: Smith 12345 Archery

UPCOMING EVENTS:

July

7 Senior Reports issued

7—8 SI Secondary Schools Swimming

Championships

10-12 SI Secondary Schools Junior Netball

Championships

August

1 Sports Photos

4—6 Jazz Quest

7—8 Quad Tournament

10 Parent Evening Course Selection

15 Voices of Canterbury

17 Junior Dance

25 Teacher Only Day

28—1 Sept Senior Examinations

September

4—8 Tournament week

11-15 Arts week

28 Music Spectacular


10

Support when Life

gets Tough

At times we can feel

overwhelmed, stressed and

the tough times seem to

outnumber the good. We may

stop enjoying the things we

used too, lack motivation, feel

angry or sad. What is

important to know is that

these feelings don't last

forever, that there are people

who can help and that you are

not alone. Below are some

links and numbers to check

out.

the lowdown.co.nz

www.pw.maori.nz

www.beyondblue.org.au

depression.org.nz

www.sparx.org.nz

www.mentalhealth.org.nz

www.lifeline.org.nz

www.youthline.co.nz

attitude.org.nz

www.theparentingplace.com

Health Line

0800 611 116

Youth Line

0800 376 633 or text 234

Purapurawhetu

(03) 379 8001

Etu Pasifika

(03) 365 1002

Parent line

0800 568 856

Careers Website We have a new careers website which will soon be

linked to the school’s main website. In the mean

time, you can access up to date information about

careers events on www.avonside.careerwise.nz

where you can sign up to receive careers news to

your email.

NCEA TUTORIALS—FREE TO STUDENTS

LearnCOACH is a site https://learncoach.co.nz/ that students can

access free at any time to help NCEA students succeed in their exams.

Currently LearnCOACH site offers tutorials, old exam questions and

answers, tutorial summaries that can be downloaded, and has the capacity

for students to submit feedback and ask questions. It is worth a look!

http://lowdown.co.nz

http://www.pw.maori.nz

http://www.beyondblue.org.au

http://depression.org.nz

http://www.sparx.org.nz

http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz

http://www.lifeline.org.nz

http://www.youthline.co.nz

http://attitude.org.nz

http://www.theparentingplace.com


11

2017 NCEA Qualifications

Information for students and their parents, whanau or caregivers

How do students become candidates for NCEA or NZ Scholarship?

Avonside Girls’ High School sends entries to NZQA in April from which students automatically become candidates for

NCEA and must follow all of the NCEA Rules and Procedures www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea-rules. Any courses studied with

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu or another provider, such as a polytechnic, the school must be advised of so that all

student results can be recorded on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).

How much does it cost?

Fees for domestic students

NCEA entry $76.70 per candidate

Each NZ Scholarship subject $30.00 per subject

Fees for International Fee Paying Students

NCEA entry $383.30 per candidate

Each NZ Scholarship subject $102.20 per subject

Can students get help to pay?

A domestic student can apply for financial assistance if the family cannot afford to pay the fees. To get this help,

parents/caregivers must meet one of the following conditions:

Be receiving a Work and Income or Study Link benefit or have a Community Services Card.

Have joint family income that qualifies for a Community Services Card.

Have two or more children entered as candidates with fees more than $200.

International fee-paying students cannot apply for financial assistance.

What is needed to help sit assessments?

If students have significant learning or physical difficulties they may be able to get help during the year for

assessments. Avonside Girls’ High School should have already talked to you about this and made sure that you have

a report that says what help is required.

If help is required in assessments then Avonside Girls’ or kura must apply to NZQA by 29 September 2017.

Can students change where they sit examinations?

If there is a reason why students cannot sit all their examinations at school, first talk to us. The school must contact

NZQA before 31 July 2017 to talk about any change. There has to be a very good reason after 31 July 2017 for NZQA

to change where the student sit examinations.

How to pay?

Fees are paid to our school or kura. We will be able to tell you when to pay and how much to pay.

Paying fees will enable the student results to be recorded on your Record of Achievement and to receive

any certificates.

Our school will pay all the fees they have collated to NZQA by 13 September 2017, collection of fees can

commence from Term 2 onwards.

If you have not paid the school on time you will have to pay NZQA directly. After 1 December 2017,

NZQA will add a $50.00 late fee.

How do students get help to pay?

To get financial assistance, there is a requirement to complete a Financial Assistance form and give it to

Avonside Girls’ High School. You can obtain this form from the school or the NZQA website at:

www.nzqa.govt.nz/


12

How to gain entrance to a New Zealand university?

University Entrance is the minimum requirement for getting into a New Zealand university. Many

universities and other tertiary providers have further programme entry requirements so students will need to

also check with them.

To gain University Entrance you will need:

NCEA Level 3

Three subjects—at Level 3 or above made up of:

14 credits each, in three approved subjects

Literacy—10 credits at Level 2 or above made up of:

5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing

Numeracy—10 credits at Level 1 or above

For further information www.nzqa.govt.nz/ue

How are results recorded?

Any credits students achieve will be recorded against the student’s name and National Student Number

(NSN).

Students can log in to see their records at www.nzqa.govt.nz/login. Information on how to do this will be

sent to Avonside Girls’ High School in June.

Results released to universities and polytechnics:

In January 2018, NZQA will send all Level 2, Level 3 and University Entrance results (authorised for

release) to all New Zealand universities and some polytechnics. If students do not want this to happen then

they must tell Avonside Girls’ High School. This helps these institutions to process pre-enrolments.

Students need to check with institutions for limited entry programme requirements.

If students intend to study overseas, contact the institution as early as possible to get information about their

enrolment procedures and deadlines. Australian institutions will contact NZQA directly to obtain student

details.

For more information, contact Avonside Girls’ High School or access www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea.

Gaining NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3

NCEA Level 1

Students need 80 credits at Level 1 or above.

NCEA Level 2

Students need 80 credits of which 60 need to be at Level 2 or above.

NCEA Level 3

Students need 80 credits of which 60 need to be at Level 3 or above. The other 20 credits need to

be at Level 2 or above.

Literacy and numeracy requirements will be included at each level. You need 10 credits in literacy

and 10 credits in numeracy at Level 1 and above.

If students have any questions about literacy and numeracy, they are to talk to the school or kura.

new site blessing - · pdf filetel: (64) 3 3897199 email: [email protected]...

Documents