lac house fyi march may 14

Longburn Adventist College House

LAC.SCHOOL.NZ Phone +64 6 354 [email protected]

FYI NewsletterMarch - May 2014

‘Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.’

Psalm 143:10 NIV UK

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FYI Newsletter March - May 2014


Greetings from L.A.C. HOUSE,

We are now in the 6th week of term 2 and already holiday plans are underway for boarders to re-turn home or go to home stays.

This term, boarders have been busy with school work, after school sports, study, church and service to the community activities.

We have been blessed with not too much sickness in the dorms, however, it is still important that boarders remember personal hygiene, hydration, sleep times and a daily encounter with God’s Word and prayer to cope with everyday demands.

A recent move this term, to install security cameras in the boys’ corridors to prevent corridor ball sports, van-dalism, encourage prompt bed times at lights out, has produced less tired boys the next morning. Initially, the boys were concerned about the privacy of their dormi-tory, however, areas such as dress code to and from the bathroom, visits to the dorms when a dean is not pre-sent can also be followed up as required.

We will review the security camera presence with a sur-vey to the boys during the second to last week of this term and invite any comments from parents/caregivers should this practice continue for the rest of the year.

At this stage, there are no plans to install security cam-eras in the girls’ dormitory.

Regarding our school cell phone policy, year 7-12 board-ers are not allowed to use cell phones at school. If they are seen using cell phones during school time, their phone will be collected by the teacher in charge and handed to the school office. The student must hand-write the school’s mobile phone policy and hand these notes to the office. The dormitory dean can collect the phone once this procedure has been carried out.

Unfortunately, the phone in the boys’ dorm phone booth +64 6 3541059 ext. 760 has been experiencing some technical difficulties. I have spoken to Telesmart who are working to sort out this problem as soon as possible.

It is with sadness that we farewell our Student Volun-teer Assistants this term: Mr Anthony Whitlow returns to Southern University in Syracuse NY, Miss Adrienne Bohl to North Dakota, Miss Tania Acuna to Southern Califor-nia. We will miss your presence and wish you all God’s blessings as you continue your studies at your universi-ties.

Please do not hesitate in contacting me anytime. I really appreciate hearing from you.

God bless you,Maria Henry (mobile 021 987 161)

Director of Boarding

Director’s Comments...

Mr Whitlow being farewelled as he left us in May

Our Japanese exchange students left L.A.C. House in March and it was a pleasure to share our home with them over the 5 weeks.Also we are very thankful to Ikuo Inoue who board-ed with us last year, for the design of our dove T-shirt. Pictured (left) with Victor and Yumi .


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Kia Puawai TatouJeremiah 29:11 The Lord’s Plans


Thursday July 3rd (Friday for Teacher Conference) Last Day of Term 2

Monday July 21st to Friday September 26th Term 3

Tuesday July 29th Parent Teacher Interviews

Sunday August 3rd Leavers’’ Banquet

Monday August 4th to Friday August 8th Student led Week of Worship

Sabbath September 6th to Sunday September 7th SDA Volleyball Tournament in Palm. Nth

Monday September 8th to Wednesday September 10th Year 11-13 Trial Exams

Monday October 13th to Friday December 12th Term 4

Wednesday October 29th Last day for Year 13

Friday October 31st to Saturday November 1st Graduation Weekend

Tuesday November 4th Y11-12 Prize giving

Monday November 10th to Tuesday December 2nd NCEA Exams (Y11-13 timetables vary)

Friday December 12th Year 7-10 Prize giving

Dates for your Calendar...

Practice for Mosaic

Combined Worship

DutiesStudy / Free time

DutiesStudy / Free time

Lazertag ExperienceLead MosaicChurch Service

Deans’ Farewell PartyTo be confirmedChurches

Sabbath Afternoon Sat. EveningFriday Sunday

Weekend Plans (rest of term 2)...

Rest Home Visit

Combined Worship DutiesStudy / Free time

End of Term Party:

Inflatable WorldTo be confirmedChurches

27th 28th 29th

June 13th 14th 16th

20th 21st 23rd


http://www.inflatableworld.co.nz/palmerston-north



TimeThis morning in chapel I reminded everyone of the importance of using our time wisely. For our senior stu-dents we are now past the half-way point tin the year before they sit their

NCEA externals. Time passes all too quickly and we all need to make wise use of our ‘now’.

I never thought I’d quote ‘Doctor House’, from the TV series “House”:

“Time changes everything.That’s what they say, its not true.

Doing things changes things.Not doing things leaves things exactly as they were.”

I largely agree with ‘Dr House’ and that advice coupled with what the Bible says is good advice for our students half-way through another school year.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Psalm 90:12 (NIV UK)

N4L (Network for Learning)Network for Learning is a government funded ultra fast broadband provider set up to provide broadband to schools with a fibre connection. The college has recently been select-ed to connect to this system, among the first batch of schools in New Zealand to be selected.

N4L is funded by the Ministry of Education and designed spe-cifically for the education sector. Thank you to our IT teacher, Mr Gounder, for his work in ensuring this happens.

Farewell to our Volunteer DeansEvery year we welcome new volunteer deans to our board-ing team. Now comes the time to say farewell to two of our ‘volunteers’ who have become part of our LAC family, Tania Acuna and Adrienne Bohl, both from the USA.

Both ladies have given 110% during their time at LAC and we will miss them very, very much. We wish them God’s blessing as they head back to the USA.

College CamerasThere are many benefits from being a college based in the country. Whenever I visit schools in the city I am grateful we don’t have to adopt the numerous security measures most of these schools have but that is not to say we are immune from security issues from time to time.

The college makes limited use of security cameras, some-thing we advertise on our entrance sign. Our locker area is one we constantly monitor and over the three years we have been doing that there has been no damage or theft in this area. Last term we introduced cameras in the corridors of Boys’ Dorm and again, no damage has occurred since then. It also provides security when students are away at classes or in town as boys being boys they are prone to leave doors unlocked and valuables on desks etc. On the very few occa-sions when I have had to contact the police over a security issue their first question has always been, “Do you have any camera footage?”

Cameras at the college are never used to observe areas pri-vate to students but their use in places where damage has occurred and where outside people have intruded on the college property has proved to be an invaluable deterrent.

NCEA ResultsLAC students continue to perform well above the national averages in their NCEA results. The table below shows the comparison between LAC, other local high schools and the national averages.

What this table does not reveal is school retention rates, how many Year 11 students stay at school through to Year 13. On average most schools lose over a third of their students be-tween Years 11 and 13. At LAC the majority of students stay on and successfully complete Year 13.

NCEA has come in for some criticism in the media but it is a system that rewards hard work and we see that with our students.

Dale Burden, principal at Mount Albert Grammar School, re-cently wrote a very balanced report on NCEA.

You can read that by following this link.

Bruce SharpPrincipal

Principal’s Comments...

2013 NCEA Results* Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

National Average

Participation 82.5 85.5 79.1

Students on roll 70.5 71.4 57.4

School Decile Roll (%) Pass

Longburn Adventist College

6 28681.3 81.0 92.1

79.5 76.9 87.5*Selection of schools from the Manawatu.

Source: NZQA & Ministry of Education


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What made you decide to come to New Zealand?

It has always been a passion of mine to do this for God. I also had wanted to be an Assistant Dean ever since I went to a boarding school. New Zealand has always been a dream place for me to go because I was stunned by the scenery from the ‘Lord of The Rings’ movies. I always thought that it was the most beautiful place on earth, and I just had such a passion to explore it one day.

How would you rate your time as a volunteer dean in the dor-mitories?

My time has been very rewarding and very challenging. It defi-nitely matures a person and teaches them to say what you mean, and mean what you say.

What has been the most memorable moment of your time in New Zealand?

At first I thought it was disgusting to see everyone eating beans and spaghetti on toast, but then I tried it, and now I totally get it!

What have you missed most about the USA? Definitely miss my friends and family and I also miss the cheap

prices of food and clothes.

What will you miss most about NZ when you return to the USA? The hospitality of the people, the friends and family I’ve made here who have helped me out in so many ways. I will miss the scenery and the ‘realness’ of the culture.

If you could bestow a title on Mr and Mrs Henry, what would it be and why?

Mrs Henry would definitely be ‘Wonder Woman’ because she takes on so many roles. It’s amazing how she always keeps a smile on her face. Mr Henry would be ‘Baloo’, the bear in the Jungle Book movie! He’s an awe-some guy to be around because he’s funny and very caring.

Miss Adrienne Bohl

What made you decide to come to New Zealand?Have you seen a travel brochure for this country? Does that an-swer your question? When I made the decision to pause my univer-sity career and do a year of service as a volunteer I prayed that God would lead me where he found fit and well here I am and I want to say that coming to NZ was the best decision I’ve ever made!

How would you rate your time as a volunteer dean in the dor-mitories?

I will say that the challenges, bad days, and most of all successes and progress have taught me and moulded me into a better person and leader. I will forever be thankful for this opportunity.

What has been the most memorable moment of your time in New Zealand? The two week road trip I did with Adrienne and Katherine Mill-er. Just three girls, a tiny car, and the most gorgeous country known to man. My favourite memory regarding LAC would

have to be when I was asked to be the speaker for the 2013 leavers’ banquet. That class will al-ways hold a special place in my heart.

What will you miss most about NZ when you return to the USA?I will miss the friendships and family I have made whilst here. I will miss the kiwi spirit and gorgeous way of life. You kiwis really know how to live, love, and laugh!

If you could bestow a title on Mr and Mrs Henry, what would it be and why?

Superman and Superwoman? They don’t sleep... I am not sure how they are still functioning after all these years! Thank you two!!!

What last words of wisdom do you have for the students of LAC?

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

Will we see you back in NZ again?Hopefully!!! Would love nothing more than to return on a more permanent basis. But if that is not possible then--- many, many holidays back to my new ‘motherland’ will be in my future!

Miss Tania Acuna




Form Travel...




Visit by 1965-1966 StudentPeter visited LAC last week to reminisce his school years at LAC during 1965-1966, known then as New Zealand Missionary College.

He had so many fond memories of the old boarding house, cafeteria, old buildings, chicken farm and veg-etable gardens which supplied the kitchen with fresh vegetables. He was so excited to be back on campus. If he had a sketch board in front of him I am sure he would have painted the campus as he recalled it. But time was not on his side. He breathed a sigh of relief as if to say, “This place was the making of me “

Thanks for the visit Mr Dornauf, we hope to see you again in the future.

Cook Island High CommissionerLongburn Adventist College staff and students with a Cook Island background were invited to meet, listen and talk with His Excellency Mr Tiki Matapo, High Com-missioner to New Zealand from the Cook Islands at the local Palmerston North library.

Present were the local Rangitane Elders, local Cook Is-land families, individuals, local Cook Island Church Min-ister, Consular staff and a Victoria University Cook Island representative.

His Excellency Mr Matapo shared the importance of education for all Cook Island Students and maintain-ing and encouraging Te reo Kuki Airani, the Cook Island Maori language.

His Excellency Mr Matapo spoke to Ralph and Jayden Warren Peu whose dad is Cook Island, and mother is Pitcairn. He also spoke with Berny Monga-MacCauley and told her he knew her grandfather. He also acknow-ledged Mr Roy Henry as his neighbour from the same village- Titikaveka on Rarotonga.

A great time was had by all present and they especially enjoyed the refreshments that followed!

Roy HenrySenior Boys’ Dean

From Boys’ Dorm...

“Hello everyone. My name is Jordan, middle name Knight and last name Koroka. I came to LAC from Corona-tion College. I am from the Western Highlands Province ( W.H.P ) in Pap-ua New Guinea.LAC boarding is awesome. The boarding deans are all good to the students and treat them equally.What I like about this school is that you get to choose which church to attend on Sabbath.The boarding is all good because I have the freedom to ride a bike around the school campus. There are always fresh air because the environment is clean. There is also great views of the mountains and the green fields. We even have animals like small horses, sheep and cows graz-ing around the school.”

“The thing that I love about LAC is the many different types of vegetarian dish-es served from the school cafeteria.I enjoy the beautiful environment in and around campus.Most importantly I have friends from many different cultures and nationali-ties from around the world.But the fun thing living on campus is school classes are just a short walk away, and I get to learn new things every day in school.”

Peniel Koroka


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STC* Feijoa Picking...

*STC: Service to the community




Talent Night...

“I enjoyed the talent night, there was lots of creativity and originality. The best part for me was coming 4th, 2nd and 1st!”

Kaya Taniora -Johnson





Other Weekends...

The ‘Camping Trip’ Game

Joining in with Mosaic Church Camp in Foxton




Amazing Race... Photographs by Berny

The Y13s led out in an action packed Friday evening worship




Night LifeYouth Events 6 & 7...






http://facebook.com/NightLifeYouth

lac house fyi march may 14

Documents

school cell phone policy

school sports

school office

school work

school time

boys dorm phone booth

schools mobile phone

week of term