Courtney Brunton now NZ BMX No. 2

NEWSLETTER

FRASER HIGH SCHOOLTe Kura Tuarua o Taniwharau

L E A D Learn with Purpose • Engage with Pride • Act with Respect • Dare to Succeed

Volume 12 MAY 2014 Issue 03

Kayla Polley makes NI Volleyball TeamCongratulations to Kayla Polley, (pictured) who has made the North Island Under 17 Volleyball Team. The team will have two high performance camps, one during Queen’s Birthday Weekend and another later in the term. The team will then fly to Canberra in the next school holidays, to compete in the Australian Junior Champion-ships.

I’ve been doing BMX racing since I was 9 years old and I went to my first National Championships in 2009 when I was 11. At that Nationals I placed 3rd, which was awesome. But after five years of staying in the same number 3 spot, I got a bit bored. Progression is key, and although it’s a huge honour to be in the top three in the country, I felt like I was going nowhere. So when this year’s Nationals rolled around, I was pretty determined to change that number. The confidence I had from competing at the World

Champs last year in Auckland, along with all the extra training I had been putting in, definitely helped with my performance. This year, I ended up as New Zealand number 2. I was glad to break the cycle and, as much as I hate to admit it, I am pretty proud of my achievements and I can’t wait to add to them.

In the last week of Term one, Fraser was honoured to host the University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival for the second year. Again the school hall was filled with teens from local high schools performing 5 and 15 minute scenes from one of Shakespeare’s plays. Performances were a surprising mix of some of his best known and least familiar works.

Fraser’s 15 minute scene was a snapshot from The Winter’s Tale of a tense marriage between the jealous king Leontes (played by Jovahn Esaiah ) and his wife Hermione ( played by Nadine Corcoran), where he is forced to face the consequences of his actions at the feet of her memorial statue. Head boy Shaun Mackie guest starred as a bear. Our five minute scene was

Cymbeline, directed by Bianca Henley and featuring Head girl Amber Palmer.

Organisers would like to say thank you for the willing support given by so many Fraser High School staff and students, especially the English department,

Sarathavy Kor, Nicholas Anak Usey and Steven Zhou. Congratulations to Hillcrest High school, St Peter’s College and Hamilton Boys’ High for having scenes and actors selected for participation in the National festival in Wellington over the Queen’s birthday weekend.

Great performances by students in Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival

Nadine Corcoran (left) as Hermione and Jovahn Esaiah as King Leontes, supported by Kaitlyn Sheehan (centre back) and Mikale Bowen (right), from The Winter’s Tale.

School UniformWith winter fast approaching, students need to keep as warm as possible. It is important that we maintain the high standard of uniform that we have seen so far this year. We encourage those who do not own a school jersey or jacket to visit our uniform provider,

Direct Group, 115 Ellis Street, Frankton Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm

Bianca Henley as Iachimo removing jewellery from Imogen (Amber Palmer)

in Cymbeline.

page 2

STUDENTS MUST BE IN THE SCHOOL GROUNDS BY 8.45 am EACH DAY

Calendar of Events

Tuesday 20 May Years 9 and 10 Parent/

Teacher Interviews, 4–7pm Thursday 29 May

Years 11, 12 & 13 Parent /Teacher Interviews, 4–7pm

Monday June 2 Queen’s Birthday Weekend

Monday June 9 Teacher only Day

Mon 16 – Thurs 19 June ERO visit

Friday 4 July Senior School Ball

Friday 4 July Last day of term 2

See Fraser High School web site or Facebook page

for more details

A Busy Time for Students and Staff in Term 2

NZQA FeesNZQA fees can be paid to the school at any time between now and the 22nd August 2014. Parents who already have an automatic payment set up and wish to pay the NZQA fee by this method need to contact the accounts office (07 846 8634) as soon as possible.Domestic student entry for all NCEA subjects including three Scholarship subjects .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . $76.70Additional Scholarship subject .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . $76.70

Financial Assistance is available if:• You receive a Work and Income or Study Link benefit as

your main source of income. An administration fee of $20 per student or $30 per family is payable.

• Your joint family income is below the levels set for receiving a Community Services Card. An administration fee of $20 per student or $30 per family is payable.

• You have 3 or more candidates in your family so that you would be paying more than $200 in fees.

More information and application forms are available at www.nzqa.govt.nz. Go through the “About us” box and on to “NZQA fees”. Mrs Jean Travers, Principal’s Nominee, j.travers@fraser.school.nz

SYNTHETIC DRUGS As of the 8th of May, 2014 there are no psychoactive substances legally available for sale in New Zealand. However there is a concern that we will be seeing the effects of these drugs in the weeks to come. If you are concerned about your child’s or someone else’s use of Synthetic drugs, and the effect it could be having on their behaviour you can get assistance by calling:• Alcohol and Drug

Helpline (10am - 10pm) 0800 787 797

• Health line 0800 611 116• Lifeline (24/7)

0800 543 354• Narcotics Anonymous

0800 628 632• Fraser High School

Health Centre 847 9044 ext. 886 (Free and Confidential)

Synthetic cannabinoids are chemicals that mimic the effect of THC – one of the ingredients in cannabis. THC is the part of cannabis that gets you ‘high’. These chemicals are added to a mixture of dried plant matter and sold under brand names such as “Kronic”, “Spice”, and “K2”. Such products were developed to be a legal alternative to cannabis, however many synthetic cannabinoid substances are now banned in New Zealand. It is now an offence to possess, supply or sell them.

Health Centre News

I ore ate tuatara ka patu ki wahoA problem is solved by continuing to find solutions.It was great to see our students and staff return to school totally refreshed and ready to tackle another full and busy term. This term in particular, Group Teachers and Subject Teachers are focussing on having detailed

learning conversations with our senior students about managing their learning, assessments and achievement.Parent/Teacher EveningsWe know that parents and caregivers want to know how their student(s) is doing at Fraser, and if they are happy and safe. During these two evenings, teachers welcome the opportunity to talk with you about your child’s progress. A few questions you may want to ask your child’s teachers may be:• How do I know my child is

making good progress at the right level?

• If my child is not making progress in this subject, what additional support is there?

• Where can I find more information about careers and (subject)?

• Please explain my child’s learning and their needs in ‘parent speak’ not ‘teacher speak’.

• How do you know my child is learning to the best of their ability?

• How can I help if my child has a problem?

A helpful site to go to is www.ero.govt.nz “How is my child doing?”ConcernsIf you have a concern(s) or further queries about what your child’s teacher has told you, there are a number of key staff who will assist you - The Leaders of Curriculum:• Science – Mrs Jodie

Thomson• Arts – Mr Jesse Te Weehi• English – Mrs Lorena

Strother• Mathematics – Mr Mike

Shortt-Smith• Technology – Mr Gregory

Brown• Social Science – Mr Rhys

Kerapa• Health and Physical

Education – Mrs Ann McNulty

Staffing Updates Mr Joseph Tini will continue to be the Deputy Principal responsible for Year 9 whilst Mr Graham Taylor is on leave till week 5.Mrs Sue Ford (Teen Parent Unit Director) retired at the end of Term 1. She started

working at Fraser in 2007 but she has been in the education sector for over 30 years. We are very appreciative of her long service to the school and its community.Mrs Karyn Porton is the acting Teacher in Charge of the Teen Parent Unit until the end of Term 2.Education Review Office (ERO) VisitDuring the 16th to the 19th June, the ERO team will be visiting the school. The ERO team will be focussing on visiting as many classes as they possibly can, as well as speaking to the BOT and the Senior Leadership Team.If you wish to give feedback to ERO about the school, you may send an email to s.watene@fraser.school.nz or leave a written letter at the main administration office addressed to ERO re: Fraser Visit.

Virginia Crawford, Principal

page 3

STUDENTS MUST BE IN THE SCHOOL GROUNDS BY 8.45 am EACH DAY

Fraser High School Opening HoursThe school office is open each day from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm. Should you wish to speak to a member of the Senior Leadership Team, please phone the receptionist on 847 9044 and she will arrange an appointment for you. Alternatively, you may email the person you wish to contact direct. To access their email address, go to www.fraser.school.nz , click on ‘Contact’, select ‘Teacher contact’ and click on the email address of the person you wish to contact.All students must be at school during these hours:

Monday & Wednesday 8.45am to 3.25pmTuesday & Friday 8.45am to 2.55pmThursday  8.45am to 2.45pm

Board of Trustee MeetingsMeetings will be held in the school library from 4.30pm on the following days in 2014. Agenda items for the meetings must be received, in writing, by the BOT secretary one week prior to the meeting date.

Monday 9 June Monday 14 July Monday 11 August Monday 8 September

Monday 13 October Monday 10 November Monday 8 December

Multiply Your Maths SkillsCan you get additional Maths help?Yes! There are options available, for students of all abilities and levels.Self-Help Options (after reviewing own notes, text book examples, talking with friends and asking the teacher for help in class)• Search online for ‘Khan Academy’ then type your topic of

interest.• Buy/order a set of ‘StudyPass’ foldout notes from the school

Service Centre.• Look in http://www.studyit.org.nz • Look in http://mathsfirst.massey.ac.nz and go to ‘need

maths help?’• Search online for “mathletics” or “mathsbuddy” – interactive,

commercial programmes.• Buy/order a revision book from the Service Centre or a

bookstore• Google search NZQA exemplars (plus the Standard number,

eg 91026)Having and using your own scientific or graphics calculator is a must for success.

School-Help Options• Ask the teacher for extra help, which will be given during

breaks and/or after school.• Come to a tutorial session, available to all students, to get

help or do revision – Mondays break 1 and Thursdays break 2 in E9. Bring your lunch and a question.

• Get a senior student ‘Peer Tutor’ by seeing Mrs. Bennett at the Learning Centre.

If you have further queries please contact your teacher or the Head of Maths, Mr Mike Shortt-Smith.

Outside–Help OptionsThere are a number of commercial tutors in Hamilton, such as:• Kip McGrath - 848-2262• NumberWorks’n Words – 847-0082• Tutorworks – 853-7031• Top Teachers, Michael Ferri – 849-5804It’s all about earning the learning.

On 5 April, Fraser students,Tyler Mason, Dairo Navarro Martinez, Joe Semenoff and Stephanie Taylor were four, very lucky, Waikato Project K students to have the experience of a lifetime after being selected to SkyDive with Jump Start.Jump Start is a charitable organisation that every year provides young people from Project K and Canteen the opportunity to do a 10,000 foot tandem skydive out of a Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules C130 aircraft.The entire project comes together with the help of volunteers; all the tandem masters, cameramen, air force officials, security and event organisers, donate their time to this great cause. A huge thank you from the team at Foundation for Youth Development, goes to the organisers of Jump Start and all the crew on the day.Student selection for the 2014 Project K intake (from Year 10 only) at Fraser is currently underway. At the

end of May, Foundation for Youth Development will send out letters inviting those students identified as being most likely to benefit from the programme, and their caregivers, to come to an information evening. Twelve students from Fraser enter the programme each year, beginning with a wilderness adventure which spans the winter school break.

An Experience of a Lifetime

Stephanie Taylor coming to land at the end of an exciting tandem jump.

This year the school budgeted for two students to take part in the National Students Against Dangerous Driving (SADD) conference being held in Napier. But another space has become available and we are very grateful to Plumbing and Gas Works for sponsoring the

third delegate from Fraser. This year, there has been a big change in SADD’s objectives to encompass more than just campaigning against drunk driving, with the inclusion of promoting other aspects of safe driving, particularly by younger drivers.

Summer Bellem, Nadine Corcoran and Kelly Sunderland-Wells made a personal visit to Plumbing and Gas Works manager, Mike Foote, to thank him for their sponsorship.   

Students Attend National Conference

Fraser High School72 Ellicott Road, PO Box 15121, Dinsdale, Hamilton, 3243

Telephone 0-7-847 9044 • Fax 0-7-847 9054Email: office@fraser.school.nz • Website: www.fraser.school.nz

Easy Access to the Fraser High WebsiteScan this QR code with your iphone / ipad / or any device with a barcode scanning App to be linked directly to the Fraser High website.

Wanted: any old photos and/or school recordsIf any past pupils of Fraser High School, or Hamilton Technical College, have any school

records, photos, magazines, uniforms or other memorabilia they would be happy to lend to

the school for copying, please contact the School Archivist, Angela Davison, at school on 07 847 9044, ext 745. The combined schools will be having their 100 year celebrations at Labour Weekend in 2020. If you are interested in joining a group of past pupils to help with forward planning, please contact Angela now!

This photo shows the Hamilton Technical College’s School Prefects from 1928.

Fraser High School Pasifika students welcomed three National Ministers to the school at the end of Term One.  Pasifika students from Fraser High School, Fairfield College, Sacred Heart, Hamilton Boys’ and Hamilton Girls’ listened intently as the Minister of Pasifika Affairs – The Right Honourable Paseta Sam Lotu-Iiga – shared his journey from

being born in Samoa to his family making a new life in New Zealand.  He encouraged all students to make the most of their educational opportunities and to set goals. This was an enjoyable experience for all those who were fortunate to attend and hear the Minister of Pasifika Affairs speak.

Minister of Pasifika Affairs visits Fraser

Minister of Pasifika Affairs, The Right Honourable Paseta Sam Lotu-Liga (right) addressing students in the school library.

NCEA Endorsements of ExcellenceCongratulations to the students who achieved NCEA Excellence Endorsements in Levels 1 and 2 in 2013! We celebrate your wonderful efforts and are appreciative of your families, for their fantastic support.

Level 1 Endorsement of ExcellenceCiara Doelman, Devon Davies, Hannah Jensen, Jasmine King, Michaela Beer, Mohamedbaqir Rassan, Phoenix Cross, Rowan Stewart, Taisha Abbott, Taisha O’Brien-Pari.

Level 2 Endorsement of ExcellenceAlissa Tobin, Gabriel Wong, Kelli-Anne Te Huki, Sarathavy Kor, Steven Zhou

The Fraser Cadet Unit was honoured to organise and conduct the school’s ANZAC assembly held in the school gymnasium, during the last week of Term One. The Cadet Unit provided a Cenotaph Guard, with the remainder of the unit standing on parade in front of the school. In her well-received speech, Head Girl, Amber Palmer, stated that, “Today, we all stand as part of a generation that acknowledges this day; not because we know the full extent of understanding the sacrifice that our men and women exchanged in return for our right to freedom… but to stand as one Nation, and honour them. We acknowledge, not to ‘celebrate’, but to commemorate”.Our Deputy Head Boy, Steven Zhou, spoke about

“the courageous heroes who sacrificed their lives to help shape this country in the past, and also those in the present who continue to serve.” Deputy Head Girl Sarathavy Kor recited the poem “In Flanders Fields” and our Head Boy, Shaun Mackie, introduced a moving PowerPoint which paid tribute to servicemen from the school, who gave their lives during World War II. The Last Post and Reveille were played by guest bugler, Mr George Jennings, followed by a minute’s silence and the ‘Soldier’s Ode’. Thank you to the staff and students who demonstrated the school’s LEAD philosophy during the assembly and to those who played an active part in what was, a very moving assembly.

Fraser Commemorates Anzac Spirit

Head Girl, Amber Palmer, speaks to the school of the sacrifices made by our men and women, in exchange for our freedom.