10 June Newsletter.indd

24 Pages·2016·4.96 MB·English

ISSUE 6 | FRIDAY 10 JUNE | 2016
Stage Challenge
Page 4
Hip Hop Sensation
Page 9
Biology in Kaikoura
Page 10
International Day
Page 12
Disco Tonight
School Hall
7.00–9.00 pm
Support for Students
This year at Darfield, the Head Prefects (Emily out some useful information or to deal with
de Rooy, Luke Mckay, Lexi Sutherland, Eddie some issues that you are facing. We were
Searle, Ellen Walters and Grace Lemon) have all your age once, so it's quite likely that the
been working on ideas around how we can student prefects have been through some of
enhance and improve your experience at the issues that you guys face at school. This
Darfield. is key, as it means that we can share what
worked for us and what didn’t. Now, if you
One of the key areas that we think we need
would prefer a completely anonymous way of
to target to improve the culture of the
reporting bullying or any other issue, there is
school is your wellbeing. We decided to try
the 0800PUPILS phoneline which is available
and improve the wellbeing of the students
to all students. The phoneline is operated by
because if you are experiencing difficulties
Crimestoppers NZ so it is certainly another
at school, it's likely that you are not going to
good option for dealing with issues in the
want to immerse yourself in the life of the
school or community. So once again the
school, which is a shame, because we believe
Friday 27 May email is [email protected].
that everybody should feel like Darfield is a
Thank you to the Malvern Lions who came nz. We hope that your Darfield days are as
second home to them!
in, volunteeringL tuhenir ctimhet ainmd reesources to enjoyable as can be but if they aren't we are
cook a huge amount of fries and hotdogs for So, to help improve your wellbeing, we here and happy to help.
students and stoanff. Htehlde s eQveuraal dtimes during have set up an email address with the
The Head Students at Darfield High School
the school year, the Lions group fundraise for purpose of giving all the students in the
can also be contacted directly if you have
the Young Achievers' Big Day Out. Our next school the opportunity to contact a Prefect
things that you would like to discuss with
Lions Fries Day is Friday 1 July, so bring along and seek advice about any issues that you
them. For example, if you have a great idea
your gold coins and support this great cause. may be facing. When you send an email, it
about sport then you can email Grace Lemon
will be received by a member of the senior
as Head of Sport at Headofsport@darfield.
leadership team and then forwarded on to
school.nz. Or to contact Ellen Walters about
the appropriate prefect who will get in touch
cultural ideas, email Headofculture@darfield.
with you. The email is titled studentsupport@
school.nz
darfield.school.nz.
tomato sauce tomato sauce Our Head Boy and Girl can be contacted via
Using this email, you could ask the prefects
email at: [email protected] and
about how to cope with a large workload
[email protected]
at school, you could ask about bullying and
how to deal with it, or you could simply ask
to meet up and have a chat about school
life in general. It's a really simple way to find
Around School
Student Volunteer Army
Erlier this week, four Year 10 students (Caleb Longdin,
Savarnnah Taylor, Maddie Beardsmore, and Jemma
Dalley) went on the second day of a four-day workshop
run by the SVA (Student Volunteer Army). On this day,
they were at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, clearing out the
takahe enclosure and planting grasses. There were 40–50
students there from other schools.
Thank you to Maddie's mum for the photos
Commerce Cookie Day!
Congratulations - you have won
an Around School prize.
See Mrs Watson next week to
collect.
2 10 June 2016
These students
receive a
certificate and
a $10 voucher
P R IN C IPAL’S AWARDS
Ben Francis
Reuben Davis
Principal’s Comments
Jessica Bassett
Teresa Barnhill
Carwyn Chaffey Earning a qualification is one of the key The ‘Managing Self’ competency is about
Amanda Jane-Jones reasons for coming to school. Being able to being resourceful, reliable and resilient. It
demonstrate knowledge and skills through is associated with self-motivation and with
Emma Daniel-Wilson
qualifications such as NCEA is an important students seeing themselves as capable
Angelo Barrimond
step on the pathway to higher level courses learners. They know when to lead, when
Campbell Barrett
and employment. Perhaps more significant, to follow and how to act independently.
Matthew Cooper
however, are the other skills that the school This competency is reported in each school
Will Davidson
can help develop. report as “working to best of ability” and
Rhys Hawkins
“coming to class on time and with the correct
Employers I have spoken to have commented
Harley Gray equipment”.
on some essential skills they would like
employees to front up with. Too often, The ‘Relating to Others’ competency is
DHS DISPATCH welcomes any news
however, they are frustrated at the difficulty about interacting effectively with others
or photographs you have from events
of finding people with these skills. They and includes the ability to listen, negotiate
our students have attended outside
would like to employ people who: and share. This competency is reported
of school. We love to hear about and
in each school report as “allows others to
share successes and interesting stories. • Turn up to work each day on time
learn without disruption”, “treats others with
Please email: • Follow instructions (eg safety rules) respect”, and “participates and contributes”.
[email protected]
• Are able to problem solve The expectations and culture of the school
Black and white paper copies are are designed to support and reinforce
• Are prepared and able to learn new skills
available from reception or Student these skills. So teachers will nag students
Administration. Colour and back copies • Can work positively with others about bringing the right gear; follow up
can be ordered by emailing the above when homework is not done; set up group
This list encompasses many of the essential
address. Please enquire for cost. activities; and do reminders and, sometimes,
skills that are described in the NZ Curriculum
punishments when a student is not
Advertising: If you would like to as the ‘Key Competencies’: “The development
respectful. All of this helps to reinforce the
advertise in our newsletter, please of the competencies is both an end in itself
skills needed to be successful throughout life.
email for more information. and the means by which other ends are
achieved.” James Morris
7 McLaughlins Road
PO Box 5
Darfield 7541
New Zealand
[email protected]
www.darfield.school.nz
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Copyright: You are welcome to
reproduce material from the newsletter
after gaining permission from the
school. All reproduced material must
be appropriately acknowledged.
This symbol means there is
an album on our website
relating to this article. Photos
may be downloaded for personal use
only. There is a download icon at the right
of each photo.
Issue 6 / DHS Dispatch 3
Stage Challenge 2016
by Kyla Higgins
Voice the Roar!
On 18 May, a large crew of Darfield students the performance and to really capture the animals and poachers have a battle, where
took part in Stage Challenge, an event where setting. Fundraising, costuming, makeup and the mother lion is killed and other animals
each school comes up with a concept which organising began to take place and before we are injured or killed by the poachers. We
raises awareness of problems in the world. knew it, our performance was coming to life. also created a high society and a protesters'
The concept is portrayed through dance and The students had to go through an audition group to show how both those groups have
acting. and casting process so that everything was effects on this issue: high society buying and
fair and equal and so we could fit the right wearing fur coats and not thinking about
Our aim was to raise awareness about
people to each role. Once we had picked our what happens behind the scenes, and how
poaching, as it has become a prominent
dancers, we taught them the routines that protesters or animal conservationists raise
problem recently. The student leaders
we had come up with and we slowly polished awareness about these issues and really do
were inspired by Cecil, the lion, who was
and made corrections to the dances. There make you think about what you're buying
unfortunately killed by a game hunter in
were practices almost every lunch time for or supporting. The performance ends with
2015. Because that story had gained so
the different groups and a lot of hard work ultimate tragedy. The lion cub is surrounded
much media attention, we thought that
went into these practices. by poachers and the lead poacher throws a
the audience would be able to relate to our
net over her head.
concept. We created a general animal kingdom of
Zebras, Flamingos, Monkeys and Elephants. We wanted to end our performance with
We started planning our performance around
We also had two main leads who were Lions: tragedy to shock the audience and to
the end of 2015 and the choreographers
one mother and one cub (Kelly Leonard and make them realise that humans are very
(Maddie Tasker, Chloe Walker, Alexis
Alex McGregor) to symbolise our inspiration. unforgiving. We wanted the audience to
Sutherland, Grace Lemon, Emily de Rooy and
Our performance tells the story of a happy really take into account how this needs to
Kyla Higgins) started creating the dances. We
animal kingdom, until a group of poachers change. We cannot keep killing animals which
wanted to mimic some of the movements
interfere and cause a disturbance. The are endangered, especially poaching for
that the different animals make, to add to
4 10 June 2016
‘trophies’, as it is pointless. It ultimately will As well as the performance, the day was a It was an amazing day overall and so much
disturb the circle of life if we carry on. The really great experience. Although it was an effort was put into our performance behind
animals don't have a voice to tell us to stop, early start, the energy was high. Photos, the scenes and from the dancers. The student
so the Darfield High School Stage Challenge games, banter, chanting and loads of dancing leaders are so proud of every single person
family had a voice for them and we hope we all kept the day interesting. As well as student involved in the process and honestly couldn't
made the audience think differently. leaders, we had help throughout the day from be happier with how the performance ended
a few teachers and volunteers, which was up. We were so grateful for all the Darfield
Our performance landed us three awards:
awesome. Most of all, we have to give a big supporters who cheered us on throughout
Excellence in Costuming, Excellence in
thankyou to Ms Blakemore! We wouldn't have the journey. We are proud to be part of the
Soundtrack, and the School Community
been able to do any of this without her. She 2016 Stage Challenge and for the leavers of
Award. We also won a prize for being the best
came to practices, sorted all the finer details 2016, the fun experience will be sorely missed.
‘chanters’. Darfield may be small, but we are
out and really helped us to be the best Stage But we will always remember to Voice The
loud! We are so proud of these awards based
Challenge family that we could be! Roar!
on all the hard work behind them!
Issue 6 / DHS Dispatch 5
Background design by Kjpargeter:Freepik.com
FRIDAY10 JUNE
(40 hour famine weekend)
7.00 – 9.00 PM DHS SCHOOL HALL
TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE from
the school office with permission slips : $5.00
DRINKS, SWEETS AND GLOWSTICKS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE
enquiries: email [email protected]
6 10 June 2016
Famine Weekend Begins Tonight!
Tonight we kick off the World Vision 40 eating only rice, or doing the Backpack
Hour Famine Weekend with our annual Challenge, we wish you well and would
School Disco. This is for all students, not love to see photos of your experiences.
just those taking part in the Famine. DJ
Famine sponsor books and money are
Singhstar will be entertaining non-stop and
due back at the school office as soon
we are really grateful to him once again Smokefree Rock Quest was once again a blast.
as possible after the weekend. Even if
for offering his services—anyone who has We rocked up to The Aurora Centre on 21
you didn't end up taking part, we need
been to one of his Discos will know it is May to gain some experience and share our
the sponsor books back as they are all
full-on fun! There will be drinks, chocolate original piece to the audience and judges.
numbered and need to be accounted for.
bars and glow sticks for sale. Students need Luckily, we were able to watch many other
permission from parents to attend and they The due date for all money to be paid is bands before we were due on stage.
need to be picked up from the school hall Thursday 30 June. Please come and see
There were 40 bands from a range of
by 9.15 pm tonight. Mrs Watson in the office if there are any
Canterbury schools, competing for 12 places
issues with this.
To all of those doing the Famine this in the regional final. We have to say that there
weekend, whether it be living in a box, is some massive talent in Christchurch right
now!
THE 2016 40 HOUR THE BACKPACK CHALLENGE:
FAMINE: WHAT'S ONE WEEKEND, ONE BACKPACK While we did not make it through to the
finals, it is always a great chance to support
DIFFERENT?
other young musicians, and perform on
a stage with great equipment. We would
This year, we will be supporting children
recommend any budding musicians to sign
and families affected by conflict in Syria.
up next year for this musical opportunity,
Through no fault of their own, thousands
whether competitively or just for some fun!
of children have had to leave their
After all, what is there to lose?
homes and find safety in a refugee camp
in a foreign country. They left friends, Lilian Stott and Selina Dixon
family, school and all their favourite
In 2016, the 40 Hour Famine challenges
things behind. That's why the money Year 12 Interview Day
you to live out of your backpack for an
raised in 2016 will be used to fund World
entire weekend, the same way thousands
Vision's child-friendly spaces in Jordan, a Tuesday 28 June
of refugee children have had to. At a
country next to Syria that is now home to
moment's notice, many children have had Most of Year 12 have now finished writing
thousands of refugees.
to pack their lives into a backpack. their CVs in preparation for Interview Day
These spaces restore hope, encourage coming up on Tuesday 28 June.
You will be using only what you can
community, and enable kids to be kids
fit inside: all the clothes and bedding All Year 12 students will come to school that
again. These are safe and welcoming
you need to keep warm and dry, the day appropriately dressed for a formal job
places where they can play again with
food you need, an adequate water interview. The students will be in and out
other children, do fun things like art and
supply, something to remember home of lessons during the morning, in order to
sport but, most importantly, can start to
by, and maybe something to keep you attend two interviews, one in school and
attend school again. This will ensure they
entertained. You may want to live in a one in the village. All interviews are being
are better equipped to one day rebuild
cardboard box or sleep on the floor for conducted by local employers, who will
their country. World Vision will provide
the weekend and do away with electricity. be giving written feedback to the students
teachers and counsellors who can help
How about getting together in a group so that they can get the most out of this
kids talk about some of the hard things
and sharing what you have? experience. All students will be back in
they experienced and help them to feel
lessons as usual by the end of Period Three.
safe and loved. Sounds like a challenge? You bet!
School Photographs
Students were issued with an envelope
with school photograph information. The
completed order form, with payment
included, needs to be sent back to school.
While there will be form class and
individual photo examples on the order
form, Sporting and Cultural photos will be
available to view on our website.
All photo orders must be on the order
form sent home with students.
Email [email protected] with enquiries.
Issue 6 / DHS Dispatch 7
Le Concours Cuisine des Ecoles
Snaps from Hanako
Hanako Wilson is presently in Japan, On Thursday 26 May, two teams from Once we had begun cooking, we could
having won a scholarship to attend Darfield High School competed in the communicate only in French, which was an
school at Yubetsu Junior High Concours Cuisine des Ecoles (French cooking exciting challenge that proved to be more
competition for schools), which is a contest difficult than we had anticipated. At the
run by Alliance Française in Christchurch. end of our allocated cooking time, we had
The competition took place at Burnside to plate up and present our meals to three
High School and was a great opportunity for French judges. Team 1 cooked a Ratatouille
students studying the French language to served with chicken, followed by an apple
interact whilst learning about the culture. tart with salted caramel for dessert, whereas
Team 2 cooked a Tarte Spirale (vegetable tart)
Each competing team had two hours to
followed by a walnut and caramel tart.
produce a main dish and a dessert. We had
to base our menus around a French autumn Though both teams put in a great effort, we
theme and all recipes had to be written in unfortunately couldn’t come away with first
HDaenpuaktyo Pwriitnh ctihpea lP arnindc iSphault,o FDraernficehld.’s teams consisted of Kathryn pHloawcee v(werh, iwche walel hnta dto a C garsehamt teimree H aignhd Swcehroeo l).
happy for the opportunity to learn more
Barnhill, Akalanka Ekanayake, Eloise Dance
about the French culture. We can definitely be
and Harriet Watson (Team 1), as well as Alyssa
proud of our efforts!
Cruickshank, Toni Forsythe-Walton, Jayden
Hann and me, who made up Team 2. Elyse Kerr
Hanakoi inn Jtraopdaunceisneg herself
inH Kaannajki oi nw rCotalel ihgrear pnhaym cel a ss Fire!
Earlier this week, staff and students were
able to put all the procedures into place from
those practice fire drills, as the alarm went
off for real and two fire appliances turned up.
Luckily, a smoky oven in the Food Technology
room was under control in no time and
students were soon back in class.
House Singing
Practices have begun for the Houses' big
end-of-term finale, House Singing! Last week,
during assembly, House Leaders announced
their songs for the competition:
Tawera: The Big Red Taxi
Waimakariri: Radioactive
Rawhiti: Heal the World
Kikorangi: Slice of Heaven
8 10 June 2016
Two and a half weeks ago, I had the privilege of going
to Rarotonga. While I was there, I was honoured to find
out that someone was excited to have me teach Hip Hop
at her Dance School. For two days, I taught kids of all
ages Hip Hop. I was also very excited to find out that the
Rarotongan News had come to interview me and a few
days later had an article in the News about the so-called
'New Zealand Dancing Sensation'. I had an amazing time
and would go back in a heartbeat.
Manaia Davies, 8JR
Manaia 'NZ Hip Hop Sensation'
Manaia gained a lot of confidence at a young these she incorporates in to most of her then give what I know to everybody else, so
age and began to perform for dance shows dance shows. She said her role model is her that when I go, it is left with everyone else in
and competitions. mum because she always motivates and the world,” she said.
pushes her to do her best.
“I love dancing! It’s another language to My mum always tells me that an opportunity
speak. Instead of talking you can just dance “Even when I doubt myself and think I can’t is a chance that you may never get again, so I
and the emotions just come out and I think do it, she is always encouraging me and try and take every opportunity possible.
that is really special,” she said. telling me that I can,” Manaia said.
“It usually makes me better in some way. It
Manaia was just 10 years old when her jazz “I also look up to three-time world hip-hop doesn’t have to be in dance, it could be in life,
and contemporary dance teacher asked her dance champion Parris Goebel from New but every opportunity has influenced my life
to begin teaching hip-hop dance lessons. She Zealand. I have met her a few times and she is somehow.”
now teaches three different classes a week, so inspiring. Her moves are really simple, but
Excerpt from the Cook
five-eight, eight-twelve and a class for any it’s the way she portrays it and expresses her
Island News,
age. She also choreographs her own moves. dancing that is captivating.”
Tuesday 2 June, 2016
“With all my classes, I try to make it for all Rarotonga’s hip hop manager, Areora, said it
ages, because I want to give everybody an was awesome to have Manaia here, especially
opportunity. It doesn’t matter how old or for the children. Manaia plans to open her
young you are, if you love dance then don’t own dance school to share her love and
let any barrier stop you.” passion for dancing with everyone.
Manaia also enjoys singing and acting and “I really want to develop myself more and
Issue 6 / DHS Dispatch 9
Biology Trip to Kaikoura
By Eddie Searle
On Sunday 15 May, the Year 13 Biology class, enough so that our test would produce valid
led by Mr Baars and Dr McKenzie, set out for and reliable results. It was quite easy coming
Kaikoura to do some biological investigating. up with the basic steps for the method, but
The trip was based around Achievement writing how variables and other factors would
Standard 91601— Carry out a practical be controlled was certainly a challenge.
investigation in a biological context. Now, Following the method write-up, we had some
obviously, the thought that we had to plan, dinner and dessert, created by the head chefs,
test, plan again, test again, record results and Dr McKenzie and Mr Baars. I'm pretty sure
start writing a report all in three days was that at some point during that afternoon, Dr
slightly daunting (especially given that Mr McKenzie and Maddie Tasker went diving in
Baars said that university students would get the waters around Kaikoura, which would
a whole year to do this); however, we all still have been pretty awesome!
piled into the vans with smiles on our faces
Day Two was all about getting results.
and headed on up for what would be a very
Practicals were running throughout the day
enjoyable time.
and when people weren’t carrying out their
Our first port of call in Kaikoura was the practical they were most likely researching
local aquarium. This was where hadhave our or writing up their report. So, although, there
first look at some of the organisms that we weren't really any adventurous activities to
would be able to study, which was awesome, do, it still was a very productive day. That
although not quite as awesome as seeing an evening, everyone had the opportunity to
octopus try to climb out of its tank and squirt present their findings to the rest of the class.
water everywhere. This was a great opportunity as it allowed us
to be questioned by the two teachers and
Following our trip to the aquarium, we
our classmates about potential weaknesses
headed out to the tip of the headland and
that we would need to address in one way or
had some lunch. It was after lunch that
another.
the real work began! Upon arrival at the
Environmental Research Centre, we unpacked Following the seminars, we safely returned
all our stuff and were given a thorough our little experimental subjects to the rocky
introduction to the task that lay ahead. We shore that they came from. Only a few people
then gathered the organisms that we wanted stayed up late into the night to continue their
to study from the rocky shore opposite the experiments, which was apparently a great
research centre. All sorts of snails, shellfish contrast to last year's trip where people were
and crabs were gently collected, placed in working at three or four in the morning to
containers and whisked away to the lab. gather results; this earnt our class the title of
‘hard workers’ which made us all very proud.
Once organism collection was done, we were
all able to do some initial testing and research Day Three was all about tidying up and
to figure out how the chosen organisms react getting home—whilst allowing a little time
to different changes in their environment. For to see some ‘fubsy wubsy seals’ which were
example, Michael noticed that the crab he very adorable. Overall the trip was great—
wanted to study preferred to shelter under regardless of the grade we get for the
large rocks rather than small ones. Once internal, I'm sure that all of the class will have
we had finished having a look at how our many fond memories of our time in Kaikoura
organisms behaved, we began to plan our and our last days with Mr Baars as our Biology
initial practical method. Methods needed to teacher.
be simple enough to follow, but thorough
10 10 June 2016