E ngā mātua, e ngā whanaunga me ngā hoa o te kura, tēnā koutou. Dear parents,

caregivers and friends of school. ,,,

PRINCIPAL’S PEN

Piopio College Newsletter

Te Kura Tuarua o Piopio 1 7 A P R I L 2 0 1 4 P A N U I 6

C O M I N G E V E N T S :

Phone: 07 877 8173 or 0800 240 173 Fax: 07 877 8388 Website: http://piopio.school.nz Principal’s email: jradce@ piopio.school.nz

P A G E 2

2014 STUDENT LEADERS

LEADERS STUFF Hey guys hope you’re all excited for the holidays, we definetly are. Its been a very busy and exciting term with athletics and swimming sports, and Tug O War. Also, on Thursday some of the seniors attended a National Young Leaders Day in Auckland. It was a very inspirational and exciting day, and all that attended really enjoyed it. This term we also started the Tuesday programme, which has been really great. People driv-ing past the school heading towards Mokau, from Piopio, or from Piopio to Mokau may have noticed the beginning of the chalk drawing on the hill at the school facing the road. That is all thanks to the Legendary Land-

scape group, its looking great guys. Looking forward to see what the finished product will look like. The drama group heads off to Morrinsville for regionals Tuesday. Good luck to you all, cant wait to hear how it goes. Also a quick reminder the ball committee is still busy selling a couple of raffles including the Easter raffle, which is selling fast for Easter, as well as the mutton raffles, please support us. That’s all from us this week, hope you all have a great Easter and an even better holiday. See you all in two weeks, stay safe. Vaida and François

SCIENCE IN ACTION IN LAB 15 AS ‘MONARCHS’ MULTIPLY

Excerpts from student exercise books:

I can see a swan plant with very few leaves left. There are 29

caterpillars on the remaining stalks. Some are half the size of

my finger and some are smaller. There are droppings on the

bench. Once the caterpillars run out of leaves for food we can

feed them pumpkin.

Molly (Y7)

In the computer room, I learnt that the female butterflies are a

brighter orange than the males.

Jessica (Y9)

Last week the Monarch butterflies were in the larvae stage but

as I observe them they have transformed into a beautiful dia-

mond-like chrysalis.

Toni-Anne (Y9)

The caterpillar has come out of its chrysalis in the last hour and

they are drying their wings so that they will be able to fly soon.

Shaun (Y7)

I walked into the class and everyone was crowded around the caterpillars and chrysalis -

three had turned into butterflies. They were amazing.

Nathan (Y7)

Bobbie Daymond-Bodger doing her thing at the Fat

Pigeon Cafe as part of the Piopio College Gateway

programme 2014.

Pictured here with Mrs Marina Rauputu, Gateway Coordinator

P A G E 3 P A N U I 6

ATHLETIC RESULTS

We had some closely contested age group competitions. Congratulations to the following:

Snr Boys Champion Runner up Third place getter

Isaac Griffin/ Shane Singleton James Teki

Snr Girls Savahn Taitoko Presley Waretini Myron Rapana-Barrett

Int Boys Jack Griffin Chris Dunphy/Connor Scarlett/Nathanael Wrack

Int Girls Cenedra Haumaha/Jessica Williamson Samantha Plowright

Jnr Boys Demante Murray Ben Stilborn Reade Blakeman

Jnr Girls Shakaya Winikerei/Tegan Cryer Shalako Haumaha

Sub Jnr Boys Lucas MacLachlan Jackson Bradbury/ Jhavaryn Marshall

Sub Jnr Girls Tyler Wiseman Molly Nelson Divisha Lal

House Points Green 343 Red 340 Blue 270 Gold 265

After the 2 major competitions Green, Red and Blue are tied in 1st place but with the Interhouse Tug of War

nearing completion this will change.

LEGENDARY LANDSCAPERS Wow – you should have been here on Tuesday to see the awesome efforts put in by our Legendary Land-scapers team of students – turfing, digging, wheel bar-rowing, transferring crushed lime (delivered free of charge thanks to MacDonalds Lime and Cody Haulage), raking and shaping. With assistance from Laurie Butler, our groundsman, huge progress was made to-wards completing this incredible project. Heading west out of Piopio? – then take a look over the field to see this magnificent bird taking shape. Richard O’Dea

Mihimihi

Ko Tainui te Waka

Ko Maungaroa te Maunga

Ko Marakopa te Awa

Ko Ngāti Maniapoto te Iwi

Ko Ngāti Kinohaku te hapū

Ko Hoturoa te Rangatira

Ko Miromiro te Marae

Ko Phillip Brown Taku Ingoa

Phillip Brown Year 7 – Te Reo Māori class

P A G E 4

ICAS TESTS

Students have the opportunity to enter these external tests and sit them at the College.

I believe they are a useful measure of your child’s achievement at an international level.

The following tests are available:

Subject Available to Fee Closing date Test date

Writing Yrs 7-13 $19.50 Mon 5 May Thurs 19 June

Spelling Yrs 7-8 $10.50 Mon 5 May Tues 17 June

English Yrs 7-13 $8.50 Mon 16 June Tues 29 July

Mathematics Yrs 7-13 $8.50 Mon 23 June Tues 12 August

Please send the appropriate fee(s) into the College by the closing date listed if you wish

your child to enter these tests. If you have any queries please contact me.

Caroline Foss

BIG SCIENCE COMPETITION

This competition is a one hour test of 30 multiple-choice questions and will be held in T2.

The competition tests critical thinking and problem solving, not just science facts. The

competiton is open to the following year groups:

Junior (Y8 & Y9), Intermediate (Y10-Y11), Senior (Y12-Y13)

The cost is $7 for the online test, $7.50 for the paper version. Please pay Mrs Windsor at

the office if you would like to take part by the end of Term 1.

“Students can win prizes for just taking part.”

Caroline Foss

This week Tractor Safety with the Ag students. Huge thank you to Mr Matt Buckley for helping me to organise a venue for the tractor safety teaching, Mr John Finlayson for allowing us to visit his farm, Mr Anson Clapcott for the loan of the tractor and machinery and George Burnish for getting everything ready and primed and last but not least Mr Mark Goss for teaching us the all important skills and knowledge. Marina Rauputu

Tractor safety - learning about the power take-off

Paiaka putting it all together and driving safely

Understand-

ing the

gearing and

front-end

loader

controls

Always time

for a good

yarn. Martin

and Riki have

things under

control

P A G E 5 P A N U I 6

WAITOMO AWARD TONGARIRO TRIP

The camping component took an upturn in skill level on Friday 4 April as a

group of nine students and six adults set off after school to complete a Ton-

gariro Crossing and a climb of Ngauruhoe. We had quite outstanding weath-

er with pure blue skies and not a breath of wind.

On arrival at Mangatepopo Hut we found the beds just about all taken, and

with the task of fitting our 15 amongst the 15 others and 20 to 30 tenters

also using the facilities. The hut designed for 25 was crowded but cosy and

the students and adults coped well if some didn’t sleep as fitfully as ex-

pected. This was a new and valuable learning experience to be contrasted

the next day when we met a couple who found it difficult to cope with just

our group and one other.

The gentle climb up to Soda Springs at the head of the valley was interesting

and prepared us for the challenging Devil’s staircase a long steep climb to the

South Crater. A group of 11 set off to climb Ngauruhoe, with the lead group

getting to the top in just over an hour, half the recommended time. A fantas-

tic effort, fantastic views, satisfaction and a highlight, the 5 minute slide back

down to the base.

After lunch, another challenging grunt up to Red crater on Tongariro, stunning views of Emerald Lakes, Lake

Taupo, Kaimanawas tucked in behind the Desert Rd. We returned to the car park and enjoyed a nice

MacDonalds at Taumarunui.

We can be proud of our students but still need to understand and practice perfect hut etiquette.

Thanks to Isabelle, Paulette Johns, Shane Goddard, Jenelle Reid who provided the parent support. We will re-

turn early next term for the second group.

Bill Burnell

Celebrating Science in Country Schools Earlier this term we were invited to participate in the Celebrating Science in Country Schools competition put on by Aria Primary School. In preparation students completed a science investigation in class and then set up dis-play boards explaining the experiment. Information and photos were put on the board under the standard Science experiment headings of:

Aim – what we are investigating Hypothesis – what we predict will happen Method – how we did it Results – what we saw happen Conclusion – what the results tell us – was our hypothesis correct? Discussion – what could do better or different next time,

On Monday three groups represented the College, travelling to Aria for their experiments to be judged and priz-es awarded. TJ Tapara, Paora Dayond-Bodger and William Lehndorf won first prize with their investigation on magnetism. Tyler Wiseman, Chloe Brown and Molly Nelson presented their groups report on sugar densities, coming Third. The Judges Choice went to Zena, Olivis and Sharna for their investigation report on concrete strength. With some spare time between setting up and judging, our students participated in a number of activities at the Aria Primary School – World Wars (a version of dodge ball), assisting with reading and then participating in Maths Bingo. Many thanks to Heather Pease who invited us and ran the science Fair styled programme, and to the rest of the Aria staff who made us welcome. See you again next year!

MERITORIOUS ACTION These students have received acknowledgement of the many good things they have done. Petra Burgess, Olivia Coup, Keegan Cox, Sharna Demchy, Chrissi-Rae Ewens, Amber Jaques, Saskia Johns, Julius Kaiki, Martin Marshall, Santana Muraahi, Selina Noun, Riki Newport, Mac Plowright, Olivia Pulman, Aiden Tarrant. Winners of a canteen voucher are Santana Muraahi and Aiden Tarrant. KING COUNTRY JUNIOR HOCKEY Fees $15 Shirt hire $5 Total $20.00

LIBRARY HOLIDAY HOURS Easter Wishes/Happy Holidays Piopio Community Library Hours Tuesday 22 April / Wednesday 23 April / Thursday 24 April 10.00am – 4.00pm each day. Pop in, have a browse, look forward to seeing you. Any queries, phone 877 8173 Ext 220 Library Liz ANZAC DAY ASSEMBLY Parents, caregivers and members of the public are invited to attend the Piopio College ANZAC Day assembly to be held in the College Hall on Thursday 8 May at 10.00am. EQUESTRIAN Area Trials—On 30 March Sarah Bevege, Sian MacDonald and I trialled for the Waikato team. It was a very exciting day and Sarah won the 95 section to get into the Waikato team and also Sian was 4th and 2nd Reserve. I was running 2nd in the 1.05DC section until I got eliminated in the show jumping. Horses keep you humble and “I’ll be back”. Stormy.hardluck.co.nz Congratulations Sarah Bevege for making the Waikato team, she will be competing at Kihikihi on 24-27 April at the NZ Pony Club Championships. Timberlands North Island teams event On 5 & 6 April six of Piopio College represented Te Kuiti and Districts at the NI Timberlands teams event. Louisa MacDonald (team captain) ‘Biscuit’. Stormy Harris ‘Irish Foxtrot’ Jenny Bevege ‘Joy Ride’ Sian MacDonald ‘Chellar’ Clay Harris ‘Swan Lake’ Sarah Bevege ‘Little Lieutanant’ We did ourselves proud and came 9th out of 18 teams with 3 clears and 1 refusal in the cross-country making up the total best four scores. We also won the Gary Watkins Memorial Trophy for the best organised team. Well done Clay for stepping up to Training Level for the first time. Huge thank you to Megan Maher, Pip Bevege and Ross and Karen Harris (team manager). Stormy & Foxy news LEARNER LICENSE Are you 16 and want to get your licence? Do you need to learn the Road Code but don’t know where to start? Are you driving with no licence and know you should get it? Are you paying fines for driving without a licence? If you answered YES to any of the above then contact me.. For assistance with your Learner Licence Theory test contact Natasha Scarlett, Road Safety Coordinator at Waitomo District Council on 0800 932 4357. PIOPIO ANZAC DAY PARADE AND SERVICE 25 April 2014 The 2014 Piopio ANZAC Day organisers would like to invite members of the local community to join the Returned Servicemen of the Piopio district in this year’s ANZAC day parade and service. 10.45 am Assembly at Piopio Senior Citizens Club, Weka Street, Piopio

Parade Commander: Blair Benefield, former NZ Army 11.00 am March from Senior Citizens Club to Cenotaph at Piopio Memorial Hall 11.10 am ANZAC Service and Wreath laying