Kia ora koutou

‘How to raise kids to succeed in life’ was the title of a recent article in the New Zealand Listener. Paul Tough, author of ‘How Children Succeed’, states that children are far more likely to succeed, achieve better qualifications and have a more fulfill ing life if we encourage the development of character. This includes positive habits such as curiosity, perseverance, optimism and self control. He stresse s that self discipline, combined with grit or passionate commitment, is often a better indicator of good grades than IQ. Paul Tough’s ideas reinforce my own beliefs and endorse the importance we as a school place on developing students of good character as outlined in our ‘Kawa’. A focus on academic success alone does not build character. It takes a broad education, with a wide range of opportunities in and beyond the classroom, for students to learn and develop as young people. This is one of the real strengths of our school and is worth reflecting on while reading my comment this week.

Congratulations to Clutha House on their strong performance in winning the House Athletics last week. It was a spectacular day and our students’ participation, behaviour, commitment and competitive house spirit was impressive. One of our goals this year is to enhance school pride through our house competitions and we intend to hold house events every second Friday. Last week it was “Tug of War” and it was pleasing to see the enthusiasm, effort and positive vibe the event created. We are purchasing coloured house flags to indicate current placing within the House Shield Competition. It will not just be sporting events. For example, our Arts Week and weekly Merits will also contribute to house points.

The Special Olympics Athletics Ribbon meet was held in Dunedin this week and our team of six students had a tremendous day all gaining top 3 places. We wish our rowers and athletes all the best for the weekend. Our rowing team is racing in the South Island regatta near Twizel and athletes are competing in the Otago championships in Dunedin. Our Apartments students also are taking part in a secondary schools adventure race in Gore on Saturday.

One of our other goals this year is a focus on punctuality. Being on time is respectful to a student’s own learning as well as the work of the teacher and other students. Our expectation is for all students to be in class on time ready to learn. We have in place clear and simple consequences for being late and tracking indicates that lateness has halved compared to this time last year. We appreciate the effort that our students are making to be punctual and welcome parents efforts in reinforcing the importance of this good habit.

Next week Year 7 students will have their ‘camp’ based at our Aquatic Centre and the Bannockburn Inlet. Year 10’s are off to Kidds bush near Lake Hawea and I look forward to joining them for their walk up the Sawyer Burn. I am very grateful to our staff for the considerable time and effort that goes into organising these opportunities for our students. They allow students to learn valuable lessons beyond the classroom and they strengthen relationships that support the positive and focused learning environment we have created at this school. These experiences and many of the others I have mentioned above help develop the traits, character and grit that enable our students be successful and excel.

Mason Stretch Principal

Whaia te taumata - Deserve Success

NEWSLETTER 2 1 March 2013

UPCOMING EVENTS:

2 March - SI Rowing Championships 4 - 8 March 2013 - Year 7 & Year 10 Camps 8 - 9 March - Otago Athletics 14 - 15 March - Summer Quad

17 - 22 March - Summer Tournament Week 25 March - Otago Anniversary Day, school closed 26 March - NCEA Jumbo Day, school closed 26 March - Interim Reports Posted Home 29 March - 2 April - Easter 19 April 2013 - Last Day of Term One 6 May 2013 - First Day of Term Two

Students at Athletics Day

Tug-of-War

Year 7 & Year 13 Peer Mediation

Head Students: Dave Borrie & Annabel Campbell

STAFF PROFILE

Gavin Jenkins has made a fantastic start as the new Materials Technology teacher at Cromwell College. Gavin and his wife, Sharyn, have a grown up family of four children. They have moved from Methven where Gavin taught at Mt Hutt College for 13 years. Although it was hard to leave, they were ready for a new adventure.

Mt Hutt College is larger than Cromwell College but the town is smaller. It has over 500 pupils but only 100 of the students don’t bus to school. Gavin likes spending time outside and enjoys cycling, kayaking, four wheel driving and shooting rabbits and possums. He has been involved in downhill mountain biking for more than 10 years and has taken students to nationals, built tracks and developed young riders. Gavin was once a panel beater specialising in smash and repair and auto restoration. After teaching for 17 years, Gavin still says, “I love to teach. I really enjoy looking at the students’ faces when they are working on a project and they realise that they have the confidence and ability to succeed at it.” He says, “The workshop ethos is about producing quality work and developing the students to be good people.”

SCHOOL CALENDAR

The school calendar is online on our website. This will be updated throughout the year.

Hard copies were posted home earlier this year with further copies available from the school office.

Please note there have already been several changes made to this calendar so we encourage parents to look at

the ‘live’ copy on-line. Thank you.

NOTE CALENDAR CHANGE

The final day of school for students in Years 7 to 10 is Friday 13 December, with Junior Prize giving being on

Thursday 12 December.

END OF TERM CONCERT WITH STRINGS FIESTA!

On April 19 Miles and Margaret (Duo) Jackson, international artists with over thirty five years as concert performers and musical educators, will be performing at Cromwell College. Strings Fiesta! is a presentation of world music cultures including classical, folk, gypsy, blues, jazz, flamenco and contemporary compositions. This entertaining and informative concert has been developed to compliment Music curriculum principles and demonstrates the versatility and extraordinary possibilities of the violin and classical guitar. Since many of our students learn guitar, Strings Fiesta! is a wonderful opportunity to widen their idea of what this instrument can sound like. The cost is $4 per student and this will be added to school accounts. If you do not want your child to attend, please contact the school office and let them know. Kate Borrie - Arts Co-ordinator

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Current Members; Maxine Knowler Chairperson Greg Thomson Staff Representative David Borrie Student Representative Don McDonald Parent Representative Lynn Manson Parent Representative Robyn Marnane Parent Representative Malcolm Little Parent Representative 2013 is a Board of Trustees election year. Nominations will be called upon for parent representatives on 2 May 2013. Nominations close on 16 May 21013. Election day is 30 May 2013. If you have any questions about being a Board of Trustees member please contact Maxine Knowler.

Cromwell College Staff showing their House colours for Athletics Day Life Education Trust - Pip & Harold The Giraffe

Presentation to Year 8 students

CONGRATULATIONS

Joseph Harrison competed in the 50m freestyle at the New Zealand Junior swimming championships in Wellington over the weekend of 16th & 17th February. He had an excellent swim achieving a good personal best and improving his national ranking for the event a whopping 14 places.

SBS CROMWELL HOCKEY CLUB 2013 registrations are on Tuesday 5 March from 4pm to 5pm at the Hockey Turf. There will be a game of hockey for two for those want to have a hit around. Bring a stick, mouth guard and shin pads. Any queries to michelleo@pimmco.co.nz.

SUMMER LEAGUE 6 -A- SIDE HOCKEY 2013 registrations by 4 March. Competition runs for five weeks for senior and senior B players. Get your team together for competitive and social games. To register, contact dstevens@tonkin.co.nz.

CONTACTING CROMWELL COLLEGE STAFF

We encourage parents / caregivers / families to make contact with us regarding their child’s education at Cromwell College. We request that you first phone or email to make an appointment with the relevant person. Email is the best form of contact with teaching staff. This way the appropriate amount of time can be set aside to attend to your needs. Thank you.

AA DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE

The next New Zealand Defensive Driving Course will be held at Dunstan High School in Alexandra on March 26 & 28 April 2 & 4 from 7.00pm – 9.00pm. For further information please contact Kaye Rowell Lakes Driver Training 03 4427073 txt 027 623 3534 or email Krowell@xtra.co.nz.

Kip McGrath provide professional after school tuition Y1 – Y13.

Lessons run every week for 80 minutes. Teaching ratio 1:4 with experienced teachers. *English * Maths* Chemistry *Physics * Biology

Our focused study groups target your individual learning needs. Make us part of your study plan today and we will help you

reach your academic goals. 0800 TUTORING

cromwell@kipmcgrath.co.nz

A MESSAGE FROM THE CROMWELL JUNIOR RUGBY CLUB

We understand that there are some students who are still thinking about playing rugby this year but haven't registered until they find out what teams there will be. If you don't register then the club does not know you are interested so you

may miss out completely as we may not have enough players to make up a team (this is more applicable for Y10 and above players). It is important that you register now with the club so they know what numbers they have to make up teams. If you are one of these students, please contact either Amanda Ryan 021780763 or Rebecca Anderson 0272224427 to get registered. We urge you to do this asap so we can get the teams up and going. From the CJRC Committee

YEAR 10 CERTIFICATE

Your son/daughter should have brought home the letter to parents and caregivers which outlined this year's Certificate. If you have any queries please contact either your child’s form teacher or myself.

Glenys Wing Year 10 Dean & Certificate Co-ordinator

PHYSICAL EDUCATION TOPS

The order for Term One has now been sent to our suppliers. The next order for the PE tops will not be processed until Term Two.

REAP COURSES

Adults Painting & Drawing with Acrylics or Oils 6th & 7th April 9.00am - 2.30pm, $130

Children's Painting & Drawing - 6th & 7th April 3.00 - 5.30pm, $25 per day - you may book into ei-ther or both days

Heart Speak - Learning to Write Memoir - 6th & 7th April 9.00am - 4.00pm, $125

Grow Your Own Groceries – Alexandra, Wanaka, Cromwell & Roxburgh, $15 Starting in March. Learn how to prepare your soil and plant a sustainable vege garden

'Choices' – Adult Literacy Based Programme Alexandra – Tues/Thurs starting 5 March 2013 Cromwell – Wednesdays starting 8th May 2013

Computing One to One – 90 minute free assess-ment Contact REAP for more information.

UNDER 18? YOU CAN RECEIVE FREE DENTAL CARE EVERY YEAR UNTIL YOUR 18TH BIRTHDAY!

What free dental care will I get?

A yearly check-up X-rays if necessary Cleaning to remove plaque, staining and tartar Fillings for teeth that have tooth decay (holes) Extractions to remove teeth that have been badly affected by tooth decay

What to do? To find the dentists providing FREE care in your area, call 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) (select option #2). Phone or visit your chosen dentist to make an appointment for a check-up. Turn up for your appointment. It’s so easy – and you can take a support person with you if you like. Tips for healthy teeth and gums and fresh breath: Be smokefree. Drink water or milk (instead of fizzies, energy drinks and fruit juices). Use a mouthguard when playing contact sports.

2013 ATHLETICS DAY

Clutha—1st Place Kawarau—2nd Place

Nevis—3rd Place Pisa—4th Place