1st November 2024 Newsletter (original) (raw)

In today’s newsletter we have the following:

Senior Leadership Team

Principal News

Kia ora whānau,

Welcome to Term 4! We’re off to a fantastic start, with many important events and achievements already taking place across the school.

First, we celebrated New Zealand Teachers’ Day on October 29, a day to honour the dedication and passion our teachers bring every day.

Thank you to our incredible teaching staff for the difference they make in our students’ lives. We’re proud to acknowledge the expertise, commitment, and care you show in your work.

Athletics Day was also a huge success! Our students gave it their all, displaying great school spirit, sportsmanship, and determination. Congratulations to all who participated and to our top performers for their impressive achievements. The student’s relay team also beat the teachers, something which brought huge happiness and pride to the student community.

Our Year 8 students have now started working on their Exhibition Projects—a significant part of their final term with us. These projects allow students to dive deep into a topic they’re passionate about, showcasing their learning and creativity. We can’t wait to see their hard work come together at the end of the term!

It was also very exciting to start the process of completing our 2025 – 2028 strategic plan. The School Board spent a very exciting weekend completing the critical thinking that will enable us to build a plan that will continue to develop a cutting edge curriculum and a diverse range of opportunities to ensure our students are developing the skills to be great community contributor’s and leaders.

Another super enjoyable opportunity for staff and students was the beginning of our student leadership program. Our students came with great enthusiasm and whakaaro and it was great to see the leadership ability that our students already possess. This process will continue to the end of the term where our student leaders will be named including the head students. I do want to acknowledge that although this is an auspicious opportunity, not achieving what you want around student leadership does not stop the ability to continue to lead and or take leadership opportunities in the future.

Thank you for your continued support as we move through this busy and exciting term.

Kia haumaru te noho

Jason Pocock

Tumuaki (Principal) ANI

Deputy Principal’s News

Assessment Update:

Kia ora, e te whānau,

Over the last few weeks, our students have completed their second round of e-asTTle assessments in both reading and maths this year. Alongside these assessments, they have also worked on a formal writing piece. These tests and writing tasks provide valuable insights, but they are just one part of the picture; teachers use a range of evidence gathered throughout the year to form Overall Teacher Judgments (OTJs) for each student, which will inform the upcoming reporting period.

We encourage parents and caregivers to check in with their young person about these recent assessments. Students can access their e-asTTle results online and are able to share these with you. They give a really good breakdown of what the students did well, where their gaps are and what their overall level is. Teachers have also returned writing pieces to students, complete with feedback sheets that highlight strengths and areas for growth. If you’d like more information on the assessments or would like to discuss your child’s progress in greater depth, please feel free to connect with their classroom teacher. Reports are now underway though and these will be with you on Monday 9th December.

Nga mihi

The ANI DPs – Kieran, Scott & Ashley

Year 8 Graduation

Kia ora Year 8 whānau,

Year 8 students are fully into the swing of their final term in Intermediate School. There are lots of exciting learning, events and opportunities this term and part of our focus includes preparing them for High School in 2025.

• In Term 3, we hosted some of the High Schools staff and students to give insight as to what the High Schools have to offer.
• In Week 1 and 2 we focused on Exam Preparation for High School Exams which take place in Term 4 2024 or Term 1 2025. Teachers have covered topics such as revision techniques, time management in exams, non-verbal reasoning, critical thinking, and answering different styles of questions such as cloze, multiple choice and essay questions.
• In Week 2 Y8 Students completed their High School Preparation exams. These were paper exams completed in silence in the MPS to prepare students for the experience and environment of High School Entrance exams. These were solely for the experience of sitting this style of exam and do not contribute towards reports or teacher judgements.
• We have been very proud of our students and the work they have done in the first 2 weeks and in their High School Preparation Exam.

Below is some information about what the school is doing to prepare students for High School and some recommendations for whānau at home.

To prepare students for High School ANI is:

• Throughout the term, teachers are discussing their new High Schools with students, including what opportunities there are at High Schools, and what their timetables, learning and environments may look like.
• Ms O’Sullivan as Y8 Dean and Whaea Candice as SENCo work closely with all High Schools to ensure important information is passed on. This includes organising High School visits and transition meetings.
• In Week 9 we are having a High School Experience Day where students will go around different spaces in the school with their equipment in changing class groups.

Recommendations for families to prepare for High School:

• Ensure your young person is enrolled into a High School for 2025.
• Check the communication from the High School and the High School websites to ensure your young person attends Open Evening/Day, testing or trials.
• Look at the website of the High School or information sent home such as prospectuses. You can look together for potential classes, clubs and opportunities at their new school.
• Watch videos on the new High School’s YouTube or website to see what the new school is like, especially extracurricular activities.
• Support your young person to get ready for High School independently! This could include packing their bag in the morning for the equipment they will need during the day, helping them start a diary or planner to keep track of their work, and discussions around how to meet new people and make the most of their time at their new school.
• If possible, make the journey to their new High School whether that is walking, by car or by public transport. Discuss with them an alternative method or route if something goes wrong.
• If possible, go for a walk around their new High School, look at the names of the buildings and get their bearings.

We also have many exciting learning opportunities this term including the Year 8 How We Express Ourselves Exhibition as well as events to celebrate the students’ final term here including Graduation and Amazing Race.

Alice O’Sullivan

Year 8 Dean

MAGS Catch-up Academic Testing Day (for in-zone students only)

Friday 15 November – 8.30am

Any in-zone student who did not attend the recent MAGS Academic Testing, please attend on Friday 15 November.

Assemble outside the MAGS School Hall before 8.30am. The test will finish around 12.00pm – noon.

Bring a pen, pencil, water bottle and a light snack.

Students can wear their Intermediate school uniform or casual clothing.

Student Achievement

Chess Champions!!!

Dear ANI,

It is my pleasure to let you know that we are National Champions again!!!

After the threat of a flight cancellation, and a fire alarm at 12:30am, nothing stopped our team. Wellington College was the perfect place for the tournament to take place and our students put the name of our school on high!

There is also some other great news:

Grayson was the Number One player of the intermediate players in the tournament.

Harrison became the new junior master of the intermediate players (as Grayson was last year) and he was the second overall player.

4 of our students were in the first top ten.

We are champions for the second time in a consecutive year.

2022 – ANI had Buthsara as a Junior Master

2023 – Grayson

2024 – Harrison

Thank you everyone for your support, also to our coach Mr Bruce Wheeler, who has been with me coaching the team for the second year. As for me, it was my 4th year. I am very fond of the team and miss them a lot.

Sunday was a tough day as the Champion Trophy gathered not only players from qualified teams, but also from teams that didn’t qualify and one or two chess players were very strong.

Grayson won all his matches for this tournament and became the new overall Champion. Congratulations Grayson!! And well done to all the players from our school as they did great.

All the best to our students as they continue in their journey in chess.

Cynthia Montesinos

Teacher in Charge of Chess

Note: Cynthia no longer teaches at ANI yet she continues to coach and guide our students. Thank you so much Cynthia for your dedication and care.

Principal Awards

Ellie O's upcoming performance!

ANI’s talented student, Ellie O is in the upcoming performances of the premiere of “Alice: A Wonderland Musical!”.

About the show:

Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre

30 Nov – 1 Dec

To purchase tickets click here.

A magical world of energy and colour awaits audiences when one of New Zealand’s leading creative duos, Alver & Doy, premiere their latest offering, “Alice – A Wonderland Musical”, at Auckland’s Aotea Centre in November/December 2024.

This vibrant and fun re-telling of Lewis Carroll’s much-loved tale, Alice will bring to life a rich array of adored characters including the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, The Red Queen, Tweedledum & Tweedledee, and the Mock Turtle, in an adventure set to take audiences on a journey with Alice through the looking glass, across the chess board, and into their own imaginations.

With 20 new songs composed by the dynamic creative pair, and a storyline crafted from the words of Carroll but shaped for today, this wondrous escapade presented by the National Youth Theatre is set to light up the stage.

Rimu Zoo Day

In Week 1, Rimu team went to the zoo. We had a great time learning about how the zoo has taken action to protect Aotearoa’s native species. We also went to some talks on birds, saw some kiwis and went to a talk about spider monkeys!

This will provide us with some good understanding about what ‘taking action’ might look like and how action is happening on a bigger scale, which will in turn support our Exhibition projects throughout term 4.

Sam Carruthers

Rimu Team Leader

Sports

Basketball

The basketball boys had a great day at the court last week.

We had lots of close games, and were 2nd in our pool.

We finished 6th overall!

Bruce Ng

Teacher in Charge of Basketball

Girls/Boys Volleyball

The girls and boys volleyball team had a heap of fun last week over at North Shore Events centre. Both teams had success in the day and the year 8s especially are excited about furthering their volleyball careers at high school!

Gershon Cadelis

Teacher in Charge of Volleyball

Girls Basketball

Girls basketball had a great day shooting hoops. We have some amazing young athletes!

Today the girls came 5th at CZ on the shore! Their sportsmanship was unmatched! We should all be so proud of them.

They played not only for their school but for Bruce as he had to leave us earlier than anticipated.

Bruce Ng and Alicia Wichman

Teachers in Charge of Basketball

Table Tennis update

You may have read about Eli’s amazing gold victory in the ITTF-Oceania Table Tennis Hopes Challenge (Individual) 2024.

As a result, he has been selected to represent Oceania at the 2024 ITTF World Hopes Week & Challenge, 1-7 November in Paraguay!

On top of this, Eli will be travelling to Taiwan for off-site overseas high performance training.

Which sadly means he will not be completing the remainder of Term 4 with us!

Eli, ANI is so proud of your achievement in table tennis, and we wish you only the best and every success for your future!

Staff

School Counsellor

Tips for managing end-of-year assignment/exam nerves:

End-of-year assignments and tests are stressful for any young person – nerves, mood swings, outbursts and changes to normal routine are more likely to occur during this time. Here are a few ideas on how to support your young person while they’re preparing for end-of-year assignments or tests/exams.

Ask your child what they need from you: They’ll have some ideas on what will keep them motivated, on-task and feeling positive. Some students might want snacks, some might want frequent hugs and positive affirming text messages, some might want to be left to get on with it on their own, and some might want their parents to help quiz them on their subjects. By talking to our students and collaborating with them on a plan we can figure out what they need most while also making them feel heard and valued.

Lower demands and help set reasonable limits on commitments: When school demands go up, our capacity for focusing effectively on other obligations goes down. If you can reduce expectations regarding chores or optional activities at home, you can indirectly help your student experience less overall stress. You can also help your student make good choices regarding obligations that aren’t on a set schedule and teach them the important skill of prioritizing.

Support them in structuring their time: When a task seems insurmountable, it can be hard to take even the first step. For a lot of reasons, the teen brain can have a hard time breaking down a huge task (study for an exam, complete a long written essay) into manageable steps. But our parent brains can support them in structuring their time & studying, and by doing so we may help motivate them to take those first important steps.

Messaging matters: while school grades are important within academic and occupational spheres – they certainly do not define a person. Our students are much more than their school grades, and it is important that parents clearly message that. Saying things like “how are you feeling today? You’ve been working so hard!”, “what a stressful time, what can I do to support you?” can show students that their parents will appreciate and love them regardless of how their grades turn out.

Chloe Moore

ANI School Counsellor

Reception Reminders

Dear Parents,

We kindly request your assistance in reminding your children that our office is a professional environment and must be treated with the utmost respect at all times. It is essential that all students maintain their best behavior while in this space.

Students should not enter the reception area during school hours unless necessary and must not use it as a place to socialise or skip class. Additionally, we ask that parents report to reception when signing out students or arranging pick-ups during school hours.

Please plan pickups outside of break times or coordinate with the school in advance to avoid any delays. Classrooms and device cabinets are often locked during breaks, so this helps us ensure your child can retrieve their belongings promptly. When you arrive at reception, provide your child’s name and room number so we can arrange for them to be brought to you. Additionally, please remember to sign your child out of school, as it is crucial for health and safety to know which students have left during the day.

We also want to please remind you that if a student is late to school, they must sign in at reception.

We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining the respect and appropriateness of this space.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Front of House Team

Upcoming Events for Week 4, Term 4, 2024

ANI Community

Notices from our community partners