Ashburton CollegeIndividual Excellence in a Supportive Learning Environment News

Issue 3327 September 2018

Congratulations

Coming Events

Third Placings at Aoraki Secondary Schools’ Table Tennis Championships

(Back row, left to right): Sam Bubb, Cole Beeman, Josh Jones, Kate O’Reilly, Maggie Tarry.

(Front row, left to right):Quinn Ritchie, Eddie Davis, Henry Chapman. Darion Gray was the team’s Manager.

Placings Held at the Barry Butler Table Tennis Stadium in Timaru, Sam Bubb and Quinn Ritchie came out of pool play in first position and then faced a very formidable Timaru Boys’ High School team, eventually placing them a very creditable 3rd.

Josh Jones, Cole Beeman, Henry Chapman and Eddie Davis had some incredibly close games, and Darion said there was great sportsmanship and banter as the lead see-sawed, forcing tie breakers, until reaching the final results which placed both teams in the top half.Final placings for the boys’ two and three teams were – • AshColl3teamofColeBeemanandJoshJones 6thplacing• AshColl2teamofHenryChapmanandEddieDavis 7thplacingThe Novice Girls had a slow start but revised their strategy, and their play improved dramatically during the day. They were delighted to win a match and6thplace.There were sixteen teams contesting the boys’ competition, and seven in the girls’.

(Pictured right, far end, left and right): Quinn Ritchie and Sam Bubb.

Aidan(centre) and Brendan (right) with their trophies.

1st and 3rd Placings at Sarapu Chess Cup The first ever Canterbury leg of the  Sarapu Cup for Chess was played in ChristchurchonSunday16September.PopularinWellingtonandAuckland,this tournament is run monthly with a Championship final weekend in AucklandinDecember.Ortvin Sarapu is a former New Zealand Chess Champion, often regarded as the ‘father’ of New Zealand Chess. Ashburton College fielded two competitors, Aidan Soal and Brendan Fleming.

ResultsWinning performance - Brendan played through his seven games unbeaten, winning on the day and only conceding half a point to the second placed player from Timaru. 3rd placings - Aidan dropped two matches to finish in third place.The next tournament will be held during the first weekend in November.(Players pictured below):

Brendon Fleming (back left) on his waytohis6.5/7score.

AidanSoal (right) finished with 5/7.

(Pictured right, left to right): AlexChapman,Matthew Clough, Kelly-AnneBentley.

New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Swimming Championships

These championships were held in Wellington from 13-16 September,featuring689ofNewZealand’stopsecondaryschoolswimmers,whohaveto meet qualifying times to be eligible to compete. ThreeAshCollswimmerscompeted,withthisbeingthefirstnationalmeetfor Alex Chapman and Kelly-Anne Bentley. Both performed well on the bigstage,withAlexswimmingpersonalbesttimesinallbutoneofhisraces. Matt Clough returned to competitive swimming for the first time in three years and showed that he can still kick it with the best, swimming five out of six personal best times and placing 13th in both the 50m and 100mBackstroke.

Third Placings at South Island SecondarySchools’ Ski and Snowboard Championships

AshColl had four boys and one girl at these championships which arealwaysheldattheCardronaSkifield,Wanaka.Theeventwasheldovertheweekendof15-16September,withtheteamaccompaniedbyteachers-in-charge of skiing Karen McKenzie and Michael Clark.

(Pictured above):WillKellyonhisway down the slalolm.

The team would like to thank Jocelyn and Michael Johnston for being race officials during the event.

KarensaidthattheQuatroWinterGameshadjustfinishedatCardronasotheskifieldwasgroomedtoperfection,withmassivejumpsandperfecthalfpipes. The weather was also very warm, which meant the snow was sticky, and heavy spring conditions prevailed.Thestudentsgotthechancetoslipthecourseat9:30amwithracingthenstartingpromptlyat10:00am.TheskiersracedtheGiantSlalomwithveryfew having any real problems, although the conditions meant that the times were possibly not as fast as the icy conditions we usually experience for racing at Mt Hutt.Mya Johnston unfortunately caught an edge on her first run which put heroutofthecompetition.AsaYear9studentMyawascompetingfortheexperience, but she has a huge future ahead of her.In the Boys’ Giant Slalolm, Will Kelly was College’s first skier and he showed experience completing a clean race. Thirty nine boys were entered in the teams’ and individual competitions,withWill’s combined time of 1:11.69good enough for 3rd individually.

(Pictured left, left to right): Theteam: CameronPearce, MaxPelzl, Cole Beeman, Mya Johnston, WillKelly.

Individual Results:3rd WillKelly                 1:11.6912th ColeBeeman        1:16.0615th MaxPelzl               1:17.4920th CameronPearce    1:18.71

Team Results:Christ’sCollege2 1stChrist’sCollege1 2ndAshburtonCollege 3rd

(Pictured above): Mya Johnston hits the downward run.

Impressive Individual Results for Ted Yee at the New Zealand Schools’ Cross-Country

Skiing Championship Ted Yee was Ashburton College’s sole representative at this event, heldon Saturday 15 September at Cardrona’s Snow Farm Nordic ski area. Coach/ManagerwasTed’sfather,EdmundYee.Theeventcoveredallschoollevels–Primary,IntermediateandSecondary,with the four secondary schools represented being Mt Aspiring College(Wanaka), Columbia and John McGlashan Colleges (Dunedin) plusAshburtonCollege.Overallnineschoolteamswererepresented,accountingfor thirty nine pre-registered racers.Championship racing rules required schools to have a minimum of three student racers entered in order to receive a medal or cup award. Skiers’ lowest combined times of the Classic and Freestyle races determined the overall podium medal position. AshburtonCollegedidnothavetheminimumthreestudentsenteredtobeconsidered for awards. Ted said the four secondary schools present all had skierswillingtomakeupto4.5hourdrivestorepresenttheirschools,andfor the loveof thesport. Acknowledgedweretheparents, forallof theirsupport. Racecategoriesforthedaywerethe2kmIndividualClassic,a1kmIndividualFreestyleSprint,anda3x1kmTeamRelayFreestyle.

The day’s first race, the 2km Classic style, was a mass start format (pictured left).Afterthefirst two racers pulled away from the pack and finished, it was an incredibly close fight for third place between Ashburton’s Ted Yee andlocal Wanaka student AngusCagneyofMtAspiringCollege,both Year 11 students. Theoutcome came down to the last turn 80 metres from thefinish line, with them on each other’sheels.Anguswhowas

leading, suddenly slipped and fell on the flats 40metres from the finish,giving Ted the chance to pass on the outside. The stadium erupted as familiesandfellowWanakaareastudentswereupandcheeringasAngusrecovered, fighting to come back. However, Ted held him off for a two second lead to take third place. Race officialandMtAspiringCollegeCoachIanMcNabbsaidtheydon’tusuallyget to see such close finishes or such closely matched skiers, noting it was greattohavesomecompetitionforAngus.In the second race of the day, the 1km Freestyle Skate race, individuals start at 30 second intervals, with finalpositions based on lowest calculated times. (Pictured right): Ted leaving starting gate for 1km Freestyle Sprint Race.In a reversal of the Classical race Ted placed fourth after being edged out of third place by Angus Cagney’s faster time. Snowconditions were slowed for all racers by the bright sun and warming temperatures, and racers commented on the wet almost ‘soggy concrete’ feel trying to skate on the uphill section of the short sprint course during this challenging second race. For the third race of the day (3 x 1km Team Relay Race) Ted was teamed withtwoYear13skiersfromJohnMcGlashanCollegeofDunedinforanon-scoring fun race. Cameron Moran and Ben Mitchell each skied a 1km leg and tagged off to the next racer. Ted then anchored the last leg for his team whichfinished3rd.Theboysenjoyedmakingnewfriendshipsandskiingthetrails of Snow Farm together, between races. Whenitcametimeforawards,racers’lowestcombinedtimesoftheClassicand Freestyle races determined the overall podium medal position. Ted came in 4th place individually. Based on the three plus student team rule MtAspiringCollegetookoutallofthemedals.Individual Placings for Ted were - • 3rd 2kmClassicalRace• 4th 1kmFreestyle(Skate)Race• 4thOverallindividualplacingMixed Team Relay Race• 3rd Threex1kmRelay. InthiseventTedteamedwithtwoYear13boys

from John McGlashan College, Dunedin. Being a composite team the placing was official but, as above, the boys were not eligible for podium positions. However, they have the satisfaction of knowing they have done well.

Exclusive of weekly competition events.September27 Student Coach Day, Timaru28 HouseWaiataCompetition,2:30pm,Chessboard Final Day of Term Three29-01 Oct Cycling National Road Championships,

MikePeroMotorsportPark,Christchurch

29-14 Oct Student Holiday BreakOctober 15 Term 4 Begins16 Let’s Get Cooking – Māori students17 Let’sGetCooking–Pasifikastudents18 Year11PEDandYears12/13OutdoorEducation-Surfing19 Staff v Student Executive Chess match, Chessboard Years10/11DanceShowcase,Auditorium22 Labour Day – Public Holiday

Transition Department News Liaison Visits: At this time of year, liaison staff from various tertiary institutions return to the College to help students with their applications for 2019.Remaining is:Lincoln University for Course Planning-Monday 15 October, during Forum

Ashburton CollegeNewsIndividual Excellence in a Supportive Learning Environment

Issue 3327 September 2018

Term Three ConclusionPhew we made it! I’ve no doubt that’s the feeling from our staff and students. Term Three is always a challenge in any New Zealand school. The term starts in the depth of winter, and arriving and leaving in a frost is never a great start to the day. Typically it’s ten weeks straight with no public holiday scheduled. Staff and students work frantically to finish the internal assessments, then there are senior

Message From The Principal

Congratulations

Congratulations

school exams, marking, and report writing for seniors all completed by the end of the term. Add into this mix Winter Sports Tournament Week with twelve teams competing, Year 8 enrolment interviews and the Education Review Office team with us in Week 7. Given all of the above, ‘phew’ is an accurate summary! My thanks go to all of our staff, and please enjoy a well-deserved break. Teacher ShortagesThere has been plenty of publicity about a teacher shortage in our region. However it’s not only a national problem, but is also a global problem. This is particularly so in hard-to-staff specialist subjects such as Science, Mathematics, Technology and Computing. Our unsung heroes this week are our pool of relievers, many of whom are retired staff. They are always willing to help us out, but this is a band-aid solution and not sustainable in the long term. However, we all appreciate your willingness to help our place!EmploymentIt is a great time to be starting out in the world of employment. With 2% unemployment in our region students are spoilt for choice with the jobs on offer. The feedback I’ve had from students is often about how they are treated and made to feel welcome by employers and those at the work experience venues.In spite of seeming confident, many students approach the world of work with trepidation. If they are made to feel welcome and part of the team then this is more important than the money (although that helps). The other thing to consider is that this generation is constantly on-line and willing to share their experiences. So, if employers are considering youth rates and treating new employees poorly then this will be shared amongst all of your future pool of possible applicants. It’s worth considering!Reminder re Facial Piercings I would like also to take this opportunity to remind parents, caregivers and students of the College Uniform requirements around facial piercings, which we are noting an increase in.Some jewellery is permitted but our uniform guidelines are clear that

– students will be asked to remove any other jewellery, including facial piercings.

Therefore, facial piercings are not permitted. Students who come to school wearing facial piercings will be asked to remove them, and there will be consequences for students who refuse to do so, and who are not following the College Uniform guidelines.We look forward to family support on this matter. Holiday BreakHave a fantastic break and enjoy our glorious spring! Ross Preece Principal

Staff – Farewell

Events

Information

Jules Townsend – Jules started at Ashburton College, as a teacher of Mathematics, at the beginning of Term 3 last year.

While with us Jules has become involved in the life of the College, making good contributions to the Mathematics Department and being recognised as a hard worker. Good relationships with students and staff were a feature of his time here, as was his co-ordination of the popular lunchtime club ‘Magic the Gathering’.

Jules is regretfully finishing at College tomorrow, at the end of this term, in order to travel overseas to support family members. We wish him well for the times ahead.

Movie Fundraiser for College Japan Tour 2019 Group

Come along and enjoy the film – ‘Night School’ When: Friday 26 October Time: 7:45pm Where: Regent Cinema‘Night School’ tells the story of a man’s life which takes an unexpected turn when he accidentally blows up his place of employment. Forced to attend night school to get his GED, he must now deal with a group of misfit students and a feisty teacher who doesn’t think he’s too bright!

Tickets: $20To purchase please contact: Steph – 027 789 1770 Raewyn – 021 126 1754 Sonya – 027 320 4639

Red Carpet EveningThis evening showcases the amazing talent of Ashburton College students. We look forward to sharing an evening of wonderful entertainment with family, friends and the Ashburton community.

Tickets are now available from the College Office.

Ashburton College Music Department presentsRed Carpet Evening

7:00pmFriday 26 October

Tickets - $15Ashburton College Auditorium

Championship Certificate at SpecialOlympics Swimming Day

Cheryl Hardy, Special Education Needs Co-ordinator said, for the third time this year, it was a pleasure and a delight to take a team of Student Learning Support Unit (SLSU) students to a Special Olympics Event. On 13 September, an intrepid group went to Timaru to compete in swimming events. The team was a great advertisement for all that parents and teachers wish students to be….happy, enthusiastic, supportive of each other and willing to do their very best. The students showed resilience, and never gave up. The events are run in heats only, with College results being:Aidan Christie 1st 25m Freestyle; 2nd 50m Freestyle and 50m Backstroke.Danny Glanville 1st 15m Kickboard; 2nd 15m Unassisted Swim and 15m Walk.Delta Taeauga 3rd 25m Freestyle and 15m Unassisted Swim; 4th 15m Kickboard.Dom Wayman 1st 15m Unassisted Swim and 15m Kickboard; 2nd 25m Freestyle.Keira Moodie 1st 25m Freestyle, 15m Unassisted Swim, and 25m Backstroke.Tom Southby 2nd 15m Unassisted Swim and 25m Freestyle; 3rd 15m Kickboard.Anthony Van Asperen 2nd 25m Freestyle, 3rd 15m Unassisted Swim.

(Pictured above, left): Danny Glanville ready to start the kickboard event. (Pictured above, right): Keira Moodie who gained 1st placings in her three events.

Championship CertificateOur team, which has been named AshColl Avengers for the last five years, was presented with the Championship Certificate. It was an honour for the staff members Cheryl Hardy (Teacher-in-Charge SLSU), Porsha Coley (Learning Support Assistant) and Ron Cresswell (Deputy Principal) to be part of such a rewarding experience. The team did the College, and themselves, proud!!

(Pictured right, back row left to right): Cheryl Hardy (Teacher-in-Charge), Danny Ganville,Delta Taeauga, Dom Wayman.

(Front row, left to right): Aidan Christie,Tom Southby, Keira Moodie, Anthony van Asperen, Porsha Coley (Learning Support Assistant).

Continuing Successes for Ashburton College Rifle-Shooting TeamWith contributions from student Shania Harrison-Lee

Over this year the College’s shooting team shot and sent away four rounds of targets, competing against other schools and individuals from all around New Zealand, in what is known as a postal shoot.  The four rounds were completed consecutively by 10 June, 08 July, 05 August and 02 September.Top New Zealand Team for Fourth Consecutive YearThe on-going amazing team (pictured below, left to right) of Emma Smith, Shania Harrison-Lee, and Lanelle Millar-McArthur are the winning Secondary School team for New Zealand, followed by King’s High School. While each individual’s results count towards their team's final score, these results are also recorded on an individual’s leader board, becoming a graded result.

Outstanding Individual Results Shania Harrison-Lee • WinneroftheSecondarySchools’Shooting(TripleS)IndividualTitle. The New Zealand Secondary Schools’ report stated that, Shania, after

leading on all of the first three rounds, scored a brilliant final round score of 199.17.

Her total score of 493.36 is the second highest ever score for this competition.

• WinneroftheBGradeChampionship.Lanelle Millar-McArthur• ThirdplacedintheTripleScompetition,onatotalof489.29points.• WinnerMastersGrade.Emma Smith• PlacedthirdintheBGradeChampionship,withatotalscoreof481.57.In the D Grade Competition Ben Thomas placed 9th, and Sam Smith 12th. 2018 has been a hugely successful year for the three girls as a team together, and Shania and Emma will miss having Lanelle around next year as she heads off to university, but that will hopefully pave the way for new juniors to come through. Shania said they are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of next year as the new wave of Year 9 students come through, bringing in at least one-up-and-coming College shooter Charlotte McKenzie.Shania herself is a relative newcomer to the sport, having begun a mere two years ago, but she said that winning the Top Junior in New Zealand for the Secondary Schools’ Shooting Competition has been a goal since that time. Future CompetitionLanelle, Emma and Shania are now working towards taking back the trophy and title at the Schools’ National Shoulder-to-Shoulder Match in Rangiora later this month. 

Term Dates 2018 Term Three - Friday 28 SeptemberTerm Four Monday 15 October - Wednesday 31 October (Year 13) - Thursday 01 November (Year 12) - Friday 02 November (Year 11) - Tuesday 11 December (Year 10) - Wednesday 12 December (Year 9)