GBHS Newsletter (6 October 2023)

Kia ora e te whānau,

I hope that you have all had a great holiday break. It’s been a productive term break with lots of teachers and students in school taking part in workshops and tutorials - it’s really good to see students motivated to do well. There’s been a lot of property work happening over the break: flood-damaged carpet being replaced in classrooms, a renovated student reception and health centre space and completed ramp between D Block and the Whare. I’m really looking forward to seeing students and staff next week.

Looking ahead

For our senior students, term 4 is short and sharp with deadlines for portfolio and project-based subjects and then the external NCEA exams. For our junior students, there is lots to look forward to across the rest of the term with our Beach Education programme, Softball Day, and BP Challenge. Below are some important dates:

• (Week 3) Friday, 27 October: Last day for senior students
• (Week 4) Monday, 30 October: Year 11 and Year 12 awards ceremony
• (Week 4) 30 October - 3 November: Reading, Writing and Numeracy NCEA common assessment activities
• (Week 5) Monday, 6 November: NCEA exams begin

Remember, the Careers team are here to help, and you get in touch by emailing Head of Faculty Catrin Hughes

A reminder about phones, phone accessories and uniform

Year 9 and 10 students:

All Year 9 and 10 students must ensure that devices remain on silent in bags during class time and form time. There will be no lessons where Year 9 and 10 students need to use phones, earpods, or headphones. This includes when walking to and from the toilet, going to the Deans, going to student services, and during form time.

Year 11, 12 and 13 students:

Senior students will from time to time use their phones as part of a learning activity. Otherwise, phones, earpods, and headphones should be in bags during class time (and on silent or switched off) unless a teacher is allowing students to use the phone for a learning activity. This includes when walking to and from the toilet, going to the Deans, going to student services, and during form time. Phones are not to be used in place of a Chromebook or laptop.

Special Circumstances:

We have processes in place to cater for students who require special assessment conditions, or have learning or medical needs which may require exemption for the phone/phone accessories expectations. Students in these circumstances will be issued with an approved pass. For further information, please contact your child’s dean or Sandy Begg

A note for parents:

If you need to get a message to your child urgently during class time, please contact Student Services (817-8173 ext 205).

Uniform:

Demonstrating respect for our school by wearing the correct uniform is important. Our uniform has a wide range of items to choose from so all students should be able to find a suitable combination and we have plenty of uniform for students to borrow if they need to. The new senior sweatshirt is available now on the Argyle website, and the junior sweatshirt should be available later in the year.

• All uniform must be the regulation design and pattern – as purchased online through ArgyleOnline: www.argyleonline.co.nz
• Uniform trousers are dark blue not black. Dickies/jeans are not part of the uniform.
• Shoes must be flat, plain black, with black soles and black laces (no boots or high-top footwear).
• Socks must be plain black (no logo) and ankle length.
• Extreme hairstyles and/or artificial colouring are not permitted.
• Hair accessories (hair bands/ties etc) must be navy blue or black in colour only.
• Nail polish is to be clear, with no artificial tips or colouring.
• No visible makeup.
• Jewellery should be minimal. This means: students are not permitted to wear rings, bracelets or visible necklaces. Students are permitted to wear a maximum of two small studs or sleeper earrings per ear and a small nose stud.
• School sports team jackets and sports hoodies are only to be worn at sports events. Undershirts worn under the school uniform must be white only, and must not be visible. (No coloured t-shirts.)

We’re looking forward to a fantastic Term 4 and I hope to see many of you across the next few weeks at our school events.

Ngā mihi nui, Fiona Barker PRINCIPAL