WEEKLY UPDATE
Term 2
Week 10
22 June – 26 June 2015
2015 Term Dates
Term 2
Term 3
Term 4
Monday 20 April – Friday 26 June
Monday 20 July – Friday 25 Sept
Tuesday 13 Oct – Thursday 10 Dec
Forthcoming Events
Friday 26 June
Term 2 ends
Monday 20 July
Term 3 begins
Tuesday 21 July
Parents’ Association, 7pm
Thursday 30 July
Parents Association Quiz Night, Boundary Tap &
Kitchen, Raumati, 7pm
Friday 31 July
Polyfest, Te Rauparaha Arena, Times TBC
Friday 7 August
Y7 & 8 dance
Tuesday 18 August
Nishio Students arrive
Parents’ Association meeting, 7pm
Wednesday 19 August
Y 7 & 8 Parumoana Schools Ultimate Frisbee/Netball
Tournament
Wednesday 26 August
School Birthday - 9am school chapel in Gym
NIWA Regional Science Fair (26 – 28 August)
Friday 28 August
Victoria University Open Day
Wednesday 9 September
Year 11-13 Exams start
Year 8 Gardasil Immunisation
Friday 18 September
Year 11 Dance
Virtue: Prudence
Being careful about one’s choices, not taking
undue risks, not saying or doing things that might
later be regretted.
Message from the Director
As we reach the end of Term 2, and mark the
halfway point of the school year, I should like to
pay tribute to all the teaching staff for their
untiring dedication to, and support for, the
students in their care; to the students who have
worked hard and with great enthusiasm
throughout the past two terms and to the parents
who support us so generously. It is all much
appreciated. Senior students - no doubt you have
been told many times that this break is one for
study, as much as it is for rest, so make sure you
have a study timetable planned and one which
incorporates plenty of both.
Next term we will welcome into school a group of
secondary school students from Nishio, Japan and
I am looking now for volunteer families to host
one or two of these delightful young people. If
you have never hosted before, please contact me
for more details, and for the name of someone to
talk to who has had that experience. In essence
you provide food and board for someone who will
attend Marsden Whitby with your son/daughter
most days of the visit. On other days Porirua City
Council put on field trips, and visits to places such
as Marsden Karori, Botanical Gardens, Te Papa,
Pataka etc. The dates are Tuesday 18-Tuesday 25
August so please do consider this if you have not
done so before, and host families from previous
years, please feel free to take another student this
year!
Recently some of our Art students had the
privilege of working with Michel Tuffery and ‘popups’ of the work they, and other students, have
been doing are available in Porirua today and
tomorrow. See the attached flyers for details.
Ultranet Information
If you have forgotten your Ultranet password or need any assistance please contact Anna Engleback,
PCSchool and Ultranet Administrator, via email at [email protected]
Student Success
Congratulations and well done to Oliver Couchman and Bronte Page (Year 13) who represented
Marsden Whitby in the inaugural Rotary Club Speech Competition last Friday. Oliver spoke on how
humanity ultimately prevails against adversity, despite seemingly overwhelming odds, and Bronte on
why we still need feminism. They both spoke eloquently, fluently and with passion about their chosen
subjects and clearly hit the spot with many of the audience members. Well done! Many thanks to Mrs
Balasingam for her support and encouragement.
More to come on House Debating next term but congratulations to Resolution House who won by
the narrowest of margins (1 point) negating the moot ‘That we should change the New Zealand flag.’
Best Speaker was Benjamin Eagle but all speakers are to be congratulated on their content and
delivery. Many thanks to Mrs Balasingam for coordinating the event and adjudicating, and our other
adjudicators Mr Baigent, Mr Powell and Ms Adeane (Academic Director, Karori) who was the impartial
Guest Adjudicator for the final.
The Marsden Whitby Taiko drummers were a huge hit at this week’s Kapo Kapo Matariki festival. They
played with strength and spirit and got a marvellous response from the audience. Many thanks to
Erola Whitcombe for her wonderful coaching of the group.
Eight of our keen Year 8 students entered the inaugural EPro8 Challenge event last night. This was a
competition between teams from some of the local primary and intermediate schools. Their task was
to construct large engineering works out of pieces of equipment they were given. This event was a
great exercise in problem solving and team work. One of the two teams managed to get through to
the semi-finals taking place in September. Congratulations to Callum Walker, Luc Hackner, Mawgan
Bailey and Josiah Katene.
Careers Evening
All Year 10-13 students and their parents are invited to attend the annual Careers Evening being held
at Marsden Karori on Wednesday 5 August at 6.15pm for a 7.05pm start. This evening is organised to
help students and parents/caregivers find out more about career paths available. It is important to
look at and compare a number of alternatives and over a four year period your son/daughter has the
opportunity to hear from sixteen different speakers. Liaison Officers from some tertiary institutions will
be available in the Cultural Centre to discuss any queries. After this there will be a number of guest
speakers running short seminars on their profession. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage firsthand with people currently working in different industries and vocations. The permission letter for this
event is attached to this update and will also be emailed home at the start of next term.
Uniform Shop Holiday Hours
Will be open on Friday 17th July from 9-12 in the School Holidays. Sonja Braddock will respond to
emails daily through the break.
Office Holiday Hours
The school office will be unattended from Monday 29 June for two weeks. Jenny Monk will be back in
the school office Monday 13 July. For all urgent enquiries during this two week period please contact
either:
Christine Allen: [email protected]
or
Hilary Fiennes: [email protected].
Both Christine and Hilary can be contacted by phoning (04) 476 8792 extn 861.
All other enquiries Jenny Monk will respond to during the week beginning Monday 13 July.
Wacky Hair Day Fundraiser
Today’s ‘Wacky Hair Day’ gold coin donations will be donated to St Christopher’s Orphanage and
Bishop Kempthorne Primary School in Fiji. It was great to see so many students and staff get involved
in this. Some wonderfully creative and inventive hairstyles!!
House Debating Round 2
The debate between Endeavour and Adventure Houses too k place on Wednesday 17 June in the
School Assembly. The moot was “That Plastic Bags Should be Banned”. The Affirmative team was
represented by Brooke, Thomas and Qiyun. The team focused their arguments around environmental
issues while the Negative team, represented by Malina, Kian and Ryan, argued against the drastic
extent of the environmental effects, and countered with ideas like the fact that plastic bags do break
down ultimately and, because they are recyclable and multi-purpose, sometimes even providing
shelter for the most needy, are a justifiable use of resources. The adjudicator, Mr Leith Powell,
eventually gave the debate to the Affirmative team. It was a very good debate on an issue of
growing concern for many and the team points scored were very close. The Best Speaker was Qiyun.
Congratulations to all who participated.
Year 9 English
The focus for Year 9 English this term has been the tragi-comedies of Shakespeare; Romeo and Juliet
and The Merchant of Venice. Included in a range of activities based on the plays, our students have
memorized and performed an excerpt from a major speech, becoming fluent in delivering the lines
meaningfully. Paired or small-group performances were thoroughly enjoyed. Year 9 students now
have a solid foundation on which to build future Shakespearean studies.
Y9 thoroughly enjoyed their theatre trip to watch
Whitireia drama students perform ‘In and Out of Love’
this week. They were treated to a workshop session
afterwards showing how to approach blocking a scene.
Thanks to Ms Visser, Mrs Balasingam and Mr Stewart for
accompanying.
Marsden Whitby Parents’ Association Quiz Night
Marsden Whitby Parents' Association has organised a Quiz Night for July 30. Gather your group and
grab a table! Please support our fundraising efforts - we are starting some big projects - retaining
wall and bleacher for the field, plus a summer cooling system for our gym. Boundary Tap and
Kitchen, Raumati at 6.30pm for 7pm start, to 9.30pm. Up to 8 per table. If you don’t have a group
we’ll find you one! Tickets $10 per person. Quiz night pizza or burger ($10) can be booked at
Boundary Tap. Costumes/themes encouraged, prize for best dressed table + 1st and 2nd winners’
prizes. All school parents and their friends welcome (not for students). We particularly encourage
Kapiti families - come and meet other local Marsden families. For tickets or questions:
[email protected] Payment will be by direct banking.
Changes to Tracksuit Hire
Changes are being implemented to remove the need to provide cash or checks when hiring a tracksuit.
The changes allow for fees to be disbursed to your son’s/daughter’s accounts.
The revised procedures are effective immediately and include:
 The hire fee of $10, which is non-refundable, will be disbursed to your son’s/ daughter’s account
 An extra charge of $50 will be disbursed to their account if the tracksuit is returned dirty, wet or
damaged (this replaces the previous bond)
 If you lose the tracksuit, or fail to return it to school within two weeks of the event, you will
responsible for complete replacement costs.
Changes to the Hire procedure are reflected in the Tracksuit Hire Request Form attached. Please read
carefully. This form is also available on Ultranet.
Financial Assistance for NCEA Examination Fees
Financial assistance is available to assist with the payment of entry fees for National Secondary Schools
qualifications. You cannot claim financial assistance for international fee-paying students. To be eligible
to apply you must be the fee-payer and meet at least one of the following criteria:
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be receiving a Work and Income or Study Link benefit (benefit-based applications)
have a joint family income that would entitle you to receive a Community Services Card (incomebased applications)
be a fee-payer with two or more children who are candidates, irrespective of family income (multiple
candidate applications), where the total fees you would have to pay would otherwise be more than
the $200 multiple candidate maximum.
How do I apply for financial assistance?
Complete an application form as soon as possible. Send the completed form to the school that you
have listed on the form. If your application covers more than one candidate, send the form to the
school of the first candidate you have listed. That school will process your application. If you are the
fee-payer for candidates attending different schools, the first school will send it on to any other schools
for you. This entire process must be completed by mid-August to ensure applications are processed in
time. Later applications incur a late fee or may not be processed.
Application forms can be found here. Please contact Ms Sharron Morgan for further information [email protected]
NCEA Scholarship Examinations
Scholarship is the highest level of achievement available to students at the end of their secondary
schooling. At Marsden we encourage our high achievers to take up the challenge and test their skills
and knowledge against other top students in New Zealand. Scholarship examinations provide an
opportunity for national academic recognition and monetary award. As of this year, a fee of $30 per
subject will be charged by NZQA for each Scholarship entry. As recognition of the hard work and
commitment of our students, Marsden has undertaken to pay this cost on behalf of
all Scholarship candidates. However, should a student not meet the dates below, or choose not to sit
the examination at the end of the year, this $30 fee, as well as a $20 administration fee, will be
disbursed to the student’s account, per paper. All Year 13 students have received a letter with the
details and Scholarship Entry Form. Students wishing to sit a Scholarship examination in any subject
should discuss their intentions with their teachers and parents/caregivers and ensure a programme
of learning is in place. Entries must be made on this form and be with Ms Morgan by Friday 21
August. If students decide to withdraw from a Scholarship subject, details should be emailed to Ms
Morgan [email protected] by Friday 28 August. Entries are then forwarded
to NZQA and are considered final.
Useful NCEA information for Students and Parents
As we near the middle of the year it is timely for students and parents to refresh what we
understand about how NCEA works, especially the requirements for University Entrance.
Understanding NCEA is a booklet designed for use by students, parents, and the wider school
community. It is designed to be a guide to understanding how NCEA works and the importance of
having a plan, choosing subjects, career planning and aiming for endorsements. All students have a
copy of this booklet, given to them either in year 10 or 11. It can also be viewed here. It is the green
booklet on the right. A recently updated digital resource is also available on the NZQA website here
The How NCEA works video is a popular animation that provides basic information about NCEA and
is particularly useful as an initial overview for parents and students new to secondary school.
To help clarify information about University Entrance (UE), NZQA have put details in one place on
their website. By visiting here you can find out more about the minimum requirements, approved
subjects, and background to the changes implemented in 2014. Last year NZQA introduced an App
here that also contains clear and succinct information about UE. The NCEA Guide App includes a
link to the more detailed UE information on the website, as well as plenty of useful advice about NCEA
itself. The app also contains information about how parents and whanau can support family members
studying towards gaining their secondary school qualification.
Sports
Senior Netball
Last weekend Marsden Red played Tawa Tan. With the opposition rattling us during the first quarter
we came back with a team tactic and increased confidence and managed to win yet again with a
score of 40-17. Our Player of the Day was Shania Randall for excellent holding of her player in GS
and her shooting.
Lauren Schafer
An awesome win for Marsden Blue last week! 5-5 at the end of the first quarter, losing for the next
two quarters only to make a comeback with a fantastic final quarter, scoring 9 goals, making the
score 21-17 to us. Also a big thanks to Maddie Leslie, Sophie Green and Kaitlyn Payne for stepping
up and filling in for our missing players this week. Your work was much appreciated and you played
brilliantly. Also well done to Maddie Leslie who was Player of the Day. Great work!!!! Bring on next
week 
Courtney McAllister
Football
No games last week due to excessive rain.
Hockey
The winning streak has finally ended for the Tawa 2 plus Marsden Bandits hockey team. We lost to
Wellington College 0-4, with no goals being scored in the first half. Aidan "The Machine" Drummond
was still recovering from an injured quad he got at Tuesday's practice, so Daniel "Dan the Man" Ford
once again captained the side. He, Tom "The Beast" Wiltshire and Matthew "Rick" Bauman all had
decent performances but we were all starting to fizzle out by the end. They were the top team in our
league, however, so our next game at Fraser Park, 5 o'clock, Wednesday 1 July should be easier.
Team spirit!
Scholarships
UC Emerging Leaders' Scholarship - closes 15 August 2015
In 2016, the University of Canterbury is offering over 100 scholarships for All-Round Excellence,
Head Boy/Head Girl, Maori, Pasifika and outstanding sporting achievement. Selection criteria include
academic achievement, leadership potential and involvement in sport, cultural and/or community
activities.
UC Foundation Sports Scholarship - closes 15 August 2015
This scholarship supports students who have demonstrated strong academic achievement and
potential for high levels of performance in sports.
UC Bright Start Scholarship - closes 15 August 2015
This scholarship supports students who may be experiencing serious financial or personal hardship
that might deter the applicant from entering tertiary study.
The Keystone Trust offers a number of different study grants and scholarships for those interested
in entering the property and construction industry. Please visit their website for more information on
these scholarships. There is also information on the type of careers that students could pursue within
this industry. www.keystonetrust.org.nz
Scholarship Opportunity for School Leavers - Ski & Snowboard Industry EA Ski and Snowboard
training are offering Ski & Snowboard Instructor Internship Programmes at top ski resorts around the
world. Their programmes provide an opportunity to obtain paid employment at a top resort, whilst
completing an internationally recognised ski or snowboard instructing qualification. The winner will
receive a free place on an EA programme for the coming 2015-16 Northern Hemisphere winter
season at one of their partner resorts around the globe… that could mean Canada, USA, Japan, or
Switzerland! EA are also offering a number of substantially discounted runner up places. Interested
pupils can visit their website, www.easkiandsnowboard.com for more information including how to
apply. Note: Scholarship applicants should have been skiing or snowboarding before and have
financial support to pay for flights, gear & insurance (as these are not included in the scholarship).
Summer Schools, Camps and the Like
Passing Exams - Public Seminar
Please see the attached flyer for this seminar at St Catherines College, Kilbirnie, Wellington, Monday
13 July, 2.00-4.00pm.
2015 International Science Opportunities offered by the Royal Society of New Zealand
London International Youth Science Forum, 22 July - 5 August
(Open to Year 13 students only)
Three students will be selected by the Royal Society of New Zealand to attend the London
International Youth Science Forum which takes place over two weeks in July/August of 2015. This
is a residential event held at Imperial College London. Participants will attend lectures and
demonstrations from leading scientists, visit research centres, scientific institutions and world class
laboratories and universities.
USA International Space Camp, Huntsville, Alabama, 18 July - 23 July
(Open to Year 12 and Year 13 students)
The Royal Society of New Zealand will select three students to participate in an international
gathering, and experience the Advanced Space School Program at Huntsville, Alabama. Successful
students will be immersed in a programme that is designed to promote space science and
exploration. Activities will include hands-on astronaut training, as well as learning about the mental,
emotional and physical demands astronauts must face. Leadership training is also included and the
students will experience scuba diving and four G's of lift-off force and actual weightlessness in the
space simulator.
Asia Science Camp, Patumthani, Thailand, 2-8 August
(Open to Year 13 students only)
The Royal Society of New Zealand will select 5 students to attend the 9th Asia Science Camp in
Thailand. The programme will involve lectures from 7-9 Nobel Laureates and will include science
workshops, discussion sessions, excursions and social activities.
Youth ANZAAS (Australia, New Zealand Association for Advancement of Science),
Adelaide, Australia, 5-10 July
(Open to Year 12 and Year 13 students only)
The Royal Society of New Zealand will select 6 students to experience a five day programme
together with up to 50 Australian secondary school students. Students that are selected will visit top
scientific and technological institutions and participate in a hands-on programme.
More information regarding criteria, application forms and closing dates of the above opportunities
can be found on the Royal Society of New Zealand website: Please visit:
http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/programmes/competitions/international-secondary/
Community Notices
Aspects of Hair, Whitby
Models are required for free haircuts as part of the hairdressing apprenticeship programme. Renee is in her
second year and needs models leading up to her exams. Please call 234 8787 or 027 268 4878 or come in to
Aspects of Hair and talk to Renee. Any ages are fine from littlies through to adults, so book now for the school
holidays.
DCM Bookfair
DCM’s annual fundraising Bookfair is a little earlier this year –Saturday 11 July 9am-5pm and Sunday 12 July
10am-4pm, at the TSB Bank Arena and is FREE entry. This is the largest of its kind of Wellington, with some
90,000 quality second hand books on offer, along with CDs, DVDs, puzzles and vinyl. There are thousands of
books on sale for kids of all ages. As always we are looking forward to an exciting event that raises muchneeded funds for DCM’s work to support, empower and enable some of the most disadvantaged and
marginalised people in Wellington to make positive changes in their lives.
Kids Ski Boots
Do your family ski? Our Adjustable Kids Ski Boots GROW WITH YOUR CHILD! 6 sizes in 1. Beginner to
Advanced. 3 – 16 years. Offering great value, quality and comfort. Plus you'll be saving on rental fees or new
ski boots for years to come. See our website: ideagear.webs.com. Like/comment on our Facebook page
(IdeaGear.ForKids) this month, to be in to WIN a pair of these great boots.
Sunday Star-Times Short Story Awards 2015
The annual Sunday Star-Times Short Story Awards are back again for 2015. Launched in 1984 with a vision to
recognise and encourage the talent of aspiring New Zealand writers, the Sunday Star-Times Short Story
Awards are a key part of the New Zealand literary calendar. This year they will be judged by Stephanie
Johnson, Paula Morris and Jonathan Milne. This year's annual Short Story Awards divisions include:
-Open Division (3000 word limit) | 1st: $1,000 cash plus an additional prize package
-Secondary School Division (3000 word limit) | 1st: $1,000 cash plus an additional prize package
-Non-Fiction Essay -no age restriction (1000-1200 word limit), Topic: In the neighbourhood | 1st: $1,000
cash plus an additional prize package
Entries are now open and the competition closes 5pm, Friday, July 31, 2015. Go
to www.sundaystartimes.co.nz/short-story for terms and conditions and to download the entry form.