Stratford High Times

Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Students,

As we approach the end of the year, it’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown. Recently, we had the privilege of celebrating the achievements of our junior students at the End of Year Prizegiving ceremony. This event was a standout, with a record number of students crossing the stage to receive academic awards. It’s always a highlight of the year to acknowledge and celebrate our students’ success in academics, sports, and cultural pursuits.

A special congratulations to the recipients of our four major junior awards. These trophies recognize outstanding contributions and achievements across various areas:

• The Herewini Trophy for Junior Men’s Sports Personality: Taurus Gerrard

• The Tania Stapp Trophy for Junior Women’s Sports Personality: Gaby Haami and Holly Topless

• The Iritana Apaapa Memorial Trophy for Junior Personality: Cohen Jones

• The Terry Chadwick Memorial Trophy for Best All-round Junior Student: Celia Gribble

We are incredibly proud of all our award winners and the hard work and dedication they’ve demonstrated throughout the year.

As is tradition, our junior students finished the year with Activities Week, a wonderful opportunity to step outside the classroom and engage in hands-on learning and relationship-building in a more relaxed setting. While most students embrace this unique experience, there are some who choose not to participate. Unfortunately, those who don’t attend miss out on invaluable opportunities to learn, grow, and connect in a different environment. We are one of the few schools in the region to offer an Activities Week of this format and duration, and it remains a highlight of our school calendar.

Looking ahead, we continue to see our school roll grow. With 165 Year 9 students already enrolled for 2025, this will be our largest intake in close to 30 years—a reflection of the strong community support and vibrant culture of Stratford High School.

Please take note of important dates as we begin the new school year:

• Monday, 3 February 2025: First day for all new students, including Year 9 and 13 students (as per tradition), along with new students from Years 10, 11, and 12. This will provide an opportunity for orientation before all year levels begin.

• Tuesday, 4 February 2025: All students return.

Stationery lists for the new year are now available on the school website and within this newsletter. Year 9 students will receive their timetables at the start of the school year. There is more detailed start of the year information later in this newsletter.

As we close out 2024, I want to express my gratitude to our school community. Your ongoing support has been instrumental in creating an environment where our students can thrive. I wish you all a Merry Christmas, a relaxing summer holiday, and a safe and happy New Year.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2025.

Warm regards,

Cameron Stone

Principal

The school office will open on Friday 24th January 2025.

Wednesday 22nd January 2025: Second Hand Uniform Sale - 3.00pm to 5.30pm in the school hall. If you have items you wish to donate for sale, these can be dropped off on Tuesday 21st January 2025 between 11.30am and 1.30pm.
NB: Magnum Sports is our uniform supplier for all new uniform. You will find them at 220 Broadway, Stratford.

Wednesday 29th January
Year 13 Leadership Day - Library
2025 Student Leaders 9am-12.30pm
All Year 13's 12.30-3pm

Thursday 30th January

Year 12 and 13 Course confirmation in the Hall.

• Year 12: 9:30 – 11:30am

• Year 13: 12:30 – 2:30pm

Monday 3rd February

First day of attendance for Year 9 and Year 13, and all new students to the school in 2025.

Students are to meet in the school hall at 9.00am. Students will be given a short welcome (Powhiri will be on Tuesday). Uniform is to be worn and students are to bring pens, paper, computer, and sports gear in house colours for Tabloid Sports. Buses will be running.

Tuesday 4th February

All year levels attend.

Students meet in form classes. There have been some changes to form classes, and these will be visible at the office. Our Powhiri is in the school hall at 10.00am for all.

Wednesday 5th February

All year levels attend.

Thursday 6th February

Waitangi Day – School Closed

Friday 7th February

Staff only day. No students onsite

Year 9 timetable and electives selection

Year 9 students will receive their timetable when they arrive at school on Monday the 3rd of February. This is when they will also pick their Electives. You may wish to look through the Electives Booklet on the school website beforehand.

Year 10-13 timetables
Students will receive their timetable in form class on their first day of school. There is information on the course confirmation for Year 12 and 13 below. Year 11 course confirmation took place on the 20th November 2024. The 21st February will be the last date for any timetable changes.

Course Confirmation for Year 12 & 13 Students 2025

All year 12 and 13 students will need to have their course for 2025 confirmed at the times listed below. You do not need to come in uniform.

When and where?

Thursday 30th January in the Hall.

• Year 12: 9:30 – 11:30am

• Year 13: 12:30 – 2:30pm

Heads of Department and Deans will be available to provide advice and discuss options with you.

What if I can’t attend on Thursday 30th January?

Course confirmation must be done in person (we are not able to process any course confirmations by email). If students cannot attend for a valid reason then they can see Dr Taylor, Deputy Principal (Curriculum), on Wednesday 1st February at 10am.

Please note: Heads of Department / Deans will not be available for this session and it will be students’ responsibilities to find them in school if they need to discuss their options or check that they meet course entry prerequisites.

What to bring?

A print out of your NCEA results. These can be accessed through the NZQA website (www.nzqa.govt.nz )

What happens?

1. Enter the hall via the Shakespeare Suite. See a Dean who will check you’ve met the prerequisites for your courses and discuss alternative options where your first choice clashes on the timetable. If you wish to do a vocational course, you must speak to Mrs Lobb.
   
   

2. Once you’ve made up your mind, go and see the relevant Heads of Department who will sign your form to say you’re able to do the course.
   
   

3. Finally take your form to Mrs George or Dr Taylor who will update your timetable. Please note we are unable to change teachers for students.

Please note: No further course changes will be possible after Friday 21st February.

Following feedback from Y13 students, we have replaced the Electives option with a study period on Thursday and Friday to give students time to focus on work in their subjects. If a Year 13 would rather do an Elective for a term, they can see Dr Taylor at Course Confirmation Day.

BYOD

Setting our students up to excel in the 21st century is critical. To support this, we ask that students bring a device to school (other than a cell phone and preferably a laptop/chromebook). This will ensure students are able to engage with all learning and develop the skills and competencies to be successful.

Here is a link to information on suitable devices for the classroom. https://stratfordhigh.school.nz/byod/

Communication

We use a school app for communication and access to important school information. Please download this to stay up to date as this will be our main form of communication. Click on the link to download our app.

https://stratford.apps.school.nz/install/

Emails will also be used to publish important information.

Our Facebook page is generally used to celebrate success and post relevant information.

Our school website has all of the latest information that will provide you with important information to start 2025. On the website you can find the following:

• Latest newsletters (including this one)

• Our SchoolApp alerts and information on how to download the app

• Latest Facebook posts

• BYOD information

• 2025 Term Dates (including other key dates)

• Stationery lists

• Option selection/module booklets

• Uniform information

• Cellphone Policy

• 2025 Curriculum. NB: the Puawai Programme, including electives, commences in 2025. Check out the video with an outline of the 2025 curriculum https://youtu.be/at5aVE0LCCQ
  
  

  Phones will continue to be 'away for the day' in 2025. Our expectation is that students use the phone pouches available to them. New students will receive their pouch at the start of the year.

  
  

  We would appreciate parents speaking with their child about these expectations. We are committed to ensuring that students at Stratford High School are given the very best opportunities to grow socially and academically.

Kamar usernames and passwords will be sent out to parents/caregivers at the start of the 2025 school year. Please ensure you have downloaded the school app. Within the school app you can access the KAMAR portal under the 'Parent Portal'. Once you receive your username and password, you can log in here.

Team Hope has come on board for a second year in a row to support the employment of our nurse in the school. We are extremely grateful for the support we have received and look forward to a continuation of our strong partnership. Please see below for further information on the support that Team Hope provides to our community.

We are a local charity based in Stratford called Team HOPE (HOPE standing for – Helping Our People Endure).

Team HOPE came about from a group of friends who originally wanted to do something to help a local girl who has on-going medical illness.

Our aim now is to provide opportunities for people in the Stratford Free Calling area who have been subject to; any kind of adversity including but not limited to illness, tragedy, abuse or disability, through financial assistance to help relieve the distress or disadvantage caused by the adversity.

Our hardworking team of trustees and committee members and volunteers fundraise at events such as catering, golf days, cabarets, sporting events, gala days, car washes, cake stalls etc. We now hold an annual golf tournament and last year started doing Homes for HOPE.

This has been very rewarding, supporting local people. We hope we have helped to make a difference during their tough times and look forward to assisting others within our community in the future.

Huge congratulations to our very own Philippa Smith for her Service to Secondary School Sport Award. Great reward for the hours of mahi that go unnoticed!

Some of our senior and junior students teamed up to create a school float for the Stratford Christmas Parade. Their creativity, teamwork and festive spirit were proudly on display as they joined in the community celebration.

Great to see Indi Single out there doing what she does best, ripping up the stage. Brilliant work Indi!

Congratulations to Danial Ridzuan who had recent success by winning his fight at the 'Night of Assassins' event in Whanganui. Well done, Danial.

Congratulations to our cricket team who are winners of the Taranaki Division 2 grade. Great effort and commitment boys.

Our Sportsperson of the Year continues to excel. Well done on your selection to the Taranaki Women's 7s team, Zeta.

Our Under 15 Girls competed in the National Wahine Toa 10s Rugby Tournament in Taupo where they earned a credible 4th place finish.

A huge thanks to our local businesses who have sponsored the team:

CMK Chartered Accountants

Inkpot Cafe

TS Building Taranaki Ltd- Troy Sorenson

Shannan Sorensen - Tall Poppy Real Estate

Mountain Motors is excited to share information about our new sponsorship program, which we believe is a fantastic way to support Stratford High School and give back to the community.

Through this program, every time staff, parents, or families of Stratford High School utilize our services, simply mention that you have been referred from the school and a percentage of the invoice total goes directly back to the school as sponsorship funding. This means that the more our services are used, the more Stratford High School benefits—helping to fund important initiatives and enrich the school’s offerings.

We’re proud to be part of a program that not only strengthens our community but also directly supports the growth and success of Stratford High School. We encourage everyone to get behind this initiative, as together we can make a real difference.

If you’d like more details or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to building a strong partnership with Stratford High School!

The Lithgow Family Foundation Trust has been set up to award educational scholarships for applicants to undertake tertiary education. The scholarships are available to a student or former student of Stratford High School to pay fees or expenses while undertaking a tertiary course. The value of scholarships will be determined by the Lithgow Family Foundation Trust Board. Written applications must be in the hands of the Trust’s Secretary by close of business on Monday 27 January 2025.

Due to a recent update to the Android system, the KAMAR app can no longer be downloaded to android devices. KAMAR at this time are working on a resolution to this by migrating to a mobile friendly website. Due to the complexity of resolving this issue however KAMAR do not expect the resolution to be available soon.

You can still access the parent portal via our school website.

There are some changes that are about to come into effect for our absences messages that we put out daily. If your child is absent and you receive an absence message in the near future, you may receive a data security notification. You will not have received this before, but it is safe to accept this by clicking 'Yes'. This will enable you to continue to receive the messages.

Please inform the school office of any student achievements so that we can join in celebrating with them.

There are a variety of ways that you can make payments to cover school costs. The main office receives cash and EFTPOS payments and you can also pay online via direct credit. Parents can also set up an automatic payment to cover schooling costs. When setting up the automatic payment, consider a minimum payment of $15.00 per week, which is sufficient to pay for all school, curriculum and sport costs for a student during the year.

Payments will be automatically applied to “required payments”. Subsequent payments will sit as a credit on the student’s account. If you would like to have payments allocated to the “voluntary payments”, please email ts@stratfordhigh.school.nz with the details.

You can set this up by either using your bank’s online banking services or downloading the Automatic Payment Authority form and taking this to your bank. Please remember to use the students’ name for any payments.

Have you moved recently? Have you changed your phone number or email address recently? Please fill out the following form to advise us of your new details. Also fill out this form if you have not been receiving emails from the school. There are a number of families who we don't currently have an email address for.

It is very important we have the correct information for your child in case there is an emergency and we need to contact you immediately. If any contact details change throughout the year please let the school office know.

This term the policy for review is Health and Safety Management policies. See below for instructions to provide feedback on this policy.

1. Visit the website Stratford HS Policies and Procedures (schooldocs.co.nz)
2. Enter the username (stratfordhigh) and password (swansearoad4332)
3. Click on the tab for current review and it should show you the latest policies for review.
4. Read the policy.
5. Click the Policy Review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
6. Select the reviewer type "Parent".
7. Enter your name (optional).
8. Submit your ratings and comments.
9. If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.

As we progress through the year, remember to check your son's or daughter's results on the Kamar app or portal: https://stratfordhigh.school.kiwi/ If you have any questions, please contact the subject teacher in the first instance.

- Dr. Michael Taylor

Deputy Principal (Curriculum)

Our Charter is now available to view on our website. The charter sets the direction for our school and identifies our priorities as a school community.

The Stratford High School Policies and Procedures are managed online, through School Docs. To visit our School Docs, click here.

Our school username is: stratfordhigh

Our parent password is: swansearoad4332

You will find policies for review and more information about the review process under the "Current Review" tab. We welcome your feedback via this review process.

Rummage around for those unwanted mobile phones to donate!

We have a Mobile Phone Collection Box in our office.

The Mobile Phone Recycling Scheme has raised over $3 million for NZ charities thanks to the support of Businesses, Government Departments, Organisations and many thousands of individuals from all over NZ.

Phones received are graded, data wiped and sim/memory cards removed and destroyed. Phones that can still be used are sold by tender to off-shore businesses that specialise in the resale of second-hand mobile phones. They are refurbished and sold as low-cost handsets to places like Africa and Asia. Phones that have reached their end of life are broken down and recycled in an environmentally friendly way with up-to 95% of their materials being recycled into other products. Regardless of condition, working or non-working, make or model all mobile phones are accepted by the Mobile Phone Recycling Scheme.

The Public Health Nurse will be at school one day every week for any health needs. Clinic is confidential and free.

• Health and hauora (wellbeing checks)
• General health concerns
• Contraception
• Condoms and pregnancy tests
• STI checks and the morning after pill

To book an appointment, see the school office reception or contact the Public Health Nurse, Anne Jonas on 027 204 1134 or email anne.jonas@tdhb.org.nz

Please see the office staff if a hearing or vision test is required.

Please find below key contacts for staff at school.

Senior Leadership Team

Principal: Mr Cameron Stone

Deputy Principal Curriculum: Dr Michael Taylor

Deputy Principal Pastoral and School Organisation: Ms Kelly Jennings

Assistant Principal/Academic achievement: Ms Allana George

Principal's PA: Mrs Joe Mack

School Board Secretary: Mrs Amanda Hill

Principal's Nominee

For all enquiries regarding NZQA or Te Kura

Mr Dirk Vermeulen: extension 707 or email

Deans for 2025

Year 9: Mrs Alison Wright

Year 10: Ms Kelly Rawcliffe

Year 11: Miss Heidi Seales

Year 12: Mr Bill McGeoch

Year 13: Mrs Lucy Gibbon

Guidance Counsellor: Ms. Liza Albers

Learning Support Coordinator: Mrs. Lisa Dent

For all other enquires please contact the school office 06 765 6039

Email: mail@stratfordhigh.school.nz
Website: www.stratfordhigh.school.nz
Location: Stratford High School Swansea Road, Stratford, New Zealand
Phone: 06-7656039
Facebook: facebook.com/SHSTaranaki

Instagram: @shstaranaki @heart_SHS @shs_SADD_team

Wednesday 29th January - Year 13 Leadership Day

Monday 3rd February - First day for Year 9 & 13's and any new students to the school

Tuesday 4th February - All year levels to attend

Thursday 20th February - Swimming Sports

Tuesday 25th February - Athletics Day

Friday 7th March - Teacher Only Day

Monday 10th March - Taranaki Anniversary

Last Day Term 1 - Friday 11th April

For more information regarding Free Home Internet, please click on the link https://edos.kiwi/

We are pleased to advise that Stratford High School has reached Ferns' Fuel for School programme's threshold for redemption.

The current total is $1279.50.

We are super excited to introduce our newest addition to the program: Vegepod's. At Fern, we believe in the power of connecting kids with nature. Hands-on gardening experiences not only teach crucial life skills but also creates social bonds and boosts well-being.

You can now redeem from a range of sports, technology, literacy, music and of course Vegepod packages which will be hand delivered by your local Rural Sales Manager.

The Fuel for Schools sponsorship programme has helped put over $1.7 million dollars of resources into more than 600 rural schools in the last fifteen years.

Just a reminder of how SHS has received this donation...

SHS has been nominated by a local business/farm that receives bulk fuel deliveries from Fern, meaning that for every 100 litres of bulk fuel they purchase, 50 cents is donated to SHS. We would like to take the time to mention who those members of the community are that have contributed to SHS. They are listed as follows:

• Amberhay Limited - Finnerty Road
• G & M Collins Family Trust
• Makino Deer Limited
• Palmerdell Trust
• Cornwall Park Farms Limited
• WE & JJ Craig
• GN & RL Smith Trusts Partnership

Rural communities and schools everywhere can enjoy the benefits of the Fuel for Schools programme. For more information about the programme, call 0800 99 99 89 or visit their website fernenergy.co.nz/community/fuel-for-schools