March 2017

Lynfield College Progress Conference Appointments April 2017

Dear Parents,
Appointments to meet teachers at the Progress Conference evenings will be made using our on-line booking system. You can choose your appointment time by opening the web page at … http://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/ Book now!

The event code is 6kksa. After clicking "Go" the next screen requires you to enter your details and your student's details; then on to subjects and teachers' names on the next screen, then finally you select the appointment times you would like.
Online bookings close at 9am on the day of the Parent Conference

2017 New Zealand Young Physicists’ Tournament

Background

Prior to the tournament, competing teams, consisting of 3 students each, are given 7 complex problems to theoretically and experimentally research on. These questions are released in Term 4 of the previous year. At the competition the teams present and defend the validity of their solutions against teams in “Physics Fights”. Juries consisting of Physicists (from industries and universities) and physics teachers rate their reports and the discussion that those reports generate. Each team is graded out of 10 points per judge, with 5 judges in total per fight.

On the day

This is the fifth year that we have entered students in the regional rounds of the New Zealand Young Physicists’ tournament that took place at Westlake Girls’ High School. The tournament started at     8.45 am and finished at 6 pm.

We had one year 12 team and one year 13 team competing against mostly year 13 teams from 20 Auckland schools (Each school could enter a maximum of 2 teams). Year 13 team consisted of Kitty Sun (captain), Angela Competente and Emily Liston while year 12 consisted of Shreya Singaraju (captain), Chantelle Singh and Harry Ashley. At the start of the tournament, our year 12 students were a little anxious going into the first round of the “Physics fights”. However, once they overcame the initial fear and got used to the procedures involved, they gained valuable points in the remaining fights. Experience from the previous year enabled the year 13 team to perform consistently in their “Physics fights”.

Our year 13 and year 12 teams finished 8^th and 14^th overall respectively. Both the teams must be praised for the long hours they spent in preparation for the competition. The depth of the research, both theoretical and experimental, they undertook in preparation for the problems will linger in their memories for a very long time.

Mr Reddy was the supervising teacher and was joined by Ms Vasile as a judge.

Future

With this years’ experience behind them, the Year 12 students have already started the discussion for next year’s tournament. These students will also be promoting this event to prospective Year 11 students. We are confident of having another good run next year.

Start of day: Looking confident...	End of day:  Happy and Relaxed Shreya Singaraju, Chantelle Singh, Emily Liston, Kitty Sun, Angela Competente, Harry Ashley

Polyfest - Kapa Haka

The Lynfield College Kapa Haka group performed on stage in group 2 on Friday morning (17 March). This was their first year in this higher category. Their performance was outstanding and was very well received by the crowd, particularly the strong group of former students and parents. The group of over 30 students have been practicing since the start of the year under the expert guidance of their tutors, Anita Moser and Kriss Rapana. At school they were strongly supported by Whaea Leauga and Whaea Maihi. Well done to all involved. You did us proud.
 

Polyfest - Indian Group

On Wednesday afternoon (15 March) the Indian Dance Group performed a fantastic set on the Diversity stage at Polyfest. The weather was stunning and the group had a great time enjoying and supporting the other cultural groups attending the event. This group have been representing Lynfield College on this stage at Polyfest for many years.

Community of Learning Whanau Hui

On Tuesday 14 March there was a large gathering of all whanau across the eight schools in the Lynfield College Community of Learning (CoL). This was the first such meeting for our CoL . The evening started with a Powhiri in front of the multi-cultural centre at the College. It then moved in to the school hall where the College’s Kapa Haka group entertained the crowd with their final run through before performing at Polyfest later in the week. The group was stunning in their new uniforms and completed their set as true professionals. Their enthusiasm and competence left the audience stunned.  Many of the other school staff and principals were delighted to see how their previous pupils had flourished at Lynfield and developed into such highly skilled performers, who were obviously proud of their culture. Special thanks must go to our HOD Maori Jennifer Leauga and the tutors Anita Moser and Kriss Rapana. 

The staffroom was then opened up for kai. After a prayer from Whaea Maihi dinner was on. The crowd exceeded our expectations to such an extent that we had to go around the school finding more plates and cups. There was just enough food for all.
 

We are now looking forward to our Pasifika Fono at Blockhouse Bay Primary on 28 March at 6.30pm.

Gateway Programme

As part of the Gateway Programme, students gain skills that equip them for the World of Work. Health & Safety in the workplace is paramount to keeping oneself and one’s colleagues safe in industry.

Swimming Time Trials

A small but keen group of swimmers headed to West Wave for the annual time trials to help decide the team for the upcoming Central-West Zone event.  Some promising times were posted and a team of eleven was selected.  There were enough swimmers for us to enter three relay events at the Zones, all in the girls section. Competition at the Zones will be tough and winning there will not necessarily be enough to ensure progression to the Champion of Champions event, where only the top eight times over the four Zones will qualify to compete.  Thanks to all who participated in the time trials.

McMahon Cup 

On the morning of 15 March, Dulcie McMahon aged 93, visited with her daughter Larree Wallace who was a foundation pupil of the College. Dulcie had donated the McMahon Cup for Senior Girls Athletics Champion in 1962.  Larree surprised her mother with the visit to show her the cup was still being awarded.  In 2016 Maddison Wesche was the recipient.

 

NCEA Information Evening

March 2^nd was a fantastic evening for parents to come into school to learn more about NCEA here at Lynfield College.

Attached is a copy of the presentation if you were unable to attend.  If you have any queries about NCEA at Lynfield College please contact your son/daughter’s Year Level Dean, Mr Waddington Academic Advisor or Mr Winn Deputy Principal responsible for Assessment.

Junior Debaters off to a winning start

Congratulations to all five LC Junior Debating teams who won their first round debates in the Auckland Schools Debating Junior Open.

Two teams successfully negated, and three teams successfully affirmed the moot "This house would make Te Reo Maori compulsory for all students in all schools."

This is the largest clean sweep Lynfield has ever enjoyed. Other teams in the Western Zone include Rutherford, Henderson, St. Dominic's, MAGS, Avondale and Massey High.

Well done to the Best Speakers in each debate Kendall D'souza (Lynfield 1), Lucy Turner (Lynfield 2) and Eliana Competente (Lynfield 3).

The Auckland Schools Debating (Western Zone) competition is being hosted by Lynfield College. Mrs Wagner and Mrs Wiggins organise and coach the Lynfield teams, and, along with Ms Leafberg and Ms Barker, also adjudicate debates for other schools.

Debaters get a bit of extra coaching by the Junior Premier debaters Raymond Feng and Joseph Hisayasu.

There are four debates remaining in the preliminary rounds. Only two teams will advance to the final rounds, where they will face very competitive Central Zone teams. Good luck to all of the Juniors for the rest of the season!

Mrs Wagner and Mrs Wiggins

Winona Lee, Kendall D'Souza, Bhakti Tailor	Bella Brooker, Lucy Turner, Aiken Shadbolt	Eliana Competente, Jasmine Pickston, Phoebe Holdsworth
Tanvi Kher, Ishan Ramanlal, Aashish Ramanlal	Malisha Ghosh, Harshil Jogia, Michael Jury