Kapa Haka Across the Community
On Thursday 31 May at Te Ringa Awhina Marae (Lynfield College Marae) We had our first Adult Kapa Haka group practice. Staff and whanau from Lynfield College, Blockhouse Bay Primary and representatives from our board at two of our kura were present.
Our tutor Anita Moser, the Maori focus group and tamariki from babies to year 13 students were present. Another school in our community will host our next practice. It was a great way to learn our reo and come together as a community to learn.
Ma te mahi Ka ora.
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Asia New Zealand Foundation: Japan Sports Forum
Last month, I was lucky enough to be selected along with nine other Physical Education teachers from around New Zealand to attend the Japan Sports Forum. This was organised and funded by the Asia-New Zealand foundation, which endeavours to connect New Zealanders with Asia.
The forum was an opportunity for us to immerse ourselves in Japanese culture with a focus on sport and physical education and to bring our experiences and connections back to share with our students, peers and community.
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The week-long forum was based in Tokyo and included a wide variety of experiences. We visited numerous schools and universities, attended various sporting events including J-league Baseball, the Grand Sumo and a Judo Kodokan. We observed traditional Japanese sports in action including Kendo and toured the Olympic and Rugby World Cup sites to get a gauge on progress. We had guest speakers including the New Zealand ambassador to Japan, expat teachers, rugby coaches and players who gave us insights into life and work in Japan. It was a full and busy week with learning experiences around every corner.
One of the key messages I took away from the forum was that Japan offers many opportunities for our young people and is an interesting, vibrant and hospitable country. While being very different from New Zealand, there are also similarities. Japanese love sport as much as we do but just enjoy it in a slightly different but intriguing way. They are generous and welcoming and New Zealanders are widely respected, especially for our sporting prowess. The opportunities to work or study and play sport in Japan are more accessible than many realise. As the host country for the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and the Summer Olympics in 2020, Japan is an exciting destination to consider.
My intention now is to use the connections that I have made in Japan and through the Asia-New Zealand Foundation to facilitate opportunities for Lynfield College students to experience Japan whether it be in a sporting context, education or simply as a travel experience.
I would like to thank the Asia–New Zealand Foundation for funding my attendance at this forum and Lynfield College for allowing me the opportunity to broaden my cultural horizons. It is certainly an experience I will never forget.
Greg Burne, HOD Physical Education
http://www.asianz.org.nz/bulletin/pe-teachers-head-tokyo-japan-sports-forum
Seven Sharp Interview with Lynfield College Student
Isha Ramanlal (10WG) recently featured on the TVNZ show Seven Sharp, where she was invited to provide a student opinion on ‘interrupting conversations etiquette’. As a premier junior debater, Isha has become expert on how to give points of information where you need to interrupt the speaker of the opposing team.
Although admitting to being quite nervous, Isha enjoyed the experience, which included chatting with Hillary Barry while having her hair and makeup done!Follow this link to watch the show https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/seven-sharp/episodes/s2018-e76
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Lynfield Celebrating Diversity Through Pink Shirt Day
Our Student Leaders did fantastic work to promote Pink Shirt Day on Friday 18 May, as part of a worldwide campaign to end bullying and spread kindness throughout our community.
Pink Shirt Day a global day that celebrates diversity and endorse environments where everyone feels safe, valued and respected. Each year, workplaces, schools, organisations and individuals join the movement to make a stand against bullying.
Bullying is a serious issue in New Zealand – our schools have the second highest rate of bullying out of 51 countries, and 1 in 5 workers are affected by bullying. People who identify as part of the rainbow community experience higher rates of bullying, and studies show people who are bullied are more likely to experience mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts.
Pink Shirt Day is more than a day, it’s a movement that originated in 2007 when two students, David Shepherd and Travis Price from Canada bought and gave out 50 pink shirts in support of a male student who was threatened and harassed after wearing pink on the first day of school. Word got out and hundreds of students showed up the next day all in pink, taking a positive stand. This sparked a worldwide campaign to speak up and stand together to stop bullying.
For more information visit: https://www.pinkshirtday.org.nz/
Pink Shirt Day is led by the Mental Health Foundation, with support from: The Human Rights Commission, Bullying-Free NZ Week, The Peace Foundation, RainbowYOUTH, InsideOUT, New Zealand Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA), Te Kaha O Te Rangatahi Trust, Auckland District Health Board Peer Sexuality Support Programme (PSSP), Youthline and Emerge Aotearoa.
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Auckland Goethe Society Quiz Success
On Wednesday 16th of May, three Year 13 Lynfield Students (Jackie de Pont, Joshua Boasman and Taina Pere) travelled to Auckland University, courtesy of Mrs Campbell and Mr Bangs, to compete in the annual Auckland Goethe Society Quiz.
There were three categories - high school students, University students and native speakers/German teachers - who all took part in answering questions about Germany’s language, geography, famous people, music, culture and history.
After a few hours of answering questions, meeting some new people and listening to former Lynfield student and quizmaster Johnson Zhuang, the winners were announced by Goethe Society president, Stephan Resch. Lynfield with honorary member Anika (from Diocesan), took home first place in the High School division, and enjoyed a great night with some interesting German speakers. |
Hui Hauauru at Te Ringa Awhina Marae
On Friday 11 May Kura from around Tamaki Makau Rau were welcomed to Te Ringa Awhina Marae. An amazing day filled with learning in a Māori environment started with a powhiri, followed by kai sharing, learning of mau rakau, haka, waiata and positive relationships were formed by all who attended.
Thanks to everyone who helped: Mr Mouldey for being our speaker and Vini for taking the photographs for us. The group will be going to Rangiriri next term and will visit each of the kura in due course.
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Auckland Mathematics Olympiad Success
| On Saturday 12th May two mathematically gifted Lynfield College students, Kevin Chen (Year 13) and Tony Feng (Year 11) attended the Auckland Mathematics Olympiad, which is an annual competition for high school students hosted by the University of Auckland. The questions were set by Maths Olympiad specialists who are either Professors or Associate Professors from the University and are of a very challenging nature. The competition attracts around 200 of potentially the strongest mathematics students in the Auckland region and both boys performed extremely well. |
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Kevin came 5th in the Senior section and Tony 1st in the Junior section, an outstanding achievement.
Pacific Fanau Evening
At the start of Term 2 we welcomed our Pacific families to an evening of entertainment and true Pacific pride. Our student leaders – Pacific Pride and Student Agency opened with a prayer and then a performance by the senior boys cultural group FOKISSE.
The evening was a time to hear our Pacific students speak about their pathways for success and what enables them to achieve. The night came to a close with the presentation of badges to the seven Year 13 Pacific Pride Leaders, who laid down the challenge to their younger Pacific peers – to rise up and lead the way for all Pacific students at Lynfield College. |
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Year 13 Geography Muriwai Beach Field Trip
Most visitors to Muriwai take sunscreen and a towel. However, for Lynfield College Year 13 Geographers, the items of choice were aluminium foil, Vaseline, oranges and wooden metre rulers. Collecting data for their research internal assessment, they used these items to conduct a range of experiments at Muriwai Beach and neighbouring Māori Bay.
Comparisons were made of the speed and direction of sea currents, the slope of the beaches and the movement of sand by the wind. This valuable outdoor experience enabled the students to see first-hand legendary features they had heard of in class – stacks, pillow-lava, platforms, an arch and a blow-hole.
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Whau Youth Awards: Recognising our Youth in the Whau
At the recent Whau Youth Awards, 18 young people aged 12 to 24 received awards for their mahi (work), leadership and talent.
Whau Local Board Chair Tracy Mulholland says, “These young people have all had such a positive impact on their communities, and some of them have overcome significant personal challenges just to be in a position to be able to give back.
“We’re proud to have worked alongside the Whau Youth Board and Whau Youth Provider’s Network to offer these awards, and look forward to seeing what these fantastic young people do next.”
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YAJUR ANAND
My family left India to increase our quality of life and we were struggling. It was difficult but my parents made the hard decision of immigrating to New Zealand. |
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Puketāpapa Youth Awards: New Youth Board Members
Puketāpapa Youth Board presents an opportunity for young people to share their perspective and contribute to shaping the future of the local board area. It is proudly supported by Puketāpapa Local Board.
Members of the youth board contribute their time and skills in serving their communities. To mark Youth Week 2018, here’s a closer look at the members of the Puketāpapa Youth Board and why they do what they do.
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RAYMOND FENG
I’m a Year 12 student at Lynfield College, and I’m privileged to be a part of the Puketāpapa Youth Board for 2018. Being able to represent and empower youth within our community is a fantastic feeling, and I’d love to be a part of that. Politics and local council initiatives have always been topics I’ve had a keen interest in. Being involved in debating, discussing issues first hand; it’s made me realize that the world doesn’t run itself and that there are in fact, real people working hard to make our communities better places. It’s about building networks within communities, so everyone can feel connected and emboldened to share their ideas. To me, the local boards act as real facilitators of change, whereby problems and proposals transition from being mere notions of thought to their implementation. |
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MICHAEL HOWELL
I’m a Year 12 student representing Lynfield College on the Puketāpapa Youth Board for 2018 - 19. I have a passion for learning, people and technology, and I have been lucky to embrace these in combination in many areas of my life including the Robotics and Debating groups I am a part of, and the leadership roles I serve at my school. I have lived in Puketāpapa all my life and over that time I have recognized the importance of diversity in our cultures, values and opinions in the community. The value young people bring to the community is important to me and is often overlooked.
This is why I find the opportunity to serve on the youth board important as it is a way for me to help give the youth in our community the chance to share their perspectives and opinions and create meaningful change in our community. |
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ABOUT YOUTH WEEK
Held every May, Youth Week is a nationwide festival of events organised by young New Zealanders to celebrate the talents, passion and success of local young people. Youth Week recognises the amazing contributions and achievements of young people in New Zealand. The week inspires us to value, support, and affirm the diversity of young people in our society. We want Aotearoa to be a country where young people are vibrant and optimistic and are supported and encouraged to take up challenges.
Events are designed to encourage young people to take on challenges, share ideas and focus on the positive aspects of being young. The week also recognises the youth workers, youth service providers and others working with and for young people.
Youth Week began in 1995 with a handful of events scattered throughout Canada. Since then it has gathered momentum and is now celebrated each year in countries all around the world. It came to Aotearoa New Zealand Youth Week in the late 1990s. It was previously coordinated by NZAAHD until 2010 when Ara Taiohi took over. Youth Week runs for 9 days in May each year.