Hanmer Springs Camp 2017

Hello all!

We are having a fantastic time on camp here at Hanmer.  The weather has been very kind and the rotation activities have been lots of fun.  Our students have been busy taking part in mountain biking, tree climbing, bush hut building, orienteering, history sketching, mini golf and hiking (just to name a few).  We've had a good giggle every night with the funny awards given out for hilarious things students have done and also challenges and goals that others have met. 

Tomorrow is another action packed day with groups completing activities here at camp, up at the cemetery and within the township of Hanmer.  Here are some snaps from our adventures to date:

Camp Information/Update - 17/10/17

Hello parents, caregivers and students!

With our Senior HQ camp just around the corner we are right into preparation for this big event. A reminder that camp is next week - Tuesday the 24th of October until Friday the 27th. Tonight we had our parent meeting in the HQ to brief the parent helpers on the information they need for the week of camp ahead. It was a great success and we thank the parents for attending. Students are setting up their camp books over the next few days and will be getting information about their bunk rooms, activity groups, camp programme etc.

It would be useful to start working through the packing process as soon as possible this week, using the gear list emailed previously or the paper copy that has been sent home. This will ensure you have everything on the list before next week. The list included check boxes to tick off as you go. 

Please remember to supply the utensils and plastic plates and bowls etc which are CLEARLY NAMED in vivid or with a label. Even taping them or using sticky plasters will work. These are collected all together with everyone else's so they must be well named, just like the 2 tea towels your child also needs to bring. 

Each child is required to bring a packet or bag of biscuits - home baking or nice bought ones. These will be used in lunches and for morning and afternoon teas daily, so ensure you have your packet in your gear. All packets will be collected as soon as we get to camp and stored in the kitchen.

Be mindful that weather is changeable in Hanmer so ensure students are prepared for warm weather, but most importantly cold weather too. Layers are important, along with a waterproof jacket. We won't be stopping activity rotations if the weather is wet. Several pairs of sneakers would be useful in case a pair get wet, so then you have another dry pair while the wet pair dry out. A swimming bag/plastic bag for transporting wet swimwear in a day pack (backpack) will also be useful along with another plastic bag for putting dirty clothes in for washing back home.

We are still in discussion about whether or not devices will be permitted. We will email parents and let the students know once the final decision has been made.

Regarding the hydroslides - we've suggested to keep costs down that your child goes on these on just ONE night if they want to at all. We visit the pools three nights but a single evening is perfectly adequate and keeps costs down. Your child needs to bring their $10 to camp and down to the pools on the night they would like to get the hydroslide pass, should they wish to go on them.

Finally, we are on the hunt for a chiller trailer/refrigerator trailer to borrow for the camp food. With so many chilled and frozen food items needing to be transported from school and collected from shops on the way, we are investigating to see if anyone has one or access to one that we could borrow or hire. Please email me directly on kmoore@avonhead.school.nz if you are able to help.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact your child's home room teacher directly or email me on kmoore@avonhead.school.nz.

Thanks for your ongoing support!

Staff vs Students Netball Game - Term 3, Week 10 2017

GAME ON!

In the Senior HQ we always enjoy some fun challenges of staff vs students in various sports.  Term 3's sport was netball against our stunning Avonhead Senior A Netball Team, coached this season by Katrina Roberts.  On Tuesday the 26th of September at lunch time, there was a lively but quite serious and competitive game umpired by Miss Aitken.  Each team worked exceptionally hard with the teachers coming out on top with a victorious win of 15-7.  Thanks for the great competition girls and thanks to all our many spectators!  Term 4's event will be a game of touch!    Mrs Moore 

Term 3 Week 10, 2017

Last week of term 3!

This term has flown by! Next week there will be a lot of tasks and activities wrapping up so it's time to put our best effort into these last five days of school before a relaxing and enjoyable spring holiday.

Only a few things to keep in mind for the up coming weeks:
- Athletic sports Wednesday and Thursday of term 4, week 1
- Camp term 4, week 2
- Market Day Friday of term 4, week 3

Have a great weekend everyone!

Term 3 Week 9, 2017

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

This week we have a couple different additions to the regular schedule. On Tuesday after technology, Mrs Moore will be taking our speech finalists to the Rotary Speech competition at Isleworth. On Wednesday morning, the HQ will be hosting a special Avonhead Cantamath competition in the hall! More information will come on this, just make sure you come with your best problem solving mindset on Wednesday.

Other things to note:
- The athletic sport competition will be held week 1 of term 4. Practices will continue every Friday until then.
- Camp is coming up fast as it is occurring week 2 of term 4. Please make sure any medical forms that have not been handed in get to your homeroom teacher ASAP.
- Burnside high school testing is on this Friday the 22nd of September.

That is all for this week. Happy Monday, stay dry!!

CALENDAR ART ALERT!

Here are the home room photos as promised, so you can view the calendar art at home.  Hopefully you can zoom in to have a look.  The art is also in the Senior HQ with each home room teacher if you would like a closer look!  We are really proud of the effort the students put in.  Sample products are on display in the school library if you wish to have a look - mouse pads, greeting cards, calendars, note pads etc are available to order with your child's art on it.  The order forms went home yesterday - spare notices are in the HQ.  We hope you will support this fundraising effort - they make great Christmas presents!

Home Room 1

Home Room 2

Home Room 3

Home Room 4

Term 3 Week 8, 2017

Welcome! I hope everyone has had a lovely start to spring! This week we worked very hard completing calendar art which will have the chance to be printed into calendars, cards, note pads and more! Details on those orders will come out soon.

Next week is the house signing event! The school will gather for the show Friday afternoon for a very exciting showcase of the talent at Avonhead School.

Camp medical forms went out this week. Please fill this out fully and honestly as this information is very important when travelling to camp. They are due back to the homeroom teachers as soon as possible. Bunk request forms will be handed out soon.

Six of the top placing students in the speech competition will be competing in the Isleworth Speech Competition. Make sure to wish them good luck!

It was announced that the school will be hosting a market day on November 3rd. Make sure to get thinking on what you would like to sell during this time.

Have a good weekend!