	MOTUEKA HIGH SCHOOL

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About Motueka High School

The Motueka High School Motto

Qui Patitur Vincit - Success Through Effort
Kia Kaha, Kia Uu

Our Mission Statement

To prepare students for their future by providing a balanced education that encourages the full development of each student within a caring environment and in partnership with the community.

Our Values

Belonging to the community:
• We are a school that values its partnership with its community.
• We value the support we get from the community.
• We want to provide an excellent school for the students of our community.

Respect
• Our school is one that demonstrates respect for self, respect for others and respect for the environment.

Individual Worth
• Every student who attends Motueka High School will experience success and have the opportunity to develop their full potential.
• Every student is valued as a unique individual.
• Every member of staff is valued as an individual and for their contribution to learning.

Learning is Valued
• As a school community we value life-long learning.
• We believe in the importance of students knowing how to learn.
• We believe in developing an enthusiasm for learning among our students.

Interwoven with these values are the Maori values of:
• Aroha - empathy for others
• Manakitanga - caring for others
• Matauranga - seeking knowledge/gaining an education
• Whanaungatanga - family and community sharing
• Mana - respect for and from others
• Wairua - spirituality
• Mauri - life force

Our Vision Statement

We will be a school where:
• Students reach their full potential
• Students are proud to be attending
• Learning is community and student focused
• Learning and teaching of the highest calibre occurs
• A holistic (hau ora) approach to student development is evident
• The community holds our school in high regard
• All stakeholders are happy to be

Students who attend our school will:
• Have a strong sense of who they are
• Have a pride in our school
• Leave being able to contribute to and function in their community
• Leave confident in their ability to learn, change, adapt, cope with set-backs and to grow
• Reach their full potential academically, culturally and physically

General Description of the School

Motueka High School is a State co-educational Year 9 to Year 13 secondary school with approximately 600 pupils, 50% of whom travel by bus.

Our size is seen as a strength and we pride ourselves in the knowledge that we know all of the students in our school, care about them as individuals and work hard to help them to achieve their goals. The school culture is proud, positive, supportive, safe, caring, adaptable, resilient and open to scrutiny.

The focus of our school is on effective teaching and learning. School programmes are relevant, innovative and appropriate to student needs.

Motueka High School acknowledges special groups such as:
• Community and Government support services such as JR McKenzie Trust, Group Special Education, Youth Aid, CAMHS, Tertiary Education Commission.
• 19% Maori pupil population.
• Strong religious groups.
• Single parent families.
• Families dependent on seasonal work or on benefits.
• Our ‘sister’ town relationship with Kiyosato.

Some of the features of the school include:

• A broad curriculum covering all of the essential learning areas is offered.
• Programmes of work that meet the needs of students at both ends of the learning continuum.
• Extra fast internet connection through the Nelson Loop.
• On-line learning communities
• A strong and reliable staff of competent and experienced teachers, most of whom are full time and live in the community.
• A recognised strength in the performing arts.
• Instrumental tuition is provided by itinerant teachers.
• A ‘Whanau Class’ to provide a Maori perspective that addresses the needs of our students and the desires of our parents.
• A strong network of library, office, support, caretaking and grounds staff gives full support to the school community.
• The school is a significant local employer and consumer of local goods and services.
• An International Student programme is currently attracting students from a variety of countries to study at the school.
• A wide range of sporting, leisure and cultural activities is encouraged both within the school and through inter-school fixtures.
• School activities provide a significant focus for student relationships and social interactions which is reflected in a strong sense of community extending outside the school.
• The spacious, landscaped and well tended grounds including the playing fields, court areas, gymnasium and swimming pool are used by the community.
• School buildings are well equipped and maintained and are made available for the community for such activities as educational programmes, large community meetings and entertainment groups.
• Evening classes are organised as part of the Adult & Community Education Programme.
• Many students leave the district for further education and employment.
• The provision of Alternative Education options for ‘alienated’ students.
• A Student Exchange programme with Kiyosato Senior School.

Within the school’s regional setting there are elements that influence and provide opportunities for our students such as:

• Te Awhina Marae as the base for local iwi groups.
• The Recreation Centre as a multi-purpose sporting and cultural facility.
• The Rotoiti Lodge Outdoor Centre.
• The National and Forest Parks for outdoor activities.
• Whenua-iti for its facilities and youth programmes.
• Abel Tasman Education Trust (ATET) as a provider of tertiary and supplementary courses.
• The local business and farming activities that offer students work experience and field trips.

Protect your family/whanau from Influenza

STOP the spread of flu germs
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Put your used tissue in the rubbish bin or in a plastic bag.
Wash and dry your hands often, espoecially after coughing or sneezing - use soap.
PLEASE STAY AT HOME IF YOU ARE SICK

Attendance

Regular attendance has been proven to be the key factor in students reaching their academic potential.

By law, students must attend school until the age of 16. The only acceptable reason for absence from school is illness, bereavement or absence with the Principal’s permission.

If a student is absent from an assessment he/she must present a note or medical certificate to the classroom teacher before taking it to the office. If a student is absent without an acceptable reason he/she will receive “Not Achieved” for that assessment.

We currently run a text early notification system for absences and request that you keep us updated with new cellphone numbers.

If your child is unable to attend school please contact the school office before 9am. If the office has not been notified a text message will be sent to you informing you of your child’s absence.

Complaints Policy

A copy of our Complaints Policy is available for download or online viewing.
Click to open Complaints Policy in new window.

Lost Property

The amount of unclaimed clothing continues to rise. It is helpful if clothing is named so that it can be immediately returned. Parents’ assistance with monitoring non uniform items being worn to and from school is also appreciated. If a student wears non uniform items without a note from home, these will be confiscated. They will be available for collection at the end of each day unless the student has been defiant or a repeat offender.

Motueka High School Vertical Form helps build a Community Spirit

2008 will saw the completion of the first full cycle of vertical form (VF’s) at Motueka High School. Elly D’Ath and Travis Cook were Year 13’s in 2008 and remember their first day at Motueka High where the senior students in the newly formed RJA helped them make the transition to High School.

VF’s began in 2004 and were one of the first major changes Rex Smith made when he was appointed as Principal.

How does VF’s work? Deputy Principal, Marieann Keenan explains “VF’s are a group of students from juniors in Year 9 right through to seniors in Year 13. They meet twice a week for form time. Form classes become like a family group with older students helping younger ones adjust to High School and younger students learning from older mentors. Although the form meetings are only two twenty minute periods, students enjoy meeting up with their VF and also their house group to prepare for competitions, celebrations and explanations and discussions about school events.”

RJA’s form teacher, Faith Jackson, has been fortunate enough to experience VF’s at her previous school up north.

“I remember my first day at that school - I started at the beginning of Term 3 and knew absolutely nobody! My first task was to turn up to this thing call VF - when I got to the room, immediately some seniors came up to me, introduced themselves and offered to do the roll, notices and anything that needed to be done. Then, they went round the class and each student introduced themselves and told me something about their interests outside of school. I was quite gob-smacked to see such initiative with absolutely no input from me - I’ve never forgotten what a difference their welcoming approach made to me on that fog-bound Waikato day!” explains Faith Jackson.

Faith is a 100% supporter of the VF system. “I see it as a wonderful opportunity for all students to develop leadership. I expect a lot from the seniors in terms of being positive role models - in return, I support them as much as I can. There have been lots of references given - whether they be for a gun licence, scholarship application or a part time job. Because I don’t actually teach them, at VF we can have a very relaxed atmosphere...there is no maths homework to check up on! I like the students to talk about their school-based activities and their outside interests such as Outdoor Education trips, motor-cross, squash, band, choir, the Jazz Festival, equestrian, rock-climbing and we even get the pig-hunting stories!” says Faith.

“We also have some great discussions where all age-levels express their opinions in a constructive way. One that springs to mind is the Mark Inglis dilemma on Mt. Everest. RJA has also sponsored a Hector’s Dolphin this year as part of the school’s environmental awareness.”