The Karamu community was delighted with the news that 11 scholarship passes had been gained by Year 13 students from last year’s Scholarship exams. The awards were: Yanfa Zhou (Calculus), Krysten McLeod (Geography), Joe Beattie (History), Christine Stanley (History), Alexandra Morris (Media Studies), Brittany Rorrison (History and Geography), Stephen Clothier (English, History, Music – Outstanding, Media Studies – Outstanding).

In addition to single subject scholarship passes, NZQA announced 51 students nationwide who had been selected for Outstanding Scholar Awards. Last year’s dux, Stephen Clothier, was the recipient of one of these prestigious awards.

Those scholarship winners who had not yet left for university were invited in to a special assembly, and a morning tea with the staff, to recognise their fantastic achievement.

Scholarship exams are optional for Year 13 students and opting to sit them is an additional workload for students, who often meet with their teachers out of normal school hours for extra tuition. For students going on to university, the gaining of a scholarship pass brings a financial award. An outstanding scholarship pass is awarded to the top few students in each subject area. These are separate from Outstanding Scholar Awards.

Congratulations to our new student leaders. The head students this year are Ben Taylor and Alice Hunter. Deputy head students are Connor Alsleben and Amberley Gibson.

The academic leaders are Bryce Watson and Samantha Walmsley-Bartlett. Sports leaders are Jarrod Forde and Aimee Fisher. Performing arts leaders are Phillip Riley and Ashleigh Eddington and the Maori Performing Arts leader is Apirana Robin.

The community leaders are Monica Burnard, Bruce Chilton, Jeff Clews, Joy Duncan, Judith Mulders, Raphael van Workum, Josh Neil.

House Leaders are: Tracey Koenders, Vanessa Gillespie, Melanie Cremins (Tuki Tuki); Luc Harmer, Tyler Firn, Kent McLeod (Te Mata); Shontelle Buckeridge, Sara Whittington, Thomas Kendall (Kaweka); Aspen Edwards, Brittany Williams, Beth Rust (Heretaunga).

Many family and friends attended the assembly held in Week 2 to celebrate the many fantastic NCEA successes of our students. The school is delighted at the growing numbers of merit and excellence endorsements at all levels.

 59 tudents with merit endorsements (50 or more credits at merit or above) received certificates recognising their achievements. Thirteen students with excellence endorsements (50 or more credits at excellence level) received certificates and academic honours badges.

 Cups were awarded to the students receiving the best NCEA results at each level. The winners were: Justin Alsleben (best results for NCEA from Year 10), Pien Kerckhoffs (Best results at Level 1), Bryce Watson (Best results at Level 2) and Stephen Clothier (Best results at Level 3).

 A number of students also joined the Hundreds Club. Students who achieve only excellence credits in a course offering at least 20 credits receive Hundreds Club badges. The following students were awarded badges:

Level 1: Ben Peffer (Physical education), Jennifer Narit (Food technology), Justin Alsleben (Science), Teri Pryce (History), Reuben Cash (Mathematics), Natasha O’Neill (Mathematics), Selene McLean (Visual art, Media studies), Pien Kerckhoffs (English, History, Media studies)

Level 2: Thomas Kendall (Visual art), Bryce Watson (Media studies)

Level 3: Stephen Clothier (Media studies, Music)

The Big Day Out, a memorable part of the Year 9 orientation programme, began in week 2. Each class goes out for a day of adventure with Mr Ross, their form teacher and senior students. The classes go, two at a time, to the Pakowhai Reserve. Activities include canoeing, pole climbing and team building exercises.

Four new staff members joined us this year. Mrs Emma Wiggins and Ms Melanie Fowler join the English department while Ms Morris and Mrs Beaumont are away. Mr Layton Onekawa joins the social sciences team and is also sports co-ordinator. Mr Maurice Belz will be teaching social studies and business studies.

The first Thursday of term was not only the first day all students were at school together, but also the day of the powhiri welcoming all new students and staff. This year’s Year 9 students, new students at other levels and new staff were all welcomed in the ceremony held in the school hall.

After a formal welcome by kaumatua Bill Whaitiri, principal Martin O’Grady spoke of Karamu’s commitment to enfold all its students in a cloak of care and nuture for their time here.

New staff member Maurice Belz spoke on behalf of the new members of the school community. The Kapa Haka group were instrumental in the success of the ceremony.

Family and friends were invited to the Junior Prize-giving on the morning of Tuesday 6 December.

The hall was full and those present were entertained by the Junior Orchestra, Junior Choir and soloist Acacia Hapi.

Comments were made about the success of Karamu Junior High by Principal Mr O’Grady and the Year 9 and 10 Deans. Many students received awards, cups, trophies and recognition and we congratulate them for their efforts this year.

The winners of the major prizes were: Coco Kerckhoffs (Year 9 Academic Excellence), Yahaira Williams (Year 9 General Excellence), Justin Alsleben (Year 10 Academic Excellence) Georgia MacKenzie (Year 10 General Excellence).

Senior prize-giving was held at an evening assembly on 1 December, with many families and friends in attendance. The Dux for 2011 was Head Boy, Stephen Clothier. Stephen will be attending Victoria University in 2012, where he will be working towards a BMus in composition and a BA in film.

Winner of both the Year 13 General Excellence Award and the Clark Cup for Proxime Accessit was Head Girl, Brittany Rorrison. She will also be attending Victoria University, where she will be studying law.

Academic Excellence at Year 12 was shared by Alice Hunter and Bryce Watson, while Ben Taylor won General Excellence.

In Year 11, Academic Excellence was won by Reuben Cash and General Excellence by Pien Kerckhoffs.

Sportsman of the Year was Raiden Pillay and the Sportswoman of the Year went to Aimee Fisher.

We congratulate the many students who received awards as a result of their hard work.

One of the major initiatives of the Karamu Junior High leaders was to fundraise money for the Hastings Christmas Cheer Appeal. The leaders encouraged students to contribute money and, in return, the students were given a mufti-day for reaching the target of $600. In total, their efforts raised $700.

The student leaders from the house which raised the most money presented a cheque to appeal organisers Hawkes Bay Today on Monday 5 December at their Hastings office.

The Kaweka House leaders shown making the presentation are Harry Smith, Kezia Taylor, Maia Wati-Cooper and Joshua Burlace.