Last week was a huge week for two of our senior students, both receiving prestigious awards. Year 13 student Lauren Nyhan was the winner of the Youth Community Spirit Award in the 2010 Trustpower Tararua District Community Awards. The award was open to Year 13 students who have contributed widely to, and been good ambassadors for, their college, and have also given special service to school or community projects. Lauren was presented with her award in a special school assembly last week, as well as the evening presentation at the Woodville Race Course. Her speech at the formal presentation is published below:
'First of all I'd like to say thank you to Trust Power for their work in the community and in recognizing volunteers. I'd like to thank my parents for all the work that they have done in our community, and in doing so they have taught me the importance of volunteering and giving back to a group of people that have given so much to me. I would like to thank Tararua College for the support and encouragement I have received, and finally I would like to thank Pahiatua Girl Guides.
Girl Guides are a group that is under-recognized for the tremendous work that they do. The leaders, especially Rachel Ireland and Nannette Davenport, have been mentors for me. Guides provide an environment that encourages community service and individuality, which in today's society many girls struggle to express. Their ongoing commitment to the girls and young women in our community is invaluable; this is why I have chosen Pahiatua Girl Guides to receive the community group portion of my prize.'
Year 12 student Anna Arends was selected for the Model United Nations (MUN) conference. This conference is to be held in Wellington in the coming July holidays. Anna was selected out of thousands of students who applied nationwide to participate in this conference. MUN is a simulation of what actually happens in a United Nations conference. Anna is yet to be given a 'country' to represent. Her role will be to act as the delegate for a country, and to produce their views and actions regarding global issues such as global warming, resource sustainability and whaling. Tararua College congratulates Anna for gaining a placing at the 2010 MUN.
2010 Model United Nations representative Anna Arends (left) and Trustpower Youth Community Spirit Award winner, Lauren Nyhan
This was done by holding a House chalk-tagging competition, where each House was given a rectangle about 2.5m by 1.5m. In this, they were to design a tag of their House name during lunchtime. Kowhai got off to a firey start, designing happy yellow faces around their House name, but mistakes meant they had to cross out their rectangle and start again. Rimu's tag really looked like it belonged on a wall. The block letters were filled with the image of bricks. Totara's 'cute' sign apparently would have made kindergarten children smile, but it was Matai's amazing koru designs surrounding their House name that won the competition. Thanks to art teacher, Mrs Lisa Purda, for giving up her time to judge the tagging competition. It was a close competition in the end, with Rimu picking up second place, and scoring bonus points for dressing up in red.
Two College bands, Efekt and 5150, recently attended the Manawatu heats of the Smokefree Rockquest competition. There was a huge turnout of nearly forty hopeful bands, who had the opportunity to play just one of their own compositions. Both of our entrants were successful in making it through to the Regional Finals, to be held on June 12th at the Regent on Broadway in Palmerston North. Congratulations and good luck for the Finals.
Smokefree Rockquest Regional Finalist band members 5150 and Efekt (John Beech from Efekt is absent)
Our congratulations go to HOD Physical Education, Jenny Searle, who last week graduated with her Master of Education (with Distinction) Degree from Massey University. It is a tremendous achievement to have accomplished this advanced qualification while teaching full-time.
There were some excellent results in the winter sports fixtures for last weekend.
Girls' Football had a strong 5 - 0 win over Takaro
Boys' Football kicked off their season with a mid-week game against Longburn Adventist College.
Girls' Basketball drew 14-all with a Feilding High School team.
10A netball had a resounding 29 - 9 win over PNGHS and 10B also had a good win over PNGHS, 30 - 12.
The 1st XV rugby had a long-awaited victory over old rivals PNBHS 3rds. Our other teams are still playing in grading games and showing some good signs.
Girls' Hockey had a hard fought game against Dannevike High School before losing 3 - 0.
For further information on this column or about Tararua College events, including our 50th Jubilee at Easter, please contact the School office, email Mr. Mcknight at the College.
Tararua College, Churchill St, PO Box 94, Pahiatua, 4941.
Phone 06 3768344, email: admin@tararuacollege.school.nz
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Site last updated June 2, 2010