This week the juniors are away at their various electives and will no doubt will have plenty of experiences to share in their last week at School next week.
Last week, as final preparations for electives were completed, staff and students were kept very busy. A large number of staff took part in professional development programmes in their subject areas. They attended courses ranging from Numeracy, Restorative Justice to those teachers involved with the video conferencing aspect of our ICT group WeLCom (Wairarapa Electronic Learning Community).
Contractors also began the big job of refurbishing A block, including replacement of windows and new carpet and redecorating throughout. The successful contractors for the Schools Network Upgrade project were on site and will be ready to start on this major project next week. This is a partially Ministry of Education funded project and will enable us to take full advantage of our fibre internet connection with Inspire.
Last week two of our Year 10 students, Heidi Beasley and Ashleigh Matheson, together with teacher Mrs Harding, attended the Girls into Science convention in Auckland. Here is their report:
A seven and a half hour drive to Auckland and back all in the name of science. Girls into Science is a convention for Year 10 girls interested in a scientific career. The day started off with motivational speaker Dr Cather Simpson, who had ten reasons on why to be a scientist. This was followed by four presentations from different areas of science: bio-informatics, statistics, agricultural science and physics in radiography. We then went to our first subjects, chemistry and physics. These involved a range of entertaining experiments, including liquid nitrogen, forensics, optics, acoustics, and even making tornadoes.
Ashleigh Matheson on a vacuum powered lift during the physics workshop
Heidi Beasley freezing flowers in liquid nitrogenLast week the Year 10 Food Technology class was full on designing and preparing their cakes for the class competition. Students enjoyed the challenge and came up with some great results. Tegan Mabey was the eventual winner.
Jordon Te Ohaere and Joseph Boyden apply the finishing touches to their creative cake 
Celine Trueman with her completed cake The Boys' Cricket team is now in full swing and have had two very good wins so far this season. Last weekend they played Feilding High with Jackson Clince performing magnificently by taking a five wicket bag and then top scoring in the run chase. The previous weekend Josh Blatchford took a five wicket bag in their victory over a PNBHS XI.
The senior book return day is next Tuesday, December 8th. This is also an excellent opportunity to return any sports gear or uniforms belonging to the College. Also a final reminder that the Junior Prize-Giving will be held next Wednesday, December 9th, at 7pm in the College hall.
Keep the registrations for the Easter Jubilee 2010 coming in. For further information on this column or about Tararua College events, 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 1, 2010