Week Ahead: Week 1 Term 1
Monday 29th January – Sunday 4th February
Headmaster’s Kōrero
Kia ora whānau,
Welcome back! As we embark on the 2024 academic year, I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you. Our school is brimming with anticipation for the year ahead, a year that promises new opportunities, learning experiences and growth.
This year, we are particularly focused on supporting our boys in their academic and personal journeys. We understand that each student is unique, with individual talents and aspirations. Our dedicated staff is committed to nurturing these qualities, ensuring that every boy feels supported, challenged and inspired to be his very best.
We believe in a holistic approach to education, where academic achievements are balanced with physical well-being, emotional growth and social development. Our goal is to provide an environment where our students can thrive, explore their interests, and develop the skills necessary for success in an ever-changing world.
To our returning students, we are eager to see how much you’ve grown and to build upon your previous successes. To our new students, we are excited to get to know you and to welcome you into our supportive community.
We look forward to seeing you next week.
Ngā mihi,
Jarred Williams
Headmaster
Welcome to 2024
Welcome to the 2024 school year. The staff have been onsite through this week, readying for the return of the boys. We are looking forward to welcoming all our young men – new and returning – and their whānau to our community in its 152nd year.
Below are some reminders of organisation through Week 1.
Monday 29 January Year 12 & 13 course confirmation 11:30 – 4:00pm
- Unless you have received an email from your son’s Dean indicating otherwise, all Y12 & Y13 students must attend course confirmation. Scinde House students are not required to attend.
Tuesday 30 January Pōwhiri Y9, Y13 and other new students
- Students new to school should assemble in the main car park (Chambers Street) before 8:45am
- Y10 – Y13 students that are new to the school will finish at 11:00am
- Returning Y13s finish at 12:00pm
- Y9s finish at 2:20pm
Wednesday 31 January Y9 – Y12 and Prefects
- 8:30am start
- Y10 – 12 finish at 11:00am
- Y9 & Prefects finish at 2:55pm
Thursday 01 February Full school. First day of timetabled classes
- 8:30am start. 2:55pm finish
Friday 02 February Full school. First day of timetabled classes
- 8:30am start. 2:55pm finish.
Waitangi Day
Monday 05 February is a regular timetabled day. School is closed Tuesday 06 February. Wednesday 07 February is Day 4 on the school timetable.
School Bridge App
School Bridge is our main tool to communicate with the community. The SchoolBridge App includes a web-based version and an app for iOS and Android.
Sign In: if you have a Google, Microsoft or Facebook account and use the same email account as you have registered with Napier Boys’ you can use this to sign in. For parents without this you can sign-in using the ‘Magic Link’, below.
Magic Link Sign-in
- Click on this link Request a Magic Sign-in Code
- Select the Email Magic Link sign-in and enter the email you have registered as your contact email with us.
- You will receive an email to that address that will contain both a link to sign-in and a code that can be entered to sign in. The code needs to be used within 72 hours.
- Once signed in on the app you won’t need to sign in again.
- If using the web-based version if you sign out you will need to resend the Magic Link to re-sign in.
Sibling Switcher: you will also be able to use the “Sibling Switcher” to switch between students, without additional passwords. You can also add students at different schools, who use SchoolBridge.
If you are having any trouble signing-in, there are ‘help’ videos on the sign-in page.
Stationery
Stationery can be purchased through Office Products Depot. This can be done either:
- Online – click here to access the NZ School Shop; or
- instore at 44 Wakefield St, Onekawa.
Uniform
The new and used uniform shop is open Monday 29 January 10am – 3.30pm.
Normal shop hours resume after school on Tuesday 30 January. The Uniform Shop is open Tuesday after school, 3 – 4.30pm, and Thursday lunch, 1:10 -2:10pm.
Day Boy Bus Transport
The school bus services are operated by Tranzit. If you have any queries, the Tranzit team is available on 06 877 8133.
Information related to the bus services is available here: https://www.nbhs.school.nz/new-students/buses/
Upcoming Events
Please take the time to look at this school newsletter, the ‘Week Ahead’. The Week Ahead outlines upcoming school activities. Urgent updates will be pushed-out via School Bridge.
We have moved to a digital school calendar. The school calendar can be accessed here: KAMAR or SchoolBridge
NCEA External Examinations – review & reconsiderations
Your son is now able to view his marked NCEA script from the 2023 examinations. Instructions on how to access the scripts is found here:
Accessing marked digital and scanned paper exams online » NZQA
These digital copies will be available until 30 June, 2024.
Students can apply for a review or reconsideration of their marked script. Information on this process is found here: Reviews and reconsiderations » NZQA
We encourage your son to consult his subject teacher prior to applying for a review or reconsideration.
The closing date for NZQA reviews and reconsiderations is 21 February.
BYOD Recommendations
In 2024, all year levels will use a blended learning model. This means using the right ‘tool’ at the right time, just like a modern workplace. At times, your son will be using a laptop for his learning. At other times he will be using a pen and paper.
We are mindful of the financial cost associated with purchasing and maintaining a device. Similarly, we are conscious of a device’s longevity. For many families and students, it may be advisable to carryover their current laptop from Y8 and purchase a new device as they move into the senior school.
If you do intend to purchase a laptop ahead of your son starting in 2024, we encourage you to select a mid-range product that, hopefully, lasts through to the end of their secondary schooling. A mid-range device should have the following minimum specifications:
- 8-hour battery life
- i5 processor
- 13-inch screen
- 8 Gb ram
- 250 Gb hard drive
The device when purchased should come with Microsoft Windows Home Edition.
The school will provide a license for Office 365. The school does not consider a cell phone as a device for learning and should not be used instead of a laptop.
The security and maintenance of the device is the responsibility of the student. We encourage you to engrave or label the laptop with your son’s name. The laptop should be stored in a protective bag or sleeve. You should ensure that the device is covered by your personal insurance.
You can purchase directly through New Era if you wish, information can be found here.
We do have a limited supply of equity devices that students can use on a loan basis. If you would like this for your son, please contact your son’s Dean.
What’s Due? NCEA Internal Assessments
We will begin adding due dates for upcoming NCEA internal assessments in the Senior School, here. This will commence from the middle of Term 1.
KAMAR Parent Portal
Parents / caregivers can access results and school reports through the KAMAR Parent Portal. If you have difficulty accessing the portal, please contact Mrs J Gourdie jgourdie@nbhs.school.nz Parents / whānau new to school will receive access details in the coming weeks.
You can access the KAMAR parent portal here: https://kamar.nbhs.school.nz/ or via the School Bridge app.
Summer Sports Registration (Term 1) – the registration link for this will be sent to all parents and students to complete via school bridge.
Please listen out to the school notices, and attend any meetings/registration times/sign up sessions.
If you do not receive the information, please see the sports coordinator or communicate with her via email: kmccallum@nbhs.school.nz
