Holiday Wishes
Next week we will send out an end of Term newsletter. As this is the final Week Ahead for 2024, we would like to take the opportunity to wish our community a relaxing and enjoyable holiday season.
The next Week Ahead will be sent Monday, 27 January 2025. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2025.
Junior Prizegiving
Our final celebration of the school year, the Junior Prizegiving, is Friday, 13 December. The Junior Prizegiving will commence at 10:00am. This is the last day of school for Y9 & Y10s.
We will have a late start on this day. Y9 & Y10 students will go to their Period 1 class, starting at 9:00am. Students will be dismissed following the prizegiving. Buses will depart at 12:00pm.
Parents / whānau will receive notification if their son is receiving a prize. Following prizegiving, Parents / whānau of prize winners will receive a link to photographs taken on the day.
Junior Cross-Curricular Service Programme
The Cross-Curricular Service Programme concludes in Week 9. English, Maths, Science and Social Studies classes continue lessons focused on ‘good man’ values, the food industry and food inequities. The back of the hall is open week before school, at interval and lunchtime for your son to drop-off their donation.
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop is open regular hours through Week 9, Tuesday 3:00 – 4:30pm and Thursday 1:00 – 2:00pm.
The final day for sales is Thursday, 12 December.
BYOD Recommendations
In 2025, all year levels will continue with 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, often from intermediate, and purchase a new device as they move into the senior school.
If you do intend to purchase a laptop ahead of your son returning in 2025, 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 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.
If you need assistance, or advice, before purchasing a device, our IT Engineer, Matt Osterfield, can assist matt.osterfield@nbhs.school.nz
Careers
If your son is considering applying for a student allowance or loan they should complete the eligibility test. This requires a Real Me account.
All applications for a student allowance or a student loan must be completed by 16 December. More information and instructions can be accessed at www.studylink.govt.nz
Start of Year 2025
We can confirm the following dates for the start of school in 2025.
Thursday 30 January Y11 – Y13 course confirmation
Friday 31 January Y9, Y13 & other students new to school
Monday 03 February Pōwhiri. Full school. Y10 – 12 released at midday
Tuesday 04 February Full school. First day of timetabled classes
Wednesday 05 February Full school. Timetabled classes
Thursday 06 February Waitangi Day
Friday 07 February School closed
Junior Reports & Accessing Results
The final junior report will be emailed to parents / caregivers in Week 9.
A reminder that parents / caregivers can access results and historical school reports through the KAMAR Parent Portal. Junior exam results are accessible here, too.
You can access the KAMAR parent portal here: https://kamar.nbhs.school.nz/ or via the School Bridge app
NZ 1st XI Cricket Cup – Lincoln Canterbury, 10-17th December, Follow progress on NBHS Sports Facebook Page
