Eye on Ruapehu College

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 15, Issue 694, 8 July 1997, Page 15

Eye on Ruapehu College

By

Dianne

Edwards -

- Level 12 English (Media Option)

Interviews Last Thursday evening the college held parent/teacher interviews. Senior reports had been taken home on 27 June, with the junior reports given out on the evening itself. An excellent response from students and parents was evident by the turnout. Careers On 13 June four students travelled with Mr Marsh to the Central Institute of Technology in Wellington for an open day. A number of Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Form students travelled to Palmerston North for a Careers Expo display on 23 June. A careers evening for parents and teachers will be held on 4 August, which everyone is welcome to attend. Next term Massey University will be holding an open day on 7 August. Physics winter school Daniel Forster and Greg Tuthill will be spending three days at Massey University in Palmerston North over the holidays at the physics winter school. There were only 20 available spaces and they consider themselves very fortunate to be accepted. Their accommodation and course expenses will be funded entirely by the university. This will provide good experience for them, as they are both keen on physics-related careers. Science department This term a science adviser visited the college twice working with the science department on assessment in junior science. Another visit will take place next term. Geography Last Monday a group of Sixth Form students went to Mangat'epopo to gain practical experience and knowledge of a volcanic landscape. Despite a brisk breeze which lowered the air temperature considerably, students had the opportunity to view first-hand the important processes operafing within the environment, for example, freeze/ thaw and water erosion. On 2 July Mr Swart took a Seventh Form class to the Mangatepopo Valley. According to deputy head boy, Greg Tuthill, it was a very enjoyable learning day. The trip was designed to observe the results of volcanic processes as well as to explore vegetation growth. Inter-school sport The recent inter-school exchange with' Tongariro High School was very competitive, as it usually is between colleges, and this time was certainly no exception. Last Wednesday Ruapehu travelled to Turangi, and returned home feeling satisfied with the end results: (Ruapehu scores are given first): Netball 1, win, 36-29, Netball 2, win, 27-20, Netball 3, win ,33-13, Netball 4, loss, 19-20, Rugby 1st XV, loss, 10-24, Badminton, win, 17 games to 1, Squash, draw, 4-4, Basketball Girls, loss, 19-32, Basketball Boys, loss, 20-33, Soccer, win, 6-4. Several players received fair play awards with Aynsley Sands receiving two for her sportsmanship in netball and basketball. Senior Ball The senior ball committee will be holding its first meeting as soon as the third term begins, with the event being planned for 23 August. Spirit of New Zealand Fifteen-year old Jade Smith applied earlier this term to be considered for the crew of the Spirit of New Zealand. She was accepted, is very excited and looking forward to meeting this challenge in the holidays. Stage challenge Certificates were handed out on the last Friday of the second term to the performers and backstage crew for their recent win in Taranaki. Life of a student Listening to recent speech-making in Five Practical English was a moving experience for most. Shayna Perkins' speech took her back to the age of five, when she was told she had to go to hospital. She didn't understand why she had to go, and after asking Mum why, she was told it was because she was sick and had to have an operation, but that the doctors and nurses would look after her. Getting used to needles was something she had to learn. At the age of five she had a metal plate inserted under her ribs to her heart to drain away fluid. A long stay in Wellington Hospital followed, which included her sixth birthday. The loss of friends she had met while in hospital, and of relations, to cancer were amongst the saddest memories of the time. The loss of her hair after six months of chemotherapy was also a memory and sometimes it makes her smile. The message to friends was, 'It can happen to you too, and smoking can certainly help speed up cancer'.