A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

It’s been a fantastically busy couple of weeks and it was great to see such a positive exchange with Amuri last Tuesday – especially with KHS winning! However, it was even better to see many examples of good sportsmanship from our students.

Most reasonable students and parents would agree that sportsmanship is an important aspect of sports. Although it comes in many forms, everyone can give examples of what sportsmanship looks like and what it takes to be viewed as a “good sport”: we shake hands before and after games, and we clap for injured players once they show they are okay, and we extend a hand to help an opponent get up off of the ground. These examples just scratch the surface of displaying good sportsmanship.
Most reasonable students and parents would agree that sportsmanship is an important aspect of sports. Although it comes in many forms, everyone can give examples of what sportsmanship looks like and what it takes to be viewed as a “good sport”: we shake hands before and after games, and we clap for injured players once they show they are okay, and we extend a hand to help an opponent get up off of the ground. These examples just scratch the surface of displaying good sportsmanship.

Sportsmanship is an understanding of and commitment to fair play, integrity, and general goodwill toward an opponent. It shows that a sportsperson is disciplined enough to have perspective, maintain poise and do what is best for his or her teammates. Being able to make appropriate behavioural choices at the “moment of truth” in a pressure situation will often reveal a player’s character and his or her ability to be a good sport. Simply put, sportsmanship is a choice and displaying it shows mana.

It is easy for parents and kids to get caught up in a game and become too focused on winning. Although winning is important, it is not always the most important aspect of the game. There is so much to be gained and learned from a sporting experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Good sportsmanship is one of those life lessons that should be intentionally learned, taught, practised and reinforced. No matter how much we would like to, we cannot win at everything every time.

So we need to learn to deal with defeat. After a hard-fought game in which everything was left on the playing field in a losing effort, it can be very difficult to look your opponents in the eye and tell them “Good game” or “Good job.” But this is what is asked of students. The key question is: How do we handle losing with dignity?

Keep losing in perspective. Youth sports are a learning experience. Very few wins and losses are remembered, even a short time later.

Always accept responsibility for the loss. Acknowledge the winners and congratulate them. Sometimes your opponent was just better. Even if they are not better, they were better during that particular contest. The effort should be acknowledged. It is not the ref – if you never made mistakes you’d never need them! Sulking shows a lack of discipline.
Winning is fun! It is the reward for your hard work. When we participate in a sport it is our obligation to the team to do our best to win within the rules of the game. Winning becomes a negative when it is a team’s only goal.

Keep winning in perspective. Winning doesn’t mean you were perfect or that you will win again. Celebrate your win, but celebrate your win with grace.

Have empathy for the team you defeated; win with humility and class. Acknowledge your opponents’ efforts and that they were worthy competitors. I love the quote “A lion never roars after a kill’ and the parallel to what “good winning” should look like.

Life is tough, and not fair. Like life, sports are tough and not always fair. Yet sports can be a wonderful training ground for life’s challenges. Just like we win some and lose some in sports, we also deal with plenty of successes, challenges and failures in our lives. Let’s try to be good sports in both the winning and losing situations and during our successes, challenges and failures. Do not just simply say, “Be a good sport.” Model it, teach it, expect it.

WHAT’S COMING UP?

FRIENDLY REMINDERS

• If your child is going to be late or absent, please call the school office on 03 319 5138 or email office@kaikourahigh.school.nz any time after 8 am to let us know. We send texts out around 10.55 am for absent students.
• Ear pods are NOT part of school uniform and invariably are connected to some device. Staff will ask for them to be handed in as they are a technology violation. Parents would be able to pick them up from the office.
• A wee reminder of the process if wanting to discuss anything about your child at school – the first port of call is subject or form teacher in all instances. Only once you have tried this avenue should the next stage be Dean contact.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?

Winter Warmth! PRICE DROP on School Fleeces!
$35.50
The days are getting colder and we’re seeing a lot of students in their school shirts only. Get yourself a fleece to keep warm in and outside of school!
These fleeces are inspired by popular bushwear brands and are quick-drying, warm and functional. They are also considerably cheaper than the Back Road jerseys and far better quality!!

Year 8 Art Term 2
Year 8 students have completed two visual art projects: one inspired by Dr Sandy Adsett’s style, showcasing traditional Māori art forms, and another self-portrait that flips to reveal their interests. These projects helped students explore cultural art techniques and express their personal identities creatively.

Amuri Sports Exchange
On Tuesday we hosted Amuri Area School in a multi-disciplined exchange.
Codes included were Chess, Squash, Rugby, Netball, Volleyball and Basketball. This was one of our biggest exchanges with nearly half the school participating!
The weather report wasn’t accurate whatsoever, which meant for a very cold, wet day of sport. We are so appreciative of those who braved the elements to come and spectate!
Our Sports Prefects, Lachlan and Devon did a fantastic job of welcoming our guests at the start of the day and they got stuck in with supporting the rugby, despite the rain.
Sadly we had to cancel one of our Year 7/8 netball games due to court conditions, but we managed to squeeze in our SISS netball game inside, thanks to the accommodation from Basketball and Volleyball.
Everyone who participated gave their all and we saw some great sport over the day. This is a testament to the student’s hard work as well as the commitment of their coaches.
Kaikōura won the Squash, 9/10 Netball, 9/10 Rugby, Basketball and Volleyball.
A huge thank you must be given to the Kaikōura Squash, Rugby, Netball and Volleyball Clubs for their support in coaching, officiating and facilities for the day. None of this can happen without the support of our community sport!
Roll on Queen Charlotte College Exchange on 14th August!!

Smashed and Smart
On Thursday we had guest presenters from the Life Education Trust to present to our Year 9 and 10 students. They gave two presentations named ‘SMASHED & SMART’. The SMASHED presentation engages young people in a unique way, allowing them to explore the causes and consequences of underage drinking in a safe and motivational learning environment. We use emotive theatre, dialogic-based workshops and interactive teaching resources, all backed up with a robust evaluation. The SMART presentation was about financial literacy covering debt, deferred payment schemes, Kiwisaver and credit/debt. Our students were listening well and seemed to enjoy the presentation.

Dentist Appointments
Free dental care is again going to be available locally in Kaikōura for Year 9-13 students!
A Christchurch dental and orthodontic clinic, The Big Grin, will be providing this service out of the health facility dental rooms in Kaikōura, starting in June.
If you have a teenager who needs to be enrolled please contact The Big Grin directly to make sure they are on the list. Include the following details: Name, DOB, Contact name and contact phone number.
The Big Grin
03 358 5079
hello@thebiggrin.co.nz

Year 9 and 10 Camp – Lake Rotoiti
This term 50 brave Yr 9/10 students headed up to Lake Rotoiti Lodge for time away from school! The weather was perfect, a slight chill in the air was great for doing things outside. The students settled themselves into the lodge, which had been recently refurbished and quickly learned the lay of the land.
Our range of activities were high ropes, team activities, orienteering and touring the local area. By far the main highlight of the trip was the overnight tramp to a hut on the other side of the lake. During the hike, the weather cooperated and it was nice and cool for tramping. I would say that camping under a tarp put most students out of their comfort zone and certainly challenged them. Both tramping groups were up and back on the trail in the wee hours of the morning, with all students making it back to the lodge in record time. All in all, it was a great camp. Thank you to the fantastic teacher help and great students – who together made it a great experience.

Lost Property
We have an unusual amount of lost Kidscan jackets, fleeces and Back Road jerseys in the school office. Please come and claim before next Friday, or they’ll be sold on!
Remember to label your uniform clearly – that is a lot of money sitting in the cupboard right now!!

Board of Trustees News!
Congratulations to Peter Kearney, our new Parent Representative of the Board of Trustees.

NYLD
The year 8 ambassadors went to the annual NYLD event at the Christchurch Town Hall on Wednesday last week. There were participants from all over the South Island. The inspirational speakers included William Pike, Brooke Neal, Te Kahukura Boynton and Nate Wilbourne. The students listened to talks relating to goal setting, resilience, future planning and how they can make a positive difference. The day was enjoyed by all and we look forward to next year’s event.

Kaikōura Mini-Careers Expo
Last Friday, Year 10 and a few keen Year 11 and 12 students were treated to the wisdom of professionals from workplaces within Kaikoura.
The students were treated to four, 10-minute mini-presentations from a range of careers about the key skills employers are looking for and why these are important.
These mini-expos are aimed at helping students think about possible career options and to help them with planning their course in 2025 when selecting their options later this year.
Our thanks to Seth Bell from Kaikōura Plumbing and Drainage Ltd; Emma Herbert from Kaikōura Healthcare; Nakita and Paki from Whale Watch Kaikōura, Fay Parker from Dolphin Encounter; Rebbeca and Libby from Kaikōura Vet Clinic; and, James
Bishop from New World Kaikōura.
Nā tō rourou,nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.
This whakatauki encapsulates the kaupapa of the expo: the Kura and community helping our rangatahi thrive.
We hope to have more mini-expos next term with primary industries and other professions.
Thanks to, Jayne Mallinder for the concept and Mandy Fissenden for her mahi around organising our speakers and on the day.

Clubs
Our Friday Afternoon Art Group created this vibrant mural focused on Matariki. It’s on display in the Learning Hub. The mural is made up of 64 separate pieces. Pictured are members of the Art Group – Elsie-Rose Hemmingsen, Hailee Lister, Ryder Porter, Cassidy Aitken, and Maia Traynor. Not pictured but contributors – Serenity McDonald, Lynley Bradley, Leila Wade, Grace Wade, Jo Goodall.

COMMUNITY NOTICES