Sharyn Smart In 2013 I completed a National Diploma in Journalism (multi-Media) Level 5 to further my writing career.
The next goal is to turn my dream of being self-employed into reality.
Anybody who knows of any real life stories that need to be shared in order to help others please send me a short summary to smartwritingnz@gmail.com
Go to my webpage to read the stories I have already discovered.
At the recent Senior Prizegiving expectant senior students along with their parents and families packed the school’s hall to celebrate a great night of awards for a busy and eventful year.
Staff wore their black formal gowns with a blaze of colour showcasing their individual academic achievements, as they were welcomed to the stage by a rousing karanga.
Principal Mark Bowden opened the ceremony by summarizing 2013 in a formal speech with some of his comments in italics below.
Spotswood College began the year encouraged by the NCEA results our students gained in 2012. Average Level 1, 2 and 3 results for our school all increased representing a significant improvement on 2011 outcomes.
However, in the list of things that make me proud to be the Principal of Spotswood College, academic achievement is but a part of the interrelated attributes that contribute to developing good people, or as our vision statement says “Developing young people of good character with the skills and knowledge to contribute to our 21st Century Global Village.”
Spotswood College has a vibrant and highly successful visual and performing arts programme operating in the school.
The teachers in charge give a brief overview of recent events and areas of current focus within the arts at Spotswood College.
Spotty Idol with Mr Hill
Spotswood College’s annual talent show, ‘Spotty Idol,’ was held on the 26th of September.
For the last nine years ‘Idol’ has showcased the abundant talent of Spotswood’s performing artists and ‘Idol’ 2013 was no exception.
The acts this year ranged from Hayley Mapley’s soulful rendition of an Amanda Palmer piano ballad to Matt Everest’s soaring Steve Vai guitar solo.
The performer crowned ‘Spotty Idol’ was Abby Christodoulou, whose beautiful voice and ability to tell a story through song really impressed the judges.
According to judge Mat Benton, Abby’s performance of Lady Antebellum’s You’re Never Alone was “outstanding”.
“She’s a natural born performer who oozes charisma. Definitely one to watch in the future,” Mr Benton said.
My first published work was a letter to the editor published in 2001. Quite exciting to see your name in print.
As part of my correspondence course I had to submit articles to various publications.
I was SO excited when the Next said YES! This article was printed in August 2005.
We had the very creative Pip Guthrie come and do a photo shoot with us at the beach on a very cold windy Taranaki day!
It was just such an awesome experience!
Children’s Cooking Classes at etcetera
By Sharyn Smart
With a great passion for cooking, Naomi Ward has years of experience in the hospitality industry. She has worked as a chef and has trained them.
Deciding it was time for a change, she purchased Etcetera in New Plymouth in 2003. The shop specialises in tableware and kitchenware. The first thing to add to the shop was a kitchen. Naomi started holding classes in the evening for adults looking to expand their cooking skills. These proved popular and within 18 months she decided to introduce children’s cooking classes.
“I am passionate about children learning to cook in this day and age. They need the basics of cooking for when they go flatting or move on to university.”
Originally founded in Australia in 1985 CanTeen was founded in New Zealand in 1986.
CanTeen is for anyone between the ages of 13 and 24 who is living with cancer be it “patient”, “sibling” or “bereaved sibling”. The aim is to provide a relaxed, friendly and fun environment where members can share their thoughts and feelings with other young people whose lives have been affected by cancer.
The New Zealand organization was launched with “Miles for Smiles” a walk from one end of the country to the other, to raise funds and awareness of adolescent cancer. Today, CanTeen operates in 13 regions within New Zealand.
CanTeen does not receive government funding and relies on the generousity of New Zealanders. There are many ways to donate through Cash Donations, Monthly Giving Club and Bequests (see the website for more information).
THE SIMPLEST WAY EVERYBODY CAN SUPPORT BANDANNA WEEK IS BUY A BANDANNA!
Moturoa Primary School in New Plymouth has made gardening part of its curriculum.
In 1994 the school re-introduced the annual planting of school gardens by the children, marking Arbor Day. Every year since, they have created and planted out a new garden.
Moturoa School was the first Trees for Survival school in Taranaki, opening its propagation unit in December 1996 with funding from Westgate Transport Ltd, Port Taranaki. New Plymouth Rotary West assembled the unit and supplied many man hours and additional funding.
Gardens come in all sizes and shapes. We fit into the small garden category – ‘Small enough to keep under control and big enough to provide a great learning environment.’ What a great way to educate the children.
Make sure you choose a well sheltered area that gets many hours of sunlight. Let your child help prepare the soil. Dirt can be turned over with a small shovel or trowel and clumps can be broken up by hand or by ‘stomping’ on them.
Choose easy to grow plants and as many different ones as you can get into the small space. Carrots, radishes, lettuces and dwarf butter beans are good vegetable choices. Mini cauliflower, mini cabbage and mini broccoli are a great idea for small or planter gardens. Herbs are great to add to meals parsley, thyme, rosemary, chives, peppermint and mint. Strawberries are also fun to grow.
With a great passion for cooking, Naomi Ward has years of experience in the hospitality industry. She has worked as a chef and has trained them too.
In 2003, deciding it was time for a change, she purchased Etcetera in New Plymouth. The shop specialises in tableware and kitchenware.
The first thing to add to the shop was a kitchen. Naomi started holding classes in the evening for adults looking to expand their cooking skills. These proved popular and within 18 months she decided to introduce children’s cooking classes. “My children are all great cooks and I’m now working on the grandchildren.”
“I am passionate about children learning to cook in this day and age. They need the basics of cooking for when they go flatting or move on to university.”
With the holidays approaching fast have you thought about venturing out and about in New Plymouth?
BackBeach is beautiful to wander along especially when the tide is out. The surfers are out in force when the wind is right; also the hang gliders, and more commonly, para gliders float around on the thermal air coming off the high cliffs.
Paritutu Rock is also an unusual place to clamber about. It is a portion of the outer rim of an extinct volcano. The steep track up is graded hard. Make sure to allow heaps of time for the rest at the top as there are amazing views in all directions -most certainly not for the faint hearted.
Another lovely beach with a great playground is NgamotuBeach. There are public toilets and barbecue facilities available. You will also find the beam pump, which marks the site of Moturoa No. 4 oilwell, drilled to a depth of 666 metres in 1931 and closed in 1972. The beam pump was erected by Shell BP and Todd Oil Services as a memorial to the pioneers of oil exploration in New Zealand.
Kawaroa Park is well known for its rock pools. Make sure to have sturdy footwear. Young and old have fun exploring the rockpools, seeing creatures up close and then putting them back into their homes.
