A LIttle Courage Goes A Long Way

We are always looking at kids who do amazing things and although this is different I thought you would like to know about a year 8 boy who, today, has displayed amazing courage.

We have had students trialling for the Onslow Junior Physics team over the past three weeks. This is one of these students.  He worked hard to answer his questions, conducting experiments and outlining where next to go but the night before presenting he emailed me saying he wasn't good enough and that he was pulling out.  

I asked to see him but he was in such a state he needed to stay home and missed out.   I spoke with him the next day, mainly to reassure him about how amazing he was, and to tell him that even though he missed out, the Onslow Physics teacher would be looking out for him when he went to Onslow.

He really thought about this and unbeknown to me contacted the teacher and asked him if it was possible to still present and trial for the team.  The teacher, bless him, was so impressed that he agreed and came over this morning to meet with him.

Hi courage in doing this has really moved me.   Talk about ASPIRE to achieve.   He's done it.

Nice to hear from past students. Good Luck Phil!

My name is Phil and I was a student at Raroa int. back in 2007-08. I was just having a bit of a think about how I ended up doing what I do and my time at Raroa was quite a contributing factor. I am currently studying music at Vic majoring in classical voice performance and composition. I have also been apart of the New Zealand Secondary School's Choir and I had a blast. I am really emailing you today mostly just to say thanks for having such a positive impact on my life and I really enjoy what I do. Thanks for getting me into performance and composition. I can still crank out Wild Thing on the Guitar, haven't forgotten. 

Amazing Chess Achievement for Layla

Last week Raroa's very own Layla Timergazi played in the 2014 Chess Olympiad competition in Tromso, Norway as one of the five players representing her country in the NZ Women's Team. While the team finished a respectable 61st out of 136 teams, Layla herself has qualified as a Women's FIDE (World Chess Federation) Master, the youngest ever New Zealander to achieve this and only the fifth woman in New Zealand to reach this high level.

Layla is the youngest person to represent New Zealand in an international chess tournament. What an amazing feat Layla. Well done.

Here's the link to the article in the Dominion Post and another link to the Olympiad website.

Another Good Sort:
Below is an email I received from a student at our school:

This afternoon, as I was leaving for the bus, I ran into a friend, he was crying, and teary. Doing what was the most logical thing to do, I asked him what was wrong. He replied telling me that he had lost his puffer jacket, which had $1.50 in it so he could catch the train. At that point, I tried to see if I could lend him some money for the time being out of my money that I keep, just incase of emergencies. As I try to get some money, I look up at him and he's walking away. Confused, I instinctively said "What?". Turns out another student gave him some money, without even speaking and without telling anyone else and trying to draw attention to himself, and just walked away. I am hoping you can let that person know he did the right thing, or even congratulate him with a reward, or at least take this into account of knowing that this 'Random Act Of Kindness' took place.

Great job both of you!  This is exactly what we talked about at assembly.  Take action as a bystander to have a positive outcome!

Room 2 Rocks Pink Shirt Day

Friday 23 May was Pink Shirt Day - an anti-bullying celebration.

SPEAK UP.

STAND TOGETHER.

STOP BULLYING.

And that's exactly what Room 2 did. Good on you guys - especially those of you who had to search hard to find pink things to wear.

Raroa Good Sorts

Honesty Pays...BIG
I was amazed hear a story last week about a year 8 who was out selling chocolates as part of our major fundraiser.  When she handed in her money, instead of the $60 she should have had, she handed in $85. When I spoke to her about it she explained that she received it as a donation to the school and so handed it all in.  Of course I congratulated her on being a great role model for our school.

The next day at the school prize draw I was really pleased her name was drawn out to play Te Moni or Te Peeke (the money or the bag).  I was nervous for her when she turned down $45 to buy the bag, but ecstatic when she won an Android tablet worth over $200 instead.

Raroa Good Sorts

An email from our community

I would like to bring to your attention, two young gentlemen, whom my son has identified as Year 7's at Raroa.

On Wednesday afternoon, I was waiting at the lights on Ottawa Road for the children to come out and had a clear view of the steep path and steps.

My son was wandering down, tripped over and landed on his knees.  The two boys who were walking behind him, helped him up, checked he was alright, picked up the book he had dropped and took him to the lights to meet me.  

I was very appreciative of their help, their caring natures and kind words.  I'd love it if you could pass my comments on, and let them know how amazing they are and thoughtful to take the time with someone a lot younger than them.  These are all special attributes, their actions will continue to reward them in the future, and they are both a credit to their families.  

I was so impressed!

And so am I gentlemen.  A great example of ambassadors for our school!