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A huge thank you to those who travelled and congratulations to those medal winners in Westport last Friday! We had an exceptional day with such an awesome display of running shown by all that competed.
I am pleased to announce that three records were broken last week. The new record holders are Alana Petrie Year 7/8 Girls, Darby Malcolm Year 7/8 Boys and Jayne Johnson Year 12 Girls. Jayne now holds the course records for the Year 11 and 12 Girls, we are hoping she may also break the Year 13 record next year!
I was also really pleased to see so many nominations for the special awards for our OSG Values, it is the first year we have had multiple nominations for single students which is really exciting to see.
House points will be crunched over the coming days and we will have a total ready for you by the next Assembly.
For those who are needing their times for NCEA Performance Standards, your teachers will be sent these and you can access them locally at your campus.
We have one piece of lost property, it is an XS Green and Black Hunting and Fishing Jacket. Please contact Mrs Hateley if this belongs to you.
Thank you again to the West Coast team for providing such a great event. We will see you all again in 2024 for more record smashing action!
Mystery Substances
As part of the Year 10 Science “Food” Assignment the students have been learning about acids and bases, including their characteristics. Students used their new knowledge to write compare and contrast paragraphs (see examples below). Last week the students nationally were getting stuck into a practical activity to learn how to test for acids and bases and identify pH values. They were given the equipment and mystery substances, and clear instructions. Below are pictures of the Nelson students who were excellent Scientists in the laboratory – working safely and efficiently to follow their worksheets and be able to draw conclusions using the evidence they had collected.
“Acids and bases are very different to each other. Acids are things like citrus, vinegar and tomatoes etc. They contain hydrogen ions which are written as H+. Acids are at the lower end of the pH scale from numbers from 1 to 6. If something is largely acidic it can be dangerous and harmful. In contrast, bases are substance that neutralize acids. They can damage or destroy other substances that they come into contact with. They contain hydroxide ions which are written as OH-. Bases are at the higher end of the pH scale and usually are numbers 8-14. Some bases are baking soda, bleach, and soap. You might have made a volcano before. To get lava you mix baking soda with vinegar which forms a sort of foam. This is baking soda which is a base and vinegar which is an acid forming a chemical reaction. Acids and bases in a sense work together. Acids produce hydrogen and bases accept the hydrogen. Acids and bases are important as they are involved in simple day to day things. Having these two substances is vital as they keep one another balanced.”
“Acids and bases are not the same. For example, acids are in foods such as lemon juice and vinegar. Bases are in things such as baking soda and bleach. Acids have more hydrogen ions and they produce hydrogen Bases have more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions. The ph scale has different colours and helps us find the acids and bases of different things. in the middle of the pH scale it is green with the things that are neutral. On the left it is red with the acids and on the right it is dark blue which is bases.”
Greymouth students welcomed Barnaby Hill to their class for the first Year 2 Open Day. Barnaby was able to experience many aspects of OSG including how Zoom operated. Barnaby was well supported by his new classmates. He learned about collaboration, great leadership, and OSG Backpacks (he even got to make one). Barnaby explored digital platforms and has even chosen a great goal word for 2024.
Assembly Pin - USC Assembly Zoom
National Schoolzine Calendar - Calendar
NZQA link for parents - NZQA
Edge link for parents - Edge
IT Email for parents with Canvas or student computer issues - it.support@nz.oneschoolglobal.com
OSG Policies link - Policies
OSG Calendar link - Calendar
Parent ICT Handbook -
Student Exchange Request Form -
Student Exchange important note: For all campus exchange visits, including within the Upper South Cluster, this National form must be completed. The process is listed within the form. You need to ensure this form is completed and sent to your local lead CA at least 7 days before your intended visit. This is for ALL exchanges, including between our own cluster and must be signed off by REC.
