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Bugsy Malone - Thank You Message From Silvie

Bugsy Malone – The Debrief!

It’s been 5 ½ long and fun-filled months since the Year 7’s and I started the musical production process. Back in February we began with discussing the show, the characters, the scenes and sets. Auditions were held early on and I had the very difficult task of casting!

Once cast, we started with read-throughs which led into walk-throughs, learning the dances and songs, building on each and every scene until it became the full and fantastic show that we saw onstage this week.

I have to say every performer exceeded my expectations; delivering rounded, complete character performances.

There are a number of super kids who are wholly naturally talented, whose performance have grown so much over the months to be absolutely incredible.  I am, however, especially delighted to have seen those kids who weren’t sure about even being on stage at all, shining like superstars.  They have completely come out of their comfort zone and found that; ‘actually I can do this and I quite enjoy it’. That’s what it all about: having the opportunity to attempt something that they might never have considered trying, enjoying themselves and doing it brilliantly!

We are so lucky to be at such a wonderful school as GHS, where the kids and I have the freedom, encouragement and endless support to create this type of show.

Thank you so so much to all the wonderful parents, ex-GHS pupils, friends of the school and GHS staff whose help was so forthcoming, and so vital to putting on a show of this magnitude. Everyone involved was positive, relaxed and supportive of the kids. It’s so magnificent to see and such a fine example for our children.

The incredibly caring and supportive attitude shown by every single student involved blew me away. Backstage, the teamwork and encouragement of each other was delightful. When things didn’t always go to plan, the kids stepped up quickly and calmly adapting to the situation, which is a true test of surviving in the real world.

Well done Year 7’s (and Chorus) you have made us all so proud. I, for one, can’t wait to see what you each achieve next!

- Silvie Watts -

More Bugsy Malone Pictures

What a great show!!!!

Bugsy Malone Pictures

New Sloop TV Episode Out!

High Tea Heaven!

We had our inaugural ‘High Tea’ on Saturday, a successful afternoon with our ladies getting into the theme. Thanks to everyone that attended, check out the photos.

Telecom Foundation - Leadership Grant

Gulf Harbour School acknowledges & kindly thanks The Telecom Foundation for the grant of $1,000 received for a Leadership Grant for Neille Bonner's role as Board Member.

Episode 6 of SloopTV

Check Out Episode 5 of Sloop!

Here's episode 4 if you missed it...

Diamond Times

The Queen Celebrates In Style.

The Queen looked beautiful as she celebrated her  Diamond Jubilee in England. Her Royal Highness was wearing a white hat and a sparkly suit with pretty earrings  and a neckless. She was in a carriage travelling along the streets to London waving at the crowds who were cheering for her.

The Queen arrived at Buckingham Palace and stepped out of the carriage looking glamorous. At the Palace she came out on to the balcony with her royal family and waved to the crowd. Later this evening the Queen will attend a special music concert to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee with Jesse .J, Adele and Beyonce singing.The evening ended with spectacular fireworks and was a fabulous event.

By Caitlin and Ellie

The Island

Mathletics Fever!!

Congratulations to Jamie Cockle from Room 22 who was Number 1 on NZ's Top 100 students in New Zealand and ranked Number 2 on the Top 100 Students in the World. Well done!!! Check out www.mathletics.co.nz every day to find out if you have made it to the list.

Check Out The 'Orbiting The Arts Festival' From Sloop TV

Camp Bentzon Year 6 7th May - 11th May

Wow! What a week! From early morning rises, bush walks, yummy food, exciting activities, wharf jumping, spot light and so much more its hard to think that 44 children and 10 adults could have so much fun!

Well thats just what we had. We set off on Monday 7th of May a little anxious at what camp was going to be like. After a fairly smooth ride on the ferry from Sandspit we arrived. Our camp was nothing like we’d expected - it was better!

Big cabins, right on the waterfront, wallabies (if you were quiet), wekas, kayaks, sailing boats, FISH oh and of course all our friends to share our memories and fun times with.

We had such an awesome week out at Kawau Island, the walks were fun - we saw dolphins at Coppermine Bay, that was a highlight!  All of us learn’t how to sail and kayak. The challenging confidence course tested us, as with the orienteering and bivouac making. 

Our nights weren’t boring in the slightest. We had spotlight one night, a movie another, cooked marshmellows on the fire and then the parents and teachers created such a fun and yuck burma trail!! Ask someone in Year 6 to describe it to you - if you like (but beware, you might not feel so good!). 

When Friday came, some of us were happy to pack up and head home, while others of us just wanted to carry on into the weekend. l it was such an amazing time at Camp Bentzon - even if we did have to do PT every morning and have silent dinners!

Can’t wait to share the camp movie with you all soon. 

Year 6 campers!

Gulf Harbour School has become a WasteWise School

Gulf Harbour School has become a WasteWise School.  We would like to reduce the amount of waste that we send to landfill each year so in order to do this we have become part of the WasteWise Schools Programme.

This means that we will:

·      Engage in a whole school approach with the WasteWise Schools

             Programme for a minimum of 2 years.

·      Involve all school groups including students, staff, parents and

Board of Trustees

·      Engage with the community where appropriate

·      Develop a long-term waste reduction strategy

·      Annually provide waste audit data to Regional Coordinator

·      Annually review actions to reduce waste.

On Tuesday 27 March, Mrs Vrettos and Miss Cassidy attended a workshop on ‘Introduction to the WasteWise Schools programme and how your school can reduce its ecological footprint.  Strategies to successfully implement the programme’.

On Thursday 29 March, Shelley Hackett from WasteWise came to school to help us with our waste audit.  She spoke to the year 1 classes from Rooms 18 and 20 about waste and the different types of waste found in our schools and homes.  Then they headed out with Shelley to conduct the waste audit.  It was quite a job, but the little ones were great at sorting out the various types of waste.

Our next step is to develop a long-term waste reduction strategy.

2012 Interschool Swimming Sports - Yrs 5 - 8

This years Swimming Sports was held at the Northern Arena pools on Thursday 29th March. Gulf Harbour School was one of 14 schools involved. We took 17 students to the event (3 x Yr 8, 5 x Yr 7, 3 x Yr 6 & 6 x Yr 5) and well done to all of you! We were a great support to each other and have some fantastic swimmers amongst us. Congratulations to Tessa Weston (Yr 8) for coming 1st in the 25m Freestyle, Backstroke & Breaststroke events and for coming 2nd in the 25m Butterfly & in the Medley, and also to our Yr 5/6 Relay team who came 4th out of 7 teams. All in all, it was a great day for Gulf Harbour School and thanks so much to the Parents who took us there and stayed all day to support us.

Fantastic Crazy Hair Day!

We had a great CRAZY HAIR and mufti day on Friday to support Child Cancer. It was organised by Jackson and we raised over $400. GO JACKSON!

Our very own Shakespear Park. What a place!!

It was a very bad start to the morning, with black grey clouds never ending all around the Auckland region. Room 22 were rather disappointed when Miss Morris told us that we wouldn't be going to the woolshed.

Suddenly there was a miracle, the rain stopped and a glimpse of sunshine began to break through the clouds. Miss Morris told us to grab our bags and asked if we had raincoats (just incase), thankfully for the children who didn't have one they were able to borrow one from the camp gear that Mr Petrie helped us get.

Next minute we were speed walking down the road, past Okormai and up into Waterfall Gully, which gave us a little bit of shelter from the tiny specks of rain that began to fall. Up, up and up we went through the trees and onto the paddock, finally we reached the lookout, and ate our lunch.

Little by little the rain began to get heavier, so we thought it best to leave the awesome views and make our way down to the Woolshed. At the woolshed we were greeted with two Rangers who explained some of the history of the park - especially what life was like before it was a park. They also shared with us what the park is like now days and the importance of keeping it pest free.

We had a great time, but knew that we had to make it back to school. So off we ventured into the rain, up past the lodge (the old Shakespear's home) and down across the mud flats and back to school.

A very fun, enjoyable day - I think the rain made it that way!

By Lukas

Tree Adventures

Welcome to 'The Island'

We have renamed Room 2 and 3 'The Island'. It is our combined class of year 3 and 4 students. It has been really exciting to set the room up in an open way with completely new furniture. We wanted to create a special feel and look for this new space and have used the Island theme. We have really enjoyed our first few weeks of school and had a special 'Island' day. Check out our video...




Here is our website address http://islandghs.wikispaces.com/

Here's Our Staff this Year!

We have a fantastic staff this year and here they are...


We are looking forward to a great year!