Miss Sangster is organising Term 1 PEAK activities this week (Future Problem Solving, Kids’ Lit, World Scholars Cup, ShowQuest – see descriptions below) and we’d like to encourage whānau to support their tamariki to sign up! Often the feedback from participants is that they didn’t realise how much fun they would have until they came along!
Meetings will be at lunchtime in Rm17 (advertised in the daily notices read out to students each morning), but ākonga are welcome to come and talk to Miss Sangster at anytime about joining in.
Future Problem Solving (FPS) – closes 28 Feb
Future Problem Solving (FPS) is an internationally competitive programme for ākonga in Years 6–13 that fosters futuristic thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to address future challenges. The programme has several components:
- Global International Problem-solving (GIPS): Teams of four or individuals analyse a future scenario to identify challenges, formulate an underlying problem, develop solutions, rank the best options, and create an action plan. Teams advance from national to international competitions.
- Scenario Writing: Students write a fictional story (up to 1500 words) based on one of the 2025 topics. This has yielded past international winners from SWIS.
- Scenario Performance: Students dramatize their written scenarios on video, a newer FPS component.
- Community Problem Solving (CmPS): Groups tackle real-world local problems by developing and implementing solutions.
Topics change annually and are selected internationally. The 2025 topics include Food Security, Rising Sea Levels, Agriculture, and Nanotechnology. The programme is ideal for students passionate about STEM, teamwork, and creative thinking. FPS sessions are held twice a week before school, and participation involves a registration cost. For more details, contact Christine Sangster at christine.sangster@swis.school.nz.
Kids’ Lit Quiz – closes 21 Feb
Reading as a sport?? Definitely! This is a competition for really keen readers who read a wide variety of different genres. We are only allowed to register two teams of four to take part in this, but we are more than happy to have lots of potential team members coming to the practice sessions. We select the two teams closer to the competition, which will be held on May 16 at Wellesley College in Eastbourne. There is a cost involved for students who are selected for the two teams.
For more information, contact Christine at christine.sangster@swis.school.nz
World Scholars’ Cup – closes 31 March
WSC is a fun opportunity for students to work with two others in a team of three. The topics change each year, and WSC provides the links and questions. The topic for 2025 is Reigniting the Future. There is a cost involved for students who are keen to take part.
Teams participate in debates, as well as take part in the co-operative writing competition. The Scholars’ Bowl and Scholars’ Challenge quizzes usually take place on a Saturday, and for all the students the highlight of the weekend, receiving their alpaca, happens then as well! Parents are very welcome to come to the Saturday sessions, and the prizegiving at the end is an experience in itself. For more information, please contact Christine at christine.sangster@swis.school.nz).
Children’s University (https://youtu.be/7ZxSzcLDNaM)
The Children’s University program encourages tamariki aged 7–14 to engage in educational experiences outside the classroom. It fosters a love for learning, confidence, and curiosity, emphasizing that learning can happen anytime, anywhere.
Key Features:
- Registration:
- Open to tamariki aged 7–14 through participating schools or rūnanga.
- A small cost applies.
- Expressions of interest open in March, with a potential limit on participants.
- Learning Activities:
- Students receive a Passport to Learning, which tracks their learning hours.
- Activities include:
- Visits to local learning destinations like Pukeahu and Tuhuru Tech or others across Aotearoa and Australia (e.g., museums, libraries, parks).
- Online portal activities for at-home learning.
- Participation in extra-curricular activities (e.g., sports, kapa haka, robotics, and FPS).
- Discovery Day:
- A day of exciting activities hosted at the local Massey University campus for participating schools and rūnanga.
- Recognition:
- Students earning 30+ learning hours receive certificates at an annual graduation ceremony.
- Returning students achieve higher awards for accumulated hours.
This programme is a fantastic way for ākonga to explore, learn, and be rewarded for their efforts. For more details, contact Christine Sangster at christine.sangster@swis.school.nz.
ShowQuest Toi – for Y8 ākonga who signed up in 2024
The Wearable Arts (WOW) programme is for Year 8 ākonga who begin creating their garments in the previous year. The competition includes five annually changing categories; this year’s are Open, Stories of the South Pacific, Imaginary Friends, Rewind Time, and Crafted Couture. There is a $10 entry fee per student.
Competition Day (to be confirmed – either Thursday 22 or Friday 23 May)
- Afternoon: Professional photo shoot at St James Theatre.
- Evening: Garment parade before an audience at St James Theatre (on May 22 or 23).
Preparation:
- Term 1 Enrichment: Wearable Arts sessions every Friday afternoon (2 hours 30 minutes).
- Additional support: Two lunchtimes per week for garment work.
- Garments must include at least 70% recycled materials.
The programme has featured esteemed judges like Dame Susie Moncrieff and Heather Palmer in past years. For more details, contact Christine Sangster at christine.sangster@swis.school.nz.