Year 11 Prize Winners
Year 11 Prize Winners
Year 11 Prize Winners
Year 11 Prize Winners
Year 11 Prize Winners
Year 9 Class Photos
Year 9 Class Photos
English Language Learners
English Language Learners
English Language Learners at Linwood College at Ōtākaro had a very successful year, with learning activities and experiences, both inside and outside the classroom, focused on developing all students’ English language skills: speaking, writing, presenting, listening, reading and viewing. Learning experiences included the Festival of Nations event that show cased our multi-cultural school community and visits to the Recycling Centre and a local rest home. Our Diwali, Hindu Festival of Lights celebrations, gave ELLs the opportunity to share the true meaning and message of this popular festival with our school community, ie the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.
A highlight for 2019, was our participation in an international student exchange programme, hosting groups of students from three different schools from Nantong City, China. Our guests experienced life being part of a Kiwi family, studied English in our English Language Learning Department and had a home away from home while in New Zealand. The exchange provided an opportunity for both our visitors and LCŌ students to explore different cultures, traditions, languages and much more - an opportunity that provided alternative perspectives and made them view the world with a different lens.
Getting Our Hands Dirty: All In The Name Of Learning
One of our senior English Language Learning classes, including students from Years 10-13, visited the Christchurch Recycling Centre on 16 May, to learn about the reduce, reuse, recycle, recover and residual disposal aspects of waste management. This visit formed part of the students' learning unit on 'The Environment' that focused on pollution and specifically on plastic pollution. At the Eco Sort facility, students watched recycling bins arriving and were challenged to sort waste into appropriate recyclable groups of materials. The task to furnish a flat with only $500 to spend, proved an easy task at the Eco Shop, with lots of bargains up for grabs!
International Student Exchanges
Return to LCŌ
"Don't listen to what they say, go see." ~ Chinese Proverb
This certainly is true of the Chinese students, hosted by Linwood College at Ōtākaro in an international student exchange programme in term 3. Students arrived from three different schools in Nantong City, China, to participate in the first LCŌ International Student Exchange. All were eager to see and learn as much as possible in the eight days that they spent in Christchurch. Our guests experienced being part of a Kiwi family, studied English in our English Language Learning Department, and enjoyed the hospitality of a home away from home while here in New Zealand.
Each group was welcomed with a mihi whakatau, which included a hongi – which our visitors found very interesting. Each of the Chinese
students were allocated an LCŌ buddy, who took responsibility for them while they were here, showing them around the school, taking them to classes and attending their farewell ceremony.
The exchange provided an opportunity for both our visitors and LCŌ students to explore different cultures, traditions, languages and much more - an opportunity that provided alternative perspectives and made them view the world with a different lens. Friendships were established and promises made to return to New Zealand soon, and for future exchange programmes to China. All in all, a most enriching and rewarding experience for all participants.
Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, which celebrates new beginnings, the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, was celebrated at the end of October. Our English Language Learners used the opportunity to share one of the most traditional art forms showcased during Diwali, called ‘Rangoli’, with our school community. ‘Rangoli’ is a traditional art form, in which patterns are created on the floor using flowers, flower petals, coloured rice, dry flour or sand. During Diwali, a unique ‘Rangoli’ design can be seen in every home. Our students worked and learnt together to create beautiful ‘Rangoli’ patterns and designs, while resisting the temptation to have a 'powder-fight'!
Getting Creative With Coloured Powder
Sayonara Toshiki!
After having studied at LCŌ for almost a year and a half, Toshiki Tsuchiya, an international student from Japan, completed his studies with us on 6 November. During his time with us, we watched him grow in confidence and maturity, develop relationships and get to meet people in our school community, whom he would never have met otherwise. He successfully completed the International English Language Test (a standard test to judge the proficiency in the English language for non-native English language speakers) and has gained entry to a Japanese university.
Our best wishes accompany this wonderful young man, as he prepares for the next chapter in his life – that of university student.
Joy To The World
Students from the English Language Learning Department visited Windsor Care Rest Home in November, bringing messages of peace and reconciliation through song and dance. These included Diwali, Eid and Christmas messages and opening and closing with karakia.
If the tapping of feet and nodding of heads is anything to go by (even the 108 year old resident!), it was a huge success! Huge thanks and appreciation to Mrs Martins, who is the driving force behind all our cultural events.
