April 2020

Lockdown Gallery

To all our students, we do miss you! Join us in creating a gallery of photos of what you have been doing during the lockdown and/or what your online learning looks. Send us no more than three of your favourite pics. Needless to say appropriate ones only!

zias poem

Ruri/writing has allowed akonga to express themselves and to define our values of wairua kaha, manaakitanga, whanaunga tika. Above is a beautiful example of which is above from Year 9 student Zia Khan.

ls zoom meet

Above: Learning Support students, Samantha, Alex and Matthew, met for an eMorning tea with their Teacher, Raj Prakash (top centre). Judith Soich from Kelston Deaf Education Centre (top right), was also invited. Everyone baked something delicious to ‘bring’ and enjoyed getting together to share some Lockdown stories. A great example of whakawhanaungatanga and relationship building.

ls zoom meet c

Kyle was so excited to see us all on screen that he got his camera and recorded us.

issy mason gearshed
Issy (above with family dog) and Benjamin Mason have both signed up to the Tour de Backyard to raise funds for Harbour Hospice while in Level 3. The Tour de Backyard is a virtual run, walk or cycle in your local area that raises funds for Hospice via Peer to Peer fundraising. If anyone would like to participate in this virtual event the link to create your own fundraising page is below: https://tourdebackyard.blackbaud-sites.com Above: From Year 13 Dean Russell Christie: Jake (Russell's son), made his own PE gear shed for lockdown. True story though, he failed to return three items after lunch on the first day. Says Dad "I’ve since banned him for the rest of the week!" Note from Russell: Jake is seven ... going on 17 it seems!
 
student supplies a student supplies c student supplies b

All packed up and ready to go. Our teachers from across all department have spent considerable time collating resources for our students to collect to help them in their L2L Learning Online.

gossen a gossen b gossen c

Above: No doubt like all, or almost all, other students, Andrew can't wait to return to college and meet up again with his classmates. Meanwhile he has taken over Emily's room as the new normal online classroom whilst Emily, with many Uni students still away from home or unable to return, has the 10th floor of the brand spanking new University of Auckland residential Waiparuru Hall mostly to herself. Above are some photos from our lockdown clan, Andrew and all of us are doing very well and this morning we spend a few quiet moments reflecting at the BHB Primary Anzac Memorial. We wish you and the entire Lynfield College Team every logistical support and success next week with hopefully some sort of limited normality to return thereafter. From Ana, Ton, Emily and Andrew Gossen.

liam coughlan leeb  
From Liam: "This is pretty much what I've been getting up to. Pretty sure you already heard it!" From Lee (Ms Knell's PA): "It's very hard to have a morning tea break when Chester wants attention."  
   
celesti a celesti b celesti c

"We miss you too! Hope you’ve been well :) Above are some photos of mine and Keerthan’s learning spaces (you can guess who’s is who). My dog also wanted to be in the picture as well haha! Take care, Celesti :)"

amanda d amanda c amanda b

"Hiya! from Amanda. Here are some photos (above) of what my lockdown has been looking like :)"


 

New Staff Profiles

jennifer moss john bower ben underhill tannika jazz bell
Jennifer Moss was previously at Kristin School where she was the Curriculum Leader of English. She first taught at Lynfield from 2012 to 2016 holding the position of TiC Junior English before moving to Diocesan School for Girls as Assistant Head of the English Faculty for two years. Jennifer has an MA in Non-Fiction writing and a M.Ed in Digital Education. Her literary interests include postcolonial, feminist, and world literature while she is passionate about innovative learning, digital and virtual technologies and UDL (Universal Design for Learning). Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys martial arts, running and immersive storytelling. John Bower came to Lynfield College from Mangere College, where he was HOD Social Sciences for a fixed term of one year (2019-2020). Before his time there, he was HOD Social Sciences at McAuley High School from 2009-2018. Prior to McAuley, he was the HOD of Religious Education at Carmel College from 2005 to 2008. He first started teaching at Westlake Girls High School in 2002. In 2019 he was a key member of the organising committee for the New Zealand Social Sciences Conference.  Mr Bower is delighted to be at Lynfield College and looks forward to working with the students, staff and parents in the years ahead. Ben Underhill is in his fourth year of teaching, having spent three years teaching Latin and Classical Studies at Epsom Girls Grammar School. He has a long affiliation with the ancient world, studying Latin and Classics throughout School and University. Ben also studied and practiced Law for some time, before making the switch to teaching. Outside of school, he is best known for his sewing creations, which are colourful yet stylish, and sometimes make an appearance at Lynfield. Ben is excited to join the Social Sciences department this year, teaching Classics and Social Studies. Hi I’m Ms Bell (TJ). I’m of Maori, Cook Island and European descent. I grew up in South Auckland and attended Auckland Girls Grammar School. In 2019, I completed my university studies at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Physical Education. This is my first year officially teaching and it has been good so far! I come from a large family which I love. My main hobby at the moment is playing league. Outside of teaching I want to share my knowledge and give back to the younger generation, through sport. I am looking forward to getting to know the parents of my students.
 


Farewell to Gill Austin

At the end of Term 1 we said farewell to Ms Gill Austin, Director of International Students. Gill’s 28 year association with Lynfield College included being an ESOL and Social Studies teacher and, from 1996, a Dean. She was involved with the Shinagawa Teacher Exchange Programme in Japan and also undertook an exchange in Germany, then a two year teaching experience at the American International School in Japan.

Since 2004 Gill has been our director of International Students, a 16 year period which has seen considerable growth in the numbers of our international students, particularly from China and South America. Gill’s experience, professionalism and passion for the wellbeing of students will be missed by us all. We wish her all the best as she begins developing a brand new international department at Rototuna High School in the Waikato.

gill and students
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