Dannevirke streets are on the map

Daniel Benbow, Mrs Lochead and Hayley Johnson with the tea towels. Photo / Supplied

WITH "One Night in Paris" plans in motion for our school ball, the PTA is currently fundraising to be able to decorate the school hall, and one way it is doing that is by the sale of Dannevirke tea towels.

Students Hayley Johnson and Daniel Benbow, assisted by teacher Mrs Lochead, developed a tea towel unique to Dannevirke.

The tea towel is large and has all the names of the Dannevirke roads and streets printed on it.

The tea towels are a fantastic gift for that family member who has it all, or family or friends overseas, who grew their roots here in Dannevirke. The tea towels are available from the main office and are $12 each or for more than one, $10 each.

We are celebrating equestrian success in Highlife this week after superb show results from Year 9 student Rebecca Aplin, who competed at the Hawke's Bay A&P show during Labour Weekend. Rebecca competes with her pony Woodlands Park Light of Day, in the showing section.

Rebecca won the Bary Salver Unity Class, her rider class, Champion Large Pony (14.2hh), Champion Paced and Mannered (Large Pony), Supreme Paced and Mannered Pony, Riding Pony and the Pony Breeders' Class.

All classes are judged on different criteria, so to be so successful in all areas is a spectacular result.

Rebecca produced this pony herself, doing all the schooling and show training, which makes the results so much more impressive.

Well done to Rebecca and her pony, as well as mum Viv who supports and helps prepare Light of Day for the show ring.

Benjamin Telford is another student who showed his talents last week. Benjamin entered his woodwork/carpentry project in a competition run by the forestry industry, which grows trees specifically for furniture making.

Benjamin made his early American blanket chest after seeing one in a magazine.

Thinking ahead to furnish his own place in the future, Benjamin decided to design and make one based on the picture he saw in the magazine.

Three other schools were invited to compete in the competition judged by UCOL Wood Technology and Carpentry lecturers.

The judges were thoroughly impressed by Benjamin's design and execution of the blanket chest. So much so, they awarded Benjamin first place. Benjamin received a prize of a cordless drill, complete with a drill bit collection.

Benjamin is pursuing a career in plumbing next year, however, after being offered a position at UCOL in the woodwork/carpentry area, Benjamin is pleased that another avenue has opened up in the form of career prospects.

Well done with all your hard work, Benjamin.

In last week's assembly, we welcomed 29 applicants to the stage to talk to the student body about what they could offer Dannevirke High School and their fellow peers, if they were privileged to be named as a school leader, either in the form of head or deputy head boy or girl, or as one of the prefects.

Since the school has held these introductory speeches, the quality of the speeches has improved, and the students who are aiming for these leadership roles within our school, are thinking productively about what they can offer Dannevirke High School, and the wider community.

Voting by students and staff went ahead the morning after, on October 29.

We look forward to hearing the results of our head boy and girl and deputy head boy and girl of 2015.