Newsletter No: 07 26 May 2010
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students
FROM THE ACTING PRINCIPAL
Activities, performances, sports events and curriculum trips have made the first five weeks of Term 2 very busy. Students from 9BRN, 10BRN, 13 English, Drama and Music attended the Auckland Readers/Writers Festival held at Aotea Centre on 12 and 13 May. This is an annual event where writers and composers run workshops for students. Feedback from our students indicates that this was a worthwhile learning experience.
We held the Cross Country for Year 9-13 students on Friday 14 May. The weather was fantastic and we had some very good times. Mr Bidwell has selected a team of 20 students to represent Sancta Maria at the Auckland Secondary School Regional Cross Country event on 1 June at St Kentigern’s.
On Wednesday 19 May we celebrated Catholic Schools Day. Please read the Special Character report for a full report.
This week our library focuses on Literacy. The Library Team have organised an extensive schedule with a new guest speaker each day who will work with English classes. There are also other activities at lunchtime during the week, including on Monday a student/staff LitQuiz competition, Wednesday Theatre Sports, Thursday our Chamber Orchestra and NCEA musicians performing and on Friday there will be Poetry Readings.
There are only two weeks before Year 11-13 students start their first internal examinations. These will be from 10-15 June. Senior students need to have their study schedule prepared and focus their time towards these very important examinations.
On Monday 31 May, we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation, which is Sancta Maria College Feast Day. Our Full School Assembly will recognise this with a special Liturgy.
Congratulations to Ms Celeste Harrington, Mr Brendan Ryan, Mr Siale Foliaki, Mr Cyril Siasoco who are our new BOT Parent Representatives and to Mr Michael Stride who was re-elected for a third term. We thank you for the service you are giving to our school community.
May God Bless You All
C Cooney
Acting Principal
SPECIAL CHARACTER – Mrs G Devoy
PENTECOST
Sunday marked the Feast of Pentecost and it is on this Feast Day that we remember how the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles as a mighty rushing wind, fulfilling Jesus’ promise to them. This is a day for us to remember two important realities: the Holy Spirit and the Church. Pentecost marks the official beginning of the Church and the fact that the Holy Spirit bestowed upon the apostle’s gifts of grace. Although Pentecost ends the Easter season, we celebrate the Resurrection regularly through the Eucharist. Each Wednesday, Fr Ezio celebrates Mass in the school Chapel and as a school community; we have, through receiving the Eucharist, an opportunity to celebrate the Resurrection. Mass takes place at 1.30 and is open to all students, staff and family members. You are most welcome to take part and I would ask that you encourage your children to attend this Mass.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. Kindle in them the fire of Your love. Lord, send out Your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
ST VINNIES
Earlier this month, Jess Speechlay, Maletina Williams, Sisifa Ma’asi and Joseph Xulue were commissioned as leaders of the St Vinnies Youth Group. The college would like to extend their sincere congratulations to these students and also to commend them for the work they do in our school and local community.
THE POMPALLIER SHIELD
On Wednesday the 12 May, Cassandra Driessen, Dillon O’Brien, Antonia Packham and Joseph Xulue participated in the Pompallier Shield at Sacred Heart College, Dillon and Joseph in the Oratory and Cassandra and Antonia in the Scripture Reading Competition. All four students performed extremely well, with Joseph achieving placed second in the Senior Oratory. Congratulations to these students.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DAY
The 19 May was a day to celebrate Catholic Schools Day, the theme of which was “Be The Change.” Sancta Maria joined together with Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary and Sancta Maria Catholic Primary School to celebrate the Eucharist in the auditorium.
Catholic schools have been established in New Zealand for over 150 years and are looked upon as unique educational institutions that not only educate students in the traditional academic sense, but are seen as places that have their foundations on the teachings of Christ’s Gospels. As Pope John Paul the Second said, “We are called upon to make human life more human”. Catholic schools aim not only to educate students to a high academic standard but also to produce young people who will contribute to making society more just and compassionate for all.
Student’s Reflections on Catholic Schools Day -
Alexandra Greengrass – 10 BRN
It was a warm sunny day which started off with a Mass that reflected on the day’s motto “Be the Change.” Each of the three schools had children and teachers participating in the Mass which gave a great sense of community. The Sancta Maria Catholic Primary School’s Liturgical Dance was beautiful and one of the many highlights of the Mass.Fr Ezio’s homily got us all thinking and left us with an inspiring message and challenge as to how we can be the change in the world. After the Mass, we were fortunate enough to be given a Sausage Sizzle, courtesy of the combined PTFAs and then we got to watch the Senior School Tug of War, which was great fun. I think everyone enjoyed the day and it’s a great opportunity for us as Catholic students to have such a day to participate in with other Catholic students.
Dominic Gorski – 11CLE
The day started with a Mass, with all 1800 students coming together in the Chapel and auditorium.
After Mass, sausages were handed out to all students and the younger students had the chance to have an exciting time playing some Tabloid Sports which the senior students had kindly volunteered to lead. Soon after, the Years 11, 12 and 13 Tug O War started with the support of many students and staff. Sadly, the day had to come to an end and the two primary schools returned to their own schools. Catholic Schools Day was a great success and we are all looking forward to the next celebration.
LEADERS MASS
On Friday 21 May, a large group of Year 13 pupils attended a Leaders Mass which was held at Marist College, Mt Albert. This was a successful event with our students leading the congregation in music and singing, the standard of which was very high and received many positive comments. Occasions such as the Pompallier Shield and Leaders Mass are great opportunities for our students to meet with others who share a faith background and I would recommend that you encourage your children to participate in these occasions.
YEAR 12 RETREAT
On Tuesday, our Year 12 students were involved in their Retreat. The theme is Peace and Justice, and gave students an opportunity to reflect on their spiritual and personal journey and how they can help bring about peace and justice in their school and local community.
PINK DAY
At the start of June, Sancta Maria will be holding a PINK DAY. This day is to raise as much money as possible for several charities which support people affected by cancer, as well as their families. Two of the charities we have chosen are The Dove Foundation and Can Teen. Pink Day will start this Thursday, 27 May when students from Years 8 and 9 will be holding a Pink Cup Cake Competition. After judging, the cakes will then be on sale. Other activities are raffles, lollies, pink hair ties, brooches, book marks and bracelets for sale. Raffle tickets will go on sale soon and the others will be for sale from 3 June. Pink Mufti Day is on Friday 4 June and there will be a Pink Breakfast. Tickets for the breakfast are $5.00 and will be going on sale later this week. For catering purposes, it is important that tickets are purchased in advance. There will also be a Mufti Day and Zumba classes on this day. Please support these events generously.
STUDENTS GALLIPOLI-BOUND - Sam Vincent
After winning the Prime Minister’s Competition, along with around twenty other Year 13 students, I was entitled to an all-expenses-paid trip to Gallipoli. This was for the 95th commemorations of the campaign which took place on that peninsula during the First World War. It was an incredible experience, and I am sure that I will never forget it. It would be fair to say that Gallipoli is rather like holy ground for our secular country. It is a place of pilgrimage and respect, one which many find moving. One of the things which I loved the most about the trip was simply the thrill of being on the opposite side of the world. I took great enjoyment out of conversing (very poorly) in Turkish with the locals, going to extraordinary places like Dubai and experiencing foreign cultures. Visiting Gallipoli was always going to be one of those things that I would do before I die – and in being able to do so at 17 I feel extremely grateful.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
MUSIC
Chamber Group - Julia Aspeling
We are the Sancta Maria College Chamber Group. As musicians, we were interested in developing our musical talents by introducing a new ensemble to our school’s music department. With the help of Miss Sutherland and Mr Farr this group was formed in term one this year. Our group consists of an oboist, two clarinettists, a violinist, two flautists, a cellist, and a pianist. We are very excited as we are entering into the Tauranga Chamber Group Competition at the end of this term. This will be our first competition and we will proudly represent our school. We will be playing the Quartet in F by G.P. Teleman, which consists of three movements.
CAREERS DEPARTMENT
Student Loans and Allowances
Mrs Keegan will be running an assembly on 26 May (today) to explain to all Year 13s how to use the Studylink Website to apply for student loans for tertiary study and for the Student Allowance. The Student Allowance is a weekly payment that does not have to be paid back. To get the allowance students need to be 18 or over, be studying full time (this includes at Secondary School) and be a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or refugee. Parents’ income will be taken into account. For further details visit: www.studylink.govt.nz or call 0800 88 99 00.
Tertiary Scholarships and Awards
There will be a series of scholarship workshops this term for Year 13 students so they can research and identify scholarships and awards to assist with their tertiary study in 2011. These are generally offered by tertiary institutes, community organisations, trusts or from associated industries. These are different to the NZQA Scholarships that require students to sit an examination at the end of the year. Sancta Maria College pays an annual subscription that gives us access on the school intranet to the Breakout Data Base. This outlines over 600 awards and scholarships available. Details on how to access this information can be found in the World Beyond School subsection of the Career Advisory website on www.sanctamaria.school.nz
JAPAN STUDY TOUR – A Brief Report
On Saturday 27 March 2010 we began the 2010 SMC Japan Study Tour journey to Kyoto, Hiroshima, Tokyo and Utsunomiya. Our stay in Kyoto was one of tight schedules that saw us visiting local historic sites such as Nojo Castle, Kiyomizu-Dera temple, Kinkaku ji and doing a ‘hanami’ excursion. In Hiroshima we visited Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Peace Park. Our stay in Tokyo offered all the sights, sounds and feels of one of the world’s contemporary cities that included a visit to Disneyland. In Utsunomiya we attended classes and cultural activities at a private junior college and visited a number of cultural centres, including meeting the Deputy Mayor of Utsunomiya and spending time with our host families on Tuesday 13 April 2010 we said goodbye to Japan, taking with us a life time’s memories of new learning experiences and personal growth. We were very proud of our students’ studious attitude and effort in applying their Japanese language skills.
We would like to thank our Board of Trustees, the Sasakawa Fellowship Fund for Japanese Language Education and Asia NZ Foundation for their support.
(Please see www.sanctamaria.school.nz/Department/Languages/Japanese/2010 Japan Study Tour - for further information and photos.)
TECHNOLOGY
Maggi Intermediate Schools Kitchen Showdown 2010
Four students from Year 7 have entered the Maggi Kitchen Showdown 2010. The students, (from left to right) Zoe Bradley, Theresa Dempsey (reserve), Meritxell Castelltort, Victoria Kurtovich and Julia MacGregor have developed a main meal for a family of four using a range of Maggi ingredients. They are competing under the name SMC4 Maggicians.
On Thursday 13 May a team from Maggi came to Sancta Maria College and filmed the students making their signature dishes. The students had 50 minutes in which to prepare, cook and serve their meal. This preliminary filming was for promotion purposes and parts of it may be viewed on the Maggi and TV One websites (see links below). The actual competition is in August but the students need your help now.
THE 60 MAGGI KITCHEN SHOWDOWN SCHOOLS HAVE NOW BEEN SELECTED!
Watch here for the Upper North 20 schools coming soon for you to vote for. They will be followed later by the Lower North 20 schools and the South Island 20 schools.
There will be great recipe ideas to make and taste, and you can vote for your top 3!
http://www.nestle.co.nz/maggi/home.aspx
http://tvnz.co.nz/the-erin-simpson-show
We need as many votes as possible – please help us by going online and voting for our team.
Voting goes live online on 1 June for schools in the Upper region
SHEILAH WINN SHAKESPEARE
A small group of students worked busily for much of term one rehearsing a scene from the Shakespeare play ‘Pericles’, as SMC’s entry in the national Shakespeare schools festival. Actors were Thomas Tele, Tegwen Ng, Franz Lomibau, Luis Siasoco, and Elliot Lam Po-Tang. The scene was performed on the 2nd of May at Pukekohe Intermediate School, in competition with a number of other South Auckland region schools. The winners were Wesley College who presented an entertaining, high-camp ‘drag queen’ version of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Our SMC production was commended by the judge for its teamwork.
Two of the cast, Luis Siasoco and Franz Lomibar, were awarded a certificate recognising their outstanding ‘connection’ in their acting, meaning that they showed high rapport, awareness and responsiveness to each other in their acting of the scene. The judge praised them also for their clear speaking and understanding of the meaning of their text.
All the cast were happy with the outcome and enjoyed their participation in the contest.
SPORT
Team Members Expectations
The Sports Handbook of information was issued to all students at the beginning of the year. Sancta Maria College staff expect that students will show:
Commitment to attending competition games and trainings
Responsibility to inform Teacher/Parent in charge of an absence for a game or practice prior to the event
Respect for officials, team mates and opponents by Fair Play
Effort 100% at trainings and games
Encouragement of team members
Pride in representing Sancta Maria College
Sports Team members must return the Information and Commitment forms signed by student and parent, pay the sports fee for each team, code or event, and wear correct competition uniform and safety items. If there is a problem players will need to inform their coach, manager or Sports Coordinator well in advance of a game. Disregard and non-adherence to the above expectations may result in a student receiving impositions or being stood down from competition. Fees will not be deleted if students make late withdrawals from teams once competition has commenced. There are still some outstanding winter sports fees.
Return of Information Forms and Payment of Fees on time is essential. Forms contain information on medical conditions and emergency contact details which may be important in the case of accidents at training or games. Fees allow the school to enter teams in Auckland Secondary Schools and South Eastern Zone Competitions and purchase and maintain quality equipment, facilities, coaching and uniforms for players.
Help
To offer a Sporting programme, which encourages participation and offers the best opportunities for our students to be prepared and compete well in interschool competition, is not possible without the support and help of teachers, parents/caregivers and the community. We are encouraged by offers for coaching, managing, umpiring/refereeing and transporting. If you would like to offer help please phone the Sports Coordinator, 2744081 ext 217.
Nutrition
When competing in sport it is important to eat well and drink plenty of water. It is recommended that players bring a named drink bottle of water to all practices and games and players should at no time share drink bottles.
PTFA
UNIFORM SHOP HOURS – Term 2
Attention to all families and teachers in our Sancta Maria College community!
The Uniform Shop will be accepting donations of old clean towels for the SPCA. Old towels are constantly needed for the care of the animals. Please bundle your old towels in a bag and these can be taken to the Uniform Shop. From there they will be taken to the SPCA. Thank you for your support.
STUDENT INFORMATION
PARENT REMINDER
Please inform the school of any change to phone, mobile or address that affects your child. It is very important for the school to have up to date records.
NOTICES
Hot Tips for Parents Seminar (40 top tips on parenting) with John and Naomi Cowan (of Parents Inc.)
When: Thursday 3 June
Where: Elim Christian Centre, 159 Botany Rd, Howick
Time: 7.30pm – 9.45pm
Cost: $15 single, $25 double
Tickets from: www.theparentingplace.com or purchase from Elim Christian Centre office 5380360, east@elim.org.nz
Pre register for free childcare.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Larissa Curry was recently selected to participate in the John Walker ‘Find your Field of Dreams’ Development Programme for Shotput and Discus.
Benny Suen has been selected by the New Zealand Junior Selectors as a member of a NZ Associations Team to compete at the Pan Pacific Badminton Championships in June.
Sonya Morrogh and Rachel Cieslik
– Under 19 Netball Representatives - Counties Manukau
Liz Ene – Under 17 Netball Representative – Counties Manukau
Howick Pakuranga Netball Club Representatives
U19 - Vanessa Fifita; Loretta Fale-Manupule
U17 - Patria Harris; Candice Stalls; Simone Morrogh
U15A - Larissa Curry; Amelia Lopapalangi
U15B - Tenealle Wilson; Caitlin Papalii; Amelia Mafi
Year 9 - Emma Cieslik
Year 8 - Tysha Ikenasio; Sian Papalii; Leilani Jamieson
Year 7A - Georgia Dance; Stephanie Santana-Drago
Year 7B - Kelsey Evans
Rockquest
The following students will represent Manukau at the upcoming Regional Competition:
Soloist
Phillip Lavea
Band
Amadaus Vincent; Roonan Mooney and Matthew Henkin
Sancta Maria Cross Country Results
Junior Boys
First – Mitchell Tamati, Second – Jordan Oosterhof,
Third – Matthew Steedman
Intermediate Boys
First – Scott Ambrose; Second – Nick Osten
Third – Kevin Crowe
Senior Boys
First – Scott Martin; Second – Liam MacKenzie;
Third – Andrew Israel
Junior Girls
First – Emma Cieslik; Second – Jessie Fromont
Third – Monique White
Intermediate Girls
First – Danielle Hareb, Second – Kayleigh Aspeling
Third – Nicole Wing
Senior Girls
First - Patria Harris, Second – Anna De Jong,
Third – Ellen Field
KEY DATES
Wednesday 26 May Newsletter out
Thursday 27 May Y 7/8 Aquinas Exchange (Away)
Friday 28 May 2011 Enrolments Close
Monday 31 May Feast of Visitation
Board of Trustees Meeting -7pm
Friday 04 June Pink Mufti Day
(Supporting Cancer Charities)
Monday 07 June Queen’s Birthday – School Closed
Wednesday 09 June NSW Science Exam
Thursday 10 June Senior Exams Start
15 June
Wednesday 16 June Newsletter out
Saturday 19 June School Ball
Monday 21 June Early Finish for students – 2.20pm
Tuesday 22 June NSW Writing Exam
Wednesday 23 June Y 7 / 8 Sommerville Exchange
Thursday 24 June Y13 Retreat
Monday 28 June Board of Trustees Meeting – 7pm
Friday 02 July End of Term 2
Dates and times are correct at the time of printing, but may be subject to change.