Newsletter No: 13 August 2008
Dear Parents / Caregivers
I hope that you are all coping with the wet, windy weather. We have been giving students access to the Auditorium during lunchtimes when the weather has been unpleasant.
Throughout last week we had our Special Character Review. Initial feedback is very positive and we await the written report. The Special Character is the key component of our school. It underpins all that we do. It is the factor that makes us different. We look to parents to support us as we do all that we can to instil strong Catholic values in our young people. It is through these values that they will be in a position to make correct decisions when they are challenged in the environment of the wider world. These values should be modelled in the family home.
Our World Youth Day pilgrims have returned inspired by all that they experienced in Sydney. We are creating opportunities to enable them to share the strong development of their faith with others. I am delighted that Elim Christian school have invited a group of Sancta Maria pilgrims to an assembly at Elim so they can share their growing faith with the Elim Community.
Our ICON of Mary presenting the Child Jesus to the viewer is a visual reminder of our Charism, the means by which we reflect our Special Character. Thank you to all of you who have so far contributed to this special image. A reminder that the opportunity for contributions closes on Monday 1 September. Donations of $50 or more can be made to the Finance Office. The plaque with the Family names of donors will be erected in Term 4.
I leave you with a quote from Pope Benedict to the World Youth Day Pilgrims.
Pope Benedict XVI – WYD Vigil, Southern Cross Precinct, Sunday 20 July, AD2008
“Empowered by the Spirit, and drawing upon faith’s rich vision, a new generation of Christians is being called to help build a world in which God’s gift of life is welcomed, respected and cherished – not rejected, feared as a threat and destroyed. A new age in which love is not greedy or self-seeking, but pure, faithful and genuinely free, open to others, respectful of their dignity, seeking their good, radiating joy and beauty. A new age in which hope liberates us from the shallowness, apathy and self-absorption which deaden our souls and poison our relationships. Dear young friends, the Lord is asking you to be prophets of this new age, messengers of his love, drawing people to the Father and building a future of hope for all humanity.
The world needs this renewal!”
God Bless
Paul Daley
Principal
CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME
As the winter programme draws to an end I want to express by sincere appreciation to the staff, parents and friends of the school who have taken on roles of coaches, managers and committee members for the various sporting and cultural activities. Your involvement and support is not taken for granted and is greatly appreciated. I am well aware that without such commitment our young people would not have the opportunity to develop these talents. It is ‘All of Us’ who make this wonderful school what it is.
POLICE VETTING
Police vetting of adults involved with groups of young people is becoming common practice throughout New Zealand. The purpose of this is to protect our young people from the possibility of inappropriate actions. Sancta Maria College will introduce this procedure starting with parents who have offered to assist with the school camps and we will extend it to school co-curricular activities in Term 4.
Those who offer to assist will be given a form to complete and to be returned to the school. This will then be forwarded to the Police for vetting. All teachers are vetted through the NZ Teachers Council and the Police. I ask that you do not look on this as an invasive procedure. It is done in the interest of the wellbeing of our young people.
STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to Mr Lear who competed in the Auckland Cross Country Championships on Sunday 20 July. He won his age group and came 4th in the Junior Masters. As a result of this Mr Lear was selected to run for Auckland as a Junior Master in the Nationals in Wellington on 2 August. His team came 3rd, obtaining a bronze medal. He also came 6th in his age group.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Lucy McGall has been selected to represent New Zealand in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletics Team for Pole Vault to the Pacific School Games held in Canberra in November.
Nathan Harris has been selected for the Auckland East Roller Mills Rugby Team.
Charlotte Vincent was recently awarded Pupil of the Year for the 3rd year in a row by the Auckland Modern School of Music. Charlotte has been learning Modern Piano for a number of years and is currently at Grade 8 level.
The following students represented U19 Howick / Pakuranga Netball - Jamy Adams, Samantha Ryan, Charney Rooza.
Public Speaking First Place Winners:
Year 9 Isabella Curran Year 10 Augustine Taliauli Year 11 Suvishka Singh
Charlotte Long represented New Zealand in the junior aerobic gymnastics team at the ANAC International Youth Championships in Las Vegas recently obtaining outstanding results.
Nicolette Ness won silver for original lyrics and vocals at the recent World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood.
Auckland History Teachers Association Year 11 History Quiz
The following students came second out of a total of 87 teams who competed in 8 rounds for a total of 100 points and gained 93%. (3 points behind the leaders)
Dominik Osika Lauren Kubala Sam Vincent
EXCHANGE STUDENTS
Sancta Maria College has two exchange students here until 20 August.
Welcome to Chiharu Fujita and Maho Tashiro.
Chiharu is a Year 1 Senior High School Student (Year 11 NZ equivalent). She attends Utsunomiya Kita High School and has travelled to Honduras, United States, Costa Rica, Spain, Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico. This is her first trip to New Zealand.
Maho is a Year 2 Senior High School Student. She attends Utsunomiuya Junior College High School. This is her first trip overseas.
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Friday |
22 August |
Staff Curriculum Day – Students are not required to be at school |
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Wednesday
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20 August |
Concert Band at East Auckland Band Showcase, Pakuranga College Hall, 7:00, gold coin donation |
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Tuesday
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26 August
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Jazz Band and Concert Band in KBB Music Festival competition, Auckland Town Hall, 1:30. |
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Wednesday |
27 August |
Year 11 – 13 Parent / Teachers Report Evening – 3pm – 7pm |
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Friday
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29 August
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String Orchestra at KBB Fringe Festival, Auckland Town Hall, 9:30. There is no charge for audience admission. http://www.kbbmusicfestival.co.nz/ |
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Friday |
29 August |
Photolife Team / Sports Photos |
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Sat / Sun |
30-31 August |
Uni Open Day |
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Saturday |
30 August |
PTFA Trivial Pursuits Evening |
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Tuesday |
2 September |
Staff Professional Development Day – Late start for students – 10am |
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Wednesday |
3 September |
NCEA Music Concert, Sancta Maria College Staffroom, 6:30. |
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Monday |
8-14 September |
Year 10 Camp |
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Thursday |
11 September |
Year 11 – 13 Exams Start |
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Monday |
15-21 September |
Year 8 Camp |
FOSTER FAMILIES
Open Home Foundation would like to recruit Christian families to boots their pool of Foster Families.
Foster families need to be willing to open their hearts and their homes to nurture and help children / young people through a difficult time in their lives. Please contact Bronwyn Lane – telephone: 634 2057 ext 207 or Julie Matthias –
telephone: 634 2057 ext 208 if you would like more information.