Newsletter No: 4 April 2009

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students

As Term 1 comes to a close I wish to express my appreciation to the staff, students and friends of Sancta Maria College for the manner in which they have all worked to ensure a successful start to 2009. It has been a very busy term with many interruptions to the normal programme through sporting activities, subject related field trips and opportunities for students to attend seminars. The staff’s Professional Development programme this year is focusing on ICT, Critical Thinking and the Numeracy Project. These involve a significant commitment that will result in more effective classroom practice.

The construction of the Gymnasium is well advanced and we look forward to having access to this facility by August of this year.

At the end of this term we farewell Mr Shaw who joined our Sancta Maria Team in 2008. He is leaving to lead a curriculum team at the Correspondence School in Wellington. We wish him well and thank him for his contribution to Sancta Maria College.

As we prepare for our Easter Liturgies we focus on what Christ did for us by dying upon the cross. We recall the bible where it says “No greater love has a man than he who gives up his life for his friends’. Then on Easter Sunday He rose again giving us the opportunity for ‘new life’. When we celebrate Easter with Easter Eggs and Easter Bunnies we must remember that these symbolise the ‘new life’ that Christ has given us. We need to take the opportunity to ‘renew’ those New Year ‘resolutions’ or make some new ones. The World, our community, our school and our families will all be better places if we take the time to focus on and discuss the Easter Message.

May God Bless You All

Paul Daley

Principal

FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Recently the College Board of Trustees has received confirmation of the Education Review Office (ERO) review that was conducted in November 2008.

The Board of Trustees is extremely pleased to report of a highly successful review and we wish to share its success with the college community.

The major focus of the review was on student achievement and the development of the senior school as this has been a significant area of change for the college since its previous review.

Amongst its findings, the report acknowledges committed and enthusiastic teachers, classrooms that are purposeful learning environments, a strong school spirit and importantly student achievement in NCEA is above national averages and improving.

For all the success that the ERO reports on, the Board of Trustees would like to thank and congratulate Mr Daley and the entire staff of the college for their hard work and dedication. Without the continued efforts of these teaching professionals our college would not enjoy the achievements and reputation that it has built up in its relatively short history.

In addition the BOT would like to thank our students and their families who support the college in its efforts to create a learning environment based on Christian values whilst at the same time ensuring our students have the opportunity to excel in their academic achievements.

I would encourage parents if you have not already done so to read the summarized report provided by the ERO that was an insert in the previous newsletter or the full report which is now available on the ERO website.

Thank you

Michael Stride

Chairman

Board of Trustees

SPECIAL CHARACTER

We congratulate Mrs Geraldine Devoy on her appointment to the position of Director of Religious Studies at Sancta Maria College.

In each newsletter she will keep the parent and student community informed of the events relating to the school’s Special Character.

At the school’s opening Mass, the theme was “Service” and the student body was able to reflect on their level of service and participation. Fr Ezio eloquently summed up the concept of service, when he spoke of the difference between service at the college and service for the college. He also emphasised the importance of the relationship and connection between home, school and parish.

Our student leaders received their prefect’s badges and impressed the school with their sincerity and desire to show service. This was demonstrated by the Head Boy and Girl and Deputy Head Boy and Girl, washing and drying the hands of some of our younger students, as a symbol of their willingness to lead as servants.

At Sancta Maria College, we are fortunate to have Mass celebrated every Wednesday and I would encourage as many students and parent community to attend as possible.

Stations of the Cross are held every Tuesday in the Chapel and this is an opportunity for us to reflect on and make sense of Christ’s suffering.

We have a vibrant and dedicated Liturgy Committee who work selflessly to assist in the developing of Liturgies. If you are interested in joining this group, please pass your name on to Mrs Devoy.

On Holy Thursday, the school will attend a Liturgy, in which we remember the passion of Christ. This is a sacred and solemn occasion and is of enormous significance for us as Catholics. We are an Easter people, rejoicing in the triumph of the resurrection and the victory of life over death and goodness over sin.

In May, the Pompallier Shield will be held at Marist College and four of our students will be participating in this prestigious competition. The categories are Oratory, where the students will write and present a speech on a set topic and Scripture Reading. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to develop their talents and to meet with students from other Catholic schools in the upper North Island.

As events and news arise, they will be promoted in the Daily Notices and school bulletins. Please encourage your children to become involved. The Special Character is the heart of our school.

UNIFORM – WINTER SHOES

Winter shoes are now available at Milan Shoes in Howick. There is a 10% discount for Sancta Maria families.

URGENT - PARENT CONTACT DETAILS

Please update your contact details, especially mobile phone and work contacts, to ensure that you may be contacted immediately in event of an emergency.

ABSENTEEISM / LEAVE NOTES

Please phone the absentee line and leave a message when your child is away from school due to illness. It is a Ministry of Education requirement that this is followed up with a written note when your child returns to school.

Any requests for leave for NON MEDICAL reasons must be in writing to the Principal at last 10 days prior to the event.

Desperately Seeking Help

The English department have many textbooks which need covering and preparing for students to use. Offers of help with these tasks from parents would be gratefully appreciated. Please contact the HOD English – Tania Linley-Richardson at: t.richardson@sanctamaria.school.nz or by phone – 2744081 ext: 251 if you are able to assist.

Textbook Amnesty!

Please check at home for any books that might belong to the English Department from 2008 or prior to this. They may be returned to your son / daughter’s English teacher – no questions asked!

With thanks from the English Department staff.

The following students have been selected as:

HEAD BOY		DEPUTY HEAD BOY
James Stolten		James Daniels
HEAD GIRL		DEPUTY HEAD GIRL
Jessica Danbrook		Victoria Shrimpton

PREFECTS - 2009			PREFECTS - 2009
GIRLS			BOYS		HOUSE CAPTAINS - 2009 Alastair Munro - Kororareka Matt Lawson - Waitemata William O'Connell Hokianga Tuitu'u Vaiangina - Akaroa
Annabel Arrowsmith			Thomas Cho
Gianina Castro			Karlton Colaco
Elizabeth Cooper			Freddie Conquer
Jessica Danbrook			Andrew Cortesi
Cecliia Faletagoai			James Daniels
Jaime Green-Thompson			Jonathan Nazareth
Callan Jaffar			Christopher Nunes
Foa Lologa			William O'Connell
Charlotte Long			Connor O'Driscoll
Roshni Mathew			James Stolten
Joy Saavedra			Tuitu'u Vaiangina
Tori Shrimpton
Katyanne Topping
Angelaine Tanoai-Setefano
Christina Walker

HOUSE CAPTAINS - 2009 GIRLS Elizabeth Cooper - Kororareka Kororareka Cecliia Faletagoai - Waitemata Waitemata Callan Jaffar - Hokianga Hokianga Latoya Wilson – Akaroa Akaroa

MIDDLE SCHOOL LEADERS

GIRLS

Sasha Kulik   Rachel Kubala   Ha-Ram Jo   Jacquiline Muir

Bridget Dowling   Jessica Wilkins   Leigh Green-Thompson   Kajaal Shirley

Maddie James   Courtney Ormsby   Simone Morrogh   Krystel Ong

Rebecca Kirkwood   Zoey Singh   Laura Bentley

BOYS

Philip Nazo   Connagh Sainty   Grey Cole   Elliott Bennetts

Scott Ambrose   Kevin Holding   Lewis Martin   Giordana Santana-Drago

Timothy Llorando   Eythan Prendergast   Lewis Monaghan   Eki Vaiagina

Allen Tele   Ryan Wood   Jaedon Gascorgne

SILVER ACADEMIC HONOURS

Congratulations to the following students whose achievements were inadvertently missed from our last newsletter.

Dominik Osika Danielle Stride Lauren Kubala

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Sisifa Ma’asi won the ASB Polyfest – 2009 Tongan Speech Competition

Yvonne Wilson – Most Valuable Player – CJ Touch Tournament

Courtney Symons (Year 9GNS) recently competed in the “Horse of the Year” dressage and show section of this prestigious equestrian event. She did exceptionally well qualifying to be eligible to represent New Zealand.

Her results included:

1^st New Zealand Riding Pony of the Year (NZ Title class)

1^st 12 and Under Handler of the Year

2^nd Reserve Champion Junior (age 16 and below) Handler of the Year (NZ Title class)

3^rd 13’ 2 Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year (NZ Title class)

3^rd 11 and 12 Year Old Rider (Lead up class)

5^th 14’ 2 Show Pony of the Year (NZ Title class)

The following students have attained sports scholarships for the Bruce Pulman Park Trust. This is a wonderful achievement as there have only been a select number of people selected from Auckland.

Ryan Martin – Soccer Caleb Brookland – Cricket

Callum MacKenzie – Soccer Kieran O’Brien – Cricket

Pakuranga Rugby Club Representatives

James Moore and Dylan Lynch. These boys have been selected to tour Australia during the July school holidays.

If families wish to help these boys fund raise by purchasing a pizza on Monday nights from Domino’s, Howick. 50 cents of every pizza sold between 5pm and 8pm will go towards the U10 and U11 rep teams travelling to Australia.

2009 NATIONAL BASEBALL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Jakob Ambrose has been chosen to represent The Howick Pakuranga baseball Club at the 2009

COUNTIES MANUKAU SECONDARY SCHOOL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Counties Manukau Secondary School athletics championships were held on the 11 and 12 March at Massey Park in Papakura. Sancta Maria fielded a competitive team of 12 students against schools in the Counties Manukau region. Our students competed with great spirit, with some commendable results throughout the event.

Notable performances include:

· Cody Ikenasio : 1^st in his heat and 3^rd in the Junior Boys 100m finals with a time of 12.03 seconds.

· Lucy McGall: 1^st in the intermediate girls hurdles, second in the intermediate girls triple jump and

· Candice Stalls: 3^rd in the intermediate girls 200m finals with a time of 28.23 seconds.

· Liam McKenzie: 3^rd in the senior boys 400m finals with a time of 55.12 seconds.

· Patria Harris: 4^th in the intermediate girls 1500m final with a time of 5 minutes 20.42 seconds, and 4^th in intermediate girls 800m final with a time of 2 minutes 33.94 seconds.

· Gaylene Alarcon: 3^rd equal in the junior girls female high jump with a height of 1.40 metres.

1^ST XI CRICKET

Congratulations to:

a) 1^st XI Boys in winning the prestigious 1B Premier Grade One Day Competition. They beat Kristin College in the final at Cornwall Park.

b) Ronan Mooney for taking 6 wickets for 2 runs off 9 overs.

c) Ben Roborgh in an earlier game against Liston College. He took 6 wickets for 6 runs of 6 overs.

d) Nathan Noble-Campbell scored 105 runs in the game vs Pakuranga College.

e) Our top two batsmen, Caleb Brookland and Nathan Noble Campbell both with averages over 30 runs per innings for the season.

ATHLETICS CHAMPIONS 2009

Congratulations to the following students for an outstanding performance on athletics day. It was a fun and fabulous day!

Intermediate Boys – Ben Roborgh Intermediate Girls – Candice Stalls

Junior Boys – Alan Ho and Cameron Bish Junior Girls - Gailene Alarcon and Larissa Curry

Senior Boys – Liam McKenzie

Senior Girls – Charlotte Long

House Points Athletics Day

1^st Place – Kororareka 2^nd Place – Waitemata 3^rd Place – Akaroa 4^th Place - Hokianga

Record Breakers 2009

Junior Girls - Larissa Curry - Shot Put. 8.05 m Junior Boys - Cody Ikenasio - Long Jump. 4.96 m

Intermediate Girls - Patria Harris broke 2 of her own records: 1500m. 5.48 min 800m. 2.43 min

Anna De Jong broke her own record: 400m - 1.11.34 min Candice Stalls 200m. 30.02 secs

Senior Girls - Tori Shrimpton broke her own record: 1500m - 6.13 min Charlotte Long 400m. 1.15.47 min

Senior Boys - William O’Connell broke is own record: Long Jump. 5.17m Discus. 33.58m

Liam Mc Kenzie - 400m 56.34 sec 200m 25.37 sec 100m 11.97 sec

Chris Stickland - Shot Put. 10.60m

ACTIVATE ‘09

Late last year 60 secondary schools nationwide expressed interest in competing in the “Activate” TV Challenge. This Television programme promotes food preparation, health nutrition and fitness to teenagers.

The Sancta Maria Team, Elliott Diver, Courtney Deed and Mallory Bish were successful in their audition

and competed with 15 other schools at the Avalon Studios, Lower Hutt during week 2

of this term.

The challenges were run as a series of knockout competitions which included preparation and

cooking of given recipes, general knowledge questions and fitness activities.

Elliott, Courtney and Mallory were successful in their first round of competition and moved onto

the quarter finals. This was a very close fought battle and unfortunately our team missed out

on gaining a place in the semi finals by only 1 point.

Congratulations on a fine effort – we are proud of you.

KEY DATES – TERM 2