Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
The recent Parent / Teacher meetings have been very successful. The new computerised on line booking system appeared to work very well and resulted in an increase in the number of appointments and parents seeing who they wanted to see rather than students booking times with teachers who they were happy for their parents to talk to!
This term it is important that we do not allow the extensive co-curricular programme dominate the students’ lives to the extent that the academic focus is curtailed. Commitment to the co-curricular activity is vitally important for the sake of the team, but all students and in particular the senior students need to
remain focussed on the academic expectations of homework, assignments, revision and internal assessments. The examinations that start in week 7 are of significant importance, as is all the work that leads up to them. If you are concerned about an apparent lack of appropriate application to academic study please contact the Dean so we can work together to ensure that all students reach their potential.
We have met with the Maori and Pasifika students to encourage them to strive for excellence. Both groups are identified by the Ministry of Education as students requiring special attention as nationwide they are represented disproportionately in the lower area of academic achievement. Our Maori and Pasifika students have performed exceptionally well at NCEA exams and the current group of students need to believe in themselves and have their family believe in them as well.
We wish to work with parents of students of all nationalities to ensure that academic potential is reached by all.
If we work together we will achieve our goal.
May God Bless You All
Paul Daley
Principal
SPECIAL CHARACTER – Mrs G Devoy
Sunday the 10th of May is Mother’s Day and we honour and give thanks for our mothers and grandmothers. The month of May is traditionally Mary’s month and the month of the Rosary. It is fitting that our students are praying to and about Mary, as Mary is the mother of our Church and the patroness of the school. At Sancta Maria College, we view
Mary as a wonderful role model and give thanks for her life and example. I would encourage you to pray the Rosary with your family at home throughout the month of May.
Both the Junior and Senior Liturgy committees are preparing for the Feast of the Visitation, which will be celebrated on Friday the 29th May. On this day, we remember the service that Mary showed when she went to visit Elizabeth, her elderly cousin. Although busy with her own needs and family, Mary put these aside and went to her cousin. This attention to duty demonstrated a wonderful example of service to others and is a reminder to us to assist others, not just when it is convenient, but at all times.
There are many activities currently going on in the College. The school leaders will represent the school at a leaders Mass at Marist College early this term. Four of our students are preparing for the Pompallier Shield. They are Dillon O’Brien, Jessica Wilkins, Lauren Kubala and Joseph Xulue. This will also be held at Marist College and we wish our team all the best for this competition. I would like to commend these students for the commitment and dedication they have shown towards this worthwhile project.
The Year 12 students have just completed a retreat, which focused on Mary, our Mother and examined the challenges Mary faced and accepted.
There are two competitions currently being held. One is a writing competition to celebrate the year of Paul the Apostle. The other competition is an art competition also celebrating the life of Paul. It is not too late to join, so if you are interested, please see Mrs Devoy for further information.
STUDENT REPORT by Lucy McGall 12LIS
Recently I was invited to lunch by the Mayor of Manukau City Len Brown to celebrate the 1st anniversary of John Walkers Field of Dreams Project with special guest Prime Minister John Key and John Walker
Other dignitaries’ that were there included members of the Manukau City Council.
The table which I was seated at included Dillon Boucher, Peter Leach (The Mad Butcher).I was also introduced to Jonah Lomu, Frank Bunce, Eric Rush and other Auckland business people.
I felt very privileged to be invited and to have been identified as a young high achieving athlete, there were only 6 young athletes invited and 60 people in total.
I was introduced to The Prime Minster John Key we spoke about my sport pole vaulting and the Olympics.
The six of us were asked to stand and our achievements were read to the audience. I felt so proud of the other young athletes and myself.
To be amongst some of New Zealand's Greatest Athletes who have won Gold medals at the Olympic Games and World Champions it was awesome and has inspired me to be the best that I can be at everything I do.
Sancta Maria College Music Department
by Thomas Cho
Music at Sancta Maria College has been on growing since the start of the year and is still developing. We appointed a new HOD in Music, Miss Sutherland who is very passionate about both music and teaching and making a huge contribution to the development of the department. Over 250 students are involved in co-curricular groups and are taking instrument lessons at school!
The Jazz Band and the Concert Band both conducted by Mr Arthur, have had their usual practices every week since the start of the year resulting in a fantastic performance during term one gaining great feedback from both students and staff. We’ll be looking forward to their result in competitions such as the KBB music festival.
The school started a Gospel Choir which has around 60 members and is conducted by Miss Sutherland and Mrs Kathegan, they produced an excellent lively performance at the end of term one along with the Year 7 & 8 Choir, which is conducted by Mr Hamblyn and Miss Sutherland.
On the open day last term the new ‘Music Committee’ organised items such as live performances, videos, and a recording studio introduction to the parents and students who might want to come to our school, gaining huge interest.
Our Music Department has great potential and is growing very rapidly with the help from both students and staff.
The Music Committee and Miss Sutherland decided on a motto for the department, which is “Share the Gift” and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and share your gifts and talents
DEPARTMENT REPORT
Technology – General
All senior students are currently working on their NCEA portfolios. Staff in the department would like to request the support of parents in this. Please ask to look at your child’s portfolio and encourage them to complete outstanding work and add more detail to their research, analysis and concepts. This will improve the quality of the work and ensure they know we have a strong home-school relationship to support their learning.
Early Childhood Education
Our students enjoyed real life learning experiences during their recent First Aid Unit Standard, where they were involved in role play situations. All students achieved success in this assessment.
Food Technology
The Sancta Maria Coffee Shop is buzzing with business as the Year 13 students practise their Art of Barista Coffee making skills, whilst serving the senior students and staff at lunch times. They will be assessed at MIT later in the year.
SANCTA MARIA CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
The new primary school is due to open on the Catholic Campus in February 2009. We would like to keep you informed of progress and also request your assistance in spreading the news of this, to those people who you feel may be interested in sending their children to the primary school. The primary school has its own Establishment Committee and should you wish to learn more about the school or make contact with the Establishment Committee please contact Saira Boyle at sairashaikh1@hotmail.com
Enrolment
In order for the school to open fully staffed, the Ministry of Education require the provisional opening numbers of children. Sancta Maria Catholic Primary School Expression of Interest form is the way in which we will gather this data. If you wish your child, or you know of anyone who wishes their child to attend SMCP, please take a form (St Luke’s Office) and complete it, returning it before May 20th 2009. The form can also be downloaded from www.sanctamariacp.school.nz. Thank you for your help, this greatly assists in our establishment of the school. Once we receive this form, we will send you an enrolment pack at the start of Term 3.
PTFA
The Primary School is keen to hear from anyone in the community who is interested in joining the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association. Once we have an idea of interested parties we will get together with the current PTFA to discuss the structure of our PTFA. If you are interested in becoming part of this group please speak to Saira Boyle or contact sairashaikh1@hotmail.com for more details.
Saira Boyle - Chairperson Establishment Committee
SANCTA MARIA COLLEGE PTFA
– Meeting tonight
AGM and May Monthly Meeting – Wednesday 13 May 7.30pm
In College Reception Area.
We are keen to enlist the assistance of new members. Please come along and discover the advantages of being part of this energetic group of parents.
KEY DATES
Term 2
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Wednesday
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20 May
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Staff PD Workshop 8am – 10am Students to arrive by 10am
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Thursday
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21 May
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School Social Y7 – 13
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Wednesday
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27 May
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Numeracy Mtg for Parents 6pm
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Friday
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29 May
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School Feast Day
10.30am Mass
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Monday
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1 June
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Queens Birthday – no school
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Wednesday
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3 June
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Newsletter Home
HPV Vaccination – Dose 2
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Wednesday
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10 June
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Senior Exams Start
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Wednesday
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24 June
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Newsletter Home
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Thursday
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25 June
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NZ Curriculum Day School Closed
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Saturday
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27 June
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School Ball
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Friday
Monday
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3 July
10th August
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End of Term 2
Term 3 – Teacher Only Day Curriculum Development
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NOTE: LATE START <><><><>– Next Wednesday 20 May
Students need to arrive by 10am.
In Zone buses will operate 1 hour later than usual, but may get around the trip quicker due to decrease in traffic.
Maraetai / Beachland Buses will run at normal time. Students arriving early will be supervised.
SWINE FLU PLANS IN PLACE
The Ministry of Education has released safety guidelines to be used as a preventative measure.
These include:
· Stay at home and away from others if you are sick
· Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue
· Put your used tissues into a rubbish bin
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth – germs spread that way
People should also wash their hands often with soap and dry them thoroughly because hand hygiene is critical.
Even when you start to feel better there is still a risk of infecting others, so keep to the 20/20 rule – that’s 20 seconds of washing followed by 20 second’s drying. Surfaces at home, school and work should also be kept clean.
PARENT EXPO
Saturday 13 June 8.30am – 2.45pm
Panasonic Performing Arts Centre – Botany Downs Secondary College
INFORMATION DAY FOR ALL PARENTS
In the past the Expo has been a sell out day. If you have a teenager in the house you need to be here. Bring a friend.
Young people don’t come with a manual. Attend this day and learn more bout positive parenting while having fun and networking with other parents.
WORKSHOPS include:
Netsafe, Cyberspace, Communicating with your Teen, Boys Education and their brains, Parties, Driving and the Law, Managing your Childs Anger, Sexual Health for Teens, Grief and the Teenager, Bullying and Parent Networking, The Teen Drug Scene, Parent Take Care of Yourselves.
Workshops for Indian and Chinese families: Bringing up Teenagers in New Zealand.
This day is open for any parent in the community.
$10 per person Stay for the whole day or part of the day.
For information or registration phone Barbara Divehall on 273 2310 x 215 or email b.divehall@bdsc.school.nz
ICON
With May being the month of Mary we felt it appropriate to share with you once again our icon.
Icon of SANCTA MARIA for Sancta Maria College.
The image depicted is that of the Blessed Virgin presenting the Christ Child to the viewer. The image is to encapsulate a special aspect of our Catholic Faith and to speak to children of all ages and races and both sexes.
Mary’s robes are rendered in blues red and white. The ornate border on her cloak is embossed in light relief and gilded.
Jesus’ garment is rendered in emerald green with an ornate border around the bottom of his garment.
The Background depicts “water” – the ocean of God’s love. Mary is seated on the prow of a ship, bringing Christ her son across the seas to these isles as she did on the “Sancta Maria” when Bishop Pompallier and the early Marists came to this land and planted the faith. The first “visitation” to these islands.
Note: Mary takes Christ’s foot into her hand as a sign of her humility and submission to him. He seems to be weightless in her arms – his burden is light.
In the background the Southern Cross tells the viewer we are facing south therefore Christ’s name is ascendant to the east as the rising sun, a little higher than Mary’s letters are in the west associating her with the sun reflected in the light of the moon. Normally in the Mother of Tenderness icon of which this is a type the two are cheek to cheek as Jesus gazes into his mother’s eyes. In this case he gazes at us, inviting us to be a part of this relationship and to join him on his “mission” to bring the faith to this land of Aotearoa.
This iconic image has been written in egg tempera according to age old tradition and at the same time is unique to Sancta Maria College.
HAIL MARY
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen