Newsletter No: 02 17 February 2010
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
We are very pleased with the way that the year has begun. Students are quickly settling into a sound academic routine. There is still some minor adjustments to be carried out to the school timetable as we aim to give senior students their option choices and to balance class sizes. I am delighted that we are fully staffed and I am grateful to the staff who have been flexible and accommodating as we adjust programmes to have all classes covered.
The analysis of NCEA results continue and we are proud of the achievements of our students in last years examinations. The overall pass rates of 88.3% at Level 1, 91.3% at Level 2 and 85.7% at Level 3 are well above National averages and the Level 3 result is particularly pleasing as it is a significant improvement on the 2009 result. The percentage of students gaining endorsement of their certificates has also increased. Congratulations to these students.
(Refer to back page for list)
Academic Honours at Sancta Maria College are awarded to students who gain 80 credits or more at Excellence or Merit Level at NCEA Level 1 and 60 or more credits at Excellence or Merit Level at NCEA Level 2 or Level 3.
These awards will be announced at a special assembly in a few weeks time and will be reported in a later newsletter.
Congratulations to the Year 13 students who gained Scholarship Awards in the 2009 Scholarship Examinations.
Scholarship Winners
Sam Vincent
Outstanding Scholarship – Statistics
Audrey Soegiarto
Scholarship – Accounting
Katyanne Topping
Scholarship – Geography
Jessica Danbrook
Scholarship – Physical Education
Congratulations in particular to Sam Vincent as his scholarship was gained as a Year 12 student.
This year’s students should gain encouragement from these results as they reflect the outstanding academic opportunity for students at the college. All need to strive for Merit or Excellence in all that they do.
Co-curricular
The summer co-curricular programme is under way and it is wonderful to see the enthusiasm of the students as they register for these activities. Can I remind all parents / caregivers of the commitment required from students who sign up for these activities. We expect students to attend meetings, practices / rehearsals and of course the interschool activity itself. Whether it be sport or cultural, staff are giving up their time to enable the students to develop their talents and in return we expect a strong commitment from all involved. Your support would be appreciated.
If you are able to support directly through coaching an activity please contact the Sports Co-ordinator Mrs Cummings on
274 4081 ext 217.
We are looking forward to another successful year at Sancta Maria College.
We welcome you to attend our Opening Mass at 9.45am on Tuesday 23 February.
At this Mass the 2010 prefects will be invested and their badges blessed.
Parents of Year 7: Reminder - Parents Evening
Thursday 18 February at 7pm
God Bless You All
Paul Daley
Principal
GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR – Suchi Lewis
We are delighted to welcome Mrs Suchi Lewis to Sancta Maria College. Mrs Lewis joins our Pastoral Care Team as Guidance Counsellor. She is a registered member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors and is available at Sancta Maria College on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Counselling is a confidential service. It assists people to increase their understanding of themselves and their relationships.
A referral system will be explained to students over the next few weeks.
SPECIAL CHARACTER – Mrs G Devoy
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all students and their families as we enter a new year at Sancta Maria College. Although it is early in the new school term, the calendar is becoming full with Special Character activities.
As a school community, we have started a close examination of the twelve values. The three values we are studying this term are love, faith and hope. “Love is patient, love is kind, love is not envious or arrogant or rude. Love never ends”.
These words come from the letters of Paul and are most relevant in our community today. Over the next few weeks, the value of love and how it can be seen and experienced in our daily lives will be a focus for all our students.
Lent begins this week, starting with Ash Wednesday. At
9.00 am there was a Liturgy celebrated in the auditorium by Fr Ezio, in which all students received ashes. This cross of ashes is to signify to ourselves and others that we acknowledge that we are not perfect and there are times when we hurt others and act selfishly. Wearing the cross of ashes is symbolic of our repentance and shows that we wish to live in the grace and light of Christ.
The opening Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday 23rd of February with the theme being Love and Care. At this Mass, new staff and students are formally welcomed and the community have an opportunity to thank God for all we have and to ask for his continued blessings throughout the coming year. It is also when the Prefect body are commissioned and presented with their badges.
As part of the Offertory Procession, a group of students will bring up goods that will later be sent to a local food bank. This is one aspect of how we can show love and care for those less fortunate in our community. I am asking that if your child is in Year 7 or 8 that they bring a tinned or packaged non perishable food item to school before Wednesday the 23rd February, so that we can make a parcel to go to the St Vincent de Paul Centre
PTFA
UNIFORM SHOP NEWS
The shop has a new location! We are now operating from one of the garages behind the tennis courts. Access is through the school grounds. Access from Chapel Road is not permitted. It is wonderful to operate from an area with more space and storage. The range of items we sell are: school socks, school jackets (rainproof), matching track pants for purchase for sports, school scarves, PE tops and shorts, school caps, school pantyhose/tights. We are also now able to display second hand uniform items for sale. Elizabeth Michael uniform items are not stocked in the shop but we can arrange pre paid orders for these. These take approx. 7 – 10 days to be delivered back to us. When your uniform item is ready for collection you will notified.
As from the 1st March there will be a new price list. Some items have increased in price.
The shop has a direct phone line. The number is 2725601 or if dialing the school number the extn number is 220. There is a voice mail service on the phone so please do leave a message. We are very keen to support the school reception staff and by contacting us direct this will free up reception time so that the staff can remain focused on their school tasks. We look forward to your calls!
Shop trading hours do vary according to demand so please ring us on 2725601 to find out our trading hours for each week, which are recorded on voice mail.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
We welcome Mrs Joy Connolly to the department and hope that she enjoys her time teaching English at Sancta Maria College.
Competitions
Year 9 Spelling Bee- see note further on in newsletter.
RSA ANZAC speech writing competition – this is open to senior students. The topic is ‘New Zealanders at War’. The national winner of this competition wins a trip to Gallipoli.
Students should see Miss Leafberg in AM4 for more information and deadlines.
Overdue Textbooks:
A few senior students have textbooks outstanding from 2009. Please encourage the return of these to the English department.
Literacy Credits for University Entrance
Year 12 students will be addressed about this important issue in an assembly on 23 February. It is very important that our students understand the requirements for University Entrance regarding literacy. If you have a query as a parent about this
please contact your son/daughter’s English teacher or Miss Linley-Richardson the Head of Department.
CAREERS DEPARTMENT
Staff: Careers Advisor: Pam Keegan, Career/ STAR Administrator: Denise Munday, Gateway Co-ordinator: Regina Anderson.
The Career Centre is located in BU1 and open daily from 8.40am until 3.15pm. Students and family are welcome to call in any time and take home the brochures outlining post-school study and career options.
Any students wanting to make an appointment with Mrs Keegan or with any general enquiries can fill in the request slip provided in the Careers area. Notification of appointments will be sent via the homeroom. Parents and Caregivers wishing to talk to Mrs Keegan are welcome to call direct on extension 227 or email p.keegan@sanctamaria.school.nz.
Career Services and Events
We will endeavour to interview all Year 13 students by the end of Term One. Bookings will be made in the following order: 13GNS, 13LIS, 13CLE, 13DNN, 13BRN.
Topics in the half hour career goal setting interview include.
• refinement of career direction in preparation for 2011.
• information and suggested research of tertiary courses or work options.
• entry requirements and application procedures.
• action steps for 2010.
All students will leave with an Interview Outcome Sheet which needs to be glued in to their Student Diaries and they will be encouraged to discuss the outcomes with Parents and Caregivers.
All Year 12 students will be interviewed by Mrs Keegan in Term Two.
The Sancta Maria College Careers Advisory website outlines the full list of services provided for students throughout the school by the Careers Department. This will be updated regularly with career related events at school and off site.
SPELLING BEE
A regional spelling competition for Year Nine students will take place on Thursday the 11th March. There is a word list which can be accessed via the internet to prepare students for this competition.
The top three finalists will win airfares for themselves and their parent/caregiver to travel to Wellington and compete in the New Zealand Spelling Bee Final on Saturday 21 March. The winner of the Final wins a trip for two to Washington DC so s/he can compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee at the end of May. This prize includes airfares for two, accommodation and $500 US spending money.
Year Nine students who are interested in this event should have registered with Miss Leafberg in AM4 by Wednesday 17th February.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
SANCTA MARIA AWARD
Congratulations to Danielle Hareb on gaining selection to the New Zealand Secondary Schools Football Team – 2010
DEANS – 2010
Please find below a list of this year’s Deans and their
contact telephone extension number.
Year 7 Mrs T Kopua ext 221
Year 8 & 9 Mrs A Stevens ext 237
Year 10 Ms R October ext 225
Year 11 Mr J Rogers ext 255
Year 12 Ms T Robins ext 270
Year 13 Mrs T Bassi ext 248
Please contact your child’s Dean if you have any concerns.
LOST PROPERTY
Is located in the Student Centre, and can be collected during the school day Just a reminder to label all uniform items including shoes.
Student Appointments/Lates/Absences:
Students leaving school for appointments during the school day must bring a note from home and give to their homeroom teacher to get a Leave pass. Parents to collect and sign out students from the Student Centre. Also a reminder for students who are absent or late to school they are required to bring a note explaining absence or lateness.
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KEY DATES
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Thursday
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25 February
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Staff Professional Development Day – 9.50am start for students - Homeroom
In Zone buses will run 1 hour later than normal schedule
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Friday
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26 February
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Y9 – 13 Athletics Day
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Wednesday
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03 March
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Y9 Retreat
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Thursday
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04 March
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NZQA Parent Evening
- Parent and students of other year levels are welcome to attend.
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Monday
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8 - 10 March |
PE Studies Camp |
| Wednesday |
10 March |
Newsletter Issued |
| Thursday |
11 -12 March |
Year 12 Geography Camp |
| Friday |
12 March |
PTFA Sausage Sizzle |
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Monday
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15 March
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Staff Professional Development - 2.20pm finish for students in zone buses will run at 2.20pm.
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Tuesday
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16 March
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Year 13 Retreat
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Wednesday
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17 March
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Year 12 PES Camp
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Tuesday
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23 March
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HPV Vaccination 1. Yr 8,11 Girls
Parent Evening – 3pm – 6pm
2.20pm finish for students in zone buses will run at 2.20pm
Online bookings will be available from Monday 15 March. Passwords to be given at this time.
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| Wednesday |
24 - 26 March |
Year 13 History Camp |
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Thursday
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25 March
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Open Day 3.30pm – 6.00pm
Principal’s Address 4.45pm.
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| Thursday |
25 - 26 March |
Year 11 Geography Camp |
| Saturday |
27 March
14 April |
Japan Study Tour |
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Sunday
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28 - 29 March
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Aquinas College Cricket Exchange
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Tuesday
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30 March
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Parent Evening – 5pm – 7.45pm
2.20pm finish for students in zone buses will run at 2.20pm
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| Wednesday |
31 March |
Newsletter Issued |
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Thursday
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01 April
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End of Term 1 – Holy Thursday
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