Congratulations to all our for 2019.

Attached is a list of , and our new . Congratulations to all as we look forward to 2020!

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Greetings from St Catherine’s College as we draw to the end of our school year.

Thank you to so many who shared our Prizegiving celebration on Tuesday evening. It was a very special occasion; thankfully the wind died down enough for us to hear ourselves!

The student leaders announced at Prizegiving are -

Head Girl Loredana Unsworth

Deputy Head Girl Anahera Pohe

BOT Student Trustee Brereton McKee

Community Captains Grace Ellis and Arnya Natoli

Cultural Captains Caterina Moreno and Tyla Tiatia

Environment Captains Esther Kozyniak and Cyan Robinson

Special Character Captain Ellie McLaughlin

Sport Captains Sophia Higgs and Maryanne Sola

We also acknowledged departing staff. I can report that we are fully staffed for 2020, which is a great position to be in as we end the 2019 year.

Start Up dates for 2020

Wednesday 22 January - Office Opens

Monday 27 January 1.00pm: Yr 12 and 13 - Course Confirmation

Tuesday 28 January: Peer Support Day

Year 13 start 9am (meet in Assembly Hall) // Year 9 start 10am

Wednesday 29 January: 8.55am - ALL STUDENTS start.

There will be a powhiri to welcome all new staff and students, and whānau are very welcome to attend. We cannot confirm the timing for this yet as we are awaiting St Patrick’s College’s confirmation of the powhiri for their new Rector, Mr Mike Savali. St Catherine’s will have representatives at this powhiri.

Lunch Options 2020

In response to concerns raised during the two years in which students have been permitted to purchase their lunch in Kilbirnie during Break 1, namely that students:

1. use the opportunity to go off-site without any intention to purchase food

2. make unhealthy lunch food choices

3. return to school too late to consume their food in Break 1

we have decided that students will no longer be permitted to purchase lunch from Kilbirnie during the school day.

Students will be required to manage themselves to ensure that they:

1. prepare their lunch before leaving home in the morning or

2. purchase their lunch on the way to school

While we continue to support healthy food choices by our students, we expect, that however students decide to organise their lunch, they will continue to meet the school’s FAITH expectation of punctuality - 8.55am (Mon; Tue; Thurs; Fri) and 9.10am (Wed).

At the final BOT meeting last week, one of our trustees shared this prayer with us,

At the end of this school year we give thanks to God:

For all the teaching and learning that has taken place in our school,

both in and out of the classroom,

For the talents and gifts that have been shared and the challenges that

have been faced;

For the burdens that have been lifted and the hurts that have been healed;

For the respect and care that has been given.

We give thanks for the friendships that have just begun and for those

that have grown.

For the faith that has been lived in our daily struggles,

For the hope that has lifted our hearts on the dark days

And for the love that has kept us going.

We give thanks for the community that we are, and we ask you Lord -

Bless our families as we take our holidays, may our time together

leave us with memories to cherish.

Pour out your love on us that we may return renewed and refreshed

to continue our journey together .

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen

I wish you all a Christmas of love and goodwill, and a holiday time of peace and relaxation. God’s Blessings on your family.

Regards

Steve Bryan

Principal

Congratulations to all the 2019 prize winners. If you wish to view/download them you must log in with a St Catherine's College school gmail account and then select the link here. Alternatively, please contact reception here to request a photograph.

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whānau,

Our Prizegiving is next Tuesday 3 December starting at 7.00pm in the St Patrick’s College Assembly Hall. Arriving by 6.45pm is suggested for parking and seating. At the end of the Prizegiving our PTA will host supper at the back of the Hall. You and whānau are warmly invited to this event. All students are expected at the Prizegiving practice at St Pat’s at 10am.

Reports for Year 9 and 10 students will be issued to students on Thursday 5 December at the end of the school day.

School will close on Friday 6 December at 12.00pm. All students are expected at school for this special day. There will be morning classes - Sessions 1 and 2 - and acknowledgement of the Williams Shield winners. This cultural speaking and drama event is being held over Wednesday and Thursday next week and is our mini O’Shea Shield for Years 9 and 10. There has been a full programme of rehearsals and practices over the past 2 weeks. Following this, there will be a Christmas liturgy and students will be dismissed at noon.

Start Up dates for 2020 are here -

Wednesday 22 January - Office Opens

Monday 27 January 1.00pm: Yr 12 and 13 - Course Confirmation

Tuesday 28 January 9am: Yr 13 - 9 - Peer Support Day -

Year 13 start 9am and Year 9 start 10am

Wednesday 29 January: 8.55am - ALL STUDENTS start

NCEA exams are drawing to a close. They have progressed smoothly. Staff have reported on each exam; the general overview has been that questions at the expected level for Achieved/Merit/Excellence criteria. There have been a few exceptions which you may have heard about in the media. Students at SCC wrote one exam, L1 History, in a digital format and this went without a hitch. Students can expect results in mid-January.

Congratulations to Head Girl Steph Edlin for her award at last week’s Wellington Airport ‘Wild at Heart’ Community Awards. This annual recognition of community charity/volunteer groups across Greater Wellington also recognises one student from the 5 secondary schools in the eastern suburbs. Steph was our recipient for her school and community service.

Congratulations also to Mrs Ilana de Vos, our Director of Religious Studies, who was presented with a Pride of Workmanship Award at a Wellington South Rotary ceremony this week. The citation listed her extensive contribution across school and community service for the needs of others.

And not forgetting our parents, congratulations to Mr Tahir Nawaz who was the joint winner of the supreme award at the annual Wellingtonian of the Year Awards. Tahir is the President of the International Muslim Association of New Zealand. He was recognized for bringing Kiwis closer together following the terror attacks in Christchurch. Tahir shared the award with teenage climate change activist Sophie Hammond.

Our 4 Junior Class Captains; Yr10 - Francesca Sigal and Erin Beamish, and Yr 9 - Maia Bouras, and Aoife Moss, have been doing a splendid job leading and representing their peers. Next Tuesday morning they will accompany me to a Cullen Breakfast (host Peter Cullen Employment Law Specialist) in the city at which the Deputy Prime Minister the Rt Hon Winston Peters and celebrated author and poet Joy Cowley will be guest speakers.

There will be one further newsletter next week.

This Sunday we move into the Church’s season of Advent. Advent is the season of joy and hope for all who follow Jesus. During Advent we are invited to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord.

Lord Jesus, our Saviour

come into our hearts with your love,

with your joy, your hope, and your peace.

Help us to reflect your love for all

by loving and serving all we meet.

Blessed are you Lord Jesus,

Forever and ever. Amen!

Regards

Steve Bryan

Principal

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whānau

Are you interested in learning to write like an author or draw like an artist? Would you like to attend a Holiday Writing Camp or a Holiday Art Camp in January? If you would like to take your interest and talent to the next level, check out these three-day courses from 21st- 23rd January at Scots College.

The writing course was developed by very clever author, Brian Falkner. The two facilitators are Maria Gill, award-winning author, and Fifi Coulston, TV presenter, author and illustrator.

Check out these websites: writelikeanauthor.com

drawlikeanartist.com

2020 International Students & Homestays Needed

Next year we are having 12 Japanese students; 8 of them for term one and 2 of them for the whole year. Among them, 4 students still need homes to stay.

They will be here for term one arriving late January and leaving on the 28th of March. They are 14 or 15 years old but 3 of them will be placed in year 9 by their Japanese school's request. The homestay fee is $280 per week.

If you or any members of your family are interested in having one of the girls, would you let me know? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thinking of selling your home?

If you, or anyone you know, is thinking of selling their home, we have been offered the following promotion. Charles Morley-Hall from Just Paterson Real Estate (for those who do not know Charles, Charles very kindly donated his time and voice for the SCC Auction run by the PTA at The Pines this year) is offering $1000 to SCC if any parents or wider Whanau sell their home through him. Contact charles@justpaterson.co.nz

Just Paterson

Real Estate Ltd MREINZ

Licenced under the REAA 2008

021 666 600 04 385 7755

Level 1, 12 Jessie Street, Te Aro

Regards and God’s Blessings

St Catherine’s College

Preference and Non-Preference enrolments are open at St Catherine's College. Please email Joanne Robinson on office@stcatherinescollege.school.nz or phone 04 939 8988.

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whānau

The NCEA Examinations have started really well for our students. Attendance has been excellent and teachers have reported that exams thus far have been as they would have expected with questions appropriate to learning contexts and interesting challenging questions. There are always concerns about time management which impacts on students once in exam conditions. NCEA exams continue through November to early December.

Yesterday the Government released reforms to the Tomorrow’s Schools model after extensive consultation. There had been some concerns about the loss of autonomy by BOTs with the proposed establishments of Hubs to centralise some key school administration. These have not eventuated. For more information as it relates to different stakeholders click here Kōrero Mātauranga and then on Information packages at the bottom.

Last Tuesday we hosted our 2020 Year 9 cohort. Students from 14 contributing schools were with us for the day as they began their orientation process and engaged in assessments to support their transition into secondary learning. The first day for Year 9 in 2020 is Tuesday 28 January. Start up information for 2020 is at the bottom of this newsletter.

All this week Year 9 and 10 students have been matching their wits with an EXSTREAMS (Exercise, Science, Technology, Religious Education, Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies) cross curricular project. The aim has been to get students to work together to design a solution to a problem. They have been using components of the digital technologies curriculum and following the ‘design thinking process’. We are looking forward to presentations from each group this afternoon.

Next Monday 18 November there are no classes as staff engage in professional development. An agenda covering Special Character, Digital Curriculum, Wellbeing, and a Review of Student Expectations are all planned. Some students will be onsite catching up on missed junior assessments and others on a Plunket Babysitting course. Of course NCEA exams continue under the jurisdiction of our Exam Centre Manager.

Next Wednesday evening 20 November starting at 7pm and concluding on Thursday at 2.15pm, Year 10 students will be attending their Retreat at the Home of Compassion in Island Bay, the theme of which is Inspiring Men and Women. Our DRS, Mrs Ilana de Vos, and Year 9/10 Dean, Ms Kate Lucas will lead this overnight special character opportunity. Your support is important for full attendance. Please ensure that your daughter is at the Home of Compassion for a 7pm start on Wednesday night. There is no cost to families; the cost is being met by our Board of Proprietors.

Next year’s summer sports programme is being organised now and the call is out for netball coaches and/or managers. If you have a passion and interest for netball, then we would love to hear from you. We are expecting a good number of junior teams and our senior team requires a coach too, so we would really appreciate your support of sport at SCC. Please contact either myself, steve.bryan@scc.school.nz or Rita Chote on rita.chote@scc.school.nz

We are hosting 12 international students at the start of next year and we still require some homestay families to accommodate our guests; this is an opportunity to host a Japanese student for Term 1. A weekly homestay fee is paid to host families. If you are interested in hosting an international student or want to find out more about what hosting an international student involves, please contact our International Student Co-ordinator. Mrs Megan Kim on megan.kim@scc.school.nz

Another reminder that our Prizegiving is on Tuesday 3 December. All students are expected at St Patrick’s College at 10am for a full practice. Then we all return for a 7pm start to our premier event. We would love you to attend with your whānau and celebrate the achievements of our students.

I attended the St Patrick’s College Prizegiving last week. Their Rector, Mr Neal Swindells, presented his final report as Rector of St Patrick’s College and after more than 20 years of Principal leadership in Marist secondary schools. On behalf of the St Catherine’s College community I extend our acknowledgement of the work Neal has done to ensure the special relationship between St Patrick’s and St Catherine’s has continued and for his strong witness to the values and principles of Catholic education. We convey our very best wishes to Neal for life beyond the school gates.

Start Up 2020

Wednesday 22 January - Office Opens

Monday 27 January 12.30pm: Yr 12 and 13 - Course Confirmation

Tuesday 28 January 9am: Yr 9 and 13 - Peer Support Day

Wednesday 29 January: 8.55am - ALL STUDENTS start

Cardinal John sends out a newsletter every second week to schools and parishes; it always contains pearls from his life’s vocation. I found these extracts worth sharing:

I was listening to the Concert Programme as I normally do in the car. There was beautiful music playing and the commentator was saying that this whole programme was dedicated to reflecting on and working for peace in our world. Then he introduced a musician who was playing a Bach composition. I don’t know what the piece was, but it was beautiful. The musician said that he plays that piece of music every day and then said, “It is my benediction on the day.” His words

reminded me of the little practice I engaged in a long time ago. It also reminded me of a phrase I used a lot at about the same time in my life, a saying of Abraham Joshua Heschel: “Just to be is a blessing, just to live is holy.”

I spent the rest of the drive home pondering on what I could do every day to make my own “benediction on the day,”and what I could do to ensure that life is a blessing. I know that if I see my life as a blessing, if I try to live every day and every moment of the day as a gift from God, then life will be holy. If life is lived as a blessing and a gift every day it then becomes not just a blessing for me, but for everyone I meet with throughout any particular day.

What is your “benediction on the day?”

Regards and God’s blessing

Steve Bryan

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whānau

2020 International Students & Homestays Needed

Next year we are having 12 Japanese students; 8 of them for term one and 2 of them for the whole year. Among them, 4 students still need homes to stay.

They will be here for term one arriving late January and leaving on the 28th of March. They are 14 or 15 years old but 3 of them will be placed in year 9 by their Japanese school's request. The homestay fee is $280 per week.

If you or any members of your family are interested in having one of the girls, would you let me know? It would be greatly appreciated.

PTA News

You are invited to attend the PTA Annual General Meeting on:

Thursday 14 November 20197:00pmat the Strathmore Local, 3/5 Strathmore Aveplease RSVP to stcatherinescollegepta@gmail.com so we have an idea of numbers for catering.

We are especially seeking a grants officer - this is someone special to look after funding/grant applications. We also welcome new committee members.

The current Chair, Treasurer and Secretary are happy to stand again. However, if anyone is interested in one of these roles please send your nomination to stcatherinescollegepta@gmail.com by 5pm Wednesday 13 November.

We will have a short meeting followed by nibbles, provided by the PTA.

The agenda for our meeting is:

Apologies –

Minutes of previous AGM

Treasurer’s report

Chairperson’s report

Election of officers:

Co-Chairperson – nominations received for Cecilia Ross, Lucy Wooles

Treasurer - nomination received for Joy Nagrampa

Secretary – nomination received for Stephanie Coulman

Other Business.

Secretary

St Catherine's College PTA https://www.facebook.com/StCatherinesCollegePTA

Healthy Futures – Eat well, play well

Healthy Steps is free, fun, and easy!

Looking for something to do over summer with your family? Thinking of entering Round the Bays 2020?

We invite you and your family to join or start a Healthy Steps group in your local community and get active together with us this summer.

We will give you the tools and resources you need to participate.

Simply choose your exercise goal, share it with your whānau and friends, and step up for life.

Together you and your community can support and encourage each other, achieve your exercise goal, and have fun along the way.

To find out more, simply visit our website www.healthyfutures.org.nz/healthysteps

Miramar North School Fair

The Miramar North Primary School Food and Fun Fair is back, bring the family and have some kai and fun on November 29th from 5.00pm until 7.30pm. There will be food, craft and plant stalls and of course fun games for the tamariki.

You can follow the fair event here on Facebook for all the exciting stuff that is happening and the delicious food!

https://www.facebook.com/events/2285918785004474/

Regards and Gods Blessings

Congratulations to all the students nominated for the College Sport Wellington - 2019 Sportsperson of the Year Awards. A big congratulations to Esther Kozyniak who was a finalist for Cross Country / Road Race and to Sophia Higgs, who took out the female Volleyball Player of the Year at the College Sport Wellington Awards Dinner for 2019.

1st November 2019

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whānau

Sadly our school was vandalised last night with extensive paint graffiti over numerous surfaces. The police are investigating and we have received excellent support from other secondary schools in the area. We are taking steps to remove the graffiti as soon as possible.

Today we have farewelled our senior students (Yrs 11,12, 13) at our Leavers’ Mass at St Patrick’s Church. Father James Lyons described the richness of school life comparing it to the sensory experience of eating fruit. The diversity of St Catherine’s was beautifully displayed when 8 Yr 13 students read Prayers of the Faithful in their different languages - a beautiful fruit salad.

The coming days are a valuable opportunity to study and revise for NCEA examinations. Students are welcome to study at school and/or attend tutorials with teachers.

Students have received briefings today from our NZQA Examination Centre Manager about the format and rules which govern NCEA exams. It is important that these are all taken on board for the next few weeks.

The end of the exams does not signal the end of the school year as all students have one important day to attend - Prizegiving day and evening on Tuesday 3 December 2019.

We expect all students to be in attendance at the prizegiving practice at St Patrick’s College at 10am as well as in the evening at 7pm.

ST CATHERINE’S COLLEGE PRIZEGIVING

ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE HALL

TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER 2019

7PM

I look forward to sharing this occasion with you as we celebrate and recognise the achievements of your daughter/s.

At the Board of Trustees meeting last week the full Board passed a motion to accept the Government’s offer of $150 per student for the year. This means that for 2020 we will receive a lump sum based on the July roll return from 2019. It also means that there will be no contributions requested from parents and caregivers for curriculum related costs. The Government has made some dispensations to this with school camps, leadership camps, and Geography field trips eligible for parent/caregiver contributions. The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees will write to you soon describing plans for 2020 school funding.

Congratulations to our finalists for the College Sport Wellington Sportsperson of the Year Awards - for Cross Country / Road Race - Esther Kozyniak and for Volleyball - Sophia Higgs. We wish them well for the College Sports Awards Ceremony on November 3.

Congratulations to Steph Edlin on winning the ‘Wellington Speaking Union's Stockley Cup’ senior speech competition last week. This is one of the Wellington region's premier public speaking events of the year.

Also, congratulations to Emma Cameron, from Year 9, who represented St Catherine's splendidly in the Wellington Speaking Union's Dunsheath Plate junior speech competition. While Emma was not placed, she performed exceptionally well.

EXSTREAMS Project

In week 5 the Year 9 and Year 10 students have an exciting opportunity to be part of the EXSTREAMS project. This is a cross-curricular project with the aim of getting students to work together to design a solution to a problem. They will be using components of the digital technologies curriculum and will follow the ‘design thinking process’. There are five different topics that the students have signed up to. The topics are:

Improving physical wellbeing

How to survive a zombie apocalypse

Building the Church

Prejudice

Surviving in a sustainable world

Within each of these 5 topics are three groups of 5 students who have come up with a smaller problem based on the main topic. They will be designing and creating a solution to their problem.

The students will work on this for sessions 2-5 every day in week 5. It is hoped that they will use and develop real world skills such as: problem solving, evaluation, researching, critical thinking, delegation and working as a team.

Catherine McAuley said, ‘God never refuses His grace to those who ask it.’ At this busy and sometimes stressful of the year let us place our faith and hope in God.

Regards and God’s blessings

Steve Bryan

We have an exciting opportunity for someone to make a difference for our students, so please pass this onto family and friends who may be interested in working in a rewarding role: -

St Catherine’s College

Sports Coordinator

We are seeking a motived person with a passion for engaging teenage girls in physical activity whilst also striving for excellence. This is a permanent position for 20 hours per week (term time only) commencing 27 January 2020.

Good communication and organisation skills, IT skills and basic financial skills are important. Support of the Special Character of the College is essential.

For further information and a job description please contact Chris Perry, PA to Principal on 939-8988.

Please forward covering letter, addressed to Steve Bryan, Principal, including the names of two referees, to Chris Perry (chris.perry@scc.school.nz).

Today at 12.00pm. Mass will be held at St Patrick's Church, 3 Childers Terrace in Kilbirnie.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Just a reminder that the ‘Leaver’s Mass’ is this Friday at 12.00pm. It will be held at St Patrick’s Church, 3 Childers Terrace in Kilbirnie. All welcome.

We look forward to seeing you.

Regards & God’s blessings

St Catherine’s College

Dear Parents, Caregivers & Whanu

PTA – AGM

The PTA AGM will be held:

Date: Thursday 14 NovemberTime: 7pmVenue: Strathmore Local, 3/5 Strathmore Ave

We will have a short AGM followed by some nibbles provided by the PTA.

You are all welcome - we are especially looking for a new Grants officer to help with funding applications.

Agenda and other AGM stuff will be sent out soon, in the meantime, mark the date in your calendars.

Homestay Family Wanted

We are seeking homestay families for Term 1, 2020 for international students from Japan. They will be year 10 or year 11. They are arriving mid-January, attending language schools and staying at St Catherine’s College until late March - 10 to 11 weeks. The homestay fee is $280 weekly per student.

Please contact Megan Kim (International Co-ordinator) if you are interested.

Sports Coordinator

St Catherine’s College are seeking a motived person with a passion for engaging teenage girls in physical activity whilst also striving for excellence. This is a permanent position for 20 hours per week (term time only) commencing 27 January 2020.

Good communication and organisation skills, IT skills and basic financial skills are important. Support of the Special Character of the College is essential.

For further information and a job description please contact Chris Perry, PA to Principal on 939-8988.

Please forward covering letter, addressed to Steve Bryan, Principal, including the names of two referees to Chris Perry email chris.perry@scc.school.nz.

Regards & God’s blessings

St Catherine’s College

Newsletter - 25th October 2019

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Greetings to you all. I hope your family is well and enjoying the freshness of spring. I am back from my Term 2 sabbatical which allowed me to experience some wonderful adventures. The highlights were extensive travels, meeting many wonderful people, and a range of new experiences.

Our time in Dublin was a highlight where for 8 days we lived in Mercy House and I had the privilege of attending the Mercy Ethos Programme. There were 3 stages to this, first was “Life and times of Catherine McAuley”, the foundress of the Mercy Sisters in 1831. How interesting to learn of the influences and forces in Ireland during the period leading up to and during Catherine’s life. Secondly “What Mercy looks like today through the work of Mercy Global Action”, which focuses on the themes of displacement of people, and degradation of the earth. Thirdly “Mercy Global Presence”, - a process of inquiry over the next 16 months to ensure the place of Mercy energy in the world. It is remarkable to consider that there are over 500,000 partners in Mercy ministries around the world

We ended our travels in Samoa where for 2 weeks at Paul VI College we lived, taught, and involved ourselves in the life of the school, the church and the village. Paul VI College was formerly a Mercy school, now Diocesan, but with strong support and liaisons these days from the De La Salle congregation. The school may be short on resources and technology but huge on spirit, faith, and community. It was a privilege to be welcomed into the school and learn so much about Fa’a Samoa.

Term 4 is very short for Year 11-13 students. They have been sitting Derived Grade Examinations this week and will receive feedback from their teachers as soon as they are marked. All these students received full reports at the end of Term 3 which described pathways for them to achieve their best. If you did not receive this report please contact the college office. It is important for students to have a strong focus in class and towards a study/revision programme in preparation for their NCEA exams which begin on Friday 8 November. Classes finish here on Friday 1 November. Students will be encouraged to access school throughout the NCEA exam programme for study and teacher support. Year 9 and 10 Exams are scheduled to start on Monday 4 November. Students will be encouraged to prepare for their exams by spending time at home in the evening revising for their exams. Full reports will be sent home after these exams.

Congratulations to the combined Kapa Haka group from St Mary’s College, St Patrick’s College and St Catherine’s College - Nga Maioha o te Rangikauia - on their performances and achievements of late. Most recently they performed at the St Patrick’s College Foundation Benefit Dinner to great acclaim; ‘ít was a hair raising experience...I was moved by their stirring performance...absolute highlight of the evening’

We are very proud of our Head Girl, Steph Edlin, who campaigned for election to the Wellington City Council. While not making it this time Steph polled well and has learnt much from the experience. Watch this space in 2022!

The well-being of our students is always of paramount importance. Punctuality to school ensures a safe and concentrated start to the school day. Please support your daughter’s learning by ensuring she arrives before the 8.55am bell, and if she is going to be absent phone in an explanation. Summer uniform is now being worn. Please support our uniform standards by ensuring random clothing is not worn to school.

At the end of Term 3 the staff farewelled Ms Anne Ashby who has been a teacher aide at St Catherine’s for 7 years. Anne is a compassionate caring teacher who has made a huge

difference in the confidence, esteem, and achievement of many students. We thank her and wish her much happiness beyond SCC.

At the Board of Proprietors’ meeting this week we farewelled and acknowledged of Mrs Catherine Fyfe. Catherine has been the Chair of the BOP since 2017 and in this short time period made a huge contribution to proprietal matters at the college. Property works in particular have realised new and renovated facilities. I am very grateful to Catherine for her support.

A reminder that we need all our families to be paying school charges, contributions, and Attendance Dues. The Attendance Dues are a compulsory payment to the Archdiocese of Wellington of $1040 per student. If any family needs assistance with these costs they can make an appointment to meet with me either at school or a place more convenient for you.

Below are the events that might involve parents and their families. Please note that on Monday 18 November we are holding a Teacher Professional Development Day - there will be no classes on that day. The premier event of the year is our School Prizegiving on Tuesday 3 December in the St Patrick’s College Hall at 7pm - please mark this on your calendar.

Catherine McAuley was a woman with a vision of making a difference for women and children in her time. This was in spite of the major social and political barriers of her time, yet her faith, compassion, and determination won through. She said, ‘You should remember that not to advance is to go back, and reflect each day what you can do more to attract God's love and friendship than you did the day before.’

Regards and God’s blessings

Steve Bryan

Principal

Other SCC News:-

PARENT PORTAL

The address for this has been updated on the school website.

The correct address is https://student.stcatherinescollege.school.nz/index.php

Library News

The Library is looking to develop its magazine collection. Is there anyone who has a subscription to a magazine who would be willing to pass on copies to the school once they're no longer needed. We are particularly interested in North and South and The Listener, but other magazines may also be useful. Please contact the librarian. Thank you!

University Scholarships for Year 13 Students MoneyHub, a consumer finance website, has published a guide to hundreds of scholarships for any student planning to start university in 2020. The comprehensive list includes scholarships offered by every university as well as those specifically available to local students. A list of privately-funded, Maori, Pacific and International university scholarships completes the list. Applications close throughout the year, with tens of millions of dollars available. MoneyHub has also published a list of tips for scholarship success. For more details and to find suitable scholarships, visit the MoneyHub Scholarship page

Fundraising

If you or anyone you know is thinking of selling their home, we have been offered the following promotion. Charles Morley-Hall from Just Paterson Real Estate (for those who do not know Charles, Charles very kindly donated his time and voice for the SCC Auction run by the PTA at The Pines this year) is offering $1000 to SCC if any parents or wider Whānau sell their home through him.

Coming events –

Week 2

Next Wednesday 23 October: Assembly Sports Prizegiving; An invitation is extended to parents to attend this event which will be part of our Assembly starting in our Mercy Hall at 12.00pm

24/10 BOT meeting 5.30pm // Dunsheath Plate Junior Speech competition

(Wellington Speaking Union) 6pm at St Catherine’s.

Week 3

29/10 Year 11 Retreat - St Joseph’s

30/10 Assembly - Student Leaders’ addresses

1/11 All Saints Day - SCC Leavers Mass // Yr 11-13 Study Leave commences

Week 4

4/11 Junior Exams begin // Whanau Hui for

6/11 NCEA exams begin

8/11 College Sport Wellington Junior Volleyball competition

Week 5

12/11 Yr 8 Orientation Day // EXSTREAMS week for Yrs9-10

Week 6

18/11 Teacher Only Day (Open) Digital PLD

19/11 Williams Shield begins

20/11 BOP meeting

Week 7

28/11 BOT meeting

Week 8

3/12 Prizegiving

5/12 Leavers' Dinner; 7pm, at Spruce Goose

6/12 Term 4 ENDS

Dear Parents, Caregivers & Whānau

Measles

Thank you to all the families who have produced their daughter’s immunisation record from either their Plunket book or the GP. This could be proof for your daughter to be able to attend college next term, if we end up with a measles case here. As the newsletter sent on Monday explained, measles has been diagnosed at a local secondary school. We will endeavour to keep everyone safe and that includes students, staff and our families.

Mercy Mass

Mercy Mass was held on Wednesday at St Patrick’s Church. Mass is always a wonderful time to share and be together. One of our students, Jingki Eduarte received confirmation from Father Ephrem, which made the Mass even more special. We thank Mrs DeVos, who once again made this not just a joyous occasion, but one of pure spiritualness.

Mad Hatter Tea Party!

This was also held on Wednesday at Break 1 in the Food Room. It was hosted by the Year 10 Food class, who made some amazing food and shared their new knowledge of cooking and baking. There were so many yummy treats, it was hard to pick anything. We thank Ms Graham and the Year 10 Foods students.

BOT Nominations

We had 4 amazing students running for the position of the BoT Representative for 2019/2020. We would like to congratulate Brereton McKee. Well done to all the candidates for a very close race.

Derived Grade Examinations - for Senior students in Term Four, Week One.

Term Three Break – tutorial schedule has been emailed to parents/caregivers. Students are encouraged to attend tutorials/workshops relevant to their subject/s as well as to revise in their own time in preparation for these examinations.

Should your daughter be unable to sit her NCEA external assessments in November, the grades from these examinations will be used to determined her derived grade.

Red Nose Day

The girls did a great job with fundraising for ‘cure kids’ and raised $409.00.

Prizegiving 2020

Prizegiving for is coming up in Term 4. If you have any trophies at home, could you please return them to reception as soon as possible. They all need to be engraved for the 2020 winners.

We wish everyone a safe and restful two week break. Our Yr 11,12 & 13 will be studying for their upcoming NCEA exams and we wish them all the best.

We will see everyone for the start of Term 4 on Monday 14th October.

Regards and God’s blessings

St Catherine’s College

Dear Parents, Caregivers & Whānau

Measles Update

Measles has been confirmed at Wellington High School.

Measles is highly infectious, including in the time period before a rash develops.

St Catherine's College believes that it is wise to ensure that all students, staff and whānau are prepared in case measles is diagnosed here.

If you have not already done so, please confirm that your daughter has had at least 1 measles vaccine (MMR) given after 12 months of age or has had doctor-diagnosed measles.

Confirmation of vaccination can come from:

1. Wellchild or Plunket Book

2. Immunisation Printout from your daughter's Medical Centre.

Compass Health has confirmed that there is no cost involved for immunisation record printout.

Regards and God’s blessings

St Catherine’s College

Dear Parents, Caregivers & Whānau

Today SCC & SPC played netball in Break 2 (lunchtime). Players played heroically, but there could only be one winning team. SPC dominated, but SCC definitely slowed them down a notch. 12-0 to SPC was the final score. Well done to all the students who played.

Year 12 Retreat St Joseph’s

On Friday 13 September the Year 12 cohort participated in a retreat at St Joseph's Church, Mt Victoria. The theme of leadership was presented through a number of fun and reflective activities. One of these was working out what personality type each student was using the Myers Briggs Personality Test. Another activity involved being a servant leader; washing the hands of one another. We then became the leader and washed the hands of one of our peers. We ended the day with meditation.

Thanks to Mrs De Vos, Mrs Ryan, Mrs McDonald and Ms Lucas for organsing the day.

Derived Grade Examinations –

take place in Term Four Week 1 for senior students.

The grades from these examinations will be used as evidence should students be unable to sit their NCEA external examination in November.

Teachers have organised workshops, open classrooms and tutorials in the term three break to support students in their revision and preparation for the examinations. Please encourage your daughter to take advantage of these opportunities as well as to put aside time to revise thoroughly for her examinations.

A tutorial schedule is attached to this newsletter.

2019 Measles Outbreak Information

Thank you to those families who have supplied their daughter’s immunisation information. We would still appreciate if you could let us know if your daughter is fully vaccinated, or you are able to email us her vaccination record (from your GP or in your daughter’s Plunket book). We apologise for the inconvenience, but with the measles outbreak we need to have this information at hand.

Mathematics Tuition at St Catherine’s College during week 2 of the term holidays

The St Catherine’s College Mathematics department offers tuition Level 1 and Level 2 students during week 2 of the term holidays from Monday to Friday.

Level 1 Mathematics tuition runs from 11:30 to 13:30.

Level 2 Mathematics tuition from 9:15 to 11:15.

The tuition is most efficient if your daughter revises in week 1 of the term break. Please encourage her to do so. Most students have purchased a very good write on revision booklet for the externals and there is ample material on GoogleClassroom including all previous exams. Model answers are provided for the exams for the last five years.

NZ Opera - School performance of the Return of the Screw –

Tuesday, 1st October 6.30pm at the Opera House

A ghost story. Revealed. Turn by turn

Benjamin Britten’s haunting operatic version of Henry James’s famous novella The Turn of the Screw is a chilling ghost story, saturated with menace. The story follows a young governess, performed by internationally acclaimed Kiwi soprano Anna Leese, as she arrives at a remote country house to care for two children, with only written instructions from an absent guardian who advises that he is not to be contacted..................

This thriller is directed by New Zealand Opera’s General Director Thomas de Mallet Burgess, conducted by Holly Mathieson, set and costume design by Tracy Grant Lord, and lighting design by Matthew Marshall. It features the stellar voices of soprano Anna Leese, tenor Jared Holt, and sopranos Madeleine Pierard and Patricia Wright

School Groups are invited to book seats at the special price of $10 per student ticket* to attend the dress rehearsals in the theatre and experience how all the elements of opera come together as opening night approaches.

As this is in the holidays there may not be a teacher accompanying students. This will be a self-directed activity for which we can access tickets for your child and perhaps you also.

Contains adult themes, attendance for those students 15 years and older is recommended, but this is of course at the discretion of parents.

Wellington Dress Rehearsal

Tuesday 1 October at 6.30pm, The Opera House

If your daughter is interested in going she should bring $10.00 to Janet at the school office by Wednesday 26 September. There are 2 parents allowed to attend per 10 students. These adult tickets are for $30.00. Please register interest at the school office with your daughter but do not pay any money until we have established there are enough students attending.

Bunnings Warehouse Wellness Event Invitation.

Event at Bunnings Warehouse Lyall Bay.

Next Wednesday the 25th of September we are holding a wellness event in store in which

Have a mental health advocate Genevieve Mora will speak! We’ll be having a D.I.Y so people can paint their own pot plant and create a macramé masterpiece whilst she

talks about her story and has a conversation with those there. There will be nibbles and afternoon tea provided.

We think this would be a great event for teenagers to attend as mental health is such an important topic, and we need to be able to start conversations about it.

This is being held from 4pm – 6pm.

Regards and God’s blessings

St Catherine’s College

Dear Parents, Caregivers & Whānau

2019 Measles Outbreak Information

We have been checking on student’s records and have found we have not got some students’ vaccination information on file. Could you please complete the attached form and email or send back in with your daughter as soon as possible? Please complete a form for each of your daughters. If you have their completed immunisation record (from your GP or in the Plunket book), we would like to have a copy this on file if available. We apologise for the inconvenience, but with the measles outbreak we need to have this information at hand.

Information sent by the Ministry of Health

There are currently outbreaks of measles in New Zealand.

Last updated 11.05 am, 4 September 2019.

From 1 January 2019 to 4 September 2019 there have been 991 confirmed cases of measles notified across New Zealand. 821 of these confirmed cases are in the Auckland region.

Measles is circulating in New Zealand, particularly in the Auckland region.

If you’re feeling sick, you should stay away from work, school or public places, to help prevent putting other people at risk.

If you or a family member suspect, you have measles you should stay at home and call Healthline on 0800 611 116 or your doctor to alert them of your symptoms. If you have measles it is important to avoid spreading it to others in the waiting room.

When you immunise your child, you're also protecting the people around them, including those who can’t be immunised themselves.

Auckland infants can get their first dose of MMR from 12 months of age. For those outside the Auckland region, infants can continue to receive their first dose at 15 months and 4 years.

People aged 50 years and over are considered immune as measles used to be very common, so won't need the measles immunisations.

At this stage the Ministry does not recommend event organisers cancel events such as concerts, sports events, festivals, or other public congregations. However, organisers are asked to liaise closely with their local DHBs and public health units for the latest advice.

Uniform

Students are expected to wear winter uniform until the end of term three.

Winter uniform includes:

1. blazer - to and from school and when not on school property

2. long-sleeved white shirt

3. tie

4. white ankle socks or black tights

5. black school shoes

6. hair to be tied up

Students are permitted one earring in each ear, one ring and natural nail polish shades.

Some students are decorating their eyebrows with eyebrow slits.

Eyebrow slits are not an acceptable part of the school uniform.

If your daughter has decorated her eyebrows in this way, please ensure that she grows the slits out immediately.

Regards & God’s Blessings

St Catherine’s College

SCC Careers Expo – Wednesday 4th September 2019

From 11.30-1pm on Wednesday 4th September, SCC is holding its own Careers Expo. We have a selection of Tertiary and Career Providers that will present to the students, to help answer questions students and parents have about option choices and job opportunities. There will be lots of giveaways and prizes to be won. Parents and caregivers are most welcome to attend. Parking will be available on the school courts. During this week SCHOOLPOINT will be open for students to do course selection. You can login with your daughter and complete this process. https://scc.schoolpoint.co.nz

Rangitahi (Young People) Survey

Voice of Rangitahi Survey

A reminder that we have agreed to take part in this survey. It is optional for students to complete.

Voice of Rangatahi - Active Student Survey Sport New Zealand, College Sport Wellington, and Sport Wellington will soon be circulating an online survey with secondary school students across the region. The following information will explain how and why we are conducting the survey at St Catherine’s College.

Why are we surveying Rangatahi (Young People)?

Young people are important to us, and experiences during secondary school years can inspire or discourage a life-long involvement in physical activity. We want to ensure that rangatahi have great sport, physical activity and active recreation experiences at school and the more we know about a population group, the better placed we are to provide opportunities and experiences that meet their needs, ultimately supporting a lifelong love of being active. Rangatahi need representation at the decision-making table - we need to be making decisions that are informed by the audience who we are looking to cater for. We’ll only know how to improve experiences if we understand what rangatahi are doing now.

Why will the survey be in schools?

We want to find out what more can be done to support schools and teachers, and link schools to sport and recreation organisations in their communities. We’re targeting secondary schools from across the country so we have information from a cross-section of rangatahi across New Zealand. We want to survey all secondary school students and school is the best place to reach such a large number of young people.

Do schools have a say in how and when the survey is administered?

Yes. The survey is circulated to students and is completed online. It is up to the school as to when and where the survey is completed. The survey is being set up so it is easy for schools and students to take part at a time which is convenient for them.

Data Protection

Students will have their say but will not be identifiable down to the individual level. There is a section at the end of the survey that asks participants to voluntarily provide their name, date of birth and postcode. These details will enable the responses to be combined with other data held by Sport NZ and/or other agencies (e.g. Statistics NZ), but will be removed once this is done (i.e. individuals will not be able to be identified).

If for any reason you do not want your child to participate in the survey you are welcome to opt your child out of taking part. To opt your child out please let your school know or contact Julie Moularde at Sport Wellington Juliem@sportwellington.org.nz (04) 380 2070.

Dear Parents, Caregivers & Whānau

Poetry Competition

The St Catherine’s College Annual Poetry competition started last Monday. Students are encouraged to create some original poetry and submit it to Ms Walsh (deidre.walsh@scc.school.nz). Competition finishes at the end of Week 7 (6th September 2019). Today we celebrated New Zealand Poetry day with poetry reading in the Library, accompanied by hot chocolate and muffins. Students and staff shared their own and their favourite peoms.

BOT Student Representative Nominations - 2020

Next week we will begin our search for our student BOT representative for 2020. Students may nominate themselves or someone else. Candidates can be from any year level. Nomination forms are available from reception. Students will be expected to prepare a candidate statement about themselves, between 1-2 minutes long. Nominations will close Friday 6th September at 12.00pm. Voting will take place on Friday, 20th September at Whānau time and the successful applicant will be informed and take office on Friday 27th September 2019.

SCC Sewing for sale

Juggling balls (3 for $5) and wheat packs in a velour cover ($5 with instructions). See Mrs Willis or email her on gill.willis@scc.school.nz, if you would like to purchase anything.

SCC Sports News

Pacific Junior Diving Championships are being held 23-25 August at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre. Diving NZ is very excited to be hosting over 60 young divers, aged 12-18years, from around the Pacific region at the inaugural Pacific Junior Diving Championships at Kilbirnie Pool over the week from 23-25th August. The event is open to the public throughout the three days.

NCEA 1 & 2 EXAM PREPARATION HOLIDAY PROGRAMME

Knowledge Shop will be holding its highly successful NCEA Exam Preparation Programme from Monday 30 September to Friday 4 October.

St Patrick’s College Kilbirnie & the Johnsonville Community Centre venues are open to students from all schools.

This is an excellent opportunity to revise the most important areas of the curriculum to ensure you are prepared for the upcoming NCEA exams.

Visit our website at www.knowledgeshopnz.co.nz for the full programme. All bookings are made online.

Regards & God’s Blessing

St Catherine’s College

The Year 9 Food Technology class created gingerbread houses as part of the technology process.

St Catherine's College is proud to present Ko Ngā Wahine O Te Waiata, an evening of art and music this Thursday the 22nd of August.

School News

Ko Ngā Wahine O Te Waiata – An Evening of Art & Music

When:- Thursday, 22nd August, Doors open from 6.30pm for 7pm start.

Where:- St Catherine’s College Mercy Hall

Cost:- Adults $5 – Students $2 – Under 12 Free

Performances include the Jazz Quartet - Barbershop Chorus – Choir - Guitar Ensemble - String Ensemble - Kapa Haka - Poly Club - Solo and Dance Performances – Junior Art Auction.

Poetry Competition

Next week the Poetry Completion at SCC starts. Students are encouraged to create some original poetry and submit it to Ms Walsh (deidre.walsh@scc.school.nz). Competition finishes at the end of Week 7 (6th September 2019).

2019 NZ Book Council Lecture from Lani Wendt

Details:

Stories from the Wild: Reading and Writing in the Digital Age – A New Zealand Book Council Lecture

Delivered by Lani Wendt Young

Wednesday 28 August, 6pm

Wellington High School

What did I read? Anything I could get my hands on?"

...a quote from Lani Wendt Young, who'll be speaking at a free lecture at Wellington High School at 6pm on Wednesday, 28th August on issues around publishing, racism, controversy and the digital age. Several teachers are going - please encourage your daughter to sign up with her English teacher or the librarian if she's interested. Closing date for registrations - Wednesday, 21st August. Purchase tickets online $15 - adult, $10 - unwaged adult, child (16 years and younger) – Free.

Please follow this link for all information https://mailchi.mp/86645fe24061/wellingtonschoolinvitation

And here is the direct link for tickets https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/lani-wendt-young-stories-from-the-wild-tickets-64404616943

BOT Student Representative Nominations - 2020

Next week we will begin our search for our student BOT representative for 2020. Students can nominate themselves or someone else. Nominations forms are available from reception. Students will be expected to prepare a candidate statement about themselves, between 1-2 minutes long. Nominations will close, Friday 6th September at 12.00pm. Voting will take place on Friday, 20th September at Whānau time and the successful applicant will be informed and take office on Friday, 27th September 2019.

PTA News

Thank you from the PTA to our loyal and supportive community for helping us raise a fabulous $15,500 for our school. The Gala Auction on 1 August was a great success and all thanks to those who supported it by attending, bidding, buying raffle tickets and by donating items for auction. We are so grateful to you all. Some of the funds have immediately gone towards a high tech data projector and large screen in our hall, which was installed in time for the start of term III. Thanks for your support!

Bus Information – Metlink Information

Just over a year ago we made some big changes to the Metlink bus network. We are now checking in with our customers to find out what is working well, and what still needs to be fine-tuned. We realise that there are still some issues in some parts of the network, but the more detailed feedback we get from customers, the better we can address those problems.

Our engagement is being organised by city area. We have just completed the engagement for the Eastern suburbs of Wellington city and now have a set of local neighbourhood drop-in workshops for Southern, Western and Northern suburbs. In addition, there are two city centre drop-in workshops that cover all city areas, these are also for Eastern suburbs customers to have another chance to come and have their say.

If you can’t make a local session, then you can give feedback through an online survey, just go to Metlink.org.nz/busreview from Friday 23 August onwards.

SOUTHERN SUBURBS

Friday 23 August: Newtown Community & Cultural Centre – Theatre room (cnr Rintoul & Colombo Streets, Newtown): 11am to 6.30pm https://www.facebook.com/events/487095015186089/

Saturday 24 August: Brooklyn Community Centre – Lounge (18 Harrison Street, Brooklyn): 11am to 5pm https://www.facebook.com/events/409986529866405/

Saturday 7 September: Island Bay Presbyterian Church (88 The Parade, Island Bay): 11am to 5pm https://www.facebook.com/events/2453522968209520/

WESTERN SUBURBS

Saturday 31 August: Karori Community Centre - Youth Room (7 Beauchamp Street, Karori): 11am to 5pm https://www.facebook.com/events/404016710245291/

Sunday 1 September: Leonard Cockayne Centre, Otari Wilton Bush (160 Wilton Road, Wilton): 11am to 5pm https://www.facebook.com/events/493930151437573/

NORTHERN SUBURBS

Friday 6 September: Johnsonville Community Centre – Trust Room (3 Frankmoore Avenue, Johnsonville): 11am to 6.30pm https://www.facebook.com/events/869581243441874/

Saturday 14 September: Khandallah Presbyterian Church (33 Ganges Road, Khandallah): 11am to 5pm https://www.facebook.com/events/396421974411460/

CITY CENTRE

Sunday 8 September: Thistle Hall Community Centre (cnr Cuba & Arthur Street, Te Aro): 11am to 6pm https://www.facebook.com/events/430418847560104/

Wednesday 11 September: Victoria University of Wellington School of Business- Mezzanine Floor, (Rutherford House, 33 Bunny Street, Pipitea): 11am to 6.30pm https://www.facebook.com/events/405322393424309/

To get more information and to sign up for project updates go to: Metlink.org.nz/busreview

Enrolments are now open for 2020.

To make an appointment, or have an

enrolment pack sent out, please phone 04

939 8988 or email us on

office@stcatherinescollege.school.nz

Ko Ngā Wahine O te Waiata – Thursday, 22nd August

We would like to remind you that we have the Ko Ngā Wahine O Te Waiata – An Evening of Art & Music in the St Catherine’s Mercy Hall. Doors open at 6.30pm. Adults $5 – Students $2 – Under 12 Free – Door sales only. There will be performances from the Jazz Quartet – Barbershop Chorus – Choir – Guitar Ensemble – String Ensemble – Kapa Haka – Poly Club and Dance Performances. The Art Exhibition will be there for viewing and pieces will be available for purchasing.

Wonder Week

Wonder Week is part of the STEM Careers offering for senior students. St Catherine's College Year 11 students and Year 12 Physics class were taken behind the scenes of Wellington Cable Car and Transpower, to see a real-world glimpse of what it’s like to work in STEM. Last term Year 10 students went to the Wind Farm in Makara as part of the Girls in High Viz week.

The aim is for students to understand the incredible opportunities available to them in a STEM career. The best way to do this is by showing them examples of interesting STEM projects and doing activities with them, that will get them thinking about what it means to be a structural or biomedical engineer, a web developer, a geoscientist or any one of the thousands of amazing directions that a STEM career might take you.

Careers Visits

Year 12 and 13 students were visited by 4 female Police Officers on Wednesday as part of a nationwide recruitment drive. As a follow up here is a reminder about the Wahine Toa Female Recruitment Workshop on Saturday 24th August 10-2pm at the Wellington Central Police Station, 41 Victoria St. RSVP to loretta.hunt@police.govt.nz by Wednesday 21st August.

Upcoming trips

On August 20th there are two trips being planned - an opportunity for students thinking about Nursing to attend an Introduction to Nursing at Whitireia and a day at the New Zealand School of Tourism, for students interested in Hospitality and Tourism. If your daughter has brought home a letter, please get the permission slip in asap. On August 23rd, all the Wellington Tertiary Providers have their Open Day for Year 13 students. We will give timetables to the students to let them know what is happening during the day. Caregivers and parents are welcome to explore the many and varied future study options with their daughters around the city. Please email heather.miller@scc.school for more information.

School Courses for 2020

We use schoolpoint (https://scc.schoolpoint.co.nz) for hosting all our course selection processes. The Learning Area pages are open for students and caregivers to see the different courses to choose from. The Course selection link will not open until 2nd September. We want students to carefully think about career pathways and especially using STEM subjects. We are hosting an SCC Careers Expo on 4th September, where we invite many Tertiary Providers to talk to the students. It will be held from noon - 1pm and parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend. Please email mandy.page@scc.school.nz if you have any questions.

The Art Auction is next Thursday and ticket sales are going very slowly. We need you to try and sell as many as you can to family, friends and neighbours.

Tickets are $30 (this includes a complimentary drink) and can be brought from the school office.

This is a big fundrasier for our PTA, they do so much during the year supporting St Catherine's and this is our time to step up and help them sell their tickets for their Auction.

If you have any queries, you can contact Cecilia Ross on jacer@clear.net.nz or SCC on office@scc.school.nz/ 04 9398988.

Enrolments are now open for 2020.

To make an appointment, or have an

enrolment pack sent out, please phone 04

939 8988 or email us on

office@stcatherinescollege.school.nz

International Week is always a highlight of the St Catherine's College school year. We had the annual SCC International Parade on Wednesday, highlighting a range of cultures and talents.

Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Whānau,

We would like to wish everyone a lovely break, keep safe and see you all back on Monday, 22 July 2019.

Attached is a flyer advising the drop-in sessions we have planned as part of our Bus Network Review. We are starting in the Eastern Suburbs and through July, August and September we will be engaging with other suburbs. Please submit your feedback or contact them if you have any questions.

Don't forget the PTA Gala Auction on August 1st - 7pm at the Pines Tickets are $30 and you can email stcatherinespta@gmail.com to order them or if you have any questions.

Beyond the Page – An exciting literary festival for Tamariki

6th – 21st July 2019

Featuring well known authors, illustrators, and performers, Beyond the Page is a festival brimming with literary adventures for tamariki and their whānau.

Children will have the opportunity to explore their creative side, be inspired by spell-bounding performances, pick up a new skill, and discover a world of possibilities at their local library.

Follow Beyond the Page on Facebook, and visit www.beyondthepage.nz to find out what events are happening in your area.

All events are free.

Regards & God’s Blessing

St Catherine’s College

St Catherine’s College Gala Auction Come and join us for a wonderful night of fun, friendship and fundraising.

When:- 7 pm Thursday 1st August Where:- The Pines, 50 The Esplanade, Houghton Bay

$30 per ticket (includes a complimentary drink) Items for auction include art, food and drink, accommodation, experiences. For tickets, email: stcatherinescollegepta@gmail.com

Dear Parents, Caregivers & Whanau

Last Saturday we celebrated 100 years of Mercy education on the St Catherine’s College site. Starting with primary school education in the early 20th century, this site has, for 100 years, had a ‘Mercy’ presence and influence in the Catholic education of young people. To commemorate this milestone a High Tea was shared by over 150 past pupils, friends, staff, trustees and students. The whole event was superbly led and organised by Sr Stephanie and, with our amazing PTA creating a dining experience of the highest quality, a memorable afternoon was had by all.

The combined Kapa Haka group of St Mary’s College, St Patrick’s College and St Catherine’s College, Ngā Maioha o te Rangikauia, performed a full dress rehearsal the other night in the St Pat’s hall. Their performance was stunning; the passion, energy and skill they brought to their routine was inspiring. We wish them all the best for practices and performances in the coming week before the regional competition in the TSB arena next Friday.

This Sunday St Catherine’s is playing a leading role in the Ministries of the 9am Mass at St Joseph’s Mt Victoria. All students have been invited to represent their school and support our Special Character by their attendance and involvement.

Mercy in Action is the focus of our last week of the term. You are invited to join the school for Mass at St Patrick’s Parish Church at 12.15pm on Wednesday 3 July, and refreshments afterwards back in the staffroom.

Friday, 5 July, the last day of term, is our Mercy in Action Day. Students will work in their whānau groups to create products for the benefit of students and young people in South Sudan. We have arrangements with CARITAS for the money that we raise and some of these goods to be transported directly to counterparts in South Sudan.

We received this email from a family member visiting her mum at the Vincentian Home this week:

‘Most of you know Mrs de Vos and St Catherine’s girls go to the Vincentian home at least once a week to visit and interact with the residents of the Vincentian Home. My Mum is there and I see this happening. I have never seen such a response from these wonderful people to the girls.

I suggested to the carers they leave some of them who are taken back upstairs to the hospital after playing Bingo (for lollies) as they would enjoy the visit. Amazing to see the reaction to the visit and huge kudos to all. You all shared Love.’

Can I please seek your support to ensure our winter uniform is worn correctly every day? Wearing all parts of our uniform is an important aspect of being a St Cath’s girl and representing our school. Any exception should be requested through a note to school. Thank you for your support.

WINTER UNIFORM

is worn in Term Two and Term Three

· College Blazer (Year 9 students may wear school cardigan instead of college blazer)

· White, long-sleeved blouse

· Regulation skirt

· Black, leather lace-up shoes

· Black pantyhose or white ankle socks

· School tie

In Term 3, I will be away from school on a Principal’s sabbatical. I am attending a ‘Mercy Ethos Programme’ in Dublin and spending 2 weeks engaged in volunteer work at Paul VI College in Samoa. For the duration of Term 3, Ms Mandy Page (Curriculum), Mrs Halina McDonald (Pastoral), and Mrs Ilana de Vos (Special Character) will share the leadership roles of the college.

A very relevant prayer for the final week of Term 2 and our focus on Mercy in Action,

E te Atua Atawhai God of unending mercies;

Expand our aroha with the impulse of your love.

As we commit ourselves to acting locally

show us the global impact of what we do.

Inspire us to stretch our minds and hearts

in the ministries we serve

to make space for those at the margins.

Remind us that Whanau Mercy’s special gift

is the energy to embrace and befriend,

to welcome in those who are excluded.

Open our hearts to those who wait to come in.

Mauri ora. Amen.

I wish your family every blessing and the peace of Christ.

Regards

Steve Bryan

Principal

New Non-Emergency Police Phone Number - 105

NZ Police recently launched a new non-emergency number, 105. We’ve done this to make it easier to get hold of us in the event of non-urgent situations or ‘Things which have Already Happened’, which don’t require Police assistance immediately.

You can call us on 105 for all non-emergencies, or you can go online at 105.police.govt.nz to report things like:

- Lost property

- Theft for a public place or car

- Intentional property damage

- Or to get an update or add info to a previous report

In the event of an emergency, always call 111 - Things that are Happening Now.

St Catherine's College Junior A Basketball team had a great win on Tuesday against Kapiti 2. They have been continuing to develop their basketball skills and teamwork throughout the season.

The Belles Voix choir performed at The Big Sing which was held at the Michael Fowler Centre on the 11th of June. They performed three songs and won a certificate for their Category One Piece, E Rere by Hirini Melbourne.

On Sunday the 9th of June the SCC Trio featuring Alice on violin, Anna on violin and Edi on piano performed Trio Fantasia by New Zealand composer Jonathan Crehan. Thank you to Heather for taking the chamber group and Kris for your extra work with the girls throughout the past two terms.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Next Wednesday 26 June at 1pm all teachers are holding a PPTA meeting off site to ratify the terms of their negotiated settlement. At St Catherine’s we are having 3 full length teaching sessions followed by Assembly and then all students may go home.

Tomorrow here at school we are hosting High Tea for about 150 past pupils who have registered to celebrate 100 years of Mercy education on this site. Sister Stephanie has been very busy organising the event which has generated lots of interest and promises to be a rewarding afternoon. Many thanks to our PTA which is supporting the occasion and students, who are giving up time to host and act as guides for the visitors.

Our Home-School meetings this week have been well attended and there have been many parent/guardian comments about the conversations of sharing about student achievement and development.

Next Wednesday 26 June our combined Kapa Haka group, NGĀ MAIOHA O TE RANGIKAUIA, will perform a full dress rehearsal in the St Patrick’s College Hall at 7pm. A warm invitation is extended to all your whanau to attend - a gold coin donation is welcomed.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Ngaa mihi

Steve Bryan

Help wanted to build garden boxes for the community garden

Does anybody have themselves or any friends or relatives with building skills who can donate their time to help us build planter boxes for the community garden?

If so can, please contact ‘jasmine.watkins@stcatherinescollege.school.nz’.

We had the pleasure of having Daisy Lavea-Timo come in and share her slam poetry with several of the English classes.

Some of the Year 13 English class shared;

"I didn't expect there to be such a link between the hip-hop lyrics and Shakespeare!"

"I liked how she emphasised that poetry is for everyone. The origins of poetry come from anywhere - not just intellectuals."

"I liked it when she explained about the traditional Samoan tatau and what they symbolised." This was in response to Daisy's incredible poem about getting a traditional malu (female tattoo) - she described the whole ceremony as if the tufuga (Samoan traditional tattooist) was the Hollywood star and the assistants were the other characters in a drama - she mentioned Taika Waititi - creator, director and actor. Her poem was so incredible - involving body slapping as she described the "tap, tap, tap" of the tufuga's chisel on the body.

Thank you so much for sharing your gifts with us!

The SCC Jazz Quartet started mid Term One directed by our drum and bass guitar teacher Lauren Ellis. On the 5th of June entered in the NZSM Jazz Project Combo Competition at Victoria University. They performed Eddie Harris's Cold Duck Time and Route 66. After their performance they had a workshop with Mike Taylor.

On the 30th of May the SCC Chorus, St Catherine's College Barbershop Chorus, competed in the Young Singers in Harmony Contest at the Lower Hutt Town Hall. They came fifth in the Young Women's in Harmony Chorus section.

Special thanks to Bernadette Takacs, who directs the chorus, for sharing her talents and passion with the chorus, and for the countless hours she has spent with them throughout the past two terms to get them ready and sounding great!

Several Year 9 students and Ms Lucas spent the afternoon celebrating Suzanne Aubert's 184th birthday yesterday.

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whānau

The Feast of Pentecost was celebrated last weekend at Mass. The Gospel readings centred on the Holy Spirit descending upon the disciples of Jesus. The power of the Holy Spirit filled them with the ability to speak in tongues and communicate the word of Jesus Christ across the different tribes of Israel and beyond. Coincidentally, but very significantly, we have celebrated International Week this week. Each day there has been an activity which has highlighted the talents, gifts and uniqueness of the different cultures of our school community. Our prayers at assembly were delivered in some of the many different languages of our students. The concert that followed was highly entertaining with the pride and passion of our students’ cultures on display through song and dance.

Home-School meetings are on next Wednesday and Thursday from 4.00-6.30pm. It is not too late to book a time to meet with your daughter’s teachers and share important information about her learning and development. To book the 5 minute appointments go to:

https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code?code=sbpkr

Junior Reports and Senior Tracking Sheets will be issued to students to bring home on Monday 17 June.

Open Evening on Monday night was a huge success. A big turnout of families filled Studio 1 and adjacent rooms to hear addresses from our Head Girl, Steph Edlin, and Yr 9 students Emma Cameron and Ashwita Kumar. Tours of the school and supper from our great PTA rounded off a special night of St Catherine’s College community spirit. Enrolments are being taken for 2020 and appointments can be made through the college office on 04 9398988

Congratulations to Esther and Edi Kozyniak who are representing Wellington Secondary Schools this weekend at the national cross country championships in Timaru.

Industrial action planned for coming weeks has all been cancelled, as messages coming out of the Beehive signal positive talks between the Government and Teachers’ Union representatives.

Punctuality: please ensure that your daughter arrives at school for the start of the school day: Whānau time on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays begins at 8.55am and Session 1 starts at 9.10am on Wednesdays. All students (Years 9 – 13) are expected to be at school by the start of the day.

If you know that your daughter is going to be late to school, please contact the school office by telephone (939 8988) or by email (reception@scc.school.nz) to advise of the reason for the late arrival and the time we expect your daughter to be at school.

Your daughter’s attendance record can be accessed through the parent portal.

Emergency Situation – Safe Word

Following our Lockdown exercise on Thursday 6 June 2019, we have been advised by the NZ Police to ask families to arrange a one-word text message that can be sent by students to their parents / caregivers to confirm that they are safe after an emergency, such as fire, earthquake or lockdown. Please discuss with your daughter the safe word that your family will use in such a situation. Please note that, in the case of an on-site threat, the school website: (https://www.stcatherinescollege.school.nz/) will be the only method of communication until emergency services declare that the threat no longer exists.

A Blessing for you and your family,

May the mystery of God enfold us

May the wisdom of God uphold us

May the fragrance of God be around us

May the brightness of God surround us

May the wonder of God renew us

May the loving of God flow through us

May the peace of God deeply move us

May the moving of God bring us peace

Amen

Regards

Steve Bryan

Principal

SCC Notices

Performance of The Barber of Seville

Students have been offered tickets to the Dress Rehearsal of 'The Barber of Seville', a comic opera by Rossini. This production is said to be particularly hilarious and engaging, altogether very suitable for a young audience. This is playing at the Opera House on Wednesday 26 June at 6.30 pm. The cost is $11.00. Please collect your forms from the office or Music Dept. Permission slips should be handed in to the office by Friday 21 June.

High Tea – 22nd June 2019

On Saturday next week the college is hosting 150 persons for a high tea. We need to borrow some cake stands. If anyone has one or more they are prepared to lend, please contact Sister Stephanie 027 245 8859 orskit2@xtra.co.nz. Please put your name on the bottom if you wish it to be returned.

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whānau

Information has been received from PPTA signalling that Year 10 rostering home next week has been cancelled. It will be a normal week for school next week.

Have a great weekend.

We would like to congratulate the three students, Edi Callaghan, Alice Richards and Anna Coulman, who are representing St Catherine’s College at the Chamber Music competition on the weekend of the 8th & 9th June at Victoria University.

Regards and God Bless

Steve Bryan

Principal

Year 11 Careers Expo trip – 21st June

The planned trip to the Careers Expo at the Queen's Wharf Event Centre has been cancelled due to the proposed PPTA Regional Strike on that day.

The event is open to the public on June 21st and June 22nd and students and caregivers are welcome to attend.

Here is a link to the event.

https://www.careersexpo.org.nz/expos/wellington-2019

International homestays needed

Homestay Family needed in Term 3

1. We need two homes for four Hong Kong girls who are visiting us from 23rd or 24th July till 12th August. Two girls should be placed into one home, sharing a room with two single beds or bunk beds.

2. We also need a home for a Japanese girl from Ikubunkan School for 6 weeks during term 3.

3. We need two homes for two Chinese girls form 28th July till 9th August.

Please contact Megan on 021 1279 537 or megan.kim@scc.school.nz if you are interested.

Help wanted to build garden boxes for the community garden

Does anybody have themselves or any friends or relatives with building skills who can donate their time to help us build planter boxes for the community garden?

If so can, please contact ‘jasmine.watkins@stcatherinescollege.school.nz’.

St Catherine’s College has completed our lockdown exercise.

A notice providing more information about our emergency lockdown procedures will be sent to parents / caregivers via the College Newletter.

St Catherine’s College is conducting a lockdown exercise.

All updates are provided on our website.

Please do not come to the school or contact the school as

you will not be attended to.

We will update this website when the exercise has been completed.

Thank you.

31st May 2019

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whānau

On Tuesday of this week we celebrated Catholic Schools’ Day.

The first Catholic schools in New Zealand opened in the 1840s in different parts of the country on the back of early missionaries like Bishop Pompallier in the far north, and Father Garin in Nelson. The first religious teachers to reach New Zealand were the Sisters of Mercy in 1850. At St Catherine’s we are privileged to share in the Mercy charism which celebrates 100 years of Catholic education on our site here with celebrations on June 22. These are being organised by our very own Sister Stephanie, who is such a treasure at St Catherine’s College. You may register at skit2@xtra.co.nz

Cultural performances and practices are full on in the lives of students and staff. At our combined concert with St Patrick’s our students performed beautifully in a range of groups: guitar ensemble, chamber music trio, jazz trio, choir and barbershop group. The latter two groups are also performing in The Big Sing and Young Singers in Harmony competitions. Thank you to Ms Fiona Bell our music teacher for her dedication and support of the performing arts at St Catherine’s. Thanks also to Mrs Bernadette Takacs for her passionate leadership of our barbershop group, and all our itinerant music teachers for their service to our students.

Our combined Kapa Kaka group, Ngā Maioha o Te Rangikauia, is committed to weekend-long practices for their competition on Friday 5 July at the TSB Arena. A full rehearsal can be viewed at our school assembly on Wednesday 26 June. Thank you to Matua Whetu Henry and Ms Mandy Page for their leadership and support of our students.

Our Polyclub boasts 25% of the school roll and is practising for the Tu Tagata festival in the Michael Fowler Centre on Tuesday 30 July. Thank you to Mrs Halina McDonald for her generous commitment to our Poly group.

Another round of debating next week challenges the thinking and argument structure of our debaters and their coaches; how would you fare affirming or negating one of these: ‘this house would not send people to prison for non-violent crimes’ or ‘that robots should replace humans in the workplace’ or the O’Shea Shield moot ‘that morals demand the existence of God’

I mentioned in an earlier newsletter of a learning innovation some senior students were involved in. Congratulations to Tiffany Chung and Fernanda Caramto for their achievement; here is their latest report,

We participated, with 2 other girls from another school, in Technovation this year which is basically a global technology entrepreneurship competition for girls. We spent 2 months, starting from March, creating an app along with a business plan and demo + pitch videos. The aim of this competition was to create an app that solves a problem in the community so we created a mental health app called MindScape.

MindScape is a virtual garden that lets the user write what they are grateful for. The more gratitude posts they make, the more their flowers grow, and they can also reflect on their posts by clicking on the leaves on the stem.

I was the CEO and Finance Manager of MindScape and was partly in charge of writing up the business plan. On Sunday 26 May, my team flew to Auckland in the morning to attend Technovation’s national event where we pitched our app to a panel of judges and an audience with a PowerPoint. There were awards given to the top junior team and the top senior team from those who attended the pitch that day; my team was Senior. Shockingly, we won the top senior team!! We won an Artificial Intelligence Half-day workshop with Saba Tavakolinejad from Microsoft.

One of the judges on the panel was an inventor and he reached out to us and was excited to know how would we expand our app in the future and said he’ll get back to us which is amazing! There are more rounds coming with the judging based on our online submissions, and the last round is the World Pitch which is held in Silicon Valley, California for the top 12 scoring teams.

Overall, this experience was very invaluable and we couldn't have won without having an amazing team and two mentors who guided us along the way.

Congratulations also to Rachel Price for being selected in the Wellington U15 Black representative netball team.

On Wednesday 12 June senior students will receive an achievement tracking sheet and on Monday 17 June junior students will receive full reports. These reports will be the catalyst for conversations at our Home-School Meetings.

Home-School Meetings will be held on Wednesday 19th June and Thursday 20th June from 4.00pm -6.30pm in Te Atawhai Building. To book the 5 minute appointments go to:

https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code?code=sbpkr

Enter an email address and name details.

Select the subject from the drop down box.

Select the Teacher's name from the next drop down box. You can make up to 7 appointments.

Choose suitable times from either Wednesday 19th or Thursday 20th June.

We really encourage all parents/caregivers to attend these meetings with their daughter; over 80% of guardians met with teachers for the Learning Conversations a while back, and here is another opportunity to share in the special partnership of home-school for your daughter’s learning and development. Make your bookings now.

Mrs Kathy Ryan, Head of English, has won a Teachers’ Sabbatical and will be away for the next term. She is enrolled in courses in France and Ireland; we wish her safe and rewarding times. In her absence Ms Deirdre Walsh assumes the role of Head of English, Ms Phoebe Wright will teach her English classes, and Mrs Ilana de Vos will act as Dean of Years 12-13.

This morning we hosted a Prospective Parents’ Morning Tea; Studio 1 was overflowing with mums and dads new to St Catherine’s, listening to students sharing their journeys and taking tours of the school.

Our Open Night is on Monday 10 June at 6.30pm; spread the word to neighbours and friends who might have daughters destined for secondary school, we would love to host them.

When visiting one of our contributing schools and talking with Yr 7-8 students about enrolments for 2020, a student asked, ‘Who was St Catherine?’ Great question.

Catherine of Siena, in Italy, was a laywoman associated with the Dominican Order, she was a mystic, activist and author who had a great influence on Italian literature and the Catholic Church. She is one of the patron saints of Italy.

Catholic Schools’ Day was an opportunity to reflect on who we are and what we aspire to achieve with our young people…….

Regards and God’s blessings

Steve Bryan

Principal

PS. I have just received notice of PPTA industrial action which means different year levels will not be taught on specific days. The first of these is Year 9 on Tuesday 4 June. As St Catherine’s is closed for a Mid Term Break on this day there will be no impact upon us. I will keep you informed of implications for the following week.

HOME-SCHOOL MEETINGS

Wednesday 19th June and Thursday 20th June

4.00pm -6.30pm

To book the 5 minute appointments go to: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code?code=sbpkr

Year 11 Careers Expo trip – 21st June

The planned trip to the Careers Expo at the Queen's Wharf Event Centre has been cancelled due to the proposed PPTA Regional Strike on that day.

The event is open to the public on June 21st and June 22nd and students and caregivers are welcome to attend.

Here is a link to the event.

https://www.careersexpo.org.nz/expos/wellington-2019

International homestays needed

Homestay Family needed in Term 3

1. We need two homes for four Hong Kong girls who are visiting us from 23rd or 24th July till 12th August. Two girls should be placed into one home, sharing a room with two single beds or bunk beds.

2. We also need a home for a Japanese girl from Ikubunkan School for 6 weeks during term 3.

3. We need two homes for two Chinese girls form 28th July till 9th August.

Please contact Megan on 021 1279 537 or megan.kim@scc.school.nz if you are interested.

Help wanted to build garden boxes for the community garden

Does anybody have themselves or any friends or relatives with building skills who can donate their time to help us build planter boxes for the community garden?

If so can, please contact ‘jasmine.watkins@stcatherinescollege.school.nz’.

Dear Parents, Whānau and Caregivers,

The Board of Trustees cannot provide teaching for students during the upcoming strike. The PPTA has advised the St Catherine's College Board of Trustees that teachers at our school will be taking strike action on Wednesday 29 May for the whole day. The Board has carefully considered the availability of teaching staff, and unfortunately decided that we can’t provide the normal teaching services during the strike so the school will officially be closed for instruction during the above times. Accordingly, it’s important that you make appropriate alternative arrangements for the care of your child/children during the period of the strike as no supervision can be provided. I know that this is inconvenient for parents and students alike, but please be assured that student safety is our main concern. Thank you for your understanding. Please contact Steve Bryan if you have any queries relating to this decision.

Your sincerely

Stephanie Kitching rsm

Chairperson Board of Trustees

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whānau

We are waiting for official confirmation from NZQA, but it is expected that NZQA fees will not be charged this year to Year 11,12,13 students. If you have already paid the fee that has been invoiced to families, Mrs Kemp will be in touch with you to discuss refund options. The link to the information on the NZQA website is NZQA fees

Queen’s Birthday Weekend 2019 – School closed Monday 3 June and Tuesday 4 June

“Antony and Cleopatra” Screening – Wednesday 29th May @ 9.30am

Ivan Moss has organised for The Penthouse Cinemas to show The National Theatre Live production of Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra", starting at 9:30am (it runs for 3 hours 45 minutes, with a decent interval in the middle), at a ticket price of $20. They will run it if there are at least a dozen students interested. The flyer is attached. Please email office@scc.school.nz if you are interested and pay your $20 at reception.

Celebrating 100 years since the first school building was built on

St Catherine’s College site – Saturday 22nd June @ 1.00 pm – 4.45 pm

Don’t forget that the High Tea is getting closer. If you haven’t already registered, please do so by June 1st, as catering needs to be organised. Attached is the registration form. Sister Stephanie is the contact if you have any questions; you can contact her at skit2@xtra.co.nz or 027 245 8859.

Help wanted to build garden boxes for the community garden

Does anybody have themselves, or any friends or relatives with building skills that can donate their time to help us build planter boxes for the community garden?

If so can you please contact ‘jasmine.watkins@stcatherinescollege.school.nz’.

International homestays needed

Homestay Family needed in Term 3

1. We need two homes for four Hong Kong girls who are visiting us from 23rd or 24th July till 12th August. Two girls should be placed into one home, sharing a room with two single beds or bunk beds in.

2. We also need a home for a Japanese girl from Ikubunkan School for 6 weeks during term 3.

3. We need two homes for two Chinese girls form 28th July till 9th August.

The remuneration will be appx $300 for three cases. Please contact Megan on 021 1279 537 or megan.kim@scc.school.nz if you are interested.

PTA NEED HELP??

St Catherine’s PTA are holding a fundraising auction on 1st August at the Pines and need your help.

We are looking for tradies to donate 4 hours of time to auction as a “Tradie” package. This package was very popular at the last auction and lead to follow-on paid work.

We are also looking for experiences, accommodation, food & drink vouchers or anything else that can be auctioned. If you can help with any of these (or have contacts that can help) please email stcatherinescollegepta@gmail.com or phone Cecilia on 027 616 1724

Regards and God’s Blessings

St Catherine’s College

Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Whānau,

We were fortunate to attend occasions recently where Brother Guy Consolmagno SJ, Director of the Vatican Observatory was the guest speaker. His descriptions of the mutuality of religious faith and the science of astronomy were compelling; our students and staff have shared their experiences with peers and colleagues at assemblies and meetings back at school, including this one from Brother Guy,

‘Knowledge is an island. The more you know, the bigger the island. But the bigger the island, the longer the coastline, which is the boundary between what you do know and what you don’t know. If you find someone who thinks they know everything, it’s because their island is really tiny’

Check out these links for more of Brother Guy’s ‘pearls’ https://cathnews.co.nz/2019/05/06/consolmagno-faith-science/

https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/112267213/southern-skies-and-mt-john-experience-wow-vatican-astronomer

The O’Shea Shield competition hosted by St Peter’s College last weekend in Palmerston North was a wonderful weekend of sharing and celebrating the faith of 17 Catholic colleges of the Wellington Archdiocese, and the tremendous talents of our students. The theme of the weekend was, ‘On This Rock’, so apt for St Peter’s Colleges and was laced through the scripture themes in Religious Drama and evident around the school over the weekend. Our team performed very creditably winning the Mercy Cup for Religious Questions; congratulations to our team of Ysabelle Aizpuru, Leigh Masmela, and Sapna Vyas, coached so expertly by Ms Deirdre Walsh, and being close to silverware in other sections (the great debates of O’Shea weekend are always about the results that didn’t go our way!)

We wish to congratulate our brother school, St Patrick’s College for winning this year’s O’Shea Shield; they were deserving and admirable winners.

The Ministry of Education announced an NCEA Change Package this week. This is in response to extensive consultation over recent months into our secondary school qualification system. Implemented over the coming years it will have significant impact on your children’s qualification pathway. We will share our understandings of what these changes mean in times ahead but in the meantime here is the package, http://www.conversation.education.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/NCEA-Change-Package-2019-Web.pdf

School will be disrupted on Wednesday 29 May when teachers take industrial action in support of their claims. While there will not be normal classes that day, school will remain open for supervised study. Please phone or email the office in advance, so we know who to account for on that day.

The term of the current Board of Trustees has come to a close and at last night’s final meeting Mrs Michele Smith, Mr Peter Kemp, and Mr Larry Reese were acknowledged for their great service to our school. I have really appreciated their support and specific areas of expertise which have contributed significantly to the strategic planning, finance, property and IT sectors of the college. They have been most generous trustees. So here’s the opportunity you’ve been waiting for - get yourself nominated for the new Board of Trustees and make a difference for your daughter’s learning and development. Nomination forms are available at, www.boardelections.nz

Another link here for the future and how our students might travel to Kilbirnie and

St Catherine’s for their school day,

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/112760591/live-new-multibillion-dollar-plan-for-wellington-transport

Listening to National Radio on my daily commute I have been interested in our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s leadership of ‘Voices for Action’ at the Paris conference where tech companies and world leaders have signed up to regulate extremist online content. A media commentator made the point that this is all well and good but the most important regulations must happen with each individual making habits of choice for wholesome online activity.

So a prayer for discernment, where we can make our own personal difference,

E te Atua atawhai - God of Mercy

You have a plan for each one of us,

You hold out to us a future full of hope.

Give us the wisdom of Your Spirit

So that we can see the shape of Your plan as we discern what is life giving,

empowering and sustainable in our community

Give us the freedom of Your Spirit,

So that we radiate for others the compassion and mercy of you leaning

down into the frailty of life and the daily realities of our services for others.

Amine (Sisters of Mercy Ministries NZ Trust)

Regards and God’s blessings

Steve Bryan

Principal

17th May 2019

Dear Parents, caregivers and whanau

School 2019 Board of Trustee Elections

You have until just noon next Friday, 24 May, to submit a nomination form for yourself or someone else to fill the five vacancies we have for our St Catherine’s Board. Please do give this serious thought, as we need a strong band of parents to keep our college performing well for all our girls.

Attached are step by step instructions, but if you have any problems or

queries please contact Chris Perry, School Liaison for the BOT election on 939 8998 or chris.perry@scc.school.nz and she will be able to guide you through the process.

We need five trustees for our Board of Trustees. Last week I let you know about this and included some areas of responsibility so you could see what is needed.

Our Board meets about 8 or 9 times a year with some committee meetings in between these meetings. We rarely go over two hours for a Board meeting.

Key dates are as follows:

By Friday 10th May Nomination forms have been posted to all persons on the

School’s caregiver roll.

Friday 24th May NOMINATIONS CLOSE – 24th May at noon. An election will

then be held if the number of nominations exceed vacancies.

For our school the number of parent vacancies is 5.

Wednesday 29th May Voting papers will be sent by post to all on the school caregiver

roll.

Friday 7th June Voting closes at 12 noon.

Thursday 13th June Votes are counted, and your School advised of the results.

Friday 14th June New Board takes office

Please consider submitting a nomination.

Blessings on your family

Sister Stephanie Kitching

Chairperson

Board of Trustees

International homestays needed

Homestay Family needed in Term 3

1. We need two homes for four Hong Kong girls who are visiting us from 23rd or 24th July till 12th August. Two girls should be placed into one home, sharing a room with two single beds or bunk beds in.

2. We also need a home for a Japanese girl from Ikubunkan School for 6 weeks during term 3.

3. We need two homes for two Chinese girls form 28th July till 9th August.

The remuneration will be appx $300 for three cases. Please contact Megan on 021 1279 537 or megan.kim@scc.school.nz if you are interested.

Help wanted to build garden boxes for the community garden

Does anybody have themselves or any friends or relatives with building skills that can donate their time to help us build planter boxes for the community garden?

If so can you please contact ‘jasmine.watkins@stcatherinescollege.school.nz’.

Regards and God’s blessings

St Catherine’s College

Mrs Ryan, Angelica and Helena at The Cullen Breakfast with guest speakers Mr Nawaz and Brother Guy Consolmagno SJ. Talking about God and the Cosmos.