Newsletter - 18th 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