SCC Newsletter - 18th February 2020
Kia ora koutou,
Welcome back to Level 1. While it is great to return to the routines and behaviours of ‘normal’ life, it has been a sharp reminder that we must be vigilant and responsive to the calls for safe practices. I feel very much for the students, staff and community of Papatoetoe High School; let’s keep them in our prayers so they can return to the fullness of school life as soon as possible.
We are delighted to confirm that tomorrow evening, Friday 19 February, we are hosting -
‘FAITH, Food, Whānau’ here at school from 5.30pm. A warm invitation is extended to all whānau of Year 9 students, and other new students, to share in the company of teachers, Yr 13 students, and one another. A shared BBQ will be served.
We have been celebrating our 2020 NCEA success at school in different ways. This video captures the range of the achievement and the goals and aspirations students have for their futures.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19nA8VfPYIKyY56t69dMUD2nhpoZvDzYv/view?usp=sharing
We are very proud of our student achievers, ‘this is us’, achieving in the 3 Science disciplines (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) at the highest academic levels, achieving in accelerated Mathematic courses, achieving in the Arts, Technology, English, Languages, and Religious Education courses - all contributing to the best opportunities for tertiary and vocational pathway courses beyond school.
At our Academic Mass last week we acknowledged Academic Black recipients from 2020. An Academic Black is awarded to a student who achieves Excellence. Once 3 Blacks have been achieved, a student is awarded Full Colours and their blazer is braided.
Year 9; Aine Bolger (1), Michaela Borja (1)
Year 10; Maia Bouras (2)
Year 11; Erin Beamish (1) Kaela Bettany (1) May Chadwick (1) Jasmine Chung (1) Edie Kozyniak (3), Francesca Sigal (1) Mariana Sola (1) Nikita Xalxo (1) Babylonia Zaia (1)
Year 12; Bethany Lines (2), Leigh Masmela (2), Helena Nagrampa (4), Chetna Ramela (2), Alice Richards (2), Rona Rodulfo (3), Kimberly Rubi (2), Angelica Silva (4), Paige Wilson (2)
Year 13; Grace Ellis (5), Esther Kozyniak (5), Caterina Morena (3)
Over the coming weeks we are promoting and profiling our school by attending Mass in our local Parishes -
Sunday 19 February - St Anne’s Church, Newtown - 9am
Sunday 7 March - St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie - 10.30am
Sunday 21 March - St Joseph’s Church, Mt Victoria - 9am
Sunday 11 April - Holy Cross Church, Miramar - 8.30am
I encourage the attendance of students who have been through the primary schools connected to these parishes and/or live in these areas. This is an opportunity to say: ‘this is us’, as we share and celebrate our Special Character.
Congratulations to school leaders who have been appointed and blessed at Mass last week.
House Captains:
St Anne’s; Mari Issa and Rona Rodulfo
St Bernadette’s; Millie Day Ellis and Victoria Stenhouse
St Joan’s; Elizabeth Lafaele and Mihi Hough
St Theresa’s; Leigh Masmela and Charis Madden
Whānau Leaders:
SA1: Tsedenia Tafery
SA2; Amee Patel and Anokeena Benjamin
SB1; Nikansha Lal
SB2; Senia Tafilipepe
SJ1; Josiah Saili and Francesca Sigal
SJ2; Bianca Evett
ST1; Hannah Beamish
ST2; Bethany Lines
Unfortunately our Athletics Day had to be cancelled. However we have the opportunity for our Year 9 students to participate in a mini Athletics programme next Tuesday 23 February. So Year 9 students may come to school next Tuesday in their PE uniform. They will leave by bus from school at 12.45pm for Newtown Park. An athletics programme will be run under the leadership of Mrs Lara Fort (our HOD PE), Heloise (our Sports Coordinator), and Yr 13PE students. All students will make their own way home from Newtown Park at 3.15pm. Parents are welcome to attend.
On Wednesday we shared in an Ash Wednesday liturgy. Because of Level 2 restrictions ashes were unable to be placed on our foreheads to remind us of our human condition and our relationship with God our creator. Undeterred, our Director of Religious Studies, Mrs Ilana de Vos, with her supporters, Teresa, our Youth Minister, and Special Character leaders, Naria and Angelica, prepared the most poignant liturgy which involved us all in prayer, reflection, song, and community. It was a liturgy to savour and remember.
A prayer for the start of Lent,
Almighty and ever living God
You invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent
May this time be one of outward focus
Help us live a Lent focused on
freedom, generosity and encounter.
Ngā mihi nui
Steve
Principal