SCC Newsletter - 20th November 2020
Kia ora whānau of St Catherine’s College,
We convey our prayerful support and sympathy to the St Patrick’s College Silverstream community on the tragic passing of two young men from their school. A Year 13 student died last week and a very recent old boy died in a car accident.
May perpetual light shine upon them
May they rest in peace, Amen.
We keep in our prayers the Yr 12 student from St Patrick’s Town who is in ICU after collapsing at his cricket game on Saturday.
NCEA examinations are under way. An independent Examination Centre Manager oversees all aspects of the NCEA programme here at school. The most important role at home is to support your daughter so she is feeling as relaxed and prepared as possible for her exams. This includes having a shared family timetable of when exams are on; pre-exam organisation is important for a calm and measured approach to each exam. School is open and teachers are available to support students with NCEA preparations.
Our staff have been engaged in professional development with St Patrick’s College staff on ‘Strengthening Whakawhanaungatanga’ (establishing links, making connections in culturally appropriate ways like whakapapa linkages, past heritages, or other relationships). We are looking forward to building on the relationships amongst staff and students which are so vital for wellbeing and learning.
The Teacher Only Day this week looked at the NCEA Change package which will be rolled out over the next 4 years. The goals of the changes are to strengthen NCEA and make it more accessible and equitable for all students. In 2021 there will be considerable time given for teachers to plan and take on board the changes for the introduction of each NCEA level in successive years.
Congratulations to Alexandra Wilson on her Domestic Student Award as part of the Wellington International Student Excellence Awards. This award recognises Alexandra’s hospitality and generosity in supporting international students during their NZ stay.
Congratulations to Sophia Higgs for the Female Volleyball Player of the Year Award at this year’s College Sports Awards. Sophia won the award in 2019 too.
Congratulations to our PTA for the outstanding Quiz Night they organised recently; a $2600 profit represents a very successful evening.
New staff have been appointed for next year replacing those leaving for various reasons:
- Ms Lara Fort, Acting HOD Health & Physical Education - 1 year Maternity position for Ms Laura Heil
- Ms Olivia Fraser- Morris, Music teacher - Terms 1 & 2 Maternity position for Ms Fiona Bell
- Ms Bryony Wood - HOD Social Sciences - Ms Gill Willis retiring.
- Ms Marama Te Kira - Teacher of Te Reo Māori
- Ms Sophie Hamilton - Guidance Counsellor - Mrs Barbara Woods retiring.
New staff will be formally welcomed at our Pōwhiri along with all new students and their whānau on Wednesday 3 February at 9.30am. Departing staff will be acknowledged at various events over the coming weeks.
The Church’s National Centre for Religious Studies (NCRS) is delighted to announce the launch of the NZpray2day app for iPhones and other Apple devices. This follows the earlier launch of the Android version. Load it now.
PRIZE GIVING INVITATION
Thursday 3 December 7.00pm
St Patrick’s College Hall, Evans Bay Rd
Please join us for this special occasion
Start Up 2021
Wed 27 Jan; School Office Opens
Thurs 28 Jan; New staff induction / Student Leadership hui
Fri 29 Jan; Staff - Special Character Day for Staff at Home of Compassion Island Bay
Mon 1 Feb; Staff and Yr 12-13 Course Confirmation
Tues 2 Feb; Yr 9 and Yr 13 Peer Support Day
Wed 3 Feb; All students - Pōwhiri
I share this beautiful reflection/prayer offered by Mrs Deirdre Walsh at a recent staff briefing -
Christ has no body but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours. - St Teresa of Ávila
Ngā mihi nui
Steve
Principal