Parents & Friends of Dio

P&F Committee at the Welcome Picnic

Supporting the DIO COMMUNITY

The year 2020 has certainly been one we will not forget as we have all worked together to manage daily challenges and in turn have grown stronger within our communities.

In Term 3, I was asked by a Junior School teacher to prepare a short video clip for her class on the Dio community. As part of their PYP learning, they were investigating what makes a community, and so I was to reflect on what the Dio community used to be like when I attended school many years ago.

What once would have been a parent visit to the classroom to share some stories of days gone by was now a video presentation. Technology and lockdowns to be considered, the Dio community is already vastly different to how it was – not just a generation ago, but even a year ago. Nonetheless, I sent along my thoughts to the girls, sharing memories of the landscape of the School and how it has changed and what the Dio community means to me.

Most Old Girls will remember at some time taking the plunge into the freezing outdoor pool, the icy cold concrete changing sheds bordering the sports field, playing field hockey on a field, and a very wee tuck shop seemingly always surrounded by seagulls. Memories need not stretch back that far to remember when teachers battled for parking spaces on the side streets, the rose garden was well out of sight, and our beautiful Chapel was hidden by temporary music classrooms. How indeed the landscape has changed! The plan that began with the development of the Dawn Jones Sports Centre over 30 years ago, has since seen the rise of numerous buildings, including Centennial Building, the Aquatic Centre, the hockey turf, and of course the Arts Centre. This well laid-out plan of development and growth is one the Dio community can be immensely proud of, for though these buildings are not the community, they are the foundations that foster the community and were built through the efforts of many.

Buildings and facilities are not the true community I think of when recollecting the school I once attended, and I hope are not what my daughters will think of when they too reflect upon their school days. For me, it was always the

teachers who made up the heart of the Dio community. I felt very fortunate to be surrounded by teachers who cared and took a great interest in the allround education of the students of Diocesan. I remember the teachers for their inspiration and their commitment. I see this continued today, from the Foundation Class through to Year 13, and beyond into the management of the School, executive team, property teams and pastoral care. There is a community of teachers, staff and leaders who truly have the best interests of the students in their hearts and minds. When I look back on the Dio of yesterday, I remember this, and when I look at the Dio of today, I feel such pride to see that this community continues to be strong.

The Parents and Friends’ Association works within the School to support this community throughout the year. At times our actions may be big, such as a large fundraiser and subsequent donation to a new facility, and at times our actions may be small, such as greeting new parents at an Open Day, or serving meals in the cafeteria. Whether big or small, it is always our intent to foster this special Dio community spirit and help engage parents in the School.

We look forward to closing out 2020 with a successful year-end cocktail party, a chance to bring parents together in celebration. More so, we look forward to 2021, as we are already making plans for the Welcome Picnic in January, our Father Daughter Breakfast on 17 May, and even an Eagles Tribute Concert on 4 December. We are also excited to host a P&F reunion for past members, giving an opportunity to come back to the School and enjoy a tour through the many new facilities and reminisce on what once was and what is to be within our Dio community. Last of all, while the girls sun in the summer breeze, we will be hard at work with plans to relaunch the Dio café in 2021 – new menus, a new look and new ideas afloat.

Wrapping up this year, we at Parents and Friends extend our best wishes to all within the Dio community for a healthy and happy summer and express our thanks to all the teachers, staff and management of Dio for continuing to make this school a wonderful place to be.

Happy Holiday!

Robin Bell

As always, we welcome any feedback or interest in volunteering. Please email us at PFA@diocesan.school.nz

JOIN THE Auckland Dio Old Girls’ League

FACEBOOK PAGE

STAY CONNECTED. Join us online and be part of a 6000-strong community of former students, staff and parents sharing news, opinions, updates, profiles, photos and Dio memories. OGL Committee member Penny Tucker runs the page and would love to hear your stories and updates.

Bursary applications open

The Old Girls’ League Bursaries are intended to help families of Old Girls that would otherwise have difficulty financing their daughter’s education at Diocesan. The bursary pays 50% of each year’s tuition for a maximum period of three years. Bursary recipients must be in Years 9 to 13. Applications are open to daughters or granddaughters of Old Girls who are either currently a student, or who will be attending Diocesan. The primary qualifying criteria for the bursary is financial hardship. Applications are now invited for bursaries for the 2022 and 2023 academic years.

Application closing date: 26 February 2021.

To request an application form, please contact Jenny Spillane, OGL President, in confidence via email: spillanej01@gmail.com

DIOCESAN OLD GIRLS’ LEAGUE COMMITTEE CONTACT DETAILS

Email oldgirls@diocesan.school.nz for all enquiries.

PRESIDENT

Jenny Spillane (Orsborn) M. 027 603 6990

TREASURER

Felicity Buche (Olson) P. 09 521 8387

SECRETARY

Tania Fairgray (Railley) P. 09 529 1736

FELLOWSHIP SECRETARY

Emma Cleary (Dillon) P. 09 522 9564

COMMITTEE

Sarah Couillault (Willis) M. 021 489 102

Annabel French (Smaill) P. 09 575 1175

Penny Tucker (Macdonald) E. pennydtucker@gmail.com

Kimberly Sumner (Wragge) E. kimberlysumner@happinessblindspot.com

Dio Today Editor, League pages

Deirdre Coleman E. d.g@slingshot.co.nz

Diocesan School Old Girls’ League PO Box 28 382, Remuera, Auckland 1541

Ph: 09 356 7107 admin@lcl.co.nz Level 3, 125 Vincent Street, Auckland 1010. www.lindesayconstruction.co.nz