June 2015
Achieve @ St Bernard’s From the Principal Kia ora tatou, Namaste, Konniciwa, Bienvenidos, Ni hau, Ni sa bula vinaka, Kia orana, Afio mai, Maligayang pagdating, Witjcie, Malo e lava mai. Greetings to everyone.
Thought for end of term Getting to the end of term, we need to appreciate our successes as well as identify where we fell short. Far too often we focus on our failures to the exclusion of the things that we do effortlessly and well. I am generally pleased with the work that was done across our classrooms in the first two terms. Our classes are made up of students who demonstrate vastly different levels of ability and motivation and I can say that almost all of our boys come away from their time with their teachers better for it. We do have stragglers and those who do not appreciate the extent that teachers go to help them achieve to their very best. On the other hand, most students are engaged, motivated, adapt quickly and get on with their learning. The main focus in our classrooms is the establishment of a strongly cohesive learning community. Where this happened, students improved their thinking skills, contributing to the discussions as active participants, the teacher becoming a facilitator rather the fountain of all knowledge. The challenge is to change the boys from recipients of knowledge to co-creators of knowledge. This shift requires thinking and analytical skills plus perseverance as it does not come easy. Many of our students are, in fact, able learners. They are good oral presenters. However, a significant number lack foundational writing skills and therefore they find it difficult to express themselves in the written form. What they lack in writing has been compensated in several areas by their critical thinking and inquiry skills – embracing the love of discovery, mastery and learning. These skills give the boys a sense of authority over what they are doing, building up their confidence and an opportunity to have a go at “big ideas”. The joy of teaching relates to seeing more “light bulbs” turned on and students beginning to understand not only the breadth of what they are exposed to, but the depth, as well. Teachers know that important work is being done when the students begin to call up experiences they had outside of class to help them articulate the work they were doing in class. Teachers want their students to be able to take the things they learn and experience in the classroom and apply them to the questions and situations they encounter in their everyday life. That’s the purpose of teaching critical thinking skills and terms 1 and 2 have been a learning success for several boys. These skills apply at all levels of the college, whether it is a Year 7 or Year 13 student. On the other side of the ledger, some concerns are starting to manifest themselves in the senior NCEA classrooms. The work the boys turn in was most often well done – and was occasionally excellent. But many students are inconsistent about making the effort to get the work done in the first place. This is a worry. Teachers do not take full responsibility for their students’ willingness to do work outside of class (they can only lead horses to water after all), but they are mindful of the idea that they can do more to inspire their students to want to do the work they ask of them. Students have a big part to play and they have to be willing players. Overall, teachers are profoundly proud of the work these students can do as a result of the time they spend together. Most have engaged and surprised their teachers. They have grown in confidence and for the rest of the year they will be able to meet many of the challenges they will face as they continue their education at St Bernard’s. For the others, the writing is on the wall. (Adapted from “A teacher’s education”, 2010) Peter Fava
Loboc Choir On Monday 15th June the school proudly hosted The Loboc Children’s Choir from the Philippines, who were visiting Wellington and New Zealand for the first time. The LCC is a school-based choir composed of very musically talented thirty school children of Loboc Central Elementary School in Bohol, Central Visayas, and Philippines. The award winning Loboc Children’s Choir held a series of concerts in New Zealand to showcase Filipino musical artistry and cultural heritage, to share their talents in the performing arts with the Filipino communities, children, youth and people of New Zealand and help raise funds for the rebuilding of their school and restoration of churches, homes, schools and heritage sites of Bohol which were devastated by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in October 2013 and were also affected by typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. We were fortunate to have the company of Her Excellency Virginia H. Benavidez, the Ambassador to New Zealand from the Philippines and members of her staff spend the day with us. The 23 students in the choir were treated to a morning of demonstrations and classes from the school’s English, Food Technology, Science, Social Studies, and Maori Language departments. The students shared lunch and break times with buddy students from 8KT. The Choir preformed for the school community and guests after lunch in a concert that showcased their wide range of dance skills and musical repertoire. We thoroughly enjoyed their talents.
St Marcellin Champagnat Feast Day Mass
Science
We gathered together as a whole school and Eucharistic community to celebrate the Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat on Friday the 5th of June, the day before his actual feast day. This Mass was celebrated by Cardinal John Dew and concelebrated with Fr Patrick Bridgman, Fr Andrew Kim and Fr Ron Bennett from Parishes in the Lower Hutt area. It was not just a day to look back nostalgically to someone who was loved among the Brothers he trained and formed from 1816 until his death on 6 June 1840. Nor was it just a chance to simply congratulate ourselves on the great Marist school to which we belong today. Marcellin was an inspiring leader who gathered people to himself very naturally and more importantly he was an inspired leader. In love with Jesus and on fire with the Holy Spirit, Marcellin was able to see beyond his own comforts and challenges, to put his faith wholeheartedly in God. He believed that with Mary’s help he could move mountains and transform the dark, lonely and desperate in the world around him by making Jesus Christ known and loved. Cardinal John challenged what we believe today by focussing on the pillars that he recalled from his time as a student at a Marist brothers school, St Joseph’s in Masterton, now Chanel College. He asked us how we can be a Champagnat for today.
Thank you to every parent who has assisted in the development and presentation of this year’s Science Fair. Without your assistance this very important learning opportunity would not happen. The science staff are very appreciative of your help and assistance. The science fair exhibits will be on display in C1 and C6 on Friday 3 rd July from 3.30pm to 6.00pm. Everyone is very welcome to come and see them. The science fair investigations will be judged on Wednesday 1 st July by an experienced science fair judge. We would like to thank Our Lady of the Rosary school for the opportunity to participate in their celebration of Matariki. Edward Wilcock and David Tavita, from our astronomy club, took our telescope down to the school for the pupils and parents to see Matariki. Thank you also to the staff at Ss Peter and Paul school for the opportunity to work with their science club. Recently our Yr 13 biology class visited Zealandia and Otari Plant museum to look at speciation. The year 13 science class went to Turakirae Heads to examine the raised beaches.
Faith n Chips Faith N Chips was a very well attended celebration last month where year 13 students from all over Wellington came together to celebrate Mass at Ss Peter and Paul followed by an evening of hospitality and friendship. Mass was celebrated by our new Parish Priest, Fr Patrick Bridgman and was attended by our Marist community and staff from most of our neighbouring Catholic Colleges..
Debating We have three teams entered in the Wellington Regional Competition this year beginning with a very enthusiastic and committed Junior Certificate team, ably coached by a group of senior debaters. Although they have not yet won a debate their skills have improved hugely and a win will not be far away. Many thanks to the seniors who are putting in a lot of time with these boys. The senior certificate team comprising of Jack Marra, Conrad Weatherall and Steven Pereira have so far won all of their debates in the competition and are proving to be a formidable team. The Premier B team are rapidly upskilling to meet the higher demands of their level and have done us proud at all three of their debates.
David Hill Visit David Hill, a famous New Zealand author and winner of the Junior Fiction Award and Children’s Choice Junior Award - New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2013 - Visited Saint Bernard’s College earlier this term and held writing workshops with the Yr 7 and 8 homeroom classes. Students learnt how to improve their personal stories and he gave out personal tips on how to be an author. Over the past two terms students have been studying the award winning novel: My Brothers War. This compelling novel is about the First World War and how two brothers end up on the bloody battlefields of France, but their journeys there are very different and what they experience at the front line will challenge the beliefs that led them there.
UN Youth UN Youth Wellington would like to Congratulate George Roberts, Nathaniel
Feast of Corpus Christi
Perez, Zion Tui, Caleb Carrasco, Wan Gatkek, James Aberdein-Tapuai, Eperu Sau, Sene Faasoa, Braden Longstaff, Griffin Almand,
Austin Campbell &
Conor Peoples for winning the best country delegation school at the Hutt UN 2015 event held at Hutt Valley High school on Friday 5 th June. We at SBC are very proud of your efforts! Teno Pai!
On Sunday the 7th of June, the feast of Corpus Christi, was lead by Ss Peter & Paul school with a 120 strong choir lead by Mark Hofsteede and Margy Bliss. Sacred Heart College and St Bernard’s College were invited to help with the music for a 9:30am mass. Andrew Chinn (Australian singer songwriter) was a special guest playing his own music and assisting. Karl Hofsteede, Patrick Shanahan and myself, took pride in wearing our number 1's and took away a lot of enjoyment from the experience. By Connor Bliss
Sport St Bernard’s College Cross Country Results YEAR 7
22 May 2015
Football Tour.
TIME
For the 10th consecutive year we will be under taking a 3 day and 6 game mini
Cameron Forsyth
11.16
Ethan Jefferson
12.15
Robert Patterson
12.18
YEAR 8
TIME
Khya Wilson
11.59
Hunter Locke
12.16
Jorgen Holmes Rogers
12.25
JUNIOR
tour of the lower North Island. Thank you to everyone who has purchased our chocolate fundraising activity. All Draws/Results & CANCELLATIONS can be viewed on the following website: www.collegesport.org.nz Rugby The 1st XV are playing this year in the Prem 2 grade (Murray Jensen Cup and Isberg Trophy). Our best result to date is a win against Francis Douglas Memorial College 20-19 (first time in a while!). This year St Bernard’s were the hosts for the annual sports exchange and it’s a great opportunity for the boys to host their opposition. For Pool play this year we have 9 games to play. Dates for home games can be found on the school calendar.
TIME
Oliver Burton
10.26
Daniel Henderson
11.08
Mackenzie Georgeson
11.11
Basketball Update Following on from last year’s success with senior and juniors winning their grades, St Bernard’s College is in a strong position to now be a dominant force Logan Hoare 21.03 in the College Sport Wellington Basketball region. We had five boys trial for SENIOR TIME Hutt Valley Under 17’s with three of them making the final team, Noah Lindstrom, Logan Hoare, and Kitiona Bradley Ebert 20.26 Vaofusi. It is clear to see that Kitiona is a special player for the future, he is in the same mold as ex-SBC student Scott Travis 22.50 and New Zealand Tall Black player Craig Bradshaw. The 2015 basketball season has got off to a great start Lower Hutt Primary Schools Sports Association with seven teams entered in different competitions across the age groups. The 13 students competed as part of the Central Zone team in the Interzone Cross Yr 8 team is coached by parent Ben Montague and trained by senior student Country Championships held at Sladden Park, Petone on 16 June. Robin Walker. The Yr 7 team is coached by senior students Anthony Pan and These boys competed against 60 other runners in their respective age groups Miguel Botardo. from other schools throughout the Hutt Valley. Congratulations to Cameron This year we have a new novice team which is a combined group of Yr 8 and Forsyth (Yr 7) who placed 2nd, this now qualifies Cameron to compete at the Yr 9 boys. who are generously coached by Mr Jonny Boon. Regional Cross Country event on 30 June at Trentham Memorial Park, we wish The junior A team this year is coached by Ned Wainui-Teepa and managed by Nelson Buot. The junior B team this year is coached by Mike Ross. All him good luck. Final Placings: Yr 7 Boys- C. Forsyth (2), E. Jefferson (17), R. Patterson (18), three are parents of boys in the school. The senior A team this year is coached by Terry Stallworth Ex NBL and president of Hutt Valley Basketball M. Foote (20), C. Stewart (21), J. Keenan (24), M. McGuinness (25), P. Rona and managed by Peter Cowan, a parent. Coach Terry has seen the talent St (32), H. Mair (34) Yr 8 Boys- M. Ward (42), K. Wilson (45), Bernard’s College has and kindly offered his J. Holmes-Rogers (46), H. Locke (48). services to our school for 2015. The senior B team this year is coached by parent James Football Hong. Recently we have been given several free Yr Yr7/8 Two teams were entered into the Hutt Valley Interschool 6 a-side tickets to Wellington Saints games for our tournament played at Petone on 26 May. Well done to the first team who students by Bartercard. We really appreciate placed a creditable 2nd out of the 10 teams, our second team placed 9th. the sponsorship. Bartercard is offering tickets to more upcoming Saints Basketball games. Staff will be awarding them to deserving students. INTERMEDIATE
TIME
Cadets Grading is now completed and our College sport teams are in the following grades: 1st XI is Div 2, 2nd XI is in Div 5, the 3rd XI is in Div 11. Junior 1 is in Div 1 and the junior 2 is in Div 4. We also have a team in the 14th grade of the Hutt Valley competition. We will be hosting a football team from Canberra, Australia on Friday 10 th July and playing them on Saturday 11th July. I am urgently looking for 3 families who could billet 3 young men. If you can help then please contact Brenten Higson on 577 2417 ASAP.
On Thursday 4 June 2015, The Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Jack Steer visited TS Tamatoa Sea Cadet unit, he inspected the platoon and had a question and answer session with cadets. Five cadets were ranked up by The Chief of Navy including two students from St Bernard’s College - Paul Matheson and Joshua Sales were both ranked up to Able Cadet (2nd Star).
PFS News The PFS meet on the first Thursday of each month at 7.30pm in the school staffroom and we would love to have you join us. It is a great way to get to meet other parents and get first-hand knowledge of school happenings. Quiz night 12th September 2015. We need donations towards raffle prizes. ALL tickets must be booked & paid for by the 11th September. Tickets available from 20th July at the school office. School dances are on again & we’d love to have some dads volunteer to supervise these! Yr7/8 dance 3rd July at St James Church Hall Yr10 dance 14th August at Epuni Hall Please contact : Deborah 0272519553 or deborah@nourishe.co.nz
Term Dates Diary Notes Term 2 20 April to 3 July Term 3 20 July to 25 September Term 4 12 October to 8 December
June
Clergy Jubilee Mass Tuesday, Tuesday 7th July at 11am at St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie. Every year the Clergy Jubilee Mass is celebrated to honour all those members of our clergy – diocesan and religious – who celebrate a significant anniversary of ordination. In this special Year of Consecrated Life, I would be grateful if parish priests and lay pastoral leaders could make this Mass known to all parishioners and to encourage them to attend this Mass for our jubilarians in the Archdiocese. This year’s jubilarians are: Msgr John Broadbent 60th anniv. Fr John Heijnen AA 60th anniv. Fr John McLaughlan 60th anniv. Fr John Rea SM 60th anniv. Fr Peter Carde SM 50th anniv. Fr John Dykes 50th anniv. Fr Peter Fitzgibbon 50th anniv. Fr John van der Kaa AA 50th anniv. We have much to be grateful for in the vocation and ministry of these priests. With every good wish & blessing.
20. Term 3 Starts
John A Cardinal Dew Archbishop of Wellington
Doctor’s consultation at St Bernard’s College
30. Board of Trustees Meeting July PFS Meeting
3.
Last Day of Term 2 Preference Enrolments Close Yr7&8 Dance
SBC Pasifika Community Emelio Soane Won 4 medals at the Oceania Sumo Championship in Australia Gold – Junior’s division Bronze – Men’s heavy weight division Bronze – Open weight division Gold – Team division Pasefika Variety Night! Date: Friday 1st August 2015 Venue: School Gymnasium Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm Cover Charge: $5 per adult & gold coin per child Island Style food will be on sale Bring the whole family for a night of Pacific Flavour entertainment. Contacts: Lesina Nanai: Lesina.Nanai@gmail.com / 0212554562 Josie Netzler: JosieNetzler@gmail.com / 0272154838
Contact Details P:04 560 9250 F:04 560 9251 E:office@sbc.school.nz W:www.sbc.school.nz
27. Maori Language Week 28. Parent Teacher Interviews 3pm - 7pm - School Closes at 2:30pm 28. Board of Trustees Meeting 30. Parent Teacher Interviews 3pm - 7pm - School Closes at 2:30pm 31. St Ignatius Feast Day August 6.
PFS Meeting
7.
Non-Preference Enrolments Close
The full school calendar is available on the school website www.sbc.school.nz
Uniform Shop Opening Hours
Monday 8.15 to 9am Wednesday 10.30 to11am Thursday 12.30 to 1.30pm
FREE
Plan to be as fit and healthy as you can be!! Appointments with our school nurse Alex Ferrier-Kerr are Tuesday mornings Appointments with our doctor Dr Beena Hegde are Wednesday afternoon
Congratulations to Emelio, Shaka, and Bruce for their great achievements!!
Physical/Postal Address 183 Waterloo Road Lower Hutt 5010 New Zealand
2.
Shaka Sola Hutt City Sports Award “Coach of the Year”
570-0883 or 560-9250 (College office) ---------------------------
Free Dental Treatment Bruce Tuuga – First Place in the Wellington Secondary Schools Samoan Speech Competition. Next Pasifika Community Meeting; Wednesday 22nd July 2015 6pm – 7.30pm School Staff Room
offered by Graeme Yee Dental Care, 66 Bloomfield Terrace, Lower Hutt, 566-1119
SBCOBA St Bernard’s College Old Boys Association. Revamped in 2014 if you know any Old Boys please contact Dominic Outtrim Email: douttrim@sbc.school.nz Phone: 560-9250 ext 855 Mobile 021 876 6669
Sponsors of the St Bernard's College Newsletter
Preferred method of payment school fees The school prefers all school fees to be paid directly to our bank account. This is a safer means of payment that provides a reliable trail. Our bank account is ASB Queensgate 12-3142-0164653-00. Please include your son’s first name and surname, and your phone number in the reference fields. Receipts are issued for all payments and given to students in class. If you are facing financial difficulties please contact The Business Manager. Thank you .