February 2016
Achieve @ St Bernard’s Tena Koutou Katoa and welcome back to this new year at our school. In many ways it is I who have been made to feel so welcome here. I have been somewhat overawed by the warmth and genuine welcome of so many of our boys who have come up to me and introduced themselves as I’ve been out and about – obviously looking slightly lost - at break times. I was so proud of their behaviour and engagement at the start of year Powhiri, our first whole school mass and our Ash Wednesday liturgy. I walk into classrooms and am generally finding settled, positive and focussed environments. As I write this I have just come back from spending time with our Yr 13 students up at their two day, overnight retreat in Silverstream. Many schools no longer do this sort of thing with their Yr 13s because often it can be seen as a chance for things to go badly wrong. The fact that we trust our boys speaks much about the culture here. The spirit of positivity, The 2015 provisional NCEA results were recently released by NZQA. The College has engagement and maturity of our boys was outstanding. Their behaviour was excellent with the only issue in the evening being too much laughter and therefore not quite enough sleep! once again produced some very pleasing Their feedback to me on what was good about being at St Bernard’s and what they felt results. needed changing was considered and insightful. What a fine group of young men St NCEA Level 1 78% of Year 11 students gained Level 1 with Bernard’s has produced. 31 students gaining a Merit endorsement Four of our College staff ran this retreat and stayed overnight with the boys. I reflect on the and a further 7 gaining an Excellence fact that these staff gave of their own time so willingly to be with our boys and enable this time endorsement. of reflection and growth to happen for them. The dedication and lack of self-interest of these NCEA Level 2 teachers is symbolic of a real sense of concern and ‘love’ for our boys that I have found in so 87% of Year 12 students gained Level 2 with many of the staff here. I have found a place where already most of the “discipline” in the 20 students gaining a Merit endorsement classroom is based on positive relationships rather than control or threat or fear. And so it and a further 6 gaining an Excellence should be if we are truly Catholic and Marist. endorsement. And so as we move into this new school year it is with a real sense of purpose, hope and NCEA Level 3 58% of Year 13 students gained Level 3 with positivity. We have work to do! Our results are not good enough. If we ever sit back and 7 students gaining a Merit endorsement and accept average as OK then we are failing ourselves. That sounds clichéd but it is true – particularly as central to our Catholic belief is the concern for the absolute dignity and a further 3 gaining an Excellence fulfilment of each person’s life. A large part of this work needs to be to continue to always endorsement. be looking at how and why we do things. Overall these results compare very favourably against the national statistics. In I do know that in a school change that is imposed is never effective. I am already the vast majority of categories, the College discovering that in our school we have boys who when I talk about mana and respect and performed above the national average. concern for each other understand and want that too. We have a board and a staff and a
NCEA Results 2015
parent community who really do want to keep making St Bernard’s “an inspiring Catholic Learning Community that nourishes the growth of it’s sons”. I look forward to meeting many of you as the year goes on. Simon Stack Principal
Powhiri On 3 February St Bernard’s College welcomed new staff and students with a Powhiri. This year was special as it saw our largest ever intake of new students and we welcomed our new principal Mr Simon Stack. Mr Stack was handed over to us by representatives of his former college, St Patrick’s College Silverstream. Students of both St Patrick’s and St Bernard’s each performed a powerful haka.
New Staff
Student Leaders
As a College community we welcome the following new staff to our College: Ms Hilary Asquith – Director of Junior Studies. Ms Asquith is an experienced classroom teacher who has come to us from Tawa College. She has a strong background in literacy teaching and improvement across the curriculum.
We congratulate the following Yr 13 who have accepted key leadership positions within the College. We look forward to their significant contributions over the Year. Seth Trocio – Head Boy Luke Pynenburg & Nathaniel Russell – Deputy Head Boys Anthony Pan – Student Representative on the Board of Trustees Caleb Dominikovich – Special Character Leader Thomas Smith – Special Character Leader Scott Travis – Sports Captain Ethan Moore – Deputy Sports Captain Liam Jones & Liam Win – Ignatius House Captains Bill Roberts & Ethan Moore – Pompallier House Captains Ramon Tala & Connor Millar – Marcellin House Captains Adam Armstrong & Scott Travis – Chanel House Captains Regan Gilmour & Henry Zwart – Arts Leaders The Head of Maori and Head of Pasifika student leaders are still pending. We also congratulate the following boys who are peer support leaders. Their willingness to spend their own time in helping out our junior boys is an excellent example of what being Marist means. Nathaniel Russell Bernard Devine David Nanai Seth Trocio Devon Breedon Dylan Samuel Liam Jones Raphael Nicol Guy Hogan Luke Pynenburg Joseph Hong Ethan Smith Aidan Watson Asher Hanley Robin Walker Kozmo Zawada Aidan Almand Rewi Ross-Hotene Hami Paranihi-Nuku Isaac Polaczuk Brayan Yepes Ororio Bob Alema Matta Laga Paul Owaci
Ms. Kristen Gibb – Teacher in charge of Food and Hospitality. Ms Gibb has come to us from teaching at Waiuku College. Previous to teaching Ms Gibb practised as a highly successful chef in one of Wellington’s top restaurants. Mr Charlie Lloyd – teacher of Science and Religious Education. Mr Lloyd completed a teaching section here last year and despite having a number of job offers chose us. He is an outstanding young teacher and rugby coach. Mr Mike Barlow – teacher of History and Religious Education. Mr Barlow is an old boy of the School. He is a highly experienced teacher who has previously held a position as Director of Religious Studies in another College. Ms Sheena Anglesey - Teacher of Science and Chemistry. Ms. Anglesey has come to us from HVHS. She has extensive experience teaching the Sciences and Mathematics. Mrs Jenny O’Brien – Home room teacher and teacher of Religious Studies. Mrs O’Brien is a highly experienced teacher who has previously held positions as a Director of Religious Studies and as an ESL teacher in a primary school. Miss Nicola O’Sullivan – Teacher of Mathematics and accounting. Miss O’Sullivan has also come to us from Tawa College where she was teaching Commerce and Mathematics. She has previous experience as a Senior Accountant and Consultant in private practice. Mrs Geena Reid – Teacher of Mathematics Mrs Reid has also come to us from HVHS. Mrs Reid is part time but will become full time from Term 2.
Mrs Janice Connor – Careers Assistant Jan joins St Bernard’s as Careers Assistant. She has a strong education careers background and brings a can do attitude and a wealth of commercial experience. We also congratulate Mr Trevor Lawrence on his appointment as the College’s specialist classroom teacher. We know that Mr Lawrence is an outstanding teacher who, as well as mentoring our beginning teachers, has much to offer the whole staff in way of our professional learning.
Special Character St Bernard’s participated in the Young Catholic Leaders camp where students who want to show Christian leadership in school attended a five day camp with other Catholic students from across Wellington. Staff also attended in support of the students, on the last day the students presented to the staff how their leadership will look at St Bernard’s in 2016, in return the staff pledged their support of the Catholic leaders. In January students attended Lifeteen camp. The motto the students took away from this camp was “Being a real man requires real sacrifice.” Our Opening Mass was held on the 5th February It was a very special occasion with Fr Patrick Bridgman and Fr Andrew Kim concelebrating. Every form class was represented through the procession and blessing of the ‘Year of Mercy’ candles and classroom crucifixes. Simon Stack was also blessed and commissioned for his new role as principal. The Ash Wednesday liturgy led by our student leaders began the season of lent on February 10th.
Science
Sport
2015 NCEA results. The science staff were pleased with the success of our students. Those students who availed themselves of the tutorial opportunities did well. We congratulate every student who was successful in their external examination papers. 2015 Science Scholars. Across the department we had 11 students who received EXCELLENCE ENDORSED in their science subject. Congratulations to : Level 1 Science: Elisha Alasdair Day, Sam Kong, Juan Lopez, Matthew Mann, James Missen, Jordan Moh, Zach Whiteside. Level 2 Biology: Nicholas Ibrahim, Level 2 Physics: Guy Hogan, Aidan Watson, Henry Zwart.
Sports Directory Circulated on line. Please read carefully. Note Yr 7 & Yr 8 options. Many codes are restricted to Yrs 9–13 students. Please check with the Sports Co-ordinator to confirm your participation. Summer Sports information: Check for details with Mr Brandon Karawana - Sports Co-Ordinator Convenors Athletics Mr Te Wai Piripi Cricket Mr Hayden Mourits Cross Country Mr Te Wai Piripi Futsal Mr Brenton Higson Golf Mr Hayden Mourits Swimming Mrs Kay Hudson/Mr Te Wai Piripi Tennis Mr Brandon Karawana Touch Mr Chris Hart Volley ball Mr Hamish Sutherland Water Polo Mrs Emma Wallis Calendar Dates SBC Athletic Championships. Tues 23 February Hutt Rec HV Zone Athletic Championships. Tues 8 March Newtown Park SBC Swimming Championships. Mon 14 March Naenae Pool HV Yr 7-8 Athletic Championships. Tues 15 March Hutt Rec CSW Regional Athletic Championships. Wed 16 March Newtown Park Results Ethan Moore - Selected for NZ under 18 Kayak Oceania Squad. Competed in Australia in the Oceania Championship: K2: 200m = Silver Medal Tre Wainui-Teepa and Wyatt So’otaga – Touch Nationals, Silver Medals in the Mixed Grade.
The students who attained MERIT ENDORSED were: Level 1 Science: Harrison Crosbie, Joshua Furjes-Crawshaw, Tyler Johns, Jackson Locke, Brandon Mamea-Crawford, Puna Manaia, Jack Marra, Matthew Quin, Samuel Taylor, Conrad Weatherall, Ethan Wilton. Level 2 Biology: Callum Asher, Vineel Chandra, Asher Hanley, William Roberts, Aidan Watson. Level 2 Chemistry: Nicholas Ibrahim, Seth Trocio. Level 2 Physics: Jack Baucke, Nathan Chan, Vineel Chandra, Tyler Eagle, Nicholas Ibrahim, Nathaniel Russell. Daniel Satur, Benjamin Scully, Seth Trocio. Level 2 Science: Paul Owaci, Alexander Ingram, Paul Owaci, Danny Ward. Level 3 Biology: Troy McGuinness. Level 3 Chemistry: Lacsamana Salvador. Level 3 Physics: Aaron Marshall
Drama Term one is jam-packed with theatrical fun! We are very excited about our 2016 collaboration with St Oran’s College. Once again, actor Jim Moriarty and his production team at Te Rakau Trust are working with us to put on “Dog and Bone”. This is the second instalment in Helen Pearse-Otene’s quartet of plays focusing on New Zealand history, especially as it pertains to Wellington and the relationship between the city’s Maori inhabitants and the newly arrived European settlers. “Dog and Bone” will run for the whole first week of term two. Look out for times and ticket sale details in our next newsletter or on the SBC website. Auditions will also begin soon for our O’Shea Drama team. We were thrilled to tie first equal with St Patrick’s College, Silverstream last year for the top drama honours. The competition was strong, but we had a marvellously creative and talented group of young men who impressed the audience and the judges alike! Watch the notices for more information. Looking forward, we have plenty more drama on offer including performances at the Celebration of the Arts and also at our Year 10 Shakespeare mini-production.
Special Character contd The overnight Yr 13 Retreat took place at The Silverstream Retreat Centre on 11th and 12th February was a spiritual and uplifting time for all involved. The team of Mr Hamish Sutherland and Mr Jonny Boon devised the entire programme which was one where the students were empowered to show the Marist qualities of “strength” and “gentleness” in an open and caring way.
WANTED: Assistance with SBC Team Coaching and Management. Football Congratulations to a number of our players who are in federation teams. This is a great achievement. 2016 season Player registration will be held in early March. Players can chose to play for a club or SBC in 13th & 14th grade and after that they play for the college. Futsal teams We have a junior and a senior team playing in the Hutt Valley competition on a Thursday night. Coaches and managers We urgently need parents who can coach and/or manage both Futsal & Football teams. If you can help, then please ring Mr Brenten Higson on 5609259 ext 868 (college) or home on 577 2417. WE NEED YOUR HELP PLEASE.
Library Update The new look library is underway! Over the summer we have replaced some of our shelving, created a new layout, made an area for new books, a soft seating reading area and installed some study corrals for independent study. A small team of Student Librarians are working with the Information Centre Manager on book displays and managing the library. More improvements are planned for 2016 to make the space more engaging, active and current to support the education of all SBC students.
PFS News
Term Dates Diary Notes
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. Please contact : Elizabeth Josephson: gjoseph@paradise.net.nz
February 23 Athletics Day Board Of Trustees Meeting March 3 PFS Meeting 4 Days Bay Picnic Yr7 & 8 The full school calendar is available on the school website www.sbc.school.nz
2016 Term 1
2 February to 15 April
Term 2
2 May to 8 July
Term 3
25 July to 23 September
Term 4
10 October to 13 December
Maori Upcoming dates on St Bernard’s College Māori Community Calendar Term One Ki-O-Rahi tournament for Y7/8s at St Bernard’s College – Mon 11Mar Parihaka Commemoration – Date to be confirmed 1st Whanau Support hui for the year – towards the end of term Term Two Ngā Manu Kōrero Speech Competition – Date to be confirmed Matariki the Matariki star cluster rises in New Zealand skies - June 6-July 6
Cadets Success At TS Tamatoa Sea Cadets end of year prize giving last year, Paul Matheson and Josh Sales were recognised for their achievements. Able Cadet (ABCDT) Matheson was promoted to Leading Cadet. Matheson and Sales were jointly awarded “Best Attendance” Cup. LCDT Sales received his Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Bronze Award & Most Improved Coxswain. LCDT Matheson & LCDT Sales have also recently attended and passed 2 NZ Cadet Force Courses. Junior NCO & Cadet Coxswains
FREE
Nurse’s consultation at St Bernard’s College See the office for Appointments with our school nurses Alex Ferrier-Kerr FREE appointments with a doctor are no longer available at school but are available at the VIBE Clinic. They can be made through the nurse, Or directly with VIBE Nurse: 570-0883 Vibe:566-0525
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
Keratoconus Eye Tests Offered At St Bernard’s to Yr 9 & 11 Students We have had the Keratoconus eyesight screening study in the college for three days this week. The aim of the study is to find out how common and how severe an eye condition called Keratoconus is in secondary school children. This study is being carried out by the Capital Vision Research Trust with a grant from the Lions Clubs of New Zealand. Students in Yr 9 and 11 in are being offered free screening of their eyesight with a simple non-invasive screening test. If we find your child’s eyesight is reduced or signs of eye disease we will inform you and provide you with information about it and treatment options. Only students who have returned signed consent forms were able to be screened even though all Yr 9 and 11 were given the forms. Thank you for your support.
Uniform Shop Opening Hours Monday 8.15 to 9am Wednesday 10.30 to11am Thursday 12.30 to 1.30pm BYOD The Uniform Shop now stocks the HP Stream Ideal for your BYOD needs. Contact: Vicki Foss E-mail vfoss@sbc.school.nz Phone: 560-9250 ext 865
Contact Details Physical/Postal Address 183 Waterloo Road Lower Hutt 5010 New Zealand
P:04 560 9250 F:04 560 9251 E:office@sbc.school.nz W:www.sbc.school.nz
Contact Details It is very important that we are able to contact you, especially in case of an emergency. Please make sure we have your current contact information.
Reminders Leaving School During School Hours If your son needs to leave school during the day please follow these steps. 1. 2. 3. 4.
Send him with a note explaining why he is leaving He needs to get that signed by his dean Bring the note to the office when he is leaving. Sign out.
Payment Of School Charges The school prefers all school fees to be paid directly to our bank account. ASB Queensgate 12-3142-0164653-00. Please include your son’s first name and surname, 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.