Christmas 2006

Sacred Heart College, Napier

Te Kāreti o Ngakau Tapu

“Hearts and Minds in Harmony”

Dear Parents, Caregivers, Whanau— 

           As the 2006 school year draws to a close it is timely that I am able to include the Education Review Office’s summary of their recent review of our school.  This ‘community page’ highlights many of the wonderful happenings at school involving behaviour, attitudes to learning, academic achievement and pastoral care.  It is appropriate that the summary focuses firstly on our Special Catholic Character.  Both ERO, and the Catholic Education Office in their review, have acknowledged the strength and vitality of the Catholic Character as it pervades all life at school.

           Our senior girls have now completed their NCEA exams and must wait until January next year to receive notification of results. We look forward to the senior girls’ presence at assemblies, prizegiving and Mass in the final week.  The Year 10 girls have recently challenged themselves in various outdoor activities and the reports from mountains, rivers and gorges have all been very positive.

           Junior reports accompanying this newsletter summarise the academic and pastoral development of your daughter.  Teachers’ comments highlight pathways that will realise further improvement and growth next year.

           We are very pleased to announce the appointment of new staff for 2007.  Our Head of Department of Mathematics will be Mrs Lynne Koenders (ex Napier Girls’ High School).  Relieving HOD Physical Education will be Mrs Judy Jackson (ex Horowhenua College) and relieving HOD Technology will be Mrs Jean Collins (ex Havlelock North High School).  A new Teacher Aide appointed is Mrs Jude Nuttall.  We welcome them all to Sacred Heart.

           The school magazine has been published and is a colourful and interesting account of school life for 2006.  This can be paid for ($20) and collected from the school office from Thursday 14 December. 

           These final days are emotional times as the Year 13 girls farewell their teachers, friends and the school that has shaped them for five years.  I encourage you all to support our Prizegiving and Thanksgiving Mass on Thursday 14 December as we celebrate together and give thanks to God for the gifts bestowed upon Sacred Heart.

           I wish you all a peaceful and happy Christmas and that your family may share in the love and hope offered through the birth of Jesus Christ.

                      Regards and God’s blessings  — Steve Bryan, Principal

Education Review Office Report: (To the Parents and Community of Sacred Heart College)

           Sacred Heart College is a Catholic secondary day and boarding school, situated in Napier, for Year 9 to 13 girls.  The small size of the College allows students the opportunity to participate in a wide range of sporting and cultural activities.  Students are encouraged to have high expectations for achievement.  Successes of all types are acknowledged at assemblies where student participation is valued.

           This review investigates the teaching and learning of students.  It also reports on programmes for underachieving students, the achievement of Māori and Pacific students, the College Hostel and the provision for international students.  In addition, aspects of student safety are evaluated including strategies for preventing bullying.

           The Special Catholic Character strongly permeates the ethos of the College.  Continuing emphasis on high standards of behaviour, mutual respect and courtesy is seen as critical by the Board and staff.  Positive and affirming interactions between teachers and students lead to a carrying and supportive atmosphere in the College.  Students are responsive to the needs of others and confident to participate and question.  They display high levels of interest and motivation to learn.  Consistently high standards of behaviour were observed in most classrooms.  Pastoral care Deans and the Guidance counsellor work closely together to provide effective support for students.  An inclusive environment allows all students to be valued.

           Assessment Tools for Teaching and Learning (AsTTLe) is used to validly assess Year 9 and 10 students’ achievement in English and Mathematics.  Sound baseline data is available to assess students’ progress over time.  AsTTLe is also used to diagnose areas of strength and weakness for individual and groups of students.  Such information is shared with all teachers.  Data shows a range of achievement, predominantly at Level 3 and 4 of the curriculum for Year 9 students and Level 4 and 5 for Year 10 students in both English and Mathematics.

           Levels 1 to 3 National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)  results show that rates of achievement are better than national averages for schools of a similar type and decile.  However, teachers identify the challenge to improve results from achieved to merit and excellence grades.  Data shows that Māori and Pacific students gain formal qualifications at the same rate as New Zealand European / Pākehā students.  Significant numbers of students obtain literacy and numeracy credits.

 

Teachers are well planned for content delivery.  However, a wider range of responsive teaching strategies should be considered to support the variety of learning levels and further extend student learning.

Hampton House Hostel currently accommodates 13% of the school roll.  Managers have reviewed and rewritten policy and procedures ready for hostel licensing.  While further development is required in relationship building between staff and students, the Hostel is soundly managed and students feel safe and secure.

 

The school is well managed and governed.  The Principal provides sound leadership and clear direction for the school.  A strong management team supports his collegial approach to school improvement.  Communication processes are well advanced.  Board members have diverse skills.  Trustees have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.  Comprehensive strategic planning, presently being reviewed, provides a framework for development.  Recommendations from the previous report have been implemented.  Close community consultation supports the Board’s work.

 

Future Action:  ERO is confident that the Board of Trustees can manage the school in the interests of the students and the Crown and bring about the improvements outlined in this report.  ERO will review the school again as part of the regular review cycle.

 

Review Coverage:  ERO reviews do not cover every aspect of school performance and each ERO report may cover different issues.  The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to student achievement and useful to this school. 

           If you would like a copy of the full report, please contact the school or see the ERO website, http://www.ero.govt.nz

           - Graham Randall, Area Manager, for Chief Review Officer

We congratulate the following students who have received Certificates of Excellence in the following subjects at a recent Junior Assembly:

Science (Y9)

           Silky Boparai, Caitlin Doran, Brooke Harwood, Jessica Kinder, Nirvana Manson, Caroline Maradzika, Ampili Mathews, Christina Noetzli, Janelle Quinn, Anna Taylor, Sabrina Turner, Amy West, Ann Ye

Home Economics (Y10) —”Create a Hamper for a Special Occasion”: Excellence and Special Commendation for Diligence

           Jessica Boyden, Jessie Eagle, Chelsea Harmer, Coralie Johnson, Shaela Te Au, Katherine Thomas

Excellence: Eden Boswell-Wakefield, Danielle Eagle, Tsar Hume, Sarah Johansen, Brooke McKelvie, Hanna Meagher, Amy Walker

Merit: Michelle Gannaway, Summer Gavan, Brenda-Lee Locke, Amelia Longley, Amber McHenry

“Bridge to Nowhere” - On Tuesday 28 November seven students and Ms Lewis gathered together minus hair straighteners, cellphones and ipods—we were really going to do it tough! and travelled to Whakaroa.  Bright and early the next morning we followed our Guide, Kelly, to the Whanganui River to start our first day of canoeing.  After six hours of paddling and experiencing the most amazing waterfalls we arrived at our hut called “The John Coull Hut”.  After a night of thunder and lightning we woke to a river that had risen two metres but still OK to canoe.  The day was cold but we were all focussed on getting to our next hut as quickly as we could.  What a surprise when we were greeted by two lovely people waiting for us on the verandah of their beautiful Lodge with warm towels, a fire, a boiled kettle for hot drinks and a nice hot shower.  The rest of that day was spent keeping warm, watching TV and waiting out the weather. We woke the next day to more torrential rain and travelled by jet boat to the bridge that really was to “nowhere”.  We parted from our cool Guide at this point and headed for home with Ms Lewis driving the van all the way back to school.  Needless to say, most of us fell asleep!  We all agreed that it had been a really awesome experience for all of us.  Thank you Ms Lewis, our parents and everyone up the Whanganui River.- Anaria Rarere (10SC)

 

Daily Activities: Mohaka River Trip— An early morning start and everyone was in a happy mood for a day on the Mohaka River.  We kayaked and canoed all day with many thrills and spills—the day was enjoyed by everyone.

Caving—Because of the weather, instead of abseilling we went caving at Bellbird and the Weta Caves.  I thoroughly enjoyed this although some didn’t agree! I wonder if it was because of the Wetas.

Rollerblading— On the third day, we had a choice of going gorging or enjoying a day on the Marine Parade.  I chose Rollerblading and Putt Putt which was great fun.  The rest of the day was spent in the Gymnasium and admiring the view of Napier from a hill vantage point.  The daily activities were wonderful and I highly recommend them for next year.  - Emmi Sau (10PR)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTIONS 2007: Find out more by attending the Community Forum on 25 January 2007.  St John Ambulance Hall, 107 Southland Road, Hastings—7.30pm to 8.30pm. 

Process for Elections begins March 2007—WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

OPC— “NO EXPECTATIONS!”  was one of the most important things we were told on the night we all arrived—Sunday 26 November.  Along with our substitute mother for the week, Miss Calder, throughout the week we were put to the test enduring opportunities of a lifetime and pushing ourselves to the limit, mentally and physically.  These activities included high ropes, orienteering, navigation, a bush walk up to the top of Mt Tihia, caving, abseiling, a scavenger hunt etc, and on the last night an overnight stay at Grants Pine Camp.  We learnt more about the outdoors, our environment and working together as a team.  Our instructors were great people and we thank them.  We also thank Miss Calder, Sandra Muggeridge and Cory Burling for getting us there and back safely.  I know the other girls had as much of an awesome time as I did!

           - Kelly Lategan (10LS)

 

Camp Kuripapango— Our group left school on Wednesday 29 November by bus and on arrival met our instructors Reuben and Nikki.  After some instructions on navigational skills we set off on our trek to our first campsite.  It was a very hot day so we all swam at the waterfall on the way.  The first night, we slept in bivies that we built ourselves.  The next day we experienced river crossing—in the rain! And headed to our next camp site where we slept in tents.  The next day we drove back to our first campsite and went tube rafting on the river which was awesome and everyone had a great time.  We were meant to learn how to abseil but the river was too high so we played cricket before packing up and returning home.  On behalf of the Year 10’s a huge thank you to Mrs Wakeling, Libby Gray, Mr Scott and Grant—without you this trip would not have been possible.

           - Jamie O’Malley (10PR)

Jennifer McElroy—Final student / final exam

Scholarship Biology

Mother-Daughter Book Club—The final meeting was held in the College Library last Wednesday night. It was a most enjoyable evening providing both Mums and students with the opportunity to select some holiday reading.  Anyone interested in joining, please phone Cynthia Perry in the Library for details.

Church ministries that serve the family—The ‘New Zealand Catholic’ newspaper recently focused on the ‘Family’.  Below are some agencies that can offer support.

MARRIAGE:

Catholic Network of Marriage Educators: National organisation representing the interests of diocesan marriage educators.  It aims to strengthen and encourage marriage education through the co-ordination and provision of high-quality educational programmes and services, and is a point of reference for the promotion of the marriage ministry.  Wellington (04) 496.1796; Auckland (09) 360.3025; Hamilton (07) 856.4331; Palmerston North (06) 844.5176; Christchurch (03) 351.8002; Dunedin (03) 456.3060.

Marriage Encounter:  A weekend experience for married couples, priests and religious, centering on communications and a call to a lifestyle that reflects Christ to others.  Operating in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Wellington dioceses.  National team (09) 627.2342; (03) 379.1068; toll-free 0800 362.686.

SOCIAL SERVICES:

Catholic Social Services, Wellington: Offers counselling for individuals, couples and families on a wide range of issues for low or no cost; also self-development programmes in schools and quality referral services, (04) 385.8642.

FAMILIES: 

Passionist Family Group Movement: A movement established throughout New Zealand and Australia, with the motto “A family for all” meaning that no one is excluded from belonging.  One goal is to build community within the parish, by allowing people to get to know one another through creating “extended families” within the parish; these groups also attract non-Catholic spouses.  North Island (07) 863.4134; South Island (03) 344.6003.

Retrouvaille, Palmerston North: The name means “rediscovery”.  A weekend programme with follow-up sessions is offered for troubled marriages and separated couples, to help them renew their marriage(06) 354.7483

Family Life, Wellington:  Executive arm of the Wellington Arch-diocesan Commission for the Family (04) 496.1744

GRIEF: 

Beginning Experience:  A weekend programme to heal the grief of loss and make a new start after experiencing separation, bereavement or divorce.  Auckland (09) 573.0308.

Seasons for Growth:  School– and community-based grief and loss education programme and support group for adults and children.  Auckland (09) 360.3027 or 021 545.560; Hamilton (07) 856.6989 or 0800 271.411; Wellington (04) 496.1744; Christchurch (03) 379.0012; Alexandra (03) 448.6115; Invercargill (03) 216.4242.

The Uniform Shop opening Hours:

December: Monday 18, Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20: 10am-2pm, 7pm-9pm. Thursday 21: 10am-1pm

February: Thursday 1, Friday 2: 10am-2pm.  Wednesday 7, Thursday 8: 10am-1pm

School Magazine Sales:  Students will be able to purchase their copy of the Magazine from the school from 14 December.  Cost is $20.00.  The school office will be open until 21 December.