Dear Parents and Caregivers,
A very warm welcome to you all as we start the 2005 school year.  A special welcome to our new students, families and staff--I look forward to a long and happy association with you.
At the Opening Mass at St Patrick's church, celebrated by Father John Dykes, a wonderful school spirit was evident.  We commissioned eighteen new school leaders and six Eucharistic Ministers--praying for them as they begin their service to the school.  In the usual tradition, this was followed by an afternoon of wonderful fun and frivolity with the whole school enjoying Tabloid Sports.
We have begun the year in a very positive way.  The school roll has grown significantly and we are fully staffed with well-qualified staff.  Our NCEA results compare very favourably with other Decile 5 schools and are significantly higher than the National Average. Special mention must be made of Jennifer McElroy who received 28 Excellence grades.  Other top achievers at Year 11 were Laura Jeffares, Erin Maxwell, Tara Kelly, Ashton Northcott and Sarah Mills.  Top Year 12 achievers were Elizabeth Gay, Meg Whitlow, Shannon Torr, Bronwyn Williams and Melinda Parris.  Congratulations also to Ms Karen Chalmers on achieving her Master of Education Administration and Mrs Judy Waapu on achieving her Bachelor of Business Studies.
More specific information about your daughter's year is in the Dean's letter which has been posted to you.
As we prepare to celebrate 140 years of education at Sacred Heart College next week, we are aware of the contribution of so many people to the College's long and proud history.  I urge you to consider coming forward to serve on our school PTA or Board of Trustees--there are vacancies coming up on both.
Every blessing for a happy and successful year.
Monica Johnson, Principal   

Year 9 and 10 'Meet the Teachers' evening ...

On Wednesday, 16 February,  some of our new Year 9 and 10 students, with their parents, gathered for a BBQ tea at our College.  This gave everyone  an opportunity to meet our teaching staff. 

The BBQ was beautifully cooked and served by our Head Girl Bronwyn Williams,  Lusila Maka, Teresa West and Abbey Kau Kau

Head Girl-- I am very honoured to be given the role of Head Girl of Sacred Heart College for 2005.  I hope I can fulfill this responsibility to the best of my ability and be supportive to both students and staff throughout this year.
Bronwyn Williams

Deputy Head Girl--Tama tu Tama ora, Tama noho, Tama mate.  Tena tatou katoa.
Kia Ora, my name is Kristy Mackey and I am honoured to be Deputy Head Girl for 2005.  I will do my best to help lead our school with pride and kaha.  No reira tena koutou, tena koutou, tena ra koutou katoa.
Kristy Mackey

Hostel Head Girl--As Head Hostel Girl, I take an active part in the day to day running of the Hostel.  I also take care to listen to and help the girls with their problems.  I play a role as Chairperson of our Steering Committee and help out the staff when needed.  I love my position as Head of the Hostel and wouldn't change it for anything.
Davinia Austin-Lobb

Deputy Head Hostel Girl-- As Deputy Head Girl of the Hostel, I actively support Davinia, our Hostel Head Girl and am fully prepared to step in when needed.  I am also the Social Co-ordinator for the Hostel.
  Monica Lincoln

Ruth Harding, Lusila Maka, Harriet Stone, Lendl Oosthuizen, Halaevalu Pailate, Anna Dine

A word from our Chaplain… Recently in my reading I came across this question: "Are youth a problem to be solved or a gift to be treasured?" I firmly believe our young people are gifts, sometimes not fully opened, but still very precious treasures.
We're nearly halfway through Lent, a good time to take stock. Am I making the most of this Lent or have I let it pass me by? I encourage parents and caregivers to nurture the spirit of those in their care.  As whanau, do we have Lenten rituals and traditions which we celebrate?  Can we set aside a few minutes for prayer?  The 'teaspoon prayer' (tsp… Thanks Sorry Please) could be appropriate, perhaps while having a cup of coffee/tea or a bedtime snack.
At our Ash Wednesday liturgy, we challenged our girls to practice good habits and attitudes during the weeks of Lent; encouragement (wk1), friendship (wk2), smiling (wk3), patience (wk4), prayer (wk5),  and peacefulness (wk6). Perhaps a gentle reminder from time to time would help them focus on cultivating these behaviours at school and at home. As part of our Lenten journey we could resolve to nurture our teenager's spiritual growth and then enjoy seeing the gift fully opened, in all its beauty.--Wendy  Clark

Y10 Mathematics …

This year we have timetabled all year 10 Mathematics classes at the same time and as a result, we are organising the students into five groups.  These groups will change from time to time depending on their performance.  Teachers involved in this are--Mrs Gopal, Miss Saddler, Mr Scott and Mr Iaveta.
The purpose is to allow for extension of brighter students and learning support for those who need it.--Lakshmi Gopal, HOD Mathematics

My name is Anna Whitlow. I left Sacred Heart College in 2003 and spent last year as a GAP student in Sherborne, Dorset, at St Antony's Leweston School for Yrs 7--13.  It is a private Catholic Girls' School, south-west of London.  I lived in a boarding house with Yr7 and 8 students as an Assistant House Mistress and their big sister.  During the day, I worked in the school office, helped out in classes and organised the weekend and after school activities which included fencing, Indian head massage, horse riding, pottery and many more.  I did manage to travel quite a bit and it was amazing. I had a lot of time to think which gave me a huge appreciation of what it is to be a Kiwi, my family, and what Sacred Heart had given me.   Basically, this year away has shown me again that the world is there offering thousands of opportunities and all you have to do is want it!
This year I am off to Wellington to start a four-year Bachelor of  Fine Arts Degree at Massey University.  A 'GAP' year served its purpose and I now can't wait to get back into study--before I head off again--Morroco's where I want to go next!!

Tabloid Sports

A fun time was had by all in the Tabloid Sports held at school on 11 February. The weather was perfect.
The girls turned out splendidly in the colours for their year levels and the mood of the afternoon was one of frivolity--a great class and school bonding activity.
I would especially like to thank the Year 12 Physical Education class for helping set up the day.
Sue Wakeling--HOD Physical Education

Year 9/10 Athletic Relay

An extremely successful athletics event was held in Hastings after school on Tuesday, 15 February.  A group of eight students attended:  Whitney Burt, Alexandra Laird, Chelsea Harmer, Alarna McKie, Nicola Mann, Melissa Hill, Esther Anderson and Alice Miller.
The overall school results are not through yet.  However, on the day one team won the 4 x 100m relay, another team came third in the 4 x 400m relay and second in long jump.
All in all a very pleasing effort by the girls.
Sue Wakeling--HOD Physical Education

Welcome to our  parents and caregivers of new students at Sacred Heart College for 2005.    If any of you are interested in joining our PTA please don't hesitate to contact me.   We are planning a working bee  on Saturday, 19 March from 2--4pm. A reminder that our meetings are held on the last Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm in the staffroom--all welcome.
You can contact me any time on 027 5111.935
or email me at gazel.makea@tremain.co.nz

News from the Library …

If you have a computer at home, we recommend that you have our College homepage added to your favourites. The web address is:
www.pn.catholic.org.nz/schools/shcnapier

From this page you can access several well-known search engines, plus search the catalogues of the Napier Public Library or the Hastings District Library.  There are also many interesting sites listed in the Homework Help section.

Through the Te Kete Ipurangi (TKI) link, students can log on to the Any Questions site and connect online to a librarian who will provide assistance with searching for Internet sources.  This service is available Monday to Friday 1-6pm.  Another useful link on the TKI site is the new online New Zealand Encyclopedia which is well worth a look.

Listed in the menu down the side of the TKI site is a link to EPIC which is a collection of databases, many of them providing access to full text newspaper and magazine articles on a wide range of subjects.  This site is particularly useful for senior students.  To use this site you will need to ask the librarians for a username and password.

Help with Homework … We are delighted to let you know about AnyQuestions.co.nz, a new and innovative service that gives all New Zealand school children their own guide to help them find the information they need from quality resources.  Customised for New Zealand school students, the service uses interactive online software to guide students around the internet in real time. 
AnyQuestions.co.nz  is a safe, New Zealand based service and transcripts of all sessions are reviewed for safety and continual professional development.  It is also completely web-based, so students don't need to purchase any software to run it.  It is also a completely free service and is available Monday to Friday between 1pm and 6pm in English and 1pm and 2pm in Te Reo Maori. 
For more information about AnyQuestions.co.nz visit the website www.AnyQuestions.co.nz or email help@anyquestions.co.nz

Mrs Maria Metu joins us as our Guidance Counsellor and teacher of Social Studies.
Ms Jemima Harkness also joins and  is teaching Health and P.E.
The Science Department is fortunate to have the services of Mr Ron Scott who is now teaching full time.
We welcome back Mrs Kerin Greville as our HOD Arts after one year's leave of absence.  She has also taken over the Arts Co-ordinator's role at our school.
Mrs Judy Waapu  also returns after her study leave.

The Uniform Shop is open at Breaks every Tuesday
1st Break… 11.00-11.30
2nd Break… 1.30-2.20

Cash or cheques accepted. Layby available. Quotes given.
Garments will be sold on your behalf and must be in good, clean condition.
Any enquiries phone Colleen McLaughlin on 844 4126.


Sacred Heart College offers private speech tuition, within the school.  Both Speech and Drama and Public Speaking are available.
The aim of both programmes is to develop versatility and confidence in oral presentation and performance--valuable life skills.
Mrs Jan Davis will commence classes this term.  If you wish to enrol your daughter please phone Mrs Davis on 835.7666.  Fees are $75 per term, payable at the beginning of each term.


Two Homestays Required...We have a new 17 year old Japanese student arriving from our Sister school in Japan.  She is here for a year and is looking for a caring homestay.
  We also have a 17½ year old fee-paying student who needs a homestay until November.
  Please call the Careers office on 835.9889 or phone direct to Carol Murphy at home on 835.0762 if you can help.

Congratulations to ...Kylie Hikawai who has been chosen as one of 12 students to be part of a netball development squad by Netball New Zealand.  She will be completing her schooling at Massey University in Palmerston North.
Wanted … Retired handiman on call for small projects around our College. Hourly rate paid.   Please ring our school office.
Advance Warning … Monday, 14 March. The school will be closed from 2pm for staff to continue work on the Literacy Initiative with Ken Kilpin from Massey University.
Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme … Students in Hawke's Bay will be offered the opportunity to be vaccinated this year as part of the N.Z. wide Health Department initiative.  Enclosed is a newsletter giving more details of the programme.  Shortly you will be receiving permission letters for this programme.
Our school's dates for vaccination are:
Vaccination 1:  May 12
Vaccination 2:  June 24
Vaccination 3:  August 12

Health Programme Consultation:

Parents of Year 9-11 students will receive an outline of our current Health programme.  Mrs Sue Wakeling is the Head of Department responsible for Physical Education and Health.  We invite feedback on our Health programme.  Please do not hesitate to contact either Sue or myself if you have any questions, queries or comments.
Monica Johnson, Principal

The Hastings Baptist Church would like us to inform you of a Seminar they are hosting--Hot Tips on Growing Girls on Thursday 3 March.  This will be presented by John and Naomi Cowan of Parents Inc. 
For information or brochure on this seminar, contact Joy Davison on 870,6078.

  Term 1  Monday, 31 January to Friday, 15 April
  Term 2  Monday, 2 May to Friday, 8 July
  Term 3  Monday, 25 July to Friday, 23 September
  Term 4  Monday, 10 October to Friday, 9 December