Dear Parents and Caregivers, 
As we near the end of Term 2 thank you for your support during a very busy term.  This newsletter contains details of many events we have been involved in.  Most noteable has been the success in winning Stage Challenge--congratulations to all involved in this wonderful achievement.  In particular thank you to Melinda Parris,  Lucy Newrick, Meg Whitlow and Mr David Brown for making the show possible.
   The mid-year Reports provide a record of your daughter's achievement for the first part of the year.  It is important that you help your daughter reassess goals and plan strategies for the final part of the year.  For senior students the key for NCEA is to aim to achieve every credit available at the highest level.  Able students should be striving to achieve with Excellence.
We will have some staff changes in Term 3.  Sadly we farewell Ms Karen Chalmers at the end of this term.  Karen has been appointed to a Senior Management position with NZQA in Wellington.  She has made a very significant contribution to the school over the past five years, in particular during her time as Acting Principal for a year in 2002.  We wish her well in her new endeavour.  Mr Karl Iaveta has been seconded to E.R.O. so will be taking leave for a year.  We congratulate him on this achievement.  We wish Sr Colleen every blessing as she takes sabbatical leave during Term 3.  Mrs Kerry Twigg will take short term leave to support her daughter, Emma, who is rowing in the World Championships in Germany.
I look forward to seeing you at the parent interviews.
Every blessing for a relaxing holiday break in two weeks time.

God Bless
Monica Johnson, Principal   

Napier Netball Centre--Sacred Heart Winners after the first round:
Sacred Heart College 10A (coached by Mrs French)
Sacred Heart College 9A (coached by Miss Harkness)
Sacred Heart College 9B (coached by Ms Luka)
Sacred Heart College 9C (coached by Mrs Hinton, Student  Coaches--Philippa Sandford and Stevie Greeks)
Congratulations, and good luck to all teams for the next round.

Mission Cup:  Our College netball team travelled to Christchurch at Queen's Birthday weekend to compete in the Mission Cup Netball Tournament.  This is an annual tournament held between six Mission schools.  The team did not have much success on the netball court but had a great weekend.  The flights, hotel and sightseeing were awesome.  The team would like to thank Catholic Cathedral College for their wonderful hospitality.  Thanks also to Fiona McElroy (Team Manager) and Toni Minogue (Team Umpire) who gave up their time over a long weekend.

Te Toa Hockey Tournament:  Our College will be hosting the annual Te Toa Hockey tournament from Saturday 30 July to Monday 1 August.  This involves five Mission colleges--Sacred Heart College Lower Hutt, Sacred Heart College Hamilton, Sacred Heart College New Plymouth and St Joseph's Maori Girls' College.  Games will commence on Saturday afternoon at Park Island and continue until the final rounds on Monday morning.  We encourage parents to watch these games and appreciate any donations of fruit or home baking for morning and afternoon teas.  Please ring Henny French at school if you are able to assist in any way.

Henny French, Sports Co-ordinator

Pinnacle Challenge … 

The Adventure Plus team came to our school, Tuesday, 7 to Thursday, 9 June to offer some exciting challenges to each 9 class.  This programme offered  individual challenges as well as encouraged class bonding with team co-operative activities.  Despite the rather cool weather all students got involved in a very positive way and have been 'raving' about it ever since!

Farewell to

Monika Grabmaier and Mo Quicke who are winging their way home at the end of this term.  Monika is from Germany and has been with us  for three terms and Mo has spent a year at our college.  God bless and all the best for your future, girls.

Visit by Award Wining Writer Kate De Goldi

During the week celebrating the New Zealand Post Book Awards, we were very fortunate to have Kate de Goldi visit our school.  Ms de Goldi is a very well known writer of young adult fiction, book reviewer on National Radio and editor of the New Zealand Book Council publication Booknotes.   Her most recent achievement was winning the supreme book award in the New Zealand Post Awards for her wonderful picture book "Clubs".  Our class of Year 10 students thoroughly enjoyed Ms De Goldi's visit. She spoke about her background growing up in Christchurch, life as a writer and the process of writing and publishing a book. Finally as a special treat, she read her book to us, giving  many little insights into the characters and events in the story as she went.  This visit provided a great opportunity for the students to meet a very well respected and entertaining New Zealand writer.
Cynthia Perry--Librarian

Four groups from our College participated in this year's Regional Chamber Music Competition over the weekend of 10 June at the Century Theatre.  They were …
'Beating Hearts': Brooke Soole, Stephanie Brenchley and Maggie Johnson
'Off The Hook': Sarah Mills, Charday Wooten-Lane and Helena Brown
'The Queens': Lucy Whitlow, Kali West and Emma Stothart
'Fresh Airs': Kjerstine Severinsen, Clarrissa Morley-D'Ath and Rachel Doohan

Lots of hard practice and rehearsal culminated in very musical performances.  Standards were very high.  We have many very talented young students who are going to present some keen competition in the next few years.  Watch this space!
Ronnie Lundall, HOD Music

GATEWAY is a course offered at our College for senior students and begins with generic unit standards that help to prepare students for the workplace.  An individual Learning Plan is negotiated to create a pathway to achieve NCEA credits that are industry based.  This often involves attending courses with outside provider agencies and completing a work-based component during a work placement.
Students involved in the course must not only be prepared to miss other subject classes but also to catch up on the class work they have missed.  This requires time management skills which we endeavour to guide the students through.  The courses are funded out of the Gateway budget. Students are expected to attend all classes, complete all workbooks, assessments related to their course and attend all work-base requirements including attendance and assessments.
We have found this a very worthwhile course for students serious about entering the work place by the end of the academic year.  So far this year, industry courses include: 
vHairdressing     vRetail         
vTourism     vChild Care

I was lost but now I'm found … We had this wee very hungry visitor called Mika at our school over two days recently--no one was able to catch her, except our Miss Saddler.  The man from the Pound came and took her back to her owner--Aaahhh! Warm fuzzies!!

Board Talk …
The Board and School Management are becoming increasingly concerned about the issue of the safety of our bus students.  Bus students have to cross a very busy road with limited visibility of approaching vehicles.  Napier City Council turned down the idea of a controlled pedestrian crossing.  The Board has written to the Police and the Land Transport Safety Authority requesting a further inspection of the site to explore other possible measures to ensure the safety of our students.

The Board sincerely thanks Ms Karen Chalmers for her support, hard work and dedication to Sacred Heart College and all the very best in her new position in Wellington. You have been a wonderful asset to our College and we shall miss you.
Congratulations to the Stage Challenge team for their wonderful win recently.  What a great performance you all gave.
At our May meeting, we welcomed Tina Luka and Debbie Neave onto the Board as Parent Representatives.  Vacancies had been created by the resignations of Greg Taylor and Tania Pattison.  Tina joins the Finance/Property subcommittee while Debbie's interest is with the pastoral care (Operations subcommittee) aspect of Board work. She has also taken over the role of Board Secretary.
The Trust Board has appointed a working group to officially launch the Chapel fundraising appeal shortly.   Mr Richard Gregory has been appointed as Fundraising Manager and has set himself the task of raising $450,000 by New Year's Eve.

Tina Luka--Tina and Greg along with Hanna (9ML) and 5 year old Sean live on a small lifestyle property with their 25 ewes and rabbit "Milo".  Tina comes with an extensive administration background in Trade Unions and netball.  The former Eastern Netball Region Executive Officer is often spotted at school coaching the 9B netball team.  "I am looking forward to making positive contributions to the Board as a parent representative" says Tina.
Debbie Neave--My husband, twin daughters and I are fairly new to Hawke's Bay having moved to Napier just one year ago from Whangarei where I was secretary at a rural primary school with a roll of 280.  I enjoyed being part of the BOT in that capacity and having been exposed to the procedures and responsibilities of a functional Board feel I come to Sacred Heart College with a good understanding of the educational system.  I am looking forward to establishing relationships with staff members, students and parents and feel confident that I can have positive input into what is already a growing, progressing and caring school and therefore help maintain the momentum.

PTA News …
«Thank you to all who supported our Trivial Pursuits evening. The winners were "The Merry Pac", Cynthia, Mike and Kate Perry, Mary-Anne and Gary Macintosh-Wright--congratulations.
We would like to announce up-coming fundraisers which we encourage you to support.  «Gourmet BBQ evening at Peak House on 22 September.  This is limited to 60 people--so be in quick.  A great, fun night  at $30 a head.  «Watch out for our next working bee.  These are fun and enjoyable days, spent doing odd jobs around the College and are an excellent way to meet other parents.
If you need any further information about these events don't hesitate to ring myself on 843.4294 or Debbie Scott on 876.0693.
Deborah Neilson, Chairperson

Sacred Heart Feast Day …

On a very cold, wet and windy June 3 we celebrated Sacred Heart Day.  Our Mass this year was held in St Mary's Parish Church at 9.15am.  Our main celebrant was Monsignor Tim Hannigan joined by Father Peter Fahy.   The church was filled with friends, relations, past pupils, members of the BOT, PTA , the College Trust Board, students from St John's College , St Joseph's Primary School and members of St Mary's Parish who came along to pray with us.  Our singing sounded superb and the Gospel reading of the Good Samaritan was thoughtfully presented by students from 9PR.
Buses returned us to school but dodging the showers walking up Cobden Rd was impossible as the rain kept coming!  Luckily most of us had concert clothes to change into to keep us dry.  Each class looked after two students from Fairhaven. Because of the weather we held the games  in the Gym.  Last minute rehearsals were held, class lunches eaten and then we were off to the Gym for the long-awaited concert.  What a display of talent.  The staff item was a blast and Year 13 held the show together with a Roald Dahl fairy tale told in episodes.
Year 13 won the award for the best drama, 11PY walked off with the best dance, 9PR the best costume and 12CO won the best song award.
Sister Colleen--DRS   

Support Staff Day …

Last Wednesday, 15 June was National Support Staff Day.   Our support staff were treated to a lovely morning tea and then in the evening an NZEI dinner at the Taradale Club for support staff from other schools in the Napier region.  We felt very spoilt and supported.  Mrs Henny French attended the annual Support Staff Seminar held at the War Memorial Conference Centre--it was a wonderful day with guest speakers Paul Holmes, Hastings Mayor, Lawrence Yule, the Principal of Woodford House, Celia Lashlie and Inspector Brian Schaab.     
Sheron MacGregor--NZEI Representative

Congratulations to …

Past Pupil, Anita Wawatai who has been chosen to represent New Zealand in the Black Sticks Women's Hockey team. Her advice for young players--"never give up the things you want".
Eden Boswell-Wakefield for her selection in the Napier Under 15 Netball representative team
Courtney Davis for her creditable performance in the Senior English Nga Manu Korero Competition recently.
Ellen Scheele for her selection in the Hawke's Bay Under 13 Hockey team.

Parent Interviews: 

• June 30: 5.00-6.00pm St John's College, Hastings (aptmt necessary)
  
• July 7: 4.00-6.00pm  Sacred Heart College Gymnasium (aptmt necessary)
  
• July 8: Boarder Parents 2.30-3.30pm. (no appointment necessary)                 
  

Academic Challenge … Intense concentration, poised pens and whispered discussions marked out Room 207 as the place where the house groups competed in the Academic Challenges over the last two weeks.  This year the competition took on a new intensity as it was organised through the house system.  Three challenges were held:  one for Year 13, one for Years 11 and 12 and one for Years 9 and 10 and the results were fairly evenly spread.
Yr 13  1st Holderness
  2nd Barbier
  3rd Marion
Yrs 11&12 1st Barbier
  2nd Holderness
  3rd Marion & Aubert
Yrs9&10 1st Aubert
  2nd Marion
  3rd Holderness
From these, teams were chosen to represent the College against St John's in the Interschool Academic Challenge on Thursday, 23 June:  Senior: Jennifer McElroy, Laura Robertson, Jo-Marie Sciascia, Meg Whitlow, Bronwyn Williams
Junior: Catherine Joule, Whitney Burt, Melanie Hutchinson, Siobhan Storey, Matariki Williams
The competition was intense with St John's winning by six points.

Class Councillors--Term 2

Congratulations to … Rochelle Bills (9LL), Coralie Johnson (9ML), Abigail Neave (9PR), Alice Downs (10GE), Alexandra Laird (10SC), Oriwia Solomon (10WG), Laura McElroy (11GL), Sarah McGrail (11IA), Casey O'Donoghue (11PY), Tara Kelly (12CO), Michelle Webb (12HD), Amanda Gray (13BN), Jo-Marie Sciascia (13WS)

Accounts for NZQA exam fees will be sent home before the end of Term 2 and MUST be paid by 31 August 2005.
2005 fees will be $75 for most students, but this may be reduced to just $20 if the caregiver a) receives a benefit of any kind, or b) has joint family income below the level of entitlement to a Community Services Card.
There may also be reductions for families with more than one candidate--please check criteria and ask for an application form.