On Wednesday, 2 March, our College celebrated two very significant occasions.  Firstly, the anniversary of 140 years of Mission Sisters teaching on this site and secondly, Miss Anne Saddler's 30 years of teaching at Sacred Heart College.   We were honoured to have Sister Mary Rose (past Principal, now living and working in Rome) speak about the history of the Mission Sisters, how they arrived in New Zealand, the inception of a convent and the founding of a teaching and boarding school in Napier. Her talk  was very interesting and informative for our students.   Also present were specially invited guests including our Mission Sisters and Priests representing our Parishes.   This was followed by a tribute to our Assistant Principal, Miss Anne Saddler for her dedication to teaching at our College for 30 years.   Mrs Johnson spoke very highly of her years with us and honoured her naming of our new Learning Support Centre.  Miss Saddler was 'piped' out of the Gymnasium and was invited to cut the ribbon to officially open "The Saddler Learning Support Centre".  This was followed by a shared lunch in the staffroom and form rooms.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,
I hope that you all had a relaxing Easter break and were able to participate in the Easter ceremonies.  As a school during Lent, we have been focusing on the Caritas Lenten Appeal which this year has the theme of Justice.  We work in a spirit of hope and each week have focused on a theme.  The themes were: Encouragement, Friendship, Happiness, Patience, Prayer and Peacefulness.  Rostered year level Masses have resumed and we are grateful to the Priests of the area for celebrating Mass throughout the year.  These are held in the auditorium at 1pm on Thursdays.  The next one is a Year 10 Mass on  7 April.  Your attendance is most welcome.
We are now well into the first term and class and homework routines are well established. We hope that you are finding the diary system a useful means of communication with the school and for understanding your daughter's homework requirements.  The enclosed Interim Report is a quick indication of how your daughter has settled this year.  There is an opportunity to discuss progress and any concerns at the Parent Interviews in the last week of term--Wednesday, 13 April from 4.00pm--6.00pm in the gymnasium.
On  Sunday  22 May  Hawke's Bay will be celebrating the Diocesan Jubilee of 25 years.  Because it is such a special occasion, the Board of Trustees have declared this an official school morning and students are expected to attend the Jubilee Mass at 10.30am at the Pettigrew Green Arena.  More details later in the newsletter.  We hope that you are also able to join the whole of the Hawke's Bay Catholic community at this special Mass.
May the peace of the risen Christ be with you all.
Monica Johnson, Principal   

Introducing Mr Richard Gregory, Business Manager, Hampton House Hostel …

Managing a girls' hostel is a real career change, having come from a farming and latterly an industrial background.  I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge.  My wife, Diane, and I have three grown up children, two of them working in New Zealand and the other in Australia.  Our current project is our lifestyle block in Puketapu where we are establishing a park-like garden which we both enjoy.  I enjoy horse riding and am now the proud owner of a gig, which is truly great fun to drive.  Who needs a BMW when you can drive a gig!
I see heaps of potential to develop the Hostel to its optimum, thus complimenting the available facilities for what is already a very progressive and highly respected school.  I look forward to meeting more parents and friends of the school and Hostel during the course of the year.

Amelia Scheele … Sports

As leader of the Sports Committee for 2005, my role is to organise sporting events within the school which means liaising with students to encourage them to participate in summer and winter sports.  I work closely with Mrs French and Mrs Wakeling.

Jo Sciascia … Peer Support

My committee assists with the induction and support of new students.  I am honoured to have been given this position and hope to do the school proud.  Ms Metu oversees the work of this group.

Ruth Harding … Special Character

My role involves liaison with students and teachers on matters that affect the special Catholic character of the school.  My committtee organises events and activities that will improve and promote this special aspect of our school.  Sr Colleen assists our committee.

Melinda Parris … Social

My main aim as leader of this committee is to liaise closely with my members and liaison teacher, Mrs Watson, to organise social events within the school.

Elizabeth Gay … Academic 

As leader of this committee I work closely with its members and liaison teacher, Ms Chalmers, to promote, encourage and celebrate academic excellence.

Hayley Price … Cultural

As Cultural Committee leader, I work with Mrs Greville and committee members to encourage all cultural aspects of our College.

Rochene Higginson … Civic

This committee's prime objective is to help solve problems within the school and involve the school in community activities.  I work closely with committee members and liaison teacher, Miss Saddler.

The swimming sports were held at the Onekawa Aquatic Centre on 19 February.  There was a fun atmosphere at the pool.  A great number of students participated in a variety of events from the serious championship races to the less competitive non-championship and novelty events.  The House competition got off to a fantastic start with a great display of house colours and much loud ear-piercing cheering and chanting from the spectators.
The Championship results were as follows:
Junior Champion:  Melanie Hutchinson
Runner Up:   Summer Gavan
3rd Place:   Morgan Torr
Intermediate Champion: Kate O'Malley
Runner Up:   Kellie Mansell
3rd Place:   Charday Wooten-Lane
Senior Champion:  Anna Dine
Runner Up:   Katie Wynands
3rd Place:   Lendl Oosthuizen and       Shannon Torr
The final House points were announced in Sports Assembly.
Sue Wakeling--HOD Physical Education

Due to the inclement  weather, our Athletic Sports were unable to be completed.  A date will be scheduled for their completion and results published in our next Newsletter.

On Saturday, 19 March, ten athletes (Christine Gregory-Hunt, Whitney Burt, Rennae Gregory-Hunt, Alarna McKie, Nicola Mann, Melissa Hill, Chelsea Harmer, Eden Boswell, Brenda-Lee Locke, Shontana Bower) participated in the East Coast North Island Secondary Schools' Athletics held at Nelson Park in Hastings.  Thankfully the rain held off and the athletes all participated to the best of their abilities, amongst some tough competition.
Three of our athletes performed exceptionally well and were selected for the North Island Secondary Schools Athletics competition to be held on 2 and 3 April in Hastings again.  They are Whitney Burt for the Triple Jump, Alarna McKie for the 200m and 300m and Eden Boswell for High Jump. 
Well done to these students--good luck for the next competition.
Sue Wakeling--HOD Physical Education

MIGHTY HAWKS VISIT…

Two players, Leon and AJ from the Mighty Hawks basketball team came to the Year 11 Sports Studies class to take an active session with the girls.  The class really enjoyed their visit and learned a few basic skills which they can hopefully apply in their present studies as well as sports teams.

25th Jubilee Mass-- (22nd May) This is to celebrate the founding of the Palmerston North Diocese.  Bishop Peter Cullinane will also be celebrating his 25 years as being the first Bishop to be appointed to our Diocese.  This will be the only Mass to be celebrated in the Napier/Hastings area and will be at the Pettigrew-Green Arena at 10.30am.  It will be a wonderful Eucharist celebration and it is expected that there could be up to 2000 people attending.   The Board of Trustees has declared the Sunday morning as an official school morning. All students will be expected to attend in school uniform. We encourage all our parents and families to come along with them.

Year 13 Retreat at Southern Star Monastery, Kopua, March 9. The day was one of quiet reflection, spiritual direction and participation in some prayer experiences.  The Cistercian Monks spoke to the students about the Community, showed them around the farm and celebrated Mass and afternoon prayers with them.

Well done to our girls for raising around $600 from our coin trail and mufti day.  The money was donated to Caritas as part of our Lenten appeal.

Congratulations to …

Kate O'Malley who won a silver medal in the Under 19 Beach Relay at the Surf Lifesaving Nationals at Mount Maunganui.  She was representing the Pacific Club.  Well done, Kate.

Kapa Haka ...
Nau mai haere mai Ki nga whanau whanui o te Kareti o Ngakau Tapu.  Haere mai Ki tenei whakataetae o Nga Kura Tuarua o Heretaunga.  Haere mai Ki te tautoko tenei Kaupapa Whakataetae.
Come to the Pettigrew-Green Arena on 13 April to see the Secondary Schools Maori Festival. All welcome.
- Sacha Kapoor, Abbey Collier (leaders) Mrs Stewart and Mr Iaveta

A farewell dinner for Yui, Asuka and Kouko was held at Breakers Restaurant recently.  It was a very successful night with 24 students,  some of their families and host parents attending.  These three Japanese students have now left New Zealand  to return to their homes and we wish them all the best for their future.

School Activity Fee--2005

This charge will have appeared on your (eldest) daughter's account and is charged at $140 per year for one student, $230 for two students and $300 for three or more students.  Although this is a donation, it is essential to the College to assist with IT costs, extra resources, funding for our Chaplain and extra staffing that the MoE funding is unable to cover.  It is also Tax Deductible, so please ask for a separate receipt for tax purposes.

P.T.A. News …

At the recent AGM, the following officeholders were appointed:Chairperson : Deborah Neilson
Secretary : Maria Blatch
Treasurer : Marie Livingstone

We appreciate their willing service to the school and that of the very enthusiastic and talented committee who will work with them.  The P.T.A. plays an important role as …

• Parent advocates
  
• Community builders
  
• Supporters of the Board of Trustees projects