On Saturday, 8 May, students from Sacred Heart and St John's Colleges travelled to Palmerston North for the annual O'Shea Shield Competition.   This competition has been going for 74 years for Catholic schools in the Palmerston North and Wellington Dioceses.  It consists of seven oratory disciplines: Debating, Religious Drama, Religious Questions, Scripture Reading, Junior Speech, Senior Oratory and Impromptu Speaking.  Seventeen Catholic schools participated and St Patrick's, Wellington were the overall winners of the O'Shea Shield.
Although no placings were gained by our Colleges, the students all agreed that it was a fun experience and being able to celebrate a Mass and meet students from other schools was 'awesome'.
"The interaction with other Catholic schools and the positive atmosphere surrounding the competition allowed for a memorable event" - Virginia Walsh, Head Girl.
We would like to thank the teachers who travelled down with us and supported us over the two days.  Also everyone who helped in preparation for the event.  We encourage future students to get behind and support the O'Shea Shield competition and wish the best of luck to the teams who will participate in next year's competition to be held in
Masterton.
Brigid Neilson, Leader of
the Special Character Committee

Dear Parents and Caregivers,
The second term has begun well and the wide range of activities that the students are involved in are a true testimony to our school's philosophy of a 'holistic' education.  This newsletter contains reports on several events including Stage Challenge and O'Shea Shield which were both memorable experiences for all involved.  Students are to be commended for their commitment, enthusiasm, collegiality and for being such wonderful ambassadors for the school.
Along with these important events, our emphasis on academic achievement for all students is always a priority.  We continue with our literacy programme across the curriculum and senior students have been preparing for assessment week next week.  We hope they are working hard and aiming for 'excellence' grades in NCEA.
At the beginning of the term we welcomed Mrs Charmaine Naidoo and Mrs Kathleen Kahu as they joined the staff, as well as several new students.  Miss Charlotte Cousins leaves to travel  overseas on 28 May.  In her absence Ms Kerin Roderick will return to teach Art until her return in Term 3.
We ask for your prayerful support of Mother Suzanne Aubert's cause.  She has special links with the College and if the request for beatification is successful and she becomes New Zealand's first Saint, it would be a cause for great celebration.
God  bless …  Monica Johnson, Principal

On Friday, 14 May, we hosted Y8 students from Catholic Primary Schools in Napier and Hastings. Our objective in this annual activity is to give the girls an idea of 'a day in the life of a secondary student's college day' - a taste of some secondary school subjects and an introduction to a secondary school campus. 
We all enjoyed meeting our prospective new Year 9 students for 2005.

On Wednesday, 12 May, our school was represented at The Stage Challenge Competition with their performance entitled " The Art of Accusations".   The girls did us proud and produced a very professional and slick presentation.  We are very proud of them and of the awards that they were presented with at the conclusion of the evening. Along with their Certificate of Participation they received congratulations for …
Excellence for Stage Use
Excellence for Costuming Enhancement
APRA  New Zealand Music Award
Excellence for Performance Skill
The Education Gazette School Community Award

We wish to thank particularly, our 'key' organisers for this event…
Sinead Carroll, Rebecca Woolhouse, Irmie Wynsma, Amy Elliott, Tara King, Rosie Chittenden, Joanna Doohan, Kelle Connolly, Charlotte Cameron and Mr David Brown for overseeing the event..  What a great job you all did in bringing our performance together.

Here is a selection of our students' comments about the 'Stage Challenge Experience' …
Rosie--Y13:  "Puts our name out in the community.  Brings year levels together.  Leadership skills, teamwork, deadlines, learning to compromise and learning to respect when given instructions."
Harriet--Y12: "A great way to show our ability to dance and act.  Experience of meeting new people and having a lot of fun.  I will probably do acting/performing arts so this will be good in my CV.  I am looking forward to running Stage Challenge next year."
Alex--GAP student from UK:  "There is a mixing of the year groups.  For the organisers--such a responsibility for them.  At the end of the day everything has to work--it's their responsibility.  They get a sense of achievement."
Ti--Y13: "Good opportunity for seniors and juniors, in fact, the whole school to come together".
Our thanks must go to the parent and staff helpers who were at the theatre all day and into the evening--you are wonderful.
Sinead Carroll

How delighted we were with our recent "Fairy Tale" themed social with boys from St John's College and our Year 9 students.  Everyone had a great time.  Here are the prize winners from the evening.
Best Dancer:   Alex Laird
Best Dressed: Lauren Johnson
Best Dancer:   Anthony Wynands
Best Dressed: Willem Van Rjik

Special Prizes: Amy Smith, Lauren Parkinson, Jerome Brown and Matt O'Connor

A big thank you to those parents and teachers who came along and gave their all to the working bee.  Much was accomplished and yes it was raining.  Another will be scheduled soon.  We will also be looking at proposed uniform changes among other things.

Next P.T.A. meeting is on 26 May … come along and join our fabulous growing group, no credentials needed, just ideas and enthusiasm.

You can contact me any time on 027 5111.935 or email me at gazel.makea@tremain.co.nz
Regards--Gazel, Chairperson
Chairperson

On 25 April, our school and St John's College were represented at the ANZAC Day Memorial Services in Napier, Hastings, Havelock North and Taradale.  The services  were very memorable and there was an excellent turnout of local people to remember our soldiers who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.  It was an awesome experience and an honour to attend these services representing our school.
Stephanie Allen--13BN

On Wednesday, 12 May, Jason Rarere and Wepiha Gemmell, Smoke Free Auahi Kore Health Promoters, spoke to the school with a very strong "Kicking the Habit" message.  They spoke about how smoking, and even passive smoking, has an impact on all four dimensions of our Hauora, Well-being--our Taha Tinana, Physical, Taha Hinengaro, Mental and Emotional, Taha Whanau, family and Taha Wairua, Spiritual.  As they repeated many times … "It's all about attitude!".
As part of this presentation students have been given a smoke-free pack which includes a resource kit evaluation form which we have asked them to complete and return to school.  We would appreciate it if you could encourage them to do this.  World Smokefree Day is on Monday, 31 May and this is an opportunity for us all to promote smokefree environments in our home, car, work place, sports and recreation clubs.  A reminder to parents and visitors--Our school is totally Smokefree at all times.
Sue Wakeling

Secondary school students will receive certificates for any National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) completed in 2003.  Only NCEA certificates are issued without charge and with no need for candidates to make a request.  Any other National Certificates completed by secondary students must be ordered using the application form on the NZQA website at www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/natcertdip.html.
Approximately 17,000 candidates who requested a 2003 Record of Learning will receive them.  2003 candidates were invited to request a Record of Learning, free of charge, when they received their Interim Result Notice in January.
Approximately 40,000 of last year's candidates have logged on to their results on the NZQA website.  Those students, and any others who log on in the future, will be able to view and print their 2003 Records of Learning directly.
Any students who are not included in the current mailout and who now require an official copy of their 2003 Record of Learning may make a request on the Learner Log-In area on the NZQA web site.  These requests must be received by NZQA before 4 June 2004.  The Records of Learning will be issued late in June.
This will be the final opportunity for students to request an official copy of their 2003 Record of Learning.

Congratulations to … the successful auditonees for St John's/Sacred Heart Musical production "Return to the Forbidden Planet".

Miranda Laura Jeffares Chorus/Crew  Ana Severinsen
Science Off. Victoria Esekielu Rachel Colville-Smith, Lendle Oosthuizen,
Navigation     Jennifer Eatson, Leonie Rhodes,  Helana
Off.  Chantelle Niddrie Malone, Harriet Stone, Jennifer McElroy,
Bosun  Amy Elliott  Tilomai Hunkin

Congratulations to:
Tara King for being selected to go to Belgium with AFS next year.

Congratulations also to our staff member Mrs Doreen Keogh whose book on the History of the Taradale Parish will be blessed and launched at the 9am Mass on Sunday, 23 May.

Reminder… All students are required to have a school blazer.  Not only are these worn on special occasions, but as part of our uniform requirement for the winter.

Enclosed with this newsletter, you will find a pamphlet for parents and caregivers on "Keeping Kiwi Kids Safer on the Internet."
Please read this pamphletcarefully. If you did not get one and wish to acquire a copy, please contact the school office.

On Friday, 4 June, all Hawke's Bay secondary teachers will be involved in further training for NCEA.  This means that the school will be closed for the day.

Well done to Ana and Kjerstine Severinsen who competed in Melbourne at the "Champion of Champions Championship of Australia" Highland Dance Competition, last Easter, along with 500 dancers from all over the world.
Kjerstine gained two 4th placings in the 14 and 15 year Restricted Premier 'Seann Truibhas' and 'Flora McDonald' dances.  She was also placed 8th in the Garden State National Premiership Scottish Lilt.
Ana danced in the Victorian State Pre-Premier Novice Title Class, winning her class over-all for 14 and 15 year olds.

Our new B.O.T. is in the process of compiling new lists of tradespeople and businesses interested in giving quotes for goods and services.
If you would like to be on this list, please email details to …..pr.sec@sacredheartnapier.school.nz.

Congratulations to:

Kiley Hikawai for being selected for the N.Z. Maori Secondary Schools' Netball team.  Kiley will be travelling to Adelaide from 21 May to 28 May and will be playing teams from South Africa, Australia, Samoa, Pacifica, Fiji, the Cook Islands and the Australian Aborigine team.
Well done, Kiley.

Our College is hosting 40 girls  around 15 years of age from Tuesday 20 to Thursday 29 July and we would like your help in offering them homestay accommodation for this period.
These students wish to experience the New Zealand way of life and would like to have a Sacred Heart student as their host sister.  They will be following a programme arranged by The New Horizon College of English in Napier during the day but will need caring for each evening and over the weekend.
If you are interested in becoming a host family, please contact Mrs Carol Murphy our International Student Co-ordinator on (06) 8359.889 at work or (06) 8350.762 at home.

Congratulations to our Class Councillors for Term 2 on their election to this very important position.
9BR  Alexandra Laird
9LL  Siobhan Storey
9ML  Oriwia Solomon
10IA  Lily Oliver
10WG  Jessie Kupa
10YG  Holeva Pailate
11BY  Bonita Olsen
11GL  Bailey Price
12CO  Ruth Harding
12HD  Laura Robertson
13BN  Charlotte Cameron
13WS  Cindy Wallace