Dear Parents and Caregivers, 
As we begin Term 2 three special events have reminded us of our connections to the wider Catholic Community.  On May 5,  for Catholic Schools Day, we were delighted to be able to take time out from our busy school day to host a gathering of students from Reignier School, St Patrick's School and St Joseph's Maori Girls' College.  It gave a real sense of belonging to the wider Catholic community and hope for the future with the talents of this generation as the world grapples with various conflicts.  Each school had a part to contribute to the liturgy, which was a wonderful celebration.  Then on May 13-15, sixteen  of our students travelled to Chanel College in Masterton with staff to compete in the 60th O'Shea Shield competition competing in Debating, Scripture Reading, Religious Questions, Religious Drama, Junior Speech, Oratory and Impromptu Speech.  Seventeen other Catholic schools from the Palmerston North and Wellington Diocese provided a very high standard of competition.
The Mass on May 22 to celebrate the 25th year of the Palmerston North Diocese and reconsecrate the Diocese for the next 25 years was a wonderful occasion.  Bishop Peter Cullinane challenged us all to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world today.  Over 50 different nationalities were represented in the celebration and Ruth Harding's prayer urging us to continue to find strength in our diversity was most appropriate.  Your support in enabling your daughter to attend this special celebration is much appreciated.
Along with these important events, our emphasis on academic achievement for all students is always a priority.  This week is Senior Assessment week and we hope all students are working hard and aiming for 'excellence' grades in NCEA.
Following the AGM of the BOT, we welcome our new Board of Trustee Chairperson, Mrs Susan Doohan, and thank Mr Tony Parker (past Chairman of our BOT) for his dedicated service to the school.  We also thank and farewell two long serving members of the Hampton House Hostel Board, Arthur Schultz and Phoebe Austin.  We appreciate their generous service.  Mr Geoff Lobb continues as Chairperson of that committee.
May God Bless you all -
Monica Johnson, Principal   

BOT Report--This report signals the end of my five year association with Sacred Heart College and it is with some sadness that I approach this moment.  However, as I reflect on my time spent as a member of the BOT I know that I leave with the school in good heart and a positive outlook for the future.  This is due to the hard work of my fellow Board members and the dedicated staff of the school and I thank them all for the support and encouragement they have given me in my time as Board Chair.  Together we have made the College a place in which the students can be guaranteed a quality education with plenty of opportunities.  I know this is to be true for my own daughter and hope other parents feel the same.
I am confident the BOT will continue to work for the good of all students at Sacred Heart College and wish new Chair, Susan Doohan, well while also welcoming new Board members, Tina Luka and Debbie Neave.  There is a focus this year on improving the ICT infrastructure within the school, a major job that has already started with new cabling in a number of areas.
Finally I would like to thank you, the parents of the school as you encourage your daughters to achieve to the best of their ability and take advantage of all Sacred Heart College has to offer.  Don't be afraid to get involved yourself, be it on the PTA or as a member of the BOT.  It can be extremely rewarding.
Tony Parker

White-Water Rafting-- On Friday, April 1,  thirty Year 13 students set out for a day's white-water rafting adventure to the "Mighty Mohaka" (as it was fondly referred to by Mary) and proceeded to be allocated figure-hugging, frog green interiored wetsuits.  After much effort getting into them (Lucy, put hers on frog green side out!), we received our safety instructions.  We hauled our rafts down the riverbank and put them and ourselves into the water.  Along the rapids our Guides provided us with lots of entertainment.  We heard an interesting rendition of "Jeremiah was a Bull Frog" from one and our gullibility was constantly checked by another, which often resulted in us being in the water!
Our nerves were put to the test with a journey inside a dark cave.  Melinda brought one of the wetas that lived there out with her much to the mock annoyance of the Guide, worried about their natural habitat.  We did a cliff jump--Lendl the bravest going first, and we even found a stray dog!  All up, the day went really well.  Thank you to all the Outdoor Education staff and Mrs French for coming along.
Shannon Torr--13BN

Winter Sports:  Secondary school netball, soccer, squash, badminton, basketball and rugby all commenced early in Term 2.  These are all great spectator sports and can be highly entertaining.  It would be great to see plenty of parents/caregivers/friends supporting our teams.  A friendly reminder that girls who have been selected to play for a team have made a commitment to attend all scheduled practices and matches.  Parental understanding and support of this commitment is always appreciated.

Gymnastics: We have several students interested in competing in the Hawke's Bay Festival in September.  If you are able to assist in managing this sport, please contact Mrs French our Sports Co-ordinator, at school.

Athletic Sports 2005--The day (15 March) started off with some blue patches in the sky but soon deteriorated and after some persistent rain it was decided to postpone all events.  The weather was definitely not in our favour as every date set to complete various events seemed to bring rain or very wet ground.  Despite the weather we finally managed to complete all events.  The final results are:
House teams: House points will be announced at Sports Assembly.

Championship Results: Junior Champion: Alarna McKie
Runner Up: Alexandra Dickenson, Whitney Burt
Intermediate Champion: Kate O'Malley
Runner Up: Sarah Portas 3rd Place: Alexandra Laird
Senior Champion: Amelia Scheele
Runner Up: Monica Lincoln 3rd Place: Katherine Wynands
Two records were broken on the day:  Whitney Burt in the Long Jump--jumping 4.76m (previously 4.75m in 1981 by Helen Pirovano) and Triple Jump--jumping 9.12m (previously 8.65m in 2000 by Elizabeth Gray)
Inter-House Points: 1st Place: Marian 2nd Place: Holderness
3rd Place: Barbier 4th Place: Aubert
Many thanks to all the helpers on the day--students, teachers and parents (Kendall Hinton and Beryl McDonough).  Thanks to Libby Gray who helped run the postponed events, also to other supporters on the day.  Sue Wakeling, HOD Physical Education

A word from our Chaplain … The media is full of advice about self-improvement and how to become a new and better person.  We are constantly bombarded with makeover shows, articles about cosmetic surgery, the latest products and practices endorsed by the rich and famous which will supposedly make us younger, happier and richer.  It seems we are constantly looking for ways to become "better people".
So what about Confirmation?  This is the sacrament of self-improvement, of spiritual growth, of spirit-filled maturity.  Confirmation helps us grow spiritually so that we can live fully Christian lives.  Over the past few  weeks our parishes have advertised this year's Confirmation programmes.  Our baptised young people are invited to take the next step in their faith journey and become confirmed Catholics.  I encourage all our young people to seriously think about this opportunity to grow in their faith.
Many of our students have already taken this step.  Here's what they have to say about Confirmation … "I enjoyed the programme because it was my choice to do it.  When I was baptised my parents made that choice for me.  Confirmation was about me choosing to follow God and becoming more active in my church.  The Retreat time was pretty awesome as we got to hang out with our friends and I made a lot of new friends which was cool.  It also gave me time to think about my life and what I wanted to do."- Victoria.
"Just do it!  The programme is fun.  You learn a lot of stuff.  The whole church thing makes more sense now.  It helped me get closer to God."
If you'd like to know more about Confirmation you can contact your local parish or call me at 8353.761 (Sacred Heart College), 8786.853 (St John's College) or on my cell phone 027 6973.830.
May the Spirit go with you all--Wendy Clark

NORSEWEART 2005--A Wearable Art Exhibition/Competition was held at the Black Barn Winery in Havelock North.  Our weaving group spear-headed by Esmai Hungahunga had invited us as new weavers to participate in this wearable arts competition.  This was to help us develop our skills as weavers.  My tutor and weaving mentor--Kui Tomoana encouraged me to help her with this competition.  We submitted three items and they won two categories--First place: Kahuatangatanga and Third Place: Poutama/Turehu.
My part in the production was the planning, inspiration and storyline, assisting in the assembly of the garments.  My master tutor worked the magic of the flax colours, assembly and weaving magic of the garments.
I am a student in this field and I have been weaving since January 2005.  So anyone can do this and achieve great results.

Here are a few photos for you to enjoy after our very successful production with St John's College.

Meeting the Needs of Gifted and Talented Students...Schools are now being required to show how they are meeting the needs of their most gifted students as well as those who require special assistance.  An important part of this is to identify students who are gifted.  Staff will be receiving training in this process.  However, parents also have an important part to play in this. 

Two initiatives which are coming up this term are:

1. The LEAP (Learning Enrichment) Programme for Yr9 and 10 students.  This is designed for students who are high achievers, motivated and independent learners.  After being identified, these students are asked to identify an area for learning enrichment.  They then have their timetable "compacted" in one or more subjects so  they can have time, assisted by a teacher mentor, to work on their chosen project.
   
2. On July 4, up to 30 students from Yrs 9 to 11 will be involved in a day long course run by an outside provider.  It is called "Developing Resilient Intelligence" and is designed for gifted students who, according to research, are more at risk of falling into 'helpless' patterns of thinking than 'normal' students due to:
   

PTA News …  This year the BOT have asked us to raise funds to upgrade the computer network in the school.  This project will cost the Board in excess of $80,000 and every dollar we can contribute will assist the Board with this upgrade.  So far we have held a second hand ball gown sale and our next fundraiser is a Trivial Pursuits evening on June 24th. This will be held at St Mary's Parish Centre in Greenmeadows.  So organise a team of four, come along and test your brainpower as well as help raise funds.  The tickets will cost $5.  In September we are running a BBQ Gourmet evening with Raymond van Rijk at Peak House Restaurant.  These evenings have been very popular when other organisations have run them and I'm sure this one will be no exception.
I invite any parent who would like to join our PTA to come along to our meetings which are held on the fourth Wednesday of every month in the school staffroom at 7.30pm.  They are great chances to meet other parents and to hear first hand what is happening in the school and allow parents the chance to raise any issue of concern.  If anyone would like more information, contact me on 844.8525 (wk) or 843.4294 (hm).
Deborah Neilson, Chairperson

School Signs … At the request of the Board of Trustees, the Napier City Council has agreed to erect a school sign at the bottom of Convent Road which will assist in directing people to our College.  We thank them for their support.

All Year 12 and 13 students should check if they have obtained 14 or more credits in Mathematics (could be from any NCEA level).  Those students who have not yet achieved the numeracy requirements (14 credits in Maths) are reminded to make contact with Mr Iaveta immediately and complete assessments that would enable them to meet the numeracy requirement.
Lakshmi Gopal--HOD Mathematics

Sacred Heart Feast Day … On Friday, June 3, we celebrate Sacred Heart Feast Day.  It is a day to celebrate the community of our College so we pray together at Mass, share fun and food with students from Fairhaven School and entertain each other with a fun concert.  Parents are most welcome to join us for any part of the day.  Mass is at 9.15am at St Mary's in Greenmeadows and the concert starts at 1pm in the Gymnasium.

Congratulations to …

Tenille Lategan who had her 'own' art exhibition which was held at the Hastings Community Art Centre in Hastings recently.

Well done, Tenille.

Mrs Monica Johnson who recently was one of the keynote speakers presenting the May Cushen Lecture at the HETTANZ Conference at Waitangi.
Pamela Pakoti for being selected to participate as an AFS Intercultural Exchange student to Bolivia on the year programme 2006/2007.
Ms Karen Chalmers for graduating with First Class Honours in her Master of Education Administration Degree.
Students who took part in the EIT Speech Competition …
Courtney Davis (3rd in Senior Section)
Laura Jeffares Sarah Portas
Candice Brooking Emma Pedersen

NCEA Information …

At the end of Term 1 a Candidate information sheet was given to all Year 11, 12 and 13 girls.  It contains important information for students and parents regarding the organisation of NCEA in 2005 (e.g. fees).  If you have not had an opportunity to read this information sheet, additional copies are available from the school office or from Mr Perry.  Please note that NCEA information is available on the internet--www.nzqa.govt.nz.

Year 10 classes …  There will be some changes to Form classes next week.  This is to even out numbers and ensure the best possible learning opportunities at this level.