Mountain Rd – Epsom – Telephone (09) 524 8108 – Fax (09) 524 9459

Email: admin@st-peters.school.nz     -  Website: www.st-peters.school.nz

Friday November 6, 2009                                                                                           Newsletter No. 17/09

Dear Parents and Boys

COMMUNITY

(We Enrol The Family)

It is not only the dislocation of work and living although that is another factor.

It is the simple absence of community.

My experience of boys undergoing a breakdown in family connection is a massive disconnection with everything in life – learning, sport, music, faith are all seen as irrelevant.

Boys never ask for help. They act for help.

A school like St Peter’s College with its widespread enrolment of 51 contributing schools seeks to promote community among the families and boys.

Community building can be seen as an essential ingredient for learning. Dinners, sporting fixtures, attendance at school events are occasions for celebration and should not be seen as mere duties.

Our college Prize Giving on Wednesday 9 December at 7.30pm is the final community event of the year. All parents and boys are expected to be in attendance as a signed condition of enrolment at St Peter’s College. The prize-list is confidential to the night of the event.

The venue is Logan Campbell Centre Greelane, Wednesday 9 December at 7.30pm.

Other community events for 2010 include a family community run-a-thon (walkers of all ages included) with a BBQ at the end of the walk, our College Fair, various inners for different levels, etc.

We seek to enrol the family. Please join us.

In His Peace

K F Fouhy

Principal

STAFF NEWS

Ms White has taken up her new position as Headmistress at Pinehurst Senior College.

Mr James Haggett has been appointed to the position of Deputy Principal, (Curriculum).

Mr James Bentley ex Onehunga High School has been appointed as Deputy Principal (Pastoral) in 2010.

UPCOMING EVENTS 

Monday 9 November

• Last day for NCEA students. Admission slips distributed

Tuesday 10 November

• 2010 New Entrants’ Orientation Day (Yrs 7-9), assemble in the College Hall

Wednesday 11 November

• Year 7 and 8 Mass @ 9.40am in the College Hall
• Year 9 and 10 Mass @ 10.20am in the College Hall

 Saturday 14 November

• NCEA Exams begin
• 1st XI Cricket vs Sacred Heart College @ SPC @ 11.00am (Day 1)

COMING UP THIS TERM

Monday 16 November

• Trinity Music Exams begin at SPC

Wednesday 18 November

• India Group Meeting @ 7.00pm in the Staffroom

Friday 20 November

• Year 7-10 Exams begin – see timetables below

Saturday 21 November

• 1st XI Cricket vs Sacred Heart College @ SPC @ 11.00am (Day 2)

Monday 23 November

• All CIE Students Textbook Return @ 10.00am in the Pavilion
• Meeting of all potential 1st XV  players for 2010 in College Hall @ 7.30pm

Tuesday 24 November

• BOT meeting @ 7.00pm

Monday 30 November

• Year 9 Camp departs for Kauaeranga Valley/Pinnacles Hut, Coromandel returning to school at 12.00pm Friday 4 December
• Year 10 Activity Week commences, notices sent to families

Tuesday 1 December

• Year 7 & 8 Central Zone Athletics @ Mt Smart Stadium from 9.30am to 2.30pm

Wednesday 2 December

• Year 7 & 8 Mass @ 1.55pm

Friday 4 December

• Year 7 & 8 Picnic at Wenderholm Beach. Buses depart school at 9.00am, returning at 3.00pm
• Year 9 Camp participants return @ 12.00pm

Monday 7 December

• Edmund Rice Professional Development for Year 12 Student Leaders, 9am – 3.00pm

Tuesday 8 December

• “Attitude” Presentation for Year 9 @ 11.10am and Year 10 @ 12.00pm

Wednesday 9 December

• College Prize Giving @ 7.30pm @ Logan Campbell Centre – see note

Thursday 10 December

• Last day for Years 7-10 after roll call

Friday 11 December

• Kairos Retreat for Year 12 begins

Tuesday 15 December

• Board of Trustees Meeting @ 7.00pm

Wednesday 16 December

• India Group Christmas meeting @ 6.00pm @ Abley’s

PLEASE NOTE

All Boys and parents are expected at the College Prize Giving on Wednesday 9 December at 7.30pm as a condition of enrolment.

YEAR 7 EXAM TIMETABLE

YEAR 8 EXAM TIMETABLE

YEAR 9 &10 EXAM TIMETABLE

BEREAVEMENTS

Our prayers and thoughts are with these families at this time:

Patrick Faapoi – Father

Liam Shanker – Grandfather

Karl and Keith Pereria - uncle

Chris McDiarmid – uncle

Rory, Liam and Conor Kelly – Grandfather

Matthew and Andrew Gandy – Uncle

Jordan and Kevin Davies – Uncle

Isaac Isaako - Uncle   

Louis Tolai and Luteru Tolai - Aunt 

If there are other close relatives who have suffered bereavement – please let us know.

CONGRATULATIONS

• Pierre Guerin won Special Prize - Bronze Award for Animal Care - Mice vs Cat Study at the Auckland City Science Fair. Michael Nihotte and Karl Pereira also won Special Prize - Excellence in Statistics for Transmission of Sound.
• Carl Crispin and Sean Northcott selected for Western Districts under 14 A rep cricket team. Scott Compton selected for Western Districts under 14 B rep cricket team.
• The Jazz Combo performed at the recent opening of the new Edmund Rice Centre and where they were a great success.
• At the recent Golden Baton Athletics Meet we had 10 athletes competing. Tawhiao Rogers and Patrick Tausie were 1st and 2nd in the Junior Long Jump respectively.
• The senior relay team Placed 1st in the 4X400m, 2nd in the 4X100m and the Medley relays. Intermediate relay teams placed fourth in all three relays a good placing for the teams considering three athletes were juniors but ran in intermediate races. The team now prepares for New Zealand Secondary schools nationals in Timaru in December.
• Sean Clark who was selected for the Auckland Football Federation U12 Rep Team.
• Brendan Abley, Stephen Jones, Luke Scott, Jason Sharma, Rohan Singh and Matthew Wilkie who all achieved High Distinction (top 5%) in the 2009 New Zealand Economics Competition.
• John Kwon, Daniel Coll, Matt Newman, Tom Northcott, Daniel Smith, Andrew Twort, Oliver Ferrick, Charles Lilly, Wiremu Tapara, Saahil Castelino, Rohit Pantham, Shelton Stanley, Joel Taylor, Matthew Considine, Jude Ferdinands, Shaun Ginders, Jes Verstegen, George Foot, Denver Saldanha, Ben Paltridge, Matthew Kearns, Jeevan Miranda who all achieved Distinction (top 15%) in the 2009 New Zealand Economics Competition.
• The following boys for their success at the Waitemata/TGS Regatta at Lake Pupuke: Novice Coxed Eight – 3rd in (Div. 2): Mathew Griffin, Dion Downey, Mathew McIntyre, Poa-Carlos Talataina, Tane Geldard-Lorenz, Joseph Gasparini, Simon English, Greg Pallas (Sofie Karrebaek cox).
• Under 15 Coxed Four: 1st (Div. 1): Beaudene Widdison, Rory Small, Stefan Wypych, Lewis Carter (Sam Hine cox)
• Under 15 Coxed Quad (Scull): 1st  (Div. 1): Beaudene Widdison, Rory Small, Stefan Wypych, Lewis Carter (Sam Hine cox)
• Under 15 Coxed Quad (Scull): 2nd (Div. 3): Jack Wilson, Rick Wester, Dion Downey, Poa-Carlos Talataina (cox Mitchell Molloyl)
• Under 15 Coxed Eight: 2nd (Div. 1): Rory Small, Beaudene Widdison, Stefan Wypych, Lewis Carter, Gregory Pallas, Mitchell Molloy, Mathew McIntyre, Jack Wilson (Sam Hines cox)
• Under 16 Coxed Four: 1st (Div. 1): Jamie Newlands, Lewis Hollows, Liam Small, Joseph Nihotte (Sofie Karrebaek cox)
• Under 16 Coxed Quad (Scull) 1st: (Div.2): Jamie Newlands, Lewis Hollows, Liam Small, Joseph Nihotte (Sofie Karrebaek cox)
• Under 17 Single Scull: 3rd (Div.1): Michael Karrebaek, Single Scull 1st (Div. 2): Stephen Jones,  3rd (Div. 2) Campbell Rhodes
• Under 17 Double Scull: 1st (Div. 1): Beaudene Widdison, Rory Small 2nd (Div. 2): Logan Rasmussen, Liam Small. 1st (Div. 3): Stephen Jones, Joseph Nihotte, 3rd (Div. 3): Stefan Wypych, Lewis Carter
• Under 18/Club Single Scull: 2nd (Div. 1) Michael Karrebaek
• Hayden Trethowen and Cameron Bearman selected for  the Auckland Under 15 Softball team

CAREERS NEWS – HELP MY EXAMS ARE LOOMING!

This article has been produced by the University of Auckland and has some worthwhile tips on preparing for external examinations.

Here are some tips for sitting exams. More tips can be found on the website: http://tinyurl.com/yg89lrm

Before the exam

The day before the exam, do a final revision and recall all of your notes. Avoid last minute cramming as little new knowledge will be retained, and cramming can cause confusion. Go to bed reasonably early, practise relaxing and positive self-talk and try to get a good night’s sleep.

On the day enjoy your favourite breakfast or lunch and get to the exam room in plenty of time. Check that you have your student identification card, personal exam timetable, pens, calculator etc. Avoid pre-exam chats or cramming; these can confuse and set doubts about your knowledge. Focus on what you know rather than what you think you don’t know!

In the exam

Make the most of your reading time! Read the instructions carefully. Be sure of the number of sections in the exam paper and the number you must answer in each section. Consider the amount of time you should allocate to each question, based on how many marks they are worth. Stay calm and think clearly. Read the entire exam paper and as you read, note the questions that you need to answer.

Once you are allowed to write, quickly record any formulae, notes, rules, mnemonics, mind-maps or other information that you need for your questions. Concentrate on one question at a time. Begin with the easiest question and deal with the more difficult ones later. This helps to increase your confidence.

Read essay-type questions very carefully, analyse and plan your answers logically. The structure of your answer should follow the structure of the question, and should contain a brief introduction and conclusion. Where possible use transitional words to link phrases, sentences and paragraphs.

Allow time at the end to check the clarity and accuracy of your answers. Check that answers contain sound arguments and that you have answered all aspects of the questions exactly as asked. Don’t extend your allocated time for a particular question without good reason. If you do run out of time, finish your answer as a bullet point list. Leave some space at the end of each answer so that you can add additional information later if necessary. Check that you have answered all the required questions.

After the exam

Reward yourself and allow time to unwind. Avoid harrowing post-mortems, especially if you have more exams to sit!

 SPECIAL CHARACTER UPDATE

SERVICE PROGRAMMES

The St Peter’s Man is a Man of Service

Year 12 and 13 Reminders:

Year 12: Congratulations for the many hours of service completed throughout the year. Your Service Hours Sheet was due on the last day of Term 3.

• Overdue service hours will result in the withdrawal of Service Award nominations for Prize Giving 2009
• Continued failure to hand in hours can result in the withholding of a students’ Final Testimony.

Hand overdue completed service hours into the Academic Centre ASAP

Year 13:

• Overdue service hours from 2008 can result in the withholding of a students’ Final Testimony.

Hand overdue completed service hours into the Academic Centre ASAP.

KAIROS RETREAT NO. 2 – YEAR 12, DECEMBER 11-14

The 2nd Kairos Retreat will run this year in December for Year 12 students. There is a limited opportunity for Year 12 students to partake in an excellent retreat model that began here at SPC in September with extremely positive results.

As mentioned in a letter to Year 12 students and parents dated September 4th, any student considering leadership at St Peter’s College (or beyond) is particularly advised to apply for the retreat. However, intention of leadership is not a mandatory factor in being accepted.

Places on the retreat are limited, and this is an opportunity that it is not to be missed. Be in quick to assure your place. See Mr Kingdon immediately for more details. Parents please also do not hesitate to contact Mr Kingdon if you have questions in regard to the retreat.

Y12 students are encouraged to ask Year 13 Kairos Retreatants about their experience to gain an understanding of how worthwhile the experience is.

 FINANCIAL MATTERS 

If there are any issues relating to financial matters about payment of school fee contributions, the process is to contact the Principal’s PA Veronica Voordouw by email at vvoordouw@st-peters.school.nz or phone 524 8108 x 7304 for an appointment. Doing nothing about fees payment is not an option.

CHAOS AT THE SCHOOL GATE

St Peter’s College will continue to be part of the initiative with the Auckland City Council called “Chaos at the School Gate.” This initiative has been implemented to reduce traffic congestion and danger to students around the College gates particularly after school.

Auckland City Council traffic wardens will be targeting drivers who do not comply with the parking laws around the College and will be issuing parking infringement notices.

As always, student safety is our first priority and we ask parents to consider the safety of our students if they are picking them up from school.

Parents are asked not to enter the College grounds to pick up boys after school, but make arrangements to collect boys further away from the College.

The College main driveway will be monitored daily from 2.30pm- 3.30pm and only essential services will be permitted to enter.

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

• Good Shepherd Primary School are having their School Fair on Saturday 7 November from 11am – 2pm. Good Shepherd is at 30 Telford Avenue, Balmoral. 

• St Leo’s School, Devonport are also holding their School Fair on Saturday 7 November from 11am – 2pm. For more information www.stleosschool.co.nz or Phone 445-9339. 

• Marriage Encounter are holding a Monster Garage Sale at Our Lady of The Sacred heart Parish Hall, Banff Avenue, Epsom on Saturday 21 November from 7.00am  – 10.00am. They also require good saleable items. If you can help or for more information 0800 362-686.  

• St Ignatius, St Heliers are holding a Christmas Fair on Friday 20 November from 9.00 – 4.00pm at Kotiri St, St Heliers. Beautiful jewelry, Christmas baking, pickles, jams etc. Phone Nicola 528 9952 for more information. 

YEAR 10 ACTIVITY WEEK 

From Monday 30 November to Friday 4 December St Peter's College’s Year 10 students are involved in a team challenge activity week.  This week is seen as a part of the holistic development of your son’s education and hence it is compulsory for him to attend.

Students will be placed into teams, with an overall challenge of being the best overall team.  This year’s challenge activities will include trips to Rainbows End, Rangitoto Island, a day of archery instruction and competition, a combined sports and movie day, orienteering and ten pin bowling. 

The cost of the week is $120.00 per student.  This includes transport and equipment.  This is payable Monday 9th November (week 5).

If you feel that you may have problems with this, please contact the school Mr Ben Boyle, Year 10 Dean, ext. 7319 or bboyle@st-peters.school.nz as soon as possible to discuss the matter.

St Peter’s College has been offered an opportunity to raise extra funds for the new gymnasium –

thanks to the Simunovich Olive Estate.

We have a limited amount of their Extra Virgin Olive Oil (250ml bottles) for sale.

This product normally retails between $18.00 and $20.00 per bottle but

 we are able to sell them at $12.00 per bottle.

The award winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced here in New Zealand

and is a cold pressed, all natural olive oil of the highest quality.

  Christmas is nearly upon us and this product would make a lovely gift for someone special.

To purchase your bottle/s please send your payment to:

Mrs Tania Fernandez - Development Office Administrator

Phone 524-8108 x 7339 or Email: tfernandez@st-peters.school.nz

Please make cheques payable to St Peter’s College

"EDMUND'S SHOP"

Uniform Purchase Days

Friday 22 and Saturday 23 January 2010

In either the new Uniform Shop or the College Hall

9.00am – 12.00pm A-L

1.00pm – 3.00pm M-Z

 You can now pay for any purchase with eftpos, cheque, credit card or cash.

Please make all cheques and           WINZ payments to St Peter’s College

SPORTS ROUND UP

SENIOR SPORTS DINNER

The Senior Sports Dinner was held was on October 22nd. The evening was a great opportunity to celebrate an outstanding sporting year for St Peter’s. Steve Tew, NZRFU CEO was the guest speaker. He provided excellent messages on leadership and making the most of your opportunities.

The special award winners were as follows;

Team of the Year – 1st XV Rugby

The finalists for Team of the Year were 1st XI Hockey, 1st XI Soccer, 1st IX Softball and 1st XV Rugby.

The First XV's season was filled with highlights. These included winning and retaining the Hibernain Shield, beating Auckland Grammar for the first time since 2000 and winning the minor premiership of the 1A competition. A large number of the team went onto representative honours. This included three in the Auckland U16's and seven in Auckland Secondary Schools. The side’s season record was eighteen games played, sixteen wins, two losses.

Best Sportsman Individual Sport – Thomas McEwan

The finalists for Best Sportsman Individual Sport were Lance Go (Golf), Ryan Hellier (Motorsport), Thomas McEwan (Swimming), Ben Paltridge (Athletics).

Thomas made the final of the 200m Butterfly at the Youth Olympics. He also contested numerous finals at the Nationals. At the short course Nationals he swam one of the quickest times in the open men’s 100m Butterfly. As well as being an outstanding swimmer Thomas is one of the top scholars in Year 13.

Sportsman of the Year – Francis Saili

The finalists for the Sportsman of the Year were Bryn Hall (Touch and Rugby), Rory Kelly (Football), Thomas McEwan (Swimming), Francis Saili (Rugby).

Francis's exploits on the rugby field have been nothing short of outstanding this year. As captain of the First XV he was inspirational. Francis has the ability to change the course of a game. He gained selection for Blues Secondary Schools and was one of the best performed players in this team. Unfortunately Francis sustained a broken hand in this tournament ending his First XV season. He returned to play in the black jersey as vice captain of New Zealand Secondary Schools. Francis was a key contributor in the sides 28 – 24 win against Australia. He scored a crucial try shortly after half time when New Zealand were trialling 6-12. Francis is a deserved winner of Sportsman of the Year.

See below for the full Senior Sports Prize list.

1ST XI DOMINATE AVONDALE

The 1st XI played Avondale to all but secure an outright win at the end of the first days play. Josh Presland bowled superbly in both innings. He captured four wickets in the first innings and five in the second. This brings Josh’s tally of wickets for the 1st XI to over a 100.

Avondale replied with 61 in their first innings. The 1st XI made the necessary runs to declare at 184 – 2. Key contributors were Matthew Considine (60 not out) and Michael Bing (56 not out). Avondale were 59 – 9 in their second turn at bat. This means the 1st XV need one more wicket next weekend to secure an outright win.