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

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

22 May 2009                                                                                                 Newsletter No. 07/2009

Dear Parents and Boys

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

DEATH

(The Mystery of what is next!)

The sudden death and subsequent burial liturgy from St Peter’s College of Rowan Hanif (Year 12) is the context of this reflection.

On the day of Rowan’s death, boys from Year 12 assembled in the Chapel – there was quiet prayer, singing, tears and expressive emotion. I gained the impression that many boys had never experienced death and our human fragility.

I reflected that maybe parents had kept their sons away from the death occasions of families (uncles, aunties and cousins etc) with a mistaken idea of sheltering them from such events.

The normalisation of life should include attendance at funerals. It is as it we want to normalise every other function of life, but stop short of this ultimate goal. Where else can a young man experience the trough of sadness and the reality that is death?

I reflected at this time that ritual is all important. The ritual of welcoming the family, the ritual of cultural customs, the ritual of everyone being given license to speak, the ritual of Faith experience and ritual of personal music etc.

I also reflected on the importance of faith to boys at this time of death.

On the day of his burial, all Year 12 attended the liturgy ceremony in the hall and several boys were in attendance at the graveside.

We all felt as a school that Rowan who was known and loved for who he was rather than what he did, was given a community farewell to eternal life.

It is the mystery of death which is disturbing and unsettling. What is next? It is in the unknown untested arena for all of us.

To men of Faith, death is simply an extension of life – eternal life.

Death is simply about falling into the arms of mystery.

Eternal Rest grant to Rowan O God and let Perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in Peace.

In this issue: 

• Upcoming events Congratulations Bereavements Community NoticesKapa Haka InvitePompallier ShieldSpecial Character NewsHealth Clinic UpdateMusic News
• Sports News

K F Fouhy

Principal 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday 22 May

• 9HWE Retreat – Friary
• 1st V Basketball vs Onehunga @ YMCA @ 4.30pm
• Year 7 & 8 Social for Rugby 7.30pm -10.00pm

Saturday 23 May

• 1st XV vs Tangaroa College @ SPC @ 2.30pm
• 1st XI vs Sacred Heart College @ Simson Reserve @ 12.30pm

Monday 25 May

• YR 11-13 Exams begin – (see exam timetable)
• Year 8 Humanities Tutorial from 3.30-4.30pm

Tuesday 26 May

• 9STL Retreat – Friary
• Year 11-13 Exams continue
• Year 8 Maths Tutorial from 3.30-4.30pm

Wednesday 27 May

• Yr 11-13 Exams continue
• 9WAK Retreat – Friary
• 1st XI Hockey vs Lynfield College @ Lloyd Elsmore Park @ 5.00pm
• Year 8 English Tutorial from 3.30-4.30pm

Thursday 28 May

• Yr 11 – 13 Exams continue
• Junior Music Night @ 7.30pm @ Auckland Grammar Centennial Theatre

Friday 29 May

• Yr 11-13 Exams continue
• 2010 Enrolment Applications close at 4.00pm
• No 1st V Basketball

Saturday 30 May

No Secondary School Sport today

Monday 1 June

• Queen’s Birthday – No School

Wednesday 3 June

• Year 7 & 8 Mass
• 1st XI Hockey vs Kelston College @ Avondale College @ 5.30pm
• Year 8 Religious Studies Tutorial from 3.30-4.30pm

Thursday 4 June

• Year 8 Maths Tutorial from 3.30-4.30pm

Friday 5 June

• Year 7 & 8 Exams begin. Timetables will be given to each student
• 1st V Basketball vs One Tree Hill College @ YMCA @ 7.30pm

Saturday 6 June

• 1st XV Rugby vs King’s College @ 2.30pm @ King’s College @ 2.30pm
• 1st X1 Soccer vs Rangitoto College @ Rangitoto College @ 12.00pm
• Choir Workshop @ SPC Music Department from 4.00 – 7.00pm

Sunday 7 June

• Choir Workshop @ SPC Music Department from 3.00 – 7.00pm

COMING UP THIS TERM

Tuesday 16 June

• Year 12 Parent Teacher Interviews from 6.00-9.00pm

Friday 19 June

• St Peter’s Day Mass in the Cathedral @ 9.45am

Tuesday 23 June

• Year 13 Parent Teacher Interviews from 6.00-9.00pm

Wednesday 24 June

• Central Zone Hockey Tournament

Wednesday 25 June

• Year 11 Parent Teacher Interviews from 6.00-9.00pm

Friday 3 July

• Teacher Only Day

CONGRATULATIONS

Lance Go on winning the Auckland Secondary Schools’ Golf Strokeplay competition.

POMPALLIER SHIELD

Congratulations to the team who represented St Peter’s College at the Pompallier Shield Scripture Reading and Oratory competition held at Marist College on Wednesday 13th May. Our representatives were:

Senior Scripture Proclamation: Wiremu Tapara

Junior Scripture Proclamation: Matthew Kendall

Senior Oratory: Brendan Abley

Junior Oratory: Joshua Pinto

The team, with the support of Mr John Hall, performed against teams from all the other seventeen Catholic Secondary Schools in the Auckland Diocese. Both Brendan and Joshua penned and presented inspirational speeches on the direction and legacy of youth in the Catholic Church.

The overall winner of the shield in 2009 was Sacred Heart College. We look forward to challenging the holders in 2010.

BEREAVEMENTS

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

Matthew McIntyre - Great-Grandmother

Christopher Marshall – Grandmother

Joseph Tenisic – Aunt

Marcus Motu - Cousin - Rowan

Shantanu Pereira - Grandmother

SPECIAL CHARACTER NEWS

(a)       Service Programmes

‘To Love and to Serve’ Years 7-12 REMINDER: Year 7-12 Students who

have not begun their service programme should plan to immediately. Speak to Mr Kingdon in the Religious Studies department for service ideas.

(b)       The Funeral for Rowan Hanif

Thank you to the staff and students of St Peter’s College who helped with and attended Rowan Hanif’s funeral services on Sunday night of May 17 and the day of Monday 18th. Much comfort was given and  received through our expressions of grief and loss through special liturgies, the Remembrance Service on the Sunday night, and the funeral on the Monday. Rowan’s impact upon our College community was significant.   

KAPA HAKA INVITATION

Kinga Reihana and I would like to extend an invitation for anyone who is committed to Kapa Haka to take this opportunity to join our roopu (group). As you will know SPC Kapa haka did exceptionally well under the tutoring of Kingi and Hannah Matene and hope to raise the level again in 2010.

Over the year the group have several opportunities to represent the school at various occasions and hence the reason we meet every Monday from 3.30 – 4.30pm, this also enhances whanaungatanga (kinship/relationship) and gives us additional preparation for the 2010 Polyfest, along with planning of any social events for the roopu (group).

We have one month of settling back into routines before we start training seriously, so now is a great time to join and not feel like the new boy, this time frame closes on the 8th of June.

Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Nga mihi

Debbie Terei Phone 021 799 265 or email pipi@xtra.co.nz

Kingi Reihana

MUSIC NEWS

(a)       JUNIOR SCHOOL MUSIC NIGHT

Thursday May 28 at 7.30pm

Venue is at Auckland Grammar School, Centennial Theatre. There will be performances by the Junior Orchestra, Junior Band, Year 7 groups and some more senior musicians.

Parking is available in Auckland Grammar grounds as well as the street. Entry by Gold Coin Donation.

(b)       CHOIR WORKSHOP

Saturday 6th June from 4-7pm and Sunday 7th June from 3-7pm in the SPC Music Department. This is in preparation for the Big Sing competition on Monday 15th June to be held in the Town Hall. Tenors and Basses only.

There will be a $10 charge to help us cover costs. 

Following the Big Sing we will welcome all the juniors back to the full choir practice on Friday mornings.

(c) TRINITY COLLEGE MUSIC EXAMS Monday June 22 All students should be practising.

You should have received details of your exam time.

Run through with Mr Poljanich - Saturday 6th June 9am - 1pm in the Music Department

You should have received your timetable for this run through.

Grade 5 students - you need to ensure your accompanist is aware of the time

of your exam and ensure you have the required music from your teacher.

(d)       NZ CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION

June 10-14th We have a piano trio and piano quartet entered but we do not yet know when they will be performing.

This takes place at Diocesan Junior School Hall for the early rounds and the final round is in the Concert Chamber at the Town Hall.

HEALTH CLINIC UPDATE

Dental

Students turning 18 this year will have to PAY for their own dental work from now on. You are able to get an updated list of dentists who will treat you FREE from the Health Centre.

Optical

If you are 15 yrs or UNDER you may qualify for a subsidy on your glasses or treatment - find out from the Health Centre

The Common Cold

Sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose-everyone knows the first signs of a cold, probably the most common illness known.

The common cold is usually mild, with symptoms lasting 1 to 2 weeks. It is a leading cause of doctors’ visits and missed days from school.

Children have about 6 to 10 colds a year.

There is no evidence that you can get a cold from exposure to cold weather or from getting chilled or overheated or to factors such as exercise, diet, or enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Seasonal changes in relative humidity may affect the prevalence of colds.

Symptoms of the common cold usually begin 2 to 3 days after infection and often include

• Mucus build up in your nose
• Difficulty breathing through your nose
• Swelling of your sinuses
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Headache

You can get infected by cold viruses by touching your skin or environmental surfaces, such as telephones and stair rails, that have cold germs on them and then touching your eyes or nose or inhaling drops of mucus full of cold. Getting germs from the air.

Treatment

There is no cure for the common cold, but you can get relief from your cold symptoms by

• Resting in bed
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Gargling with warm salt water or using throat sprays or lozenges for a scratchy or sore throat
• Using petroleum jelly for a raw nose
• Taking regular Panadol or Nurafen for headache or fever

Never take antibiotics to treat a cold because antibiotics do not kill viruses.

P. McNamara (RN)

CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE

If you have any address or phone number changes etc, please EMAIL Denise Lindsay and she will update our student management system accordingly. This will ensure we have your correct details on our system at all times:

Contact admin@st-peters.school.nz

SPORTS ROUND UP

DRAWS AND RESULTS

The weekly draw for all St Peter’s teams is posted on the School website along with results from the previous week.

(a)     GOLF

Lance Go wins Auckland Secondary Schools Golf Strokeplay Title

Lance Go headed off 175 other top golfers in the greater Auckland area to claim the Auckland Secondary Schools Strokeplay Title played at Helensville on Monday, May 23rd.

Lance shot 72 to claim the title by one stroke. The win is Lance’s first big tournament title and was very satisfying for the 15 year old who was up against a number of golfers on handicaps lower than his two.

Lance attributed his breakthrough win to playing smart, disciplined golf. He made two birdies in his one over round. He was very good off the tee hitting 9 of 13 fairways on the tight Helensville course. His putting was rock solid needing only 27 putts in the round.

Despite being very pleased with the win Lance is not getting too carried away  realizing there is still plenty of room for improvement in his game. He now has his sights on making the Auckland U19 team.

Congratulations Lance.

(b)     RUGBY

1st XV Outplay Mount Albert Grammar

Playing in front of a large and supportive home crowd the 1st XV proved too good for Mt Albert Grammar in the weekend.  St Peter’s won 22 – 12 gaining a four try bonus point in the process.

Josh Cocker Valu makes a break against Mt Albert Grammar

The Team made the most of their opportunities in the first half, skipping out to an unassailable 17 – 0 lead at half time. Bryn Hall, Matt Gandy and Ben Paltridge were the try scorers in the first half.

Zac Moi Moi on his way to the try line

Lock, Zac Moi Moi, sealed the win with a 40 metre run away in the second half. St Peter’s openside Nepia Fox-Matamua was awarded man of the match.

The 1st XV play at home again this weekend against Tangaroa at 2.30pm.

(c)      BASKETBALL

1st V Basketball makes an excellent start to the season

Easton  Malietoa-Brown grabs a rebound against Sacred Heart

The 1st V dominated Sacred Heart in the first competition game of the season to score a resounding 63 – 33 win. Buoyed on by the very enthusiastic Peter’s army the side played fast paced and skilled basketball. Michael Pene was awarded player of the day.

Point guard Brian Chiu takes the ball up court

The team play Onehunga this Friday, 4.30pm tip off. All games are played at the YMCA on Pitt Street.

(d)     SWIMMING

Andrew McEwan, Thomas McEwan, Sam Tiu, Lawrence Hull, Craig Fernandes, Daniel Shanahan, Craig Fernances for a very successful Auckland Champion of Champions Swimming meet in April.

• Andrew McEwan    4th in the Intermediate 50m Fly.
• Thomas McEwan    3rd in the Senior 50m Free and 50m Fly and 2nd in the 50m Back
• Andrew McEwan, Sam Tiu, Lawrence Hull, Craig Fernandes  4th in the Intermediate  4x50m Back.
• Daniel Shanahan, Craig Fernandes, Andrew McEwan, Lawrence Hull  1st in the 4x50m breast – A new Auckland record for a college.
• Craig Fernandes, Lawrence Hull, Sam Tiu and Andrew McEwan were 5th in both the Intermediate medley and 4x50m free.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

2009 ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS

ON SALE NOW

These are immediately available from either the Middle School office (Years 7 & 8) or the College office (Years 9-13). Same cost as 2008, $65.00. Good value!

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND

Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June

Double Tree Motor Lodge

Newmarket, Auckland.

A chance to enrich your marriage as well as rediscover and strengthen your love.

For all marriages young and old, Catholic or mixed. This weekend will assist you to:

• Enhance the love you share and revive your hopes and dreams
• Revaluate your priorities and lifestyle
• Learn new effective communication techniques
• Spend special time together

Book Now - Phone 0800 ENCOUNTER 0800 362 686 for more information

Last week’s sporting results