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

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

Friday 5 June 2009                                                                                                                           Newsletter No. 08/09

Dear Parents and Boys

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

FATHER HUNGER

“Men know how to pass on roles, money and opinions, but not who they are”

Richard Rohr ofm.

In this reflection I am indebted to Richard Rohr ofm who will be giving a seminar at St Peter’s College on

Tuesday 21st July at 7.30pm

It would be good to see the hall full of St Peter’s College people.

This issue of Father Hunger is greater than the recession and credit crunches. It explains to some extent the appalling statistics in male health, education, suicide, aberrant behaviour, number of male primary teachers etc.

It is particularly relevant to a school which has the business of boys as its core mission.

As Richard Rohr explains: - “There is a Father hunger in society that is unrecognized, unnamed, not seen as that. It is seen in people who rage against society and the need for authority!”

By Father Hunger he means the unconscious longing for affirmation and limits from a male authority figure.

“Dad” is an unnameable mystery!

Father Hunger is also about the loss of creativity that boys and men experience.

Every parent of boys knows that the release of physical energy is paramount to boys. It is as if physical creativity defines the male psyche. We notice this on wet days when boys cannot run around on the field!

I have noticed that sports teams with a healthy sense of energy and culture also exude an inner authority without having to be assured from the outside that they are right. They walk with their shoulders back, confident that whatever they are asked to undertake, they will do with pride.

“Father Hunger” among a generation of men has seen a lack of male leadership and retreat into clichés, comfort, control and legalities in so many areas of life.

Making money and the scramble for status and power can be seen for what they are - foundations built on a pack of cards.

Men of 2009?

The concept of a St Peter’s Man for others. A man of presence, a man open to intellectual growth, a man of respect, service and compassion.

These are inner directed qualities which will mean our young men whom we see daily, will be empowered to pass on more than roles, money and opinions.

Maybe Jesus in his saying “Which of you when your son asks for bread would offer him a stone?”  knew something about this “Father Hunger”.

Please keep Tuesday 21st July 7.30pm free.

In His Peace

K F Fouhy

Principal

In this issue: 

• Upcoming events
• Congratulations
• Bereavements
• Service Hours
• Opportunity
• SPC Day Details
• Sports News

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday 5 June

• 1st V Basketball vs One Tree Hill College @ 7.30pm @ YMCA
• Cape Brett tramping trip departs at 3.30pm from outside library
• Year 7 exams Periods 1 & 2 Social Studies. Period 3 & 4 Spelling

Saturday 6 June

• 1st XV Rugby vs Kings College at 2.30pm @ Kings College
• 1st XI Soccer vs Rangitoto College @ 12.00pm @ Rangitoto
• Choir Workshop SPC Music Department from 4.00 – 7.00pm
• Trinity Music Exams run through 9am – 1.00pm in SPC Music Department
• Cape Brett tramping trip away

Sunday 7 June

• Choir Workshop @ SPC Music Department from 3.00 – 7.00pm
• Cape Brett tramping trip returns 4.00 – 6.00pm to school

Monday 8 June

• Year 7 exams: Period 1 & 2 Mathematics. Period 3 & 4 Religious Studies.

Tuesday 9 June

• Year 7 exams: Period 1 & 2 Science. Perid 3 & 4 Maori

Wednesday 10 June

• 1st XI Hockey vs Dilworth College @ 6.00pm @ Auckland Grammar
• Year 7 exams: Period 1 & 2 Reading
• Year 7 & 8 New South Wales Science competition
• Year 8 Mass @ 9.50am in the hall
• Chamber Music Competition commencing @ 4.30pm @ Diocesan Junior School Hall

Friday 12 June

• Year 11-13 reports posted
• Year 9 and 10 Social, fundraiser for Hockey at 7.30pm @ SPC
• 1st V Basketball vs Selwyn College @ 4.30pm @ YMCA
• Year 8 exams: Period 1 & 2 English

Saturday 13 June

• 1st XV Rugby vs De la Salle @ 2.30pm @ De la Salle
• 1st XI Soccer vs Mt Albert @ 12.30pm @ Waikaraka Park

Sunday 14 June

• Senior Concert Band workshop from 3.00 – 6.00pm @ SPC Music Department

Monday 15 June

• Big Sing Competition @ The Auckland Town Hall, be seated by 2.15pm (Boys leaving by bus at an earlier time)
• Year 8 exams: Period 1 & 2 Mathematics. Period 3 & 4 Reading

Tuesday 16 June

• Year 8 exams: Period 1 & 2 Humanities. Period 3 & 4 Religious Studies

• Year 12 parent Teacher Interviews 6.00 – 9.00pm

Wednesday 17 June

• 1st XI Hockey vs Botany Downs College @ 4.00pm @ Lloyd Elsmore Park
• India Meeting @ 7.00pm in the staffroom
• Year 8 exams: Period 1 & 2 Science

Friday 19 June

• St Peter’s Day Mass @ 9.45pm in the Cathedral(See details of day)

Saturday 20 June

• 1st XV Rugby vs Tamaki College @ 2.30pm @ Tamaki College
• 1st XI Soccer vs MacLeans College @ 12.00pm @ MacLeans College
• SPC/St Mary’s Orchestra workshop @ SPC from 3.00 – 6.00pm

Monday 22 June

• Trinity College Music Exams all day @ SPC Music Department. Details given to boys

COMING UP THIS TERM

Tuesday 23 June

• Year 13 Parent Teacher Interviews from 6.00-9.00pm in the hall

Wednesday 24 June

• Year 7 & 8 Central Zone Hockey Tournament all day @ Lloyd Elsmore Park

Wednesday 25 June

• Year 11 Parent Teacher Interviews from 6.00-9.00pm in the hall

Friday 3 July

• Teacher Only Day
• Gisborne Boys High School Rugby teams arrive this afternoon

Saturday 4 July

• Gisborne Boys High School rugby teams playing at the cage

CONGRATULATIONS

ALISTAIR van de WATER was runner up at the recent Auckland Academy of Dance Society’s Senior Jazz Championship. Alistair was also nominated to represent the Society at the national Young Performer of the Year Awards to be held in October this year.

The following boys from 10 Barker: Matthew Bruce-Fepuleai, Logan Valu, Vincent Tauia, Matthew Fejardo, Jonah Sofele, Joshua Tabb, Matthew Maka, Paul Swanney, Nicholas Biggio-Corona,  Ezra Castles and Isaak Couwenbergh for your recent improvement in science. Well done boys!!

Sean Wilson 7R was placed 2nd in the individual event and third in the double mini for his age group at the Central Island Trampoline Competition.

Justin Swan was awarded The Grand Prior St Johns Badge from the Governor General at a ceremony on Sunday April 5 at Government House in Epsom. Justin has been a member of the Kelston Branch for many years and is also helping teach younger participants.

Justin Swan receiving his Grand Prior St John’s Badge from the Governor General

BEREAVEMENTS

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

Callum and Nicholas Williams – Great Uncle.

Ryan Hellier - Grandmother

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

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.

DUE DATES:

Years 7-8 Friday July 24

Years 10-11 Friday August 14

Year 12 - End of Term 3 (September)

ST PETERS STUDENTS

Looking to earn Service Hours??

We have an opportunity for you to earn service hours towards your Service Programme. 

We have a Special Olympics swim meet happening on Sunday 28 June at West Wave Pool where students can earn service hours.

If you are interested phone Joe Coury on 027 275 2811 or email to joecoury@xtra.co.nz.

DETAILS OF ST PETER'S DAY

The tradition of celebrating St Peter's Day continues this year with the whole school travelling by bus to St Patrick's Cathedral for Mass at 9.45am.

All students will then be attending the Movies in the afternoon (Rialto and Village theatres in Newmarket).

Students need to be at school by 8.40am as per normal and are encouraged to leave their bags at home.

SPORTS ROUND-UP

1st XI Soccer retain Catholic Cup

The 1st XI retained the Catholic Cup with a 1 – 0 win against Sacred Heart on May 23rd. The 1st XI’s victory was on the back of wins from the 1st XV Rugby and 1st V Basketball against Sacred Heart in recent weeks.

The match was evenly poised for much of the game. The deadlock was broken in the 70th when Nathanael Hailemariam climbed high to head in a cross provided by Rory Kelly. This capped of a fine performance from Nathaniel who was awarded man of the match. Catalin Onc also performed superbly. Isaac Fitzgerald playing centre back provided direction and calm at the defensive end of the field.

In the Knock out cup the 1st XI has progressed through to the fourth round. Their most recent game was a 3 – 2 win against Botany Downs. Rory Kelly scored two goals and Isaac Fitzgerald the third.

1st XI Hockey remain unbeaten

The 1st XI Hockey have strung together three wins so far this season to be at the top of the table. Their most recent win against Lynfield College, 5 – 2, saw centre forward, George Foot, score a hat trick. Jacob Smith is another player who is making a habit of scoring of goals. So far this season he has netted 5 goals.

Sean Griffin in his first year in the 1st XI is playing consistently to a high standard. Playing at centre half he is controlling the midfield well.  At the defensive end Tom Catalin is in good form so too is captain, Bernard Ashman.

1st XV Rugby action against Tangaroa College

The 1st XV Rugby team moved into third position on the table with a four try bonus point win against Tangaroa College  on May 23. Final score St Peter’s College 32, Tangaroa College 9.

Bryn Hall places a grubber kick through

Francis Saili looks to off load

Draws and Results

Go to the St Peter’s website for weekly draws and results: www.st-peters.school.nz/sports

COMMUNITY EVENTS