from the principal I le suafa o le Tama, ma le Alo, ma le Agaga Pa’ia. Amene. STAYING POSITIVE – STAYING THE DISTANCE

In the hurly-burly of everyday life, ministerial announcements about class size and teacher ratios, together with other budget statements, we seem to get caught in the plethora of emotional upheaval and statistics. Being indignant and showing outrage is part of our democratic process and we are blessed in New Zealand with the right to think and free speech. The fact is that through statistics one can almost support any theory or position. Rather than getting ourselves too emotionally uptight (and it is difficult for me coming from a Mediterranean culture), perhaps we should today, tomorrow, this week, this month, this term focus on what we do well, how we do it, why we do it and celebrate this, while we vigilantly continue to seek the resources that help our boys do well, thereby witnessing the love of our work. Success stories For example – a key government priority is that 85% of all school leavers achieve NCEA Level 2 or better by 2016. St Bernard’s College already does that with over 90% and we have been doing that for a while. We want to do better. The Minister of Education in a recent letter to the Board says: “St Bernard’s College shows what can be gained for learners, whanau and the community when a school focuses on raising achievement. I congratulate the school, the teachers, support staff and learners and their whanau on these pleasing NCEA results.” Thank you, Minister

At a more personal level, the Rotary Club of the Hutt Valley Youth Director wrote: “In the 2nd week of the school holidays Jacob Netzler and Harry Bramwell attended a ‘Learning to Lead’ workshop. Both were fine ambassadors for your school. We were impressed with the commitment of your students … they were a real credit to you and your school.” And the Laura Fergusson Community CEO also wrote:

“to acknowledge the significant contribution made by members of the St Bernard’s College community at the recent opening celebration of the Laura Fergusson Trust’s newly expanded facilities. Tavonga Mahowa and Anu Singe … assisted us in the preparations and logistics for the opening… They carried out all of their assigned duties responsibly and effectively. In addition they played a special role during the celebration, each providing a blessing as part of the ceremony. These young men are great ambassadors for the College”.

I rest my case and I thank God every minute, every hour, every day for our students, our staff, our trustees, our parents, our community. Everything is possible by the will of God. Amen. peter fava

Achieve @ St Bernard’s

June 2012

On Friday 4 May, the St Bernard’s College O’Shea Shield team left for Wanganui to attend the O’Shea Shield Competition. Both the boys and the staff had worked tirelessly in their representation at the competition events; Religious Questions (S Garlick, J Lamond, B Duthie-Jung; coached by Br Kieran Fenn, J Chan and Ms Maria Fouhy), Debating (E McAuliffe, L McAulliffe and J Logan; coached by Ms Sue McNab), Drama (D Filipo, M Soloa, V Fa’atui, K Lemisio-Cameron, T Su and K Grech-Zammit; coached by Ms Jeanne Howell), Scripture Reading (B Van Woerkom; coached by Br Kieran Fenn and Mr Nick Wilson), Impromptu Speaking (N Russell coached by Mr David Chrisp), Junior Speech (C Dominikovich coached by Ms Prasad) and Senior Oratory (H Tapuai coached by Mr Peter McLeod). These boys were supported by J Dominikovich, N Chan, M Logan, C Cunningham, K Satur N Lunn and A Pou.

The team performed admirably displaying humour, class and intelligence. Hosea Tapuai won the Senior Oratory and Nathan Russell came second in Impromptu. The whole experience was once again a credit to the calibre of students that we

teach at St Bernard’s and we were exceptionally proud of them during this competition. My sincere thanks to the staff involved during the trip; Sue McNab, Peter Fava, Anna Marie Dickinson and special thanks to Nick Wilson who organised and ran the entire event for our College. We look forward to another competitive year of O’Shea Shield at St Patrick’s College, Silverstream in 2013. Maria Fouhy, DRS.

Science Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa Samoan Language Week

O le vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa o le Aso Sa 27 o Me e o’o i le Aso To’ona’i 2 o Iuni. ‘O le sini mo lenei tausaga e fa’aigoaina “O le Vāfealoa’i” “Vāfealoa’i lelei ma le Mālosi”. Samoan Language Week was from Sunday 27 May to Saturday 2 June. This year’s theme is “O le Vāfealoa’i” “Strong and Respectful Relationships”. This week we tried to greet someone using one of the following greetings: Formal greeting: Tālofa or Tālofa lava. Everyday greeting: Mālo Limasefulu tausaga talu ona tuto’atasi Samoa – Fifty years of Samoan Independence O le tausaga foi nei e fa’amanatuina ai le 50 o tausaga talu ona tuto’atasi Sāmoa ma le fa’aauauina pea o le mafutaga ma Sāmoa e ‘auala atu i le sainiga o le Feagaiga Fa’auō. This year is also the 50th anniversary of Samoa Independence and New Zealand’s continuing relations with Samoa through the signing of the Treaty of Friendship. A group of Samoan students represented the College at celebrations at Porirua College. Japan Trip 2013

Once again we are planning to travel to Japan to soak up the Japanese language and culture. This is a biennial trip which involves travelling around the main island of Japan, visiting national and international heritage sites, using the Japanese language and spending time with a host family from our sister school. We are in the initial stages of fundraising at the moment and we would welcome any fundraising ideas out there in our community. Please feel free to contact Manu Corcoran on 560-9250 extension 876 about the Japan trip.

Language Perfect

All the French, Japanese and Sāmoan students have access to Language Perfect - an online learning resource to assist in learning vocabulary. www.languageperfect.com Students should aim to spend about 20 minutes a day learning vocabulary and this is a fun way to do it. Between 21st and 31st May our students were involved in the Language Championships again and many have been successful in achieving certificates for their participation in this international competition. We look forward to awarding these certificates later in the term.

Languages Department Science Fair

Students are or should be working hard on this. If a student needs advice on what they could investigate they can see their science teacher. This is due on the Monday of the last week of term.

Field Trips

The Year 12 science class visited Titahi Bay to study the geological formations associated with tectonic plate movement and the influence of wave erosion. The Year 11 applied science classes and 10CH have visited Harcourt Park to look at the influence of the Wellington Fault on the terraces that are there. Special thanks to Mr Thompson of GNS who accompanied the groups and expert descriptions on the geological features.

Astronomy Club

The Astronomy Club which meets on the last Thursday of each month had the special opportunity to view the sun through a solar scope. This is a special telescope that has filters that keep our eyes safe while witnessing such activities as sunspots, prominences etc. While in the evening we were able to see the moon in great detail as well as Mars and Saturn. Very special thanks to Anthony Gomez of the H.V. Phoenix Astronomical society who leads the group. We welcome everyone to our meetings. Parents, grandparents, friends of the College are also very welcome. For information please contact Brenten Higson at the college.

Primary School Visits Five student facilitators accompanied two staff members to Sacred Heart School, Petone on the invitation of their Assistant teacher. The Sacred Heart students enjoyed the opportunity to look at the differences between chemical and physical change while doing hands on investigations. We will also be visiting Ss Peter and Paul’s school to take a group of budding scientists through a series on investigations on a variety of topics. We will again be accompanied by our own students as facilitators.

Brain Bee Competition

Two Year 11 students will be travelling to Auckland to participate in round two of this Australasian competition. They will be quizzed on the intricate workings of the human brain as well as having the opportunity to visit Auckland University’s medical school. We wish Martin Markwitz and Steven Clark all the very best.

ICAS Competition

This was held on the 6 June and I congratulate all those who participated for the courage to academically extend themselves. Results normally take about 4-5 weeks to come through. B Higson, HOD Science

Careers

We are now running a Star course at school,introducing students to the art of coffee making.

ExpressoNinja have provided a very experienced tutor and 10 students attend train-ing every Monday night. The students are already so confident that 2 of them volunteered and made over 300 coffees on Open Day.

Poetry Evening 9MN held a poetry/art evening on Wednesday 23 May where parents were invited to both listen to their sons read out poems that they had written during a recent writing unit and have a look at their art folios which were displayed in the art room. Unfortunately their latest unit on print making was not quite finished although parents could see the design that their sons were creating.

All present had an enjoyable time. Many thanks to Jennifer Botting, our teacher trainee, who led the teaching of the poetry unit.

Sports News

Year 12 Retreat

Football Congratulations to the 1st XI. Having struggled in the grading fixtures for Premier Youth/Division 1 the team drew 0-0 with St Pat’s Silverstream. This is a significant result as it is the first time we have played their first team and to draw is very memorable. 1st XI playoff for Division 1. The team was forced into sudden death playoff against Kapiti College 1st. The winner gets to play in Division 1. We ran out victors 3-0 which means that we continue to play against the other footballing elite colleges in the greater Wellington region. Having completed grading games for the six college sports teams the junior 1 team was promoted to play in the junior premier league which is marvellous achievement. The 2nd XI also gained promotion with five great victories. Our other 4 teams have just missed out on promotion and will play in the lower of the two grading divisions. Our 13th grade team that plays in the Hutt Valley league is holding its own in a very competitive competition. These players are to be commended for wanting to play for the blue and gold of St Bernard’s. We are still looking for players to bolster up team numbers. If your son would like to turn out for us there are still plenty of games left in the season (10). No experience is necessary as we will supply the coaching. The coaching staff take their responsibility of training the players given the current coaching training. Three coaches have undertaken level 2 youth (13yr to 19yr) qualifications in tactical and technical aspects of the game. A special thanks to all the parents, grandparents and friends of the college who are providing a very positive and encouraging atmosphere to all our fixtures. Your support is brilliant.

Theme : The Ascent

Key Idea: After several years at school, starting the journey at the basecamp, the Year 12 students are nearing the end of the climb. It is time to ascend the mountain that they have been climbing in their secondary education; time to get ready to come out on top.

As presented in the theme, the objectives of the retreat were for students:

∎ To reflect on the importance of targeting things in their life to make sure goals are not wishes

∎ To look at various aspects of leadership that they could prepare for to contribute to in their Year 13 year

∎ Examine how they have, in turn, become the role models in the school and the responsibilities that go with it this year and beyond.

∎ Reflect on the Marist Pillar of Love of Work and how they can live this pillar in 2012 and beyond.

∎ Reinforce the understanding of the SBC Brotherhood and strengthen it.

The location of the Year 12 retreats was specifically chosen to accommodate the learning intention and theme of the Year 12 retreat; that of ascending towards the summit. Because of the revised retreat programme; the importance of setting a base foundation in order to ascend the summit, it was important that we had a location that allowed the boys a practical opportunity to experience the setting (and shooting) of targets. This was demonstrated through archery, skeet shooting and basketball and judging by the evaluations of the students, these were all activities that were particularly enjoyed. The organisation of the session was so that students had both practical, theoretical and spiritual opportunities to be challenged, introduced to new ideas and then had a physical activity to reflect on and reinforce the message. My sincere thanks and congratulations to Mr Nick Wilson once again for his work on this retreat. He ensured that the students were given an opportunity for both physical and reflective time and this was an important aspect of the overall success of the retreat. Maria Fouhy, DRS

Francis Douglas Sports Exchange The annual sports exchange with Francis Douglas MC was this year held in New Plymouth unfortunately results this year did not go our way. The badminton team won their competition. However rugby, football and basketball all recorded losses. A special thanks to all the coaching staff who travelled to New Plymouth with the team giving up their valuable time. Judo Congratulations to Luke Pynenburg who gained two gold medals at the Open Canterbury Judo Championships held in Christchurch.

Cross Country Champs The 2012 Cross Country Champions are: Y7 Daniel Goldsworthy Y8 Logan Hoare Junior Ethan Clements Youth Terry Lynch Intermediate Michael Yenge Senior Buay James House Champions Ignatius Congratulations to Daniel Goldsworthy who set a new record in the Y7 boys event with a time of 11min.40 (old 12 min16). Daniel also finished 4th in the recent Y7/8 Interschool Cross Country Championships and will now compete in the Inter Zone meeting at the end of June.

Coming Up: 21 June CSW Individual Swimming Championships 26 June Y7/8 Cross Country Regionals 27 June 1st XV Rugby Exchange v St John’s Hastings CSW Senior Badminton Champs

2012 Term Dates Term 2 23 April to 29 June Term 3 16 July to 28 September Term 4 15 October to 7 December

Important Dates

Contact Details

p 04 560 9250 f 04 560 9251 e office@sbc.school.nz w www.sbc.school.nz

Physical/Postal Address 183 Waterloo Road Lower Hutt 5010 New Zealand

June 9 Barbershop Regionals 11 Y10 Economics Trip 12 Late start 9.30am 14 PPTA Paid Union Meeting pm 15 Y11 Retreat 21 Contributing school visit 22 Contributing school visit 23 12PE Trip 26 Y7/8 Cross Country Regionals

Sponsors of the St Bernard’s College Newsletter

Free Doctor’s consultation at St Bernard’s College

Plan to be as fit and healthy as you can be!!

Clinic Open Tuesday 8.30—11.30am

Thursday 12—3pm.

Alex Ferrier-Kerr is our school health nurse. Dr Beena Hegde will be in attendance at the

Thursday Clinic

( 570-0883 or 560-9250 (College office)

Free Dental Treatment offered by

Graeme Yee Dental Care, 66 Bloomfield Terrace, Lower Hutt,

( 566-1119.

This free treatment is available to all secondary students until their 18th birthday. All new patients, students and parents are welcome. If you have any questions please feel free to call on the above number.

Uniform Shop Normal Opening Hours Monday 8:15 to 9:00am Thursday 12:30 to 1:30pm

Uniform on AP

Uniform purchases may be charged to your AP with the consent of the college on a case by case basis. Boys need to bring a signed note from parents. Please email accounts@sbc.school.nz or phone the accounts office ext 861

Second Hand Uniform

If your child is not returning to St Bernard’s next year and has a uniform in good condition that they no longer require, please consider donating it to the school or we can sell on your behalf less a commission. All sales from second hand school uniforms go to the library to purchase new books.

If you have items to donate or sell, please leave them at the school office or if you have any queries, please contact Tania on 587-0024.

29 End of Term 2—School Mass at SBC Reports posted Y7/8 Dance

July 16 Term 3 commences 8.40am 22 Kapa Haka Nationals 24 Y7 Immunisation Parent Teacher Interviews 26 Parent Teacher Interviews

Preferred method of payment school fees The school prefers all school fees to be paid directly to our bank account. This is a safer means of payment that provides a reliable trail. Our bank account is ASB Queensgate 12-3142-0164653-00. Please include your son’s first name and surname, and your phone number in the reference fields. Receipts are issued for all payments and given to students in class. If you are facing financial difficulties please see the Principal. Thank you.

NZQA Fees St Bernard’s College needs to receive payment of NZQA fees by 17 August. If your family qualifies for financial assistance please return your completed form to Mrs Hudson by 10 August for processing—otherwise you will be charged the full amount of $76.70. A new form needs to be completed each year.

Entertainment Books Are now available at the school office. If you wish to purchase one please call to the office. These books are a PFS Fundraiser and they are $60. Workday To date we have raised approximately $9500 If you still have money outstanding for Workday please hand it to your form teacher or call the accounts office to make arrangements for payment. School Holiday Programmes • Computer Classes — www.gradtraining.co.nz or call Ed Brown on 499-2211 • Music School programme— www.therockacademy.co.nz • Kids domain—www.kidsdomain.biz or email kidsdomain@slingshot.co.nz • YMCA—www.ymcawellington.org.nz or email melissasims@ymca.org.nz

PLEASE NOTE

2013 Enrolments

Enrolments close on the following dates: Preference 27 July Non Preference 24 August

Enrolment packs available at the school office.