Weekly News – Term 2 / Week 10
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
A Note from The Principal
Term 2 has been a busy and productive term.
We finished with a wonderful Art Assembly and special Eucharist service, both very different events with unique vibes and focus yet common to both were the sense of community, connectedness and celebration. What a wonderful note to finish the Term on.
I hope you all have a fabulous holiday and special time together.
Jackie Barron
Staffing
Next term will see some minor changes to staffing as we adjust our timetable around learning initiatives.
We are delighted to announce that Anna Garthwaite has been appointed to the role of Specialist Classroom Teacher. This role encompasses leading pedagogical practice and development in the school, and assisting teachers with curriculum and classroom interests.
This role has a time allocation with it, which means Dr Townsley will pick up two hours of Year 7 Maths and Mrs Barron will assist with Year 7 and 8 Reading.
Miss Dunn and Ms Bartley will be working together to develop a new Year 9 and 10 Science Programme in the first 5 weeks of the term. Science specialist, Mrs Astwood will teach Mrs Bartley’s Year 11 Science class and Ms Dunn’s Year 10 Science class for that time.
We are lucky to have a teacher of Mrs Astwood’s calibre to call on, while our staff commit to enhancing our current courses to further assist girls with their learning.
Goodbye
At the end of this term, we say goodbye to our Director of International Studies, Ange Spears.
Ange brought enthusiasm and a can do do attitude as well as exhibiting excellent care for our international students. She will be missed by both staff and students, we wish her the best in her future endeavours.
NCEA Review process
The Ministry of Education is presently looking at ways to strengthen NCEA and is exploring a variety of ways to gain feedback from different stakeholders. They want to hear from parents and students and ask you to join in the conversation to submit your ideas, experiences and suggestions for change: conversation.education.govt.nz/NCEA
We urge you to visit this site to see the ways in which you can give your views.
As a school we will be talking with students and plan to run a parent seminar on 12th September as part of the consultation process.
St Hilda’s Lilliput Libraries
We now have our Lilliput Libraries scattered around the school to support our Sustained Silent Reading initiative.
These are proving very popular!
A reminder to check the Sports Draws page of the website to keep up to date with match times. The netball draws are posted each week in readiness for the weekend’s matches.
From the Guidance Network
St Hilda’s Guidance Counsellor, Marcelle Nader-Turner, talks about why vulnerable teenagers need good examples and support. Click here to read her recent ODT article about how we can better support our teens.
Chapel Matters
This week we were privileged to have Rev Barbara Dineen take our Founders’ Day Eucharist service.
Earlier this term, on May 13th, Barbara was ordained at the Cathedral by Bishop Steven Benford. Our Sacristan Prefect, Milan Jeon along with Brianna Thomson, were involved in the service, as one way of indicating the strong connection Barbara has with St Hilda’s.
Barbara was both a student and also a staff member here, including being Head of Languages. She is only the second St Hilda’s old girl to have been ordained, so it was a wonderful honour to have her preside over our Eucharist, especially on Founders’ Day; a day when we remember those who have paved the way before us, and enabled St Hilda’s to be the special place it has been for almost 25 years.
Careers News and Events
New information has been added to the careers page. To view visit the Career Events calendar.
Student Achievement
Well done to Tamara Mason who participated in the 2018 Entrepreneurs in Action challenge. Tamara’s team was one of ten competing in the event and were very successful, managing to win both of the challenges.
Tamara Mason – Front Centre
The team’s reward is to go on a fully funded trip to Brazil, as well as each team member being offered a $7,000 scholarship for Massey University.
- Congratulations to the following girls who have been selected into Otago Hockey representative teams. Fantastic to see such big number of St Hilda’s girls throughout the teams
Otago U15 Girls
Anna Duncan, Emilee Hagan, Molly Loe, Riley Macdonald, Bridget Malcolm, Brooke McAlwee, Annabelle McKnight, Anna Mclntyre, Murphy Scott, Anika Smith,
Otago U15 Development Girls
Ella Booth, Bronte Crowe, Jordan Meltzer, Kristin Willis
Otago U13 Collier
Demi McAlwee, Chloe Deerness
Otago U13 Girls Development
Amelie Brown, Jess Wilden – GK, Nova Wright
Under 18 Women
Olivia Hall ,Taylor Duffy
Under 18 Development
Lucy Girvan, Ana Rathbone
- We would like to congratulate the following girls for making the Dunedin Netball Center Representative teams:
U14A
Gemma Rowcroft, Grace Southby, Kaylee Bond
U14B
Bronte Crowe, Jaymee Meffan, Libby Drummond, Pippa Clarke, Stella Rathbone
U15 Squad
Alice Howard, Alika Croot, Analee Toro, Brooke Callon, Brooke McAlwee, Chloe Light (subject to fitness), Danielle Willsman, Ella Perkins, Elora Peeters, Maia Hunter, Ria Dennison
Weekly News – Term 2 / Week 9
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Congratulations to Sings Hilda on their selection to represent St Hilda’s at the Big Sing Finale in Wellington from 30 August – 2 September 2018. The girls have worked very hard to get to this point, along with expert guidance from Mr Grant and Mr Madden. They will be working diligently over the next 10 weeks on their performance.
We wish to thank the PFA for their support of the Year 10 Study Skills Programme with Mr Stuart Wright. Please read below quotes from some of the students who attended these sessions.
“This programme was really great and gave me a better understanding about studying and how my brain works. I would definitely recommend it.”
I didn’t think that studying could be so much fun.”
“Super-helpful. I’ve already begun to map out my unit outlines that I have upcoming tests on.”
The PFA unfortunately had to postpone their AGM which was to be held on the Tuesday, 26 June. We will advise you of the new date which will be early in Term 3.
Please note that student reports will be emailed home on the last day of Term 2 – Friday, 6 July.
Our Open Evening is being held on Thursday, 26 July. This is an important occasion for us. All current St Hilda’s students are expected to be present at Open Evening as everyone is participating in a specific activity.
To ensure the girls do not get too tired and to enable staff to prepare for the Open Evening the school will have a half day on Thursday, 26 July with school finishing at 12:25 pm. If you wish your daughter to be supervised at school in the library for the afternoon, please contact admin@shcs.school.nz. If for some reason your daughter needs to be excused from Open Evening, could you please email Mrs Barron at principal@shcs.school.nz.
In the evening students are required at school for the following times:
6:15 pm Prefects
6:30 pm Guides (Designated Year 12 and all Year 13)
7:00 pm All students to class venues
9:00 pm Year 7 – 13 students dismissed
9:10 pm Buses leave for Tolcarne
Please note there is a delayed start to school on Friday morning with school beginning with Period 2 at 9:40 am. It is important that all students arrive at school ready for a prompt start.
Chapel Matters
Next week we celebrate Founders’ Day with our end-of-term Eucharist service. When Sisters Geraldine and Etheleen arrived in Dunedin on December 19th, 1895, to set up “an English school for daughters of gentlemen” they had a hard task in front of them. Not only did they face the challenge of setting up a school on a very limited budget, but they also had to deal with the attitudes of those who didn’t believe in education for girls, or who didn’t like the idea of an Anglican school being set up in a Presbyterian city. The Sisters were determined, however, and described their mission as “a Venture of Faith.” Not long after setting up St Hilda’s, they wrote back home to the others Sisters in London saying, “Despite the hardship, we are sustained by a vision of the Eternal and by faith in One who has called us to leave all and follow him.” It is good to remember the Sisters who founded our school, to let their venture of faith inspire us, and to have faith that God can sustain us no matter what we face, even 122 years later.
Tolcarne News
Last weekend at Tolcarne Teresa took a small group of Year 9, 10 and 11s to watch the Steel vs. Tactix netball game. It was a very close match, which made the netball great fun to watch, and it was a privilege to see Kate Heffernan (Year 13 2017) practicing and training with the Steel. The girls were thrilled that they could stay afterwards and get photographs and selfies with the Steel team.
Tolcarne is gearing up for the end of the Term, with last minute assignments being finished by our Senior students, and pack-up underway. We have our last weekend activity on Sunday – Inflatable World – where the students can jump and run to their hearts content.
Weekly News – Term 2 | Week 8
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
The annual ODT Extra Spelling quiz took place at Otago Girls’ High School hall on the evening of Thursday June 21st. It was a tense evening for the Year 10 team. Last year, they had gained second place, being beaten by one point. In fact for the past four years they had come second! This was their last year in the competition and they were determined.
The team, Lauren Heng, Emily WIlson and Brianna Le, had a tough competition. They were leading at half way, but the rounds were tough asking them not only to spell words such as ‘ archaic’ and ‘homogenous’ but also know where words originated from and the cunning ‘ guess the word’ using as few clues as possible, There were 99 points up for grabs. They gained 84….. To take the win!
Please note the PFA Annual General Meeting is being held next Tuesday 26th June at 7:00pm in the library.
Weather permitting, the St Hilda’s Cross Countr
A reminder to check the Sports Draws page of the website to keep up to date with match times. The netball draws are posted each week in readiness for the weekend’s matches.
From the Guidance Network
In this interesting TED talk Reshma Saujani discusses why we need girls to be brave not perfect. Click here to watch.
Chapel Matters
Do you have a Subaru as your family car? Have you ever wondered what the word “Subaru” means? It is the Japanese name for the star cluster known as the Pleiades, the seven sisters, or – for Maori – Matariki. You can see this on their logo!
This week marks the beginning of Matariki here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Traditionally for Maori, when Matariki appeared just before dawn in late May or June, this time was seen as the beginning of the new year, and therefore it has traditionally meant a time to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. Matariki is a good time to pause and reflect on life; to take stock of things and both look back on the journey of the past year as well as forward to the one that lies ahead. As we do that, we can appreciate those who have gone before us, who have paved the way, such as we will do at the end of term for Founders’ Day. We can also remember loved ones who have passed away, those we miss, and those who we no longer see, for whatever reason. And then we can also think about the rest of the year ahead, and renew our goals and resolutions for this year.
See if you can find Matariki in the night sky sometime over the next month. If you are not sure where to find this star cluster, have a look at this video from Te Papa. As you look up at Matariki, look back on your past and thank God for those who have gone before you, look around be aware of your present and enjoy the gifts of today, and look forward to the future, and all that lies in store, and ask God to bless your goals and your hopes.
Careers News and Events
New information has been added to the careers page. To view visit the Career Events calendar.
Tolcarne News
Last weekend at Tolcarne the Year 9’s tried out a boxing class for the first time. They had a great time learning how to dodge, playing games, and learning to hit the punching bag correctly. The next day they were all a little sore but said they had had a great time.
This week we have had Sergeant John Hedges, the Dunedin Community Relations Officer, talking to our students about how to keep themselves safe on social media, how to look after each other during tough times, and how to cope and deal with peer pressure. John was humorous and fun, while being confronting, and made the students really reflect about all the different topics.
Student Achievement
Congratulations to Breane Byck who recently trialed and was selected to represent Southland, New Zealand in the 2019 Ice Hockey Friendship Games. The event is being held in Hachinohe, Japan.
Farrin Quin, Year 10, won the Otago and South Island Badminton Under 15 singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles (triple crown!) last weekend. Well done Farrin!
Weekly News – Term 2 | Week 7
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Poetry In Action’s theatre company’s Team Raven visited St Hilda’s this week. For year 11 students, they gave an emotional and affecting performance focusing on the WW1 poet Wilfred Owen’s life and works. Not only did they dramatise key moments in his life from his religious upbringing, to the trenches and his pivotal meeting with Siegfried Sassoon, they also dramatised and analysed some of his most famous works such as Futility and Anthem for Doomed Youth. It ended with a retrospective look by the UK’s poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy’s Last Post which takes inspiration from Owen’s iconic poem Dulce Est and thinks about what if history could be rewound.
For the year 10’s, Poetry in Action looked at the concept of Fact Vs Fiction. In an age where alternative facts are used and clickbait entices us everywhere, they made us realise that we should question everything we are given in the media; to consider its origin, the writer or presenter and examine the language that is used. They used real life examples such as Trump’s inauguration and fictional retelling of real events, where the Aristotelian idea of Pathos was used to garner the reader’s sympathy.
Both explored words and the power of words. In an age where images are used so graphically, it was good to be reminded that words still have the power to excite, that they are worth examining to get to the truth of the matter.
“All a poet can do today is warn. That is why the true Poets must be truthful.” Owen
We have secured a new date for the annual St Hilda’s Cross Countr
Over the past two weeks Years 7, 8 and 10 have been taking part in the Girls’ Self Defence Project funded by the Ministry of Social Development and ACC. The girls learn how to think and act confidently, to be aware of their safety, verbal and physical skills to keep themselves safe and to seek support if needed.
From the Guidance Network
‘Understanding and dealing with rejection is an essential life skill if your child is to live a happy, successful personal and professional life.’ Click here for suggestions from Ann Heathcote, founder of The Worsley Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling, about how you can help your daughter to deal with the realities of life.
Chapel Matters
As you will know, at the end of every term we have a Eucharist Service. The word “eucharist” comes from the Greek word “eu” (meaning “good” or “well,” as in the word “eulogy” where someone speaks well of a person) and “charis” (meaning “grace” or “gift”). So “eucharist” means the “good gifts” or “good grace” of God – the gifts of bread and wine which we are thankful for (literally and/or symbolically!). It is also appropriate then that we share or pass on the goodness and grace we have received with others as a sign of our gratitude. As a school, one of the ways we do this is to support Anglican Family Care in some practical way leading up to our end-of-term Eucharist Service. This term AFC have asked if we can provide some clothing items for their social workers to support families with new babies who will struggle to keep warm (and healthy) over winter. Each whanaungatanga group is being asked, therefore, to provide one item of warm, woolly, winter clothing for a baby. If you wanted to donate anything over and above this please feel free to drop any items to me at school or directly to AFC at the office (266 Hanover Street, the old McKenzie & Willis building). They would be very grateful, as would many Dunedin families and babies!
Careers News and Events
New information has been added to the careers page. To view visit the Career Events calendar.
Tolcarne News
Last weekend we had a large group of Year 9 students head off to play laser tag and mini golf at the Megazone in Dunedin. Well done to Fiona Hunt who won the laser tag, and Rosie Dykes for winning the mini golf. This weekend there is a group of students giving a boxing class a go! Have fun!
This week our Year 12 and 13 students were incredibly privileged to have ‘Dots’ Communication presented by Amy Scott. ‘Dots’ is about finding out your communication style and learning to recognize others communication style so that you can connect with new people instantly, and work with them to achieve in many areas of life. Our staff participated in a morning course with Amy at the beginning of the year and have found the understandings and language very useful in our team environment. It was so exciting to have Amy back to share her knowledge so that the students could begin to understand what we mean when we are “feeling a bit ‘yellow’ today!”
Student Achievement
Congratulations to the team of Emma Boult, Lily Knox, Kate McEwan and Courtney Lloyd for their success at the 48hr Fim Festival Dunedin City Finals. The girls took out Best School Team, Best use of one of the required elements and 4th overall.
We had a highly successful Otago Netball Championships over Sunday 10 and Monday 11 June with St Hilda’s doing very well.
Congratulations to:
The Senior A ‘s was placed first beating Columba in the final 33 -20.
The Year 10 A team placed 3rd beating Otago Girls 24 -20.
The Year 9 A’s placed 2nd losing to Taieri 15 -20 in its final.
Well done to Jessica Scott who has been selected for the New Zealand Team to compete at the 2018 State Teams Age Group Swimming Championships at the Australian Sports Institute in Canberra in October
Olivia O’Neill who has been selected for the NZ U18 Girls Touch team to compete in the Youth World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in August. Olivia has also been named as a co captain of the team. Congratulations Olivia!
Weekly News – Term 2 | Week 6
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Left – Nga Korimako, Right – Sings Hilda
This week Sings Hilda and the Junior Choir, Nga Korimako competed in Big Sing at Dunedin Town Hall. Nga Korimako took out the People’s Choice Award and Sings Hilda won the Classical Composition section. Congratulations to both choirs! It was a fabulous event and the St HIlda’s choirs really shone. To view videos of each performance visit the schools Facebook page.
Learning conversations are being held next week on Tuesday 12th June (6:00 pm – 8:30 pm), Thursday 14th June (6:00 pm – 8:30 pm) and Friday 15th June (12:30 pm – 3:30 pm). To book a time visit: https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/ and enter the login: rdrbw
As many of you will have noted, the excavations for the new Arts building have begun. Part of Stage One is also extending and filling in the field at the south end of the grounds, so that we can fully utilise all the land we have for girls physical activities. Staff have been closely involved with the design of the building, and also with the planning for the build, to try and minimise disruption to class and curriculum programmes, and also outside activities that have required use of the courts. We appreciate that the most restrictive time is now, while the whole area is a construction site, and as the build progresses we will gain back the use of our precious green spaces. Stevenson & Williams have been most accommodating in helping us with the planning, to ensure that school life can continue with as little change as possible.
Recently, 23 Year 12 and 13 students volunteered to donate blood as part of our partnership with NZBlood. The girls by and large enjoyed the experience and their act of service was very much appreciated by the staff at the donor centre. We hope that the girls will be donors for life as each donation saves 3 lives in New Zealand. Special thanks to everyone who participated.
Applications for World Challenge close on 15th June. If you have any questions contact Bee Bradfield, bbradfield@shcs.school.nz
Playhouse Theatre Visit
The New Zealand Playhouse Theatre company visited on Wednesday. The punny title of their show ‘As you Write It’ captured the co-constructed event that the year 12’s experienced.
Their focus was an introduction to Shakespeare and after the girls chose a time period from the three Shakespeare used – the Renaissance; a film as a vehicle – Mean Girls and the power the hero had – humour, the four actors used these to illustrate the ideas of Iambic pentameter, rhyming couplets, the structure of his plays and the different types he wrote.
It was a lot of fun. The girls laughed a lot. Notable scenes involved horse called Justin Timberlake and the wig changes, including a mullet, that denoted different characters. The actors were passionate, creative and fed off the audience’s interactions and reactions. It was entertaining and educational.
Shakespeare is sometimes considered outdated and out of touch, but the NZ Playhouse showed how his skills and ideas are still relevant today and can still make a crowd react. As we were reminded, ‘All the World’s a stage.”
Snow Day and Late Start Procedures
With our first taste of winter this week it is a good time to give a reminder on Snow Day and Late Start Procedures.
In the case of a school closure or late start due to weather conditions the system is now coordinated for all 12 secondary schools. It will be broadcast on Radio Dunedin 106.7FM, 95.4 FM, 1305AM and other Media Works stations by 7:00 am.
We will email parents by 7:00 am and a notification will also be published on the Parent Portal and school Facebook page.
Should conditions in your area be different to those in the rest of the city you must make individual decisions based on what is safest for your family.
Once girls are at school we encourage you not to text them regarding school closures during the school day. If these were to eventuate we would email parents immediately.
You can view the above information at any time by clicking on the Snow Day and Late Start Procedures page under the Informationalonal Links menu on the right.
Careers News and Events
New information has been added to the careers page. To view visit the Career Events calendar.
Tolcarne News
This week Tolcarne has been buzzing with excitement as the Senior students prepare for their formal tonight. The nail bar was very successful last night, it was moved to the lounge with finger and toe stations. Ziggy, Robyn, Mrs Rathbone and Mrs Barron became experts at applying fake nails, shaping nails and painting layers of colour. Jodie supplied a scrumptious supper and we had Jess and Tia as the dance and singing entertainment enjoying a bit of Abba.
Student Achievement
Click here to read the poem by Catherine Davidson that won the young adult section of the Dunedin Pride Poetry Competition as reported earlier in the term.
Netball Umpire Sophie Armstrong on her selection to officiate at the Netball New Zealand U17 Champs in Palmerston North in July. Well done Sophie!
Congratulations to the below girls who have been chosen to represent Dunedin in the Netball representative season.
Under 19
Megan Borst
Coach: Lana Morrison
Under 17A Team
Amelia Scully – St Hilda’s
Annie Timu – St Hilda’s
Kendra Robinson – St Hilda’s
Lily Chamberlain – St Hilda’s
Phoebe Aburn – St Hilda’s
Coach: Jodi Brown
U17B Team
Abbey Cochrane – St Hilda’s
Molly Marsh – St Hilda’s
Olivia Buchanan-Letts – St Hilda’s
Sara Harding – St Hilda’s
Savannah Celeland – St Hilda’s
Coach: Trudi Marsh
Learning Conversations
Dear Parents and Caregivers
The Learning Conversations in Week 7 are a chance for you to meet with your daughter’s subject teachers to discuss how the year is going and put in place plans going forward. This discussion is with the teacher, student and parent.
These learning conversations will take place on Tuesday 12th June (6:00 pm – 8:30 pm), Thursday 14th June (6:00 pm – 8:30 pm) and Friday 15th June (12:30 pm – 3:30 pm)
On Friday afternoon the school will be open but we will not be running timetabled classes. Supervision will be provided for girls at school.
We realise that it is not always possible for you to make this meeting but we encourage you to book a time for your daughter who should come by herself as this is a critical milestone in her learning for the year and she would find it very valuable to talk to teachers about her next steps.
Please share the appointment time with her.
You will need the following details to make a booking:
Site: https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/
Login: rdrbw
Weekly News – Term 2 | Week 5
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Earlier this week some of our senior students participated in an overnight joint Spanish immersion camp with four other schools from Otago and Southland. They experienced a range of activities focusing on using as much Spanish as possible, while making new connections and expanding their cultural knowledge.
A reminder that school will finish at 11.50am next Friday, 8th June due to a PPTA paid union meeting. There will be supervision in the library for students who need to stay at school until the end of the school day. Please notify the school office if your daughter will need to remain at school on this afternoon (contact Karen Mowat on 477 0989 or email admin@shcs.school.nz). Buses will be running to normal timetables/.
NCEA fees have been put onto your latest accounts. We collect these on behalf of NZQA and require these to be paid by mid August (Friday 17 August). There is financial assistance available. Click here to get the details and access to the application form. These forms need to be completed and dropped into school to be processed.
Assessment Guidelines
With a number of classes completing assignments students sometimes find it hard to know the guidelines for authenticity of their work and I thought it would be good to share with parents the general rules around plagiarism that we follow.
Plagiarism is the act of presenting the work — words, thoughts, ideas, research, art — of other people as your own. ANY time you incorporate information into your project, assessment or research report that is NOT your own idea, thoughts, or research, you need to indicate, with in-text citations and a formal bibliography, where you found that information.
There are only a few instances in which you probably do not need to cite your sources. You do not need to cite your sources if you are writing your own words, ideas, or original research. You also do not need to cite information that is considered common knowledge, such as:
- facts that are found in many sources (example: Marie Antoinette was guillotined in 1793.)
- things that are easily observed (example: Many people talk on cell phones while driving.)
- common sayings (example: Every man has his price.)
If you ever have ANY questions, be on the safe side and ask your teacher.
Events
The Big Sing takes place on Wednesday 6 June. The adjudicated sessions are open to the public for a gold coin donation. Sings Hilda are performing at approximately 10.30 am and Nga Korimako at 4.00 pm.
In the evening there is a Festival of Choirs Concert, each choir will have the opportunity to perform one of their pieces. Ticket for the evening concert are $20 for adults, $15 for NZCF members and beneficiaries, $5 for school students and $45 for a family of 2 adults and up to 3 children. Tickets are door sales only.
Families are also invited to attend the Anglican Family Care Winter Warmer Music Concert on 14 June at St Matthews Church. Sings Hilda will be performing at the concert. Tickets are $20 for adults, free for children and can be purchased by calling 03 477 0802 or via the Anglican Family Care website.
From the Guidance Network
Bullying is once again making headlines with a 16-year-old boy rushed to Middlemore Hospital after he was assaulted during interval at James Cook High School in Manurewa and the horrendous online treatment of Liverpool keeper Loris Karius by Liverpool fans this week. Read the attached article to learn how you can help to protect your child against cyberbullying.
Chapel Matters
Queen’s Birthday Weekend is upon us – the last long weekend for most people until Labour Weekend! The actual birthday of Queen Elizabeth II is April 21st and this year she turned 92. If you watched the Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, you will have seen that the Queen is going strong!
The day before her birthday this year, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, the Queen formally announced that Prince Charles would be her successor. One of the central titles held by the Queen is “Defender of the Faith,” a title first granted in 1521 to Henry VIII by Pope Leo X because of a book Henry wrote in defence of the Catholic church against Martin Luther. When Henry broke with the Catholic church over his wish to divorce Catherine of Aragon in 1530, the title was revoked by the Pope. However, the English Parliament conferred the title on him again, although this time meaning defender of the Anglican faith. Prince Charles has stated that he wants to change this 500 year old title to “Defender of Faith, not the Faith,” as a way of promoting understanding and respect between people of different faiths within the Commonwealth.
The wedding of Harry and Meghan took place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, as I am sure you know. But did you know that Henry VIII is buried there, in the floor of the Quire (with Jane Seymour)? I wonder what he would think of Prince Charles, future Defender of Faith, as he walked Meghan up the aisle, right over the burial plaque, and of the Queen, as she sat nearby, the current Defender of the Faith. At the very least, I am sure he approved of the marriage of a prince and a divorcee.
Careers News and Events
New information has been added to the careers page. To view visit the Career Events calendar.
Student Achievement
Lillian Gibbs participated in two NEWZATS Otago vocal competitions last weekend for years 11-13. She placed 3rd in the Cleveland Contemporary competition on Friday 25th and placed 1st in the Aparima classical competition on 27th.
The Otago Secondary School Cross Country Series has been going for the last 4 weeks with a steady contingent of St Hilda’s girls competing in a number of different events.
Otago Southland Secondary School Relay Championships
SHCS Snr A 2nd
SHCS Jnr A 4th
Otago Secondary School Cross Country Champs
U19 Girls – Cecilia Crooks 1st, Georgia Mitchell 3rd, Brianna Thomson 6th
U16 Girls – Giana Thomas 6th
U15 Girls – Annabel Bilkey 4th, Sarah Langsbury 6th
U14 Girls – Annabelle McKnight 19th
Congratulations to all girls who competed, at times in challenging conditions!
Weekly News – Term 2 | Week 4
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
This week the Year 12 Geography field trip was held at Mount Cook. Below is a photo of the girls gathering data at the Red Tarns for their research assessment. The girls also got to enjoy the winter wonderland as a result of this week’s cold snap.
The school received the lovely update below from St Hilda’s old girl Sarah Cochrane in Ghana this week on the resources donated by St Hilda’s in 2017:
I just thought I’d send you an email to let you know how the resources St Hilda’s donated are being used here in Ghana. I have decided to give some of the less ‘arty’ stationery to the Lattitude Library, which is a room in one of the teacher’s houses that has been transformed into a sort of ‘after school club’. I volunteer there in the afternoons after school, and it is an initiative that has the kids learning ICT and English reading skills. ICT is taught only theoretically in the classroom, on the blackboard, but at the library we are lucky enough to have a few computers with Word Document, for the children to share. However, as we can get up to 30 children each afternoon, 3 computers do not occupy everyone, which is where the donated stationery comes in. With this, they can do art projects and practice English writing while waiting their turn to use a computer, which is an awesome way for every child to be able to do something worthwhile at the library every day, as there is often not a lot for the children to do in the village.
Some of the more colourful stationery, like coloured pencils and paint, will be donated to the kindergarten class at the M/A primary school. 2 fellow volunteers and I are currently in the process of painting their classroom with things like numbers, letters, shapes, a height measuring chart, the solar system, ‘how to wash your hands’ instructions, and a game of hopscotch on the floor. The donated paintbrushes and paint have been extremely useful for this, and the coloured pencils will allow the kids to continue to be creative at this young age.
Everyone is very grateful for the donated resources, so thank you for making this possible!
A World Challenge Parent Night will be held next Tuesday 29th May. Allan from World Challenge will be there to talk through the huge and unique opportunity to learn some life-skills and undertake some project work in a developing world country.
A friendly reminder to parents to return permission slips and EOTC forms in a timely manner for school excursions and trips.
Learning Conversations and Progress Reports
Learning conversations will be held in Week 7 to allow parents and students to meet with subject teachers around their learning and next steps. These will be held over two evenings and Friday afternoon. While we realise it is hard to get to these events at times we would encourage you to still make an appointment for your daughter even if you are unable to make it.
Details and logon codes will be sent out a week before the first learning conversation.
A progress report will be emailed home at the end of week 10.
Chapel Matters
This week we have had students from the Amnesty International group take chapel, and next week students from the 40 Hour Famine group will take chapel. It is great to see so many students passionate about justice and committed to making a difference in the world. God has a heart for the poor and marginalised in the world, for those who are suffering from injustice, and implores us to be likewise compassionate for them. In fact, there are more verses in the Bible about God’s concern for poverty and justice than for just about anything else! The Old Testament prophets often spoke on behalf of God, calling for the people to stop focusing on their celebrations and sense of self-importance, and instead to start caring for the poor. Amos has this to say:
Listen to this, people of Israel,
this Message I’m sending in bold print, this tragic warning:
Woe to you who turn justice to vinegar, and stomp righteousness into the mud.
There are some among you who trample on the poor,
and take their bread right out of their mouths.
But seek good and not evil, that you may live,
so that the Lord God Almighty will be with you.
Hate evil and love good, and establish justice at the gate.
This is what the Lord God Almighty says:
“Let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!”
(Amos 5, selected verses, The Message version).
It is good to see so many students taking messages such as this to heart, and getting involved in the causes that Amnesty International and World Vision have put before us.
Careers News and Events
New information has been added to the careers page. To view visit the Career Events calendar.
Tolcarne News
Congratulations to Grendon, one of our Tribes, who won the ‘Met Gala’ themed costume making competition on Monday. The Tribes had to create a costume using only newspaper and sellotape that was inspired by this years Met Gala. Thank you to the models for giving amazing poses and the Tribe Leaders for being so enthusiastic.
The Year 9’s enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon in the school gym last Sunday, playing games organised by our Year 12 Boarding Leaders, Steph Post and Alannah Hamilton. They played Dodge ball, ballon game and a few other German games that Steph had played during her time in Germany. Thanks girls! We hope you had fun!
Student Achievement
Well done to a 10-strong St Hilda’s team who had a successful meet in the weekend at the Otago Secondary School Champs with a number of top-three and top-ten placings.
Girls 15 Over:
Cecilia Crooks 1st 200 Backstroke
Jessica Scott 1st 200 Butterfly, 1st 50 Freestyle, 1st 100 Butterfly, 1st 50
Butterfly
Olivia Andrew 1st 100 Freestyle, 3rd 100 Backstroke, 3rd 100IM , 4th 200
Backstroke, 4th 50 Freestyle
Nicole Heaton 2nd 50 Backstroke, 2nd 100 Backstroke, 3rd 200 Backstroke, 3rd
200 Breaststroke, 6th 100 Breaststroke, 6th 50 Breaststroke, 7th 50
Freestyle
Isabella Gold 3rd 50 Breaststroke, 3rd 200IM, 4th 100 Breaststroke, 5th
100IM,
Girls 14 Under:
Molly Whittaker 3rd 200 Breaststroke, 6th 100 Breaststroke, 6th 50
Breaststroke, 6th 200IM
Emma Andrew 3rd 200 Backstroke, 7th 50 Back, 7th 100 Freestyle, 7th 100
Backstroke, 8th 50 Free
Anna Hutchens 4th 200 Freestyle, 6th 200 Backstroke
Meg McLaughlan 4th 200 Breaststroke, 8th 100 Breaststroke, 8th 50
Breaststroke
Relay:
200IM Girls
2nd (Nicole Heaton, Isabella Gold, Jessica Scott, Cecilia Crooks)
5th (Emma Andrew, Molly Whittaker, Olivia Andrew, Anna Hutchens)
Congratulations to Lucie Holtz who was away last week representing New Zealand at the ISU Oceania Novice International Ice Skating Competition in Melbourne. Lucie skated in the Basic Novice A division and was placed 16th.
Lucie was also selected as a demonstrator for the Brian Orser Coaching Seminar
Weekly News – Term 2 | Week 3
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Bring It On – The Musical opened on Wednesday and it was an incredible opening night.
The cast started working on the show in February and the hard work was plain to see. The show was slick, entertaining, funny, heartbreaking and hugely enjoyable. The lead, Kate Johnston owned the stage as Campbell, the determined cheerleader who learns a lot about friendship through her interaction with the sassy Danielle played by Helen Knott.
The cast had a lot of fun in the dance numbers and there was huge energy projected. The audience loved it. Thanks to all concerned, but especially Barbara Power the Director, Michael Grant, the Musical Director and Destiny Carvell, the Choreographer.
The school was a sea of pink today as the girls took part in Pink Shirt Day as part of Bullying-Free NZ Week.
Please note the PFA Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 26th June at 7:00pm in the library.
Health of the Students over the winter
With the winter season upon us it is important that students when unwell are not at school. They need to rest and return when recovered so they are able to continue their learning programme with a clear head. Each student needs to ensure they have a few throat lozenges and a “purse pack” of tissues for everyday use. The student office, in an emergency, will provide a student with a maximum of two panadol a day. It is our policy to contact a family if your daughter is unwell for more than acceptable length of time. This may be a shorter time in winter when the sickroom is under pressure with an increase of unwell students.
If your daughter’s medical history changes at any time please email Mrs Donna Madigan at the Student Office (dmadigan@shcs.school.nz or absences@shcs.school.nz) with the details so she can update our KAMAR records.
Careers News and Events
Check back regularly for updates on careers information and events through the Career Events calendar.
From the Guidance Network
Many of you will remember “13 Reasons Why”, released last year. It created a lot of discussion and concern, with people worried about young people watching and interpreting themes in isolation, while some people thought bringing these issues into the open was positive.
Season two will be released worldwide on Friday 18 May. This show was widely watched by teenagers last year. Themes of suicide, sexual assault, consent, bullying and other issues made some viewers feel distressed and in need of support. Similar and equally confronting themes will be present in season two. In the lead-up to the release, some young people may re-watch the first season, or watch it for the first time.
Some young people feel the show represents the issues they face. Banning or recommending a ban on viewing it can be harmful, as some young people will still watch it but feel they have to hide that from adults.
The issues raised in the series are significant and if your child does watch it, it offers a good opportunity to talk to them about these difficult life events – but it is important that those conversations are safe ones.
Some of this information is already available on the resource hub on the Mental Health Foundation website https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/13-reasons-why/. Additional support material will be added to this hub prior to 18 May.
13 Reasons Why is not the only challenging series young people are watching but it is one of the most talked about. The Office of Film and Literature Classification has released a guide for parents: Talking with young people about what they’re watching https://www.classificationoffice.govt.nz/news/latest-news/challenging-media/.
Other resources are also available at the Mental Health Foundation’s hub of resources https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/home/news/article/159/13-reasons-why-what-you-need-to-know
If you are concerned about a young person, please reach out for help. The Mental Health Foundation have a list of contacts https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/in-crisis/ or phone your local DHBs Mental Health Crisis Team. Support is also available from a trained counsellor anytime by calling or texting 1737.
Tolcarne News
Tolcarne’s Mother’s Day High Tea was a beautiful time for some of our mother’s to spend time with their daughters. Thank you to those who came, and to Robyn and her helpers for making and creating such an amazing atmosphere.
Tolcarne has been alive with the rumblings of excitement as we have prepared for our Open Day on Thursday this week. Girls were frantically getting their doors and hallways decorated on Wednesday night, with themes like The Greatest Showman, Smurfs, Rainbows, The Cow Jumped Over the Moon, and High School Musical. They have done a fantastic job!
Student Achievement
Year 12 student Tamara Mason has been selected to attended Entrepreneurs in Action in Wellington. She is one of 80 students chosen out of 3900 from around New Zealand and will be working in a group on some challenges with business mentors.