Weekly News Term 2|Week 10
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
The memorial service for Glenn Smith that was held yesterday, was a fitting testament to a much loved teacher, mentor, colleague and friend. I was so proud of all the girls who attended for their recognition of the formality of the situation, their courage and their openness to celebrating and paying tribute to Mr Smith. I have included, below, my tribute given on behalf of the school.
Today was a day for coming together as a community and being grateful for life’s blessings. We had our Founders Day Eucharist service, where we recognised the history of the school and acknowledged the strength and foresight of Sisters Etheleen and Geraldine. Bishop Steven led us in worship and it was fitting that we finished the term giving thanks for our school and our community. The Prefects had organised a sausage sizzle, ice creams, chalk art and a dance competition for lunch time, and the raucous laughter and screams of delight coming from the chapel, amidst the beat of the dance music, told me that the girls were having fun and enjoying the moment. So important after a tough couple of weeks.
I hope you all have the chance for some relaxation, refreshment and reflection over the holiday break, and that you are blessed with the time to enjoy each other and your family activities.
Jackie Barron
Principal
Glenn Smith – Tribute
Glenn Smith was a man who cared deeply about the Arts, his students and the opportunities the Arts provided them.
He came to St Hilda’s in 2003, having previously taught at Kings High School and Ashburton College.
After leaving school Glenn graduated with a Degree from the Ilam School of Fine Arts and upon completing his teaching diploma, the following year, he accepted a position at the Kohitere Boys home in Levin before moving to another community based role as a member of the Christchurch Community Arts Council, and as a community Art worker.
These early experiences seemed to shape his concern for, and care of, those groups and people who needed extra help, were often misunderstood and who felt marginalized in the community. He saw the Arts as a way to develop peoples strengths, confidence and expression. He has continued to grow those skills in all his students.
Glenn had always had a special interest and strength in photography, and when he began teaching at Ashburton College, through to his time at St Hilda’s, he grew his reputation as one of the best, if not the best, photography teacher in NZ.
He had first been approached to be on national marking panels in 2002. He was a highly valued and respected member of NZQA Level 3 Photography and Scholarship panels, first as a panel member and then as check marker. His colleagues on the panels remember him as a great listener, open to others perspectives, always so positive about students work, and determined students should be rewarded for their practice. He was known for his leadership and willingness to work in a team, a warm and caring person who was a ‘huggie bear’ as Ruth Cameron, National Advisor described him.
Art and photography teachers that he has worked with talk about his generosity in sharing his experience, ideas, and time with others and he was always available as a sounding board. The work his students produced was leagues ahead of other level 3 portfolios according to Kirsty Grieve who led the Level 3 and Scholarship panel. Glenn’s students were technically advanced and exhibited a skill level that enabled them to really capture the essence of the medium, which was a real credit to his teaching, his expertise, his passion and his guidance.
At school here, Glenn was an integral part of the school community. Passionate about Art and Photography, he was always keen for discussions on music, movies, and creative events. He was involved in countless school productions, lending his expertise and also practical skills to set building and construction.
His commitment to the school rugby teams, often saw him on the sideline, supporting the girls, organising the team kit, and identifying future Black Ferns. He was the provider of a large amount of lollies at half time, always had the coin for the toss, he had a warm smile for the injured and was a quiet motivator for the despondent. He would try so hard not to get caught up in the hype, then jump in the air when the girls won.
He was an incredibly kind and thoughtful member of our staff. If someone needed a class covered, Glenn would be the first to put his hand up: assistance with a duty, Glenn would offer to help. He spent countless hours in the holidays and weekends, assisting girls with their portfolios. He was selfless and generous with his time, patient and thoughtful in his demeanor, and inspirational in his standards and expectations.
Glenn created a family culture in his classroom where everyone felt accepted, valued and acknowledged, regardless of their skill level. He had a real knack for making everyone feel special, and he was incredibly proud of all his students’ efforts. He saw ability in girls that they did not see in themselves and he was able to bring the best out of them – as artists, as photographers, as people.
A big man with an even bigger heart, we mourn his loss, and our thoughts are with you Tracey, Lily and Bernie, and your families, and all his friends.
Thank you for sharing Glenn with us, we have been so fortunate to walk a ways with him on his life journey.
A reminder that school will be closed tomorrow, Friday 5th July
Course Selection Evening Tonight
A warm invitation is extended to parents/caregivers of current Year 10 to Year 12 students for this year’s Course Selection Evening, being held @ 6:00pm tonight.
The focus will be on sharing resources to assist families to make an informed course selection for 2020. This event will coincide with the online release of the 2020 Academic Programmes.
The evening will begin with a welcome in the Chapel followed by a brief outline of how NCEA works. Over the next hour you will have the opportunity to move through two workshops.
- Workshop 1: Subject Selection, the process and exceptions – academic wellness within the St Hilda’s graduate profile. Navigating the online Academic Programme.
- Workshop 2: Introduction to the new Parent Portal of Career Central – tools to help identify interests, skills and abilities for career pathway exploration.
The Kamar Parent Portal to enter your daughters 2020 subject choices will also open on this date (linked from the Course Selection page of the Academic Programme). Entries for Year 11-13 in 2020 are due no later than Monday 26 August 2019.
NOTE: Students are not expected to attend this event as the focus is on information for families.
Sharon Ritchie
Careers’ Advisor/STAR Gateway Co-ordinator
Staffing
Due to ongoing staffing requirements, and staff on long term leave we have had to make the following adjustments to our timetable for Term 3 & 4.
Mr Nigel St Louis will be coming in for Mrs Bartley’s Yr 10 and senior Science classes while she is on sabbatical leave for Term 3 and Term 4.
Mr St Louis will also take Ms Corkery’s Year 13 Biology class until she returns.
Mrs Bradfield will take Mrs Bartley’s 9H Science class and Ms Crawford will take year 7 Science, until Ms Corkery returns.
Thank you for your understanding
Day One Term 3
Reports/Learning Conversations/Junior Interhouse Challenge
Academic Progress reports for Year 11 – 13 will be emailed in the first week of the holidays. This report will contain feedback on learning and next steps. It will also give you an overview of what has been covered in each subject. Specific assessment information will not be included in the report but can be accessed through KAMAR.
Learning Conversations for senior students (Year 11 – 13) which will be held in Week 1 of Term 3 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.
On Monday 22 July the students in Year 7 – 10 will be undertaking a special programme of interhouse challenges. These students are to come to school at the usual time in PE uniform.
These learning conversations will take place on Monday 22 July during the day (9:00 am – 3:30 pm) and in the evening (6:00 pm – 8:30 pm)
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.
Site: https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/
Login: jpteu
Booking details will now be emailed to parents on Thursday 4th July and the site will open on Friday 5th July at 5:00pm and remain open until Friday 19 July.
Taonga Puoro
On Monday the Year 7s and 8s were treated to a visit by Sandra Crawshaw and Jen Cattermole from the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and the University of Otago. Sandra talked about the piece From the Southern Marches, which is about Maori and Pakeha first contact. Jen demonstrated Taonga Puoro (Maori musical instruments) and gave the girls a chance to try play them for themselves.
Chapel Matters
This week we held a Memorial Service for Glenn Smith. I thought you might like to ponder on this prayer from the service.
Loving and holy God,
We thank you for Glenn –
the years we shared with him,
the good we saw in him,
for all those aspects of his life which meant so much to us,
As a friend, teacher, colleague, family member, and partner.
But words and images will never be enough.
We cannot sum Glenn up or do justice to the hugeness of this man.
So we simply say thank you for the opportunity to have been a part of his life, to have known his quirky, grouchy, witty, loving & unique touch in our lives.
Support us, God, all the day long of this troubled life,
until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes,
the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done.
Then, Lord, in your mercy, give us all safe lodging,
a holy rest, and peace at last.
Amen.
Achievements
Congratulations to the following girls who have been selected in Dunedin Netball Representative teams
U14A
Billie Crowe, Demi McAlwee, Ella Southby and Laura Ring
U14B team
Erin Willis, Grace Keno, Meg Pope, Renee Willis and Sophia Tutty
U15A team
Grace Southby, Bronte Crowe and Gemma Rowcroft
U15B team
Erin Hancock, Jaymee Meffan, Kaylee Bond, Pippa Clarke and Stella Rathbone
U17A team
Brooke Callon, Elora Peters and Annie Timu
U17B team
Sofie Bain, Olivia Buchnan-Letts, Lily Chamberlain, Savannah Cleland, Sara Harding, Chloe Light, Molly Marsh, Murphy Scott, Analee Toro and Danielle Willsman
U19B team
Phoebe Aburn, Millie Scully, Abbey Cochrane and Kendra Robinson
Congratulations to the following girls who have been selected in Otago Hockey Teams. We also wish the girls good luck who are heading away to tournament with Southern U18 and Development teams during the Holidays
Otago U15A
Ava Beens, Ella Booth, Billie Crowe, Anna Duncan, Ella Grayson, Bridget Malcolm, Demi McAlwee, Georgia Roy Hannah Lithgow, Annabelle McKnight
Otago U15B
Chloe Deerness, Bronte Crowe, Hattie Kerr, Myah King, Anna McClean, Anika Smith
Otago U13 Collier
Kyla Ashton
Otago U13 Development
Amelia Brown, Charlotte Byers
Upcoming Events
Good luck to Sarah Langsbury who is going to be away competing at the Pacific Games in Samoa during the upcoming school holidays, Sarah will be competing in the 100m and 300m Hurdles
Our Year 9A and 10A netball teams are off on Sunday for the Junior South Island Netball tournament. We wish them all the best and a great time away.
Tolcarne News
At our last Tribe dinner for the term, we farewelled our final gappie, Hannah Engels. Hannah has been with us for a year and she has created some awesome relationships with the Juniors through the weekend activities and putting them to bed at night. We will miss having Hannah’s bright smile and cheerful disposition around the hostel. We wish her all the best for her future.
We wish all our Tolcarne students and family a relaxing holiday.
Sponsorship Opportunity
The Art Auction Gala is sold out and we have a catalogue of 25+ works by sought-after artists up for auction. As we are hoping to raise as much as we can from this event for the Building Heart Campaign, we wish to offer local businesses the opportunity to become a sponsor in exchange for promotion of your business in the art catalogue, advertising, in the social media promotions leading up to the event, and on the night. Thank-you to Roslyn Fresh Choice, Anderson Lloyd, Gallaway Cook Allan and Mosgiel New World for already coming on board as sponsors!
Please contact aburke@shcs.school.nz for all enquiries – we need your help to make this event a huge success for St Hilda’s.
NZBlood drive
A group of 24 eager Year 11-13 students lined up at the archway on Thursday 19th June to give blood at the NZBlood facility in Crawford Street as part of our annual blood donation.
This is around the 10th consecutive year that St Hilda’s senior students have given generously of themselves to help others less fortunate in society. Each donation assists the well being of at least 3 other people and off the 24 students who travelled down to the donation facility, 17 successfully gave blood this year.
We are delighted as a school to support this worthy cause and we would especially like to thank Mrs Lynn Rodeka from NZBlood for liaising with us and making this donor morning such a fun experience.
Neil Rosenberg
The Blood man
The Cancer Society Otago and Southland Division invites you to the inaugural Runway for Life Fashion Show. This event is a collaboration between the Cancer Society, Otago Polytechnic and H&J Smith and many other businesses in Otago and Southland have offered their support.
We would love for you to come along and enjoy our fashion show featuring exclusive pieces donated by top New Zealand fashion designers (such as Trelise Cooper, Claire Bloom, Darlene Gore, Tamsin Cooper and more) that you will be able to bid on in our exciting charity auction.
The auction will be followed by a relaxed afternoon tea. Prior to and after the fashion show, you will have the chance to browse our pop-up shop of fabulous pre-loved and lightly loved clothing and accessories that will be for sale (EFTPOS available). We would appreciate you passing this invitation on to your colleagues and friends.
When and Where: Saturday 13th July 1pm @The Hub, Otago Polytechnic Forth Street, Dunedin. (Fashion show to start at 1:30pm.)
Tickets are only $20 and are available online here or from the Cancer Society, 283 Great King St, Dunedin (03) 477 7447. Email info@cansoc.org.nz for further information.
“From Professor Margo Barton, Otago Polytechnic: Otago Polytechnic is proud to be collaborating with the Cancer Society in this inaugural Runway for Life Fashion Show. Please come along and help raise funds for this worthy cause. There will be all sorts of interesting and wonderful fashion pieces to suit every wallet and person.”
Weekly News Term 2|Week 9
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
This has been an incredibly hard week for our school community, and your kind gestures, gifts and messages of support have been hugely affirming and comforting. Thank you for the way you have wrapped your care and love not only around your daughters, but around us as well. We continue to grow stronger as a community through this difficult time.
Below is the address I gave to the school in chapel yesterday. I want to share it with you, so we all have a shared understanding of the concerns the girls have raised, and the way we intend to go forward:
Losing a friend, a colleague, a teacher, a mentor is terribly sad, exhausting, at times even overwhelming, and we are all hurting. Whether we knew Mr Smith well, or just in passing grief affects us all differently.
His family have asked everyone not to talk about and speculate about his death and we are respecting that. It is really hard for us to know that some people out there are not thinking about the family, they are just gossiping, and talking and making comments, and we feel like an oasis of reverence, trying to do our best by his family, honour his memory, and remember the wonderful man he was.
There is a lot of speculation about how Mr Smith died. A lot of comments on social media, a lot of assumptions and untruths, and that makes it even harder for us to process and understand what has happened. There is a lot of talk and comment that he took his own life. We don’t have all the facts. As with every death the police and the coroner are involved and the coroner ultimately decides what the cause of death was, and as a school, it is not appropriate, nor is it legal, for us to make a statement.
It might be true, what people are saying, it might not be. If it is true, then we will all feel that there might have been something we could have done or said last Friday; if only we had been kinder, taken more time, stopped to chat , all wishing it was different.
Either way it is even more important that we regard the families wishes. At St Hilda’s we show respect, we show integrity, which means we do what is right and fair, decent and honorable.
These are big emotions, huge, for us – these feelings of confusion and vulnerability and that is normal at times of grief. Yesterday I went and visited Mr Smith’s partner, and when I got back to school, I shut my office door, sat on the couch and cried. Then I got up and got on with my job. I am lucky that I can shut my door, that I have a space, but we all need to find our own spaces in our own time. I don’t know why I bothered wearing any make up yesterday actually. Though I do know the brand of some really good water proof mascara, if you need to know it.
Now, I want to let you know about some of the plans we have to help us all manage the next few days and to ensure that we are looking after each other and ourselves.
I sent an email home to your parents, so many of you will already know, and I am sorry that there wasn’t the opportunity to talk to you all first.
To lighten the load for staff we will only send out Senior reports this term, and we will still hold the Learning Conversations for senior students on Monday 22nd July, the first day of Term 3. Junior reports will go out in Term 3.
A Memorial service for Mr Smith will be held on Wednesday July 3rd at 2.00pm in the gym. We have offered to hold this celebration of Mr Smith’s life because the family have chosen to have a private funeral, which we totally respect, and we also know that as a community we need that opportunity to come together and acknowledge him and his contribution. It is entirely your choice whether you go or not , there is no expectation or pressure. Students will be dismissed at lunch time to go home, otherwise you are welcome to stay for the service, which will finish about 2.40, with afternoon tea afterwards.
The last Friday of the term July 5th, school will be closed. We will still have the Course Selection information evening on the Thursday night 4th July, but we think everyone will be pretty tired, and finishing a day early, gives all our staff a bit of a break.
Finally, I know you are worried about the staff. Thank you but we’ve got this. We are strong, we have each other, we are talking and sharing. Yes we are sad, confused and hurting – but we are resilient, and we will be alright. We have good support, and we have all of you. Your kindness, your compassion, your thoughtfulness, your hugs, your notes, your cakes, your gifts……have been so important to the staff, so thank you for that. We are a family, and we are OK, despite what is being said or happening elsewhere.
A friend sent me a message yesterday, a reading by Haruki Murakami
“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm is all about”
We are all changed, shaped and strengthened by enduring and surviving tough times, the sadness and the grief. This is life, whether we like it or not, and we will all come through this better and together.
Jackie Barron
Principal
Memorial Service for Mr Smith
A Memorial Service for Mr Smith will be held in the school gym at 2.00pm on Wednesday 3rd July. All members of the wider St Hilda’s community are welcome to attend.
Attendance at this service is entirely optional for your daughter and is at the discretion of you and your daughter.
If your daughter will not be attending this memorial service please click here to complete the Google Form
Reports/Learning Conversations
Academic Progress reports for Year 11 – 13 will be emailed in the first week of the holidays. This report will contain feedback on learning and next steps. It will also give you an overview of what has been covered in each subject. Specific assessment information will not be included in the report but can be accessed through KAMAR.
Learning Conversations for senior students (Year 11 – 13) which will be held in Week 1 of Term 3 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.
On Monday 22 July the students in Year 7 – 10 will have school as usual.
These learning conversations will take place on Monday 22 July during the day (9:00 am – 3:30 pm) and in the evening (6:00 pm – 8:30 pm)
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.
Booking details will be emailed to parents on Thursday 4th July and the site will remain open until Friday 19 July.
Course Selection Evening
A warm invitation is extended to parents/caregivers of current Year 10 to Year 12 students for this year’s Course Selection Evening, being held @ 6:00pm on Thursday 4 July.
The focus will be on sharing resources to assist families to make an informed course selection for 2020. This event will coincide with the online release of the 2020 Academic Programmes.
The evening will begin with a welcome in the Chapel followed by a brief outline of how NCEA works. Over the next hour you will have the opportunity to move through two workshops.
- Workshop 1: Subject Selection, the process and exceptions – academic wellness within the St Hilda’s graduate profile. Navigating the online Academic Programme.
- Workshop 2: Introduction to the new Parent Portal of Career Central – tools to help identify interests, skills and abilities for career pathway exploration.
The Kamar Parent Portal to enter your daughters 2020 subject choices will also open on this date (linked from the Course Selection page of the Academic Programme). Entries for Year 11-13 in 2020 are due no later than Monday 26 August 2019.
NOTE: Students are not expected to attend this event as the focus is on information for families.
We look forward to seeing many of you on the night.
Sharon Ritchie
Careers’ Advisor/STAR Gateway Co-ordinator
Guidance
This week has been a very difficult time for our school community. In the midst of our sadness we have been constantly reminded of how amazing our students are in the way they have supported each other and our staff, they truly are incredible young women. We have also appreciated the support you as parents have given your own daughters and also our staff, and we feel very fortunate to be part of such a caring community. We encourage you to keep checking in with your daughter over the weekend and beyond. Please click here for some advice about how you can support your daughter if she is grieving.
Chapel Matters
Mr Smith should be here with us. He should be in his art room helping someone set up their photography shoot or rummaging around for some paper and paint. But he isn’t. Instead, we are here, in shock and in sorrow.
At times like this, we need each other for empathy and consolation, for courage and strength. And we need to know that God can also be a source of comfort and strength for us. In the Bible, God is often described as being like a Shepherd, the one who loves, defends, protects, and cares for his flock; “We are the people of his pasture, and the sheep he cares for” (Ps 95.7). The most famous description of God like this is Psalm 23, which we have used in chapels this week:
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
There is also a powerful song which we have used in chapel this week which you might like to listen to and use as a prayer.
NZQA Examination Fees
The government have removed all examination fees for NCEA. If you had already paid these this amount has been credited to your account.
Achievements
St Hilda’s was represented by 10 teams in the Otago Regional Robocup robotics competition on 22 June, with entries in both the theatre and search and rescue categories. In the lead up to the event the girls worked very hard; displaying teamwork, problem solving, creativity and resilience as well as programming and robotic design skills. We had great community support on the day and it was lovely to see all the St Hilda’s family and whanau at the event.
Our teams placed well in the competition, with some planning to refine their entries for Robocup Nationals in September. Congratulations to the following teams for gaining places at the competition:
Senior Theatre
1st Place – Samara Collins, Amelia Leaper, Maia Palmer, Mila Pollyn
2nd Place – Anna Fulton, Holly Hesson, Phoebe Jacquiery, Sienna Wright
Premier Theatre
2nd Place – Evie Rose Grace, Emma Grindlay, Eliabel Legrand, Hannah McCoubrey, Rosa Smith
Senior Search and Rescue
1st Place – Victoria Avery and Zara Geddes
2nd Place – Imogen Hornel and Chloe Woodhouse
Upcoming events
The Parents and Friends Assn AGM scheduled for July 3 2019 has been postponed, a new date will be announced in term 3.
Course Selection Information Evening for parents (Yr10 – 12) – July 4 beginning in the Chapel at 6:00pm
On the last Friday of the term, July 5th, school will be closed.
Senior Dance – Midwinter Festival
A group of senior Dance students performed in the Midwinter carnival.
The following students were involved in the involved in the choreography and performance. Temple Flaws was also involved in the Choreography for this piece.
Trinity Maydon (12)
Bella Devereux (12)
Ally Wong (12)
Kate Johnson (13)
Abbie Laughton (13)
Nicole Horrell (13)
Sarah Lee (12)
Tolcarne News
This week at Tribe Dinner, we farewelled one of our Gappies, Leonie, who leaves on Friday. Leonie has been an invaluable part of Tolcarne for the last 3 terms. She has always done everything with a big smile on her face, and the Juniors especially will miss her during the weekend activities. Good luck Leonie with all your life endeavours.
On Thursday night, John Hedges, who is the Dunedin Community Relations Manager, came to Tolcarne to talk to our Juniors about staying safe online, and our Seniors about looking after themselves and each other during the weekends. It was a valuable reminder for all our girls.
St Hilda’s Physiotherapy Service Information
From Tuesday 11th June, Roslyn Physio will be operating a physiotherapy clinic at St Hilda’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-1.30pm during term time. The clinic will be staffed by female physiotherapists from the Roslyn Physio staff and will operate out of the main office block at school.
Having a physiotherapy service on site will limit time out of class, enable access for assistance and support and will help to provide timely diagnosis and treatment for students, as well as cohesive advice, guidance and communication for students, parents, teachers and coaching staff. Communication regarding your daughter’s injury/condition will be made by Roslyn Physiotherapy directly to you and your daughter, thus maintaining the strict privacy and confidentiality requirements currently maintained by the practice.
Appointments can be made by ringing Roslyn Physio on 4771744 or through the school student reception
Treatment costs are as follows:
ACC Initial appt (30mins) – $27
ACC Follow-up appt (20 mins) – $20
Private Initial appt (30 mins) – $72
Private Follow up appt (20 mins) – $55
Payment is by invoice. This will be sent out by email directly from Roslyn Physiotherapy monthly and payment can be made online.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Roslyn Physiotherapy to support and enhance your daughters wellbeing by making available this professional and expert assistance on site.
Careers
The Cancer Society Otago and Southland Division invites you to the inaugural Runway for Life Fashion Show. This event is a collaboration between the Cancer Society, Otago Polytechnic and H&J Smith and many other businesses in Otago and Southland have offered their support.
We would love for you to come along and enjoy our fashion show featuring exclusive pieces donated by top New Zealand fashion designers (such as Trelise Cooper, Claire Bloom, Darlene Gore, Tamsin Cooper and more) that you will be able to bid on in our exciting charity auction.
The auction will be followed by a relaxed afternoon tea. Prior to and after the fashion show, you will have the chance to browse our pop-up shop of fabulous pre-loved and lightly loved clothing and accessories that will be for sale (EFTPOS available). We would appreciate you passing this invitation on to your colleagues and friends.
When and Where: Saturday 13th July 1pm @The Hub, Otago Polytechnic Forth Street, Dunedin. (Fashion show to start at 1:30pm.)
Tickets are only $20 and are available online here or from the Cancer Society, 283 Great King St, Dunedin (03) 477 7447. Email info@cansoc.org.nz for further information.
“From Professor Margo Barton, Otago Polytechnic: Otago Polytechnic is proud to be collaborating with the Cancer Society in this inaugural Runway for Life Fashion Show. Please come along and help raise funds for this worthy cause. There will be all sorts of interesting and wonderful fashion pieces to suit every wallet and person.”
Weekly News Term 2|Week 8
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Many thanks to those parents who took part in the initial meeting of the Parent Advisory Group. As a school community, we are so blessed to have such engaging and passionate parents, who are committed to the future of the school and their daughter’s education. It was an energising, positive and really constructive evening, with a few laughs thrown in. Thank you to all those who were able to spare the time and I look forward to our next meeting in Term 3.
Paid Union Meeting 28th June
School will finish at 11:50 am on Friday 28th June 2019. Staff who are PPTA and NZEI members will be attending a paid union meeting, an entitlement which is part of their Collective Agreement.
Although school will officially remain open until 3:00 pm that afternoon, there will be no formal classes operating. However, there will be supervision in the Library for students who need to stay at school until the end of the school day.
Please note: Buses will run at the normal times.
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)
The times for the school day will be as follows:
Period 1 8.40 – 9.35 am
Period 2 9.40 – 10.35 am
Break 10.35 – 10.55 am
Period 3 10.55 – 11.50 am
Thank you for your understanding of this disruption to scheduled classes.
Jackie Barron
Principal
Reports/Learning Conversations
Academic Progress reports will be emailed in Week 10. This report will contain feedback on learning and next steps. It will also give you an overview of what has been covered in each subject. Specific assessment information will not be included in the report but can be accessed through KAMAR.
Learning Conversations for senior students (Year 11 – 13) which will be held in Week 1 of Term 3 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.
On Monday 22 July the students in Year 7 – 10 will have school as usual.
These learning conversations will take place on Monday 22 July during the day (9:00 am – 3:30 pm) and in the evening (6:00 pm – 8:30 pm)
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.
Booking details will be emailed to parents on Wednesday 3rd July and the site will remain open until Friday 19 July.
Course Selection Evening
A warm invitation is extended to parents/caregivers of current Year 10 to Year 12 students for this year’s Course Selection Evening, being held @ 6:00pm on Thursday 4 July.
The focus will be on sharing resources to assist families to make an informed course selection for 2020. This event will coincide with the online release of the 2020 Academic Programmes.
The evening will begin with a welcome in the Chapel followed by a brief outline of how NCEA works. Over the next hour you will have the opportunity to move through two workshops.
- Workshop 1: Subject Selection, the process and exceptions – academic wellness within the St Hilda’s graduate profile. Navigating the online Academic Programme.
- Workshop 2: Introduction to the new Parent Portal of Career Central – tools to help identify interests, skills and abilities for career pathway exploration.
The Kamar Parent Portal to enter your daughters 2020 subject choices will also open on this date (linked from the Course Selection page of the Academic Programme). Entries for Year 11-13 in 2020 are due no later than Monday 26 August 2019.
NOTE: Students are not expected to attend this event as the focus is on information for families.
We look forward to seeing many of you on the night.
Sharon Ritchie
Careers’ Advisor/STAR Gateway Co-ordinator
NZQA Examination Fees
The government have removed all examination fees for NCEA. If you had already paid these this amount has been credited to your account.
Achievements
National Cross Country Championships
The National Secondary Schools’ Cross Country Championships were held in Timaru on the 15th/16th of June in good conditions.
St Hilda’s had 3 students competing in two events.
Zara Geddes and Anna Carswell competed in the Year 9 event over 3km with 89 other athletes, Zara finished in a well deserved 8th place and Anna finished in a respectable 36th.
Megan Foster competed in the Senior girls event over 4km for the first time with a large field of 113 athletes, she finished in 67th.
On Sunday all three competed in a Otago regional teams.
Anna Carswell, Megan Foster and Zara Gedes
Zara on the way to 8th place.
Swimming
Jessica Scott is away competing at the New Zealand Open Swimming Championships in Auckland this week and has achieved some very impressive results up against the best female swimmers in the country.
Jess placed 8th in the Women’s 50m Butterfly and set a new Otago Age Group and Open Women’s record,
4th in the Women’s 200m Butterfly,
9th in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley
9th in the Women’s 100m Butterfly
Upcoming events
48hour Film Festival
Good luck to our two teams participating in the 48hour Film Festival this weekend. They are on their way to becoming Oscar winners…
Genres are :
Senior Team (“Theatre Nerds”): the gross-out or cringe comedy
Junior Team (“Green Cats and Diamonds”): the wrong place/ wrong time movie
Required elements are :
Sound: laughter
Action: a double take
Technical: an overhead shot
Physical: wind
Robo Cup
Good luck to all the girls competing in Robocup this weekend. There has been a great deal of preparation for this and I am sure there will be some great entries.
Tolcarne News
On Monday Tolcarne had a Texan country night with yummy Texan food and a Tribe line dancing competition! What a treat it was to dress up and have some fun! Congratulations to Baxter who took out the night.
All our Year 12 and 13 students have frantically been getting ready for formal and to help them along we had our annual nail bar. Robyn, Ziggy and Ange were all here shaping and painting hand and toe nails for tonight! We hope everyone has a great time!
St Hilda’s Physiotherapy Service Information
From Tuesday 11th June, Roslyn Physio will be operating a physiotherapy clinic at St Hilda’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-1.30pm during term time. The clinic will be staffed by female physiotherapists from the Roslyn Physio staff and will operate out of the main office block at school.
Having a physiotherapy service on site will limit time out of class, enable access for assistance and support and will help to provide timely diagnosis and treatment for students, as well as cohesive advice, guidance and communication for students, parents, teachers and coaching staff. Communication regarding your daughter’s injury/condition will be made by Roslyn Physiotherapy directly to you and your daughter, thus maintaining the strict privacy and confidentiality requirements currently maintained by the practice.
Appointments can be made by ringing Roslyn Physio on 4771744 or through the school student reception
Treatment costs are as follows:
ACC Initial appt (30mins) – $27
ACC Follow-up appt (20 mins) – $20
Private Initial appt (30 mins) – $72
Private Follow up appt (20 mins) – $55
Payment is by invoice. This will be sent out by email directly from Roslyn Physiotherapy monthly and payment can be made online.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Roslyn Physiotherapy to support and enhance your daughters wellbeing by making available this professional and expert assistance on site.
Guidance
Sometimes when our own lives are busy it can be easy to forget how important it is to connect with our teens. Click here to read more about why we need to make the time to check in with our children.
Chapel Matters
Careers
Student Loans for Year 13 Students
MoneyHub, a consumer finance website, has published a guide to the Student Loan scheme for any student planning to start university, polytechnic or another tertiary course in 2020. The comprehensive guide explains everything students (and their families) need to know about how student loans work, including weekly entitlements, student allowances and a section demystifying the debt issue. For more details, visit the MoneyHub Student Loan guide. Information can also be found through the Ministry of Social Developments StudyLink page.
NZQA Digital Examinations
In 2014 and 2015 St Hilda’s took part in the Mathematics trial for the Level 1 mCAT. In 2016 History, Geography and Spanish used the NZQA trials as preparation for the November examinations (all in Level 1), and English had volunteers taking part in the Level 1 digital external examination (called a pilot). In 2017 St Hilda’s was part of a group of thirteen schools that took part of a co-managed trial using the digital format for both school examinations and the November external examinations in English at Level 1 and 2. In 2018 digital trails expanded to include Level 1 Science, Level 2 and 3 Media Studies and digital pilots in all three levels of English.
In 2019, NZQA is offering 14 subjects digitally, across NCEA levels 1, 2 and 3 for the November external examinations. The subjects for St Hilda’s are Art History, Classical Studies, English, Media Studies and History.
Students voluntarily enter these digital examinations. There will be familiarisation activities provided by NZQA and our benchmark examinations will also be offered in the digital format.
A form has been sent out for students to complete.
The Cancer Society Otago and Southland Division invites you to the inaugural Runway for Life Fashion Show. This event is a collaboration between the Cancer Society, Otago Polytechnic and H&J Smith and many other businesses in Otago and Southland have offered their support.
We would love for you to come along and enjoy our fashion show featuring exclusive pieces donated by top New Zealand fashion designers (such as Trelise Cooper, Claire Bloom, Darlene Gore, Tamsin Cooper and more) that you will be able to bid on in our exciting charity auction.
The auction will be followed by a relaxed afternoon tea. Prior to and after the fashion show, you will have the chance to browse our pop-up shop of fabulous pre-loved and lightly loved clothing and accessories that will be for sale (EFTPOS available). We would appreciate you passing this invitation on to your colleagues and friends.
When and Where: Saturday 13th July 1pm @The Hub, Otago Polytechnic Forth Street, Dunedin. (Fashion show to start at 1:30pm.)
Tickets are only $20 and are available online here or from the Cancer Society, 283 Great King St, Dunedin (03) 477 7447. Email info@cansoc.org.nz for further information.
“From Professor Margo Barton, Otago Polytechnic: Otago Polytechnic is proud to be collaborating with the Cancer Society in this inaugural Runway for Life Fashion Show. Please come along and help raise funds for this worthy cause. There will be all sorts of interesting and wonderful fashion pieces to suit every wallet and person.”
AGM of the St Hilda’s PFA.
Dear Parents and Caregivers
You are cordially invited to the AGM of the St Hilda’s PFA.
Prior to the AGM there will be a short talk and an opportunity to network.
The AGM agenda items will include annual reports and the election of officers.
If you would like any further information before the meeting, please contact secretary Ali Copeman at ali@akb.nz
Please RSVP to the School Office at admin@shcs.school.nz or 03 477 0989 ext 0.
Weekly News Term 2|Week 7
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
The school has been advised that the PPTA all year levels rostering home action planned for Wednesday 19 June has been cancelled. All students will have school as usual.
As we get any further information, we will advise you immediately.
Staffing
Rachel Parker has been appointed to the role of Head of Sport. Rachel has a background in sports administration and coaching, predominantly in netball, but has also worked in the commercial and private sector.
We have appointed Erin Wellington to the role of Sports Coordinator. Erin is an old girl with an interest in hockey and water sports, who has a background in sport and as a manager of a retail outlet.
We are delighted with both these appointments, and both women bring passion, enthusiasm, and a wealth of knowledge to the roles.
Parent Advisory Group
Thank you for all the interest in the Parent Advisory Group so far, I look forward to seeing you all next Thursday 20th June.
If you have not responded but are interested there is still time.
This Parent Advisory Group will help us shape and further refine the strategic vision and planning for St Hilda’s Collegiate. Having input and contributions from our parents, and tapping into the wealth of experience, knowledge and energy that sits within that group, is critical to our continued development as a school and as a community.
It would be great to have a number of parents who might like to be part of such an initiative. Interested?
This could be you if you:
– Want to have a voice in enhancing our strategic direction and focus
– Are committed to preparing our young women for the world that awaits them
– Enjoy contributing to a future focused, solution driven organisation
– Are interested in being involved in leading edge, best practice in education that leads the way for others
Sounds like a good initiative to be part of?
If you are interested in being part of this group you will need to:
– be prepared to commit to one meeting per term for 2-3 hours
– have the time to undertake background reading before each meeting ( 1 hour max)
– come with an open mind, finely tuned collaboration and communication skills and a commitment to improvement
The first meeting for this proposed advisory group will be Thursday 20th June at 7.00pm in the school library.
Please RSVP to principal@shcs.school.nz for catering purposes.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this initiative further please do not hesitate to contact me.
I look forward to working alongside you to continue to strengthen and enhance our learning community.
Jackie Barron
Principal
Course Design Evening
An invitation is extended to parents/caregivers of current Year 10-12 students to our Course Design Evening, which will be held at 6:00 pm on Thursday 4 July. The evening will be focused on looking at the resources that are available to assist families in supporting your daughter to make an informed course selection for 2020 along with resources for career pathway exploration.
The evening will begin with a welcome and brief introduction of NCEA, followed by two workshops on:
- Navigating the on-line Academic Programme plus St Hilda’s graduate profile and how it is related to subject selection e.g. 5 verses 6 subjects, multi-level study.
- Resources for supporting your daughters career pathway exploration including the release and introduction to the parent portal of Career Central. Career Central is a student lead digital platform that supports students in developing and managing their career plans.
We look forward to seeing you on the night.
Art Auction – sold out
ART AUCTION – SOLD OUT. Thank you to all who have supported us by buying tickets for this gala. Apologies to those who may have missed out.
Year 10 Study Skills Programme
Stuart Wright delivered a study skills programme to our Year 10 students where he looked into the working of the brain and how to maximise this knowledge to improve study skills, especially those linked to memory.
NZQA Examination Fees
The government have removed all examination fees for NCEA. If you had already paid these this amount has been credited to your account.
Achievements
The Big Sing
On Wednesday the annual New Zealand choir competition “The Big Sing” came to the Otago region and St Hilda’s Collegiate School was represented by Sings Hilda and Nga Korimako. This year saw Mr. Ben Madden take over as choir director both of our choirs and we are grateful for the extra effort he puts in rehearsing them to perform at a high level.
Sings Hilda sang “Kafal Sviri” a tadeonal Bulgarian tune, arranged by Peter Liondev, “Ave Maris Stella” by New Zealand composer David Hamilton, and “Psallite” by Kyle Pederson. Nga Korimako sang “A Distant Shore” by Mary Donnelly, “Niska Banja” a traditional Romani Dance arranged by Nick Page, and “Abendlied”. A special mention needs to be given to Helena Fitzgerald and Sarah Lee on piano, Stephanie Post on violin, and Anna Engelbrecht on tambourine who were student accompanists for Nga Korimako’s performance.
The standard of the 25 choirs competing at this year’s Big Sing had risen making it tight competition between the choirs. We were very excited for Sings Hilda to gain a Highly Commended Award at the end of the day. Well done to everyone for all the hard work that was put in to achieve great performances from both choirs.
Sings Hilda
Nga Korimako
Rockquest
Rockquest heats were held last weekend 8 June. Rockquest is a nationwide, live and original music youth event. It aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support original New Zealand music.
We had 5 students enter in 1 band enter called Ricochet. The band consists of Ava Beens (voice), Kate Beaton (bass), Elisa Fitzgerald (guitar), Georgia Chambers (drums), Emma Collett (keyboard), and they performed their original song, “Circus”. It was tough competition with 30 bands across all the Dunedin and wider Otago area schools performing.
They performed superbly and have improved dramatically from the start of the year. They should be very proud of themselves and it is clear, that these students have a lot of potential for the coming years.
Chamber Music Competitions
On Sunday a group of three St Hilda’s students competed in the New Zealand Schools’ Chamber Music Competitions held at Marama Hall, Otago University. The competition gives students the opportunity to hone their skills playing chamber music in a small group setting and perform in a professional space.
Our students were Stephanie Post – violin, Katharina Rumbach – cello, Helena Fitzgerald – piano, who went by the name “96 Strings”. They played the piece “Terzette for Piano Trio, Op.97” by Theodor Kirchner. The group dynamically conveyed the emotion of the piece and gave an enjoyable performance they can be proud of.
Sophia Liu – piano, also competed in the Chamber Music competition with the group DimiTrio, which included students from Otago Boys and Otago Girls High Schools. They performed “Prelude, Gavotte, Elegy, Waltz and Polka” by Shostakovich and made it to the District Final. Well done to all involved.
Netball
St Hilda’s had a great two days of Netball at the Otago Secondary School Netball Championships which were played over Sunday 9 and Monday 10 June with all St Hilda’s teams doing very well.
Congratulations to:
The Senior A‘s who placed second going down narrowly to Columba in their final
The Senior B’s went through their grade unbeaten eventually winning the final 27 – 20 against Otago Girls Senior B
The Year 10A team placed 5th after winning their final play off game.
The Year 9A’s had a very dominant tournament beating Columba A 33 -15 in their final.
Well done to all players, coaches, managers and parents supporters!
National Cross Country Championships
Good luck to Anna Carswell, Megan Foster and Zara Geddes who are participating in the National Cross Country Championships in Timaru on Saturday.
Activities
The Outdoor Ed class out enjoying the sunshine at Forrester Park, NEV.
Girls were challenged with some muddy tracks but ultimately have improved their skills which has been great to see.
Kotare whanau group made origami cranes with Mayuko our Japanese exchange student. We had a lovely time doing it and Mayuko was an excellent teacher!
Tolcarne News
On Tuesday, we had an assembly to honour Reany Rust for her many years of service to New Zealand Boarding – particularly Tolcarne.
After being a boarder at St Dominic’s College in Dunedin, Reany also lived and worked in Barnicoat House Nelson College, Clarice Johnstone House Nelson College and School House Otago Boy’s, before coming to Tolcarne where she has been for 27 years, and counting!
At the recent New Zealand Boarding Schools Association conference, Reany was awarded with a Long-Standing Service to New Zealand Boarding Award for 39+ years of service. What an incredible achievement!
We are so lucky to have someone in our team with such extensive knowledge, care and commitment.
Congratulations Reany!
St Hilda’s Physiotherapy Service Information
From Tuesday 11th June, Roslyn Physio will be operating a physiotherapy clinic at St Hilda’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-1.30pm during term time. The clinic will be staffed by female physiotherapists from the Roslyn Physio staff and will operate out of the main office block at school.
Having a physiotherapy service on site will limit time out of class, enable access for assistance and support and will help to provide timely diagnosis and treatment for students, as well as cohesive advice, guidance and communication for students, parents, teachers and coaching staff. Communication regarding your daughter’s injury/condition will be made by Roslyn Physiotherapy directly to you and your daughter, thus maintaining the strict privacy and confidentiality requirements currently maintained by the practice.
Appointments can be made by ringing Roslyn Physio on 4771744 or through the school student reception
Treatment costs are as follows:
ACC Initial appt (30mins) – $27
ACC Follow-up appt (20 mins) – $20
Private Initial appt (30 mins) – $72
Private Follow up appt (20 mins) – $55
Payment is by invoice. This will be sent out by email directly from Roslyn Physiotherapy monthly and payment can be made online.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Roslyn Physiotherapy to support and enhance your daughters wellbeing by making available this professional and expert assistance on site.
Guidance
Being a parent to an adolescent is a challenging, rewarding, and at times, confusing experience. Click here for some advice from the team at ‘Hey Sigmund’ on how to navigate this time of change with your child.
Chapel Matters
As I am sure you know, at this time of the year we celebrate Matariki here in Aotearoa New Zealand. This is the Maori New Year – the time around May or June when the Matariki star cluster – or the Pleiades – the appears in the north-eastern sky. Traditionally, on a practical level, Matariki was a time to celebrate a successful harvest, and a time to prepare for the next growing season. And on a more symbolic level, it was therefore a time to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. And in particular, to remember loved ones who had passed on, and a time to reflect on your whakapapa, your family history and stories. Whanau would come together to share food, songs and dance, and kites – manu aute – were often flown.
Today Matariki is still a good time to come together, to pause and reflect on life; to appreciate those who have gone before us, to remember loved ones who have passed away, those we miss, and those who we no longer see for whatever reason. And also to take stock of things and think about the rest of the year ahead, and renew our goals and resolutions for this year.
Reminder – Term 2 Fundraising for Anglican Family Care
This term for our Eucharist service we are raising money to help AFC purchase a “RealBorn Doll” for their play therapy sessions with new parents who might be suffering from post-natal depression or attachment issues etc. These dolls are incredibly life-like and enable the parents to truly experience and talk about their issues. They can also be used in therapy for people with dementia or children who need therapy as well. We are asking for each student to make a gold coin donation, but any extra from families would be appreciated! Donations can be given to Whanau teachers or to Dr Townsley.
Careers
An invitation is extended to parents/caregivers of current Year 10-12 students to our Course Design Evening, which will be held at 6:00 pm on Thursday 4 July. The evening will be focused on looking at the resources that are available to assist families in supporting your daughter to make an informed course selection for 2020 along with resources for career pathway exploration.
The evening will begin with a welcome and brief introduction of NCEA, followed by two workshops on:
- Navigating the on-line Academic Programme plus St Hilda’s graduate profile and how it is related to subject selection including exceptions e.g. 5 versus 6 subjects, multi-level study.
- Resources for supporting your daughter’s career pathway exploration including the release and introduction to the parent portal of Career Central. Career Central is a student lead digital platform that supports students in developing and managing their career plans.
We look forward to seeing you on the night.
NZQA Digital Examinations
In 2014 and 2015 St Hilda’s took part in the Mathematics trial for the Level 1 mCAT. In 2016 History, Geography and Spanish used the NZQA trials as preparation for the November examinations (all in Level 1), and English had volunteers taking part in the Level 1 digital external examination (called a pilot). In 2017 St Hilda’s was part of a group of thirteen schools that took part of a co-managed trial using the digital format for both school examinations and the November external examinations in English at Level 1 and 2. In 2018 digital trails expanded to include Level 1 Science, Level 2 and 3 Media Studies and digital pilots in all three levels of English.
In 2019, NZQA is offering 14 subjects digitally, across NCEA levels 1, 2 and 3 for the November external examinations. The subjects for St Hilda’s are Art History, Classical Studies, English, Media Studies and History.
Students voluntarily enter these digital examinations. There will be familiarisation activities provided by NZQA and our benchmark examinations will also be offered in the digital format.
A form has been sent out for students to complete.
Weekly News Term 2|Week 6
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
The school has been advised that the PPTA Year 10 rostering home action planned for Tuesday 11 June has been cancelled. All Year 10 students will have school as usual.
As we get any further information, we will advise you immediately.
Upcoming Events
There are a few music performances and competitions going on over the next week. If you’re interested in coming along and supporting our music students here are the details:
Saturday 8th June – Rockquest heats at Taieri College Performing Arts Centre. 1pm-4:30pm, $10 on the door. We have 1 band entered.
Sunday 9th June – Chamber Music at Marama Hall (Otago University). 12:30pm-2pm, $5 on the door. We have 1 group entered.
Sunday 9th June – Sings Hilda and Nga Korimako (junior choir) performing at Knox Church. 4pm-5:30pm, gold coin donation entry. This a performance alongside the OB’s and OG’s choirs in preparation for Big Sing.
Wednesday 12th June – Big Sing at Dunedin Town Hall. Evening concert is 6:30pm-9:00pm(ish) and can buy tickets here for $20 each (kids $5):
Art Auction – save the date reminder
ART AUCTION – Only 3 tables of 10 left – please get in quick if you wish to reserve a table for this event. ($120 – includes canapés and a two-course meal – seating is in tables of 10). Email aburke@shcs.school.nz to reserve your table.
We are excited to announce that St Hilda’s is holding an Art Auction + Gala Dinner on August 24th, 7 pm, in the school Chapel. Thanks to the support of our Old Girls and families, and The Artist’s Room and Gallery De Novo, we have secured an amazing line-up of works from highly sought-after artists. With works by Ralph Hotere, Sam Foley, Frank Gordon, Marilynn Webb, Philip Frost, Nic Dempster, Tyler Kennedy-Stent, Anna Reid, Mary Macfarlane, Claire Beynon, Marie Strauss and many more, tickets to this event will be in hot demand. We will have entertainment from Old Girls Sophie Morris (music) and Lara Liew (guest speaker).
Parent Advisory Group
Thank you for all the interest in this group so far and just a reminder that I am keen to develop a Parent Advisory Group to help us shape and further refine the strategic vision and planning for St Hilda’s Collegiate. Having input and contributions from our parents, and tapping into the wealth of experience, knowledge and energy that sits within that group, is critical to our continued development as a school and as a community.
It would be great to have a number of parents who might like to be part of such an initiative. Interested?
This could be you if you:
– Want to have a voice in enhancing our strategic direction and focus
– Are committed to preparing our young women for the world that awaits them
– Enjoy contributing to a future focused, solution driven organisation
– Are interested in being involved in leading edge, best practice in education that leads the way for others
Sounds like a good initiative to be part of?
If you are interested in being part of this group you will need to:
– be prepared to commit to one meeting per term for 2-3 hours
– have the time to undertake background reading before each meeting ( 1 hour max)
– come with an open mind, finely tuned collaboration and communication skills and a commitment to improvement
The first meeting for this proposed advisory group will be Thursday 20th June at 7.00pm in the school library.
Please RSVP to principal@shcs.school.nz for catering purposes.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this initiative further please do not hesitate to contact me.
I look forward to working alongside you to continue to strengthen and enhance our learning community.
Jackie Barron
Principal
Year 10 Study Skills Programme
On either Monday or Tuesday next week, your daughter will spend the timetabled day with Stuart Wright delving into the working of the brain and how to maximise this knowledge to improve Study Skills, especially those linked to memory.
Girls who are competing at the Netball Tournament on Monday have been placed in the Tuesday session.
The school would like to thank the PFA for funding the programme for yet another year. The benefit of the this programme extends well beyond the girls Year 10 study programme into future years of learning.
NZQA Examination Fees
The government have removed all examination fees for NCEA. If you had already paid these this amount has been credited to your account.
Achievements
Annually, the National Council of Women – New Zealand Branch in Dunedin sponsors the Dawn Ibbotson Essay competition. This years topic was ‘What is this Thing Called Equality?’ Four Year 13 students, Charlotte O’Brien, Jordan McArley, Holly Dufful and Grace Shaw, wrote passionate responses exploring this issue and all its complexities.
Out of the 39 entries in this competition, Charlotte, Jordan and Holly were commended for their efforts.
St Hilda’s Physiotherapy Service Information
From Tuesday 11th June, Roslyn Physio will be operating a physiotherapy clinic at St Hilda’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-1.30pm during term time. The clinic will be staffed by female physiotherapists from the Roslyn Physio staff and will operate out of the main office block at school.
Having a physiotherapy service on site will limit time out of class, enable access for assistant and support and will help to provide timely diagnosis and treatment for students, as well as cohesive advice, guidance and communication for students, parents, teachers and coaching staff. Communication regarding your daughter’s injury/condition will be made by Roslyn Physiotherapy directly to you and your daughter, thus maintaining the strict privacy and confidentiality requirements currently maintained by the practice.
Appointments can be made by ringing Roslyn Physio on 4771744 or through the school student reception
Treatment costs are as follows:
ACC Initial appt (30mins) – $27
ACC Follow-up appt (20 mins) – $20
Private Initial appt (30 mins) – $72
Private Follow up appt (20 mins) – $55
Payment is by invoice. This will be sent out by email directly from Roslyn Physiotherapy monthly and payment can be made online.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Roslyn Physiotherapy to support and enhance your daughters wellbeing by making available this professional and expert assistance on site.
Road Traffic Management
We have had notice from Road Traffic Management that on Wednesday 12 June, parking in Cobden Street will be restricted because of work being undertaken in Herriot Row.
Essentially Cobden Street will be NO EXIT from the Heriot Row side. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Pitt Street/Royal Terrace expect delays.
Guidance
As parents, it can be confronting when our children are involved in activities which may negatively impact their wellbeing. Pornography an issue that is becoming increasingly prevalent in our modern society but is also a topic that many parents feel ill-equipped to address. Often it is challenging to know what to say when a child comes to you for help. Click here for some advice on how to support your child if they have been accessing pornography.
Chapel Matters
This week in chapel we have had some visitors from Anglican Family Care come and share about some needs in the Dunedin community, and ways in which we as a school can help support them in their work. In particular, we heard about Play Therapy and the use of a “Reborn Doll” to help parents learn how to care for their new baby, as well as for those experiencing grief or anxiety. These lifelike dolls are also used for therapy for people with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. They are a bit like the mannequins used in First Aid for learning to do resuscitation etc. but are even more realistic in the way they look and feel.
AFC are hoping we will be able to raise enough money in our collection for the Founders’ Day Eucharist at the end of term for them to purchase one of these dolls. If you would like to support AFC in this way, then donations can be given to students to give to their Whanaungatanga teacher, or dropped into the office for Dr Townsley. Thanks!
Careers
An invitation is extended to parents/caregivers of current Year 10-12 students to our Course Design Evening, which will be held at 6:00 pm on Thursday 4 July. The evening will be focused on looking at the resources that are available to assist families in supporting your daughter to make an informed course selection for 2020 along with resources for career pathway exploration.
The evening will begin with a welcome and brief introduction of NCEA, followed by two workshops on:
- Navigating the on-line Academic Programme plus St Hilda’s graduate profile and how it is related to subject selection including exceptions e.g. 5 versus 6 subjects, multi-level study.
- Resources for supporting your daughter’s career pathway exploration including the release and introduction to the parent portal of Career Central. Career Central is a student lead digital platform that supports students in developing and managing their career plans.
We look forward to seeing you on the night.
NZQA Digital Examinations
In 2014 and 2015 St Hilda’s took part in the Mathematics trial for the Level 1 mCAT. In 2016 History, Geography and Spanish used the NZQA trials as preparation for the November examinations (all in Level 1), and English had volunteers taking part in the Level 1 digital external examination (called a pilot). In 2017 St Hilda’s was part of a group of thirteen schools that took part of a co-managed trial using the digital format for both school examinations and the November external examinations in English at Level 1 and 2. In 2018 digital trails expanded to include Level 1 Science, Level 2 and 3 Media Studies and digital pilots in all three levels of English.
In 2019, NZQA is offering 14 subjects digitally, across NCEA levels 1, 2 and 3 for the November external examinations. The subjects for St Hilda’s are Art History, Classical Studies, English, Media Studies and History.
Students voluntarily enter these digital examinations. There will be familiarisation activities provided by NZQA and our benchmark examinations will also be offered in the digital format.
A form will be sent out later this term for students to complete.
Weekly News Term 2|Week 5
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
The St Hilda’s Z Club organised a fantastic Pink Breakfast fundraiser today. It was a lovely way to start the day. The guest speaker Dr Heather Cunliffe provided some fascinating insights into the latest research into breast cancer.
Thanks to all who supported this event.
Year 9 PPTA Strike – Tuesday 4 June
Further industrial action will be taken by the Secondary Teachers’ Union on Tuesday of next week.
PPTA members have indicated they will withdraw their services from teaching any Year 9 students on Tuesday 5 June. All other year level classes are running as usual.
School will be open but the Board has requested that students in this year level remain home for the day if at all possible.
Some supervision may be provided for any Year 9 students who come to school. Please call Mrs Donna Madigan or email absences@shcs.school.nz if your daughter will be at school that day and requires supervision, so we can meet our Health and Safety requirements.
Other signalled PPTA action is as follows but is yet to be confirmed:
| Date of action | Year group |
| Tuesday 4 June | Year 9 |
| Tuesday 11 June | Year 10 |
| Wednesday 19 June | All year levels |
| Tuesday 25 June | Year 11 |
| Tuesday 2 July | Year 12 |
We will keep our school community up to date should any of these future actions also be implemented.
Thank you for your understanding as we work through the logistics and implications for our school community.
Achievements
Otago Cross Country Championships took place on Thursday at Kaikorai Valley. Congratulations to Zara Geddes who achieved 1st place in the Girls U14 category and Megan Foster who came 1st place in the Girls U16 category over a 3km distance.
Zara Geddes
Megan Foster
Art Auction – save the date
We are excited to announce that St Hilda’s is holding an Art Auction + Gala Dinner on August 24th, 7 pm, in the school Chapel. Thanks to the support of our Old Girls and families, and The Artist’s Room and Gallery De Novo, we have secured an amazing line-up of works from highly sought-after artists. With works by Ralph Hotere, Sam Foley, Frank Gordon, Marilynn Webb, Philip Frost, Nic Dempster, Tyler Kennedy-Stent, Anna Reid, Mary Macfarlane, Claire Beynon, Marie Strauss and many more, tickets to this event will be in hot demand. We will have entertainment from Old Girls Sophie Morris (music) and Lara Liew (guest speaker).
Please email aburke@shcs.school to reserve your tickets ($120 – includes canapés and a two-course meal – seating is in tables of 10).
Chapel Matters
One of the petitions to God in the Lord’s Prayer is “Thy Kingdom Come” which reflects a desire that all the good things of God’s reign – such as justice, peace, compassion, and forgiveness – would be present here on earth. The Church of England in the UK has established a worldwide prayer movement called “Thy Kingdom Come” which takes place over 11 days, from May 30th until June 10th, asking people to pray for others to know God’s love in their lives.
So with New Zealand being the first country in the world to see a new day, we got to start this prayer movement off! I signed up on the website and you are able to create a light for your location on a world map in order to “Light Up the Word.” This is worth a look! You can zoom out to see the continents from afar, and zoom right in to see Dunedin and our wee star! I also took Night Prayers up at Tolcarne and we used the “Adventure Prayer Maps” that the Church of England has produced (see below), and we looked at some of the ways you can pray – expressing thanks for what we appreciate about our lives, saying sorry for things we have done to hurt others, considering the ways we can pray for others etc.
If you are interested, you might like to check out the “Thy Kingdom Come” website to find out more (and to see the world map) https://www.thykingdomcome.global/lightuptheworld
Tolcarne News
Many of our staff have been away this week at the New Zealand Boarding Schools Conference in Wellington. They have been listening to different speakers and connecting with other boarding school staff from around the country. They will come back with little gems of knowledge and new ideas!
To keep the girls occupied on Wednesday, we had a Trip to Leap. They had a great time jumping, doing flips and rolling about laughing.
We wish everyone a relaxing weekend with their family. Stay warm!
NZQA Digital Examinations
In 2014 and 2015 St Hilda’s took part in the Mathematics trial for the Level 1 mCAT. In 2016 History, Geography and Spanish used the NZQA trials as preparation for the November examinations (all in Level 1), and English had volunteers taking part in the Level 1 digital external examination (called a pilot). In 2017 St Hilda’s was part of a group of thirteen schools that took part of a co-managed trial using the digital format for both school examinations and the November external examinations in English at Level 1 and 2. In 2018 digital trails expanded to include Level 1 Science, Level 2 and 3 Media Studies and digital pilots in all three levels of English.
In 2019, NZQA is offering 14 subjects digitally, across NCEA levels 1, 2 and 3 for the November external examinations. The subjects for St Hilda’s are Art History, Classical Studies, English, Media Studies and History.
Students voluntarily enter these digital examinations. There will be familiarisation activities provided by NZQA and our benchmark examinations will also be offered in the digital format.
A form will be sent out later this term for students to complete.
Weekly News Term 2|Week 4
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Building Heart Campaign
I spoke to the girls in assembly this week about the building projects and the launch of the Building Heart Campaign. It is important they have a sense of the history of the school, how we came to have these great facilities and why looking to the future has always been a part of the ethos and philosophy of who we are. We would not have survived for 123 years, if we had not had a community and Boards who contributed to the present with an eye to the future.
As I discussed with them, once we complete the first project in our campaign, we will move on to raising funds for our next stage – the redevelopment of the Chapel, Whitby Hall and the Humanities next door – classrooms/spaces.
We know we cannot keep sitting on the floor in Chapel and squashing them all in – We are not prepared to accept this long term, or give up on it, we know it is not the best. However we cannot use government money or attendance dues for the chapel – we have to fundraise it ourselves.
The Chapel adjoins Whitby Hall, and it is our vision to create an exciting new ‘connections hub’ in Whitby – a place of glass, light and warmth, where we can all be together, work together, eat together and where we can host school events, recognizing that a strong sense of belonging and connection with others are the keys to life long wellbeing, productivity and living with purpose.
We have to upgrade our current canteen anyway, for compliance reasons, and we want to make that space functional, but also inclusive and welcoming. Happy girls learn effectively, so if we want them to feel connected, with a sense of spaces where they belong, then we need to create warm, comfortable spaces for them.
It is proposed that the Library will move to a mezzanine space in Whitby, as we plan ahead to ensure our library remains a critical literacy and information resource centre which meets the needs of modern day learners.
I would also like to acknowledge the PFA – The Parents and Friends Association for their generous support. Every year they fundraise for all of us – for the sports and cultural funds, for furniture, for Apple TVs and materials for classrooms. Last year through the fair and the raffle they fundraised a huge amount towards the fit out of the new building, and in assembly this week Mrs Copeman on behalf of the PFA presented Mr Mason the BOT Finance Committee Chair with a cheque for $70,000, which is of tremendous benefit as we plan for the new building, and also a real credit to their hard work and perseverance, and the wonderful support we had from our wider community.
Please click on the video below to see a walk/fly through of the proposed Chapel/Whitby.
It doesn’t show some of the new proposed classrooms or work spaces for staff, as we don’t know what that might look like yet, but you will see the general buildings and where we hope to put the second tennis court – where the ‘secret garden’ behind the house at 16 Heriot Row is at the moment. It is a very exciting project to be working towards.
NCEA Change Package.
Please find here the link to the NCEA Change Package that the Ministry of Education announced last week.
The proposed changes validate all that we have been doing over the past three years in terms of the construction of our courses, our focus on deep, meaningful, future ready learning rather than the superficial chasing of credits, and our commitment to the wellbeing of students and staff. The Ministry has stated that it will now work with key stakeholders on the detailed design of these changes to understand the implementation implications, and we look forward to those discussions.
There are several points to note with this document:
– Fewer credits will be available, with a maximum of 20 credits per subject. 6 subjects, Level 1 & 2 = max 120 credits. Level 3, 5 subjects = max 100 credits. Currently we offer between 18-24 credits per subject.
– Fewer standards will be part of each course and assessments will be standardized to a maximum of 6 credits, and standards will cover more knowledge. i.e. More teaching, less testing
– Special Assessment conditions will be available as part of everyday teaching and learning, for more students. e.g. large print exam papers
– No exam fees
– Resubmissions will only be allowed to get a student to ‘Achieved’ level.
– The number of credits available between internally and externally assessed assessment standards in each subject will be rebalanced with an approximate 50:50 split.
– Numeracy and Literacy standards will be a co-requisite to NCEA – i.e. not part of the credit count. Students can meet the standard whenever they are ready
– Level 1 will remain optional
The timeline for these changes is yet to be confirmed and we have had not time as a staff to unpack, discuss or reflect on this Change package, but we will be doing so in the coming months and of course will keep our community informed as we get more information.
Parent Advisory Group
I am keen to develop a Parent Advisory Group to help us shape and further refine the strategic vision and planning for St Hilda’s Collegiate. Having input and contributions from our parents, and tapping into the wealth of experience, knowledge and energy that sits within that group, is critical to our continued development as a school and as a community.
It would be great to have a number of parents who might like to be part of such an initiative. Interested?
This could be you if you:
– Want to have a voice in enhancing our strategic direction and focus
– Are committed to preparing our young women for the world that awaits them
– Enjoy contributing to a future focused, solution driven organisation
– Are interested in being involved in leading edge, best practice in education that leads the way for others
Sounds like a good initiative to be part of?
If you are interested in being part of this group you will need to:
– be prepared to commit to one meeting per term for 2-3 hours
– have the time to undertake background reading before each meeting ( 1 hour max)
– come with an open mind, finely tuned collaboration and communication skills and a commitment to improvement
The first meeting for this proposed advisory group will be Thursday 20th June at 7.00pm in the school library.
Please RSVP to principal@shcs.school.nz for catering purposes.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this initiative further please do not hesitate to contact me.
I look forward to working alongside you to continue to strengthen and enhance our learning community.
Jackie Barron
Principal
PPTA/NZEI Strike -Wednesday 29 May
The PPTA and NZEI have advised the Board of Trustees that their members at our school will be taking strike action on Wednesday 29th May 2019.
This will mean that all union members will be taking industrial action on this day and will not be at school.
The Board has carefully considered the availability of teaching staff and unfortunately decided that we can’t provide the normal teaching services during the strike so the school will officially be closed for instruction on Wednesday.
If this is difficult we can still supervise a small number of our St Hilda’s students in the library if required.
Please call Mrs Donna Madigan or email absences@shcs.school.nz by noon on Tuesday if your daughter will be at school that day and requires supervision, so we can meet our health and Safety requirements.
Thank you for your understanding.
Pink Ribbon Breakfast
The Z Club is holding a Pink Ribbon breakfast on Friday 31 May (Term 2 – Week 5) at 7:30 am in the school Chapel.
The tickets can be purchased either online by filling out the form which can be accessed via the link on the St Hilda’s School Facebook page or with cash at the student office in Term 2.
Students $10.00 Adults $20.00
All funds raised will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation to help women who are struggling with breast cancer and to help find a cure.
There will be plenty of yummy food and a talk from our guest speaker Heather Cunliffe who is a researcher at the University of Otago.
Come along and support this great cause – it is sure to be plenty of fun!
The Launch! Girls’ App development
The Launch! Girls’ App development event took place at Balmacewen Intermediate on 23 May as part of New Zealand Tech Week. The event was focused on girls designing solutions to problems with software and was attended by more than 100 girls from 12 Dunedin schools. Cheryl Adams, CEO of Animation Research Limited, was the guest speaker and stressed the urgent need for more females to enter the tech industry. Females represent over 50% of the population, but software developers are predominantly males, which leads to apps that don’t always meet the needs and values of females. Both gender and ethnic diversity are required in the tech industry to ensure that future development addresses wider societal issues and needs.
St Hilda’s was represented by four teams at the event, in which each team had to prototype an app that would help solve an issue or need in society. It was clear from the teams’ app ideas that environment and well-being were at the forefront of the girls’ minds. The girls have the opportunity to develop their app ideas further as part of Tahi-Rua-Tora Tech, the New Zealand Digital Technologies Challenge for schools.
The Year 9 team of Eliabel Legrand, Emma Grindlay, Evie Rose Grace and Hannah McCoubry were specifically highlighted in the ODT for their “Little by Little” website idea, which aimed to help students understand different ways in which they could help the environment:
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/girls-touch-finding-software-solutions
Our other teams also came up with excellent app prototypes. The Year 9 team of Rosa Smith, Victoria Avery, Zara Geddes and Amelie Warlow, designed a Well-Being Tree app that helps teenagers reflect on and grow their well-being.
The Year 10 team of Ella Hodgson, Lucie Holtz, Kate McEwan and Madison Khan, designed an app named Self-Estream, which is intended to help teens boost their self-esteem as they do activities that will help clean up our waterways.
The Year 12 team of Ginny Smith, Mya Tsakmakis, Olivia Andrew and Ella Dixon, designed and coded a web app, that allows students to self-regulate access to social media on their devices so that they can focus on school work and get more restful sleep.
It was a pleasure to see how our girls worked collaboratively as teams and focused on developing solutions that were highly creative and thoughtful to the needs of their peers. They all presented their ideas clearly and represented both themselves and the school well.
Julie McMahon
HOD Technology
Year 12 Field Trip
On May 15th-17th the Year 12 Geography class went on a field trip to Aoraki, Mt Cook National Park.
It was a great opportunity to see the amazing natural environment that we have been studying in class. The girls gathered data for an achievement standard while walking up the Red tarns track to an altitude of 1020m.
We finished the trip with a ski-plane flight that landed on the Tasman Glacier. It was a fantastic experience and one the girls will remember for the rest of their lives.
Guidance
Doing good does you good. Click here to learn more about how giving back and expressing gratitude can assist our own wellbeing.
Achievements
Figure Skating
Lucie Holtz represented New Zealand at the ISU Oceania International Novice Figure Skating Competition last week in Melbourne. In her grade, she placed 10th in a strong field of 21 skaters and was the highest placed NZ competitor in her grade. She also had the opportunity to perform in the gala, and be a skater demonstrator in the coaching seminar led by Misha Ge (former Olympic figure skater) following the competition.
If you are interested in seeing her performance she is on at 2:33:21 https://vimeo.com/
Netball
Congratulations to St Hilda’s Senior A who won three Premier Competition games in a row.
Swimming
St Hilda’s had a strong contingent of girls competing at Otago Secondary Schools Swimming on Sunday 19th May
Every swimmer made multiple top-eight /finals and the SHCS A teams were placed second in both the 200 free relay and 200 medley relay respectively.
Top 3 placings:
Olivia Andrew: 1st 50 backstroke, 2nd 100 freestyle, 2nd free relay
Ella-Rose Crooks: 2nd 100 fly, 2nd 100IM, 3rd 50 freestyle
Isabella Gold: 2nd 100 breaststroke, 2nd 50 breaststroke, 3rd 200 breaststroke, 2nd medley relay
Nicole Heaton: 1st 100 backstroke, 3rd 200 backstroke, 2nd free relay, 2nd medley relay
Anna Hutchens: 3rd 200 freestyle
Natalie Hutchens: 2nd 50 freestyle, 2nd free relay, 2nd medley relay
Andie McGrouther: 3rd 50 breaststroke
Meg McLaughlan: 3rd 200IM
Jessica Scott: 1st 100 fly, 1st 50 fly, 1st 200 fly, 2nd free relay, 2nd medley relay
Molly Whittaker: 1st 200 breaststroke, 2nd 100 breaststroke, 2nd 50 breaststroke, 3rd 200IM
Trapshooting
Tia Dougherty, Olivia Hazlett and Analee Toro went to the first trapshooting competition of the season on Sunday. They did a good job at representing the school and achieved very highly.
– Tia was the High Overall (HOA) for the Ladies (That is, Tia scored the highest score for all of the events combined
– Analee placed second in Down-The-Line (DTL) Point Score.
– The team won the DTL Points Score Event
This is an amazing achievement for the girls as this is only their second season together and they were up against some very experienced shooters.
Water Polo
Congratulations to the following girls who have been selected in Otago Water Polo teams.
U14 Otago Water Polo at St Hilda’s are Tiana Brummit Rodriguez, Luana Ashton, Honour Birks, Meg Pope, Lucy Higeholt-Martyn, Olivia Ollerenshaw and Hannah Hemi.
U16 Otago Water Polo from St Hilda’s are Quilla Cashell-Smith, Emma Andrew, Olivia Brown, Priynaka McKenzie-Patel and Amelia Lane.
Tolcarne News
We had our first Tribe Competition on Monday night. Each Tribe had to design and draw a visual graffiti of their Tribe chant. Congratulations to Falkland who took out the challenge.
Last weekend we had a number of students try Pole Fitness. They found it very difficult but still a lot of fun.
This weekend they are off to Laser Tag, which is always good fun.
We also have a group of students heading to The Regent Theatre to see Wicked. I am sure they will be amazed by such a fantastic show!
Happy Weekend!
NZQA Digital Examinations
In 2014 and 2015 St Hilda’s took part in the Mathematics trial for the Level 1 mCAT. In 2016 History, Geography and Spanish used the NZQA trials as preparation for the November examinations (all in Level 1), and English had volunteers taking part in the Level 1 digital external examination (called a pilot). In 2017 St Hilda’s was part of a group of thirteen schools that took part of a co-managed trial using the digital format for both school examinations and the November external examinations in English at Level 1 and 2. In 2018 digital trails expanded to include Level 1 Science, Level 2 and 3 Media Studies and digital pilots in all three levels of English.
In 2019, NZQA is offering 14 subjects digitally, across NCEA levels 1, 2 and 3 for the November external examinations. The subjects for St Hilda’s are Art History, Classical Studies, English, Media Studies and History.
Students voluntarily enter these digital examinations. There will be familiarisation activities provided by NZQA and our benchmark examinations will also be offered in the digital format.
A form will be sent out later this term for students to complete.
Careers
Weekly News Term 2|Week 3
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
It was a real privilege to welcome Old Girls, past families, current families, staff and supportive members of our wider community into the Chapel on Tuesday night, to launch the Building Heart Campaign.
It was a very positive and affirming evening, with a positive vibe and a shared enthusiasm and passion for the school. I would like to take this moment to acknowledge our sponsors, Brent and Lada Chirnside from Fresh Choice Roslyn, who generously provided the refreshments for the evening.
We are excited about the Building Heart Campaign, and all the possibilities it presents.
What is it, and what are we fundraising for? These are challenging times for all schools, and St Hilda’s is no different. To ensure our St Hilda’s graduates have the skills and attributes they need to thrive in, and contribute to, the world, we want them as the school prayer says to ‘flourish and abound’! I can think of no better way to say it! And so we are really focusing on providing them with the best education we can – and a big part of that is to have modern, future focused facilities that allow us to teach as our girls need to learn.
We have been lucky that over our 123 year history, families and individuals have generously donated funds to be used to maintain, improve and upgrade our school facilities and programmes. We have also been very fortunate that we have not had to do any major fundraising since 1996, when the gymnasium was built. But just as our past families gave back in order to secure the school facilities that we enjoy today, we now need to dig deep to continue to provide a school with the values, Special Character, and educational excellence that we are known for.
You will see the Arts Centre currently being constructed – this facility will allow us to transform our teaching and learning programmes, and give every St Hilda’s girl an arts education. Not because everyone aspires to be an artist, dancer, actor or musician, but because an arts education involves learning how to collaborate with others, expressing yourself, building confidence and resilience, and experiencing other cultures and perspectives. These skills are vital to success in today’s, and tomorrow’s, world and are exactly what the St Hilda’s Graduate is all about.
We are delighted that we have secured the majority of the funding for this building through the generous support of the Endowment Society, the PFA fundraising and grants. The Boards have also secured borrowings, but we are seeking to repay these as quickly as possible, to free up funding for future projects.
We now need to fit out this building with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, not just so that our girls experience a quality arts education, but so that we can also facilitate other arts groups by providing a space for performances and exhibitions, outside of our school time. Those of you with an interest in the arts in Dunedin will understand just how valuable those spaces have become. St Hilda’s has always served its community, and we hope to continue to do so.
We need all of you, our current families, to assist us with this campaign as families in the past have done previously. History and legacy is not built on a single campaign or endeavour, but rather the combined, cumulative efforts of a community with a shared vision and commitment, over time. Just as we now enjoy the results of previous fundraising campaigns that provided for the gymnasium, the library and Geraldine House, to name a few in more recent times, we now need to ensure that our facilities continue to enhance the excellent teaching and learning that takes place here every day.
Once we complete the Arts building, we will move on to raising funds for our next stage – the redevelopment of the Chapel, Whitby Hall and the Humanities next door. You are all aware that due to fire regulations, our Chapel is too small for our whole school to sit together for Chapel services and other whole school events. Currently, we cannot seat the whole school in there and have removed the furniture to fit in the people. We are not prepared to accept this long term, or give up on it.
The only option is to enlarge the Chapel to accommodate our school. We feel strongly that this is a 123 year tradition we cannot forfeit – Chapel services are a time of reflection, spiritual growth and exploration, and a place where we learn respect for traditions, cultures, each other and ourselves. In this ever-changing and frantically busy world, we cannot lose this place of quiet and calm. It really is the heart of our school.
I am delighted to announce that we are already some way to reaching our first goal. We have received ($231,000) in grants and pledges from some wonderful St Hilda’s families. We are so grateful for the support of these individuals and families. Some of our donors wish to keep their identities anonymous, but we can reveal that we have received a donation to purchase naming rights to the multi-use exhibition space in the Arts Centre. This space will be named, at our donor’s request, for Hunia Dean, who passed away last year. Hunia had been the Head of Arts for 13 years and was a much-loved and respected teacher and colleague, as well as a talented artist. We feel that naming this exhibition space for Hunia is a fitting tribute to him and his family, and we thank the donors for this opportunity to do so.
We would also like to thank Kathy Grant for her generous contribution towards our campaign and the M Guthrie Family Trust for their thoughtful donation. Their commitment is much appreciated.
We know this Campaign is ambitious – but we have always been ambitious. We are a small school at the bottom of the world, but we have always punched well above our weight. We know we have a lot of supporters and that there is a lot of goodwill out there in the community. Our Boards commissioned a Feasibility Study last year and the results were overwhelmingly positive. So we may be ambitious, but we have done our homework and we will proceed with our campaign by being considered, prepared, innovative, and also brave, because success is never guaranteed. Funnily enough, these are the same qualities we expect of our girls.
We are grateful for any assistance we receive, and will recognise it appropriately. We continue to plan for the future, with the Building Heart Campaign recognizing the importance of a collaborative effort to strengthen the legacy of this wonderful school. We will keep you updated of the various stages as we move from the vision, to the concept, to the planning of each stage, as part of the overall 20 year plan.
Jackie Barron
Principal
PPTA Strike – 29 May
PPTA has issued a preliminary notice of strike action by members for Wednesday 29 May. This will mean that all union members will be taking industrial action on this day and will not be at school.
Non union staff members will be working at school on that day but no classes will be running. Supervision will be available in the school library during normal school hours if required.
Reminder – Vietnam Cultural Tour 2020
We are planning to take a cultural tour to Vietnam in 2020.
This trip will be very similar to the trips we have previously taken and will be open to any students who will be in Year 12 or 13 in 2020. Parents are also very welcome to join the trip.
The dates for this trip will be – 7th -26th April 2020
The estimated cost for this will be $6320 (student) and $5820 (parent)
If you are going to join the trip for 2020 could you please get back to us by Monday 20 May ,if you have not already, with the following details:
Student’s Name
Student’s Year Group
Names of any other family planning to travel
Please contact me if you have any further questions. My contact email is jmaw@shcs.school.nz
Pink Ribbon Breakfast
The Z Club is holding a Pink Ribbon breakfast on Friday 31 May (Term 2 – Week 5) at 7:30 am in the school Chapel.
The tickets can be purchased either online by filling out the form which can be accessed via the link on the St Hilda’s School Facebook page or with cash at the student office in Term 2.
Students $10.00 Adults $20.00
All funds raised will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation to help women who are struggling with breast cancer and to help find a cure.
There will be plenty of yummy food and a talk from our guest speaker Heather Cunliffe who is a researcher at the University of Otago.
Come along and support this great cause – it is sure to be plenty of fun!
Extended Learning
Technology department
The Level One Design and Visual Communication class took advantage of the extended learning time last week by visiting Van Brandenburg architects.
The students were able to listen to Damien Van Brandenburg talk about their design process, inspirations and projects that are being undertaken all around the world. They were lucky enough to see a model of the proposed waterfront project for the Dunedin harbour (pictured).
The DVC students used this experience to develop a deeper understanding of the design process, technological modelling and future pathways in the design.
Pictured from left: Mr Baydon Harris, Rylee Wagteveld, Annabelle Stewart, Imogen Keeling, Sophie Masters, Olivia Brown, Ria Dennison, Brooke Callon, Alika Croot, Maia Hunter, Maia Lamb, Gabi Horo and Jessica Christie
Dunedin Reader/Writer Festival – Story building
by Lily Knox
On Friday, the Junior Writing Group walked down to Otago Girls High School to listen to two amazing authors, John Boyne (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) and Markus Zusak (The Book Thief).
John Boyne told us how he was struck by inspiration for The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and didn’t sleep until the first draft was finished. Although he didn’t recommend that method, he did share 16 of his favourite writing tips with us. Our favourite tip was to read, read, read!
Markus Zusak told two stories from his childhood that the audience loved: a tale of epic revenge, and the story of how he ruined Christmas. He talked about how little details enriched a story, and how the unexpected is often the best part. Both authors ended their talks with a Q+A to share more about their lives as authors.
We learnt so much and can’t wait to start writing more stories with the help of everything we learnt from John and Markus. We’d also like the thank Ms Van Rij, Mrs Almey and Mr Ross for making this trip possible.
Show Quest
41 St Hilda’s students participated in Show Quest at the Civic theatre in Invercargill on the 14th of May. We wanted to create an inclusive piece of work with the idea of exploring the world around you. We called our piece “There’s a whole world out there” as it was inspired by our Artist in Residence program. We are fortunate that our students get to see how artists get their work to ‘fly’. So we incorporated Shane Carter’s song; ‘Waiting game’, sung by Sings Hilda, using the idea of biding your time……waiting, and holding back. Contrasted by Emily Duncan’s play; ‘In Our Shoes’, promoting the idea of being adventurous, brave and having agency. Jerry Howlett’s artwork inspires the idea of looking at the world differently using a different scale. We wanted our audience to be motivated to ‘take flight’!
Special thanks to Ms Mangai, the Arts prefects, Arts subject liaisons, Trinity Maydone and Sophie Wispinski for all their creative input, in addition to Sophie Masters for the fantastic visuals.
What an evening!
Year 12 Geography Trip.
Year 12 are currently on a field trip to Mount Cook. We received this picture yesterday of the girls’ walking up the Red Tarns Track just before the weather packed in – at least they all look prepared!
Guidance
Adolescence is a time of significant change, great excitement and, at times, much confusion. Click here for some tips from the experts at Hey Sigmund about how to talk to your child about their amazing, and occasionally baffling, adolescent brain.
Chapel Matters
When the shootings at the mosques in Christchurch occurred last month, students and teachers here at school – like people all over Aotearoa New Zealand – responded with compassion. In particular, we made paper doll chains to show ourselves with our arms stretched out in compassion and linked together in solidarity. The students also decorated a banner with messages of hope and love.
For the last eight years, as part of the Y12 Religious Education programme, I have invited members of the Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group (DAIG) to visit the class and share their stories of what it means for them to be Jewish, Christian, or Muslim (the Abrahamic religions are the sibling religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). This is a great way to meet people from these faiths, to ask them questions about their religions and their life journeys, and to both learn about and learn from them.
So, this term, the current Y12 class were able to present the Muslim representative – Amal – with the paper doll chains and the banner to take to the mosque here in Dunedin where she worships. She was able to tell us what it was like for her, and her family and friends, on the day of the shootings, and how they have been coping since then. It was a moving experience to be able to give our items to her, and to have made a personal connection with her at this time.
Greg Hughson, a chaplain at Otago University, who has been involved with DAIG since its beginnings after 9/11, and who organises these visits with me, took a couple of photos of us!
Achievements
Congratulations to Jessica Scott who broke four Otago records at the recent NZ Age Group Champs in Wellington:
Girls Open 50m Butterfly
Girls 16 years 50m Butterfly
Girls 16 years 100m Butterfly
Girls 16 years 200m Butterfly. This was a 23 year old record from 1996.
Girls Open 50m Butterfly
Girls 16 years 50m Butterfly
Girls 16 years 100m Butterfly
Girls 16 years 200m Butterfly. This was a 23 year old record from 1996.
Jessica was also recently accepted into the Otago Academy of Sport Talent Accelerator Programme.
Congratulations to our year 9A Netball team for winning their grade at the Roncalli tournament over the weekend.
The following girls have made netball representative teams to play in New Zealand age groups this year.
U19B: Millie Scully, Phoebe Aburn, Abbey Cochrane, Kendra Robinson
U17A: Brooke Callon, Elora Peters, Annie Timu
U17B: Sofie Bain, Olivia Buchnan-Letts, Lily Chamberlain, Savanah Cleland, Sara Harding, Chloe Light, Molly Marsh, Murphy Scott, Dani Willsman.
Great work girls’!
Be Smart
NetballSmart has launched this great information booklet called SmartParent; How to support your Netball player. It offers great advice which is appropriate for all codes.
Tolcarne News
At Tolcarne on Thursday, we had over 60 families come to meet us and take a tour of the grounds for our Open Day. As always, the students had decorated their doors and hallways, using balloons, streamers, and, of course, lollies so the prospective students could fill up their lolly bags for the trip home. We hope everyone had a great time and got home safety. Thank you for coming.
NZQA Digital Examinations
In 2014 and 2015 St Hilda’s took part in the Mathematics trial for the Level 1 mCAT. In 2016 History, Geography and Spanish used the NZQA trials as preparation for the November examinations (all in Level 1), and English had volunteers taking part in the Level 1 digital external examination (called a pilot). In 2017 St Hilda’s was part of a group of thirteen schools that took part of a co-managed trial using the digital format for both school examinations and the November external examinations in English at Level 1 and 2. In 2018 digital trails expanded to include Level 1 Science, Level 2 and 3 Media Studies and digital pilots in all three levels of English.
In 2019, NZQA is offering 14 subjects digitally, across NCEA levels 1, 2 and 3 for the November external examinations. The subjects for St Hilda’s are Art History, Classical Studies, English, Media Studies and History.
Students voluntarily enter these digital examinations. There will be familiarisation activities provided by NZQA and our benchmark examinations will also be offered in the digital format.
A form will be sent out later this term for students to complete.
Careers
Victoria University will be holding an Information Evening in Dunedin on Tuesday 21 May. Students are welcome to bring their family and friends along to find out more about life at Victoria University of Wellington including the new Bachelor of Communication and Bachelor of Midwifery. Find out more
UC Info Evening Otago | Hui Tairanga Ōtākou is the chance for students and their whānau to find out everything they need to know about life and study at University of Canterbury. The evening will have information sessions specific to the programmes offered at UC. These will be led by some of UC’s top academics and College Deans. Also covered is accommodation options and scholarships.
Date: Wednesday 22 May 2019
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Otago Boys’ High School, 2 Arthur Street, Dunedin
Registration: All attendees should register via Eventbrite to secure a seat.
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Otago Boys’ High School, 2 Arthur Street, Dunedin
Registration: All attendees should register via Eventbrite to secure a seat.
Reminder – Board of Trustee Elections
Board of Trustee elections will be held in June this year. At its last meeting, the Board resolved to move to staggered elections which means that 3 of the 5 elected parent representative positions will be for the full 3 year term and 2 will be for an 18 month term. Nominations will be called for from 10 May 2019 for both the 3 year and 18 month terms. If you are interested in contributing to the governance of the school, please consider standing for election. More details on the role of the Board can be obtained from the School Trustees Association website https://www.trustee-election.co.nz/. Nomination forms will be available on 10 May 2019 and will be posted to all eligible people on the voting role.