Weekly News Term 3/Week 4

Uncategorised

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A Note from The Principal

We are really looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Parent Seminars that we are holding, starting this Sunday. Thank you to those who have already signed up – we are delighted to be sharing important information and ideas with you. Please see details below and RSVP to the School Office if you intend to join us.

The Gala Concert the was a fabulous event last night, and it was great to see so many of you supporting your very talented daughters. It was a wonderful fundraiser for the Hip Hop, and Aerobics groups and Sings Hilda, as they all look to perform at their respective national championships in the near future.

A lot of the winter sports are coming to the business end of the season with semis and finals on the horizon. We wish all our teams the very best for these tight competitions

Back to the Future day is being held today, and it has been fantastic to welcome parents into our classrooms and let them experience what it is like to be a learner at St Hilda’s. Thank you to those parents who took up the opportunity and who have contributed to our classes for the day. What wonderful role models you are for your daughters!! #lifelonglearners

 Jackie Barron

 Seminars Reminder: Please RSVP to the School Office with an indication of which venue you will be attending.

Anxiety, depression and unrelenting standards of perfection. How to Parent for Wellbeing

New Zealand is leading the world in appalling youth mental health statistics.

Come and hear what your daughters have told us about their own feelings and experiences and explore research based strategies on how to support our young women by parenting for Wellbeing.

These workshops will be really useful for all parents. You are welcome to bring friends, family and colleagues to share these interactive workshops.

We all need to be involved in the increasingly important discussions around youth and wellbeing.

See the dates and venues below for our upcoming seminars.

Balclutha – 2 pm Sunday 19 August – Rosebank Lodge, 265 Clyde Street.

Gore – 7 pm Sunday 19 August – Heartland Hotel Croydon, 100 Waimea Street. (PLEASE NOTE ADJUSTED TIME)

Cromwell – 7 pm Monday 20 August – The Gate, 6 Barry Avenue.

Oamaru – 7 pm Wednesday 22 August – Oamaru Opera House, 94 Thames Street.

Dunedin – 7 pm Thursday 30 August – St Hilda’s Collegiate School

Please RSVP to the School Office with and an indication of which venue you will be attending.

Reports and Learning Conversations

Many thanks for your feedback around our reporting practices. We are always trying to make sure we are communicating on your daughter’s learning in the most effective way and your feedback will inform changes we make in future reporting. At the end of next week you will receive your daughter’s Interim Report. This report is focussed on her learning behaviours and attitude. These areas are crucial for developing flexible, resilient learners. Senior students will receive an NCEA progress report following benchmark examinations. This will be emailed out in Wk 10. Learning conversations will be held for all girls at the end of the term three and into term four.

 Enrolment Process

From time to time the Board and staff field questions about the enrolment system and how a student can be assured of (or sometimes precluded from) a place with us.

The simple answer is that there is no way to “game” the system.  As an integrated school, we have specific obligations surrounding our enrolment practices that we must adhere to.

Potential students must meet the special character preference criteria before becoming eligible for entry via the chronological order of application (for yr 7 applications received before the 1st October 2017) route or the ballot. Special character preference eligibility is determined by a sub-committee comprising 2 members of the Board of Proprietors and the Rev Dr Steven Benford, the Anglican Bishop of Dunedin.  Members of the Board of Trustees, our Staff and our Principal have no input into that decision-making process.

Once special character eligibility has been determined, some applicants may gain preferential entry by virtue of having a sister at the school or by being the daughter of a current staff member.

Once those places are filled and assuming there are more potential students than places still available each remaining applicant is assigned a number.  Those numbers are placed in a hat (well an ice-cream container in my experience!) and the numbers are drawn and recorded in sequence.  The “draw” is undertaken by the BOT Chair or another Trustee and the Principal.  Once the numbers are drawn they are matched to applicant names and offers of a place are made according to sequence in which the  numbers were drawn from the ballot.

Year 11-13 Subject Selection – Portal reminder

The portal to enter your daughters 2019 Year 11-13 subject selection is now open and will close again on Monday 27 August. The portal can be accessed via the Parent Portal and the link in the online Academic Programme. Please get in touch with the school office in the first instance if you have forgotten your login details.

Chapel Matters

Over the last year or so, I have done a few chapels on the idea of cultivating a
Naked Spirituality. This is the idea that when we think of who we are as spiritual
beings, there is a real sense in which we have to strip away all our outer layers so
we can be true to who we really are. Spirituality is not about dressing up in our
Sunday best and participating in stuffy, starchy religiosity, but it is about attending
to the well-being of our naked, vulnerable souls.

Previously I have looked at three key words that start us on this path: “Here,”
“Thanks,” and “O!” This week I looked at the word “Sorry.” The ability to examine
ourselves, to admit mistakes, and to process failure, is a huge marker of a healthy
spirituality. Being able to be honest with God and with others about our wrongs,
failures, sins, faults, and other shameful secrets, keeps us humble and reminds us
that we are complex beings who have the capacity to change and become.

If we name our wrong while we breathe out, we can hold the word mercy, or grace, as we inhale. Breathing our regret, breathing in mercy: this is the life-sustaining rhythm of a naked spirituality – stripping away our pretence so we can stand before God as we truly are, with our hands and hearts open, letting go of our wrongs, and ready to receive compassion and grace and forgiveness.

Tolcarne News

Last weekend the Year 9 students enjoyed a fun trip to Leap to give the new Clip ‘n’ Climb facility a go. It was a great challenge, and the girls had a lot of fun. This weekend there are a few students heading to the Orokonui Bird Sanctuary to see the birds and go for a beautiful walk.
Mrs Rathbone had a financial and student loan tutorial with a few Year 13 students on Tuesday. She not only went over the ins and outs of how to apply for a student loan, but also went into detail about the PAYE system and how Kiwisaver works. It was very informative and the girls found it incredibly useful.
Janine Southby has come into Tolcarne a few times this term to talk to our Year 12 Boarding Leaders. Her focus has been on leadership; the different qualities and values of a leader, how leaders can be effective, highlighting all the different types of leaders there are, and how important public speaking. The Boarding Leaders have been given a lot to think about, and have begun to apply Janine’s advice to their roles in the hostel.

Health and Safety

Please do not encourage your daughter to walk along the school side of Royal Terrace where the building is progressing. She could be endangered with heavy equipment and truck movements.

Don’t forget to have your say – NCEA Review process

The Ministry of Education is presently looking at ways to strengthen NCEA and is exploring a variety of ways to gain feedback from different stakeholders. They want to hear from parents and students and ask you to join in the conversation to submit your ideas, experiences and suggestions for change:  conversation.education.govt.nz/NCEA

We urge you to visit this site to see the ways in which you can give your views.

As a school, we will be talking with students and plan to run a parent seminar on 12th September as part of the consultation process.

Return of 2017 Cups and Trophies

It is that time of year again where we ask for the return of all cups and trophies presented in 2017. This assists us in the preparation of this year’s awards evening and Prize Giving.

These may be left at the main office. Thank you.

Careers News and Events

 To view visit the Career Events calendar.

A reminder to check the Sports Draws page of the website to keep up to date with match times. The netball draws are posted each week in readiness for the weekend’s matches.

 Student Achievement

Congratulations to Olivia O’Neill who recently returned from Kuala Lumpar competing for the New Zealand U18 Girls Touch Team in the Youth World Cup. Olivia and her team finished 2nd after an exciting but challenging 4 days of competition in 35 degree heat

A big congratulations to our Year 7 & 8 Netball Team who won the final this week.

Coming up…
A number of sports finals are being played next week, please see below for times and venues. Would be great to see you down there supporting the girls
Hockey Finals – Monday 20 August
St Hilda’s Junior XI v Taieri College XI 5:40pm at McMillan Turf

St Hilda’s 2nd XI v Taieri College 1st XI 6:40pm at McMillan Turf

St Hilda’s 1st XI v Columba College 1st XI 7:40pm at Mcmillan Turf
Rugby Final – Wednesday 22 August
St Hilda’s 1st XV v Otago Girls 1st XV 4:30pm at Logan Park

 

Weekly News – Term 3/Week 3

Newsletters

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A Note from The Principal

Congratulations to a number of our students who completed projects for the Otago regional Science and Technology Fair. There were some very good results which are in more detail in the achievements section.  The prizegiving is being held on Sunday.

The Year 11 Dance was a wonderful evening enjoyed by all who attended, and we are grateful for the mature, positive and engaging approach the girls took to the event. They really made it a fabulous occasion and thanks go to Mrs McLanachan and Ms Corkery and the Year 11 Dance committee for their organisation and oversight.

Quad was also highly successful, with some great competition, tight games and competitive debates. It was great to be able to host this event and we would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who supported this event and to those families who hosted billets from visiting schools.

 

On Tuesday we held our course design evening. We started the night by looking at the ways the world and education are changing and what a successful graduate will need to flourish beyond school. We will share some resources from the evening on the parent portal for those who were unable to make it.

Coming up…

Good luck to our students in the Hip Hop Regionals that are being held today.

We are having a Gala Concert on Thursday at 6.30 pm, Otago Boys High School ( Advert below). This is a fundraiser for the St Hilda’s groups that are attending upcoming National Competitions in Wellington. Please come along and show your support.

We are really looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the various Parent Seminars that we are holding. Please see details below. Please RSVP to the School Office if you intend to join us.

The Back to the Future day is next Friday. Please RSVP to the school office if you intend to come.

 Jackie Barron

Gala Concert – Thursday 16 August

Seminars Reminder: Please RSVP to the School Office with an indication of which venue you will be attending.

Anxiety, depression and unrelenting standards of perfection. How to Parent for Wellbeing

New Zealand is leading the world in appalling youth mental health statistics.

Come and hear what your daughters have told us about their own feelings and experiences and explore research based strategies on how to support our young women by parenting for Wellbeing.

These workshops will be really useful for all parents. You are welcome to bring friends, family and colleagues to share these interactive workshops.

We all need to be involved in the increasingly important discussions around youth and wellbeing.

See the dates and venues below for our upcoming seminars.

Balclutha – 2 pm Sunday 19 August – Rosebank Lodge, 265 Clyde Street.

Gore – 7 pm Sunday 19 August – Heartland Hotel Croydon, 100 Waimea Street. (PLEASE NOTE ADJUSTED TIME)

Cromwell – 7 pm Monday 20 August – The Gate, 6 Barry Avenue.

Oamaru – 7 pm Wednesday 22 August – Oamaru Opera House, 94 Thames Street.

Dunedin – 7 pm Thursday 30 August – St Hilda’s Collegiate School

Please RSVP to the School Office with and an indication of which venue you will be attending.

Back to the Future

We would like to invite you in to experience what school is like in 2018.

On Friday 17th August we are going to run open classrooms. This will allow you to come and join in the learning. You will have the option of a morning or afternoon and within this time you will get to experience four classes.

The morning session will run from 8:30 am – 10:40 am

The afternoon session will run from 12:50 pm – 3:00 pm

At the completion of the sessions, we will make our way to the chapel for refreshments and an opportunity for questions/discussion.

Our aim is for you to be a part of the class not just an observer. We will send details out around logon information and accessing the school network. You will be an interactive, independent, 21st Century Learner – be prepared to be challenged, curious and have fun.

We look forward to having you join us to gain an insight into how learning takes place at St Hilda’s.

Please RSVP to the school office by Monday 13th August with an indication of which session you would like to attend.

Year 11-13 Subject Selection – Portal reminder

The portal to enter your daughters 2019 Year 11-13 subject selection is now open and will close again on Monday 27 August. The portal can be accessed via the Parent Portal and the link in the online Academic Programme. Please get in touch with the school office in the first instance if you have forgotten your login details.

Tolcarne News

What a busy start to the term our students and staff have had at Tolcarne. With last internals due, pressure from upcoming exams and many many sports practices, games and tournaments, it was a timely reminder for the Seniors when the volunteer team from Life Matters came to talk about keeping ourselves well by using good copying strategies, and what to do when we recognize that others may need help.
This term the Koru program is all about having the courage to step outside our comfort zones, and what that can feel like. Last Wednesday the Year 10’s gave Acro-yoga a really good go. Thank you to Hannah and Anna who came to instruct the class.

  

Health and Safety

Please do not encourage your daughter to walk along the school side of Royal Terrace where the building is progressing. She could be endangered with heavy equipment and truck movements.

Tree Planting Event – Town Belt Kaitiaki

The Town Belt Kaitiaki are a Dunedin wide student-led group chaired by Stephanie Post and they would like to invite you to their ‘Project Gold Tree Planting Event’ taking place on Sunday 12 August from 10 am – 12.30 pm at Woodhaugh Gardens (by the duck pond).

You can help to celebrate the students’ goals and vision to plant 300 trees, enjoy a BBQ and learn about the original Arbor Day and the tree choice for the site.

They ask that you:

  • Wear appropriate shoes and clothes
  • Bring gardening gloves and spade (if you can)
  • Bring food and drink for yourself (the food is a small snack)
  • INVITE OTHER PEOPLE!

For catering purposes, please RSVP to Claudia Babirat at townbelt.edcoordinator@gmail.com

Don’t forget to have your say – NCEA Review process

The Ministry of Education is presently looking at ways to strengthen NCEA and is exploring a variety of ways to gain feedback from different stakeholders. They want to hear from parents and students and ask you to join in the conversation to submit your ideas, experiences and suggestions for change:  conversation.education.govt.nz/NCEA

We urge you to visit this site to see the ways in which you can give your views.

As a school, we will be talking with students and plan to run a parent seminar on 12th September as part of the consultation process.

Return of 2017 Cups and Trophies

It is that time of year again where we ask for the return of all cups and trophies presented in 2017. This assists us in the preparation of this year’s awards evening and Prize Giving.

These may be left at the main office. Thank you.

Careers News and Events

 To view visit the Career Events calendar.

A reminder to check the Sports Draws page of the website to keep up to date with match times. The netball draws are posted each week in readiness for the weekend’s matches.

From the Guidance Network

Sheila Achar Josephs, PhD, psychologist in Princeton, New Jersey, talks about how we can help to address perfectionism tendencies in teens, reducing anxiety and allowing them to live healthier, happier lives. Click here to read her advice.

Student Achievement

2018 Otago regional Science and Technology Fair

A number of students completed projects for the 2018 Otago Science and Technology
fair. This was an opportunity to showcase their scientific thinking and an understanding
of the accepted scientific investigative process, as well as their creative and
communication skills.

The following girls did particularly well, gaining one or more prizes.

Elsie Burnside – Forest and Bird Society Award

Hannah Lawrence – Aurora Award

Eliabel Legrand – Keith Dawber Award for Alternative / Renewable Energy

Demi McAlwee – University of Otago College of Education Technology Award

Laura Ring  – University of Otago Department of Botany Award and New Zealand Society of Soil Science Award

Ella Southby –  Dairy New Zealand Award

Nova Wright  – Aurora Award for Excellence in Energy Research

Congratulations on a great effort.

Congratulations to the following girls who have been selected for the Otago Secondary School Girls Rugby Team – Good luck for the season ahead

Olivia George 
Lily Davies 
Ella Fry 
Amelia Andrews 
Stacey Sanders 
Jaclyn Williams 
Georgie Jessop 

Winter Sports Quad Tournament 
St Hilda’s hosted the annual Winter Sports Quad Tournament at the start of the week with Hockey, Netball, Badminton and Debating teams from St Hilda’s, Columba, Craighead and St Margaret’s giving it their all. After a fantastic two days of action, Columba College ended up being the eventual winners with St Margaret’s in 2nd, St Hilda’s 3rd and Craighead 4th

Weekly News – Term 3/Week 2

Newsletters

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A Note from The Principal

The building of our Visual Arts Centre is coming along. If you are interested in the progress, you can view our time-lapse camera at Arts Centre Camera (NOTE: you must refresh the page to get the latest image)

The school quad is presently being transformed for the Year 11 Winter Dance. Ms McLanachan and the Year 11 Dance committee have been very busy and I am sure it will be a fantastic evening.

On another note, I am thoroughly looking forward to the annual Winter Quadrangular Tournament next week which we are hosting. This is played between St Hilda’s, Columba, St Margaret’s and Craighead Diocesan, and involves the sports of Hockey, Debating, Badminton and Netball.

Good luck everyone!

Jackie Barron

Back to the Future

We would like to invite you in to experience what school is like in 2018.

On Friday 17th August we are going to run open classrooms. This will allow you to come and join in the learning. You will have the option of a morning or afternoon and within this time you will get to experience four classes.

The morning session will run from 8:40 am – 10:40 am

The afternoon session will run from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

At the completion of the sessions, we will make our way to the chapel for refreshments and an opportunity for questions/discussion.

Our aim is for you to be a part of the class not just an observer. We will send details out around logon information and accessing the school network. You will be an interactive, independent, 21st Century Learner – be prepared to be challenged, curious and have fun.

We look forward to having you join us to gain an insight into how learning takes place at St Hilda’s.

Please RSVP to the school office by Monday 13th August with an indication of which session you would like to attend.

Seminars Reminder: Anxiety, depression and unrelenting standards of perfection. How to Parent for Wellbeing

New Zealand is leading the world in appalling youth mental health statistics.

Come and hear what your daughters have told us about their own feelings and experiences and explore research based strategies on how to support our young women by parenting for Wellbeing.

These workshops will be really useful for all parents. You are welcome to bring friends, family and colleagues to share these interactive workshops.

We all need to be involved in the increasingly important discussions around youth and wellbeing.

See the dates and venues below for our upcoming seminars.

Balclutha – 2 pm Sunday 19 August – Rosebank Lodge, 265 Clyde Street.

Gore – 5 pm Sunday 19 August – Heartland Hotel Croydon, 100 Waimea Street.

Cromwell – 7 pm Monday 20 August – The Gate, 6 Barry Avenue.

Oamaru – 7 pm Wednesday 22 August – Oamaru Opera House, 94 Thames Street.

Dunedin – 7 pm Thursday 30 August – St Hilda’s Collegiate School

Please put these dates in your diary.

Year 11-13 Subject Selection – Portal reminder

The portal to enter your daughters 2019 Year 11-13 subject selection is now open and will close again on Monday 27 August. The portal can be accessed via the Parent Portal and the link in the online Academic Programme. Please get in touch with the school office in the first instance if you have forgotten your login details.

Course Design Evening

Our Course Design Evening is being held at 6:00 pm on Tuesday 7 August – for parents and caregivers of Year 10 – 12 students.
The evening will be focused on looking at the resources that are available to assist families to make an informed course selection for 2019.
The evening will begin with a presentation on the St Hilda’s Graduate in the Chapel followed by three mini workshops focussing on designing your daughters course for 2019 and beyond.

Fundraiser for Sings Hilda

Image result for car wash memes

Bring along your car and support Sings Hilda on Saturday 4th August 11 am – 3 pm at Beaurepairs on the corner of McBride Street and Andersons Bay Road (opposite Mitre 10 Mega).

Town Hall Mayoral Welcome

International students from around Dunedin today were invited to the Town Hall to be welcomed by our Mayor Dave Cull. There was a wonderful Kapa Haka to greet everyone, information about the city and things Dunedin has to offer were showcased as well as a chance to mingle with students from other schools. We even managed to get a picture with Councilor Chris Garey.

Tree Planting Event – Town Belt Kaitiaki

The Town Belt Kaitiaki are a Dunedin wide student-led group chaired by Stephanie Post and they would like to invite you to their ‘Project Gold Tree Planting Event’ taking place on Sunday 12 August from 10 am – 12.30 pm at Woodhaugh Gardens (by the duck pond).

You can help to celebrate the students’ goals and vision to plant 300 trees, enjoy a BBQ and learn about the original Arbor Day and the tree choice for the site.

They ask that you:

  • Wear appropriate shoes and clothes
  • Bring gardening gloves and spade (if you can)
  • Bring food and drink for yourself (the food is a small snack)
  • INVITE OTHER PEOPLE!

For catering purposes, please RSVP to Claudia Babirat at townbelt.edcoordinator@gmail.com

Don’t forget to have your say – NCEA Review process

The Ministry of Education is presently looking at ways to strengthen NCEA and is exploring a variety of ways to gain feedback from different stakeholders. They want to hear from parents and students and ask you to join in the conversation to submit your ideas, experiences and suggestions for change:  conversation.education.govt.nz/NCEA

We urge you to visit this site to see the ways in which you can give your views.

As a school, we will be talking with students and plan to run a parent seminar on 12th September as part of the consultation process.

Careers News and Events

 To view visit the Career Events calendar.

A reminder to check the Sports Draws page of the website to keep up to date with match times. The netball draws are posted each week in readiness for the weekend’s matches.

From the Guidance Network

The Guidance Team have attached a very informative brief titled Enough As She Is: “When girls know why they matter inside, they become more resilient in the face of stress”.

Enough As She Is 

Student Achievement

Well done to the girls who had garments in the Hokonui Fashion Awards last weekend. They looked fabulous on the catwalk and special congratulations to Lucy Girvan who was Highly Commended in her section and Amelia Phillips who was placed second in her section

Weekly News – Term 3/Week 1

Weekly News

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A Note from The Principal

Welcome back to an exciting Term 3. This is a great term for consolidating learning, building skills for key sports and cultural events, and sharing some special community activities. I hope you all had a relaxing and rewarding break and are ready for the excitement that lies ahead!

Thank you to students, staff, the PFA, Tolcarne and the rowing parents who all contributed towards a very successful Open Evening last night.
The theme of the evening was “Can Do” and from the word go our guests were treated to Stephanie Post playing the violin, Sarah Lee on piano, the Kapa Haka welcome and Sings Hilda performing one of its items for the national Big Sing Finale.
In classrooms prospective Year 7 and 9 students were invited to join in activities, sample delicious chocolate cupcakes developed for gluten free eating and learn about the problem solving required to develop a functioning robot.
The Year 12 and 13 guides managed to answer the myriad of questions with grace and ease and families enjoyed a cup of tea in the Chapel at the end of the night provided by the PFA.
Jackie Barron

Back to the Future

We would like to invite you in to experience what school is like in 2018.

On Friday 17th August we are going to run open classrooms. This will allow you to come and join in the learning. You will have the option of a morning or afternoon and within this time you will get to experience four classes.

Our aim is for you to be a part of the class not just an observer. You will be an interactive, independent, 21st Century Learner – be prepared to be challenged, curious and have fun.

There will be more details to come but we will require you to RSVP for this event.

Seminars : Anxiety, depression and unrelenting standards of perfection. How to Parent for Wellbeing

New Zealand is leading the world in appalling youth mental health statistics.

Come and hear what your daughters have told us about their own feelings and experiences and explore research based strategies on how to support our young women by parenting for Wellbeing.

These workshops will be really useful for all parents. You are welcome to bring friends, family and colleagues to share these interactive workshops.

We all need to be involved in the increasingly important discussions around youth and wellbeing.

See the dates below for our upcoming seminars. Venues to be confirmed.

Balclutha – 2 pm Sunday 19 August

Gore – 5 pm Sunday 19 August

Cromwell – 7 pm Monday 20 August

Oamaru – 7 pm Wednesday 22 August

Dunedin – 7 pm Thursday 30 August

Please put these dates in your diary. More details will follow.

Year 11-13 Subject Selection

The portal to enter your daughters 2019 Year 11-13 subject selection is now open and will close again on Monday 27 August. The portal can be accessed via the Parent Portal and the link in the online Academic Programme. Please get in touch with the school office in the first instance if you have forgotten your login details.
Alongside the recent release of the Senior Academic Programme, we warmly invite parents/caregivers of current Year 10-12 students to our Course Design Evening, which will be held at 6:00pm on Tuesday 7 August. The evening will be focused on looking at the resources that are available to assist families to make an informed course selection for 2019.
The evening involves a series of workshops allowing you to rotate around three mini workshops on:
  • Understanding NCEA.
  • Navigating the on-line Academic Programme plus interactive careers online resources.
  • St Hilda’s graduate profile and how it is related to subject selection including exceptions e.g. 5 verses 6 subjects, multi-level study.
A more detailed copy of the evening’s programme and timings will be e-mailed to families next week.

Junior Dances

We are holding our St Hilda’s junior dances next week.

The Year 7 and 8 dance is on Wednesday 1st August from 7 pm to 9 pm.

The year 9 and 10 dance will be on Thursday 2nd August from 7 pm to 9.30 pm

Both dances will be held in Whitby Hall. The student council will be selling tickets on Monday and Tuesday of next week in the student foyer/quad. The tickets will be $5.00.

If you have any questions please contact Judy Maw on jmaw@shcs.school.nz

Call for Host Families

We are still short of host families for around 12 girls from Craighead and St Margarets for the upcoming Winter Sports Quad Tournament which takes place from Sunday 5th August to Tuesday 7th of August
 
If you are able to host 1 or 2 of these girls for the tournament please see the details and link below for more information, any assistance would be greatly appreciated at this time.

Winter Sports Quadrangular Tournament 

This year it is St Hilda’s turn to host the annual Winter Quadrangular Tournament. This is played between St Hilda’s, Columba, St Margaret’s and Craighead Diocesan, and involves the sports of Hockey, Debating, Badminton and Netball.
The tournament is taking place on Sunday 5th August – Tuesday 7th August and will require billet families to host girls from St Margaret’s and Craighead on the Sunday and Monday evening, along with providing dinner on Sunday evening, and lunch and dinner on Monday.
We need billet families for around 70 students and will require the support of the families of girls who are not directly involved in the quadrangular tournament themselves to host this number of girls. We would greatly appreciate it if you were able to accommodate these girls into your homes as they do for us.
This tournament is unable to go ahead without the generous support of our St Hilda’s community hosting students from these travelling schools.
Please note: Girls being hosted do not need their own room, unlike some other exchanges we have, so room sharing is more than acceptable in these circumstances.
Please indicate on via the link below if you are able to assist with billeting.
Any questions please feel free to contact Callum Wardell – cwardell@shcs.school.nz
All the best to the senior textile girls who have entered their garments in the  Hokonui Fashion Awards which are being judged tonight. It will be a very special thing to see their designs on the catwalk.

New date for PFA AGM

The PFA AGM which had to be postponed last term is now taking place on Tuesday 31st July. This meeting will take place in the Library from 7pm.

Staffing

Just a reminder that we have some minor changes to staffing this term as we adjust our timetable around learning initiatives.

We are delighted to announce that Anna Garthwaite has been appointed to the role of Specialist Classroom Teacher. This role encompasses leading pedagogical practice and development in the school, and assisting teachers with curriculum and classroom interests.

This role has a time allocation with it, which means Dr Townsley will pick up two hours of Year 7  Maths and Mrs Barron will assist with Year 7 and 8 Reading.

Miss Dunn and Ms Bartley will be working together to develop a new Year 9 and 10 Science Programme in the first 5 weeks of the term. Science specialist, Mrs Astwood will teach Mrs Bartley’s Year 11 Science class and Ms Dunn’s Year 10 Science class for that time.

We are lucky to have a teacher of Mrs Astwood’s calibre to call on, while our staff commit to enhancing our current courses to further assist girls with their learning.

Don’t forget to have your say – NCEA Review process

The Ministry of Education is presently looking at ways to strengthen NCEA and is exploring a variety of ways to gain feedback from different stakeholders. They want to hear from parents and students and ask you to join in the conversation to submit your ideas, experiences and suggestions for change:  conversation.education.govt.nz/NCEA

We urge you to visit this site to see the ways in which you can give your views.

As a school we will be talking with students and plan to run a parent seminar on 12th September as part of the consultation process.

Careers News and Events

New information has been added to the careers page.  To view visit the Career Events calendar.

A reminder to check the Sports Draws page of the website to keep up to date with match times. The netball draws are posted each week in readiness for the weekend’s matches.

From the Guidance Network

 

Chapel Matters

Image result for ordinary time symbols

In the church’s calendar, with all its seasons, like Lent and Advent, this term sees us right in the middle of what is called Ordinary Time. It is called “ordinary” not because it is plain or boring but because it is to do with counting the weeks between Easter and Christmas – and when we count things off, or when we put them in order, like 1st, 2nd, or 3rd we call these “ordinal numbers.” This week right now is the 17th week of Ordinary Time, because it is the 17th week since Easter.

One of the things about Ordinary Time is that it is a chance to put into practice things that can help us grow, spiritually, emotionally, in terms of who we are as people in this world. The liturgical colour for Ordinary Time is green as this primarily symbolises growth, and just as seedlings take time to grow into strong trees, the skills and attitudes that we might want to cultivate in our lives also take time to grow and bear fruit. Ordinary Time is a chance to cultivate good skills and habits, to practice things that are good for us (and good for those around us), things which can be quite simple and ordinary – like being kind or grateful, or praying and being mindful – but which actually have an extraordinary power to change our lives.

Student Achievement

Our 9A and 10A Netball teams spent the first few days of the Holidays competing against the best junior netball teams in the South Island at the South Island Secondary School Junior Netball Tournament held in Christchurch. Both teams doing extremely well with the year 10A team placing 4th and the year 9A’s also placing a very commendable 6th place. Both teams had a great tournament and are looking forward to finishing off the Saturday competition strongly in the coming weeks

We also had our Rugby team away competing in the South Island Secondary School Girls Rugby Festival in Oamaru. With a mixture of girls ranging from year 9 to year 13 the girls played some fantastic Rugby finishing 5th overall

Olivia and Emma Andrew represented St Hilda’s at the South Island Secondary School Swim Meet in Blenheim and achieved some fantastic results in doing so

Olivia Andrew
– Womens 15 &O 100 IM – 1st
– Womens 15 &O 50 Free – 1st
– Womens 15 &O 200 Back – 1st
– Womens 15 &O 50 Back – 1st
– Womens 15 &O 100 Free – 1st

Emma Andrew
– Womens 14 & U 100 IM – 3rd
– Womens 14 & U 50 Free – 4th
– Womens 14 & U 100 Free – 4th
– Womens 14 & U 100 Fly – 7th

An exciting term ahead with a number of tournaments and finals spots up for grabs for our winter sports teams

Weekly News – Term 2 / Week 10

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Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A Note from The Principal

Term 2 has been a busy and productive term.

We finished with a wonderful Art Assembly and special Eucharist service, both very different events with unique vibes and focus yet common to both were the sense of community, connectedness and celebration. What a wonderful note to finish the Term on.

I hope you all have a fabulous holiday and special time together.

Jackie Barron

Staffing

Next term will see some minor changes to staffing as we adjust our timetable around learning initiatives.

We are delighted to announce that Anna Garthwaite has been appointed to the role of Specialist Classroom Teacher. This role encompasses leading pedagogical practice and development in the school, and assisting teachers with curriculum and classroom interests.

This role has a time allocation with it, which means Dr Townsley will pick up two hours of Year 7  Maths and Mrs Barron will assist with Year 7 and 8 Reading.

Miss Dunn and Ms Bartley will be working together to develop a new Year 9 and 10 Science Programme in the first 5 weeks of the term. Science specialist, Mrs Astwood will teach Mrs Bartley’s Year 11 Science class and Ms Dunn’s Year 10 Science class for that time.

We are lucky to have a teacher of Mrs Astwood’s calibre to call on, while our staff commit to enhancing our current courses to further assist girls with their learning.

Goodbye

At the end of this term, we say goodbye to our Director of International Studies, Ange Spears.

Ange brought enthusiasm and a can do do attitude as well as exhibiting excellent care for our international students. She will be missed by both staff and students, we wish her the best in her future endeavours.

NCEA Review process

The Ministry of Education is presently looking at ways to strengthen NCEA and is exploring a variety of ways to gain feedback from different stakeholders. They want to hear from parents and students and ask you to join in the conversation to submit your ideas, experiences and suggestions for change:  conversation.education.govt.nz/NCEA

We urge you to visit this site to see the ways in which you can give your views.

As a school we will be talking with students and plan to run a parent seminar on 12th September as part of the consultation process.

St Hilda’s Lilliput Libraries

We now have our Lilliput Libraries scattered around the school to support our Sustained Silent Reading initiative.

These are proving very popular!

A reminder to check the Sports Draws page of the website to keep up to date with match times. The netball draws are posted each week in readiness for the weekend’s matches.

From the Guidance Network

St Hilda’s Guidance Counsellor, Marcelle Nader-Turner, talks about why vulnerable teenagers need good examples and support. Click here to read her recent ODT article about how we can better support our teens.

Chapel Matters

This week we were privileged to have Rev Barbara Dineen take our Founders’ Day Eucharist service.

Earlier this term, on May 13th, Barbara was ordained at the Cathedral by Bishop Steven Benford. Our Sacristan Prefect, Milan Jeon along with Brianna Thomson, were involved in the service, as one way of indicating the strong connection Barbara has with St Hilda’s.

Barbara was both a student and also a staff member here, including being Head of Languages. She is only the second St Hilda’s old girl to have been ordained, so it was a wonderful honour to have her preside over our Eucharist, especially on Founders’ Day; a day when we remember those who have paved the way before us, and enabled  St Hilda’s to be the special place it has been for almost 25 years.

Careers News and Events

New information has been added to the careers page.  To view visit the Career Events calendar.

 Student Achievement

Well done to Tamara Mason who participated in the 2018 Entrepreneurs in Action challenge. Tamara’s team was one of ten competing in the event and  were very successful, managing to win both of the challenges.

Tamara Mason – Front Centre

The team’s reward is to go on a fully funded trip to Brazil, as well as each team member being offered a $7,000 scholarship for Massey University.

  • Congratulations to the following girls who have been selected into Otago Hockey representative teams. Fantastic to see such big number of St Hilda’s girls throughout the teams
 

Otago U15 Girls 
Anna Duncan, Emilee Hagan, Molly Loe, Riley Macdonald, Bridget Malcolm, Brooke McAlwee, Annabelle McKnight, Anna Mclntyre, Murphy Scott, Anika Smith,

Otago U15 Development Girls
Ella Booth, Bronte Crowe, Jordan Meltzer, Kristin Willis

Otago U13 Collier
Demi McAlwee, Chloe Deerness

Otago U13 Girls Development
Amelie Brown, Jess Wilden – GK, Nova Wright

Under 18  Women
Olivia Hall ,Taylor Duffy

Under 18 Development 

Lucy Girvan, Ana Rathbone

 

  • We would like to congratulate the following girls for making the Dunedin Netball Center Representative teams:

U14A

Gemma Rowcroft, Grace Southby, Kaylee Bond

U14B

Bronte Crowe, Jaymee Meffan, Libby Drummond, Pippa Clarke, Stella Rathbone

U15 Squad

Alice Howard, Alika Croot, Analee Toro, Brooke Callon, Brooke McAlwee, Chloe Light (subject to fitness), Danielle Willsman, Ella Perkins, Elora Peeters, Maia Hunter, Ria Dennison

Weekly News – Term 2 / Week 9

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Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Congratulations to Sings Hilda on their selection to represent St Hilda’s at the Big Sing Finale in Wellington from 30 August – 2 September 2018.  The girls have worked very hard to get to this point, along with expert guidance from Mr Grant and Mr Madden. They will be working diligently over the next 10 weeks on their performance.

We wish to thank the PFA for their support of the Year 10 Study Skills Programme with Mr Stuart Wright.  Please read below quotes from some of the students who attended these sessions.

“This programme was really great and gave me a better understanding about studying and how my brain works.  I would definitely recommend it.”

I didn’t think that studying could be so much fun.”

 “Super-helpful.  I’ve already begun to map out my unit outlines that I have upcoming tests on.”

 

The PFA unfortunately had to postpone their AGM which was to be held on the Tuesday, 26 June.  We will advise you of the new date which will be early in Term 3.

Please note that student reports will be emailed home on the last day of Term 2 – Friday, 6 July.

Our Open Evening is being held on Thursday, 26 July.  This is an important occasion for us. All current St Hilda’s students are expected to be present at Open Evening as everyone is participating in a specific activity.

To ensure the girls do not get too tired and to enable staff to prepare for the Open Evening the school will have a half day on Thursday, 26 July with school finishing at 12:25 pm. If you wish your daughter to be supervised at school in the library for the afternoon, please contact admin@shcs.school.nz.  If for some reason your daughter needs to be excused from Open Evening, could you please email Mrs Barron at principal@shcs.school.nz.

In the evening students are required at school for the following times:

6:15 pm      Prefects

6:30 pm      Guides (Designated Year 12 and all Year 13)

7:00 pm      All students to class venues

9:00 pm      Year 7 – 13 students dismissed

9:10 pm      Buses leave for Tolcarne

Please note there is a delayed start to school on Friday morning with school beginning with Period 2 at 9:40 am. It is important that all students arrive at school ready for a prompt start.

Chapel Matters

Next week we celebrate Founders’ Day with our end-of-term Eucharist service. When Sisters Geraldine and Etheleen arrived in Dunedin on December 19th, 1895, to set up “an English school for daughters of gentlemen” they had a hard task in front of them. Not only did they face the challenge of setting up a school on a very limited budget, but they also had to deal with the attitudes of those who didn’t believe in education for girls, or who didn’t like the idea of an Anglican school being set up in a Presbyterian city. The Sisters were determined, however, and described their mission as “a Venture of Faith.” Not long after setting up St Hilda’s, they wrote back home to the others Sisters in London saying, “Despite the hardship, we are sustained by a vision of the Eternal and by faith in One who has called us to leave all and follow him.” It is good to remember the Sisters who founded our school, to let their venture of faith inspire us, and to have faith that God can sustain us no matter what we face, even 122 years later.

Tolcarne News

Last weekend at Tolcarne Teresa took a small group of Year 9, 10 and 11s to watch the Steel vs. Tactix netball game. It was a very close match, which made the netball great fun to watch, and it was a privilege to see Kate Heffernan (Year 13 2017) practicing and training with the Steel. The girls were thrilled that they could stay afterwards and get photographs and selfies with the Steel team.

Tolcarne is gearing up for the end of the Term, with last minute assignments being finished by our Senior students, and pack-up underway. We have our last weekend activity on Sunday – Inflatable World – where the students can jump and run to their hearts content.

Weekly News – Term 2 | Week 8

Weekly News

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

The annual ODT Extra Spelling quiz took place at Otago Girls’ High School hall on the evening of Thursday June 21st. It was a tense evening for the Year 10 team. Last year, they had gained second place, being beaten by one point. In fact for the past four years they had come second! This was their last year in the competition and they were determined.

The team, Lauren Heng, Emily WIlson and Brianna Le, had a tough competition. They were leading at half way, but the rounds were tough asking them not only to spell words such as ‘ archaic’ and ‘homogenous’ but also know where words originated from and the cunning ‘ guess the word’ using as few clues as possible, There were 99 points up for grabs. They gained 84….. To take the win!

Please note the PFA Annual General Meeting is being held next Tuesday 26th June at 7:00pm in the library.

Weather permitting, the  St Hilda’s Cross Country is being held next Wednesday 27 June  in the afternoon with races  beginning around 2:00pm.

A reminder to check the Sports Draws page of the website to keep up to date with match times. The netball draws are posted each week in readiness for the weekend’s matches.

From the Guidance Network

In this interesting TED talk Reshma Saujani discusses why we need girls to be brave not perfect. Click here to watch.

Chapel Matters

Do you have a Subaru as your family car? Have you ever wondered what the word “Subaru” means? It is the Japanese name for the star cluster known as the Pleiades, the seven sisters, or – for Maori – Matariki. You can see this on their logo!

This week marks the beginning of Matariki here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Traditionally for Maori, when Matariki appeared just before dawn in late May or June, this time was seen as the beginning of the new year, and therefore it has traditionally meant a time to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. Matariki is a good time to pause and reflect on life; to take stock of things and both look back on the journey of the past year as well as forward to the one that lies ahead. As we do that, we can appreciate those who have gone before us, who have paved the way, such as we will do at the end of term for Founders’ Day. We can also remember loved ones who have passed away, those we miss, and those who we no longer see, for whatever reason. And then we can also think about the rest of the year ahead, and renew our goals and resolutions for this year.

See if you can find Matariki in the night sky sometime over the next month. If you are not sure where to find this star cluster, have a look at this video from Te Papa. As you look up at Matariki, look back on your past and thank God for those who have gone before you, look around be aware of your present and enjoy the gifts of today, and look forward to the future, and all that lies in store, and ask God to bless your goals and your hopes.

Careers News and Events

New information has been added to the careers page.  To view visit the Career Events calendar.

Tolcarne News

Last weekend at Tolcarne the Year 9’s tried out a boxing class for the first time. They had a great time learning how to dodge, playing games, and learning to hit the punching bag correctly. The next day they were all a little sore but said they had had a great time.

This week we have had Sergeant John Hedges, the Dunedin Community Relations Officer, talking to our students about how to keep themselves safe on social media, how to look after each other during tough times, and how to cope and deal with peer pressure. John was humorous and fun, while being confronting, and made the students really reflect about all the different topics.

Student Achievement

Congratulations to Breane Byck who recently trialed and was selected to represent Southland, New Zealand in the 2019 Ice Hockey Friendship Games. The event is being held in Hachinohe, Japan.
Farrin Quin, Year 10, won the Otago and South Island Badminton Under 15 singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles (triple crown!) last weekend. Well done Farrin!

Weekly News – Term 2 | Week 7

Weekly News

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Poetry In Action’s theatre company’s Team Raven visited St Hilda’s this week. For year 11 students, they gave an emotional and affecting performance focusing on the WW1 poet Wilfred Owen’s life and works. Not only did they dramatise key moments in his life from his religious upbringing, to the trenches and his pivotal meeting with Siegfried Sassoon, they also dramatised and analysed some of his most famous works such as Futility and Anthem for Doomed Youth. It ended with a retrospective look by the UK’s poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy’s  Last Post which takes inspiration from Owen’s iconic poem Dulce Est and thinks about what if history could be rewound.

For the year 10’s, Poetry in Action looked at the concept of Fact Vs Fiction. In an age where alternative facts are used and clickbait entices us everywhere, they made us realise that we should question everything we are given in the media; to consider its origin, the writer or presenter and examine the language that is used. They used real life examples such as Trump’s inauguration and fictional retelling of real events, where the Aristotelian idea of Pathos was used to garner the reader’s sympathy.

Both explored words and the power of words. In an age where images are used so graphically, it was good to be reminded that words still have the power to excite, that they are worth examining to get to the truth of the matter.

“All a poet can do today is warn. That is why the true Poets must be truthful.” Owen

We have secured a new date for the annual St Hilda’s Cross Country seeing this was cancelled at the end of term 1 due to the weather. This will be taking place in two weeks time on Wednesday 27 June from 1:00pm – 3:15pm at Ross Creek starting on the John McGlashan Field – All girls will be bused there from school but will need to make their own way home at the conclusion of the event. Ross Creek is an awesome place to run/walk/jog so we are very lucky to be able to use it to host our Cross Country – Fingers crossed the weather is on our side this time!

Over the past two weeks Years 7, 8 and 10 have been taking part in the Girls’ Self Defence Project funded by the Ministry of Social Development and ACC. The girls learn how to think and act confidently, to be aware of their safety, verbal and physical skills to keep themselves safe and to seek support if needed.

From the Guidance Network

‘Understanding and dealing with rejection is an essential life skill if your child is to live a happy, successful personal and professional life.’ Click here for suggestions from Ann Heathcote, founder of The Worsley Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling, about how you can help your daughter to deal with the realities of life.

 

Chapel Matters

As you will know, at the end of every term we have a Eucharist Service. The word “eucharist” comes from the Greek word “eu” (meaning “good” or “well,” as in the word “eulogy” where someone speaks well of a person) and “charis” (meaning “grace” or “gift”). So “eucharist” means the “good gifts” or “good grace” of God – the gifts of bread and wine which we are thankful for (literally and/or symbolically!). It is also appropriate then that we share or pass on the goodness and grace we have received with others as a sign of our gratitude. As a school, one of the ways we do this is to support Anglican Family Care in some practical way leading up to our end-of-term Eucharist Service. This term AFC have asked if we can provide some clothing items for their social workers to support families with new babies who will struggle to keep warm (and healthy) over winter. Each whanaungatanga group is being asked, therefore, to provide one item of warm, woolly, winter clothing for a baby. If you wanted to donate anything over and above this please feel free to drop any items to me at school or directly to AFC at the office (266 Hanover Street, the old McKenzie & Willis building). They would be very grateful, as would many Dunedin families and babies!

 

Careers News and Events

New information has been added to the careers page.  To view visit the Career Events calendar.

Tolcarne News

Last weekend we had a large group of Year 9 students head off to play laser tag and mini golf at the Megazone in Dunedin. Well done to Fiona Hunt who won the laser tag, and Rosie Dykes for winning the mini golf. This weekend there is a group of students giving a boxing class a go! Have fun!

 

This week our Year 12 and 13 students were incredibly privileged to have ‘Dots’ Communication presented by Amy Scott. ‘Dots’ is about finding out your communication style and learning to recognize others communication style so that you can connect with new people instantly, and work with them to achieve in many areas of life. Our staff participated in a morning course with Amy at the beginning of the year and have found the understandings and language very useful in our team environment. It was so exciting to have Amy back to share her knowledge so that the students could begin to understand what we mean when we are “feeling a bit ‘yellow’ today!”

 

Student Achievement

Congratulations to the team of Emma Boult, Lily Knox, Kate McEwan and Courtney Lloyd for their success at the 48hr Fim Festival Dunedin City Finals. The girls took out Best School Team, Best use of one of the required elements and 4th overall.

 

We had a highly successful  Otago Netball Championships over Sunday 10 and Monday 11 June with St Hilda’s doing very well.
Congratulations to:

 

The Senior A ‘s was placed first beating Columba in the final 33 -20.
The Year 10 A team placed 3rd beating Otago Girls 24 -20.
The Year 9 A’s placed 2nd losing to Taieri 15 -20 in its final.

 

Well done to Jessica Scott who has been selected for the New Zealand Team to compete at the 2018 State Teams Age Group Swimming Championships at the Australian Sports Institute in Canberra in October

Olivia O’Neill who has been selected for the NZ U18 Girls Touch team to compete in the Youth World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in August. Olivia has also been named as a co captain of the team. Congratulations Olivia!