Monthly Archives: September 2018

Weekly News Term 3|Week 10

Weekly News

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A Note from The Principal

It has been a busy and challenging term, and I hope that all our girls and families have the opportunity to spend time with loved ones, enjoy the world around them, get out in the fresh air and take the time to be grateful for life’s blessings.

I know next term will be busy too, and there are always so many fun and memorable events in the last term, that it does fly past. Term 4 is about new adventures, passion projects, Yr 10 Camp, farewelling our seniors, external examinations and learning that prepares girls for the next year. The staff enjoy the opportunity to move broadly through the curriculum, and challenge girls to think about their next steps. Please check the key dates below and commit them to your diary so you don’t miss out on any of these special events.

It is also a time when we think about our next steps too, and plan for 2019. A key focus of mine is to ensure that we continue to have quality staff teaching all our classes. Ms Claire Laverty has resigned to spend more time with her young family, and we have advertised a position for a Maths specialist. Ms Allott, after travelling overseas for the year, has indicated that she will not be returning to Dunedin, so we have advertised for an HOD Languages and Spanish specialist. We will also have to advertise for an HOD Visual and Performing Arts and we will begin that process shortly.

Below you will find the link to a presentation made by Tracey Martin the Associate Minister of Education and Minister for Children at the parliamentary function yesterday to honour winners of the national NCEA “Make Your Mark’ competition. In her presentation she refers to the research conducted by our Year 11 Digital technology class, that they submitted. What a moment for the girls!! Not only does it acknowledge the work they have done, but it validates all the work our pastoral team have been undertaking in the community around girls’ anxiety and toxic perfectionism. Wow!! We are very proud and delighted that the girls’ work has been recognized.

Watch the video starting from 26 minutes – 29 minutes!! A wonderful moment.

https://www.facebook.com/EducationGovtNZ/videos/1682875915173515/UzpfSTY2MDUwOTcwMToxMDE1NjI2ODA2NTM0NDcwMg/?notif_id=1538071911240399&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic

Jackie Barron

If you are withdrawing your daughter from St Hilda’s we ask that this is put in writing before Monday 15 October.  As is stipulated in the enrolment contract, one term’s written notice is required.  In default of that notice, one term’s Attendance Dues plus GST, shall be paid in lieu of notice upon the date that such fees would normally fall due, and in default of payment, interest shall run from that date until payment at the rate specified on the fees tax invoice/statement.  In addition, any costs involved in collection should recovery action be taken, shall be payable.

Please email principal@shcs.school.nz before Monday 15 October if your daughter is not intending to return to St Hilda’s in 2019.

Key Dates for Term 4 – Monday 15th October – 5th December 2018

Monday 22 October – Labour Day – School and Hostel closed
Friday 26 October – Blues Evening – Chapel, 7 pm
Sunday 28 October – St Hilda’s Cathedral Service – St Paul’s Cathedral, 10 am.

Thursday 1 November – Last day for Seniors
Monday 12-16 November – Year 10 Camp
Sunday 25 November – Carol Service – Chapel, 5 pm

Tuesday 4 December – Leavers Dinner – Museum
Wednesday 5 December – Prize Giving – Edgar Centre, students to be seated at 4.45pm for 5pm start.

Learning Conversations – Interview site will open at 5 pm today for Senior Day Girls.

SENIOR DAY GIRLS – Week 1 (Term 4) Tuesday 16th October  6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

The Interview site will close at 5 pm of 15th October

To book go to:  https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz

Click on “Make a Booking” and enter the following code

dmntb

Student Achievement

More on Make Your Mark

The Year 11 Digital Technologies class, plus Isabella Aldrich in Year 12, travelled to Wellington this week to receive awards at Parliament for their winning entries into the NCEA Make Your Mark Competition.  The girls in Year 11 conducted research into student views on NCEA, analysed the results and presented their findings as a formal NCEA review report.   At the awards ceremony, the girls were specially mentioned by Associate Minister of Education, Hon Tracey Martin, for the work they had done regarding the impact that NCEA has on student well-being.  Isabella Aldrich was awarded a 1st place for her creative writing submission, which was a powerful piece that also focused on the stress caused by on-going assessment in NCEA.  

As well as attending the awards ceremony, the girls also had two industry visits to learn more about career pathways in the digital technologies area.  They were lucky to be hosted by Datacom and Trade Me who each inspired the girls with the range of exciting current and emerging applications of digital technologies.

The girls also were able to do some exploring around Wellington, including a visit to Te Papa.

Overall, the day was filled with interesting and inspiring experiences and the girls represented St Hilda’s proudly and graciously

Aerobics

NZCAF Nationals 2018 – St Hilda’s Placings

Category Student Place
Prechoreographed Intermediate Individual Olivia Ollerenshaw 3rd
Prechoreographed Secondary Team Sarah Langsbury & Summer Philips 1st
Charlotte & Penelope Chapman-Cohen 2nd
Emma Frampton & Rylie Cleaver 3rd
Intermediate Team Lashaan Ashton & Tia Mawhinney 2nd
Secondary Junior Team Maia Lamb & Gabi Horo 1st
Secondary Senior Team Zara Anthony-Whigham & Isabel Woodhouse 1st
Intermediate Individual Sofia Johnston 2nd
Chloe Woodhouse 3rd
Secondary Rookie Individual Stella Rathbone 2nd
Junior Open Individual Bridget Sinclair 1st
Senior Open Novice Individual Bella Devereux 1st
Senior Open Individual Trinity Maydon 2nd
Intermediate Fitness Group Short’n’Sassy 1st
Secondary Fitness Group Gangnam Girls 3rd
NZCAF Secondary Schools Challenge Shield (most 1st, 2nd & 3rd placings) St Hilda’s
Technical Excellence Award Sofia Johnston


Hip Hop – Secondary School Category

Alliance (2nd place in Nationals)

Hannah Alcock
Zara Anthony- Whigham
Sian Hanlin
Helen Knott
Millie Scully
Libby Ward
Grace Stewart

Congratulations to all, what an achievement!

Netball

The team was in great form showing real team work and winning all games during the day. St Hildas placed second overall for year 8, the final playoff against Mt Aspiring was a fast paced game and the team held their own, with only 2 goals difference in the final score.

The year 8 Netball team headed to Gore for the Otago/Southland Intermediate Netball Champs on Sunday the 23rd of September. The team was in great form after winning the Dunedin Netball Year 8 Competition three weeks beforehand and had another fantastic tournament. St Hilda’s ended up placing second overall in the year 8 grade, the final playoff against Mt Aspiring was a fast paced game and the team held their own, with only 2 goals difference in the final score.
Duathlon
St Hilda’s had 4 girls competing at the Otago Duathlon Championships on Sunday 23rd of September. In almost perfect conditions on the Taieri the girls did extremely well with Cecilia Crooks winning the senior girls race, Gemma Rowcroft placing second in the junior girls race and a team of Megan Foster and Grace Cotter placing second in the junior girls teams race.

Curling
This season was super successful for St Hilda’s Curling. We had a large number of girls involved this season and were very fierce competitors, with the novice team Curl Power taking out the novice competition. The other notice and experienced teams both made huge improvements over the season. The girls were enthusiastic and have been a pleasure to play alongside this season. We want to say a special thanks to Mrs Jones who came along every week and supported the teams through this exciting season.

Photo competition

winners were judged in four categories at junior and senior levels. These categories were based on the values of the St Hilda’s graduate. The winners were:

Be You Senior: Olivia Hazlet
Be You Junior: Lucy Woodhouse

Can Do Senior: Olivia Hazlet

Can Do Junior: Breane Byck

Better Together Senior: Sophie Armstrong

Better Together Junior: Ella Hodgson

Explore Faith Senior: Eve Scott

Explore Faith Junior: Ella Hodgson

Students and staff were able to vote blind for their favourite photo and the winner of this People’s Choice vote was Sophie Armstrong with her ‘Better Together’ photo.

Congratulations to all winners and well done to all those who entered.

Return of Cups and Trophies presented in 2017

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.

Weekly News Term 3|Week 9

Weekly News

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A Note from The Principal

The busyness of a school term continues and we know that through all of the work and commitments, activities and responsibilities that we have, the connectedness of our community is very important. We have had the opportunity to celebrate so many recent achievements, at Tournament week, students making national finals in the “Make Your Mark’ NCEA competition, Coding competitions and our Hip hop crews and Aerobic teams who have their nationals this weekend. We are proud of the girls achievements and pleased to be able to support them and cheer them on.

The benchmark exams have been completed and are a great measure for the girls in terms of where they are in their learning and what their next steps need to be. They will have all the information they need to make the most of the coming weeks before External Examinations. Progress reports for senior students will be out shortly, again adding clarity to the key tasks required going forward.

The purpose and focus of the coming weeks is clear, and we look forward to assisting students to achieve their personal goals.

Jackie Barron

Blues Application Process 2018 – Deadline closes at 5pm TODAY

Applications for Cultural, Service and Sports Blues and Awards were announced at our full school assembly 31 August 2018.

These application links are located on the student homepage under the heading “Blues Application” and will now close TODAY at 5:00 pm.  

All successful applicants will be notified of their attendance at the invitation only Blues Awards evening by the end of September.

The Blues Award evening, an invitation only event, will be held on 26 October commencing at 7:00 pm in the School Chapel.

Learning Conversations – Interview site now open for bookings.

We respectfully request Day Girl Learning Conversations are booked on the nights allocated:

ALL DAY GIRLS – Week 10 Tuesday 25th September 6:00 pm-8:00 pm

BOARDERS – Week 10 Friday 28th September  1:00 pm – 3:30 pm – PLEASE NOTE All students will be released early at  11.50 am to allow for these conversations.

SENIOR DAY GIRLS – Week 1 (Term 4) Tuesday 16th October  6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

The Interview site will close on the morning of each Learning Conversation.

To book go to:  https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz

Click on “Make a Booking” and enter the following code

dmntb

Guidance

“Hello Grief. I see you. I know your name. I am here for you.”

Thich Nhat Hanh

Grief and the subsequent grieving that comes afterwards, is something that most of us fear, for we know the literal pain that grief brings.

But as the quote above says, “I am here for you” and the implicit meanings of “I will look after you and I will attend to you” – that is the message we must take in order to move through the pain of grief.

So much of our culture relies on distraction and avoidance. “Don’t think about” or “do something to keep yourself busy” are phrases we often hear when someone is struggling with big emotions. But by doing that, we are deliberately turning our back on the visitor who has arrived – Grief – and we are denying ourselves the opportunity to hold our grief like a small child who needs nurturing, to see our emotions from the point of view of an observer and to take the steps required to care for our grief and in doing so, find the path to peace.

This last week at school has seen the arrival of grief and the grieving that took place afterwards. The compassion, the care, the connection and the kindness that was shown for each other during this process was tangible.

Grief is an individual experience, but grieving is something we do together. We mourn what we have lost and we celebrate what we had. We feel gratitude for the things we have in our lives, the relationships, the wonder of Spring and the beauty it brings and we are reminded that despite the pain we feel, life continues to flourish and grow.

We need to make time and space for grieving and in the business of life this can be difficult. Exams, work, family life, they all continue, but Grief is a visitor who needs our full attention for the time they visit.

So be kind to yourself and your grief, in doing so it is easier to notice the grief that stands beside others and care for them too.

“I see clearly the object of my grief, I hold space in my heart for it”

Thich Nhat Hanh

 During the upcoming holidays, take time to check in with your daughter about how she’s going. Ask her specifically how she’s managing following the death of Mr Dean and show her you care about her emotions and reactions. The holidays can be hard for people who are grieving, because the routines are gone, the friendships are more removed and there is more time to think and overthink. Allow space in your home for Grief if it has come home for the holidays with your daughter. Be gentle with it and allow it to be the life teacher that it is.

 Marcelle Nader-Turner, Counsellor MNZAC

Good News… TWO MUFTI DAY’S  NEXT WEEK 

Tuesday – Theme: Rainbow

Year 7 & 8: Purple

Year 9: Blue

Year 10: Green
Year 11: Yellow
Year 12: Orange

Year 13: Red

Teacher: Any / All Colours
Gold Coin Donation towards Primary School Stationary, this will be collected by Student Council Tuesday 1st Period.
We will be getting a photo at Morning Tea in the Lower Quad with everyone that has participated.
Thursday – Green/Spring/Floral theme – NO donation needed – it is for the Eucharist Service (the Student Council are making a donation to Anglican Family Care)

Tolcarne News

On Sunday 16th September a group of 11 Year 9 students went for a tour of Larnach Castle for an organised weekend activity. It was a beautiful day for a drive out there and the scenery from the balcony at Larnach Castle was amazing. The girls learnt a lot about the history of the Castle.

Reminder to RSVP for the Space School Opportunity

A fantastic opportunity to learn beyond the classroom in the most inspiring environment.

There is a one-hour information session about this international study programme to be held on Monday 24th September at Otago Girls’ High School hall.

CASE Space School Expedition

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

This is a once in a lifetime experience. We encourage you to attend this evening information session and we look forward to your attendance.

Photography Competition

Return of Cups and Trophies presented in 2017

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

Sport

Olivia O’Neill has recently been selected into the Junior Tall Ferns basketball team to compete in the FIBA Asia under 18 championships on October 28th in India which is a great achievement.

Jaide Dixon and Danielle Ferguson have recently returned from Australia where they were playing for the New Zealand U16 Touch team, this was a great experience for the girls mixing it up against some of Australia’s best at their State Championships

Robocup Nationals

After success at Robocup Regionals, three St Hilda’s teams competed at Robocup Nationals in Dunedin on 15 September.  All teams were entered in the Senior Theatre Division, which has teams present a 2-minute themed performance using up to four robots.  The teams must choreograph their performance and then build and program the robots to perform the routine.  The students program the robots to use sensors, blue tooth communication and timing to coordinate movement between the various robots.   They must also design their sets and select a soundtrack for the performance.

All the girls performed very well and demonstrated excellent problem-solving, teamwork and perseverance during the lead up to Nationals as well as on the day.

Teams

Pepperoni Girls (Eliabel Legrand, Evie Rose Grace, Hannah McCoubrey, Rosa Smith)
Carnival (Emma Boult, Ella Hodgson, Lucie Holtz)
Oompa Loompa (Victoria Avery, Hannah Lawrence, Olivia Ollerenshaw, Laura Ring)
A special congratulations to team Oompa Loompa for placing 2nd at Nationals!

Weekly News – Term 3|Week 8

Weekly News

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A Note from The Principal

Thank you to our wonderful community for the love, caring and thoughtfulness you have expressed in so many ways, after our recent loss of Mr Dean. We are so grateful for all your messages, kind gestures and gifts, and we continue to find strength in our connectedness. We are working hard to support our girls and our staff, and step by step feel our way through this difficult landscape. I wanted to share with you Tuesday’s assembly, so you can walk with us.

Today’s assembly is a great opportunity to come together after a really hard time. I want to thank the girls who performed at Mr Deans’ funeral yesterday, you were amazing. You sang and performed beautifully under really difficult circumstances. I know he would have appreciated the number of you who attended.

The next few weeks and months are going to be hard as we get used to a new ‘normal’, and start to move forward. My job is to create a framework where everyone can grieve and move forward at their own pace. We need to be tolerant and patient, caring and understanding, because we will all cope differently.

We have lost a much admired teacher and colleague and out of respect for him, and respect for those left behind, we need to get on with our lives. Some of you will be ready to do that, some of you will not, and that is OK. You will feel fine some days and other days not so good. That is OK too.

As a school when we look forward and plan ahead, it is not because we have forgotten Mr Dean, or don’t care anymore, but because we have to look after all of you , and do what is best for everyone, and as you can imagine  – that is quite tricky when we are all in different places and spaces.

Student achievements/BOT nominees/Speaker

There is no last word today – but maybe I can do it.

Schools are places of living, learning and laughter. Mr Dean invested so much into the school and into all of you, and we want to continue that, and not lose anything, and so that is why we all must get on with our learning, our teaching, our commitments and responsibilities, as best we can. We want to honour all he has created and built up in the Arts, by looking after what is there and continuing his legacy. We want to protect the heart of our school. As I say, we will all do this in our own way, and in our own time, and we will try to give all of you the time you need. I guess that is life. Know too, never doubt, that we are here to help you.

I wanted to end today with this quote.

“I asked for strength – and God gave me difficulties to make me strong. I asked for wisdom – and God gave me problems to learn to solve. I asked for courage – and God gave me dangers to overcome. I asked for love – and God gave me people to help. I asked for favours – and God gave me opportunities. I asked for riches – and God gave me brain and muscle to work. I received nothing I wanted – I received everything I needed. My prayers have been answered.”

Jackie Barron

Guidance

During this challenging time it is important that we are all supporting each other. Please click here for some advice about how you can support your daughter if she is grieving.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT STUDENT SAFETY

There have been several recent reports of children being approached by strangers around our neighbourhood and the wider Dunedin area in the past few days.

Police are treating this as an ongoing investigation and remind both parents and students to be vigilant.

We encourage you to speak with your daughter about safe walking to and from school and what to do if they are approached or feeling unsafe.

Benchmark Examinations have started

Our 2018 Benchmark examinations for Years 11 – 13 will be held in Week 8 and 9 (13th September – 19th September). Your daughter will need to attend examinations at the day and time given on the timetable they have. When she does not have an examination this time is for study, which can be done at home/hostel. The girls are welcome to come into school to study but will need to be aware the normal junior school programme will continue.

Girls are not required to wear uniform during Examination Week.

These examinations will be run under the same conditions as the NZQA external examinations. I have emailed the details of these conditions to the girls and their parents/caregivers.

Blues Application Process 2018 – Deadline Extended

Applications for Cultural, Service and Sports Blues and Awards were announced at our full school assembly 31 August 2018.

These application links are located on the student homepage under the heading “Blues Application” and will now close on 21 September at 5:00 pm.  

All successful applicants will be notified of their attendance at the invitation only Blues Awards evening by the end of September.

The Blues Award evening, an invitation only event, will be held on 26 October commencing at 7:00 pm in the School Chapel.

Learning Conversations – Interview site now open for bookings.

Learning conversations will be held for all girls at the end of the Term 3 and into Term 4 on the following dates:

Junior

Week 9 Thursday 20th September  6:00 pm-8:00 pm (Day Girls)
Week 10 Tuesday 25th September 6:00 pm-8:00 pm (Day Girls)
Week 10 Friday 28th September 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm (Boarders)

Senior

Week 10 Friday 28th September  1:00 pm – 3:30 pm(Boarders)
Week 1 (Term 4) Tuesday 16th October  6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Day Girls)

We have specified junior, senior, day girl and boarder to maximise the interview time.

The Interview site will be opened for bookings on Thursday 13th September at 9:00 am.

It will close on the morning of each Learning Conversation.

To book go to:  https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz

Click on “Make a Booking” and enter the following code

dmntb

Space School Opportunity

We are pleased to announce St Hilda’s Collegiate School will be involved in the 2019 CASE (California Association for STEAM Education) Space School International Study Programme. Through our partnerships, students have the unique opportunity to join this once in a lifetime, STEAM-based experience at NASA in the USA.

Recognising the challenges facing young students today, where the change of pace in society over the next 30 years will outpace the change we have experienced in the past five thousand years. 75% of the fastest growing occupations in Australia and New Zealand will require STEAM related skills and an expected 50% of current jobs will disappear.

By empowering students through this unique STEAM programme, they will master the STEAM related skill set to prepare them for their future. Students become more focused, inquisitive to pursue the subject they are interested in through the unique access to NASA facilities, inspiring guest speakers and training programs, while learning a foundation of personal and leadership skills to apply through their school years and beyond.

This programme is designed to develop leaders for the next generation, aims to inspire and ongoing interest in STEAM; empowering and preparing our students for the fastest growing and most sought-after occupations of the 21st century.

A fantastic opportunity to learn beyond the classroom in the most inspiring environment.

There is a one-hour information session about this international study programme to be held on Monday 24th September at Otago Girls’ High School hall.

CASE Space School Expedition

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

This is a once in a lifetime experience. We encourage you to attend this evening information session and we look forward to your attendance.

Return of Cups and Trophies presented in 2017

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

NOWW Classical Vocal Scholarship
Nicole Horrell along with a number of other students from St Hilda’s competed in the 2018 Junior Vocal Competition held by the Dunedin Performing Arts Competitions Society over the weekend (7th to 9th September).
Her placings were as follows:

  • 2nd in the 20th Century Popular Song section
  • 1st in the Contemporary Pop/Rock section, winner of the Bridget Telfer Contemporary Vocal Award
  • By having the highest mark over four sections Nicole also won the Taieri Musical Prize and the Bridget Telfer Musical Theatre Award

Lillian Gibbs also competed and achieved some outstanding results.

  • Winner of the NOWW Classical Vocal Scholarship (16 under 18 years) most points over 4 songs.
  • Winner of the Dunedin Civic Choir Cup.
  • Winner of the Opera Otago Aria.
  • Winner of the Joy Mary Gibbs Memorial Cup.
  • Winner of National Song gaining the Madelene Barker Cup.
  • Stephen Chambers Award Test Song. Placed 2nd.
  • Vocal Solo placed 3rd.
Bridget Sinclair (Year 9) competed at NZSS National Aerobics Championships in Auckland on 8 September.
Bridget placed 4th overall in the ADP 3 Individual category.
Bridget will compete at Gymnastics New Zealand Aerobics National Championships in Tauranga on 3-6 October.
Sings Hilda gave another amazing performance of Las Amarillas at the 49th Otago Secondary Schools’ Music Festival which took place on Tuesday 11 September at the Dunedin Town Hall.  It is an opportunity for all Otago (and some Southland) schools to have their instrumentalists and choirs join together performing music that is not likely able to be performed in their own schools.

Every year as part of the Otago Secondary Schools’ Music Festival, the organising committee accepts video applications to award a scholarship of $750 to a student studying at a Tertiary Institution. The qualification for entry in the scholarship is that the candidate must be enrolled in a Tertiary Institution at the time of making the application and must previously have participated in an Otago Secondary Schools’ Music Festival.

A requirement of the scholarship is that the recipient must perform at the Otago Secondary Schools’ Music Festival in the year that the scholarship is awarded.

This year, the scholarship was awarded to one of our Old Girls’, Maddie Guthrie, who gave a spectacular performance of Un moto di gioia.

Health and Safety Reminder

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.

 

Weekly News Term 3|Week 7

Weekly News

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A Note from The Principal

We appreciate that this has been a difficult time for many students, parents and staff as we mourn the loss of a loved and highly respected teacher, and colleague.
We have been overwhelmed by the support and compassion shown from our community, other schools and educational colleagues.
Hunia Dean’s funeral is at 10.00am on Monday 10th September, and because of the number of staff attending the funeral, we will be unable to run our timetabled classes for the day. 
We will have a staff member in the library to supervise any girls who wish to come into school, and we understand completely that many families will wish to make their own arrangements. Please ring the school office, if your daughter intends to come into school on Monday.
We understand that many of the girls will be attending the funeral, and if your daughter does intend to be there we suggest, that where possible, she has the support of a parent or adult.
Hunia’s family have requested that girls attend in their St Hilda’s uniform, if possible.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate uncharted territory.  We have taken advice from the Ministry of Education around how to best care for, and support, our girls and staff and we are endeavouring to do that to the best of our ability.  I am very grateful to Marcelle Nader-Turner and Mrs Prentice for the way they have delivered the self care workshops to our girls this afternoon. They have led this school initiative in a sensitive, pragmatic and caring way, which has allowed us all to talk openly about our concerns and our grief. We are fortunate to have such expertise in the school.
This is a complex and difficult time for everyone and thoughts are with Hunia’s family and especially Kezia and Olive.

 

Jackie Barron

Guidance

During this challenging time it is important that we are all supporting each other. Please click here for some advice about how you can support your daughter if she is grieving.

Chapel Matters

At times of loss we can find strength and comfort in poetry, prayer, scripture, and music, and in sharing these with each other. Here are one of each of my favourites; the link is to a song that was shared with me, and which we listened to in our special chapel on Wednesday.

Farewell

Farewell to Thee! But not farewell
To all my fondest thoughts of Thee;
Within my heart they still shall dwell
And they shall cheer and comfort me.


Life seems more sweet that Thou didst live
And men more true Thou wert one;
Nothing is lost that Thou didst give,
Nothing destroyed that Thou hast done.

Anne Bronte
1820-1849

Ma te Atua koe e manaaki,

e tiaki i nga wa katoa

e noho i roto i te aroha o te Atua,

ko te aroha hoki te mea nui.

Amine.

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? God, who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, graciously give us all things? Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? … I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8.31-39)

This song is “Come to Jesus” by Chris Rice.

Student Achievement

St Hilda’s started a Code Club this year, as a new initiative supported by Issie Roberston (Academic Prefect) and Mrs McMahon (HOD Technology).  The girls have learned about the process of app development and programming during the weekly sessions.  As part of the Code Club, students have had the opportunity to enter two different competitions and the girls have had some excellent results for their efforts.

One competition entered was “Search for the Next Tech Girl Superhero”. Girls between the ages of 7-17 in Australia and New Zealand form a team and are then matched with a female tech mentor who meets weekly with the girls for 12 weeks. Teams identify a problem in their local community to solve, then research and document a solution in a business plan, build a working app prototype and pitch it in a public video.

The results of this competition were just released, and Team Sussdaynable which consists of Issie Roberston, Kiriana Hunter and Stephanie Post were named New Zealand Secondary School Finalists.  Eliabel Legrand, Evie Rose Grace and Rosa Smith better known as Team Roelvie, earned the UN Award for Education.

For further information about the business plans you can go to:

http://searchforthenexttechgirlsuperhero.org/2018-nz-finalists-and-un-award-winners/

Another competition entered by the girls was the National Computer Science Challenge.  There were approximately 19,000 students in the competition from across Australia and New Zealand.  The students learn how to program in either Python or Blockly and solve weekly challenge problems each week, for 5 weeks.

Congratulations to the following students for their performance in the NCSS Challenge:

 Perfect Score

Holly Bissett               Python

Meg Rogers                Python and Blockly

Tessa Sinteur              Python and Blockly

 High Distinction

Anna Hutchens           Blockly

Laura Milne                 Blockly

Kate McEwan              Blockly and Python

Victoria Avery             Blockly

 Distinction

Rosa Smith                  Python

 Merit

Eliabel Legrand           Blockly

Ginny Smith                Python

Benchmark Examinations begin next week

Our 2018 Benchmark examinations for Years 11 – 13 will be held in Week 8 and 9 (13th September – 19th September). Your daughter will need to attend examinations at the day and time given on the timetable they have. When she does not have an examination this time is for study, which can be done at home/hostel. The girls are welcome to come into school to study but will need to be aware the normal junior school programme will continue.

Girls are not required to wear uniform during Examination Week.

These examinations will be run under the same conditions as the NZQA external examinations. I have emailed the details of these conditions to the girls and their parents/caregivers.

Blues Application Process 2018

Applications for Cultural, Service and Sports Blues and Awards were announced at our full school assembly 31 August 2018.

These application links are located on the student homepage under the heading “Blues Application” and close on 14 September at 5:00 pm.  

All successful applicants will be notified of their attendance at the invitation only Blues Awards evening by the end of September.

The Blues Award evening, an invitation only event, will be held on 26 October commencing at 7:00 pm in the School Chapel.

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

Please RSVP the school office by Monday 10th September if you plan to attend.

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. This will be held in the school library beginning at 6:30 pm.

Lilliput Libraries

The lilliput libraries have been a great success since their introduction at the beginning of this term. Currently,  however, our stock of books is running low. More books are being borrowed that are being returned! Just a reminder that if you take a book, could you please return it or replace it with another.

Also, if you have books at home that you no longer want that you wish to donate, please drop them in the collection box in the student office or pop them directly into one of the liliput libraries around the school.

Reminder about Learning Conversations

Learning conversations will be held for all girls at the end of the term three and into term four on the following dates:

Junior

Wk 9 Thursday 20th September  6:00 pm-8:00 pm (Day Girls)
Wk 10 Tuesday 25th September 6:00 pm-8:00 pm (Day Girls)
Wk 10 Friday 28th September 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm (Boarders)

Senior

Wk 10 Friday 28th September  1:00 pm – 3:30 pm(Boarders)
Wk 1 (Term 4) Tuesday 16th October  6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Day Girls)

We have specified junior, senior, day girl and boarder to maximise the interview time.

We will have details on how to book the learning conversations next week.

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 and coming up…

Don’t forget to go along and support Helen Knott who is part of the last AMPED Music Project gig this coming Saturday at 50 Gorillas. Helen will be performing from 1 pm -1.15 pm.

Helen after her LIVE performance on Radio One earlier this week.