from the principal

Kite ingoa o te Atua, o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua Tapu. Amene.

Work and Attitude

The boys at St Bernard’s will succeed without hard work! YEAH RIGHT! This was the theme used by Mr Wilson (Year 9 Dean) for the first Y9 level assembly this term.

Whatever we do, work at home or at school; our part-time job, our sports, our acting, etc. we are assessed in that work as achieved (got the job done), achieved with merit (great stuff), achieved with excellence (even better) or at times not achieved (not good enough, failed).

Clearly, achieving or not achieving; succeeding or failing are very important and cannot be separated from what we do. Succeeding will help us move forward; failing will hold us back and at times will prevent us from gaining other things in life.

However, there is another important aspect that affects our work and how we move ahead. It is not what we do; but it is the way we approach it. This is called ATTITUDE.

This year’s Marist Pillar focuses on “Love of Work”. We need to enjoy what we are doing and this love will show in the quality of work we produce. We also need to experience success because if we keep getting “not achieved”, then we will tend to give up and who can blame you if you do so.

At our Catholic school, we also hold to values that take us through life. Two of these values relate directly to work – responsibility and perseverance.

Responsibility – doing a job properly; an expectation that I complete my class and home work; making time for revision; knowing to ask questions; bringing my books and pens to class.

Perseverance – giving it a go; maintaining an effort; not giving up even when the work seems so hard.

Yet, when the work seems too hard, we have a tendency to flag it away. This is where we have to understand that there is dignity in trying. We all know the difference between the comments: “Na, too hard” or “Yep, I’ll give it a go.” It is the ATTITUDE that counts.

There is no hard work or easy work. Usually, we have either figured out how this can be done and the work becomes easy; or else we do not have a clue where to start and the works becomes too hard.

How do we make school work a bit easier? It is students who arrive at school and class on time open to learning; students paying attention to the teachers’ explanation; students revising their day’s work each evening so that they know what questions to ask next day. Students who understand the work; plan and complete their homework; revise and study regularly; keep a balance between sports, part-time job and school work; and know how to assess their own work knowing what they have learnt and what they have not understood - all improve their chances of success. It is hard work; it is what is expected of our students.

Then, we can say that the boys at St Bernard’s have a positive attitude, love their work and the values that will get them through school and life.

Peter Fava

Achieve @ St Bernard’s

August 2012

Science Fair

This year we had 270 entries from all the Year 7/8/9 classes and three classes in Y10. Our judge, Mr Paul King, science author and science teacher, said that he was very impressed with the effort applied and the scientific ideas that were explored. Mr King has judged our science fair for 4 years.

This year each participant receives a certificate of appreciation for the hard work put in. The winners will be getting their extra certificates and prizes in the near future. A full list of prize winners will be published in the yearly college magazine.

The science staff want to thank all the students who participated for their hard work. A special thank you to the parents who offered advice, encouragement and gave their sons the self-belief that this was an achievable endeavour.

Major prize-winners are Y7/8 1st P Lopez 2nd L Gillespie 3rd N Jaeger–Letts Y9 1st A Almand 2nd J Hewson 3rd N Chan Y10 1st M Statham 2nd J Curtis 3rd J Gilbert/C Kesomi Vatikani

Overall winners

1st Aidan Almand 2nd Paolo Lopez 3rd Lachlan Gillespie

We will be taking around 10 exhibits to the Wellington Regional Science fair

Aidan Almand Paolo Lopez Lachlan Gillespie

Science Week Four 9 August Vision testing of all Year 7 and those Year 8 students who need retesting or missed being tested last year.

6—17 August

The dental van provided by the Hutt Valley DHB will be at St Bernard’s for these two weeks during which time all Year 7 and 8 students will be examined. If a student requires any dental treatment, parents will be notified and asked to take them to the new Bee Healthy Clinic at Naenae Intermediate School. If a student has dental problems before the van comes, or indeed at any time, parents can make an appointment at the clinic by ringing 0800 825 583.

The biggest annual music The biggest annual music The biggest annual music The biggest annual music event at SBC!event at SBC!event at SBC!event at SBC!

When: Saturday 15 September 7pm Where: SBC gym

$5 tickets from the office or door sales on the night. Bring all your family and friends along to see the best

musical talent we have at St Bernard’s College.

The fee is $76.70 for Levels 1, 2 and 3

NZQA requires St Bernard’s College to collect fees for all students entering for national qualifications. St Bernard’s College needs to receive payment of NZQA fees by 17 August 2012.

If your family qualifies for financial assistance please return your completed form (extra forms are at the school office) to Mrs Hudson by 10 August for processing otherwise you will be charged the above fee. A new form needs to be completed each year.

Year 9 would like to acknowledge and thank the sponsors of the Year 9 Positive Reward Programme

Pac’N’Save Lower Hutt McDonalds, Raroa Road Wendy’s Queensgate

Thanks to Infinity Trust and our other anonymous sponsor for their generous financial support of the 2012 O’Shea Shield!

Please show your support to our sponsors who generously encourage our boys!

All science teachers are available to help their students with revision for the upcoming mock examinations. The teachers will let the students know when they are on.

Year 7/8 News Earth Day

Our environmental/ecology club arranged for two competitions to celebrate this day. They ran two competitions, one for a poem and one for a poster. The stand-ard of the entries was very good and we would like to thank all those students who took the time to present and enter. Committee members are Chris Sims and Matthew Dicken

Chemistry News

Brett Manaia, Miguel Orevillo attended Victoria University on 13 June to participate in the annual Titration Competition. The competition entails a lot of skill as well as knowledge to complete a complex chemistry experiment which is judged on the accuracy of each individuals result. Both got an opportunity to meet other Y12/13 students and lecturers of the Chemistry Department as well as gain experience of working in a real Chemistry laboratory.

David Smith, Matthew Dicken, Chris Sims, Miguel Orevillo attended the Wellington Regional Chemistry Quiz, later that evening, and did a great job of representing St Bernard’s College. A great experience and lots of fun. With a bit more planning for the fancy dress, decorate a clamp stand and a creative name sections, we should be able to win some prizes!

Y13 students participated in Chemistry and Physics workshops at Victoria University. The give students an excellent opportunity to exercise their skills with specialist equipment and produce a pure sample of benzoic acid from benzaldehyde.

For the fourth year we were very fortunate to have Mr Stuart Wright an international presenter on how to effectively and efficiently study and thus maximise your results. A Y11/12 science class plus 12 biology and some 13 biology students were the recipients of his advice.

The overall message is that HARD WORK will reap great results. The other message is that students need to:

1. Study for 35 minutes and take a 10 minute break (do some physical activity) 2. Do a 5 minute revision on what they have just revised. 3. Repeat for 2 other subjects. (make sure they are different subjects) 4. The next day revise for 5 minutes on the topics studied yesterday 5. One week later revise for 3 minutes on the work studied. 6. One month later revise for 3 minutes on the work studied.

NOW THE WORK IS STORED IN THE LONG TERM MEMORY Remember 10 miniutes: 1 day: 1 week ; 1 month

Winners Poem 1st J Dominikovich Title “The gift for the environment” 2nd J Tamarua Title “Almighty World” 3rd J Marra Title “ How to treat the earth”

Special thanks to: J Hawkins, J Neild, A Roberts, Paul Speedy (All Y7/8 SU)

Poster 1st J Duthie-Jung/K Owers/C Arnot 2nd K Hailwood/J Tainui 3rd J Maara/B Longstaff

Celebration of Music

NCEA Fees due now

Sponsors

Exam Revision

Senior study skills day

On 23 June St Bernard’s 1st XV played Wellington College at Wellington College in very challenging conditions. They were playing for the W i l l i m e n t T r o p h y b u t unfortunately were beaten 15 points to 13.

Sports News

Year 11 Retreat

Cross Country

As mentioned in the last newsletter the Y7/8 Wellington Regional Cross Country Championships were held at the end of June at Queen Elizabeth Park. Those who qualified for the event ran well with Daniel Goldsworthy finishing 17th in the Year 7 race with Logan Hoare (27) and Charlie Penman (51) in the Year 8 race.

St John’s Exchange

On the 27th June the 1st XV hosted St John’s College, Hastings in the Hibernian Cup exchange coming out on top 24-15. The 2012 winners of the cup are St Pat’s (Town)

Winter Sports

We are approaching finals time for all winter sports codes. In the next newsletter we will have all the results. At present many of our sporting teams are topping the table of their respective grades so we look forward to some exciting finals.

Cricket Rep Honours

Congratulations to the following boys who have been selected in the follow-ing squads:

Jack Imray U17 Future Firebirds Squad Connor Bliss Y10 Emerging Players Squad Lincoln Craig Y9 Emerging Players Squad

Football

Season update

With four competition games to go the season has flown and all the 90 plus players can be very proud of their contribution to the season. Two currently lead their grades with the 1st XI in Division 1 and Junior 2 in Division 3. The 2nd XI lies 2nd in Division 5 while the 3rd XI is 3rd in Division 11. Junior 1 is 4th as in Junior 3 in Division 5. Our 13th grade team in the HV association is lying a very creditable 3rd =.

Team profile: 13th Grade HV

This team is coached by Mr Siu Mamea and Mr Chris Hanson. This team is made up of Year 7/8 players who have given their allegiance to St Bernard’s even though they could be playing JPL and promo grades. They have a number of players playing a year above themselves as well as a number of players new to football. The team is growing in strength game by game. They have been expertly coached and this is our 1st XI in the 3 years time. Their captain is Sam Tane. Thanks to the parents for their brilliant support.

Their home ground is Naenae Park and they play at 9.00am.

Football Tour

By the time you read this the 18 players will be returning home from their 3 day and 6 games tour of the Lower North Island. We would like to thank all students and parents who have supported their fundraising attempts. Results will be published in our next newsletter.

End of season prizegiving

This will be held in mid September. It will be held at George Washington’s again. This the St Bernard’s football club’s prize giving and occurs on a Friday evening. The College sports prize giving is a separate event and occurs in Term 4.

Awards Sir Peter Blake believed in the incredible potential of young kiwis to achieve great things. He knew that inspiring leaders of any age could be found in every corner of New Zealand. Today, the Trust recognises these young leaders through an award for promising students in NZ schools.

The Sir Peter Blake Young Leader Award, in association with Westpac, recognises young people who have shown promising leadership in their schools and communities. The award is made to one student in each primary and intermediate school selected by teachers and peers. This year during Leadership Week 2012, 163 young leaders in schools all across New Zealand were awarded Young Leader Awards for demonstrating outstanding leadership in their schools and communities.

Year 11 Retreat was held at Kaitoke YMCA on 15 June! The

weather was atrocious but it could not dampen the spirits of

the boys who were prepared for an awesome day out. The

focus of the retreat was becoming a man and is the

expedition part of the new retreat programme. The boys were

pushed outside their comfort zone and had to respond to a

number of various challenges that reflected the nature of the

input done by RE staff about what is it to be a good man

today? Who has the control? Who makes the choices and

takes the consequences of all decision making? The activities

ranged from horse riding to bridge building and required

stamina, thought, team work, problem solving and being

aware of the brothers around them. Thanks to the Year 11

Dean and all the Year 11 form teachers along with Mr

Daveis, who helped contribute to a thought-provoking and

exciting day out on retreat!

Coming Up 27 July CSW Table Tennis Champs 1 Aug CSW Junior Badminton Champs 30 Aug (TBC) Jonathan Collins Cup – Y7/8 8 Sept Y7/8 Football Tournament

Sir Peter Blake Young Leader Awards

Liam Win and Jack Marra

2012 Term Dates

Term 3 16 July to 28 September Term 4 15 October to 7 December

Important Dates

Contact Details

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

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

August 6 Dental Van week 7 Late Start 9.30am 9 Y10 NCEA Parents Evening 13 ICAS Maths 14 Assumption of Mary Mass 17 Student Subject Choice Due 20 St Bernard’s Feast Day 21 Y9 Parliament, Junior Maori Careers 22 Y9 Parliament

Sponsors of the St Bernard’s College Newsletter

Free Doctor’s consultation at St Bernard’s College

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

Clinic Open Tuesday 8.30—11.30am

Thursday 12—3pm.

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

Thursday Clinic

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

Free Dental Treatment offered by

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

� 566-1119.

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

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

Uniform on AP

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

Second Hand Uniform

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

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

587-0024.

23 Y9 Parliament 24 Non Preference Enrolments close 24 Senior Exams to 29 August 31 St Bernard’s Day Celebrations September 3 U15 Rugby Tournament week 4 Y10 Money Day 5 Y9 Art trip 7 Y9/10 Retreats - to be confirmed 8 SBC Ball

Entertainment Books - $60 are still available at the office

Do you know how beautiful and precious you are in God’s sight? Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women invites all women to a special retreat day: theme “Beautiful”. 11 August, registrations 9am, starting 10am, finish 4pm. Our Lady of Lourdes School Hall Shamrock St Palmerston North. Cost $40. Pre-registration not required. Sponsorship available. BYO lunch. Come and be blessed. Contact Jo 09 420 5050 www.dove.org.nz

For non-Catholic parents, family and friends Interested in becoming a Cath-olic? If you are interested in finding out more about the Catholic religion, and maybe becoming Catholic, why not contact the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) coordinator? This group runs a guided study programme for those wishing to learn more, leading up to Baptism, if you wish, the following Easter.

Contact: Lower Hutt - Mary Zajkowski 569 5259 or Terry O’Donnell 938 5338 Upper Hutt - Lorraine Sayer 970 6075 after hours

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

Community Notes

University Application Closing Dates

Otago University www.otago.ac.nz

Bachelor of Physical Education 15 August 2012 Bachelor of Music 1 September 2012 Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (BRT) 15 September 2012

Canterbury University www.canterbury.ac.nz

Emerging Leaders Scholarship closing date 1 September 2012

Toi Whakaari apply@toiwhakaari.ac.nz

Toi Whakaari Open Day 31 August 2012 9am – 4pm Bachelor of PERFORMING ARTS (Acting) 17 August 2012 Bachelor of DESIGN (Stage and Screen) 28 September 2012 Diploma in COSTUME CONSTRUCTION 28 September 2012 Diploma in ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY 28 September 2012 Bachelor of PERFORMING ARTS (Management) 28 September 2012

University of Auckland Engineering Futures Evening 15 August 2012 Wellington College Hall 6.30 – 8.30pm

Massey and Victoria Open Day 31 August 2012