from the principal Ki te ingoa o te Matua, o te Tamaiti o te Wairua Tapu. Ameme. I le suafa o le Tama, ma le Alo, ma le Agaga Pa’ia. Amene. I he huafa o e Tamai, mo e Alo, mo e Haumalie, ma’ oui’oni. Amene. I te igoa o te Tamana, te Ataliki, ma te Agaaga Tapu. Amene. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

SAYING IT AS I SEE IT In my last newsletter I dwelled on the relationship between work, attitude and success. This issue is blighting the potential academic success of a concerning number of our students. Our senior students have sat the end of year exams, which are the prelude of the external NCEA examinations. These are now only 8 school weeks away. The capable students have shown their usual commitment to their studies, revision and a willingness to achieve to the best of their ability. They know what they need to do and their aspiration is an NCEA endorsed with merit or excellence. They will succeed.

However, another group of students who are short on the work ethic and thumb their nose at attitude try to give the staunch impression that it is cool to fail, causing anxiety to their teachers and parents. This situation is not a novel phenomenon. In the pre-NCEA days it was known that students took term one to settle back into a school routine after the summer holidays; they spent term 2 playing sport and then crammed as much as they could during term 3 (about 9 weeks) with 50% of students gaining School Cert. and 50% failing it. Those who were academic stayed on for 6th Form Certificate, UE and then Bursary. Those who did not make the grade or were not keen on school quit, found a job, got an apprenticeship or went to polytechnic.

Now it is a totally different ball game. We all know what the chances of finding a job, getting an apprenticeship or even enrolling in a tertiary vocational course are for a student without qualifications. The worrying part is that those, whose credit count is embarrassingly low, are the ones who kid themselves that passing or failing does not matter as long as they cruise, irritating their teachers and parents. They waste their time and that of others pretending that everything is under control and selfishly unperturbed that the adults are the ones doing the running about. Come January, the chickens will come home to roost and if these boys do not shape up now, then they would have to ship out because they would not have met the pre-requisites for the courses they are choosing for next year.

A school in England uses a system of "Attitude to learning" levels as part of the reporting process. Three levels are copied here. Not too difficult to recognise the students who will succeed or fail, if these levels were applied to our own students.

A committed student, who demonstrates a keen interest in his work and who is determined to achieve. He is developing the skills to advance his own learning. He will always aim to complete work to the best of his ability.

A student with the potential to achieve more, but whose lack of commitment is hindering his progress. He is capable of distinguishing what he needs to do to enhance his learning but often chooses not to do so. Class work and homework are completed to a basic standard or not completed at all.

To the committed student – we wish you well. To the uncommitted student - knuckle down, salvage what is achievable and prove us wrong for your own sake.

Peter Fava

Achieve @ St Bernard’s

September 2012

This year International Languages Week was celebrated between the 19th and 25th August. The week is always fun and gives our Year 10 and 11 students the opportunity to become language teachers of the Year 7&8 students. The Year 7&8 get taster lessons in Japanese, Samoan and French during the week. These are fun filled sessions filled with language, laughter and fun. Many thanks to our “teachers” and the Year 7&8 staff who helped us run these sessions. We also ran lunch time activities and a competition to see who could identify the most foreign greetings.

2013 Japan Trip

The Year 10 and 11 Japanese students are currently fundraising for the next trip to Japan and we are selling Cadbury chocolates at the moment. We are always looking for fundraising ideas so if you know of something we would love to hear about it. Please feel free to contact Mrs Manu Corcoran on 560-9250 extn 876.

Languages Department

SPORTS AWARDS

Tuesday 30 October 1.00 pm

St Bernard’s College Gymnasium

All parents are welcome to join us

Academic Awards Ceremony

Monday 3 December

Lower Hutt Town Hall

• Compulsory for all students

• Full school uniform required

Science Our Senior Certificate team of Arama Pou, Joseph Schumann, Liam McAuliffe and Ben Van Woerkom successfully beat St. Orans in the quarter final debate last week and are now headed into the semi finals. The quarter final debate was by far the best debate we have had all year with St Orans putting up an excellent fight. We can be very proud of this team.

Earlier this year 25 students from Years 7 to 9 participated in the 2012 Computer Skills ICAS competition. It is pleasing to report that the following students gained a Credit award (roughly placing them in the top 30% of all NZ candidates).

Y7 C Carrasco, G Cigaral, T Mingins, S Murfitt, I Sharma, C Vallance, F Anderson, J Locke, J Missen, Y8 S Taylor, Y9 S Trocio

The following students produced an outstanding performance in the examination and gained a Distinction grade. After the student’s name there is his placing against all other NZ candidates.

OPERATION HERO Earlier this year I got the amazing privilege to go on this television show called ‘Operation Hero’. It is for six 12/13 yr old kids. I watched the first series (which I really enjoyed) and at the end of the last episode, it said that if you would like to apply for series 2, please apply online at www.operationHq.co.nz. So I applied online, filled out all the details and sent it through. I was very excited because if I got in, it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and it would be awesome for me to see myself on the TV.

When I got told that I was in the lucky six that were allowed to go on this incredible adventure, I was completely ecstatic because I thought that I wouldn’t have a chance but my luck worked. So on February 7th, I went into Wellington to meet the other six players. They were very friendly and from different parts of New Zealand. I was the only one picked from the Wellington Region.

I had a wonderful 20 days travelling around the north island, going to Linton Military Camp, Devonport Naval base, Waiouru Military camp and other great Defence Force places. We had to do challenges which were inspired by true heroes, who

saved someone’s life or did something heroic. We

kids had to do a challenge which was re-enacted from the hero. They were all outstandingly fun and I picked up some personal heroes on the way. I had an awesome time on ‘Operation Hero’ doing challenges with my teammates and to be able to enjoy the life of a TV-star. Please feel free to watch me on TV every Sunday at 4pm tv2.

By Charlie Penman 8NI

Debating News

ICAS The results for the International Competition and Assessments for

Schools have come through for science. Our students gained the following results Congratulations to all students who had the courage to enter and special congratulations to the above 41 students who excelled. A number of students who gained a participation certificate were in the top 50% of NZ students. Overall we had 51% of candidates achieve a result that placed them in the top 50% of NZ. Our credit achievements were distributed as follows: Year 7 = 1, Year 8 = 10, Year 9 = 5, Year 10 =9, Year 11 = 5, Year 12 = 3, Year 13 = 1

Distinction certificates will be issued at Assembly. The credit certificates at level assembly and the participation certificates by the science teacher.

Otago University senior schools science quiz

Otago university offers a multi-choice quiz which covers extensive academic knowledge in all the sciences including computing as well a few questions on current issues affecting us. This year we had four Year 13, five from Year 12 and ten from Year 11. All the candidates must have a very strong academic pedigree and the number attempting this quiz would be around 1000 at each year level.

This year we had two students gain merit certificates which placed them in the top 30-% nationwide. Congratulations to Nick Lunn and Joseph Schuchmann. Joseph also received a $30 gift voucher.

Science fair

At the time of writing 11 students are having their science fair investigations marked in the Wellington Regional Science fair. We will give all awards received in the next newsletter.

Examination results and revision

Many students have a great deal of work to do if they want to achieve in the external examinations in November. Students have to accept that success only comes with hard work and that it must start now. The science department will be holding tutorials after school on Tuesday and Thursday. From previous years, those students that regularly attend the tutorials and stay for around an hour will greatly increase their chances of passing the standards that they are revising.

Computer Skills ICAS Success for SBC

Elisha Day Year 8 - Top 11% Huang Chenchen Year 8 - Top 5%

Robin Walker Year 9 - Top 4%

7 Distinctions (top 10% in NZ) and 34 credits (top 25% of NZ). Congratulations to the following students who gained distinctions:

Y8: Noah Jaeger-Letts, Y9: Nathan Chan, Rewi Ross-Hotene, Aidan Watson Y10: Jordan Taylor, Y11: Nicholas Lunn, Jozef Van Hout.

Feast Day

This term we celebrated the feast day for St Ignatius of Loyola, who is one of the founders of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. One of the school houses is Ignatius and we celebrated with having a mufti day and a can drive for the local food bank. Information for students of this great man of learning, humility and prayer can be found in the main stairwell. He was a great inspiration to contemplative prayer, also known as the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Here is part of his first precept which gives us much to reflect on…

The Goal of our life is to live with God forever. God, who loves us, gave us life.

Our own response of love allows God's life to flow into us without limit.

All the things in this world are gifts from God, Presented to us so that we can know God more easily

and make a return of love more readily. As a result, we appreciate and use all these gifts of God

insofar as they help us to develop as loving persons. But if any of these gifts become the centre of our lives,

they displace God and so hinder our growth toward our goal.

Our only desire and our one choice should be this:

I want and I choose what better leads To God's deepening his life in me.

Sports News

Celebration of Music

FINALS TIME!

The winter sports season is drawing to a close and it is finals time. We have a large number of teams in various sports codes which have made the finals and a huge thanks goes out to the coaches and managers of these teams. The results to date:

Rugby

This year St Bernard’s had two teams competing in the finals – the 2ndXV (Premier 5) and the U15 (Div 2 final).

The U15 won their final beating HVHS 22-12. This team has gone from strength to strength with coaches Michelle Nyberg and Ana Pedro at the helm and impressed in the final. This team will now compete in the U15 Tournament to be held at St Pat’s Silverstream during “Winter Tournament Week” (Sept 3-7).

The 2nd XV went down to Scots College 2nd XV in their Premier final. After a slow start to the

season the boys put in considerable effort and qualified for the final by beating a strong Silverstream side in the semi-final.

Badminton

Congratulations to Wei-Ming Lim who has won the College Sport Wellington Junior Badminton Regional Championships. Wei-Ming beat his HVHS opponent in two sets 21-9, 21-12 in the final and will be presented with his medal and certificate at the school sports assembly.

The Senior 1 team retained the Richard Niven Shield by winning the Hutt Valley Senior Division 1 competition and in doing so qualified for the Regional Teams Final. Unfortunately the team went down to Rongotai College in the final. The result was tied at 3 games all however we lost on a count back.

Football

The season has drawn to a close and it can be classified as a successful season. The 7 teams have all preformed with pride and passion and were a credit to themselves, their family and to the college. 1st XI Finished the competition as top qualifier and played Silverstream 1st for the Div 1 “Players trophy”. We played very well but lost 5-4 on penalties which is always a very heart wrenching way to lose a final. The players can be very proud of this achievement as it put us in the top 8 colleges in the greater Wellington region. Of the squad of 14 eight will be returning which gives even greater hope for next year. Finals Saturday On Saturday September 1, the top two teams each of the divisions will be playing off for the title of champion for their respective divisions. We have the 2nd and 3rd XI’s playing in the Division 5 and 11 finals respectively. Our Junior 2 team will be playing in their division final. Overall results In the senior divisions we have 3 teams and all three will be in the finals. We have 3 junior teams only 1 of these will be playing. This is a great result and we wish all the teams the very best for their finals. We will give these results and the other teams final placements in the next newsletter. 13th grade. This team travelled to St Peter’s College in Palmerston North for an interschool fixture against their junior team. We came away with a 4-1 win. We are hoping that we can make this an annual fixture because both colleges are very similar. We are very proud of this team because these players have chosen to play for Saint Bernard’s instead of clubs. This exchange is a way for us to say thank them for this gesture. Prize giving. Our football club prizegiving is happening on Friday 14th September. A very special thanks to PAK’N’SAVE PETONE for sponsoring our prizegiving. It is great to acknowledge the success of all players as all the players are very proud to wear the blue and gold. Sponsorship: Special thanks to Fuji Xerox who have sponsored our 1st XI playing strip as well as helping out with our track suits.

Waterpolo

Both the Senior and Junior Water Polo teams faced HIBS in their respective finals with the Juniors winning their final and Seniors narrowly losing by one goal.

Our department offers the following services:

• Gateway – a work experience program 1 day a week for Yrs 11 – 13

• Star – short courses at Polytechs & other Tertiary providers to check out further study options Yr 11 – 13

• In school Barista courses on Monday nights

• Taratahi Trades Academy – 1 day a week exploring Farming (16yrs and over)

• Careers interviews & advice

Contact the office for details: jlomax@sbc.school.nz

Saturday 15 September 7pm. SBC Gym.

$5 Door sales. Featuring our SBC Barbershop Quartet, Year 9 & 10

Pacifica bands, Rock Bands, Singers, Soloists on

drums, guitar and piano.

We have introduced some exciting new initiatives for our

Gateway students this year.

• We are now delivering our second eight week Barista

Course and we are now looking for placements for them to practise their skills in a commercial environment. Do you have any contacts we can use?

• Two students passed aptitude tests and were offered places by ETCO (Electrical Training Company) to attend a residential training course for potential apprentices last holidays. They have since been invited to apply for apprenticeships. Well done Julian Murphy and Deepak Patel.

• Also, last holidays. three of our students Anu Singe, Josh Ebert and Kenneth Grech-Zammit worked at a camp for underprivileged children at Silverstream and described the opportunity as being “the chance of a lifetime”

The Gateway team constantly strives to provide opportunities for students to reach their potential, whether they are planning university entrance or an apprenticeship in the trades or further study at tertiary level. Because of the success of these initiatives we plan to continue them next year.

Gateway Update

Library Books

Careers

As we are coming to the end of the year all library books need to be returned to the library for its annual stock take. Please return them promptly by the following dates.

• ALL SENIOR STUDENTS Friday 17 October.

• JUNIOR STUDENTS Friday 2nd November.

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

September 3 U15 Rugby Tournament week 4 Y10 Money Day 5 Y9 Art trip 8 SBC Ball 12 Y10 NZ Business Challenge 14 Y12 PE Tramp 15 Celebration of Music 18 Y10 Retreat Maths L1 CAT 19 Sports Photos, CSW Road Race 22 Y13PE Camp, Reports posted

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.

September 24 Y7-10 Badge Ceremony 28 Final Day of Term 3

October 15 Term 4 Commences 8.40 30 Sports Awards

November 8-9 Junior Exams 10 NCEA Exams start

December 3 Award Giving Ceremony

ANNUAL GARAGE SALE This is to be held at the school on Saturday 3 November. Time to have a clean out over the holidays! Good quality used items (no TV’s), baking, donations for our Christmas raffle are all required. Helpers needed on the day or to help set up on Friday evening. Enquiries Elizabeth on 971 4408 or email gjoseph@paradise.net.nz.

TURBO WASHER FUND RAISER Attached to this newsletter is a brochure to order these effective and easy to use turbo wash brushes for only $25. They make excellent birthday or Christmas gifts and you are helping the PFS raise funds for school improvements. Return the order form with payment to the school office and delivery within the week!

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.

Free Dental Treatment

PFS News

Free basic dental care is available for adolescents from the start of College (Year 9) up to their 18th birthday. Not all dentists in the Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley areas provide the free dental service.

To find out how to enroll and who can provide your FREE basic dental care, ring 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) or visit www.beehealthy.org.nz to see the most current list.

A big thanks to our Year 9 Top Student Sponsors for Term 3, Wendy’s Queensgate. Please support our sponsors.

A big thanks also to Clives Pharmacy in Wainuiomata for their support of the 2nd XV Rugby team.