Confortare Esto Vir

CURRICULUM UPDATE

After a busy term it was exciting to see so many of our students gaining meaningful credits towards their NCEA certificates. Most subjects have completed one assessment at each year level which have been loaded into the school system. Students and parents can view student records of learning by logging onto the school Family Connections portal. It is important that parents talk to their son about their achievement using 20 credits a term as an indication for NCEA success. By the end of term 2 all students should have accumulated 40 credits towards their NCEA achievement.

Junior students have also been working hard towards assessment success with the expectation that all students in year 7 - 10 have completed at least one assessment in each subject by week 2 of term 2. These will also be available for viewing on the school's Family Connection portal. 

On the last week on term 1 we recognized students that achieved NCEA credits in year 10 that are now contributing towards their NCEA level 1 certificates. Outstanding achievement awards were given to students that received over 15 credits in 2015. We look forward to seeing their progress as the year continues with all students capable of achieving subject and certificate endorsements if they continue to work hard and focus on their achievement. 
 

Raechelle Taulu
Deputy Head (Curriculum)

PASTORAL UPDATE

NEW APPOINTMENT 
We have appointed a new Dean to the Pastoral Team, Mr Brett McMurdoch. He picks a newly created role specifically focused on learning behaviour in the classroom. I look forward to outlining his work and results throughout the year. Two questions to reflect and discuss with your son :

• Does your son have the correct books, pens, calculator and other equipment required to participate fully in every lesson ? If not, why not ?
• Is your son behaving in a way that allows classroom teachers to spend the maximum amount of time on teaching and learning ? There can be no tolerance of behaviour which stops your son, or others, from learning. To achieve more Merit and Excellence this needs to improve.

UNIFORMS
All Year 11-13 students should now be in blazers. If you son is not correctly dressed please could you arrange for this to happen. The Senior Dean, Mr Bickford, does have access to a small number of vouchers which can be used to assist families who may require some help meeting the cost of this. Please note there will be a significant demand for second hand blazers and the College will definitely be running a buy back scheme at the end of the each year.

Vests
Vests are not part of the uniform and must not be worn at any time.

Jackets – Years 7-10 
After feedback from families it has been agreed that for Jackets may be worn as rain protection over the top of jerseys until the end of the year. They cannot be worn instead of jerseys. 

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY
Currently attendance across the College is 90%. There is about 8% justified absence due to illness. Please do the best by your son and ensure he is at school every day, on time. The first bell goes at 8:40am. Students who are not meeting requirements are being removed from all activities outside the classroom to minimize the impact on their learning and set good habits as they prepare for employment in the future. Your son’s attendance can be checked by checking the Family Connections site at http://kamar.stpaulscollege.co.nz/

Well done to the following students who are all on 100% attendance for 2016.

SOUTH BUS
Being “Men of Courage” means doing the right things all day, every day. Parents of students who use the South Bus need to remind their sons about respecting others property as damage to seats has occurred. This reflects badly on the College and those responsible will be faced with replacement costs and removal from the Bus. 

Laurence Caltaux
Deputy Head (Pastoral)

MUSIC UPDATE

The year 7 & 8 music class are singing out at The Salvation Army, New Lynn’s Women's Ministries programme on the 25th May 2016. This young, whole-class choir will represent St. Paul’s College well in the wider Christian community next week.

The New Zealand Choral Festival’s ‘The Big Sing’ is nearly upon us and as the school choir, ‘P.O.E.T. (Paulo One Eight Three)’ continues to train, we welcome Taka Vuni on board to assist with the musical direction of this talented group of young men as they prepare for June’s competition.   

St. Paul’s College was represented on the Adam and Eve Show on TV2 by Selevasio Tuima after his year 9 vocal performance went viral on the school’s facebook page.

He was flown to Christchurch, with his vocal coach, Nainz and performed extremely well, doing us all proud! 

                 

Glen Stanbridge
Director of Music

SPORTS UPDATE

WINTER SPORT

Winter is finally upon us and with that, our Union, League and Basketball teams are all under way.

Our U15 and Senior basketball teams had a successful start the season. The U15s tipped things off on Wednesday night at home with a 58-22 win over Auckland Grammar, outstanding efforts from Anthony Samuela, Samisoni Havea and the multi talented Daniel Smith.

Not be to outdone, our Senior basketball team put 83 points on Glendowie college, winning their game by 56 points! Code captain Jacob Smith was player of the day. Jacob is also captain of the 1st XI cricket team, a true all rounder and an asset to the college.

Rugby League is under way with St Paul's entering 3 teams this year; our 1st XIII team have done it tough over the first few weeks of competition fielding one of the youngest teams in memory. A well earned 6 point victory over Southern Cross in week 1 and an 18 all draw with Tamaki college in week 2. The 1st XIII has been working very hard at training and off the field to be successful not only in 2016, but for many years to come.

I'm very confident the efforts of both coaching staff and players will pay off in the future.

Our Senior A/Reserves team is a new concept, rather than entering an U85kg team - we've opted for 2 senior teams, the 1st XIII and reserve grade, which can feed 1st XIII throughout the season. This is due to the abundance of talent we have at senior level, well reflected in their 1st up win 44-0 over Henderson High school. A great defensive effort from a very determined team, excellent work gentlemen!

The 1st XV and U15 Rugby union teams are 2 weeks into their respective competitions. In week 1, the 1st XV were dealt a loss by a strong Tamaki college, however a week is a long time in Rugby and it showed with a 19-11 victory over a very slick Howick college team. Captain Jirah Moimosea continues to stake a claim for best all-rounder in 2016 with consistent performances across both winter codes, complementing his efforts in the classroom and summer sport teams.

The U15 rugby union team has started their season slowly but gathered some real momentum with a 12-7 loss at the hands of Auckland Grammar. This team continues to work hard and has shown huge improvement in a very short time. Keep an eye on captain Ezekiel Sio, a hard working cross code athlete who's efforts on the field are also replicated in the classroom - Ezekiel is showing that he will be a leader for many years to come.