I have noticed the increased presence of three groups in society:
1. The growth in people putting their names on a petition without too much real knowledge of what the issues they are protesting about.
2. The growth in people seeking the group “like” on social media for an action, a creation or an everyday event. The need for constant affirmation of who they are!
3. The number of people who “just want to let you know”... as in I will pass the buck to you!
Leave me out of doing anything!
Is there anything in common with these three groups?
I think it is the growth in avoidance of personal responsibility along with the inability to live inside one’s skin!
It is as if we cannot cope by ourselves at all.
“Why doesn’t the Government do something about...x?”
Sure, as a country we have lost the rugged individualism as seen in “Man Alone” literature and the notion of individual heroes walking up hills carrying fence posts on their backs!
But to switch all activity back to the group?
At St Paul's, the College prayer speaks about commitment (personal) and Brotherhood (community).
It is about being Alone - Together.
This year we have encouraged every boy to put his name down for a sporting or musical opportunity. We have had conditions of commitment laid out and we have asked for approval (commitment) from their parents in writing.
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"It is as if we cannot cope by ourselves at all."
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Some boys missed out on sporting competitions this year because they didn’t register or didn’t have commitment from their parents... even after many assemblies and requests.
As a college for several years we have been “training” boys in exam culture. The ability to sit alone, solve the problem, write the essay etc - with many others in the same room. But it is the individual’s work.
The work place for our men in the future will be in the ability to turn up - and work together.
Alone - Together.
Individuals make things happen. But we always need the group.
I am reminded of the sign outside the assembly where the boys line up daily...
“I” (alone) have come they that YOU (together) may have life to the fullest” (Jn10:10)
#Alone - Together
Another good fortnight.
In His Peace
K.F. FOUHY
HEADMASTER
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE
| Sat 27th June |
Rugby Union season begins: 1st XV vs Southern Cross at 12pm at Southern Cross Campus |
| Sat 27th June |
U14s rugby vs Avondale College 9.15am at Coxs Bay |
| Sat 27th June |
U15s vs Auckland Grammar 10.30am at Auckland Domain |
| Fri 3rd July |
Call back day for selected boys - Term Two finishes |
| Monday 20th July |
Term Three starts |
| Thursday 6th August |
Liturgy and Celebration for Br Brian Wanden (ex Headmaster of St Paul’s College) at 5pm |
| Friday 7th August |
Champagnat Day - details later |
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Above: Junior students in their recent exams which will contribute to their Junior Diploma credits.
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Exams at St Paul's have been going well. Allowing junior students to become familiar with the process of sitting an exam builds an exam culture which prepares them for sitting NCEA external exams in preparation for University.
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FIRST XV CAPPING CEREMONY
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Above: Blues Captain Patrick Tuipulotu caps Head Prefect Reuben Fruean.
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Six St Paul's sportsmen who started eight or more rugby games with our 1st XV in 2019 were recognised in a special capping ceremony in Chapel this week. The guest presenter for this event was Captain of the Blues for the 2020 Super Rugby season, Patrick Tuipulotu, who spoke to the school about commitment. Caps are earned.
Congratulations 2020's capped 1st XV players:
Pictured below (from left): Sefenaia Cowley-Lupo (Yr 12), Zion Mann (Yr 12), Reuben Fruean (Yr 13),
Captain Michael-Angelo Taufa (Yr 13), Tony Samuela (Yr 13), Mark Tautele (Yr 12).
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YEAR NINE ENGLISH'S 'STATIC IMAGES'
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Above: Aisea Makasini in front of Year 9 English's static images.
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Ms Brenda Haybittle's Year 9 English class have been working on 'static images' based on the epic poem about an intriguing story about love, courage and sacrifice, 'The Highwayman' by Alfred Noyes. These images, which form part of their assessment for Junior Diploma, take a quote from the poem to present visually as an image to demonstrate their understanding.
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Yr12 CHEMISTRY EXPLORING LE CHATELIER's PRINCIPLE
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Above: A Year 12 Chemistry experiment illustrating Le Chatelier's principle, supervised by student teacher Karim Lee with assistance from Zion Mann.
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Zion Mann assists student teacher Karim Lee with a Year 12 Chemistry experiment illustrating Le Chatelier's principle watched by fellow students (from left) Christopher Finekifolou, Elijah Patelesio, Suli Taufa and Faavae Mikato.
This principle states that if a constraint (such as a change in pressure, temperature, or concentration of a reactant) is applied to a system in equilibrium, the equilibrium will shift so as to tend to counteract the effect of the constraint.
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There is much enthusiasm and excitement in the Year 7 and 8 department about our Hell Pizza Reading Challenge which started 2 weeks ago. We have challenged the boys to each read 40 books this year and this initiative encourages them to read and be rewarded.
After each book the boys read, they tell the classroom teacher or myself a little bit about the story and they receive a click on their pizza wheel. After seven clicks, they can exchange their completed pizza wheel for a free 333 pizza from Hell. A big thank you to Hell for their generous support.
Please keep those OVERDUE books coming back. I'm always very excited to see them turn up. We have many boys waiting to read them.
Happy reading,
-Mrs Kath Twomey, Librarian
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SPL'S SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME HAS STARTED
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We had our first 2020 Sacramental Class on Thursday 25th June at 12 noon. So far seven students have registered. Mass for the Sacramental Programme will be in Term 3.
Any other students who wish to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation and Holy Communion, please get a form to fill out from Mrs D'Souza and register as soon as possible or email her at pdsouza@stpaulscollege.co.nz
-Mrs Pamela D'Souza, HOD RE.
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A reminder that every student at St Paul's College, from Years 7 to 13, is expected to complete 20 hours of service in the community this year. Jesus was a servant leader and service hours enable boys to emulate him.
These hours of community service are all about giving something back to the community and should not be for family or be paid work. Examples include boys refereeing other students' sports or volunteering for charity appeals such as Daffodil Day.
-Mrs Pamela D'Souza, HOD RE.
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NO SANDALS AT SCHOOL DURING WINTER
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Parents, please ensure your son is not wearing sandals to school during Term 2 and 3. Winter is here and the best way to avoid getting sick and staying home is to look after your feet. Please make sure your son is wearing the correct socks and shoes to school.
-Mr Matt Toua.
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ONLINE SAFETY AT HOME AND AT SCHOOL
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This is a message for both parents and students around being safe while they are online at home and at school. Netsafe alongside the Ministry of Education and other agencies are working hard to keep everyone safe when they are either on their laptops, phones or gaming devices such as PlayStation and XBox.
There are resources available which give handy tips for parents to talk with their children. Click here for the Netsafe Parent Toolkit
Other websites like Keepitrealonline look at how parents can control and supervise any cyber bullying.
Please keep you and your family safe online.
-Mr Matt Toua.
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Above: Singer/Songwriter Sam V (Sam Verlinden) visited our NCEA students with his producer EDY (Edward Liu).
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NCEA STUDENTS' INSTRUCTION IN SONGWRITING
Singer/Songwriter Sam V (Sam Verlinden) visited our NCEA students with his producer EDY (Edward Liu) on 16th June to talk about the processes involved in professional songwriting and music production.
A reminder that in the final week of term 2 we will still have instrumental music lessons as well as band and choir rehearsals. The only time practices are not on are if you receive an email form the music department, otherwise it is business as usual. Please check timetables, as some lesson times will change in term 3. Music lessons are part of the NZ curriculum
In week 1 of Term 3, all instrumental music lessons will recommence:
* Monday - Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, Saxophone, Tuba, Concert Band sectionals.
* Tuesday - Flute, Piano, Voice, Junior Choir rehearsal.
* Wednesday - Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, Saxophone, Tuba, Piano, Concert Band rehearsal.
* Thursday - Percussion and Guitar.
-Mr Glenn Stanbridge, Director of Music.
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Above: Some of the 1st XV at their pre-season game at Mt Roskill Grammar.
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What an outstanding pre-season our winter sports teams have had. Despite the disrupted start to 2020, our young men and committed coaching staff have made no excuses and simply got on with the job. I've been impressed with the commitment levels both from students and families, strong training attendance before/after school and on weekends. This has been topped off with excellent communication from students & families and an almost professional level of preparation from coaching staff. It's a long season ahead and we won't be celebrating until we get to the finish line but the good news is everything we can control (training, registrations, commitment) we are well on top of, putting us in a strong position moving forwards.
OLD BOYS GIVING BACK:
You may see some familiar faces on the sidelines of Rugby Union, Rugby League & Basketball this year with the majority of our coaching staff being made up of Old Boys - wanting to give back to their college. Recent 2019 graduates Anitoni Finekifolau and Luke Kelemete were both prefects and exceptional basketballers. I'm very pleased to report that they've joined our coaching staff and will drive the basketball program with as much passion and commitment as when they played, except this time they'll be holding clipboards instead of catching rebounds. Welcome to the team Luke & Anitoni.
Siu Puletiuatoa, Glenn Anderson & Bam Samuela are all Old Boys coaching the 1st XV, Sefo Fuimaono is an Old Boy coaching the 1st XIII and as mentioned, Luke and Anitoni are with the 1st V basketball team.
Thank you to the parents & students who completed registrations on time ensuring their son was eligible for selection. We have switched to Google Forms rather than old fashioned paper slips, saving a few trees and modernizing our approach at the same time.
-Mr Dave McDermott, Director of Sport
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Above: Yr 10 Joshua Pasina rises to the occasion with our U15s at Sacred Heart.
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Above: Our U14 rugby team on the field against Sacret Heart on June 13th.
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Above (from left): Rangitahi Seminar participants Sefanaia Cowley-Lupo, Tyreese Savea, Christopher Finekifolau,
Jeremiah Tauti from ADHB, Zion Mann, Lachlan Patelesio and Faavae Mikato.
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HEALTH SCIENCE SPECIALISATION SEMINAR
Students who intend studying Health Science specialising in one of the areas of Medicine, Nursing or Paramedics recently attended the Rangitahi Programme information seminar at school and have registered for a webinar on 1st July at 2pm.
The Rangatahi Programme is a great opportunity for Māori and Pacific Year 12 and Year 13 students, who attend school within the Auckland and Waitemata District Health Boards boundaries, learn more about a career in health, prepare for the right tertiary study programme, and then gain employment in health.
Jeremiah Tauti of ADHB spoke of the four pillars (Body, Spirit, Mind and Relationships) to achieve Hauora - Wellbeing - and the various occupations associated with each area.
The Rangatahi Programme offers:
- An introduction to Māori and Pacific health professionals currently working in a hospital
- Insight into what the health workplace looks like, and what a health career entails
- A 7-hour Introductory Day at Auckland Hospital
- A Workplace Experience Week at Auckland Hospital
- Support right through to graduation from tertiary study and into the health workplace.
- Mrs Jacquie Brayshaw, Gateway/STAR/Career's Coordinator
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CAREERS IN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
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Above: BCITO Business Development Advisor Mrs Megan Kershaw discussing trade positions and apprentices with some of our students.
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Educating interested St Paul's students in the options for a career in building and construction was the focus of a recent presentation by The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO). The organisation offers managed apprenticeships direct from school in a huge range of trades including carpentry, brick and block laying, stonemasonry, tiling, glass and glazing, concreting, flooring and tiling.
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REMINDER: PRE-REGISTER FOR AUT ONLINE PARENTS' INFO EVENING WEBINAR NEXT TUESDAY
AUT's online Parents' Information Evening is a webinar giving parents the chance to ask AUT questions, hear more information about their programmes, entry requirements, student support and services. During the webinar, they'll provide parents with helpful resources that are specifically designed for parents and whānau.
Register now here. Once you’ve officially registered, you’ll receive more information on how to make the most of the event and instructions about how to attend online.
AUT'S ONLINE PARENTS' INFORMATION EVENING WEBINAR 2020: Tuesday 30 June 2020, 6.30pm - 7.30pm.
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“The greatest deception, and the deepest source of unhappiness, is the illusion of finding life by excluding God, of finding freedom by excluding moral truths and personal responsibility.”
-Pope John Paul II
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