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23 June 2022

Mercy Cup Football Team

From the Principal

He mihi maioha, Faa-talofa atu, Greetings,

Matariki is now a national public holiday, and we are all enjoying this celebration. As a school we have been learning about the significance and meaning of Matariki and our Year 12s’ reflected this as they led a lovely assembly liturgy this week. To create a public holiday is a significant decision, as some may remember from Waitangi Day, which only became an official holiday in the 1970s.

Mercy Cup was held at St Kevin’s in Oamaru this week, and after a very early and chilly start, our huge team of students and staff had an enjoyable day. Thank you to St Kevin’s for hosting and to all our staff, parents and students who coached, managed and umpired on the day. This is the secret to a successful event, and we are especially grateful to Miss Megan Shea and Mrs Bronwyn Bennie who worked hard to organise the logistics to make our involvement such a positive experience.

Thank you to our parents and whānau for your understanding about having a Learning from Home day, which was a result of the Mercy Cup, increased levels of ill health in the students and staff, and the pressure on finding relief teachers. We plan to be able to continue as normal to the end of term, and hope that our families are staying safe and well.

With faith in our future,

Mary-Lou Davidson (Mrs)
Principal

In this Newsletter:
Special Character
Important Information
Congratulations
School Life
In the Community

Special Character

Matariki

We celebrate Matariki on 24 June, when the cluster Matariki, also known as Pleiades, appears in the night sky. Matariki is a cluster of many stars. It signifies the beginning of the new year and holds an important place in the Māori calendar.

Māori would acknowledge the appearance of Matariki to signify the end of one year, the end of what had happened in the past, and the beginning of the new year with all its promise, hope, and goodness that the impending season would bring.

As the star cluster set, it was a time to remember those who had died during the past year. As the star cluster rose, it was time to consider the rising of the dead who were now joining the stars of the night sky. It was a time to plan for the future, a time to look forward in hopefulness, a time to be with whānau and friends.

The senior Māori class led the school in prayer during assembly on Monday focusing on the significance of each of the nine stars of Matariki. We thanked God for blessing us with our beautiful planet, remembering our loved ones who have passed and asking Him for help to strive to be kaitiaki - better guardians of our world that nourishes and sustains us.

Matariki Blessing
The new light of Matariki has risen!
May it be to you a sign of resurrection and new life.
May it be to you a sign of hope in times of darkness.
May it be to you a sign of the wondrous mystery of Atua who loves you.
May it be to you a sign that the eyes of the Eternal One are ever upon you and that the presence of the Holy One is ever with you.
And may this be the cause of your rejoicing.
Go in peace.

Young Vinnies Winter Woolies Collection

St Vincent de Paul Society

Over Term 2 St Vincent de Paul youth and school communities have been collecting jackets and blankets for those in need. Next Wednesday 29 June these jackets are going to be given out to people who are in need. All you need to do is come along to either St Teresa’s Hall between 8.30-9.30am, or St Patrick’s School Hall between 10.30am-12noon with the invitation below (signed by a teacher/ school admin). We have hundreds of sizes and colours available - all in great condition! Some of the brands that have been donated by our schools include Kathmandu, Icebreaker, Seed Heritage. St Vincent de Paul believes everyone has the right to be warm this winter, so let’s try to make that happen!

Volunteering

There are many opportunities for volunteering at St Vincent de Paul Op Shops and help is needed with bagging firewood for clients over winter. If you are interested, please email Olivia Shimasaki - Olivia@svdpchch.co.nz. Volunteers are also welcome during the term break (anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult).

We are praying for...
We remember students, staff, and members of our Marian College community who are currently in hospital or unwell.

We also remember especially students, staff and their families who have lost loved ones recently.

Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen

Important Information

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interview day for 2022 is on Thursday 30 June, 1-7.30pm. Parents, caregivers and students are welcome - please come and meet our teachers. This is an important opportunity to meet with your daughters’ subject teachers.

Please be aware that on Parent Teacher interview day, school will finish at 11.45am. The Marian bus will collect students at 12noon. The 722 will run at the normal time.

You will have received an email with instructions on how to book times. The website is now open for bookings - www.schoolinterviews.co.nz - Marian College code is w5nes or click on http://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/w5nes which will take you directly to the website without requiring to login. The site will be closed for bookings at 8.30am on Thursday 30 June.

Stay Well This Winter

It’s already proving to be a tough winter for our communities - as we opened the door to international travel, all those winter bugs seem to have slipped through at the same time.
Here are some top tips for staying well this winter:

Avoid getting sick:
Eat well, stay active, get plenty of fresh air and keep up those effective public health measures (hand washing, masks indoors in public etc.) – also, make sure you have the best protection possible by getting vaccinated against COVID-19, measles and the flu.

If you do get unwell:

Stay away from work or school.
Check if you’ve got COVID-19 with a RAT test. Follow COVID-19 isolation guidance if you or your whānau are positive.
Seek help early by phoning Healthline on 0800 611 116, day or night.
In most cases flu or an upset stomach can be safely managed at home. Call ahead before visiting your health provider, rather than visiting in person, and stay away from hospital unless it’s an emergency

Find more information on staying well and flu free this winter by clicking on these links:

Canterbury District Health Board Winter Wellness
Canterbury District Health Board Coping with the Flu at Home
Ministry of Health Stay Well this Winter

The Coping with Flu at Home information leaflet is available in English, Te Reo Māori and five other languages and has useful tips on managing sickness at home in general.

Nutrition Information for Adolescents - Tuesday 28 June, 6pm

Marian College Sport is providing a nutrition information evening for all students and caregivers of the Marian College community. You and your whānau are invited to attend this evening. The presentation will be provided by Conrad Goodhew - a registered dietician. Conrad has a wealth of experience working with a range of clients and teams including the Crusaders.

Please complete the google form here: https://forms.gle/rBJrwMAo3x2F6wjR6 for both caregivers and students, if you wish to attend. Additional questions you would like answered can be added to this form to help guide the information presented.

Please contact Miss Megan Shea at megans@mariancollege.school.nz if you have any further questions.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Service

Service is recorded on students' My Mahi app. Students follow the instructions given to them by their Wā Whānau teacher.

Online School Work

When students are absent from school, isolating or sick, but well enough to work, school work is available on their Google classrooms. A reminder that all students know how to access this.

Click here to view the latest update on our new school site

Enrolment for Year 9, 2023

Enrolments are now open and can be made via our website. Information about enrolment can be found here. If you have any queries, please ring the school office, 385 8449.

Key Enrolment Dates
Friday 29 July, 1pm: Enrolments for Year 9, 2023 close

Wednesday 3 August: Ballot (if necessary)

Thursday 4 August: Offer of Place emails sent to parents

Monday 15 August: Deadline for Acceptance

Click here for Portal and Report Information

Term Dates 2022

Term 2: 2 May - 8 July
Friday 24 June - Matariki Holiday

Term 3: 25 July - 30 September
Monday 8 August - Special Character Staff Only Day - TBC
Monday 22 August - NCEA Teacher Only Day (no classes)
Friday 9 September - Mid Term Break

Term 4: 17 October - 14 December
Monday 24 October - Labour Day
Friday 11 November - Show Day

Click here for Important Term 2 Dates

Reminder for Parents - Senior Formal

The upcoming formal at the end of this term is not a school run event and Marian College has no official responsibility for it, or for any surrounding events.

Our official ball is the Leavers' Ball in December each year.

Congratulations

Mercy Cup

St Kevin's College Oamaru not only put on a great day of sports, but also a great afternoon tea for the schools that attended Mercy Cup this year. The day started at 4:45am for our Marian students with a three hour bus ride to follow. We were welcomed with a frost, and despite the chilly conditions of the morning, our girls got to work to show our fellow Mercy schools some Marian Magic.

We did great as a College placing second overall, with our First XI Football team and Netball C team coming second in their divisions.

We are so thrilled with all the teams and individuals who participated this year, you all performed with pride for Marian College.

Thanks to Mrs Bennie, Miss Shea, teachers and parents for their support.

Brie-Ellen Harding - Head of Sport

Click here to view more Mercy Cup photos.

Year 12 Band 'Sharp Edge'

The Year 12 band, 'Sharp Edge' competed at the Canterbury heats of Smokefree Rockquest last weekend. They performed their original composition, 'Gasoline' to a live audience at the Ngaio Marsh Theatre. This band formed as the result of two different groups merging, and they have overcome the challenge of blending their different styles very well. Their outstanding performance at Rockquest has resulted in them making it through to the finals, meaning they are in the top 22 bands in the region.

Click here to view their performance on Saturday.

School Life

Year 10 Japanese

The Year 10 Japanese class have recently been learning how to do Japanese calligraphy and wordigami (this is forming a poem in English or Japanese to the stroke order of a kanji character). The akonga did a great job of this.

Stella Jones chose the character for flower - hana. The poem "Sweet aroma lingering in the air, nature's perfume, kaleidoscope of colours, sent to show love, beautiful, glorious, idyllic, trees adorned with flowers, ever lovely, decorating the world's gardens".

Year 11 Geography

Recently the Year 11 Geography classes went on a field trip to North New Brighton Beach to learn about Coastal processes and coastal erosion. One group was on the beach learning about coastal dunes and creating models of them.

Another group was inside the community centre learning about how the coasts have changed over time and how different community groups have different opinions on how the issue should be managed.

For the final activity, both groups were given a method of coastal protection to recreate in the sand such as seawalls, groynes, and gabions.

Phoebe Inwood

Around the Classrooms

Numeracy and Literacy Pilot at Marian College

Literacy
In 2022, Year 10 students and Marian College are supporting the Ministry of Education and NZQA to pilot the new literacy standards in Reading and Writing. These new standards are part of nationwide changes to strengthen NCEA, and will be assessed at the end of Term 3. Year 10 students and families have recently received a letter by email that explains more about what the pilot involves, including further detail about the standards, how teachers at Marian College are preparing students, and how whānau can help too. Please refer to this if you have any questions about the Reading and Writing standards, and book in to meet your child's English teacher at the upcoming parent teacher interview night later this term.

Miss Phoebe Clay
Head of English Learning Area

Numeracy
In addition to the literacy pilot in 2022, Year 10 students will also take part in the pilot of the new numeracy standard. This new standard is also part of nationwide changes to strengthen NCEA, and will be assessed at the end of Term 3.

To support this, the Mathematics teachers encourage your child to actively use numeracy skills used in real life contexts, such as measuring food in recipes, reading and using bus timetables, and experiencing how banking works (deposits/withdrawals).

If you have any questions about the Numeracy standard, book in to meet your child's Mathematics teacher at the upcoming parent teacher interview night later this term.

Mrs Kim Henry
Head of Mathematics Learning Area

Year 11 Drama presents The Monologue Show by Don Zolidis!

Our 'Keaton' cast are performing at 5:30pm and 'Chaplin' at 6:30pm, 27 June. Please check with your tamariki to ensure you are attending the right performance. No booking required. Masks are mandatory for audience members.

ATTENTION!
Past Students and Staff of St Mary's, McKillop or Marian Colleges

Are you a past student or staff member?

We are currently developing our Past Pupils and Staff Network, Rauru and would love for you to join. You will be able to connect with past classmates, find out more about our exciting new school project and events and possible reunions at the new school, and share your memories.

Head to www.mariancollege.school.nz/rauru to register.

Physiotherapy at Marian College

For convenient and timely injury rehabilitation and prevention, full physio services are available on site at Marian College during term time. Physiotherapist Rose Kennelly from Active Health is available for private and ACC covered appointments on Tuesdays (9.40am-1.20pm) and Fridays (9am-12.30pm).

Cost with ACC:
$25 for initial appointment - 40mins
$20 for follow ups - 20mins

Active Health are providing a discounted rate for Marian College compared to most clinics including their own in clinic appointments. To make a physio appointment contact the school office on 385 8449, come into reception and ask Mrs Herron, or book online at www.activehealth.co.nz.

In the Community

Free Bus Service - 7635 Rapaki Lyttleton Bus Service

The Service 28 Rapaki Lyttleton bus route is Ministry of Education funded and students can travel on this service free of charge.

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Sports Clinic is a large multidisciplinary Sports Medicine Clinic operating from exactly the same location as the iconic Sportsmed used to, at 156 Bealey Avenue. We provide multidisciplinary health & sport services to get every patient to the best they can be.

Our services include: Sports Medicine, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Chiropractic, Massage Therapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), Nutrition, Mental Skills Coaching & Pilates

Sports Clinic also offers an Acute Sport Injury & Concussion Clinic that enables you to be seen promptly & receive professional advice & expert care from our experienced Sports Clinicians. We can assess & treat injuries such as sprains, dislocations, minor fractures, concussions, & back pain within 48 hours of the injury.

Thank you,
Your team at Sports Clinic
www.sportsclinic.co.nz