Principal's Message

Tēnā koutou St Ignatius community,

Our first House Lip Sync Competition took place on Wednesday. It was a strong testament for how far we have come as a college and in our school spirit. Every single student performed enthusiastically in unison to represent their various Houses. It was humbling to witness the efforts of our students and staff in their preparations and performances.

We make no secret that our school programme, in the Catholic Ignatian tradition, is concerned with the growth of the whole person, which we know as 'Cura Personalis'. This approach ensures that every student is provided with varied opportunities for growth with support and this event is one of them. After Wednesday, every student can say that they performed together to music in a competition and did well. To be able to contribute to this competition, every student needed to grow their skills of collaboration in a new context, for many students climbing outside of their comfort zone. The event helped students to learn more about what they are capable of and more of what can be achieved through working together with others. Opportunities like this offer so much more for human growth than can immediately be seen in the final performance. They grow inner confidence and important life skills. 

It is through the confidence gained in this type of growth, accompanied with personal and team success, that students begin to believe they are capable of much more than they realise and become open to the possibility that they can grow to become great people; they can grow in to the fullness of who God has created and called them to be.

Ad majorem Dei gloriam,

Dean Wearmouth

College Life

Mathematics

The University of Otago Junior Maths Competition is held annually, and is open to students in Years 9-11. Twenty-Two of our Year 9 students took part in the first round. Marco Omandam was selected to take part in the second round, which is restricted to only students from the top 15% of round one. He received a Merit award for his efforts. Well done Marco!

Mathex

Today saw the first ever trophy for St Ignatius!! Two Year 7 and two Year 8 teams from our school competed in the Franklin Mathex competition. The Year 7's competed well, and our Year 8 teams took out 1st and 2nd place in the competition, winning movie tickets for themselves and a trophy for the school. Huge credit is due to Mrs Rabulall who trained the teams, thank you for everything you've done!
Fun Fact - Our winning team is made up of one student from each house!

Science

This week we were fortunate enough to have two Blake NZ-VR educators at school with a class-set of virtual reality headsets. They were here to deliver engaging, inspiring and educational sessions on environmental sustainability with a focus on the Hauraki Gulf and New Zealand Marine Mammals. Each Year 7 and Year 8 class had the chance to experience this fascinating way of learning during the week.

House Lip Sync Competition

The inaugural Lip Sync competition took place during House Magis time on Wednesday. Each house took to the stage to bring many favourite hits to life in a lip syncing battle of epic proportions!

First to hit the stage was Xavier Barbier House, who brought their groove to some funky 1970's songs. With some daredevil stunts in their choreography they started the event off with a bang.

Next, Romero Aubert House took us on a 'rad' trip back to the 1980's with their toe tapping line dancing and showing us all just how to have fun with their catchy moves.

Faber Marian House brought back all the 1990's vibes and spiced up the dance floor with their mashup. The Macarena was certainly a crowd pleaser!

Finally, Acutis Magdalene House ignited the stage with energy, bringing back the beats and rhythms that defined the new millennium.

Judges, Mr Wearmouth, Mr Grevatt and Nurse Foster had a challenging job of judging the event and with only a point separating each house, the winners were Acutis Magdalene!

Well done to all that were involved in this super fun competition and for your sportsmanship throughout. More photos from this event are available via the News link at the bottom of this Newsletter.

Sport

Week Ahead

Sunday 8/9
AIMS Games Netball Begins
AIMS Games Gymnastics Begins
AIMS Games Cross Country

Monday 9/9
AIMS Games RIP Rugby Begins
Year 8 Sports Camp
Badminton Practice in La Storta

Tuesday 10/9
Volleyball Practice in La Storta
Basketball Practice in La Storta

Thursday 12/9
Volleyball Practice in La Storta


Results this week

Netball
St Ignatius Ferns VS Buckland 22-2
St Ignatius Ferns have wrapped up the inaugural netball season by winning their grade against Buckland. St Ignatius would like to acknowledge the work of Jasmine Richardson, Shellee Samuel, and Micaela Thomson, for their unwavering commitment to both of our Saturday Netball teams. Congratulations St Ignatius Ferns!

AAIMS Auckland Championship Cross-Country

Two of our students, Sian Balle, and Clara Wielenga, qualified for AAIMS Auckland Championship Cross-Country. On the 3rd of September the girls travelled out to Muriwai Beach to compete, and gave it their all. With students from all corners of the Auckland region racing, this was a hard event to compete in and the girls showed great perseverance. It was a great experience for the girls to compete at this level and run with Auckland’s top cross-country competitors. Both crossed the finish line; Clara 69th and Sian 84th. 

Fiji VS AIMS Netball

The AIMS Netball team were asked to have a friendly game against an international team, visiting from St Annes in Fiji. St Annes are attending the AIMS games that are on in Mt Maunganui next week along with many of our students. It was a privilege to host these guests, and an enjoyable time was had by all. St Ignatius had a convincing win against the St Annes team.

North Island Secondary Schools Equestrian Event

Nine Students proudly represented St Ignatius at the North Island Secondary Schools Equestrian Event in Taupo last week. They competed against 90 other school teams with impressive individual results, finishing 30^th in the rankings.  Ella Newby came in 5^th Overall Best performed Year 9-10 rider out of 183 competitors in her year group. The St Ignatius team consisted of riders Ella Newby, Hannah MacIntosh, Pippa Wilson, Poppy Illston,  Summer Morton, Charlie Fogarin, Milla Fogarin, Penelope Morrisey, and Savanna Styles. Thanks to all the parents who came and supported the team over the four days of competition.
More photos are available via the News link at the bottom of the page.

Ākonga Elective

Coding

This week in coding we are learning to make scroller games. Scroller games are games viewed from a side angle, with a main character, where objects appear to scroll in from one side. An example is the dinosaur game that Google lets you play when there's no internet!  Other examples are Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros.  

Here is a scroller game made by Alex Al-Haddad, Year 7. Click the spacebar to make the monkey jump over the Bananas

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1062560933

Young Vinnies

Can drive
Thanks to all the students who brought in cans for our Can Drive. They will be collected by Christ the King School in Week 10, so you are still welcome to bring some in, although they won't be given house points.

Ākonga Achievement

Congratulations to Darby Reichenbach who has shown great commitment to his role as a referee through Franklin Basketball. This week he was promoted to a 'Grey Shirt' which means he is no longer in training, and is a level one referee, overseeing the training of other refs, and soon will be refereeing Under 16 teams during their games.
On top of this, Darby plays on the Franklin Basketball Under 14 Rep team!

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Manutaki Certificates

This week the following ākonga/student were recognised by their Manutaki for having received an outstanding Weekly Excellence Review.  

Year 7 - Savannah Styles (in absentia)
Year 8 - Nic Madelozo
Year 9 - Tom Chamberlain

We celebrate these ākonga/students being more fully alive and reflecting the greater glory of God through their work and actions.

485 Award

We had many nominations again this week and it was a pleasure for senior leaders to read of students finding God in others through their nominations. Some of our top nominations this week are:

Eva Smyth nominated Loisi Liava’a for comforting her when she was sad.

Deanna Fermin nominated Summer Beza for helping her to get up when she fell over.

Natalia Ramos nominated Neeve Wharfe in Year 8 for being nice to a Year 7 student when they were lonely.

Giarn-Ruby Lee Mataia nominated Evony Burford for having a bright and positive attitude towards everyone.

Logan Stallworthy nominated Rupert Archer for helping and explaining angles in Maths.

Olivia Fitzpatrick nominated Alexis Walker for staying beside her friend and comforting her when feeling down. 

Tate Yorke nominated Gabriel Richardson for being respectful and inviting others to sit with him and his friends.

Loisi Liava’a nominated Momoka Laga’aia for showing care to her by always greeting her and asking how she is.

The winner this week was Tate Yorke who was nominated by Tiger Bernabe for helping him before exams when he was not fully prepared.

Well done Tate!

Cura Personalis

Parent / Ākonga / Kaiako Interviews Term Three

Our Parent / Ākonga / Kaiako Interviews for Term Three are scheduled for September 25th and 26th from 2pm - 7pm. 

Note: Students will finish at 12:50pm both days and buses will be rescheduled for this earlier finish.

You are warmly invited to book an interview time with your child's respective teachers. If your child's report reflects a successful term and curriculum levels are appropriate for their year, it is not necessary to book.

If you have concerns about progress, your child's current curriculum level or another pressing matter, please follow the process below.
Click the link provided:
BOOKING LINK
https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/96b98

Ākonga Leadership 2025

We have been planning for our Ākonga Leadership opportunities in 2025.  As we are getting to know ākonga we have already seen some impressive examples of ākonga leaders and have seen potential for leadership development and growth in others.  As a growing school, we will not implement a formal model of student leadership common in schools across New Zealand until we have senior students. The leadership positions for next year will be a stepping stone to these positions in future years. 

Ākonga/students have been hearing about some of the leadership opportunities open to them in 2025 in assemblies this week.  At the start of Term 4 we will begin the process of selection of the staff appointed leadership positions.

See below for further details:

Seasons for Growth

We are delighted to be offering an educational research-based In-school Programme called Seasons for Growth to start Term 4, 2024. 

Seasons is beneficial to children coping with major changes, challenges, grief or loss. Small peer groups are facilitated by trained ‘companions’ in one hour sessions over eight weeks, and look at themes such as change, managing feelings, choices and support.
Activities alongside these topics encourage shared discussion and a safe space to talk about what may be going on for them, and importantly, with others who are going through changes too. We believe it will be a valuable experience for all those involved.

If you are interested in the Programme for your child, please contact Mrs Bamber-O'Malley at [email protected], or for further information about Seasons please contact Marisa Mencarelli-Skilton, Coordinator for Seasons For Growth Franklin, [email protected] or ph 021 142 5812.

Father's Day Mass and Breakfast

On Monday the college hosted a Father's Day Mass and breakfast. Fr. Michael celebrated Mass, and in his homily, he reminded us of the importance of a father being a man of faith. We wish all of our fathers a happy Father's Day and thank them for the pivotal role they play in the lives of their children.

International News

This week Mrs Hartland and Mrs Bamber O'Malley attended an International Convention in Auckland where they showcased St Ignatius College and met with over 30 agents representing many countries such as Japan, Italy, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Thailand, Canada, and South Korea. The agents were very impressed by our state-of-the-art facilities, rural outlook and reputation for seeking excellence. Already we have secured groups from Japan, Korea, The Philippines and China for next year. This is very exciting as creating relationships with other schools provides our children with wonderful leadership and life experiences. Today we had multiple agents from Korea and Thailand come around the school to see what we do. It has been a very busy week!

Bishop Emeritus Denis George Browne

After battling a long illness, Bishop Emeritus Denis George Browne, 86, who led the diocese from 1994 to 2014 and served as a priest for more than six decades, passed away on September 1.
He was also the Bishop of Rarotonga from 1977 to 1983, the Diocese of Auckland from 1983 to 1994, and then he accepted the appointment to Hamilton following Bishop Gaines’ passing.
In 1990, Browne was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.
In the 2001 Queen’s Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the community.
In 2016, Browne was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Waikato.
Browne was retired and lived in Auckland before he died.
Bishop Denis was a loved priest and bishop. May he now rest in the peace of the Lord he served so faithfully and well.

Please remember him in your prayers
O God,
from the ranks of your priests
you chose your servant Denis Browne
to fulfil the office of Bishop.
Grant that he may share
in the eternal fellowship of those priests
who, faithful to the teachings of the apostles,
dwell in your heavenly kingdom.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please also pray for his family especially his sisters Sr Margaret Browne RSM and Sr Agnes Browne RSM and also his niece Catherine Ryan, our Vicar for Education and his other loved nieces, nephews and whanau.

Tangihanga Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII 

On Monday morning a contingent from the Catholic Diocese of Auckland travelled in convoy to Ngaaruawaahia where they attended the Tangihanga for Kingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII at Tuurangawaewae marae.  Manuel Beazley Vicar for Māori led the delegation comprising members of the Catholic Māori community of Auckland, diocesan staff and students, family and staff of Auckland Catholic schools of the south who sit in the bow of Tainui.  A few of our students represented our school at this event. They have written about their experiences below. 

"Attending the Māori king's tangi at Tuurangawaewae Marae in Ngaaruawaahia was an amazing experience. Going to this event was important for me as I felt that I got to connect with the Māori king and with many others who attended the tangi. What stood out to me was the amount of people who filled the chairs inside the Marae, covered the streets and were waiting outside. People outside the Marae under the white tent were giving people food and water. Massive trays of food were being taken around to people who had been standing for a while. Every word was spoken in Te Reo Māori when speaking in front of the King's casket. What memory I will take from this day would be walking into the Marae during the Powhiri and really feeling the atmosphere of attending a King's Tangi."

Paikea Maihi
9RA

"Attending Tuurangawaewae Marae in Ngaaruawaahia this week was a very significant occasion for me. The loss of the Māori King and Paramount Chief of Waikato-Tainui was a very sorrowful moment for us and his family. 
While tangi is sad, it is also a time for remembrance and deeply spiritual. It reminds me of the following whakataukii: 
"Ka mate tino tangata, teenaa ka rewa mai"
"When an important man dies, they begin to come together"
Even though the occasion is sad, everybody comes together and works together. This makes me feel strong and proud to be Māori."

Eva Amstad
7AM

Our sympathy goes out to the whanau of the late Kiingi, and we are honoured to have attended this event. 

E te Ariki hoatu ki a Kiingi Tuheitia te okiokinga tonutanga, aa, kia whiti ki a ia te maaramatanga mutunga kore.

Eternal rest O Lord, grant to King Tuheitia; and let perpetual light shine upon him.

Week 8: St Ignatius Book Week

Get ready everyone...it's finally here! The first annual Book Character Parade is happening THIS WEEK!!!!!
The competition is heating up and I'm not sure who will be the best dressed - the Year 7s ?, the Year 8s?, the Year 9s? or the teachers???

We have had over 100 entries in our "Match the Teacher with their Favourite Book" this week... and the winner is... Ah, you'll have to wait until assembly on Monday to find out !!!!

Below are the answers:
Mr Wearmouth - Exodus
Father Michael - Galag Archipelago
Mrs Hartland - To Kill a Mockingbird
Mr Benge - Doctor Zhivago
Whaea Melanie - Ready Player One
Mrs Fromont - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Mr Auva'a - Percy Jackson
Mrs Johnston - Relentless
Whaea Gemma - The Time Traveler's Wife
Mr Ingley - Green Eggs and Ham
Mr Williams - The Chronicles of Narnia
Ms Bell - The Hungry Caterpillar
Mrs Allan - Divergent
Mrs Tupaea - The Hunger Games
Ms Clark - Sherlock Holmnes
Mrs French - Pillars of the Earth

The lucky winner gets a $25 dollar Whitcoulls voucher.

Next week we will have a second chance to win the "Match the Teacher with their Favourite Book"  competition. 
I wonder how well the students know these teachers???

Week 8: St Ignatius Book Character Parade!

We cannot wait to share the pictures with you all about the entries for the Book Character Parade. This Wednesday Period 1 the whole school will gather to celebrate books and fantastic characters. There are house points up for grabs and at this stage of the year, every point counts! Rumour has it that Senior Leadership are all dressing up as characters from the same book... I wonder what book they will celebrate?


Each week we will put the spotlight on potential books/series you can read at home with your children and this week's recommendation is:

George Orwell's Animal Farm
Animal Farm is famous worldwide because it appears to be a simple story about Animals running their own farm… but it’s actually so much more! George Orwell's novella uses farm animals to tell the story of the Russian Revolution and the rise of the Soviet Union. Every character in the novella represents either a significant person in history or a “type” of person - it is so so clever! Animal Farm is a great book for you to learn about the power of language and how dangerous it can be when it is used to control and manipulate. This book is an allegorical masterpiece of literature, basically warning us about who we let into power and how much power we let them have. "Animal Farm" is a must-read for its powerful message about power and corruption. The key message is that power can corrupt, and those in power often exploit those who aren't.
Reading Animal Farm by George Orwell with children provides a valuable opportunity for parents to engage in meaningful discussions about power, equality, and the importance of critical thinking. By exploring the story together, parents can help children understand the complexities of human behaviour and history, fostering a deeper awareness of societal issues. This is a great book that everyone should read!

Upcoming Events

AIMS Games 2024 - Saturday 7th  - Friday 13th September
Year 8 Sport Camp - Monday 9th - Friday 13th September 
Social Justice Week Monday 9th Sept  - Friday 13th Sept
Book Week - Monday 9th Sept  - Friday 13th Sept
Ignatian Contemplation Parent Formation Evening - Tuesday, the 10th of September, from 6 - 7:30 pm 
Book Character Dress Up Day - Wednesday 11th September 
Māori Language Week - Monday 16th - Friday 20th September
St Ignatius' Got Talent Auditions - Monday 16th - Friday 20th September
Ten Ways Ignatian Spirituality Supports a Busy Life  Parent Formation Evening- Tuesday the 17th of September, from 6-7:30 pm
Aubert House Mass - Wednesday 18th September @ 1:30pm
Tongan Community Meeting - Wednesday Sept 18th @ 6.00pm
PTA Meeting - Thursday Sept 19th @ 6:30pm
Parent/ Ākonga Interviews - Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th September
Last Day of Term 3 - Thursday 26th September
Teacher Only Day - Friday 27th September
First Day of Term 4 - Monday 14th October
Teacher Only Day -  Wednesday 20th November
Year 7 Camp - Wednesday 4th - Friday 6th December. 

Formation Evening

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Parent Formation evening on Ignatian Contemplation has been postponed to Tuesday, 10th September. 

Fr Michael Smith SJ will continue his formation evenings for parents and caregivers this term, focusing on Ignatian Spirituality. He will run a session on Ignatian Contemplation on Tuesday, the 10th of September, from 6 - 7:30 pm (PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE) and another on how Ten Ways Ignatian Spirituality Supports a Busy Life on Tuesday, the 17th of September, from 6-7:30 pm. More details are on our website, and a ticketing system to help plan. There is no cost for the tickets. 
For tickets to the 10th of September please follow this LINK.
For tickets to the 17th of September please follow this LINK.

PTA News

Introducing Paige Fa’afiu, PTA Secretary

I am excited to be a part of the team of fantastic parents establishing the PTA. Based in Pukekohe, my husband Peter and I currently have two sons at St Ignatius (part of a blended family of six kids!). For me, joining the PTA is a great opportunity to support the school and connect with other parents while engaging with the wider school community. In my professional life, am co-Director of The Forensic Group, an independent forensic science consultancy. We primarily work in the justice sector, supporting prosecution and defence counsel, as well as assisting with enquiries from the Coroner, the Criminal Cases Review Commission Te Kāhui Tātari Ture and the Law Commission – so the PTA is a very new experience for me! I see this as a wonderful chance to step away from my computer and become more actively involved in my children’s school experiences. We have some exciting ideas and would be delighted to have you join us or assist in any way you can. 

Key dates for your diaries (more details to follow):

Next PTA meeting - 19 September 6:30-7:30pm in School - All welcome!

29 November 2024, Year 7 and 8  Neon Fiesta
10 December 2024, Christmas picnic - a community event for current St Ignatius whānau and new families joining us in 2025

21 February 2025, Year 7 and 8 social event/disco
28 February 2025, Pickleball night - a fun social event for everyone
09 May 2025, Quiz Night
Our fundraising goal for this year is a shade sail for outside The Hungry Wolf.
Any questions, please contact [email protected]

Community Notices

Catholic Character

Social Justice Week

Social justice initiatives at school have been promoted by Young Vinnies through the collecting donations of canned foods for people in need. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to also gain House points for the amount of cans they donate. However, social justice is not restricted only to charitable acts for the people on the margin. Sometimes we can forget that social justice begins much closer to us. Social justice begins with peace within our hearts.

In Aotearoa, this year’s Social Justice Week runs from 8 - 14 September, with the overarching theme, “Imagine Peace for All” and a special focus on “Choose forgiveness, know peace.” (Caritas NZ, Social Justice Week). This is an invitation for us to restore peace with one another and from the Christian perspective, that is by following Christ’ teaching and his examples in life.  The Letter to Collosians tells us to “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Collosians 3:13). On the cross, Jesus cried out to his Father, “Forgive them, for they do not know what they're doing.” (Luke 23:24). 

It is not easy to forgive people who have badly hurt us and who have made us really angry. Recently, in a Year 7 RE class, one student expressed that view. Then, the teacher responded by quoting a teaching, originally from a Buddhist thought, that holding angry and vengeful feelings in our hearts is like holding a burning charcoal in our hand. We hold it with the intention of throwing it at the person who caused us pain, but without realising that our own hand is getting burned the longer we hold on to the charcoal. We must learn to let it go.

We can try to recall again the time when we felt we have been forgiven for our great mistake and sin. Perhaps, one can pray imaginatively the scene of Jesus’ trial by Pontius Pilate, how the crowd wanted to hurt Jesus so badly, that they were more ready to have Barabbas, a violent criminal, released. How did Jesus respond to such treatment? How did Jesus look at Barabbas at the exchange of the handcuffs from his arms to Jesus’? Certainly, love is the only answer. 

Desire love. Saint Ignatius of Loyola taught us to ask for a particular grace that we desire, if we feel we don’t have it. If our hearts have been so burdened with pain caused by others, if our hands have been burning with a hot charcoal and yet we are unable to let it go, then ask for the grace of the desire to love others. That is the beginning of gaining peace within our hearts. Social justice begins early from deep within us before it takes form in social activism.

News