Principal's Message

Tēna koutou katoa,

This week our inaugural House Parade event was a joyous experience for all and reflection of how far we have grown as a community. It was a pleasure to see the fruition of the commitment of staff and student efforts and the joy and energy in sharing how we are growing together, through our shared story and Catholic Ignatian character.

The commitment shown by all staff, students and families throughout the whole term has enabled our school to grow to become a vibrant and exciting place to be and I know the students and staff are all very proud to belong to our college. I am personally grateful to our Establishment Board who have supported and enabled our college throughout the journey so far and I would like to request some feedback from families that I can pass on to the Board. What are we doing well? What can we do better? How proud are you of being part of our school community? Please take the time to complete this short survey here. Your valuable feedback will also be used to inform our planning for the beginning of 2025.

Wishing all students and families a restful and well-deserved break over the coming fortnight and we look forward to going again with the many exciting things we have planned for term two. Through the life of the school we will continue to accompany one another on this great journey; to discover God in ourselves, to discover God in others and to discover God in our common home. Finding God in all things. Inveniens Deum in omnibus.

Dean Wearmouth

College Life

Mathematics

All students started their year of Maths with a short series on the brain. We learned that everyone can do maths, we just need to keep practising and making new connections.
Year 7s then worked on Number skills, Year 8s on Probability and Algebra, and Year 9s on Statistics and Number.

The report you received this week should have a result for basic facts. This represents their score out of 100 basic facts questions within a 5 minute time limit.  Your child’s basic facts will be tested and reported every term.  

If your child has a score lower than 70-80% then some practice could really boost their maths.
The most effective way to learn basic facts is not the fastest way.

The key to memorising basic facts is to derive them.

An example: 5 x 4

Students who don’t know the answer to this, should figure it out any way that they can. They might use repeated addition eg 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 20.  They might skip count, eg 4, 8, 12, 16, 20.
A student who figures out the answer is more likely to memorise this basic fact and be able to use it for more challenging problems than a student who uses flashcards that have the answer on the back. 

Through repetition, the basic facts will become memorised.

When a student is ready to practise, they could try some Times tables games.

Technology

This has been a tremendously exciting term for the Technology department with all ākonga in the school having the opportunity to experience the subject in our beautiful, new facilities. Students began working through either our Soft Materials/ Food Technology curriculum and have amazed us with the progress they have made. Despite a lot of the ākonga having no real experience with either aspect of Technology they have produced work of an excellent quality.
In Soft Materials, students were introduced to the basic sewing equipment and then learnt three basic hand stitches and how to sew on a button. The remainder of the term was spent applying these skills by designing and producing an Emoji Plush toy. Amidst this excitement and hive of activity, our sewing machines were delivered and are in the process of being set up for a module on machine sewing next term. Year 7 and 8 ākonga will design and produce an identity Ribbon and Year 9, an applique book cover. 

The Food Tech room has also seen ākonga pushed out of their comfort zones by learning a variety of basic cooking skills and techniques, all whilst learning the valuable skill of group work and importance of communication. These new cooking skills have also encompassed important aspects of food preparation such as the importance of food hygiene and safety, knife skills and safety and basic kitchen equipment. Learners have been thrilled with the food that they have produced and I have witnessed many contented faces coming out of our food room.
Next term ākonga will apply the design process and design a food product in response to a given scenario/problem.
Both of our learning programmes have been created to provide a skill base from which ākonga can continue to learn and grow in confidence in both technology avenues as they progress through the year levels.

Some ākonga perspective:

"I have really enjoyed Soft Materials so far because we are being taught many great skills to use later on in life; like how to hand sew and how to sew on a button." - Emily Todd, 7G

"I have really enjoyed Soft Materials and think that being taught things like how to hand stitch and sew ON a button builds experience that will come in handy later on." - Emma Ronald, 7G

"I love Soft Materials so  much because when I grow up I want to be a fashion designer. Mrs Allan has taught me so much." - Eva Amstad, 7G

"Before starting this class I couldn’t sew and now I can sew like a pro!" - Charlie Bower, 7G

"This term, Soft Materials with Mrs. Allan has been such fun! I’ve learnt so many useful skills that I never thought I’d learn. One of my favourite things was making the emoji plush toy, it was exciting to experiment with different fabrics, thread and colour. I am so looking forward to Soft Materials next term." - Ciara van Heeckeren, 9D

"Soft Materials has been a lot of fun. We have learnt how to hand stitch and got to make cute plushies." - Kourtney Sublette, 9G

"This term in Food Tech we have learnt so many new life skills. In Food Tech we develop skills like using the stove and oven which we can use in daily life. At the end we also get to eat our delicious food. Food Tech is the best!!"  - Lauren Hartland and Joslyn Allan, 8M

Sport

Basketball 

We have a number of keen basketballers wanting to play in the local Franklin Competitions and we are looking for coaches and managers for at least one Year 7 team and two Year 8 teams. You would be required to run training sessions at school and/or attend after school games at the Franklin recreation centre once a week during Term time. If you think you can help out with this please get in touch via email.

Simon Benge
[email protected]

Cricket

Last week we participated in our first Cricket competition. The mixed Year 7 and 8 cricket team had a great day with many playing cricket for the first time. They all gave 100% and showed real improvement as the day progressed.
The Year 7 and 8 Boys cricket team won 3 out of their 4 games with a narrow defeat in game 4 . A fantastic achievement and a great start for cricket at St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College.

Ākonga Achievement

The annual Crankworx Rotorua, the biggest downhill mountain biking event in the country, was held in late March.
Year 9 Student Thomas Eyton-Fa'afiu got back into competition at Crankworx after three months sidelined with a broken foot. A 'one to watch' U15 age group talent, Thomas is slowly returning to form prior to his injury. 

Science

Year 9 trip to Rainbow Park Nurseries
Last week all Year 9 students went on a field trip to Rainbow Park Nurseries. This is linked with their current Science topic of biology, and the processes of pollination, flower anatomy, and the life cycle and care of plants.

At Rainbow Park Nurseries they were fortunate enough to see how the incredible robotic arms function in the planting and care of the plants, and how a nursery sustains the life cycle of plants on such a huge scale. Thank you to Rainbow Park Nurseries, who also sent the students back to school with Cyclamen plants to care for.

See more on the website via the link in the News section at the bottom of this newsletter.

Dry Ice Experimentation

Year 7 students have been experimenting with dry ice in Science. Creating reactions, observing changes, and learning by doing made this an engaging and memorable experience.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

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

Year 7 - Torito Esquivel Garcia
Year 8 - Grace Fonseca
Year 9 - Zander Lim

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

Virtue Awards

This week we held our end of term celebration assembly in which ākonga were awarded the Term 1 Virtue Awards. Kaiako/teachers have been nominating ākonga over the last week who exemplify or demonstrate these virtues.
The awards are:
Faith - For Ākonga who have demonstrated particular support for the Catholic Life of our College
Hope - For Ākonga who bring light and hope into the world for othersLoveFor Ākonga who demonstrate love of God and others
Prudence - For Ākonga who consistently make great choices
Temperance - For Ākonga who practice self-control 
Justice - For Ākonga who are fair and just to all 
Fortitude - For Ākonga who demonstrate resilience and courage

Congratulations to all those who received a Term 1 Virtue award.
A list of the award winner is on our website - please follow the link in the News section at the bottom of this Newsletter.

Cura Personalis

House Parades 2024 - Growing Community

This week we held our inaugural House Parade Competition.  This was a highly anticipated event in our school calendar and one which ākonga/students have been preparing for all term.
It was wonderful to be able to invite parents and whanau to join us for this truly joyful celebration.

The theme of the Parade was ‘Growing Community’.  All House Groups were tasked with preparing a presentation that reflected this theme, included their House Chant and captured something unique about the spirit and identity of each House Group.

We had a highly skilled panel of judges who were charged with the difficult task of grading each entry.  Linda Mcquade, Catherine Rawlinson, John Gilbert, Fr Robert Seddon and Fr Michael Smith  expertly navigated the judging criteria and enjoyed the fabulous House Hospitality provided by each House Group.  

Each House had aspects of their performance which truly set them apart.  Xavier and Barbier excelled in their dancing and singing.  Euphasie Barbier backflipping was a real highlight.  Acutis and Magdalene also had amazing choreography and costumes and captured our 4Cs impressively.  Romero and Aubert House was full of energy and life with outstanding singing.  Of particular note were the cartwheeling bananas.  Faber and Marian captured the theme through impressive story telling, acting and lights.  Although Faber and Marian were judged as the overall winners, every ākonga who contributed yesterday was a winner through their sheer joy, commitment and sense of House pride. 

Uniform
We expect all ākonga/students to be in full winter uniform when they return from the upcoming school holidays.  Our winter uniform guidelines are as follows:

Junior Winter Uniform (Term 2 and 3)
-All ākonga/students will wear St Ignatius long sleeved white shirt and school tie
-All ākonga/students will wear school blazer
-All ākonga/students will wear school jumper
-Female ākonga/students wear a skirt or trouser options and black tights
-Male ākonga/students wear shorts and knee high school socks

Please refer to the school website for our full uniform guidelines.

Upcoming Events

Important Dates to Remember:
First Day of Term Two - Monday April 29th
Term Two Winter Uniform Dress Code in effect for all students (see page 17 of the student diary)
Pompallier Shield - Friday 3rd May
Marian House Mass - Wednesday 8th May at 1:30pm
Mother's Day Mass and Breakfast - Monday 13th May, 7am (This is a ticketed event due to the capacity of the Chapel. Tickets will be made available on Monday 29th April through School Bridge.)
Ignatian Family Day Mass - Thursday 16th May
Year 7 Parent and Student Loving for Life Health Evening - Tuesday 21st May, 6pm.
Loving for Life Year 9 Retreats - 21st-23rd May
Teachers Only Day - 24th May

Year 7 Parent and Student Loving for Life Health Evening
Year 7 parents and students are invited to attend an evening to begin the conversation about health with their child. It will involve the parent and child together engaging with topics of whanau, puberty and adolescence guided by a facilitator from 'Loving for Life'. 'Loving for Life' is a Catholic health provider that specialises in health programmes for primary and secondary school students. 

Community Notices

Public transport fares are changing for under 25’s from Wednesday 01 May

Free travel for 5 to 12 year old's and half-price travel for 13 to 24 year old's on AT bus, train and ferry services will end on 30 April 2024, in line with the government’s decision to withdraw funding for these concessions.  
 
This means that from Wednesday 1 May: 
5 to 12 year olds will no longer travel for free on weekdays and will instead pay a child concession (at least 40% off adult fares). They will continue to travel for free on weekends. The child concession will apply to anyone aged 5 to 15, who has a registered AT HOP card with their correct date of birth.   
13 to 15 year olds will stop receiving the half-price child fares discount and instead switch to paying full child fares (at least 40% off an adult fare during weekdays, and free travel on weekends) from 1 May. The child concession will apply to anyone aged 5 to 15, who has a registered AT HOP card with their correct date of birth.   
16 to 19 year olds with a secondary student concession will stop receiving the half-price secondary fares discount and instead switch to paying full secondary fares (at least 40% off an adult fare). Students aged 16-19 should apply for the secondary student concession to ensure they are paying the cheapest fare possible. 

More information about the discounts and what you may need to do next can be found at AT.govt.nz/farechanges  

Special Character

The Goal Posts Have Shifted.

The College has just completed its very first school term, marked this week by the installation of the rugby goal posts, the House Parades celebration and two days of Parent-Teacher Interviews. Throughout this first term, the school  community has completed many activities beyond teaching and learning; involving a countless number of people. All staff members, particularly, have given their best and more to ensure the smooth running of all of those activities while also facilitating our ākonga’s academic and pastoral formation. There is no doubt that some of us are feeling exhausted. Even so, we know that there is and there should be a lot more that can still be planned and done for the school.

“Magis” is a Latin word which means “more”. It is also a Jesuit vocabulary, often mentioned in our school community. It is not about us becoming more, or doing more. Rather, it is about God’s glory in and through us. What can we do or be to give greater glory to God? We are invited to participate in the “Magis”. It is an invitation for us to become “magnanimous” - to have the largeness of soul, to humbly acknowledge and allow God’s graces to work within us and through us.

The Gospel reading for the Third Sunday of Easter tells us of another appearance of Jesus after his resurrection. Perhaps, we need to reflect more deeply, to imagine and empathise with the disciples feeling exhausted and defeated after the death of Jesus. They were feeling that the game was really over. Then, suddenly Jesus appeared before them and rejuvenated their spirit by sharing a meal with them and commanding them to go out there as his witnesses. The goal posts have immediately shifted for the disciples. The game was back on. Their lives were turned around, from despair to joy, from physical and emotional fatigue to spiritual elation.

The first school term break is a good time for all of us, especially our staff members and students, to recharge our energy. Despite our physical exhaustion, perhaps we can wait, with faith and hope, for the Lord to appear among us, in spiritual but also tangible ways. We can become magnanimous, more alert of God’ graces offered to us every day in many different forms. Perhaps, we can truly rejoice to see and feel Christ in our midst, sharing a meal with us and commanding us to be his witnesses.

News