FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK ..................................2

Comment – The Ugly Side of

Sport ................................ 2 Staffing ............................. 3 Looking Ahead ................... 3

Student Achievements .......3

Other highlights and achievements include: ........ 4

SCHOOL COMMUNITY .........5

Board of Trustees ............... 5 Friends’ Association ............ 5

ACADEMIC ..........................5

NCEA Entries ..................... 5 NCEA Fees ......................... 6

CHAPLAINCY ......................6

ADMINISTRATION ..............7

Flu Vaccinations ................. 7 Boarding Parents – Survey Reminder .......................... 7 Teaching Sabbatical ............ 7

STUDENT PROFILES ...........7

Jack McLeod ...................... 7 Scott Day .......................... 8

STAFF PROFILES ................8

Ailsa Andrew ...................... 8 Tyler Watson ..................... 8

SPORT ................................9

Athletics News ................... 9 Cricket .............................. 9 Croquet ............................. 9 Looking Ahead ................... 9

SENIOR COLLEGE ............. 10

Term I in Review .............. 10 Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival ........................... 10

MAJOR PRODUCTION ....... 11

Into the Woods Update ..... 11

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK April 2015

Dear Parents and Friends

It is such a short time ago that I wrote and now the falling leaves signal the end of Term I. Congratulations to all who feel they have achieved well this term. It has been short and

therefore seemingly busier and for me it certainly has been.

The recent ERO visit was enjoyed by the school and the three people in the team. They were overwhelmingly positive about the feeling they gained from the magnificent campus that

we sometimes take for granted, the positive relationships that exist within and between student and staff bodies and the general tone of the school. Their affirmations were a strong endorsement for how so many see Rathkeale placed at this point in time. They observed

good teaching and determined that many positive things were happening in classrooms and around the school. Their conclusion was that while the school was performing very well academically, we should be doing more to use assessment data to inform the teaching of

junior students particularly. In this way they suggest that more can and should be done to identify cohorts that need particular assistance and target our teaching more specifically. Ideally, the aim should be to “raise the tail” without compromising the performance of

others. If this is what it takes to make Rathkeale a great school, then I will accept their recommendations.

Mark Berry and I undertake our sabbatical leave in Term II. For me this will be a

welcome break. After 20 years in senior management in three schools and not ever having experienced an “OE”, I am excited about the prospect of embarking on what lies ahead. I am obliged to undertake some personal study during this time and will be

enquiring into my own leadership knowledge and skills. To this end I have been accepted for a Strategic Leadership Course in Colorado Springs. I will also be reading and enquiring about teacher appraisal and change management in schools. This, coupled with

visits to schools in England, the US and attending the International Boys’ Schools’ Conference in Cape Town will, undoubtedly, be a stimulating and useful experience.

Ali and I will be joined by all our children at some stage along the exciting itinerary that lies

in front of us. It does contain a few “bucket list” items such as an English Premier football

match (Manchester United vs Arsenal at Old Trafford on May 16th) and the WTA French Open at Roland Garros (May 26th). We will enjoy the accommodation we have been offered by a Rathkeale parent in the south of France during which time I may be able to

spend a little time on a bike. Visiting my parents’ birth places and meeting relations in Holland will be special and joining part of the GeoTour in South Africa will provide lasting memories.

Mr Harper will be the acting Principal during my

absence and other staff will undertake specific tasks as necessary. I do thank all those who have or will step forward and in other ways undertake to do what is required in my absence. It is very much appreciated.

Comment – The Ugly Side of Sport

Whilst disappointed that we did not witness the full extent of the Black Caps batting machine in the World Cup Cricket final, what took place on

the field and the exposure of that subsequently is seriously disconcerting. While sledging may be accepted by some of the fraternity to be part of the game, it has the potential to bring out the ugly side of human nature. The exposure of it through advanced technology

during the game and via electronic media afterwards highlights the extent of a real issue. Associated with this of course were the after match celebrations by the winning team, also exposed by the media in its different

forms.

The point to be considered is that these players are professionals; they get paid to do a job and they have a responsibility to act as positive role

models on and off the field. In this way, I think the Black Caps have been superb. They fought well, but in the end were beaten by the better team – on the day at least. In competition, there has to be a winner and a loser. With that comes the responsibility of being humble in

victory and gracious in defeat. It would be fair to suggest this was modeled exceptionally well by our Black Caps. I have the utmost respect for what they have done, not just for cricket, but New Zealand sport.

While not knowing all the circumstances around

the recent incident at Auckland airport involving the St Bede’s Maadi Cup team, it would not be unreasonable to ask if the

apparent arrogance of the boys and parents associated with that has somehow been modeled by our sporting heroes. It is

unacceptable that some quality sportsmen appear to see themselves having the right to discard their responsibilities off the field because they perform so well on it.

Staffing

Mrs Penny Bunny has kindly offered to return to teach Mr Harper’s English class while he is acting principal for Term II and Mr Fran Kirkham will teach Mr Berry’s Design Technology classes. Mr Mudge will take up the role of HOD Technology during this time.

At the start of the year Mr Tom Philps had commenced teaching as an un-registered teacher. I am pleased to advise that he has now been granted a two year limited authority to teach while he undergoes his teacher education programme. This will require him to

be away from Rathkeale for periods of time and his first placement will take place in May. Ms Liz Evans will “occupy the crease” (the world cup cricket final is on in the back ground as I write this) during his leave.

Looking Ahead

Monday 20 April Term II commences

Monday 27 April ANZAC Public Holiday

Friday 1 May Geotour Quiz Night

Monday 4 May Gallipoli Film Evening

Wednesday 6 May – Intercollegiate Cross Country

Remember to check the Quick Links to the School Calendar. Select the day to get detailed information of all events on that day.

This Calendar is updated regularly.

W J Kersten

Principal

Student Achievements

Colours were presented to the following boys for Academic Achievement in NCEA 2014:

James Boyce, Chris Dalley, Troy Etherington, Fred Falloon, Callum Finn Reason, Matthew Furkert, Jack Gordon, Jack Hopman, Gabe Jacobs Corban, Isaac Johnston-Lundy, Benjamin McCook-Weir, Thomas McKay, Hunter Nielsen, Matthew Pledger, Benjamin Renton, Reinhard Schwanecke, Robert Spite, Angus Tylee, John Weidling, Jacob Woods

Sports Colours were presented to the following boys: J J McKeefry for Swimming & Athletics, S L Hammond for Swimming, L J Burling for

Cricket, C Morrison for Cricket, M J Paton for Masters for Cricket, K G Fahey for Cricket, D G D Price for Cricket, Z K Caldwell for Cricket, J H N Morison for Athletics.

The following boys received Principal’s Awards for Excellence in Level 1 NCEA

Hugh O'Donoghue (3), Joshua Tatham (3), Benjamin Williams (2), Will McMaster (2), Michael Barrow, William Bowler, William Dalziell, Dylan Drysdale, Liam Heard, Aman Patel, Sean Percy,

Harrison Pollard, Callum Riach, Pranay Singh, Stephen Sprowson, Nathan Whiteman, Sam Wilkinson, Archie Williams The following boys received Principal’s Awards for Leadership in Term 1

Josh Tatham - Head Boy of Cranleigh House Award

Michael Barrow - Head Boy of Cranleigh House Award Matt Loder - Head of Dayboys’ Award Joseph Greenlees - Head of Dayboys’ Award Dylan Drysdale - Head Boy of Repton House Award Ryoga Ojima - Head Boy of Repton House Award Pranay Singh - Head Boy’s Award

Ant Havard - Head Boy’s Award Felix Blundell - Head Boy of Rugby House Award Archie Woodhouse - Head Boy of Rugby House Award

The following boys received Principal’s Awards for Excellence:

Nathan Whiteman - for Athletics, Gerard Hickey - for Athletics, Logan Allen - for Swimming,

Ollie Donaldson - for Swimming, Mitchell Cockburn - for Swimming, Scott Day - for

Contribution to Tennis, Max Spencer - for Triathlon, Hugh O’Donoghue - for Triathlon, Tom

McCallum - for Cycling, Dylan Drysdale - for Karting, Vincent Capes - for Athletics.

Other highlights and achievements include:

North Island Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships

o Jonty Morison took out the sprint double by winning the 100m by 0.01 of a second in

11.16s and the 200m more comfortably in 21.89s. Jonty has once again be named

in a New Zealand Team to compete in the Oceania Championships in Cairns in

May.

o Gerard Hickey in the same competition jumped to a personal best to win the

intermediate high jump with a leap of 1.83m.

o Vincent Capes took bronze in the Hammer throw obtaining a distance of 31.12m.

Jonty also ran in the Australia Junior Championships as a member of the NZ Junior 4 X 100m

Relay team a team. Their time of 41.02 seconds saw them just 7 seconds outside the NZ

record.

Vincent Capes has entered the world of Power Lifting and lifted an amazing 400kg in three lifts

at a recent regional competition. In his first competition he was only 27kg off the national

record.

Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival

o The cast of the 15 minute performance of As You Like It has once again gained a place in

the National finals.

o Cast members received a separate award for Best Stage Combat (featuring Sam Fleming

and John Weidling).

o Eden Wallace (St Matthew’s) received the award for Best Delivery of Shakespearean Text.

Archie Woodhouse and Callum Woodhouse were finalists in the East Coast Teen Ag

Competition.

Swimming – National Division II Championships

o Oliver Donaldson (Under 13): Gold in the 100m and 50m Freestyle and Silver in the 50m

breaststroke

o Mitchell Cockburn (Under 14): Gold in the 50m Freestyle and Silver in the 50m Breaststroke.

o Both boys were members of the Wellington age group team that won Gold in the 4 X 10m

Freestyle relay and Bronze in the 4 X 50m event.

Nathan Whiteman: Gold in the shot put and Bronze in the discus Wellington Athletics Junior

Champs. He was a member of the Medley and 4 X 100m relay teams that gained Silver and

Bronze respectively.

Dylan Price and Zac Caldwell have been selected into the Capital U18 Hockey squad

Bayley Donald is the NZ under 21 Junior Champion after competing at the 2015 Motorsport NZ

Clubsport Championship held at the Pukekohe Park Raceway in early March.

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh awards go to Michael Barrow, Rory Thompson and Callum

Woodhouse

Finn Yeats has been selected into the Next Generation Leaders programme. This sees him join

a select group at Team NZ Headquarters in Auckland during the April holidays.

SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Board of Trustees

The board is pleased with the verbal feedback

it has received from the ERO team that visited

the school recently. They were very

complementary with what they saw and

commented positively about the school

environment. In all ways, the physical as we

know, but especially the tone and vibe of the

relationships they observed impressed them.

We understand they were well received and

their recommendations on how we can

support student achievement further will help

us raise the bar.

One particularly pleasing aspect of what they

noted was the very comprehensive Strategic

Plan. It is very pleasing to have the work that

went into this acknowledged. As we advance

this, the board is expected to be more

informed about “targeted student

achievement” (their talk) and the progress

students are making, especially those Year 9

and Year 10 students who are underachieving.

I would like to thank the staff for their efforts

in making the visit the success it has been

and wish them all the best for the upcoming

holiday after what must have been a

compressed and very busy term. We wish Mr

Kersten and Mr Berry all the best for their

sabbatical leave during Term II. Mr Harper

will be Acting Principal and we trust he will

enjoy his time at the helm. We also

appreciate, in advance, the efforts others will

make as they step up or undertake certain

tasks and responsibilities.

Andy Pottinger Chairman

Friends’ Association

Under the new leadership, the Friends

Association is keen to continue the good work

of the past. Planning is underway to advance

projects and consider new ones. The work on

the Greek Theatre is almost complete with

proceeds from the 2013 Art Auction assisting

with the provision of lighting, the sealing of

the pond and restorative plaster and concrete

work. The construction of a new fence to

enclose the area is all that remains to be

done. Planning a bush fitness trail will take

place in the months ahead with the idea being

that this project will bring boys and their dads

together to help with the construction. Other

ideas on how the Friends can support will be

well received.

To be able to do what we do, we need to

consider new and ongoing activities. We are

once again supporting events hosted at school

and the sales of interval refreshments brings

in proceeds in small amounts. The cattle

scheme continues and we have started

planning the 2015 Christmas Fete. Ideas on

how we can develop some of these activities

will be greatly appreciated. Any other help

the Association receives will be most

welcome.

Remember it would be great to see you at one

of our meetings. Please feel free to contact

any committee member or email

friends@rathkeale.school.nz if you are able to

assist in any way.

Meredith Vollebregt Secretary

ACADEMIC

NCEA Entries The first 2015 NCEA entry file has been sent to NZQA.

Students in years 12 and 13 are now able to log in and check the accuracy of their entries. They should use their username and password from last year.

Errors (hopefully there will be none) should be reported to Mr Haworth as soon as they are noticed.

Year 11 boys will be worked through this process early in term 2.

NCEA Fees

During Term 2 a request for the fees associated with NCEA will be made. The fee is $76.70 for NZ

residents and $383.80 for fee paying international students.

Financial assistance is available from the government in the form of a fee rebate reducing the fee to $20.00, subject to the details below:

To be eligible for financial assistance the applicant (normally the parent or guardian of the candidate) must be the fee payer and meet at least one of the following criteria:

be receiving a Work and Income or Study Link benefit (benefit-based applications)

have a joint family income that would entitle the applicant to receive a Community Services Card from Work and Income (income-based applications). See below.

where the total fees to pay would otherwise exceed $200 a fee payer with two or more children who are candidates is entitled to partial remission of fees, irrespective of family income.

Financial assistance is applicable only to domestic students. International fee paying students are

not eligible for financial assistance.

Applications for financial assistance must be made through the school.

What are the income thresholds for entitlement to a Community Services Card?

Family Size Income Limits (Before tax) From 1 April 2014 2 person family (1 parent with 1 child) $48,549 3 person family $58,793

4 person family $66,940 5 person family $74,919 6 person family $83,837

Any parent/caregiver who would like to apply for financial assistance should contact Mr Haworth by email pgh@rathkeale.school.nz

Please do not pay this fee until the invoice has been sent to you!

CHAPLAINCY

With Term 1 drawing to a close, we will be finishing the term with our Easter service, which is a great note to send our boys out to their holidays on – reflecting on sacrifice and new life. Hopefully the holidays will be a time of finding new life for all of us. I am hoping to resurrect a few hobbies over the

break!

At 8.30am on Tuesday of Week 3 next Term (5th of May), we will be having our ANZAC service. We are delaying it until then because of maintenance work being carried out in the auditorium until then. I would like to invite everyone to attend our ANZAC service. In particular, we will be laying poppies at the foot of the altar during the service for all those whom we remember. I invite anyone

who would like to attend that service to come and lay a poppy at the altar for anyone they would like to particularly remember on that Day.

Can I thank everyone who has contributed poppies to our ANZAC day hanging! It has been an overwhelming response and can I therefore ask you to please stop knitting! If you still have some poppies you have finished please get them to the school office ASAP so that we can attach them to our lectern hanging,

which is looking amazing. Thanks to Arlene du Cann for her vision and hard work in getting this project underway.

Have a great school holidays and I look forward to catching up with many of you next term.

Ben Arcus

ADMINISTRATION Flu Vaccinations These will be available to all students at school on Tuesday 28 April (second Tuesday in Term II).

If you wish for your son/daughter to receive a flu vaccination you must complete and return the form which is available on our website. The completed forms should be back at school at the

beginning of Term II. $20 for under 18, $25 over. The cost will be disbursed.

Boarding Parents – Survey Reminder To ensure that we are meeting the needs of the members of our boarding community it is

important that we seek the input of those in it. Please could I therefore remind the parents of Rathkeale’s boarders, to complete the Survey. Your input will help us identify things that we can do better and affirm that we are on the right track in other areas.

Teaching Sabbatical Like Willy. I am also looking forward to a very welcome break during the second term of 2015 from my teaching of almost 20 years at Rathkeale and thirteen years teaching in Wellington.

During this sabbatical leave I will be spending some time looking at the Technology programmes in several New Zealand schools as well as a range of schools in England as part of my personal study.

I will be joined on my travels by my wife Kirsten, who has also kindly been granted leave for a term from her position as Receptionist/Secretary in the Rathkeale School Office. This will be a great

opportunity for both of us to catch up with many of our old school friends as well as our sailing acquaintances from around the world, many of whom we met and have kept in touch with after our travels with our daughters in their sailing endeavors.

We will pick up our Euro lease car in London and then venture back to our first OE days of over thirty five years ago. We will road trip again for eighty days around the back roads of Southern England , down through France, into Spain, across to Italy, back up through Austria and Germany and finally to

Stockholm in Sweden before our drive back down through Denmark, Germany, Holland and Belgium on our way back to London to catch our flight home.

I also have a few secret plans to fit in a bit of serious sailing along the way with my old mates as well. I guess the trade off to that, will be more quality time having to be spent stopping at many of the small towns, villages, castles and shops along the way.

Mark Berry - HOD Technology Hard Materials

STUDENT PROFILES Jack McLeod

My family numbers six and we come from the most southern part of the North Island: Martinborough. I am following in my father’s footsteps in that he, like me, was a boarder at Rathkeale.

I came to Rathkeale knowing already it was full of opportunities. I’d paid a visit on Open Day and instantly thought, ‘This is the place for me’. After a little more thinking about it, I enrolled and the rest is history.

I strive to excel in all aspects of the school but especially sport and academic areas. My strongest subjects are Maths and Science so I’m aiming to do particularly well in those.

I am challenged most by the special character of the school. I’ve never been interested in religion but I’ve learnt to accept it as just part

of school life. I just get on with it as best I can.

I have been greatly influenced by Ryan Sheehan, a student who left last year. He, too, came from Martinborough and he ‘showed me the ropes’ in the early days of year nine. I am grateful for his guidance.

You might be surprised to know that I appear really tidy and organised here but the ‘real me’ is anything but; I have a huge struggle making my bed and putting belongings away!

.

Scott Day I am a Year 13 dayboy and a School Prefect with responsibility for student

support. I live on our family beef farm at Gladstone. I am the eldest of two boys in my family. I am Head of Halberg.

I came to Rathkeale College because my mother’s schooling in South Africa influenced our choice of Rathkeale for my schooling. The beautiful campus and small class sizes at Rathkeale were important and our neighbour and Rathkeale Old Boy, Angus Williams, proved influential.

I strive to excel in Sport. Inter house competitions are really important. I also strive to be a good Rathkeale Man and to live by the mottos on the pillars.

I am challenged most by English and Math. I have to put in extra effort to achieve academically. I take most things in my stride and strive to excel.

Keeping my socks up is sometimes also challenging.

I have been influenced greatly by (to name one) Josh McKay as 2013 Head Boy. I found him pretty elite and a great role model. To be fair I have been influenced by many good Rathkeale Men, too many to name.

You might be surprised to know that I am an avid Coronation Street follower. Friday & Saturday nights it’s me and the couch. I love the drama, the voices and the non-stop interactions.

STAFF PROFILES

Ailsa Andrew Position at school: Teaching Science and Biology

Where do you come from? Canterbury via the Waikato

What is your favourite food? Fancy Cheeses or a good roast with all the extras

What are your impressions about Rathkeale? Really positive. There are so many different opportunities for students to get involved in the wider school life and it's really organised.

Where are some places you've travelled? Europe - including Venice, Pompeii, Paris,

Ljubljana, some parts of Germany and places in between and England, OZ and Seattle.

What is your favourite thing about Rathkeale so far? Morning tea and the Grounds.

What do you like about the Wairarapa? It is very relaxed - no great rush to get anywhere

plus you can easily head into the hills to go tramping.

What are your hobbies? Doing things with my family - e.g. jumping on the trampoline, playing board games, baking or getting into the garden.

What is a surprising fact that people

probably didn't know about you? My first pet was a wild rabbit called Ollie

Who do you think is going to win the Cricket World Cup? NZ!

Tyler Watson

Position at school:

Mathematics Teacher

Where do you come

from? Te Puke

What is your favourite

food? Stuffed Chicken

Breast Wrapped in Bacon

What are your impressions about

Rathkeale? A place that is united, focused,

well-rounded and proud of its traditions.

Where are some places you've travelled?

Singapore, Fiji and a lot of New Zealand

What is your favourite thing about

Rathkeale so far? The lunches in the dining

hall.

What do you like about the Wairarapa? The

SUN!!

What are your hobbies? Tramping/Hunting

and reading

What is a surprising fact that people

probably didn't know about you? I’m afraid

of deep water, especially the sea.

Who do you think is going to win the

Cricket World Cup? New Zealand or India

SPORT

Athletics News The busy sporting Term One Calendar is

winding down but there has still been much to

celebrate.

Our Athletics team travelled to Auckland for the

North Island Champs and School Athletics

captain Jonty Morison continued his local

dominance of the 100m and 200m events with

double gold medals in the Senior Boys age

group.

Jonty ran 11.16 to win the 100m in a photo

finish before running yet another PB of 21.89 to

take out the 200m.

Meanwhile in the High Jump Gerard Hickey won

the Intermediate Boys High Jump with a huge

best of 1.83m to take out the gold and continue

his good form.

Max Spencer finished a well-deserved fourth in

the Intermediate Boys 3000m while Nathan

Whiteman was sixth in the Intermediate Boys’

Hammer. Vincent Capes took out bronze in the

Senior Hammer.

We wish Jonty Morison all the best when he

competes for the New Zealand team in the

100m and 200m at the Oceania Champs in

Cairns next month.

Cricket A heartbreaking loss to PNBHS ended the 1st XI’s

Gillette Cup dreams for another season. Winning

the toss and bowling on a green wicket proved a

good move having our hosts in trouble at 20-4

and then 50-6. Some lower order resistance and

a wet ball after a rain delay helped the visitors

creep up to 157 from their allotted 46 overs. The

bowling group again showed impressive control

and much improvement. A good opening spell

from Luis Garnett and Kelsey Fahey was followed

by Ethan Childs and Stephen Sprowson before

Liam Burling helped clean up the tail.

A shaky start and a fired up opening spell put us

in trouble at 40-4 before Zac Caldwell and Miller

Paton Masters steadied the ship. Combining for a

93 run partnership, they put the team on the cusp

of a famous victory. However, quick wickets,

nerves and an experienced opposition all

combined to leave us agonizingly short by four

runs and saw PNBHS go through to the CD finals

which they won meaning they represent the

region at October’s national finals.

The junior season rounded off with two wins from

three last weekend. Standout performances have

come on a regular basis from this talented bunch

of junior cricketers. Not least this weekend with

Beau Hourigan making 102 not out in his team’s

comfortable victory over Kuranui College. Beau

joins Jack McLeod in the 100 club this term after

Jacks 114 against Wairarapa Girls earlier on this

term. Well done Jack and Beau.

Croquet Last weekend saw two teams travel to Palmerston

North to compete in the NZSS Championships.

Oliver Mebus-Leckie and Danny Barnett made up

one team while Callum Riach and Matt Oakley also

took part. There were 24 competing teams split

into two pools of 12. Oliver and Danny were

placed 8th in their pool with 3 wins in their games

while Callum and Matt also placed 8th with five

wins from their games.

This meant the boys played off against each other

for 15th and 16th places. Callum and Matt took the

game out 7-6 to finish in 15th place overall.

Looking Ahead With the end of Term One upon us we now see

posts, goals and nets up and head full on into the

winter season.

Racquets and Bats have been replaced with shin

pads and mouth guards and we look forward to

the rain and mud in Terms Two and Three. All

boys are expected to be involved in a Winter

Sports team and trials have already been

undertaken for some teams in all three major

codes.

With ANZAC Day the first Saturday of Term Two,

it means no games on this weekend. This will give

teams a chance to work together for two weeks

before the season begins properly at all levels.

In the meantime we wish the 1st XV well for their

annual trip to Christchurch Boys High for their

Festival of Rugby. The 1st XI Hockey squad travels

to Auckland Grammar for a Pre-Season

tournament and we look forward to seeing how

this young team fairs against some strong

opposition.

Further information on each code will be sent to

you early in Term Two and we hope to see you on

the touchlines, home, away and at Clareville this

winter supporting your sons in their matches.

SENIOR COLLEGE Term I in Review Mr Harper writes………….Where has Term 1 gone? Perhaps it was inevitable that a term as busy as this would be a fast

paced one.

From the outset of the term, the Senior College has transmitted very positive vibes. The Prefects and Senior Students were successfully

central in welcoming new comers to the Senior College and hopefully the hopes and aspirations set free on helium balloons earlier in the term are, in part, coming to fruition. As

the term has unfolded we have been impressed by the attitude, conduct and attainment of the College as a whole.

Certainly there have been highlights on all fronts and the term will be memorable for many reasons: a good number of Excellences in the classroom, high quality cultural

performances, remarkable sporting results from both schools, fantastic field trips, highly relevant chapels, varied assemblies and last but not least, all the fun and

camaraderie of the Dessert Dance, the Year 12 Camp, the Senior College Centre and the College Campus.

The Senior College is of course heavily reliant on the co-

operation of Rathkeale and St Matthew’s. We are pleased that the Senior Management from St Matthew’s now have an office adjacent to the Senior Common Room and that both

Ms Gill and Mrs Sherwen will be

able to spend some time in close association with the students.

We are also pleased with the

manner in which the ERO team viewed the Senior School. They were very impressed with the seniors with whom they came in contact and impressed by what they encountered on this

and their previous visit last year. They, too, encountered what they described as very positive vibes.

Because of the College’s location we do find it necessary

for senior students to drive to school for various reasons. This will increase as the year unfolds and does raise concerns from time to time.

Defensive Driving courses and the RYDA Programme do, in part, better equip our young for time behind the wheel but anything parents/caregivers can do to support the College’s

and Nation’s driving rules and regulations would be appreciated. We must learn from the mistakes of too many young people no longer with us.

The College is fortunate to have two very dedicated deans in Mrs van Deventer and Mr Bouton. They have worked hard to ensure students have full and valid courses for the

year. They are available for advice on a wide range of activities and also have the thankless task of chasing reluctant students and those who have strayed from

expected standards of

behaviour. Thankfully there has not been too much of the latter and yet it is timely to say that we expect Senior College

students to be mature, well behaved and increasingly self-determining. We do not expect to see them in detention lists or facing disciplinary procedures.

The Dean’s along with Mrs

McKeown, the career advisor and Mr O’Gorman (Transition) are also heavily involved in determining future pathways beyond our gates for the boys and girls. Universities and

other providers are regular visitors to the College and it is important that good use is made of the advice available.

Teenage years do come with

various challenges and temptations. Once again good support for those needing advice, a sympathetic ear or a way forward is available from Mrs Ahipene and student

support services along with Rev Arcus, the school chaplain or Rev Mouat from St Matthew’s who regularly visits the Senior College. It will also be found during visits such as the recent

Attitude Presentation. No students need feel there is no one to turn to.

As the holidays loom ever closer and as we celebrate the festival that is Easter around

the world, I wish everyone a happy family time. It is important that the staff and students take time to relax, rest and recuperate at the end of one busy term and before

the next one begins.

Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival Success again! Our fifteen minute edited extract from As You Like It was the major winner on

Tuesday night. The students performed with absolute conviction and, bias aside, deservedly won

the chance to perform again in Wellington at the National Festival during Queen’s Birthday

weekend. As many of you will know, this means a full three days of workshops with professional

actors and directors as well as seeing the other winning presentations from schools all over New

Zealand. We also received the Stage Combat Award, and Eden Wallace received the Speech

Communication Award for Best Delivery of the Text – an award which Mitchell Anderson won last

year.

We were the hosts on Tuesday night and I’m pleased to report that our lighting, sound and

backstage crew did a wonderful job and we received many congratulations for the organisation

and running of the show.

Praise must also go to Hunter Nielsen, Troy Etherington and Reinhard Schwanecke for their

excellent 5 minute self-directed scene from Richard III. Theirs was truly a wonderful effort. It is

rare for Year 12 students to take on the challenge of finding and rehearsing a scene without

teacher input, and everybody who saw their scene would agree they did a wonderful job.

As You Like It Cast:

Jaques Callum Finn-Reason Chorus:

Orlando Sam Fleming Beatrice Pearce Oliver Jacob Woods Leila Houlbrooke Adam Reinhard Schwanecke Troy Etherington Charles the wrestler John Weidling Hunter Nielsen Celia Lucy France Olly Lewis

Rosalind Eden Wallace Isaac Lee Le Beau Ben McCook-Weir and John Beijen Olly Mebus-Leckie Duke Frederick Jade Morris

Director Joanne Simpson

MAJOR PRODUCTION

Into the Woods Update We held auditions for Into the Woods in the middle of the term and are thrilled with the quality of our cast. We certainly have some very talented singers and actors who are passionate about the show and whom we are so excited to be working with for the next two months.

Despite the musical’s source material of well-known fairy tales, it is a musical with quite challenging ideas. This is a musical about being careful what you wish for, and if you saw the recent Disney film you will know that it is not your typical escapist fantasy. However, the film fell short of the original stage version’s comic possibilities. We’ll be doing our best to make our interpretation of Into the Woods everything it should be: colourful, funny,

frightening, joyous, sad and thought-provoking. Keep these dates free! 26th -1st July. Bookings will be through an online system as they were for Oliver! Director: Joanne Simpson

CAST (Alphabetical order) Cinderella-Lauren Taylor Cinderella's Father-Oliver Mebus-Leckie Cinderella's Mother-Camryn Williams Cinderella's Prince-John Beijen Cinderella's Stepmother-Zoe McIntyre-Hudson Florinda-Nicole Lindsay

Granny-Nesta Mele Jack-Jordan Thurston Jack's Mother-Abbey Wakefield Little Red Ridinghood-Eden Wallace

Lucinda-Tulsi Raman Mysterious Man-Troy Etherington Narrator-Callum Finn-Reason Rapunzel-Leila Houlbrooke Rapunzel's Prince-John Weidling Steward-Hunter Nielsen & Olly Lewis. The Baker-James Boyce

The Baker's Wife-Lucy France The Witch-Jacinta Ward Wolf-Isaiah Davies Cow-Reinhard & Jurgen Schwanecke

Birds – Dancers - Hannah Ashwell, Claudia Field, Bridget Milne, Lauren Tonkin, Asher Rayner

Level 2 & Level 3 NCEA Excellence Certificates

Jaime O'Sullivan (2), Henry Eschenbach, Samuel Hammond, Jack Hopman, George Kaye, Thomas McKay, Benjamin Renton, Thomas Renton, Angus Tylee, Callum Woodhouse, Claudia Field, Phoebe Hewer, Gabriel Jacobs Corban, Heejoo Jin, Bridget Milne, Hannah Murdoch, Tulsi Raman, Eden Wallace, Lucy Hewitt, Fiona McLanachan, William Warren, Daniel Barnett, Matthew Ramsay, Jacob Woods, Jessica Dewhurst, Sophie Fitzgerald, Claudia Green, Petra Hall, Lisa Jesson, Emily Lutyens, Kate Nelson, Monica Vollebregt, Tatjana Wagner, Rebecca Wall, Camryn Williams