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Learn to prize what is of value

2014 Leaders

I S S U E 3 0 A P R I L 2 0 1 4

Villa Maria College - 21 Peer Street Christchurch • T: +64 3 348 4165 • E: [email protected] • www.villa.school.nz

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Vmail

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.villa.school.nz

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ISSUE 30 | APRIL 2014

FROM THE PRINCIPALKia ora tatou,

This edition of VMail marks the start of another very busy year in College life as we note that it is just four years to go until our centennial year. This is a daunting prospect and we have begun the work of building our connections through the Villa network to reach out to our past pupils and others connected to the College over its 96 year history. We always welcome hearing about anyone not receiving this VMail, whose details we do not have in our database. It is important in our preparations to connect with as many as possible, and you will see we are trying a number of approaches to make that happen. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

We marked our Foundation Day this year (18 February) with our Opening Mass and reminded the students of just how far the College has come in that time. It is hard for students to appreciate the world of 1914 and what a brave venture the establishment of this school was for the Sisters of Mercy, all the way out here. Fortunately the day was the one gorgeous day of the summer, so our evening picnic for new families was a delightful time with picnics on the convent lawn and

swimming in the pool, a wonderful way to build new connections at the College.

We look forward to continuing to build community as we plan for the centenary.

Our prayers and thoughts are with the Thwaites and Young families as they mourn the loss of their precious mother, sister and an Aunty - Gabrielle Thwaites.

Gabrielle was also a past Villa pupil and our collective love surrounds her family at this time.

FROM THE BOTTēnā koutou e te whānau o tā tātou nei kāreti, arā, ko Villa Maria College.

Warm greetings to our Villa Maria College community and to this edition of Vmail.

The 2014 College year is now well under way with our students and staff enthusiastically embracing the challenges that await them. The College remains in fabulous spirit and our mercy charism continues to provide guidance and wisdom despite the challenges that present.

Once again Villa Maria College has had a tremendous year in 2013 with our students gaining remarkable academic, cultural and sporting success. It is indeed a privilege to be on the Board of Trustees where our students continually demonstrate the values of mercy which sets them on the pathway to the success that our College continues to enjoy.

The Board is looking forward to the rest of 2014 in the optimistic hope that it will bring joy and success to our College community and when the inevitable bumps in the journey occur, that we may seek comfort in our faith to guide us wisely.

“The proof of love is in deed”, Catherine McAuley. Hector MatthewsBOT Chair

Cover photo left to right:Malia Moale (Service)

Bridgette Thwaites (Cultural)

Elizabeth McGeorge (Academic)

Elaina Pemberton (Deputy Head Girl)

Mikayla Wieblitz (Head Girl)

Emma Jefferis (Head Librarian)

Haruka Kataoka (International)

Paris Lolohea (Sport)

BOT PROFILEHector Matthews

Kia u tou kawai tupuna, kia matauria ai, i ahu mai i hea, e anga ana koe kohea

Trace out your ancestral stem, so that it may be known where you come from and in which direction you are going.

This is a proverb from my iwi, Te Rarawa.

Hector Matthews was first elected to the Villa Board of Trustees in 2010. Hector says that being on the Villa Board is a real privilege and continues to reaffirm his belief in the importance of values based education, particularly the Mercy Charism of Catherine McAuley. “I have gained a great sense of whanaungatanga (family/fellowship) in becoming part of the Villa Maria College hapori (community).”

Hector served in the army for more than a decade including a 13 month period peacekeeping in Israel, Syria and Lebanon, where his daughter Maia was born (in Tiberius, Israel). He left with the rank of Captain and has since worked in management and leadership positions in the Maori community, education and health.

Hector and his wife, Heather, who recently became first-time grandparents, are very

whanau-centred and love to support their whanau in their many varied interests. They are also a bilingual whanau with Te Reo Maori being a vital part of their lives. Hector has trained in Seido karate for 17 years and Maia (Year 13) has trained with him for the past 7 years. He also loves the beach, longboard surfing and riding his Harley-Davidson.

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NEWSLETTER FOR VILLA MARIA COLLEGE

VMC COMPANY LTDThe Villa Maria College Company Ltd, formerly known as the ‘Proprietor’ is a Board of nine directors entrusted by the Sisters of Mercy, Nga Whaea Atawhai O Aotearoa, to preserve and nurture their Mercy ministry in the area of education, and ensure that our Catholic special character is reflected in all aspects of College life.

Our Mission statement reads: “To preserve and safeguard the Catholic Special Character of Villa Maria College expressed through our Mercy charism and to develop a Modern Learning Environment.”

VMC Company Profile

Peter Curnow has been a director the VMC Company Ltd for 12 months. In a strange twist, both he and his wife were former pupils of the College! Peter attended St Thomas of Canterbury College in the days when the two schools

pooled resources and exchanged classes. He came to Villa for Economics and History in Form 7 (Year 13). Peter and his wife have four children, one of whom currently attends Villa.

The Special Mercy Character of Villa Maria College is particularly significant to Peter who comments that: “secular education does not cater for the soul or spirit of the pupil. This is vital in a world where an understanding of what is beyond us is important.”

Peter’s professional background has been in the finance world with time spent working in banking, credit and commercial roles as well as small business. He says he was inspired by people on the Villa Maria College Company Board and felt compelled to put something back into a community he values. “I’ve learnt the importance of patience and understanding one’s role in a process that so many others rely on you

for, says Peter. “The need to get things right is important, but the need to get things done is also vital - what we have to do is balance both of these goals while maintaining the Mercy aspirations and keeping the values of the school and the Catholic education of our young women at the forefront of our deliberations.”

VMC PTA Your PTA is back for another year!

We meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Main Office block. Our meetings only take an hour and finish up with a cuppa and dessert. We’d love to see new members!

Information Evenings

Your PTA does not only fundraise it also has great information evenings for girls and parents. We are planning to cover the topics of cyberbulling and alcohol and drugs this year. Our guest speakers are always inspiring and it opens up great conversations with your own daughters.

Father/Daughter Breakfast

We also organised a very successful Father/Daughter breakfast last year and have set a date for this years’ one – mark September 10 in your diaries.

Fundraising

In terms of fundraising, we don’t set ridiculous targets and we’re always seeking ways to fundraise smarter not

harder – we know how busy every parent is! We fundraise for specific things that will directly impact the girls’ educational experiences.

At the moment we are helping the College furnish a Year 13 Common Room space with new bean bags and appliances so the girls can make their own toasties, grill bagels etc. We also recently bought new coffee mugs for the Auditorium and new curtains for the Hall.

Feel free to contact me anytime. Regards Maarten Loeffen PTA Chair 03 360 3939 or 021 1589324

THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERSEach year we apply for funding for sports teams to attend tournaments, equipment for teams and items for the Arts programmes and facilities in our College. We are grateful for the financial support of the following funders:

• First Sovereign Trust Ltd

• New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT)

• Pub Charity

• The Southern Trust

• Lion Foundation

• The Canterbury Community Trust

• Four Winds Foundation

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Spend your time wisely...C

PIT

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6/V

illa

Check out your options at our next Open Day visit cpit.ac.nz or phone 0800 24 24 76

Graduate with a world-class qualification.

Mandy Manning, CPIT Bachelor of Nursing student and former Villa Maria student.

“The training sets you up to work anywhere in the world.”

FOUNDATION DAYOn February 18, Villa Maria College celebrated its annual Foundation Day. This day marked Villa’s 96th year of being open, however it has changed drastically from the small country school of 14 pupils that it was at the time!

The celebrations began with the Opening Day Mass at 10am, to which parents, BOT members, the Sisters of Mercy, and other supporters of the College were invited. There were many wonderful speeches from those involved in the College, and the school and House leaders of 2014 were introduced and presented with their badges. The leaders, the students and the staff each said prayers, promising to work hard and do their best for the school in the coming year, with the guidance of God.

After the Mass, parents, staff and all the 2014 College leaders gathered together in the staff-room for hospitality. It was there that the Villa Maria Foundation Representatives, 2013’s Deputy-Head Girl, Bailey Jeffery-Butler, and myself,

spoke briefly to those gathered about the Foundation, the wonderful work they do and what their goals are for the future.

All in all, it was a wonderful way of celebrating 96 years of educating young Mercy women to “prize what is of value.”

By Elise Dalrymple-Keast

Can You Help?In 2013 The Foundation launched a new

initiative. They raised enough funds to

gift each Year 13 Villa girl a beautiful

pendant as a reminder of their time at

Villa Maria College.

If you would like to donate $30 to pay for

a charm, please email our Development

Officer for details: [email protected]

We will issue donation receipts.


http://cpit.ac.nz

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Villa students have once again achieved some fantastic NCEA results. They have achieved above both the National Achievement rate and that of other Decile 9 Girls Schools.

This is not a one off event and is a trend that can be seen over a number of years.

At Villa however, we encourage our students to do more than just achieve, we encourage them to challenge themselves with course and certificate endorsements.

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Univeristy Entrance Literacy Numeracy

VMC 96.2 97.1 94.2 89.4 97.8 97

Na?onal 80.8 84.3 77.7 69.1 88.3 81.4

D9 Girls 92.5 93.5 86.9 83.3 91.5 91.2

0

20

40

60

80

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120

% of C

ohort

2013 NCEA Results

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20

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2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

L1 Students Gaining NCEA

VMC Na?onal D9 Girls

L1 Merit L1

Excellence L2 Merit L2


Excellence

VMC 32.3 50.4 28.4 35.8 25.5 32.7

Na?ona 17.2 35.2 13.1 27.2 11.4 29

D9 Girls 29.9 44.8 21.7 39.8 15.4 38.4

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

% of C

ohort

NCEA Endorsed Cer?ficates


VMC 96.2 97.1 94.2 89.4 97.8 97

Na?onal 80.8 84.3 77.7 69.1 88.3 81.4

D9 Girls 92.5 93.5 86.9 83.3 91.5 91.2

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

% of C

ohort

2013 NCEA Results

0

20

40

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80

100

120

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013



L1 Merit L1



Excellence

VMC 32.3 50.4 28.4 35.8 25.5 32.7

Na?ona 17.2 35.2 13.1 27.2 11.4 29

D9 Girls 29.9 44.8 21.7 39.8 15.4 38.4

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

% of C

ohort



VMC 96.2 97.1 94.2 89.4 97.8 97

Na?onal 80.8 84.3 77.7 69.1 88.3 81.4

D9 Girls 92.5 93.5 86.9 83.3 91.5 91.2

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

% of C

ohort

2013 NCEA Results

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013



L1 Merit L1



Excellence

VMC 32.3 50.4 28.4 35.8 25.5 32.7

Na?ona 17.2 35.2 13.1 27.2 11.4 29

D9 Girls 29.9 44.8 21.7 39.8 15.4 38.4

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

% of C

ohort



VMC 96.2 97.1 94.2 89.4 97.8 97

Na?onal 80.8 84.3 77.7 69.1 88.3 81.4

D9 Girls 92.5 93.5 86.9 83.3 91.5 91.2

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

% of C

ohort

2013 NCEA Results

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013



L1 Merit L1



Excellence

VMC 32.3 50.4 28.4 35.8 25.5 32.7

Na?ona 17.2 35.2 13.1 27.2 11.4 29

D9 Girls 29.9 44.8 21.7 39.8 15.4 38.4

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

% of C

ohort


VILLA MARIA COLLEGE 2013 NCEA RESULTS

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Scholarship: L to R: Elizabeth McGeorge, Caitlin Rennell, Kelsey Kilbride, Rachel Pugh

Gold Achievers – Level 2 For students to qualify for a Level 2 College Academic Award students must achieve 65+ credits at excellence

Back Row L to R: Rosemary Dorsey, Madeline Sullivan, Catherine Petaia, Natalie Burrell, Bridie Sisson, Elaina Pemberton, Izzy Lynch, Prashna McLean, Hilde Martens, Bridget Mackie, Charlotte Steel, Georgia Taylor, Bridgette Thwaites

Front Row L to R: Hannah Watt, Elizabeth McGeorge, Emma Jefferis, Emma Woodford, Mikayla Wieblitz, Zilin Zeng, Georgina Stokes, Georgia Payne, Elise Dalrymple-Keast, Sarah MacDonald

Absent: Charmaine Tan

Gold Achievers – Level 1 For students to qualify for a Level 1 College Academic Award students must achieve 80 credits at excellence

Back Row L to R: Olivia O’Neill, Amelia DeMarco, Anastasia Loeffen, Milly Young, Holly Smith, Megan Lord, Gemma Culling, Georgina Gall, Sarah Warner, Paige Kenny

Front Row L to R: Alice Clarkson, Isabella Walsh, Jasmine Chin, Samantha Crews, Yeonjae Lee, Julia Thwaites, Isabella McLoughlin, Sherry Malik, Laura Hamilton, Yura Shin

Absent: Phoebe McCaughan

Scholarship recognises the highest achieving students in each subject area.

It is a separate examination that requires a high level of critical thinking and analysis. Approximately 3% of the cohort in a subject area are awarded Scholarships. We are so proud of our Scholarship girls and congratulate them on their hard work and effort in achieving

the following in 2013. We particularly congratulate Elizabeth McGeorge who gained a Scholarship as a Year 12 student.

Accounting – Caitlin Rennell

Art History – Kelsey Kilbride

Biology – Katarina Marcijasz and Maria Nonis

Classical Studies – Delia Jones

Drama – Viana Ta

Economics – Caitlin Renell

English – Charlotte Frentz

Mathematics with Calculus – Elizabeth McGeorge (Year 12)

Mathematics with Statistics – Rowena Jackson

Media Studies – Rachel Pugh

At our recent Achievers Assembly we were honoured to have some of our 2013 Scholarship recipients attend and be presented with a gift.

SCHOLARSHIP SUCCESS

Level 2

Level 1

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PASIFIKA ACHIEVEMENT AWARDIn 2014 Catherine Petaia is our Pasifika Award recipient.

Catherine achieved 99 credits with excellence in NCEA Level 2. She also achieved with excellence in the Samoan externals that she sat, which she worked independently towards. Catherine was heavily involved in the service life of the College with things such as helping at the Ball for the Disabled.

After finishing Year 13 Catherine plans to study towards Accounting qualifications.

This award acknowledges Pasifika student achievement for general academic excellence, contribution to the wider life of the College, commitment to Church/Parish, role-modelling to junior students and commitment to Pasifika.

IHO PŪMANAWA AWARDMāia Matthews is our Iho Pūmanawa Award recipient for the second year in a row!

She has now completed over half the requirements for the degree in Te Reo Maori at the University of Canterbury. In her latest 300 level paper she was awarded an ‘A’.

Maia is a black belt in karate and took a leadership role in the Combined Catholic Schools Kapa Haka group last year. In 2014 she is Mercy House Captain.

Iho Pumanawa was donated to the College by Sir Mark Solomon in 2010 to recognise the highest achieving Maori student. Students are shortlisted on the basis of their NCEA results and then interviewed.

Maia Matthews

Catherine Petaia

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Deputy Head Girl – Elaina Pemberton

‘Learn To Prize What Is Of Value’, the College motto, for me personally, sums up my time so far at Villa Maria College, and reminds me of the many lessons I have learned over the four years I have been here. Coming from a small, Catholic school called Our Lady

of the Assumption, starting at Villa was not necessarily an easy time for me, adjusting to the new way of doing things while being surrounded by hundreds of unfamiliar faces was at times unsettling and difficult.

Looking back now I realise that these worries and fears I had, may have been rational at the time, but at a school like Villa, are quickly forgotten. Everyone at Villa treats one another like they are sisters. The teachers we have are outstanding, and actually care about their students, not just how highly they achieve (and students here certainly achieve highly in all areas). Everyone is taken for who they are, and accepted for it, because being unique is appreciated by all at Villa. The learning environment we have for students at this school is truly remarkable, and I believe the outstanding results the College gets academically, culturally and in sporting areas are so high due to the fantastic culture that is alive in this school, where it is valued to achieve to the best of your ability.

As well as amazing results in all areas, the College also has something else special about it that makes the girls who enter here ‘Learn To Prize What Is Of Value’, and take these values out into the big, wide world with them as Mercy Women. This special aspect is faith. Through service opportunities like mission efforts, Caritas fundraisers, RE classes, groups such as Mercy in Action and a whole lot more, students learn to put others before themselves, and live in a way where mercy is a part of everyday life.

This year, I would like to encourage students to make the most of the great opportunities Villa has to offer as a school, and inspire them to get involved with any and all things that are offered to them over the year. I want to lead by a kind, caring and compassionate, as well as hard working example , and show the girls they should be proud of who they are, embracing the fact that they are at a Mercy school.

Head Girl - Mikayla Wieblitz

In Year 9, I left my childhood memories at the gate of Christ the King Primary School and I moved onto the big world of high school at Villa Maria College. I could never have imagined what opportunities were in store for me over the coming years. I have been very involved in many sports including volleyball, tennis, touch, hockey and the main one, football. I’ve found that sport is a great way to gain confidence in so many areas of life, as well as making friends and pushing yourself to the limit, which helps you learn some very valuable life lessons.

Villa Maria is a place that I am extremely proud to belong to. With 95-99% of students achieving NCEA each year, national representatives in many sports and students receiving scholarships in a vast area of degrees, Villa has a high expectation for students to reach their

full potential. It is not only the amazing achievements students at Villa have and will achieve, but it is the immense support and foundations that Villa Maria College offers for these students to grow, develop and eventually reach their short and lifetime goals. I myself have been greatly supported by the staff and wider College community to achieve my goals in and outside of school, which I believe is a crucial aspect of Villa which continues to be our strength as a school. It is also the unrecognised achievements and talents of many humble Villa girls that add to our Mercy culture and special character within the school, and these girls are extremely valuable to the Villa community.

My vision for this year is to initiate opportunities for students that I wish I had the chance to do when in their years, and to also encourage our girls to grasp any and every opportunity that comes

their way. I will strive to be a friend to each Villa girl and help them through the challenges and struggles they may face in the tough years that high school can bring. Lastly, I aspire to be an approachable, laid back girl that leaves a positive legacy for Villa and to guide the younger year groups in their journey of faith.

MEET OUR HEAD STUDENTS

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BASE CAMPYear 10 camp was held at the Boyle River Outdoor Education Centre which is about a two hour drive from Christchurch.

After meeting our instructors we launched into our first activity which was the mud run!! It involved a steep climb up a mountain, lots of laughing, slipping and falling before finally making it to the bottom. Next we jumped into a waist deep pool of mud and tried to run through knee deep swamp. The mud run was easily the most fun activity of camp and was enjoyed by everyone! That night we went on ‘outcamp’, which was an amazing experience. We set up our tents, roasted marshmallows around the fire and slept under the stars! (They were so bright). We made our own tea that night and breakfast the next morning before walking back to the Camp centre. Unfortunately, the camp toilets stopped working so we had to use long drops but everyone was really good about it and took the news in good spirit!

The second day we tried river crossing and high ropes. Floating down the river weighed down by packs was a completely new experience but we learnt how to cross a river safely and we got to enjoy a swim after! High ropes was also an interesting experience as we were several metres in the air and had to trust each other to keep everyone safe. We were also blindfolded at night and had to navigate our way through forest with only ropes and teachers as guides. On camp, we really bonded with our peers and made friendships that will last a lifetime. We played games, learnt how to properly look after ourselves outdoors, navigate through forests and set up camp equipment. As well as all of these great skills we have awesome memories to take away from Boyle River Camp and everyone was really sad to be leaving on the last day! Our instructors were amazing and the teachers that helped out at camp made sure our experience was fantastic; thank you to everyone who helped to put together the camp!

Madison Hill, Year 10

Georgia-Rae Taylor – Year 13

Georgia has been selected as a dancer in the New Zealand team that is heading to the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA). This will be held in Los Angeles in July. Georgia will compete in the jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, contemporary and hip hop sections against competitors from over 40 countries.

Alexandra Clarke-Ryk – Year 12

Alex will be one of 20 Canterbury Ballet dancers participating in the New Prague International Dance Festival. At the same Festival in 2011 the Canterbury Ballet troupe won the Director’s Choice category and was placed 2nd for Choreography. They hope to do even better this year, and show people from around the world just what New Zealand dance has to offer!

Grace Boddington – Year 9

Grace came fourth at the National Irish Dance Competition and was selected to go to the World Championships in London in April. She will be competing in the individual section against over 300 other girls in her age group. Grace arrives in London, has a day’s recovery, before going through an intense training session for three days before the final preparation for her dancing in front of five judges!

DANCING ON THE WORLD STAGE

Villa girls continue to shine on the National and International stage in a range of pursuits. We congratulate the following girls who have been selected to represent New Zealand in dance this year.

L-R: Grace, Georgia-Rae and Alexandra

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SPORTS Athletics

On Thursday 20 February we had a fantastic day at the College Athletic Sports. We say a huge thank you to Mary Ann Lyons and Papanui Toc H Athletics Club for officiating at this event. We congratulate all the girls who competed with enthusiasm and pride for their Houses.

We especially congratulate the College Champions and Runners Up: Year 7/8: Champion: Gabrielle Holdorf, Runner Up: Kate Davies. Under 14: Champion: Tegan

Duffy, Runner Up: Georgia Stroud. Junior Champion: Ruby Mountford-McAuley, Runners Up: Martha Lolohea and Anna Reese-Jones. Intermediate Champion: Georgia Freeman, Runner Up: Jessie Anderson. Senior Champion: Mary Lyons, Runner Up: Madeline Gill. We also congratulate Tegan Duffy and Martha Lolohea who broke College Records on the night: Tegan Duffy - Under 14 High Jump; Martha Lolohea - Junior Javelin, Discus and Shot Put!

Rowing

Congratulations to our under 17 crew who won Gold in the U17 coxed and silver in the U17 coxed quad.

SOUTH ISLAND CHAMPS

Swimming Champions and Runners-Up

The second day back at school we had a fantastic day at the College swimming sports at Wharenui Pool. We want to congratulate all the girls who competed with enthusiasm and pride for their Houses.

We especially congratulate the College Champions and Runners-Up: Year 7/8

Champion: Jordan Hill Runner Up: Alice Twaddell Under 14 Champion: Caitlin Cleary Runners Up: 3 way tie - Amelia King, Georgia Stroud, Eliana Troiani Under 15 Champion: Emma Smith Runner Up: Alanah Charlton Under 16 Champion: Emily Rennell Runner Up: Ella Treacy Senior Champion: Virginia Hogan Runner Up: Kahutaiki Torepe-Ormsby

Maadi Cup

Villa girls made us very proud at the recent Maadi Cup Regatta. Our U15 Coxed Four team won BRONZE in their A Final - congratulations to: Kendal Good (stroke), Grace Cody, Hannah Doocey, Emily Gardiner and Hope Broad (cox)

We made an impressive four A finals and Gold in the Maadi parade banner competition.

Timaru

Eleven girls competed and came away with outstanding results giving us a result of 7th overall and 2nd for Girls’ Schools:

Tegan Duffy - 1st U14 400m and High Jump

Jessie Anderson - 1st U16 800m, 2nd U16 400m

Georgia Stroud - 1st U14 1500m, 2nd U14 800m

Martha Lolohea - 1st U15 Discus, 2nd U15 Javelin

Georgia Freeman - 2nd U16 Long Jump and 200m

Kathryn Hodgins - 3rd U15 Long Jump

Open 4 x 400 Relay - 2nd (Tegan, Jessie, Georgia, Ruby Mountford- McAuley)

U15 4 x 100 Relay - 3rd (Martha, Kathryn, Ruby, April Robertson)

SOUTH ISLAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

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Photos are at Tufutafoe Village and primary school, Savaii, Samoa.

For three Villa Maria College girls, the chance to combine their love of netball with a netball fellowship trip to Samoa was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

In late September 2013, Charlotte Robb (Year 13) Lucy Harrington (Year 11) and Meghan Robb (Year 10), along with six other girls and six adults, were lucky enough to travel to Samoa as part of the INSPIRE group which was established by the Rolleston Netball Golden Oldies. This group of netball enthusiasts decided to offer young netballers the opportunity to travel to Samoa and ‘share a little’ of their netball talent with children in Samoa.

For two years the girls learnt to run meetings and to take minutes, to plan and operate fundraising ventures, to strengthen their personal values and to work as a team. They have been very inventive with fundraising ideas – organising car washes, summer league netball, a murder mystery four-course dinner, selling raffles, securing business

sponsorship, collecting and selling pinecones, putting together a dress swap, garage sale and ball gown showcase. They raised nearly $20,000 and learnt valuable skills in budgeting and profit margins, meeting deadlines and developing an understanding of others.

In Samoa, the girls visited schools, worked with Sport Samoa developing skills in the local holiday programme and worked and played with children in a village primary school. They also donated netball uniforms, netballs, stationery supplies and primary school reading material that they had sourced from local netball clubs and primary schools.

Highlights included attending a traditional Church service and experiencing life in a remote village for a few days. The Samoan friendships that were made will last and the girls are hoping to revisit and be involved in the local communities again one day soon.

NETBALL – SAMOAN STYLE

Charlotte with students at Tufutafoe

Primary School.

Who are they?FROM THE ARCHIVESCan you help us identify past Villa girls in these photos? You will also find the photos on our website under photo gallery.

If you know the names and the approximate date of these photos we’d love to hear from you. Sister Maureen can be contacted by email – [email protected] or by phoning the school Office – (03) 348 4165

There are ways that the wider community of Villa Maria College may like to help build the College archives. Perhaps you have memorabilia in the form of old uniforms, badges, magazines, or formal photos (with names if possible) that you would be prepared to donate to the College. We can scan photos and return them if you’d prefer.


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Laura Maskill VMC 2008 – 2012

It’s with immense excitement that I can say I am now a week into the second year of my MBChB or Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

What, I’m a med student?! Already we have learnt to suture, how to hold surgical instruments, how to make surgical incisions with minimal scarring, faced our first human anatomy and micro anatomy labs and have had endless speakers on professionalism and insights into life to come.

Only a year ago I was graduating Villa facing the move to New Zealand’s big apple; Auckland. Little did I know the then best year of my life - year thirteen - would be quickly trumped by my first year of university.

Living in a Hall in the heart of Auckland city brings by itself such amazing experiences but most importantly a new family of friends from all over the country to share it with. Throw in being in one of the most competitive first year university courses, and you have one jam-packed year.

It was a shock to arrive to my first lecture with 600 others braced by crowd security, wondering why they needed megaphones till the doors were opened and the stampedes began. Even more scary was that this was only half the class. Soon enough I managed to get in the flow of lectures, labs and tutorials while forgetting completely that weekends existed and wondering how I ever managed to misunderstand how blissfully stress free and non time consuming high school is.

I loved my time at Villa and really appreciate how well my time there prepared me so perfectly for my next step in tertiary study. So get involved, work hard, dream big but more importantly enjoy it while it lasts because you’re in the perfect place to chase absolutely anything you want to do.

PAST PUPILS CATCH UP

Corazon Miller VMC 2001 – 2004

Corazon is not only a trained nurse but also an accomplished journalist who currently works for Newstalk ZB. She’s covered a range of international, national and local stories.

Upon leaving Villa, Corazon headed to Elam School of Fine Arts with the idea of pursuing a career in design or photography. Although her passion for art and design was strong, she realised the course was not right for her and, in a complete about-turn, enrolled in the pre-Med year at Auckland University. “Eventually I chose to use this to go down the route of a Bachelor of Nursing which I graduated from in 2008,” she says. Her first job was at Auckland Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where she nursed babies born early or unwell. It is a career she enjoys and remains on the unit’s casual staff to this day.

While pursuing her nursing career, Corazon began work as a writer and photographer for a publication called Touchstone, covering a range of social-

justice and community issues. Journalism had always interested her and in 2010 she decided to pursue her dreams and embark on a Postgraduate Diploma in Communication Studies (journalism major) at AUT.

Her new qualification provided freelance work opportunities with Asia Downunder – a TV programme covering stories related to the Asian culture in New Zealand. In 2011, Corazon received a grant from the Asia New Zealand Foundation and AUT Pacific Media Centre to go to Jakarta on a journalism internship. It was here that she worked for the Jakarta Globe. She spent time travelling before taking up another internship in the Philippines at the Philippine Star.

“Eventually I hope to be able to merge my two career paths as a nurse and as a journalist to do work for an international organisation, such as the Red Cross or the UN,” she says.

Her memories of Villa include numerous choral and sporting festivals, friends who have remained life-long and teachers who supported and encouraged her.

“My key piece of advice would be rather than aiming for a “prestigious” career or doing what others tell you to do – do what you enjoy or what you think is something worthwhile doing. Also, take the opportunity to travel if you can, it’ll help you learn about the world and teach you to be grateful for what you have in New Zealand and to appreciate different cultures.“

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Holly Egan VMC 2004-2008

Congratulations to Holly Egan who has just completed her Bachelor of Medical Imaging through the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology. “It was always something that I was interested in and I wanted to get into the medical field,” she says. Holly is now working for Christchurch Radiology Group (CRG) at Canterbury Breast Care. “My job involves a lot of patient care and helping women through their journey of diagnosis. It’s very rewarding and I really enjoy it.” In terms of subject choices for girls who may also be interested in this field, Holly says that subjects like: English, Maths, Physics and any Science based subjects are recommended.

Holly comments that her time at Villa taught her the value of having a good work ethic and setting high standards with everything she undertakes in her life. We wish her all the best!

Jaynie Hudgell (nee Parkhouse) VMC 1971 to 1974

As Christchurch commemorates 40 years since it hosted the 1974 Commonwealth Games, Villa Maria College celebrates one of their own past pupils who won gold at the Games!

Jaynie Hudgell (nee Parkhouse) was just 17 years old when she was selected for the New Zealand Games swim team

and won Gold in the 800m freestyle. Jaynie was no novice however, having also competed in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich at the age of 16! An experience she credits with preparing her for success at the New Zealand Commonwealth Games.

Another critical success factor was her father and talented coach, Pic Parkhouse; now retired in Tauranga and still swimming regularly. “He has been my coach, all my life. I felt that winning the Gold enabled me to give back to Dad. A coach’s life is not easy; he had dedicated his whole life to swimming.”

When she returned to Villa Maria College after a whirlwind

tour of the country holding exhibition meets, Jaynie remembers the nuns being super proud of her and feeling like “a bit of a hero. I remember having to do a talk about my Commonwealth Games experience at assembly,” she recalls.

Jaynie continued swimming the following season but at 18 she retired from competitive sport. After graduating from Villa she attended Ritchie’s Secretarial

College and gained practical skills in shorthand and typing. At the sweet age of 19, Jaynie married Craig Hudgell, a former NZ Backstroke champion who had just completed a B.Com at Auckland University; together they settled in Auckland.

After a year in Auckland Jaynie and Craig began their overseas adventures and headed to Toronto, Canada where her parents were living and her father was coaching a top Canadian swim club. They only intended to stay in Toronto for a few months but ended up remaining for five years before returning to Auckland to start a family.

Today, Jaynie and Craig run their own Insurance Brokerage, called Absolute Insurance; they love the fact that they can employ both their children in the business.

Jaynie says her memories of Villa are positive ones. “The nuns were always very supportive and encouraging of my swimming, and I enjoyed my time at Villa very much. I believe Villa instilled in me the importance of respect for others, family values and the desire to strive for excellence. Not to necessarily be the best at everything, but to achieve to the best of my ability.”

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Anna Worthington VMC 2000 to 2006

A Fine Arts Degree followed by a wonderful OE experience and now a successful Christchurch business; Anna Worthington shares her memories of Villa Maria College, the impact it has had on her choices and her journey thus far.

When Anna left Villa she was just 17 years old and believed that the world really was her oyster. “Villa girls are taught that they are capable of going places,” she says. “We were encouraged to make our mark in the community whether it was on a local, national, or international scale.”

Armed with a strong Mercy spirit and a talent for art, Anna was accepted into the prestigious Elam School of Fine Arts in Auckland where she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Travel beckoned and upon completing her Degree she winged her way to Europe to work and holiday! She spent 15 months overseas which included a stint cooking for guests in a boutique B&B in the south of France. Her passion for cake making began in Brussels where she made cakes to sell at a local Sunday market.

In mid-2012 she returned to Christchurch and started working as a baker at a cafe, along with juggling her own cake making business. After six months, and too many

18 hour days, she decided to take the plunge and open her own business. In February 2013, amidst the backdrop of a very broken Christchurch, Cakes By Anna was born.

Business has flourished and Anna’s cakes have become the talking point of many Christchurch functions. They push the boundaries of taste and design and as her website says: “Perfect in their imperfections, these cakes ooze goodness, dripping with caramel sauce or glistening with poached fruits.”

A big part of the success of Cakes by Anna is her genuine and refreshing business ethic. Anna says: “I decided to start my business here in Christchurch because I wanted to have some input in the revival of our city. I value localism, supporting small business, and a generous spirit, which I believe stems from my Mercy school education.”

“I don’t think it was until I left Villa that I realised what the Special Character of the school was really about. A Villa girl is encouraged to aim high in all aspects of school life, and beyond. Excellences and Merits can only get you so far, it’s really how you treat people and recover from your setbacks that count. Villa Maria’s Mercy spirit and their emphasis on giving back to the community have influenced how I have developed and run my business.”

Anna’s best piece of advice to our current Villa girls is to: “Enjoy being young and having the opportunity to try and fail, because at school you have a strong support system to catch you if things don’t work out. Find and be aware of the things that excite you and that you deem worthy of your time and energy, as this is probably what they call, your ‘passion’.”

Support Anna’s business by ordering your cake at: www.byanna.co.nz

1963 - 50 YEARS ONOn Labour Weekend, 2013, the Class of 1963 held a reunion as it was 50 years since we had been in the third form together at Villa Maria. Five former classmates met in February to plan our reunion and set about tracing everyone. By October, out of 96 women, we had addresses for 82, 10 we could not find and sadly 4 had died.

As the date approached we were thrilled that we had 40 registrations.

It began on the Saturday night when we met for drinks, photos and a beautiful buffet dinner, with the added bonus of 5 husbands joining us! The smiles didn’t

leave everyone’s faces all night as we reconnected again, retold stories from our time together at Villa, snapped photos and had such fun. It was better than we had imagined! The following morning we attended Mass at Christ the King church, followed by morning tea at Villa, and a guided tour of the college by Sarah Dwan, a member of the teaching staff and past pupil. To conclude our wonderful reunion we shared a beautifully prepared lunch. During grace we recalled and prayed for those of our class who had sadly passed away, Judith Bolger, Phillippa Fitzgerald, Mary Lagan and Susan Roche.

So now it is the turn of the Class of 1964, and even 1965, to begin thinking about it. I encourage this years group and ones following to get 3 or 4 former classmates together, a copy of the magazine from your third form year and away you go! It is a very satisfying and rewarding exercise, not to mention the fun at the end of it! I would be happy to talk to anyone who would like information to get started.

See you all at the Centenary in 2018. Having been at the 75th Jubilee in 1993, I know 2018 will be amazing.

Debbie Frank (366 3300)

http://www.byanna.co.nz

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CONGRATULATIONS…We are delighted to be able to celebrate in the success of a number of our 2010 leavers who graduated from the University of Canterbury this year. In this edition of VMail we have asked them to share their plans for the future.

Xanthe O’Carroll

This year I started the Master of Speech and Language Pathology Programme that is new to UC in 2014. It is a two year professional programme after which I will be able to practice as a speech-language pathologist. I thoroughly enjoyed my undergraduate Psychology degree as I’ve always had a strong interest in Sciences and the MSLP programme allows me to use my science background in a practical

way in a healthcare setting.

Judith Nonis

This year I am beginning a Master’s degree in Microbiology (still at Canterbury University). At the end of the two year program I hope to begin working full time in a lab. During the two years of the Master’s programme I hope to learn more about the many fields that are available, this will hopefully help me as I enter full time work.

To any of the girls considering university, I would say keep your mind open and

make a decision that you think fits you well and that you are happy with. If you are unsure, talk to as many people as possible, this may help you make a

decision that you are pleased with.

Olivia Steel

This year I begin my Masters in cellular and molecular biology. In my research project I will look at the effect of various inhibitors on the force a fungi is able to produce when it infects and kills kauri trees. This research will also see me working with UC’s engineering department.

Villa set me up well for a career in science. The teachers were passionate about the subjects they taught which helped me become passionate about Science too.

My time at UC has been amazing so far and I just can’t wait to get into a research career where I can hopefully make discoveries that will make students as interested in cell biology as I am.

Tessa Greig

I completed a Bachelor of Science at University of Canterbury and I am now working full-time at Canterbury District Health Board as a Trainee Anaesthetic

Technician. I am also completing a Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology through Auckland University of Technology. This will take me three years to complete and become qualified. It is a very challenging job working in theatre everyday but also very rewarding helping others.

Villa Maria College inspired me to get an education and to achieve to the best of my ability. Villa gave me the skills I needed to go on and achieve a higher education. My advice to the Year 13s;

“Always try your very best and believe in yourself even when at times you may feel overwhelmed. You will never regret furthering your education. It’s worth it!”

Class of 1963

Back row: L to R Mary Kingan (O’Connor), Patsy Gibson, Pauline Carney, Trish McGuinness, Mary Moore (O’Malley), Sara Isherwood (Heaphy), Trish O’Reagan, Terena Ball (McCormick), Mary Clark (Cullen), Brigid Calder (Callanan), Annette James (Price), Judith Milligan (Rayner), Wendy Graham (Goulding)

Middle row: L to R Kathy Moore (Loughlin), Jo Cogle (van Schie), Sue George (Turner) obscured, Heather Alderton (Nichol), Margaret Curnow, Catherine Mann (Wilson), Jane Philips (McSherry), Mary Lynch (McInleer), Janice Torrance (Coleman), Christine Tapper (Davey),

Front row: L to R Donne Sklenars (Edgar), Sally Mene (Flynn), Mary Forster (Nolan), Debbie Frank (Cantwell)

Back Row L-R: Xanthe O’Carroll, Olivia Steele,

Judith Nonis, Danielle Mather

Front Row: Tessa Greig

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PAST PUPILS’ ASSOCIATIONDear Past Pupils

It was wonderful to be involved in the Class of 54’s 60th year reunion with girls coming from Hawaii, Perth and all over New Zealand. We were also delighted to see our 3rd form teachers: Sister Pauline O’Regan, Sister Mary Leonie and Sister Mary Ellen. Our sincere thanks to organisers Jane Tyler-Gordon, Maree Williamson, Di Francis-Casey, Antoinette Kavanagh, Diane McMenamin and Jane’s husband Peter for planning such a lovely event.

Wow what a wonderful bunch of Mercy Women we are – nurses, lawyers, counsellors, teachers, ambassadors, orchardists,

Olympians and many of us have grandchildren attending Villa Maria – the new generation of Mercy Women.

Please take note of our events and mark them in your diary we would love you to be a part of them.

Thank you to my committee and the College staff. To all who have had sickness or sorrow in their families, love and prayers to you all.

God Bless Madeleine

President Past Pupils Association

DATES TO REMEMBER Committee Meetings28 May 2014 27 August 2014 29 October 2014 – Biannual Meeting (7:30pm

@ Villa Maria College Library)

26 November

5th Fridays at The Elms on Papanui Rd, 5:30pm30 May 2014 29 August 2014 31 October 2014

Mid-Winter Luncheon at Rosebank Estate29 June 2014- Please RSVP to the College

or email [email protected] by 23 June

Top of the South Mercy Celebrations Nelson21 September 2014

- Mass @ 10am, St Mary’s Church, Nelson, Lunch 12noon at Trailways Restaurant. Some accommodation available please contact Madeleine for more details.

CLASS OF ‘54

Twenty-nine of us gathered on the weekend of 21 -23 March to celebrate 60 years since we all first met as third formers at Villa in 1954. It was a most successful occasion with many a good story being told.

A bus tour of Christchurch with lunch at Sumner, a celebratory dinner on Saturday evening and a nostalgic visit to Villa on Sunday were all highlights. Having Sisters Pauline O’Reagan and Leonie O’Neill join us to share memories was very special.

To paraphrase Sr Leonie:

“We’d much to share and plenty to amuse,Were glad to see each other and exchange the news.We’d come from near and we’d come from afar;And we couldn’t be happier to know how we all are.”

CONTACTS:President Madeleine Hoadley-Currie (03) 548 1331

Treasurer Mary O’Brien (03) 332 1582

Secretary Joan-Maria Peoples (03) 339 4161

Address all correspondence: C/- 21 Peer St, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041

Email: [email protected]

L-R: Patricia O'Brien/Sunckell, Diana Francis-Casey, Anne Fay/Fitzsimmons




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