JOURNALMarch 2019 Issue One

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Nui mai haere mai.

Welcome to the first edition of the Journal for 2019. A special welcome to all families associating with Bethlehem College for the first time. We hope and pray that your partnership with us will be a blessing over the years to come.

In Jeremiah 6:16 we read “Stand at the crossroads and look: ask for ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it and you will find rest for your souls”. 2019 is the year of The Way, it seems. Our new Strategic Plan is being called “The Way”. The National Conference Bethlehem College is hosting at the end of term 2 for NZACS (NZ Association of Christian Schools) is going to be called “The Way”. Jeremiah was one of Israel’s prophets – a man whom God used to try to guide the kings of Israel, but only one ever listened – King Josiah. The rest ignored Jeremiah and led the people of Israel further and further away from God. Jeremiah endured all kinds of ridicule and hardship, but he was faithful and

committed to a path that he knew

was the right way. Conviction builds resilience and stamina. It is this kind of

commitment to God’s Way that we

delight to see in our students. I invite

you to read this verse again and reflect on where the ‘good way’ is, for you and your whanau.

The year has started with the induction of 16 new staff and 215 new students. The staff come from a very wide set of backgrounds which helps weave a very rich tapestry amongst the Christian learning communities in Tauranga and Rotorua. They include

• Wendy Schwartfeger Y4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCC

• Cherie Whitwell Counsellor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCP

• Jenny Hodgkinson ESOL Teacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCP

• Brittany Wong Y6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCP

• Wayne Lambert Y7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCS

• Emma Neilson Y7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCS

• Luke Williams Y7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCS

• Rachel Colby Y8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCS

• Jo Anne Northern Y8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCS

• Carina Steinmann Y8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCS

• Dean Cox Y9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCS

• Rossana Fredrickson Y9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCS

• Simon Hayward Y9 Team Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCS

• James McLean Y9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCS

• Michael Shadbolt Y10-13 Mathematics . . . . . . . . . . . BCS

• Minette Soekoe Y7/8 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BCS

• James Williams Director- Performance Music . . . . BCS

New Staff photos are on next page.

New students in Year 7 enjoyed their camps at Ngamuwahine – class by class. Many parents came and it was such a blessing to see not only the students making new friends with their peers and Year 12 leaders, but to also see parents connecting and working together right from the very beginning of their time at the College. Similarly, the Year 8 camps that were held on Matakana Island. Thank you to all parents who assist with camps and to staff who go the extra mile to make them successful.

The College received some excellent results in NCEA and Scholarship. Mr Te Whaiti, the Head of BC Secondary has written of these achievements in this journal. The College received 19 Scholarships at the close of last year - a simply outstanding effort by our top academic students. All of the NCEA results are a cumulative outcome of many years of work by a very dedicated and committed staff from Y1-13, whom I honour and thank.

You will be aware that the Government has published the findings of the

education taskforce conducting the Tomorrow’s Schools review. It has come up with recommendations in eight key areas. If you wish to read these, they are available here*. The Board of Trustees has prepared a submission and it is available here*. While we applaud the push for equity, we don’t want it at the expense of excellence. There are many risks involved in these proposed changes for State Integrated Schools.

The College has a new Strategic Plan (The Way), and an Annual Plan in place for 2019. It is set out in this diagram. BCP means Bethlehem College Primary etc.

Other important initiatives for 2019 include the redevelopment of B block in BC Primary and planning the extension and modernisation of BC Secondary to meet an ever increasing roll.

The Christian Kahui Ako (Community of Learning) was also launched at the beginning of this year. This provides an opportunity to work collaboratively with other Christian Schools in the BOP and

BETHLEHEM COLLEGE ANNUAL PLAN

2019 BC Annual Plan

Within School

BCP Principals

Culturally Responsive and Relational

1. All Teachers, as Christian Educators, understand and own why Culturally Responsive and Service learning Pedagogies are being nurtured in our practice.

2. Progressing Learning environments and visual narratives on the Tauranga campus.

Service/Project Learning

Future Focused

Play-based Learning

Resiliency

Biblical Foundations

LiteracyMaths

Embedding BCC CultureService LearningOralReadingWriting

Christ Centred Pedagogy

Maths

Christ Centred Pedagogy

Developing a Christ Centred Culture

BCSS

BCJS

Biblically Responsive Practice

Effective Literacy Practice

College Wide

BCP

BCC

BCS

* To view these documents please visit the online version of the journal on the school website: www.beth.school.nz

Waikato. A number of our staff have specific roles in the CoL. The starting point for the College has been to begin to unpack what a culturally responsive pedagogy is.

So, the year ahead looks to be challenging, exciting and productive. Thank you for your ongoing support for

your children and the College by getting in the waka and journeying with us. May 2019 be a year where we walk “where the good way is”.

Shalom

Eoin Crosbie

Principal

Brittany Wong

Emma Neilson

Jenny Hodgkinson

Luke Williams

Cherie Whitwell

Wayne Lambert

Wendy Schwartfeger

Rachel Colby

NEW STAFF

Carina Steinmann

James McLean

Minette Soekoe

Michael Shadbolt

Rossana Fredrickson

Dean Cox

Jo Anne Northern

Simon Hayward

James Williams

MARCH 2018Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Closed

Closed 5 6 Closed 8 Closed

Closed 12 13 Closed 15 Closed

Closed 19 20 Closed 22 Closed

Closed 26 27 Closed 29 Closed

APRIL 2018Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Closed 2 3 Closed 5 Closed

Closed 9 10 11 12 Closed

15 16 17 18 Closed – Good Friday Closed

Closed- Easter

Monday23 24 Closed-

Anzac Day 26 27*

29 30

MAY 2019Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 Closed

Closed 7 8 Closed 10 Closed

Closed 14 15 Closed 17 Closed

Closed 21 22 Closed 24 Closed

Closed 28 29 Closed 31

UNIFORM SHOP TRADING DATES 2019

Trading Hours: 10.00am to 4.00pm*Saturday Trading Hours: 10.00 am to 1.00pm

Last Day of Term 1 – Friday 12 April 2019 First Day of Term 2 – Monday 29 April 2019

Please note students wear the summer uniform for Term 1 and Term 4 Please note students wear the winter uniform for Term 2 and Term 3

INTERNATIONAL

This year we have welcomed a number of new international students to Bethlehem College. They have come from places as far afield as Germany, Japan, China, USA, Thailand, Korea and the Ukraine. As always, they bring their own unique flavour to the school and each student’s story adds another interesting element to the tapestry of student culture.

An important part of what we do in the International department is weaving together the new students that arrive with those students that have been here for some time. We are fortunate that our students are aware, more than most perhaps, what it feels like to be new in a place. It helps of course, that there are a number of mainstream and international activities happening at the start of the year for students to get involved in and make friends. From attending classes, Year 13 Camp to the Athletics Day to Choir and Band Camps, International

students are mixing and making friends with Kiwi students from the start.

Some of our new primary students and their families took the opportunity to participate in a local orientation day run by Education Tauranga. They were welcomed with a powhiri, had fish and chips at the park and learned about the unique ecosystem of our estuaries. Our

international student captains also held a games afternoon for new secondary students down at the rugby club. Water fights, games and eating pizza together is always a good recipe for helping people feel part of the ‘whanau’ (family).

Ilati Vukona Director Of International

LIBRARY NEWS

During the last few days of Term 4 last year, we had our Summer Reading Club when students from Year 3 onwards could come and choose up to 25 books to read during the summer holidays. There was a lot of excitement in the library. The blue Summer Reading Club bags were filled up quickly and students lined up to have their books issued. Parents were also encouraged to join the club and they could take out 5 extra books on their child’s name. We had some Year 6 volunteers to help us and tidy up the shelves afterwards. In total, 1813 books were issued to 118 students and 15 parents made use of the opportunity to choose books. At the end of this year, we will try to encourage even more parents, as well as students, to join in.

We have created an area in the library where a whole class can come and sit and read together. There is a lot of comfortable seats and this area has been well used. So, if you have not been there, do come and have a look.

On our library OPAC, Junior Secondary students can find a list of recommended books for Years 7-9. Click on ‘Quick lists’at the top on the home page and

select the first list. You can then check to see if a specific book is available and if not, you can reserve it by using the 5 digits on your student card as user ID and the password that you used when you were in primary school! (Come and ask us if you cannot remember that).

Interesting statistics: New books to the value of $2071.43 have been added to our library stock this year.

Since the start of Term 1, students have borrowed 6602 books from the library. We appreciate our team of library monitors who work very hard to shelve all these books and keep our library tidy. Everyone can help by putting back on the shelves any book you have been looking at when you leave.

Keep on reading!

BC CHAPMAN

At BC Chapman, we have entered 2019, focused on a Teaching and Learning Curriculum theme of ‘Tumanako/Hope’. In the ‘VUCA’, fallen world, in which we live, volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous, there is much hopelessness and despair, brokenness and pain. This is undeniable and confronting. What does it really mean to be ‘inspired by Hope’ on a day by day basis? Already, we are recognising that ‘tumanako/hope is inextricably intertwined with whakapono/faith and aroha/love.’ All of these, lead us directly to God and His Word as we take a Biblically responsive stance on what we see and engage with our responsibility to it. This means that in our journey to express the hope we know and have in our almighty God, our young people will ask and wrestle with some difficult questions and challenging issues as we walk out our Christian faith with love for Him and for others. The service-learning opportunities this Curriculum focus affords, excites us, as a BC Chapman community. We look forward to sharing our deeper understanding of God, His Word, His plans and our part in carrying and expressing faith, hope and love as we grow together.

Mrs Wendy Schwartfeger, affectionately known as ‘Whaea Wendy’ has joined our kaimahi/staff team. She has rapidly won the hearts of our young people and our wider whanau. We are

treasuring her presence, her heart for Christ-centred education and her gifts of faith and encouragement. Whaea Wendy is a precious ‘taonga/treasure’ in our midst. These initial opening weeks have also been a time of welcoming a number of new families into the BC Chapman whanau. Our annual ‘Meet the Teacher’ potluck dinner was a wonderful time of forming brand new relationships with those new families joining us and of establishing a strong partnership between home/kainga and kura/school. Food, friendship and foci shared made this a memorable and defining event in our calendar.

Each year, we know that we cannot simply rely on past understanding as we release our young people to new contexts and gain new members. Within school, we are intentionally sharing vision, building culture, and developing and strengthening relationships across age groups where tuakana/teina; older/

younger connection is consistently valued and provided. To date our ‘BC Chapman waka’ paddles have been completed, beautiful artwork produced, and a series of passionate House allegiance posters created using digital tools. House team building and friendly rivalry have also been part of our Friday afternoon tuakana/teina learning. Our Houses are known as Tika/Justice; Atawhai/Mercy; Mahaki/Humility and Tuari/Service and reflect our BC Chapman Scriptural mandate Micah 6:8.

The ‘Go for it!’ Sport BoP Progamme is in full swing and our Year 3-6 students are loving learning and practicing their skills. We had Polly Payle (Captain of BoP Women’s Rugby Team) visit a couple of weeks ago to teach Ripper Rugby/Touch Rugby skills for an entire day. Polly worked with every age group and the experience was deeply loved by all involved from 5 through to 13 year olds. There were little huddles of rugby

players planning their strategic moves across our field. We were impressed with the outcome as tries were scored and participants entered the camaraderie that healthy competition affords.

Inter-school sporting activities have provided our young people with further opportunities to use their personal gifts and talents. Our Inter-School Swimming team, Kane Shrimpton, Abi and Claudia Strever, Riley Peyroux and Emma Carson-Soar, though small in number embraced their events with the usual mixture of nerves and determination. The water temperature had a bite to it. However, they decided it gave them greater incentive to swim faster. We are delighted to share the success of Abi and Claudia Strever who have now qualified for the Regional BoP Swimming Sports in April.

A 30 strong BC Chapman Representative team of duathletes demonstrated true passion and determination as they joined over 570 other local Competitors for the annual RATS Duathlon event last Tuesday. Everyone completed the course with a smile and there were several outstanding performances. As it so happened, it was Samuel Venter’s birthday that day. As a Year 5 athlete, he elected to take the ‘tough’ challenge of doing the Long Course which included a 3 kilometre run and an 8 km bike through forest tracks. Samuel came in second place despite the fact that he was running against

around 250 other Year 6, 7 & 8 athletes. This result is reflective of Samuel’s tenacious character and indisputable talent. We are SO blessed by Samuel’s tenacity and resourcefulness and for the way he chooses to challenge and stretch himself for the glory of God who has gifted him. He is a real role model and inspiration for our BC Chapman community. We are SO proud of ALL of our sporting stars!

Me te aroha tonu

With love always

Hazel and the BC Chapman whanau

Samuel Venter

FROM THE P.T.A

Hello Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome to 2019! At the PTA we have some very exciting fundraisers planned for the year and we welcome new members to assist.

But what is the PTA and what do we do? This is a question I have been asked many times in the role of Chairperson for the Parent Teacher Association.

To answer the question in brief, the PTA has assisted the school behind the scenes for many years - connecting parents with the school and helping to develop a community spirit, whilst also raising funds to help our children have experiences, resources and subsidised activities over and above what is covered by our school fees.

The PTA is a link to teachers and one of the easiest ways to be involved in something that benefits all the students at Bethlehem College. We have a dedicated group of committee members and volunteers who assist at events. Being involved in the PTA is as much of a time commitment as you wish it to be.

We welcome any and all contributions – whatever help you can offer is appreciated!

All are welcome to come along to our meetings, which are held generally the first Wednesday of each month (except school holidays) at 6pm in the function

room in the administration block (L Block). If you have any questions please email us at PTA@beth.school.nz

You can also keep up to date through our Facebook page. Search Bethlehem College PTA to connect with us.

Thanks,

Graeme Barnes

Bethlehem College PTA

PRIMARY REPORTWelcome to Bethlehem College Primary for 2019. We trust that whether you are joining BC Primary for the first time, or that you are a ‘seasoned professional’, the year ahead will be a blessed one. Our hope is that your child will find school to be a safe and nurturing environment, where they can grow, be challenged to push boundaries and take on new challenges. Each one is a gift from God, and we know that they are extremely precious to you. Our desire is that we can work together to see your son or daughter grow in faith, knowledge and character as they learn to engage in the world around them is a Christ centred way.

We are blessed with wonderful teachers and staff at Bethlehem College. This year, we welcome three new faces to the primary team. Please read about them in the Principal’s section of this Journal.

Worship MondaysWe are very excited to have started Worship Mondays at BC Primary. Every Monday morning the primary school gathers together for 15 minutes of singing and a devotion. As Christians, we know that putting Christ first in everything is important. This corporate act of worship allows us all to start the week focused on God, being reflective and open to His leading in our week.

Community PicnicIt was wonderful to see such a large

turnout of families at our Community Picnic early this term. It was a beautiful and warm evening, which was perfect for sitting under the trees, enjoying milkshakes, ice cream and a picnic dinner. Teachers really enjoyed connecting with families - it’s so much nicer to connect across a picnic rug, than across a desk! We trust that it was a valuable time for you and your children as we work together to build a learning community where we all feel at home and part of the journey.

I understand that I can have a

personal relationship with Christ.

He is able to speak into my life and

I am able to trust him at all times.

I take ownership of my

learning. I am reflective and

can talk about my next steps.

I develop and use my God

given gifts to serve and grow others.

I dream, imagine, explore, design and

build. I marvel at God’s creation. I take

risks in my learning and seek to discover

God’s truth in what I learn about.

I know where I fit in the world and

understand that I have been uniquely

and creatively designed to partner

with others to serve God’s purpose.

A

ctiv

e Le

arner

Courageous Thinker

Team

Player Servant H

eart

ed

PRIMARY

BC LEARNER

SERVANT HEARTEDTEAM PLAYER

COURAGEOUSTHINKERACTIVE LEARNER

BC Learner ModelThis year we are introducing to our children the BC Learner model. This tool aims to articulate the attributes and characteristics of an effective learner at Bethlehem College Primary.

Over this term and throughout the year, we will be spending time exploring how the different aspects of the model help us as learners and in our Christian faith.

E4 inquiryAs part of E4’s inquiry about what it means to be a Team Player, they have created this wonderful piece of collaborate artwork. Each section was created by a different person. On its own, one piece has some colour, however, altogether it creates a masterpiece.

Growing LeadersThroughout the year we aim to provide opportunities for our older students to engage in service and leadership. Already this year we have a keen group of volunteers serving on Chapel Crossing Duty. Our Jump Jam team are up and running and the PE monitors are providing sports equipment to students at breaktimes. We have also started two groups of senior leaders that will have a significant impact around the school in 2019. These groups are the Dynamos Sports Leaders and the School Council.

School Council• Rylee O’Hanlon

• Rueben Bishop

• Mitchell Lawrence

• Simone Drury

• Charlotte Dominikovich

• Ava Gaddum

• Joshua Kidd

• Daniel Barraclough

• Chloe Buck

• Sebin Park

• Zarah McConnell

• Sam Lewis

Dynamo Sports Leaders• Maeve Pacey

• Emma Wallace

• Alice Kc

• Tyra Heng

• Grace Lambert

• Nyah Phelps

• Dominic Peterson-Guy

• Grace Kennedy

• Libby Macfarlane

• Ethan Bennett

• Tayden Volk

• Dulcie Copeland

• Arlo Taylor

• Tehillah Pesefea

• Valentina Hill

• Charlie Calderwood

• Drew Jeffries

• Gemma Long

• Tobias Werahiko

• Tom Hurley

• Thomas Mitchell

• Kaylin Van Heerden

• Jayden James

• Sally Gerritsen

• Lulu Miller

• Kiani Mear-Poona

• Ryan Berg

• Ben Pratt

• Joshua Kelly

• Maxwell Gilchrist

SECONDARY REPORTJUNIOR SECONDARY

Kia ora and a super warm welcome to Bethlehem College Junior Secondary, 2019. We would like to especially welcome all our families who are new to the BC whanau, with young people joining us in either Year 7, Year 8, or Year 9 this year. As Assistant Heads of the Secondary School, we, Mike Thompson (Junior Secondary Pastoral) and Madeleine Lambert (Junior Secondary Curriculum), lead a vibrant and passionate team of energetic educators, committed to working together to shape the lives of the 570 young people in our care.

This year, we are excited to be launching our BC Junior Secondary Vision and Learner Profile. By the time our students journey through to the end of Year 9, it is our vision that they be "Transformed, Courageous and Equipped", secure in their identify in Christ, knowing their value and worth, courageous in all that they do, equipped for effective service and leadership, and have enjoyed success as they move into the Senior Secondary. We are intentional about providing opportunities for our learners to grow and develop into Courageous Thinkers, Courageous Learners, Courageous Community Builders, and Courageous Change Makers, the four dimensions of our BC Junior Secondary Learner Profile.

Vital to growing our year level teams, are our fabulous Team Leaders. Racheal Kingsbury leads our Year 7 Team, Sheena Brewer, is our Year 8 Team Leader, and Simon Hayward leads the Year 9 Team. Six classes make up the year level communities at Year 7 and Year 8, and seven classes make up the Year 9 community.

2019 has got off to an incredible start for us here at BC Junior Secondary, with our Year 7 and Year 8 camps, which you can read more about next, and our Year 9 Tauranga Moana History Tours, and Noho Marae, hosted by Wairoa Marae. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our thanks to all the parents who have been able to support us in helping make these experiences possible. We know you are all busy and we thank you for your investment into our young people.

We look forward to connecting with you during our Goal Setting Learner Conferences held in Weeks 10 and 11. We will both be available to meet you in R101 at the Junior Secondary Parent hospitality area.

CAMP NGAMUWAHINEYear 7 Camp was an amazing experience. For me, it was a wonderful way to start school. I didn’t know anyone starting Year 7, so it was a great way to make friends. You had to be prepared to do some amazing things. I enjoyed abseiling and kayaking the most. Doing high ropes is a great way to spend your last day! Cooking dinner was a great challenge. With noise all around you, and, with a group who all have completely different ideas, you have to learn to work as a team. In the end, my group cooked the best meal. As I said before, it is an amazing experience. So long as you didn’t get eaten by sandflies! Ngamuwahine as you should know, does mean female sandfly.

Written by Esther Duthie

Week 2… the most exciting week of the term because 7TLS went on camp. As my mum parked our car on the gravely path, I prepared myself for the next few days ahead of me. When we arrived at Camp Ngamuwahine, a friendly

German Shepherd greeted us with his slobbery tongue. Then we heading off on a bush walk and spent the morning swimming in the river, before taking part in organised activities. For my group, day one’s activities were bivouac building and kayaking. On day two, we did abseiling, fire-lighting and rafting. But day three’s activities were the best. We did an adventure course, low ropes, flying fox, and my personal favourite was rock climbing. I would recommend this camp to everyone because it was one of the most fun experiences I have had in my life.

Written by Charlie Cole

YEAR 8 CAMPThe Year 8 classes have been to camp on Matakana Island this term. The time was spent doing team building activities, eating hangi and enjoying the island lifestyle. We want to say a big thank-you to all the parents and helpers that came with us.

Camp WritingHiddenHeart pounding, I crawled a little further into the cover of the long, tall grass. Quietly, I crept closer to the blinking, taunting Christmas lights. The grass was tickling my face, feeling like a feather. Spot lights were flashing and darting in all directions, threatening to land on me. I can smell the dead, decaying leaves mixed with the pungent scent of rotten avocados. People whisper and shift around me. Leaves crunch nearby. Dark shapes of others move around me. They were going to give me away…

By Sophie Bridgman

Mud WarI glared at the pool of goo and hesitated as I stepped into its cavernous mouth.

The slimy filth sucked me up as I tried to set myself free. Finally, I slowly slipped myself out and turned to cower back. But the parents guarded all exits and there was nowhere to go but forward. The war raged all around me. Shrieks pierced my ears. Frigid, chunky mud sprayed on my face. I was contaminated, muddy and miserable. Silently, I sneaked past predators. Far too deep I trudged. There was no going back.

By Miya Nelson

The NightThe air had changed, I could feel it in the atmosphere. Hesitantly, I opened the tent. Freezing water blasted my face as a quick shiver of goose bumps ran down my already cold spine. Cold arrows stung my face and the rain persisted.

The dark night held more surprises. A black vortex was sucking all the light out of the moon. As the rain eased, and the smell of grass met my nose, I knew it was the calm before the storm.

By Elijah Tie

The Jump Hesitantly, I stepped off the tyre. For a

moment, it seemed as if time stopped. I was suspended in mid-air and the wind was swirling around me like a tornado. But then I started plummeting down. As soon as I hit the water, I shot down, like a rocket whizzing around in space. The water, which was covering me like a blanket, was cool, chilled and frothy. I surfaced. The smell of salty water entered my nostrils. I felt joyful.

By Ana Pinto

Against FreewillLeisurely, my foot descended into the water but became cemented in the mud. Frigid bumps crept up my leg. As

I waded forward my legs were engulfed further in the mud. Swiftly gravitating murky water oozed in between my eyelids. Through blurred vision I saw reeds, mangroves, and cloudy skies. The smell of decaying carcasses and silage all rolled into one, burned up my nostrils. Shrieks and howls echo through my head as a slippery slimy fish slithered past my torso. Tearing through the water I seized the side of the river bank and clambering out of the water. Black mud was smeared everywhere. Warmth hugged my body, I had finished the mud run.

By Belle Ramsey

SENIOR SECONDARYTena koutou katoa. Welcome to Term 1, 2019 on behalf of the Bethlehem College Secondary team. So much has already occurred over the last 7 weeks. The student body has been active and engaged in many events with some impressive performances in the sporting arena. Class camps and trips have also enriched our students and formed good relationships as they begin the journey through 2019. We also honour all those who sat NCEA last year as once again the results were excellent, especially in the area of scholarships. Certainly for a Secondary school with relatively small numbers (Year 10-13 have 681 students enrolled), Bethlehem College students have excelled. A huge advanced thank you must go out to our parent body who tirelessly volunteer in all manner of sports, music, trips and meetings. Our desire to nurture a Christ centred culture has to involve everyone in the BC community.

The Secondary School is served by a number of very dedicated, professional and talented teachers.

There are 5 key people on the Secondary Leadership team who have the following portfolios

Years 7-9Mr. Mike Thompson – Assistant Head of Junior Secondary with responsibility for Pastoral.

Mrs. Madeleine Lambert – Assistant Head of Junior Secondary with responsibility for the Curriculum.

Years 10-13.Mrs. Hannelie Freeman – Assistant Head of Senior Secondary with responsibility for Pastoral

Miss Joella Skilleter – Assistant Head of Senior Secondary with responsibility for the Curriculum.

Years 7-13Mr. Steve Te Whaiti – Head of Secondary.

All of us have responsibilities for Teaching and Learning.

We look forward to partnering with you

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP 2018 RESULTSBethlehem College has had wonderful success with the national NZQA Scholarship examinations in 2018. We are able to celebrate with sixteen students who achieved nineteen scholarships in nine different subject areas: Geography, Health and Physical Education, Biology, English, History, Chemistry, Economics, Painting, and French. This is a great achievement for a senior school of our size.

Our most successful student was Jonathan McLeay with scholarships in Chemistry, Economics and History. Jonathan was our Head Boy and had gained scholarship results the previous year also. In addition to the NZQA Scholarship Award for receiving three scholarships in a single year, Jonathan also received two scholarships awarded by the University of Otago. Mia Pugh, our Head Girl for 2018, also received

two scholarships, English and History, as well as gaining a scholarship in 2017. Mia will also be attending the University of Otago, having received the Otago University Performance Entrance Scholarship.

Our Year 13 students who succeeded in the NCEA scholarship examinations were also awarded scholarships from tertiary institutes across the country and beyond: Auckland University of Technology, University of Otago, and University of Waikato. In addition to our successful Year 13 results, three of the scholarships were gained by Year 12 students: Sarah Stratton, Sophie Fraser-Mackenzie, and Joseph Kent.

We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our scholars. Teachers have worked closely with forty students, who participated in a range of scholarship subjects. The hours of hard work, reading and study preparation have resulted in success that we can all celebrate.

ROBOTICS Jacob Church and Jackson

Whitwell did really well at the VEX Nationals last

weekend and have qualified for the World Championships

at the end of April in the USA. They will be

competing against students from across

the world and will have to build a new robot with the parts they

were given in the weekend before the

competition.

MUSIC All Music groups are in full swing as we kick off the year. Animoso 2019 has made an enthusiastic start with their rehearsal camp at Papamoa in February. They tackled a lot of very challenging music, and the time together helped to form positive and fun relationships. The Concert Band, Orchestra and Jazz Band are going to Band Camp in Rotorua in Week 7 this term. These camps are invaluable opportunities for students to work through demanding music while building a healthy and inclusive community. Chamber groups and rock bands are being formed with a view to participating in national competitions

as the year progresses. Itinerant music lessons and Music classes are thriving, and numbers are healthy across all levels and instruments. Sound Production classes are currently designing interesting music media products and short films. We are also thrilled that Mr. James Williams has arrived safely and is fitting in very well and enjoying the prospects of what lies ahead for him. James is already straight into things, as he takes over 50 students to Band Camp next week. So it has been a productive, focused and enjoyable start to the year in the Music Department, and we are looking forward to a year of inspiration, growth and development.

It is often said that it is not the result that counts, but it is how you play the game that you will be remembered for. All the athletes that are mentioned in this article are humble and hard-working and excel in their chosen sports. The iceberg analogy definitely applies here where a considerable part of their lives are devoted to being the best they can be, on the sports field, in the classroom and as genuinely good people who values others who have helped them with their success. We see the tip of the iceberg, their incredible results that briefly and publicly get acknowledged.

AthleticsFormer student Sam Tanner has earned some remarkable results recently. He is the youngest person in New Zealand ever to run a sub 4 minute mile (that is 1.6km) and achieved this feat in 3min 58 secs. He also defeated New Zealand’s strongest men’s middle distance runner, Nick Willis over an 800m race in the holidays. He is also now the National 1500m champion. We wish Sam well in upcoming competitions. He has featured on One News twice over the last week detailing his remarkable achievements.

In the first weekend of December, Sam Tanner, Jaimee Eades, Logan Tanner,

Margo Johanssen, Luke van Blerk and Summar Tanner competed in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletics Championships where they all did extremely well. Sam Tanner won two Gold medals in the 3000m & 1500m, Jaimee Eades won a silver medal in the Junior Girls 400m gaining a personal best time of 58.51. Margo Johanssen achieved a Bronze medal in the long jump, was 6th in 100m with a time of 13.12, and won a Gold medal in the triple jump jumping a personal best by a metre! She achieved 11.67m. Luke van Blerk qualified for the 200m final in a time of 24.57 and also made the 100m quarterfinal in time of 12.18. In the Road Race Summar Tanner placed 10th out of 34 and Logan Tanner came 19th out of 74 athletes.

The Bay of Plenty Secondary School Athletics Championships were held on Tuesday 5th March and Bethlehem College students achieved some remarkable results:

In the Senor Girls, Olivia Steed won the 3000m race and remarkably came 3rd in the 1500m a couple of hours later! Georgia Browne won the girls long jump, Molly Allen won the senior girls shot put and Meila Eades won the hurdles. Logan Tanner won the gruelling Senior Boys 3000m comfortably. Samuel Tanner

Lani, Jamiee, Molly & Jasleen

Margo Johansson dominated 3 events at the event in the Intermediate Girls section winning the 100m, long jump and setting a new Bay of Plenty record of 11.34m in the triple jump! Summar Tanner showed a really tenacious attitude to come back from a fall and place 3rd in the 1500m and Jaimee Eades comfortably won the 400m. The Pugh Brothers, Ian and Elliott comfortably placed 1st and 2nd in the Junior Boys 3000m race and Elliott, incredibly, also placed 2nd in the 1500m later in the day. In the Junior Girls category, Lani Fraser dominated the long jump and set a new record in the triple jump beating the old record by 11cm!

RowingThe Bethlehem College Rowers have achieved some outstanding results throughout the summer across 3 regattas. Tom Jury and Jack Perkins got third in an A final, Tom Jury, Levi Grimmer, Joel Cleary, Jack Perkins with Luc Lassale as cox achieved 3rd in A final quad race,

Matt Bartlett and Josiah Grimmer got seventh in an A final and Matt Bartlett second place in a B final. Fleur Lassale

teamed up with a partner and achieved sixth in an A grade final, Mackenzie Perry and Lara Hindley teamed up with Otumoetai College partners and achieved second in an A Final Woman club quad! Mackenzie Perry and Lara Hindley achieved seventh in an A final in the Women’s club double competition

Mackenzie Perry, Lara Hindley, Isabella Beale and Roz Ahearn earned sixth place in an A final Roz Ahearn was first in a B final.

VolleyballThe New Zealand Beach Volleyball Age Group Championships were held in January and a group of committed Bethlehem College students competed in the event at Mount Maunganui. They achieved some excellent results over the weekend event. Monique Bos and Georgia Browne earned second place in the U19 category. Millie Jones and her partner were 6th in the U17’s and Caleb Browne and Jack Jones were 5th in their U17 division.

The New Zealand Secondary Schools Beach Volleyball Championships were held last weekend and Bethlehem College had 20 athletes competing at this event. Erin Barnes and Jessica Lam were successful in the Division 2 taking out a top 10 placing. Monique Bos, Millie Jones, Caleb Browne, Jack Jones, Jessica Riddle and Georgia Browne all achieved top 20 placings in Division 1 which is a great result as there were 216 teams in the competition.

Open Water SwimmingA small team of talented and tenacious Bethlehem College Open Water Swimmers have been doing very well in events over the summer. Paris McConnell swum in the Omaha Banana Boat Ocean Swim 1km race just before Christmas and won her age division, also coming 3rd in the Open Women’s and 8th overall. Lilliana Guy swam in the

Margo Johanssen

same race and came 3rd in the 10-13yrs female age group, and was 7th female overall. Ben Cosford competed for the Mount Surf Club at Surf Champs in Whakatane/Ohope beach in the holidays and won 2 medals, a bronze in the beach sprint and a gold in the surf team swim.

Emily Spear competed in the National New Zealand Open Water Championships where she achieved several exceptional results. She was also profiled as an up and coming outstanding athlete in the Rotorua newspaper. Our school has been amongst the top Ocean Water Swimmers in the country after a recent Banana Boat National race at Mount Maunganui. The surf was so strong the course was reconfigured so swimmers could still take part safely. Emily Spear was 2nd in the 2.6km race in the 14-15 year age group with an impressive time of 23.47mins. Ben Cosford was second in the 14-15 year age group over the 1.25km race with a great time of 16.16mins. Lilliana Guy was 13th in the 1.25km race with a time of 22.35mins which was an excellent effort as it was one of her first ocean swimming events!

HockeyFlynn Hutchinson, Emilie Logan, Jaimee Eades, Meila Eades and Matthew Dawson have been named in the

Midland’s U18 Hockey Development Squad which is a significant achievement seeing they are still under 16. This squad has been selected from a wide geographical area including the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, Rotorua and Te Puke areas.

BasketballThe Bay of Plenty Basketball representative teams have been announced recently and Bethlehem College has been well represented in the U13 to U17 boy’s categories. Congratulations to Hamen Singh, Sam Gregory, Jamie McArdle, Ian Pugh, Sol Clarke, Beau Miller, Lachlan McArdle, Nicki Baltes and Tarb Forlong for being named in these sides.

CricketThe Bethlehem College 1st XI will progress to the next qualifying round of the Gillette Cup after winning the BOPCA Super Smash competition during February 2019. Trent Silcock top scoring with a hard fought 46 and Cameron Murray has done an excellent job as captain of the 1st XI motivating his team to their best results in five years.

TriathlonChris Wotton and Ian Pugh competed in the Bay of Plenty Triathlon and did BC proud. Ian was first in the Junior Boys and Chris was 2nd in the U16 Boys category. Well done boys, on achieving these excellent results.

Emily Spear

Emily Spear & Ben Cosford

TERM START TERM FINISH SCHOOL HOLIDAYSTERM ONE - 11 weeks

Wednesday 30 January Year 13 only

Friday 12 April (102* half-days)

Monday 15 April to Friday 26 April

TERM TWO – 10 weeks

Monday 29 April Wednesday 3 July (94 half-days)

NB: Thursday 4th, Friday 5th – July Staff only Days

Monday 8 July to Friday 19 July

TERM THREE – 10 weeks

Monday 22 July Friday 27 September (100 half-days)

Monday 30 September to Monday 14 October

TERM FOUR – 9 weeks

Tuesday 15 October Thursday 12 December (84 half-days) Friday 13 December

*NB: This allows for one additional Staff only Day in Term 1 for Professional Development - date to be confirmed These term dates comply with Ministry of Education requirements - open for instruction 380 (half) days in 2019.

Please refer to the BC Signpost and our Web Calendar for all Staff Professional Development days or any other important dates that will have an impact on the school term for students.

2019 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS

Monday 28 January Auckland Anniversary

Tuesday 6 February Waitangi Day

Friday 19 April Good Friday

Monday 22 April Easter Monday

Tuesday 23 April Easter Tuesday

Wednesday 25 April ANZAC Day (during holidays)

Monday 3 June Queen’s Birthday

Monday 28 October Labour Day

2019 TERM DATES

24 Elder Lane, Bethlehem, Private Bag 12003 Tauranga 3143, New Zealand P 07 576 6769 F 07 579 1810

www.beth.school.nz