From the Principal
Tena koutou katoa
Nga mihi nui ki a koutou
As we journey through the Month of the Holy Souls, may this reflection help any whānau in the midst of grief:
Tangihanga
Through the mists
below sacred Whakatere
the karanga carries our grieving
from manga to trodden valley
Show more
Tena koutou katoa
Nga mihi nui ki a koutou
As we journey through the Month of the Holy Souls, may this reflection help any whānau in the midst of grief:
Tangihanga
Through the mists
below sacred Whakatere
the karanga carries our grieving
from manga to trodden valley
With reverence
With the surety of eternal life, muffled feet
and bowed head we rise in prayer towards Otatara
the beating heart
From outside the wharenui
sounds of mokopuna calling to each other
making patterns in the dust
on parked cars
While manuhiri watch
shielding from the sun
joining snatches of waiata
from where they sit and wait
To Waima – when waiting is done
place your feet on the whenua
wash yourself clean in the awa
breathe in your place, be as one
As above, is here below
By Greg McNeill (published in Tui Motu Magazine, August 2023)
May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
Kia pai te raa okioki – have a restful weekend.
ChemQuest
Who knew Chemistry and the musical Wicked could be mentioned in the same sentence?
On 15th October, a group of Year 12 students represented Sacred Heart at the annual Chemquest competition, hosted by Waikato University. We were divided into three teams: Dynamic Bonds, The Catalysts, and Markovnikov’s Rulers. Through a series of rounds, we were challenged to combine our chemistry knowledge with our knowledge of media, music, and more. One memorable question was when a snippet of the popular song Defying Gravity was played, and teams had to identify a chemical term which was in the name of the character who sings this song. Our groups quickly realised that the name Elphaba (the singer of the song) hides the chemical term pH!
This competition greatly encouraged us to think outside the box and to collaborate with our team members. Despite not leaving with a prize, we all had an amazing time and are grateful to have participated in such a riveting contest.
Chunwa Ogechi-Okoro
PE Department
Life-Saving Skills in Action
Year 10 students recently gained invaluable life-saving knowledge when St John visited to deliver their “3 Steps to Life” programme to our Health and PE classes.
The girls learned the DRSABC process for responding to an unconscious patient, practised putting each other into the stable side-lying position, and demonstrated their CPR skills on training dummies. The hands-on session was engaging and empowering, with students showing great enthusiasm as they mastered these essential techniques.
What makes this programme particularly special is that our young women can now share these life-saving skills with their whānau, creating a ripple effect of safety throughout our wider community.
A huge thank you to St John and congratulations to our Year 10s for their commitment to learning these vital skills!
Science
Cracking the Case: Year 9 Students Turn Detective
Year 9 students have spent the term diving into the world of Forensic Science. They’ve learnt about different types of evidence, such as fingerprints, DNA analysis, hair and fibre analysis, blood typing, and the identification of unknown substances. Their skills have been put to the test in solving the case of “The Rogue Science Teacher.” Working in teams, students are analysing clues, conducting various lab tests, and using scientific reasoning to uncover the truth.
International Students
Recently, we farewelled three of our Japanese students: Mao Kikuchi, Akane Doi, and Sae Otsuka.
Mao has been part of our school community for the past two years and is now heading back to Japan to begin university studies. After spending a year with us, Akane and Sae are off to Sydney for a short English course before returning home.
They’ll be greatly missed, and we wish them every success in their next adventure.
MOANA Jnr Production
Mark your calendars!
From 13th-17th January, some of our talented students will bring the magic of Disney’s Moana Jr. to life on stage at Riverlea Theatre!
Under the expert direction of our very own Katie Hansen and Vocal Director Sophie Pilbrow, this spectacular production promises to transport audiences to the beautiful islands of Motunui. Whether you’re ready to sail beyond the reef or sing along to “How Far I’ll Go,” this is one show you won’t want to miss!
Grab your tickets now and come support our fabulous cast!
Featuring:
Isabella McKenzie-Iakopo, Aria Te Tuhi-Simon, Celeste Tane, Samara Cables, Oriwa McCall, Ava Maree Lochore, Charlotte Sparrow, and Harper Topia
Event info and tickets
Outward Bound Courses
Outward Bound courses empower people to unlock their full potential through life-changing outdoor journeys. Nestled in the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds with the mountains, bush, and waterways as our classroom, their courses challenge people to step beyond their comfort zones, building resilience, self-awareness, and deeper connections with themselves and the world around them.
Outward Bound are offering a 15% discount to students and whānau for individual bookings on their open enrolment programmes. They have options available for 13–15-year-olds as well as 16–18-year-olds.
Students are to register their interest in Outbound Bound to qualify for the discount above.
Register
Top Summer Reading Recommendations
Sunrise on the Reaping – Suzanne Collins (Dystopia)
Forty-eight Tributes. Twelve Districts. One victor. Taking place 24 years before the original Hunger Games trilogy, Sunrise on the Reaping features a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, before he had been overtaken by anguish and alcohol. In light of the 50th anniversary of the Hunger Games, President Snow has decided to double the number of tributes, reaping 2 girls and 2 boys from each district, and the odds are certainly not in Haymitch’s favour. I found this book interesting because, through reading about Haymitch’s experience as a tribute, I saw how trauma changes people. It also can’t go unmentioned how disturbingly sad and reflective of our society this book can be, covering themes of propaganda, abuse of power, and oppression. You may need some tissues while you read, but that’s to be expected. There are double the friendships. Double the stakes. Double the trauma.
Chunwa Ogechi-Okoro – Year 12
Fake Skating – Lynn Painter (Romance)
Fake Skating is a YA romance novel written by Lynn Painter, about two childhood friends who reconnect years later, only to find themselves caught up in a complicated fake relationship. This would be perfect for summer, and if you enjoy the tropes of fake dating and friends-lovers, this is the book for you!
Chloe Hilario – Year 11
The Ruling Class – Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Mystery)
Ever wondered what it would be like to step into a world where everyone had secrets and no one could be trusted? The Ruling Class by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a gripping political mystery-thriller full of twists, power plays, and shocking betrayals. A must-read for summer, this fast, addictive book is perfect for anyone who loves twisty intrigue and cutthroat suspense.
Jessica Sylvester – Year 11
One Last Breath – Ginny Myers Sain (Mystery)
The book is set in Mount Orange, Florida, a place famous for two things: fresh water springs and the cold case murder of two teenagers, Bailey and Celeste. When a new girl, Rio, comes to town, Trulee becomes more entangled in this gruesome murder. This book explores murder, mystery and romance. I enjoyed this book and recommend it for a summer read because: one, it is set in summer! Plus, the book isn’t a typical murder mystery; the two main characters don’t solve the murder solely through traditional investigative skills. This book leaves you thinking about who the murderer is until the very end. To me, this book is more than your classic murder story, with twists and turns and supernatural forces!
Hannah Balme – Year 9
Our Vision
Ignite the Passion: inspiring young women to change the world – me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone!