Sadly we farewell a number of valued staff members at the end of this year

This is the final newsletter for 2019 so I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the Roncalli staff, Board of Trustees, PTA and all those in our community who support the College. 

I appreciate our coaches, managers and volunteers for generously giving their time and expertise to allow our students to experience a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom.

Merry Christmas! Have a safe and enjoyable break. We look forward to starting the new school year in January 2020!

Sadly we farewell a number of valued staff members at the end of this year

Andrew Jones

Andrew Jones departs Roncalli College after faithfully serving as Deputy Principal for the past eight yearsIn 2012, Andrew came to Roncalli from Ellesmere College where he was HOD English as well as a pastoral dean. Prior to that, he was the Assistant HOD of English and Drama at St. Andrew’s College in Christchurch. In 2003, Andrew took leave from his first teaching position at Darfield High School and travelled to Europe where he taught English and Drama at Elthorne Park High School in Central London, an experience that opened his eyes to the harsh reality of inner-city education. He has often shared interesting stories about the challenges he faced teaching in inner-city London and how that influenced his teaching and pastoral practice.

Andrew has had an enormous impact on Roncalli College during the past 8 years and will be missed by our whole community. In addition to carrying out the numerous day-to-day duties of a Deputy Principal, Andrew has been instrumental in helping to develop and promote special opportunities for students (academic, cultural, sporting, leadership) to enhance their education. Andrew always encourages students and staff to take risks and leads by example; he never shies away from pushing the boat out and trying a new initiative. He will always be remembered for coining the term ‘Roncallian” and the phrase “Have a beautiful Roncalli Day”. He will be missed by his colleagues, students and sports teams for his boundless energy, enthusiasm and optimism.

In addition to being a supportive, loyal and trusted colleague, Andrew is first and foremost a dedicated husband and father and his family is very important to him. Although he will not have a formal role at the College, we look forward to his continued involvement with the school as a parent and supporter.

Andrew has been appointed to an Assistant Principal role at Craighead Diocesan school commencing 2020 and we wish him every success.

Regan Powell

Regan began his time at Roncalli as a beginning teacher in 2004. Over these 15 years, he has taught not only in Commerce, but also Physical Education, the Arts and Technology.

Regan has been heavily involved in golf, helping develop players in a sport he is passionate about. He has also coached rugby and been involved with bowls and badminton.

During his time at the college, Regan has built up an excellent Commerce Department, offering students the opportunity to study Business, Economics and Young Enterprise. Junior Market Day continues to be a highlight for the Year 10s after it was set up by Regan as part of the Year 10 Young Enterprise Programme. It is in the senior Young Enterprise Programme that Regan has been instrumental in helping his students set up successful businesses that have gone on to regional, national and international success. Under his leadership, teams from Roncalli have consistently made it to Young Enterprise National Finals, with some being selected to participate in competitions and events as far away as Singapore.

From 2012 to 2016 Regan had the role as a Year Level Dean. He has also worked as Aquinas House Dean in the past. Regan has also held the position of time-tabler and has been a key member of the Staff Social Club.

Regan leaves us to take up a full-time position as an Arranger of Awesome with Young Enterprise New Zealand, a role in which he helps schools across the lower South Island in running and setting up their business and Young Enterprise Programme. He has been doing this job part-time for the last two years. We thank Regan for his huge contribution to the college and wish him all the best in his new full-time role. You will be missed.

Ray Pope

Ray Pope has worked behind the scenes in the Science Department for ten years at Roncalli

College as the Department Technician.

Ray has been a steady contributor to the

department always, willing to help teachers. He has prepared hundreds of practicals for students and has always kept the Science Laboratory well stocked. Ray’s passion for science has kept him busy whether preparing slime for the Roncalli Fair or building a pipette cleaner for teachers to use.

Outside of school Ray, is an avid musician and enjoys spending time with his grandson. He has been an asset to the college and will be greatly missed by the Science Department and the College.

We wish him all the best.

Jo Bennett

Jo was appointed teacher at Roncalli College starting in 2014, bringing with her a diverse set of skills, including artistic and journalistic talents. Jo had previously attended Roncalli College as a student, then studied at Otago University. She developed her teaching background in the primary sector.

Jo taught not only in the English and Art Departments, but shared her artistic skills through gifting Roncalli College with a substantial piece of art based on the ten precepts of Angelo Guiseppi Roncalli, “Just for today”, now displayed in the Administration Block entrance. Jo’s main areas of contribution were through the Religious Education Department, where she taught at both Junior and Senior levels, as well as her work with Special Character.

Jo followed her passion for helping others and linking with the local parish, setting up the “Loaves and Fishes” Winter Lunch gathering. She ran successful “Young Vinnies” groups, which supported a wide range of both local and international causes. Jo’s involvement in the Sacramental Programme saw several groups of students received into the Church and making their first Eucharist and Reconciliation with her support.

Jo brought her creative flair to liturgies whether for staff or students, always looking for a way to bring new life and energy to these celebrations. The banners at the Year 13 Roncalli Retreat bore her artistic hallmark. Jo was supportive of Practical Justice, and such projects as “Survivor Slum”, Toot for Tucker and Christmas Boxes are just some examples of her active commitment to living the Gospel values. Jo continues to be open to new learning and recently undertook further study in Scripture through Good Shepherd College.

We thank Jo for her contribution to the life of the College and of the wider Roncalli community, her generous spirit and her lived passion for her Faith. We wish her well in her future endeavours.

Matt Cameron

Matt has taught in the Technology Department for five years.

Matt has built the hard materials program by developing many projects for the students to complete during his tenure. He also has taught year 7 and 8 students technology at the College. He has been passionate about recycling in students projects and in his off time works on his counselling skills and tennis.

Matt has taken a part time positions teaching at Pleasant Point Primary in the next school year. We wish him all the best!

Reuben Fletcher

Reuben joined Roncalli College in 2018 and has been a valued member of the English, Languages and Religious Studies departments since.

Reuben introduced Spanish as a language option at the College and has gained a dedicated following of Spanish students who have learned to love the language through his instruction.

Reuben is going to France and Spain in 2020 and will be travelling and working with his wife. We wish him all the best for his future endeavours.