This week from the Deputy Principal of Operations...

I am writing this on Thursday, as tomorrow I have the pleasure of spending the day and evening with Con Brio and Vivace choirs as they compete in the Regional Big Sing competition. They have worked so hard in preparation, and we wish them every success as they compete for the honour of representing Villa and the Canterbury region as one of the choirs selected for the national Big Sing Finale.

Last week I was in Auckland on Wednesday and Thursday as part of a group of staff visiting schools to look at their delivery of junior curriculum. We are visiting other schools as part of investigating how best to design an inclusive and rich junior curriculum that engages all. It was a highly worthwhile and interesting experience to visit and learn from a diverse range of schools.

I returned from Auckland at 6:30pm on Thursday which gave just enough time to get to Villa for the much-anticipated Cultural Fusion concert at 7:00pm. On arrival, we were lucky to find seats, as the Auditorium was nearly filled. The concert certainly delivered; I am sure all who attended would agree that it was a fantastic celebration. We enjoyed performances from an Irish Band, Kapa haka group, Chamber group, Prima Voce junior choir, Pasifika group, a range of solo and paired vocalists, Con Brio and Vivace senior choirs, two drummers, a glockenspiel performer, Filipino dancers performing two pieces, some South Asian dancers and a duet of hip hop dancers. It was an amazing celebration of talent and culture and congratulations to all who contributed.

This week has been International Languages week and across the College languages and cultures have been celebrated with a range of activities. My Ako take turns in leading a fun day Thursday where a small group of mixed ages provide food and entertainment for the group. Today we enjoyed these yam flavoured delicious purple themed (Claver House) cookies made from a special Filipino recipe. .

I decided on a short walk around on Thursday during Period 3 to see what innovative learning was happening. The Intermediate students were enjoying practical mathematics where they poured water between containers and measured changes between vessels, backed up by calculations. One student told me that her teacher had tried explaining it, but it was so much clearer when she was doing it herself. 

I then found a very enthusiastic junior class eagerly awaiting their muffins finishing cooking in the oven.  

Further on I heard an excited noise coming from an upstairs science block, and on investigation it was a small class of year 10 Science students. Half of the class were absent due to preparation for the numeracy and literacy trials, so Mr Sadler had arranged some fun practical experiments using a Van de Graaf static electricity generator. I watched in awe as hair stood on end, metal cups flew in the air and a Bunsen burner was lit by a human hand. I was invited by the Year 10 students to try the hair standing on end experiment, but I declined for obvious scientific control reasons!   

Please refer to the article linked here about proposed traffic management plans that impact the College. These recommendations follow community and student consultation last year.

It is always positive hearing examples of our students living Mercy values. This week we received a phone message from a member of the public complimenting a Villa student on giving up her seat on a public bus to an elderly lady who was distressed on finding no seats were available. From posting on the Student Team I was able to quickly identify the Year 9 student and I met with her to share the message received and congratulate her on living her Mercy values in everyday actions.

Ngā mihi

Mr Baugh

Deputy Principal, Operations

Villa Maria College