Dress-up week, sporting success and Cultural Fusion.

Kia ora koutou,

This week we have welcomed students back this week after two weeks of holidays, and everyone seems pleased to be back at school for Term 4. Year 13 have had a week of themed dress-up days which started with 'Mix up Monday', a uniform swap. My Level 3 Economics class featured strong representation of St Bede’s, with good turnouts also from a range of other schools. On Tuesday they had to come dressed as a 'Dad', so it was a very fashionable day! A highlight was 'Formal wear Wednesday' where the brief was to wear out of date formal dresses/dress suits. The week finished with 'Throwback Thursday' and 'Future Friday.' My Level 3 Economics class featured a number of corporate outfits, with some also bringing a baby. They told me it this represents their future as both business leaders and mothers. The week has been a lot of fun for Year 13 and for the rest of the College.

Our rowing squad had a successful training camp in the first week of the holidays and thanks goes to Mrs Restieaux, the coaches, and parents for their mahi and support. From all accounts it was a most successful week.

In the second week I travelled with the Senior A Netball team for the National Secondary Schools Championships. It was a notable achievement for them to qualify, as one of only five South Island schools. They played with determination and passion throughout the tournament and picked up wins over Tawa College and Queen Margaret College. I was most impressed with their performance against Columba College, who were the top seeded South Island team and ended Nationals placing 4th overall as the top placed South Island school. We had gone down to them by 15 goals at the SISS tournament, and so to get within 5 goals of them at Nationals was a huge achievement. The girls were a pleasure to support and the organisation, coaching skill and player support from Head Coach Jen Hooper, Assistant Coach Chrissy Griggs and Manager Celine Doocey was outstanding. 

A highlight for me was seeing the way the players had so much fun together off the court, with the team and management coming together every evening for fun themed performances and activities led by a different group each night. On the first night it was the turn of the management group which I joined for an 80s theme, as Richard Simmons. In the picture below, you will see two members of the team not in uniform. They were waiting to meet us at Auckland airport, having arrived early that morning on a flight from the US. They did a great job of staying awake for the remainder of the day, and by the next day were ready to play, showing no signs of jetlag.

The College Sports Awards were held on Tuesday evening and our congratulations go to all award winners (listed elsewhere in this newsletter.) We were lucky to have Black Fern Pippa Love as guest speaker who shared the ups and downs of her sporting journey with the injuries that high performance athletes often have to face and recover from. Her message was to believe in yourself and your goals and never give up. 

It was a privilege to hear from Pippa and afterwards some of us enjoyed the chance to hold or wear her Gold Medal, including our Sports staff Jacqui Restieaux and Julia McIlraith! Congratulations to Celine Doocey who was presented with the 'Adult Contribution to Sport' award. Celine has generously served Villa netball over many years as she has supported her five daughters in their netball.

Last night a large audience enjoyed a fantastic Cultural Fusion concert. There were a wide range of talented performances from Kapa haka, Pasifika, the Filipino Maria’s, the Villa Jazz Band, the Villa Rock Band, Con Brio choir, Vivace choir, hip hop dancers, percussionists, a St Thomas rock band and individual, duets and trios of singers. 

Thank you to all performers for sharing your talents with our community and a special thanks to Mrs Mel Lawrie for organising and managing this successful event.

Ngā mihi

Mr Baugh

Deputy Principal, Operations