by Waikato Diocesan
From the Student Leaders
Olivia Bayne — May 15, 2022
We hope you have had a fabulous holiday and have had a great start to Term 2. Both Cooper and I have loved seeing everyone's faces back in chapel and assemblies with the beginning of hopefully more normality. This term is often filled with lots of learning and assessments, so, as well as working efficiently to stay on top of your schoolwork, make sure you take some time for yourself so that you can create some balance.
Anzac Service
On Monday 25 April, Cooper, Ms Fitchett and I attended the Memorial Park Anzac Service, along with other head students from around the Waikato. We laid two wreaths on the cenotaph. It was a very emotional occasion for all of us and we were very grateful to have been able to attend to remember our ancestors and those brave New Zealanders who fought at war.
Opening of the new Selwyn Dining Room
On 2 May we had the official opening of the new Selwyn Dining Room. It was a very exciting morning for the boarding students within our Kura, as this was going to be their new favourite building. After this lovely and formal opening to the new wharekai we were able to all enter and be seated. The Kapa Haka group then sang a waiata to bless the kai which we were about to eat. Then everyone all sat down and had breakfast together for the first christening of the stunning new dining hall.
Year 9 Camp
From 2 May, our Year 9s headed off to Ngaaruawaahia for our annual Year 9 Friendship Camp. This is a very special week for the Year 9 students as it is where they get the opportunity to meet new students within their year group and take on some new physical challenges. Usually, this camp runs in term 1, but due to the COVID outbreak within our school, and being in the red traffic light system it was shifted to term 2 so we are very fortunate that this was able to go ahead. The students were able to get involved in numerous activities throughout the days, and had a special visit from the Year 12 peer support group at night, with even a few special musical performances from the talented Shelby Bowater and Amiria Douglas. Thank you to our amazing staff and parent volunteers for making this week happen.
Year 11 Camp
On 5 and 6 May, our Year 11s attended the annual Year 11 Marae Cultural Camp. We are very fortunate that Tuurangawaewae Marae can host our Kura, and a great thank you to Koka, Matua Ara, Jorja Challis, and Amiria Douglas for leading all of the students (including Cooper and me) onto the marae during the poowhiri. Over the two days, the students learned more about the Kaupapa Maaori world and immersed themselves in Maaori culture. This was a very special camp, and although it was altered slightly this year due to COVID restrictions I know that all of the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and made the most of every moment.
Microvolunteering Collective Activity
Head of Student Council, Natasha Raza and Year 9 Dean, Mr Watson facilitated a Microvolunteering Collective project during Youth Week (May 7th - 15th), bringing students together to make postcards filled with messages of love and kindness, for lonely residents in local rest homes. Nice work, team.
Up and coming
Friendship Friday
Friendship Friday is starting next week! This will be an ongoing event each Friday to get our students off their phones for one lunchtime and create engagement with other students through activities. The Year 13s along with one staff member per activity will lead the activities to help to try to ensure everyone is getting involved and having fun… without phones!
Auckland Dio exchange
On the 24 May, we will be hosting the annual Auckland Dio exchange against Auckland Diocesan. For those who do not know what this is, it is an annual event where our Waikato Dio top teams will come up against Auckland Dio's top teams to win the very highly prized Dio Exchange Trophy. The teams would love your support so please come and watch.
Liv and Cooper ✌
