St Oran’s College Newsletter
From our Principal
Tēnā Koutou Katoa
Little did I think when I wrote my first newsletter for 2106 that I would be writing my last for St
Oran’s now, it is certainly a strange feeling. The last two weeks have been full of activities and
celebrations. I extend hearty congratulation to all girls who were recognised for their achievements at
our prizegiving.
Congratulations to:
St Oran’s College Dux 2016 - Natasha Goldsworthy
St Oran’s College Proxime Accessit 2016 - Meghan Grant
St Oran’s College Junior Dux 2016 - Florence Oakley
Of course celebrating the achievement of our girls goes hand in hand with paying tribute to our extraordinary staff at St
Oran’s. Their commitment to our girls is outstanding and for that, as well as their expertise and care, we are grateful.
At the end of this term we farewelled Ms Benoist, Mrs MacKay, Mr West and Ms Swale. Mrs Coales and Mrs Patel are
both on a years leave. We thank them for their valuable contribution and wish them all the best for their future
endeavours.
Finally, it has been an honour to have been the 7th principal of St Oran’s College. The last 12 years and 3 terms have been
exciting and rewarding. It also has been a privilege to be part of the lives of students - to be part of their educational
journey - a privilege to work with such a wonderful team of people - past and present.
Both Board of Trustees and Proprietors led by Grant Reese and Elizabeth Coe both are dedicated led by Grant Reese and
Elizabeth Coe both are dedicated to providing a clear vision for our school, providing the very best for our staff and
students. Their support and dedication has been a real gift.
It is the staff who make a good school a great school, who make the difference that matters. I have been most fortunate to
work with such talented, positive, generous, fantastic people who are willing to go the extra mile, to embrace challenges
and opportunities.
I am indebted to our senior leadership team, Anne Seabrook, Amanda Gibbs and Cherie Wildon, whose wisdom,
dedication and passion for St Oran’s College is undeniable.
The Parents’ Association, led by Lynley McInnarney, who work tirelessly to provide the extras.
St Oran’s Foundation, led by Shona Brockelsby, who support our school quietly in the background.
The Old Girls’ and Friends Association - Thank you to Natalie Coe and team, who with much perseverance have
continued to build up the Old Girls’ Association.
I wish to thank you parents of our students, you have shown confidence and faith in my leadership over the years for
which I am truly grateful.
My time at St Oran’s College has been an enriching one. I can think of no greater privilege than being involved in the
education of students. Thank you to our students who are the very fabric of a school, they have embraced the vision of
‘Being the best that they can be’. They are to all to be commended, I have enjoyed getting to know them and celebrating
their milestones and success with you. I feel fortunate to have been a part of their journey.
From all of us here at school, please accept every warm wish for a joyous and safe festive season. May love and peace
abound. Hei Kona mai
Nga mihi nui
Dawn Ackroyd
Empowering young women to be the best that they can be
Issue 21
1
13 December 2016
Congratulations to…
Mathletics:
Louise Chalaron-Rogers - who has been offered a place as a
On the Mathletics homework program this year, students
UN Youth High School Ambassador for 2017
have spent many hours learning and improving their
Year 7 Birthdays
mathematics.
This year Brierley Piper has spent a total of 149 hours on
Happy Birthday to the following Year 7 girls who celebrate
their birthday in December.
Antonia Jamieson, Ruby Ritchie, Sophie Bain, Olivia Mailo,
Aaliyah Craig, Brooke Miles, Amelia Williams, Georgia
Mathletics gaining a total of 144190 points.
The top participants for the whole school this year are…
1st Brierley Piper
Williams
2nd Amiria Hynes
Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award:
3rd Madeline Chin
Silver:
Mikayla Joyce
Emma Wilson
They were awarded medals by Mathletics.
Congratulations girls.
Mathematics Badges
Hannah Wilkinson
Teana Macdonald
Amelia Kennedy-Moffat - Number Whiz
Megan Belton
Litstars Badges
Annie Ashton
Bronze:
Hannah Wilkinson
Darien Wood
1x Badge:
Whiz Badge - Stella Johnstone, Lizzie Edwards, Daniella
Serci, Chelsea Summers
Amy Press
Super Series - Amelia Kennedy-Moffat, Emilie Thompson,
Nikita Dornan
Samantha Scaife, Meg Stewart, Sophie Law, Samantha Reilly
Emily Dine
Amazing Author - Aspen Davis
Nicole Brown
Laura Dennehy
Georgia Keene
Jaylin Dawson
Alyx Rangihaeata
Fantasy Fan - Rebecca Reinders, Abigail Brownsword
Culture Club - Lexi Molloy
Biography Buddy - Tiah Alexander-Hall, Zoe Mooney,
Jasmine Kaur
Harini Shanthakumar
Emmelia Stevenson
2x badges:
Anya Lewis
Charlotte Lawrence - No Nonsense Nonfiction, Culture Club
Beatrice Bassett-Burr
Charis Teal
Bronte Walshe - Super Series, Fantasy Fan
Sarah Ward
3x Badges:
Sania Krishna
Olivia Bishop - Biography Buddy, No Nonsense Non Fiction,
Hannah Cody
Fantasy Fan
Science Badges
Madeline Chin - Meteorology Badge
Rebecca Reinders - Psychology
Elizabeth Chin - Home Chemistry
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From the Head of Sports
CSW – SPOTYS
Congratulations to our Dragon Boat Team who received the
Tennis
Dragon Boat Pendant for winning the Girls A Grade Final.
Congratulations to the Junior A Tennis Team winners of the
Also to Shannon English winner of the Hockey Award,
Junior Division 1 Grade and Emily Dine and Nicole Brown
Emma Main winner of the Football Award and Abbey Russell
winners of the CSW Junior Doubles final.
who was a finalist in the Student Contribution to Sport
Award.
Congratulations to Laura Powlesland runner up of the HV
Primary Tennis Champs.
Cheerleading
Congratulations the St Oran’s Cheerleaders who travelled to
Congratulations to the following girls selected in HV Teams
the All Brandz International Cheerleading Nationals early in
to compete in the Bob Brown Rosebowl Representative
November.
Fixture:
Under 12s – Chelsea Summers, Charlotte Painter
Other students also competed for Big Ear in the NZ Nationals
Under 14s – Sophie Painter, Laura Powlesland
with many outstanding individual and team performances.
Under 16s – Emily Dine, Nicole Brown, Emma McEwan, Rose
Boalford
Volleyball
Congratulations to Senior A runners up in the CSW Division
Athletics
1 final.
Congratulations to the following girls who placed in the
Regional Yr 7 and 8 Championships.
2017 Sports Booklet
Sophia Hardie – 1st year 7 girls 100m
This is available on the website please check thoroughly and
Rylee Watt – 2nd year 7 girls long jump
get your sports registrations for 2017 in by Wellington
Samanatha Woolley – 3rd year 8 girls 1000m
Anniversary weekend.
Year 7 Relay Team – 2nd Place
Year 8 Relay Team – 1st Place
A BIG BIG thank you to all the coaches and managers for all
your hard work throughout the year. Sport at SOC could not
Touch
happen if it wasn’t for your help.
Congratulations to all our Touch teams it’s been a great
season. Intermediate A runners up in the year 7 and 8 girls’
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and safe and happy
competition, Junior A winners of the Division 1 CSW
holidays.
competition, Junior B runners up in the Division 2
competition.
See you in 2017.
Congratulations to the School A Team who attended NZSS
Barb
Nationals in the weekend and finished a very credible 11 th
place and are now ranked No. 1 in the Central Region –
outstanding effort from everyone.
Karate
Congratulations to Laura Dennehy who won silver for Kata
and bronze for Kumite in her division at the NZ
Championships.
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Year 9 Social Studies in Egyptian Foodie
From the Chaplain
Heaven!
So this is it – Christmas is nearly here
and as we say goodbye to students and
This term the Year 9 Social Studies classes have been
staff who will not be here for 2017 the
exploring an ancient civilisation in class. Our focus has been
reality of the end of the year hits home!
Ancient Egypt. We have explored ancient Egyptian culture,
I take this opportunity to wish you and
geography, society and religion just to name a few aspects.
your family a very happy Christmas and
Student have presented their learning in class via a range of
hopefully you will all enjoy a super
inquiry projects on mummification, Egyptian gods, Pharaohs,
holiday time together also.
and even jewellery and costume. The presentation of the
information was in various forms including, interpretive
dance/recitation, songs, PowerPoint, drama games and reenactment. As a special cross-curricular treat, students this
Every blessing – Joce Kearney
Careers Corner
week have spent time in the foods room creating Egyptian
foods such as Dukkah, Hummus, date balls and the flat bread
So here’s something to think about over the holidays;
‘lavosh’. We decided that the Egyptian diet was surprisingly
Don’t ask kids what they want to be when they grow up but
healthy and yummy! We made mounds of hummus and
what problems they want to solve. This changes the
dukkah, and had a great class feast. After two spells making
conversation from who do I want to work for, to what do I
and smelling all the food, we were surprisingly hungry,
need to learn to be able to do that.
demolishing most of it! A special thanks to Food Technology
teacher, Jess Patel for lending us her time, room and
equipment.
(Jaime Casap, Google Global Education Evangelist)
So how do you want to make a difference in our community,
our nation and the world? We can all make a difference no
matter how big or small.
Maori Scholarship information is on the SOC website under
‘Scholarships’.
For any information over the holidays remember to check the
SOC website.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Lee Bell
Careers Counsellor
GATE/Enrichment
Congratulations to the following Year 8 students who
participated and performed very well in the 2016 Primary
Research Project: Tiah Alexander-Hall, Georgie Allan,
Hermione Cook, Jasmine Kaur, Leigh Rodgers, Ainsley
Rowe, Holly Sawyer, Ashley Smith, Selina
William and Samantha Woolley.
Leigh, Ashley, Ainsley and Georgie all
gained High Distinctio n, with special
congratulations to Leigh who achieved a
perfect 100% result.
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From the Music Department
Why should I get music lessons?
e’ve had a wonderfully musical year again this year, we just
keep getting better and better! Thank you to all the talented
students involved in Choir, Jazz Band, String Ensemble, and
the Music Project Band, Shontal Norton and Beth Jones who
co-lead the A Cappella group, also the junior and senior
I often get asked by students, “can’t I just learn an instrument
from YouTube?”. And yes, it is possible to do so, but here is
my list of reasons why I believe having a good music teacher
is a vital part of becoming a GREAT musician!

rockbands, flute ensemble, senior music students and all the
students who take part in itinerant music lessons and pop up
achieving your goals.

concerts. Thank you for a wonderful year of music. See you
next year for even more exciting music making!

songs you are learning.

peers and parents/ grandparents and
and
confidence
demonstrated
their
new
with


approach any piece of music.

There is a Santa Claus for the
school.
They
have


means you won’t learn bad playing habits.

Enrolments for 2017 are open now on the school website for
well and why you are sounding good.

Oran’s College are, Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet, Voice, Piano,
instruments are available to borrow from the school.
The link can be found:
http://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/2136?
returnUrl=www.storans.school.nz
Beginner Ensemble Classes
We will offer limited places for beginner students for Flute,
Everyone needs encouragement when learning to play.
Your teacher will let you know what you are doing
individual and shared lessons. Some instrumental teachers
Drums, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Cello, Violin/Viola. Some
You can get instant advice. Your teacher can make you
aware of what you need to work on to play better. This
very proud of their achievements.
book out quickly. In 2017 the instruments on offer at St
Your teacher can help get you into school groups when
you are ready.
worked so hard and should be
Itinerant Music Enrolments 2017
Your teacher can introduce you to great music and
musicians you might not even know about yet.
for the visiting elderly and
junior
Learning with a teacher will help you get good as
quickly as you are able. You’ll find out the best ways to
items, Jingle Bells on strings,
annual Christm as at St Oran’s
Your teacher can help you build a full range of musical
skills.
been busy this term, performing 2
and a song and dance routine
Your teacher can help you establish and maintain good
playing habits right from the start.
string
instrument skills. This module has
Your teacher can help you find the best ways to
improve your playing and conquer the tough bits of
Module 4 had their final string programme concert last
teachers
You’ll get to spend time each week with an expert on
the instrument you wish to play.
Yr 7 Performing Arts Music Module
Monday. They performed to an attentive audience of their
Having weekly lessons will help you stay focused on
Your teacher can show you sensible short cuts to
playing well.

Your teacher can help you build a solid foundation so
that you can become fully independent and reach your
potential.
We have GREAT teachers here at St Oran’s who can help
you on your way to be GREAT musicians!
Violin, Clarinet and Saxophone once again this year. These
are free lessons during the school day in an ensemble class.
The lessons will be offered to the students with the view that
they will consider enrolling in private individual or shared
lessons after their introductory year. To register your
daughter’s interest in taking part in a beginner ensemble class
you must email TIC Music, Olivia Fraser-Morris. [email protected] NOTE: this is a separate scheme to
the online enrolment form.
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Arrangements for the start of Year 2017
Friday 3rd February
Year 7 Induction Day
The 2017 school year starts for Year 7 students on Friday
3rd February with an Induction Day from 11.00 am until
8.30am - 3.00pm
Leadership day - Year 13 Senior Leaders
11.00am - 3.00pm
Peer Support Training
11.00am - 3.10pm
Orientation Day for Year 7 students
Monday 6th February
Waitangi Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
Tuesday 7th February
8.30am
Normal School day - All students on site.
3.10 pm. Students should wear school uniform and bring
a pen, P.E. gear, paper and lunch. Students may also bring
some of their stationery so they can store it in their lockers
until needed.
Natasha Parsons
Year 7 and 8 Dean
Summer Reading
Normal classes from spell 2 onwards
Research has shown that it is really important
2016 NCEA & Scholarship Information
NCEA RESULTS NOTICES
for students to keep up their reading over the
long summer holidays, so as not to slide backwards in their learning.
These will be available on line in mid January from the girls
We are pleased with uptake on our summer borrowing,
Learner Login on the NZQA website.
and the shelves are looking emptier!
NCEA Results Notices will only be sent to those who order one.
Some of the Year 8
Students must order their own results documents through their
Book
Learner Login by the end of December to receive in mid Janu-
Club
students
with their books.
ary 2017. Results Notices show NCEA results from previous
years.
Scholarship Results Notices will be sent to all Scholarship candidates.
CHANGE OF ADDREES FOR RETURN OF EXAMINATION
BOOKLETS
Our eBook library is always open, it is great for students
who are travelling, or who run out of books!
Students have access to: a Primary ePlatform at https://
storansprimary.wheelers.co/ and a Secondary ePlatform
Students who have a permanent change from 6 December 2016
at https://storans.wheelers.co/
need to contact NZQA on 0800697296 before 31 December to u
Login details are the same for both. Students use their
borrower/ID number and their date of birth (dd/mm/
yyyy). If you need instructions on how to access the
eBooks on your device look in the ‘support’ area, and
‘step-by-step’ instructions.
date their details, to ensure their booklets are sent to the correct
address.
Students should also notify the school office of this permanent
address change.
RECONSIDERATION AND REVIEW APPLICATIONS FOR
Coleen Boyd - Library Manager
2016 NCEA & SCHOLARSHIP EXTERNAL EXAMINATION
RESULTS
Students use their Learner Login to complete Reconsideration
and Review applications.
DERIVED GRADE INFORMATION
Please check our website for updated information.
Wishing all of our
families all the very
best for the
festive season.
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To make it easy for you when purchasing stationery for next
Paper Plus Lower Hutt is very pleased to be able to supply all
year, we have teamed up with OfficeMax and have organised
your stationery and book needs for the 2017 school year. We
to have our back to school stationery and workbook lists for
will have in store all items listed on the St Oran’s College sta-
each class/year loaded on to myschool.co.nz for you to view,
tionery.
download a copy, or order from.
Just to quickly recap the OfficeMax MySchool benefits for
you are:
To buy your Back to School requirements you will be able to:
Place an order through our web site by going to
www.paperplus.co.nz/backtoschool or by clicking on the link
Competitive prices - find a lower price and OfficeMax will
from the St Oran’s College website.
match it (conditions apply, see myschool.co.nz for details)

Ring us on 04 5698406 with your list of requirements
Free delivery - for orders over $57.50 incl. GST

Come into our store with your list and we will help you
if you wish to pick and pack your order.
Save valuable holiday time - avoid busy shopping malls and
shop online from the comfort of home
Multiple ordering options - online at myschool.co.nz, freephone 0800 724 440, freefax 0800 367 724, mail order or OfficeMax retail store

Email your requirements to us at [email protected]
Doing your Back to School shopping with Paper Plus has a
number of benefits for yourself and St Oran’s College including:
Delivery that suits - you can choose delivery to your home or 
workplace, and receive your order during the holidays
Quality product - your child will start the year with the cor-

We are experts in the Back to School business and have
been assisting Hutt Valley families for over 14 years
with their Back to School shopping

We offer personal assistance when you shop in store,
we will even pick and pack your order if necessary

Our pricing is competitive with the market and we
back this up with a best p rice guarantee

We have staff available to help make your shopping
easy and stress free

We are locally owned and operated

We are the only book and stationery store with FLY
rect supplies that will last
Payment options - choose to pay with your credit/debit card,
internet banking (with DPS secure payment) or pay by cash
in an OfficeMax retail store.
Buying through OfficeMax MySchool can also earn our school
Rewards which we can redeem for much needed educational
supplies, equipment for our classrooms or for students in
need.
In our experience we’ve found the easiest way to purchase
your back to school stationery and workbooks is online at
myschool.co.nz. Simply search for our school, select your
child's class/subject lists and follow the instructions on the
website.
We make a donation to St Oran’s College based on the
total sales to St Oran’s College families
BUYS
We look forward to being of assistance to you in January 2017.
Thank you in anticipation of your support,
John Vallely, Owner
To order by mail order and/or pay by cheque, all you have to
do is go to myschool.co.nz, select the items you require, and
when you get to the check out, click on the Mail Order Form
button. This will build a customised mail order form for you
to print.
Note: please check the delivery windows at myschool.co.nz
to ensure you place your order in time to receive before
school starts.
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