Word
from Marsden
www.marsden.school.nz
2011
WORD FROM MARSDEN | 1
The spirit of Marsden
The spirit of Marsden is underpinned by the four
pillars of EXCELLENCE, RESILIENCE, CREATIVITY
and GIVING.
Inside this issue
Box Office Success
2
Gala Delivers Record Result
3
NCEA, Scholarship and Cambridge
4
Encouraging Artistic Excellence
4
We aim to link all our goals to the four pillars
and seek to use the qualities of grit and grace
to achieve them. Grit represents determination,
courage and effort; grace represents kindness,
empathy and integrity.
Scholarships5
Sporting Successes
5
Exploring our
Spiritual Identity
7
Partnering in the Pacific
7
School Exchange a Win for All
9
Supporting Christchurch
9
Giving Back to our Community
10
Relay for Life
10
Innovation for
World Vision
11
Welcoming International Students
11
Marsden Whitby
12
Marsden Primary
14
Marsden Old Girls
16
Management Board
19
Trust Board
19
From the Principal
20
Cover picture
There was great excitement at school on Monday 15 August as students
arrived to see the fields white with snow following a polar blast from the
south. Pictured are Shanella Nallaiah and Lizzie Callaghan, enjoying the
once in a lifetime experience of a snowfall at Marsden.
Cosy atmosphere
Three private rooms
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WORD FROM MARSDEN | 3
2 | WORD FROM MARSDEN
Creativity
Grease is the word! Well it was in July,
when senior students from Marsden
staged the much-loved musical Grease
to sell-out audiences.
Comprising a cast of 50 – with four
male roles performed by students from
St. Patrick’s, Wellington and Scots
Colleges – this was always going to be
an impressive production. The students
tackled the challenge with relish,
committing to 10 weeks of rehearsals
(all outside school time) and performing
one matinee and four evening shows.
Producers Sarah Wilson and Di Smith
Danny and Patty
Box Office Success
were responsible for coordinating the
show, and were fortunate to have
some expert help from three theatre
specialists. Director Francesca Emms,
Musical Director Kate Marshall and
Choreographer Stacey Neal, who
together have extensive experience in
Wellington’s theatre scene, added a
professional polish to the production.
“It was a pleasure to work with such
a great team of people,” says Di.
“The performers were so enthusiastic,
and staff members and parents did
a fantastic job in producing more
Sandy and Danny
Gala Delivers Record Result
than 170 costumes. We also couldn’t
have done without the students who
volunteered to help with lighting and
set design. When you have a tight
budget, every little bit helps!”
Di says Grease proved an excellent
choice for the biennial school
production. “Unlike many stage shows,
Grease has a number of lead roles
and some strong supporting parts, so
we could showcase the talents of a
number of students. Given that they all
had to be able to sing, dance and act,
it was a wonderful opportunity.”
Marsden now has a brand-new
minivan, thanks to the amazing
generosity of those who came along to
our Gala on Sunday 6 March.
We’re delighted that hundreds of
people turned up to support our
biennial fundraiser. Fortunately the
organising committee had decided to
locate most of the stalls and activities
indoors, because the rain bucketed
down from start to finish!
Treasures on the toy stall
Our visitors clearly had a great
time, sampling the delicious foodie
treats, snapping up the host of
bargains, trying their luck at tombola,
and enjoying live entertainment
accompanied by a traditional
Devonshire tea. Highlights for the
adults included a very well patronised
auction and our first-ever ‘designer
clothing’ stall, while the children were
entertained with games and sausage
sizzles.
There was something for everyone
and it showed in the result: the Gala
delivered a record fundraising total of
$57,000!
Hosted by the Marsden Parents’
Association, this event is the product
The Chorus
Creativity
of months of preparation and hours of
work. Our congratulations and thanks
go to the Gala Committee and its
team of organisers, and to the many
volunteers who produced goods for
sale and provided essential services on
the day. We also thank Ursula Egan,
who masterminded the event, and
our friends and sponsors, including
principal sponsor Harcourts – Team
Wellington.
Most of all we thank the Marsden
family and the wider community for
your donations and support. Our new
minivan will be invaluable for sports
and cultural trips, and we wouldn’t
have been able to acquire it without
you.
The team at the Designer Clothing Store
Pink Ladies
A delicious
toffee apple
Ursula Egan, Gala Convener,
with the new mini van
The hugely popular Deli Stall
Bows
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WORD FROM MARSDEN | 5
4 | WORD FROM MARSDEN
Excellence
Academic Results Karori
NCEA, Scholarship and Cambridge 2010
We’re proud of the outstanding results
our students achieved in their 2010
qualifications.
for the celebration and shared some of
their new university experiences with
the students.
At our April Scholars’ Assembly we
awarded scholars’ badges and colours
to the top-performing students. Two of
our high-achieving 2010 old girls, Olivia
Norling and Camilla Riddiford, returned
We were particularly pleased to see a
high percentage of students earning
NCEA endorsements – both merit
endorsements (where 50 or more of
the NCEA credits gained were at merit
or excellence level) and excellence
endorsements (where 50 or more
credits were at excellence level). The
comparative statistics below illustrate
how well our students performed
against the highest-performing group
of students in the country (girls
in decile 10 schools) and national
statistics.
Marsden students were awarded
29 Scholarships, an excellent result
for a year group of 77. Special
congratulations to Olivia Norling, who
gained four Scholarships, including two
Outstanding Scholarships.
Cambridge International
Examinations
Marsden Karori
Girls in decile 10
schools
National
Achieved Level 1
100%
97%
73%
L1 Endorsed with Excellence
57%
32%
9%
Achieved Level 2
100%
97%
79%
A number of our students chose to
enter one or more subjects for the
Cambridge International Examinations
as well as the NCEA. This is a
particularly challenging pathway, and
we congratulation them for their
achievements. Particular mentions go to
Kate Burgess, Alex Cliffe, Alex Hollis and
Avantika Singh, who gained 100% in
AS -Level English literature.
L2 Endorsed with Excellence
26%
20%
7%
Tertiary study awards
Achieved Level 3
98%
93%
72%
Increasing competition among the
universities to attract top students has
L3 Endorsed with Excellence
23%
15%
6%
“My work is a biography of me; is yours a
biography of you?”
work,” she says. “It’s lovely to see such enthusiasm – and
artistic potential.”
That’s the question Lynne Sandri asked of our senior art
and painting students as part of her role as Marsden’s
2011 Artist in Residence. The answer is important, she
says, because “art isn’t just a painting, it’s an expression of
who you are and the life that you have led”.
Lynne is active in supporting and nurturing the Wellington
art scene. She was involved in establishing the Affordable
Art Show in Wellington and remains a member of the
selection team and curator. Her work is held in major
private and corporate collections internationally and
throughout New Zealand. Marsden students achieved a number
of sporting successes during 2011 – on
the sports field and on the ski slopes,
in the water and in the wild. Here’s a
glimpse of some of the highlights.
Hannah Altman
Lynne Sandri alongside one of her paintings
Hannah Altman trounced the rest of
the field in winning the Junior Under
17 trophy at the 2011 New Zealand
During her residency Lynne mapped out, sketched and
painted 24 artworks from the ‘Art House’, a dedicated
studio space in our Art and Design department.
An ‘investigation into how generations’ memories
are expressed and the contexts in which they are
generated’, the paintings became a solo exhibition
hosted in August by Wellington Star Mercedes-Benz.
Victoria University of Wellington
Excellence Scholarship: Amelia
Aburn, Rose Byron (Year 13 2009),
Emma Harman (Year 13 2009), Lucy
McLeod (on exchange in 2010),
Miriam Moore, Sarah Moxon, Michaela
Petrove, Camilla Riddiford, Sophie Sara.
Massey University High Achiever
Scholarship: Chloe MacLachlan,
Camilla Riddiford. University of
Auckland Scholarship: Enakshi
Chakravorty, Kate McCaw, Augusta
Wills. University of Otago Leaders of
Tomorrow Scholarship: Olivia Norling,
Lucy Sulzberger. University of Otago
Māori Entrance Scholarship: Rahera
Douglas.
Academic results – Whitby
Congratulations to the Whitby students
and teachers for their 2010 results. 96%
of students gained Level 1 certificates,
with 62% gaining merit or excellence
endorsements (compared with 38%
nationally). 100% of the students
gained their Level 2 certificates, with
50% gaining merit or excellence
endorsements (compared with 27%
nationally). Our four Level 3 students
gained their certificates, with two
earning merit endorsements.
Tertiary Study Awards
Otago University Dux Scholarship:
Alex Embury. Trust Porirua
Scholarship: Nicholas Gadd.
Kayak Marathon Championships.
The Year 12 student completed the
12-kilometre race in 1:15:38 – two
minutes and 25 seconds ahead of
her nearest competitor. Hannah races
for the North Shore club, so travels
to Auckland regularly to train with
coach (and Olympics gold medallist)
Ian Ferguson. She also has a rigorous
fitness programme that includes
running, biking and weight training.
Year 8 student Brianna Egley was
selected to travel with nine other
Kiwis to compete in the world’s
largest women’s gymnastics invitation
competition, the Illinois Gymnastics
Institute Chicago Style Meet. Brianna
placed third in the vault and the bar for
Brianna Egley
her level, and finished ninth overall – a
fantastic result that reflects her passion
for artistic gymnastics and commitment
to more than 20 hours a week of
training.
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“Painting is often a solitary profession, so it’s been
fantastic to interact with the students and their
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led to a number of valuable, and highly
sought after, tertiary scholarships. We’re
delighted at the number of Marsden
school leavers who were offered grants
for tertiary study:
Sporting Successes
Encouraging Artistic Excellence
Lynne’s five-week residence, which was sponsored by
Wellington Star Mercedes-Benz, saw the full-time
painter share with the students both her passion
for her work and the story of her success in the
commercial world. “I want them to know that you
can make something you love doing into a business
and a career,” she says.
Excellence
Scholarships
Directors: Chris and Barbro Scott
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6 | WORD FROM MARSDEN
Excellence
Maggie Burns
Maggie Burns demonstrated her
winning style in the 50-metre freestyle
event at the 2011 New Zealand Junior
Swimming Championships, held at
Kilbirnie in February. The Year 9 student
swims for the Capital Swim Club and
manages to fit into her week five
training sessions as well as netball and
piano lessons. She’s now progressed to
‘national’ level, which promises more
exciting competition in the future.
Sporting Successes cntd.
Hannah Sampson, Emma Carruthers
& Lauren Turner
girls’ relay at the North Island
Secondary School Championships
in April. Describing the sport as an
exhilarating combination of treasure
hunt and cross-country race, the
girls used their skills in running and
navigation to beat the field. They
say they love orienteering because it
enables them to travel the country,
enjoy the outdoors and meet new
people.
A great hockey performance
at the 2011 National Under-18
Tournament saw Year 13 student
Madeleine Simmonds selected for
the 30-member women’s squad in
the 2011 Under 18 Tiger Turf Junior
Academy. She’ll attend a training
camp in Christchurch in October, from
which the final squad of 20 players will
be chosen and invited to play a test
match against Australia in December.
Madeleine says it’s the most exciting
thing to have ever happened to her; we
wish her well at the camp!
Madeleine Chapman
Hunter-Rose Smith and Chelsea Wallace
Emma Fulbrooke
Marsden students Chelsea Wallace
(Year 12) and Hunter-Rose Smith
(Year 11) were two of only four skiers
selected for Snow Sports New Zealand’s
Junior Olympic Development team. The
team was established to prepare the
athletes for the 2012 Youth Olympic
Games, to be held on 13-22 January
in Innsbruck, Austria. Hunter’s sister,
Taylor, is a member of the 2010/11
New Zealand ski team and regularly
competes in Europe.
The Marsden orienteering team of
Lauren Turner (Year 12), Hannah
Sampson (Year 11) and Emma
Carruthers (Year 9) won the senior
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Madeleine Simmonds
Talk to Marsden Chaplain Rosemary
Poland and it’s clear that she’s
passionate about her work at the
school. It’s not surprising: in the five
years that she’s held the role, Rosemary
has seen some amazing change.
journeys,” she says. “Offering two
different but linked perspectives, we
can provide a richer, more relevant
experience for them.”
“Five years ago Marsden‘s spiritual
dimension was less than ideal, “ she
says. “Students attended services at St
Mary’s each term, but apart from that
Christianity wasn’t really part of their
lives, either at school or at home. Now,
things are so different!”
Soon after arriving at the school,
Rosemary developed a new ‘spirituality
programme’, through which she
introduced once-a-term chapel services
for each student year, end-of-term
services for the whole school at St
Mary’s, dedicated assembly times once
a fortnight, and weekend retreats for
students and staff. She also brought an
inspirational new approach, through
her work with the school’s Religious
Education teacher, Nigel SchofieldMatthews.
“We work together to engage
the students in their own spiritual
Resilience
– speakers, encouraging students to
explore ideas, ask the ‘big questions’
and challenge conventional thought.
She purposely invites male speakers
who are passionate about their faith
– dispelling any preconceptions about
religion being a ‘female thing’.
“Being boring and predictable simply
won’t work with our students,” says
Rosemary. “We want to excite them,
help them to be open to the spiritual
possibilities, and to understand where
God is in their everyday lives.”
Primary School Baptism Service
For example, Nigel’s teaching is
integrated with the year-specific chapel
services, providing students with
age-appropriate connections between
their learning and their own spiritual
development. Rosemary also invites
to her assemblies a wide range of
stimulating – and often controversial
Rosemary and Nigel meet every
three weeks with Marsden’s Director
of School Pastoral, Anne Field and
Director of Marsden Primary, Celia
McCarthy. “We discuss ideas and
issues, what’s working and what we
could do better,” says Rosemary. “It’s a
great help in my work.”
The change in five years has been
dramatic. “Marsden now has a secure
identity as an Anglican school and
the students are more confident and
engaged in their spiritual identities,”
says Rosemary. “We’ve come so far; it’s
been a hugely rewarding experience.”
Partnering in the Pacific
Hannah Sampson
Orienteer Hannah Sampson has since
been chosen as one of four senior girls
in the secondary schools team travelling
to the 2011 Australian Schools/
School Sport Australia Orienteering
Championships. Hannah will spend a
week competing in Victoria, New South
Wales and ACT.
Exploring our
Spiritual Identity
WORD FROM MARSDEN | 7
Marsden’s links with the Pacific strengthened during 2011, with visits
to Fiji and Samoa.
Madeleine Chapman (Year 13) and
Emma Fulbrook (Year 9) excelled
in the javelin at the North Island
Secondary School Championships,
winning the Senior Girls and Junior
Girls sections respectively. Both say
they’ve honed their throwing and
hand-eye coordination skills in cricket
(which is just one of many sports they
play). The fact that they’re relative
newcomers to the javelin highlights
their natural talent – and their
considerable potential for the future.
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Twelve Year 13 students made the school’s inaugural journey to St
James Anglican Primary School in Fiji, which is located at Levuka on
Ovalau Island, to the east of Viti Levu. They had raised more than
$2,300 for the school, using it to buy a laptop, a CD player, digital
and video cameras, books, and sports and art equipment. They also
received generous donations from the community, including jerseys
from Onslow Football Club and books from Marsden Books.
SAMOA
Accompanied by Marsden Primary School’s Director Celia McCarthy
and teacher Christine Barlow, the students thoroughly enjoyed their
week in the community. They taught the schoolchildren how to use
the new equipment, shared maths, reading and writing lessons, and
took part in arts and crafts activities and a very competitive game of
netball.
“It was humbling to see the effects of our visit on the school,” says
Celia. “The joy on the children’s faces when we presented them with
the books said it all. We’re very proud of the Marsden team – they
did a fantastic job and we look forward to returning to Fiji next
year.”
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Dee helps a student in a maths lesson
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WORD FROM MARSDEN | 9
8 | WORD FROM MARSDEN
Resilience
School Exchange a Win for All
Partnering in the Pacific contd.
The visit to Samoa followed a highly successful first trip in
2010. A new group of Year 13 students spent a week in the
village of Safotu, providing the local primary school with
laptops, digital cameras, calculators, LED monitors, reading
materials and a pallet-load of printing paper.
Australia-New Zealand relations reached a whole new level
when four students from Queensland visited Marsden in
March.
Beautiful puletahas were made for the Marsden
students and teachers
Hannah Nugent, Kate Gallagher, Libby McPherson and
Gabby Correy – all from Fairholme College in Toowoomba
– came to the school on the first stage of a four-week
exchange programme. Buddied with four Year 10 Marsden
students, they enjoyed a uniquely New Zealand experience
that included a week of adventure at the Sir Edmund Hillary
Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Tongariro National Park, two
weeks at Marsden and a week of holiday.
“These added to the equipment and other materials we
took last year, which are still highly prized by the school,”
says Pam McConchie, who escorted the students along with
Sarah Wirth and Jenny Williams.
The visitors joined classes at the school, helping students
and teachers to find the best uses for the new equipment,
and attended the after-school ‘Homework Club’, showing
the teachers how to use the technology and helping the
students with their assignments. They were also billeted
with local families for two afternoons, helping to prepare
meals, learning to make coconut milk, swimming in the local
watering hole, even joining the hunt for a pig!
SAMOA
Eager participants at the Homework Club
Resilience
It was an opportunity for all eight students to share their
knowledge and perceptions of school and life on both sides
of the Tasman – and for the Australians, a chance to try
the Kiwi schooling system. Their conclusion: that we learn
different things here, and much of the schoolwork is more
difficult than they’re used to at home!
In August the four Marsden students, Lucy KnowlesMcCreanor, Rebecca Goddard, Nicole Rennie and Ella
Morrison, completed the programme, taking a four-week trip
to Fairholme.
Supporting Christchurch
Marsden students rallied to support those affected by the devastating
earthquake that struck Christchurch in February 2011. More than
$5,000 was raised through a mufti day, a bake sale and sausage sizzles,
and through collections at the school’s Gala in March. The funds
were directed through the Christchurch Mayoral fund to schools in
Christchurch.
“The girls all felt that they received so much more from
the experience than they gave,” says Pam. “They gained
enormous insights into the meaning of ‘community’, and
learned that people can lead rich and rewarding lives no
matter what their circumstances.
In addition, senior students worked with other secondary schools in
central Wellington to order and sell ‘Band 4 Hope’ wristbands. Cultural
Captain Kate Burgess also hosted an auction of students’ art, with the
$3,800 raised going to support Avonside Girls’ High School.
“It was incredibly rewarding to spend time with wonderful
people in one of the world’s most beautiful places. We left
feeling that we were a deeply loved part of the parish.”
SAMOA
Simone Blaylock hands the cheque to the Principal
of Avonside Girls’ High School, Sue Hume
Izzy reads to two students
The farewell concert
FIJI
Marsden Students and teachers were presented with leis and gifts
at the farewell concert
Art Auction for Christchurch
FIJI
FIJI
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Sizzling sausages for Christchurch
10 | WORD FROM MARSDEN
Giving Back to our
Community
Giving
A new initiative among Marsden’s
Year 9 students has demonstrated that
competition and community can go
hand in hand – and deliver powerful
results for everyone involved.
The inaugural ‘Year 9 Service Shield’
competition challenged students to
excel in community service – both as
individuals (for two hours each) and
as groups (for an afternoon). They
were encouraged to come up with
their own ideas and were well briefed
on the rules, the expectations and the
potential risks.
The results exceeded the organisers’
expectations, as students tackled their
tasks with innovation, enthusiasm and
a healthy dose of rivalry. Individual
activities (totalling more than 178
hours) included picking up rubbish,
attending St John courses, collecting
shopping for the elderly, visiting people
confined to their homes, mowing lawns
and baking. Group activities ranged
from volunteering at the Newtown
SPCA to working at Karori Pool, visiting
residents at Huntleigh Retirement
Home and Sprott House and helping
out at Karori Normal School.
With their community work complete,
the groups were required to present on
their initiatives to the school assembly.
Working at Karori Pool
Volunteering at the Newtown SPCA
They were then judged according
to the initiatives themselves, their
assembly presentations and their total
hours of service.
The Service Shield went to class 9CR,
whose students baked for, visited
and sang to residents at Huntleigh
Retirement Home, then invited them
along to their assembly presentation.
However, there was more than one
winning class. The competition proved
inspirational for all the students who
took part – illustrating the power of the
community spirit as a force for good,
for everyone.
Visiting the Huntleigh Retirement Home
WORD FROM MARSDEN | 11
Innovation for
World Vision
Marsden’s annual fundraising drive for World Vision went
well beyond the money in 2011; it also included a unique
interpretation of television’s ‘Survivor’ programme!
Four teams of Year 12 and 13 students were given cardboard
boxes, tape and scissors, then tasked with foraging for and
building, then staying overnight in, their own ‘Slum City’.
This set the scene for 17 hours of intense and often hilarious
competition – from sourcing ‘furniture’ for their dwellings to
competing against each other for food in a scavenger hunt
and wheelbarrow, relay and three-legged races.
Giving
Teams earned points for their wins and team spirit, and
awards for their creativity, with shelters judged according to
criteria such as indoor-outdoor flow, entrance appeal and
overall prettiness. They also received points for tidying up
the common room when the whole thing was over; the fact
that this was done in just 15 minutes indicates the zeal with
which the students tackled their tasks!
Tragically, only one shelter survived the night. However, the
teams emerged in great shape, having both enjoyed, and
learned from, the experience.
Welcoming International Students
Marsden’s Dean of International Students provides
newcomers to the school with a unique introduction to
New Zealand – a weekend of camping at his family’s bach
in the Marlborough Sounds.
Andrew Tideswell says he’s delighted to invite the students
along, offering them opportunities to go kayaking, bushwalking and sailing, try their hand at the barbecue and, of
course, put up their own tents.
“The weekend is a real highlight for them,” he says.
“They love being in the outdoors and seeing the seals,
birds, dolphins and jellyfish. They often comment on the
stars in the night sky, because they just don’t see them at
home.”
International Students enjoy canoeing in the Marlborough Sounds
Japanese student Chisato Iida fishing from a yacht in
Marlborough Sounds
Relay for Life
Raising money for the Cancer Society just
a month after the February Christchurch
earthquake was a challenging task – but
Relay for Life participants delivered in style,
with a record-breaking $17,500!
The Year 12 and 13 students taking part
went all out on the pre-event fundraising
trail, organising sausage sizzles and
bake sales, taking collection buckets to
Marsden Village and waging a ‘penny
war’ at the school that raised $3,000 all
on its own. They also garnered some very
generous donations from family, friends
and organisations – true testament to the
support for New Zealand’s fight against
cancer.
Proud sponsor of the Mercedes-Benz
Artist in Residence Programme at Marsden
The Marsden team
As for the event itself, a team of 50 staff and students combined to run an exhausting 19-hour relay around a onekilometre loop in Frank Kitts Park. It was a great success at all levels, with Marsden topping the list of schools for its
fundraising result, and gaining first place among the all girls’ schools, and sixth place overall, for the number of laps
completed.
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Whitby
WORD FROM MARSDEN | 13
Supporting Students
to Succeed
Whitby
A new initiative at Marsden Whitby promises to deliver
significant benefits for our students.
Photographer of the Year
Jessica Eagle (Year 10) won the Junior Human Impact
and Junior Scenic Impressions sections of a photographic
competition organised by the Guardians of the Pauatahanui
Inlet.
Year 9-13 students work with tutor mentors and their
parents to develop ‘personal development plans’, enabling
them to set goals and reflect on their performance at school.
They also get 30 minutes a day of ‘vertical tutor time’, where
modules from the Inform Mentoring Programme cover
topics such as confidence and self-esteem, understanding
whakapapa, taking responsibility, learning styles, how your
brain works, and study techniques.
Rewarding Excellence
The inaugural Marsden Whitby Scholars Assembly in April
recognised the school’s academic successes of 2010: Year 12
students Terry Collins-Hawkins, Andre Embury and Simon Yip
(who achieved NCEA Level 1 Endorsed with Excellence) and
Logan Page (Level 2 Endorsed with Excellence).
Meanwhile, Year 7-8 students are taking part in a
programme of ‘Giving, Gratitude and Goals’. With a focus
on devising projects to serve the community, it aims to
help students discover leadership opportunities, work in a
supportive environment to serve others, and develop habits
that last a lifetime.
Reading is also a priority, with Friday’s vertical tutor time
dedicated to DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) – a drive
to encourage the enjoyment of fiction that’s proven a
spectacular success, especially among the junior boys.
Leadership Development
Vietnam tour
Travelling Internationally
Vietnam featured large in the school’s 2011 activities. Joshua
Hamilton (Year 10) was one of four New Zealanders selected
by the Global Volunteer Network to spend two weeks there
in the July break, looking after and working with children in
Vietnamese orphanages.
Year 12 history students also travelled to Vietnam, together
with their Karori compatriots. One word from them all
described the exhilarating experience: “Unforgettable”.
Simon Yip receives his Certificate from Chairman of the Marsden
Whitby Sub-committee Mrs Elaine Mc Caw
Education; and Year 7 students are writing and producing
a two-page newspaper spread in conjunction with CityLife
News.
All Year 12 students completed a five-week leadership course
in conjunction with The Lodge in Pauatahanui. Comprising
activities designed to build confidence, team-building skills
and awareness, the course required the students to work
together in The Lodge’s kitchen – compiling menus, working
within a budget and undertaking front-of-house duties.
Sporting Achiever
Marsden Whitby and Karori excelled at ‘The Big Sing’ 2011,
New Zealand’s group-singing competition for secondary
school students. Their success included winning the cup for
the team best representing the spirit of the event.
Congratulations go to Terence Collins Hawkins (Year 12),
who won first and second places in the 100- and 200- metre
races respectively at the Regional Athletics. As a result
Terence was selected for the Wellington secondary schools
team to compete at the 2011 North Island School Athletic
Championships in Hamilton
Rebecca & Melanie Burge and Raymond Tresidder
sprint for the finish at cross country
Year 12 Leadership Development at The Lodge
Winning in the Big Sing
New Cafeteria
Facilities for the Future
A building programme during summer 2010/11 has created
some exciting new teaching spaces that, from 2012, will
see all Marsden Whitby students being taught in all subjects
on-site. We also now have a home room dedicated to Year 7
students to help ease the transition from primary school, as
well as a new cafeteria and a senior science laboratory.
Hosting Christchurch
During Term 1 Marsden Whitby was pleased to support
those affected by the Canterbury earthquakes by hosting
three students from Christchurch schools. The school also
organised a series of fundraisers, including a fun run, bake
sale and lunchtime concert, raising more than $6,300 for the
Red Cross Earthquake Appeal.
New Science Lab
Learning in ‘Real Life’
Marsden Whitby’s links with Partners Porirua are enabling
students to access real-life work experiences via local
businesses – all with the goal of highlighting potential career
opportunities.
Year 10 students spent a day learning about Wellington’s
geology from GNS Science’s Dr Hamish Campbell; a group
of students visited Capital & Coast District Health Board’s
Wellington Regional Centre for Simulation and Skills
www.marsden.school.nz
www.marsden.school.nz
WORD FROM MARSDEN | 15
14 | WORD FROM MARSDEN
Primary
Primary
Marsden Primary students applied intellect and creativity in
their projects for the school’s biennial Science Fair, which was
held at the end of term 2.
The culmination of a term-long focus on science, the Fair
enabled the girls to apply their learning about ‘fair testing’,
where only one factor (the variable) is changed and all other
conditions stay the same. Year 1-3 students developed a
project per class, while those in Years 4-6 completed their
projects in small groups.
A special guest gave the students some intriguing insights
into physics, chemistry and biology. Dr Stephen Hartley –
Senior Lecturer at Victoria University’s School of Biological
Sciences, and Dad to Year 6 student Rebekah – delighted
the students with his magical experiments and jaw-dropping
biological knowledge. Accomplishing miracles such as
turning red cabbage to pink, green and blue, then revealing
fascinating facts about flies, he proved that science is much,
much more than lab coats and test tubes.
A Tuatara Tale
In early July the students were thrilled to make the
acquaintance of Spike – a tuatara on a special outing from
Victoria University. As well as learning some intriguing details
about the tuatara (did you know that if a bird bites off its tail
it grows a new one?), the students were able to get up close
and personal, discovering just how soft its prickly-looking
body really is.
Living Off the Land
The Marsden Primary Garden is yielding a bounteous crop
of flowers and vegetables for students to both enjoy and
Max has a closer look
Elsie checks out the swan plant
Students have enjoyed creating delectable dishes from the
harvest of strawberries, lettuce, silverbeet, peppers, herbs
and broccoli. It’s a great reward for all their dedication and
hard work!
Mrs Ballara looks on while Alex Y2
adds vinegar to oil
Jenny (Y2) and Spike
Isabella, Fenna and Michelle (Y5) test soils
consume. Generously funded by the Marsden Parents’
Association, it now features easy-access planter boxes as
well as a beautiful mosaic, designed and created by the
students with help from artist Barbara Spencer. If you
haven’t seen it already, make a point of it on your next visit
– it overlooks the garden and depicts the delights of the
changing seasons.
Ashleigh and Grace (Y2) top the quiche
with cheese
Nicole and Pippa (Y2) make spinach quiche
Science Fair (Y6) Amy, Annabelle and Astrid
Mosaic panels in the Primary Garden
Alex, Luccia and Samantha (Y2)
coffee supplier
to marsdeN school
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Grace, Zoe and Joyce (Y1) making predictions about floating and sinking
Mia and Yael (Y3) in their Science lesson taken by Dr Hartley
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www.marsden.school.nz
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16 | WORD FROM MARSDEN
Old Girls
WORD FROM MARSDEN | 17
Catching up with
Marsden Old Girls
Our hearts and thoughts have gone out to those in the
Marsden Old Girls’ community who have been affected by
Canterbury’s earthquakes. Memories of the very happy
evening Principal , Ms Jenny Williams, had with Old Girls in
Christchurch last November serves as a poignant reminder
of the unexpected and unforeseen nature of life. Judy
Tudehope (Gibbons) organized a wonderful evening of
reminiscing and Jenny Williams brought guests up to date
with life at Marsden today.
Old Girls weekend in 2010 was a hugely successful event
with the largest attendance for many years at Old Girls’
Assembly. Guest speaker at assembly was Old Girl, Felicity
Lusk, who is Headmistress of Abingdon School, Oxfordshire,
a 750 year old independent boys’ school. (Many Old Girls
may have seen the fascinating and inspiring interview
with Felicity screened by TVNZ’s Sunday programme on
10 April this year.) At the same Assembly, Old Girl Nicky
Saker presented the school with a most arresting portrait
of Katherine Mansfield created by Glenda Randerson. The
picture was donated to Marsden by Nicky and her husband,
Old Girls’ Assembly Felicity Lusk addresses students
at the Old Girls Assembly
Old Girls
Christchurch reunion Organiser of the reunion
Judy Tudehope (Gibbons)
with her daughter Nicky Ward (Tudehope)
Tauranga Old Girls reunion organisers Margot van Cingel
(Pinfold), Alison Stirling (Chapman), & Rosemary Newbold (Steed)
Christine Stroud (Simpson) , Janne Shewan (Craig),
and Anne Field (Robertson) at Marsden Whitby
Auckland old girls Hana McEwan, Sarah Hughes
and Lucy Foster
Steph Dawson, Sarah Moxon, Anne Field
and Kate McCaw in Auckland
Fiona Cooke, Kate Reese, Olivia Blundell, Lottie Ashford
and Henrietta Cooke in Dunedin
Gemma Aspell, Kimberley Wake, Hannah Kirk and Michelle
Ashley with Ms Jenny Williams in Dunedin
up with them and hearing all the post-Marsden news. A
similarly successful get together was organised for our young
Old Girls in Dunedin in September at Innocent Bystander in
the Octagon.
The MOGA Committee organised a wonderful lunch for
senior Marsden Karori Old Girls at Marsden Whitby in 6
August. Director of Marsden Whitby Mrs Anne Winnall
gave a most entertaining and informative talk about
the school and student leaders took Old Girls on tours
around the school. These impressive young leaders were
knowledgeable, patient and obviously very proud of their
school. It was a pleasure to meet them and see the vibrant
campus that is Marsden Whitby.
Do look out for news of:
• Decade dinners to be held on 28 October here and for
invitations to;
• Auckland OG reunion Wednesday 9 November and
• Tauranga OG reunion lunch May 2012
Justice Mark O’Regan, to celebrate the posthumous
induction of the famous writer and Marsden Old Girl into
our Marsden Hall of Fame.
Please direct queries to Martine Foster Director of
Development 04 4768 792 ext. 876 or email martine.foster@
marsden.school.nz.
The Decade dinner for Old Girls was superbly organised by
the MOGA Committee and we know many continued to
share Marsden memories well into the night.
Marsden Old Girls’ Scholarship
Over 40 Marsden Old Girls met for a splendid lunch in
Tauranga on 7 May. Organisers Elaine Hollins (Smith),
Margot Pinfold, Alison Stirling (Coleman) Rosemary
Newbald (Steed) and Claire Rainey (Stewart) created a
truly memorable event with chatter and laughter well in to
the late afternoon. The lunch was so successful, that the
Tauranga branch is organising another in May 2012. Watch
your emails and the Marsden website for details.
Young Old Girls, who are studying or working in Auckland,
enjoyed meeting school friends over drinks at the A&M and
Racket Bar in Britomart in May. They were joined by Principal,
Ms Jenny Williams, Director of Pastoral Care, Mrs Anne Field
and former Principal, Mrs Gillian Eadie who loved catching
We are delighted by the number of students who have
applied for the 2012 Marsden Old Girls’ Scholarship
which will be announced at Old Girls’ Assembly on
Friday 28 October. The Marsden Old Girls’ Association
offers a scholarship for students who are daughters/
granddaughters of an Old Girl and who will enter Year 9 in
the following year.
Elaine Hollins (Smith) addresses the lunch in Tauranga
www.marsden.school.nz
The scholarship offers half tuition fees for three years and
is awarded by an examination and interview of short listed
www.marsden.school.nz
candidates by a selection committee. The examination
is held each year in June. The award is made on overall
ability including academic, character and likely contribution
to the School.
If you are an Old Girl who has a daughter or grand
daughter entering Marsden Karori’s Year 9 in 2013, please
consider an application for this scholarship – For more
information and an application form go to our website
www.marsden.school.nz/scholarships
WORD FROM MARSDEN | 19
18 | WORD FROM MARSDEN
Old Girls
The Boards
Management Board
Old Girls’ Day and Decade Dinners
Friday 28 October 2011
All Marsden Old Girls are most welcome at Old Girls’
events to be held on Friday 28 October. We would like
to remind all those Marsden Old Girls who celebrate their
decades this year that your coordinators are working hard
to bring you all together for this day.
Your decade is celebrated by the year you were in Year
10 (4th Form). So, if you were in the Fourth Form in a
year ending in a “1” that is, 2001, 1991, 1981, 1971,
1961,...there is a special celebration for you this year.
The day includes a Holy Communion Service in Marsden’s
Baber Memorial Chapel, Old Girls’ Assembly, morning tea,
tours of the School and then in the evening pre-dinner
drinks followed by dinner.
If it is your Decade Year and you have not yet
received your registration forms for the functions
please contact your Decade’s coordinator:
For Old Girls celebrating decade years prior to 1951 please
email Janne Shewan on [email protected] or phone
her on 04 479 2517
1951 Jenny Daniels (Christie) [email protected] or
Margaret Peebles (Newton) 04 385 0957
1961 Claire McDonald [email protected]
1971 Anne Field (Robertson) [email protected].
nz or Nicky Saker [email protected]
1981 Mandy Britnell [email protected]
1991 Pennie Pearce (Morriss) [email protected]
2001 Connie Law [email protected]
Alternatively visit our website www.marsden.school.nz /
community/Old Girls’ Association. for a registration form.
This is always a memorable event. We look forward to
seeing you there.
Please direct queries to: Helen Cliffe Secretary, Marsden
Old Girls’ Association, P O Box 285 Wellington,
6140,Phone: 04 232 8522 or email: [email protected]
Marsden Old Girls Database - Changes of contact details
The Marsden Old Girls’ database holds the most recent
contact details for all Old Girls. It is updated by Rosalba
Finnerty our School Librarian and archivist. We love to keep
you up to date with school events and reunions. So we
can remain in touch please let us know if you have recently
We record the deaths of Marsden Old
Girls in the last year.
Jill Ackroyd (Eastwood)
Judith Hornabrook
Christine Knowles (Salmon)
Nancy Lockhart (Wilson)
Esther Mazey (Palmer)
Beryl Metcalf (Downs)
Jenny Officer (Snushall)
Jeanette Putnam (Wylde)
Anne Robinson (Thomson)
Winsome Shepherd (Denne)
Beryl Smedley (Harley Brown)
Jennifer Smith
Peggy Southwood
moved or if your email has changed.
Although we are in the midst of challenging economic times,
the School is performing well and I would like to thank you,
the School community for the tremendous ongoing support
that you provide.
This year, the Management Board has focused on four areas:
1.Supporting Jenny Williams, in her leadership of the
School;
2.Providing the direction and support for the
implementation of the revised school strategy – primarily
around the four pillars of Excellence; Creativity; Giving and
Resilience;
3.Continuing work on the development of the master plans
for both the Karori and Whitby campuses;
4.Management of the schools financial position.
2011 has been a challenging year for Marsden. Our school
roll continues to be affected by economic times. Across New
Zealand, independent schools have seen rolls drop on average
2.5%. Marsden’s school roll has decreased, albeit at a lessor
rate, with the roll now standing at 770 students (2010:
785 students) across the Karori and Whitby campuses. The
important point to note is that the Board continues to manage
the school accounts in a conservative and prudent manner,
with very little debt on our balance sheet. This means that we
can continue to develop both our campuses and offerings,
even when times are tough.
Last year the Board
completed a master
plan for both Marsden
Whitby and Marsden
Karori, providing us
with a clear picture
and potential for
development and
growth. As part of
that plan, in the first
term we completed
the construction of a
new Science Block and
classrooms at Whitby.
We are pleased that
we have finally been
granted resource
consent for the new Karori Creative Arts Centre development.
Part of this development will enable us to complete the Karori
Sporting Centre. It was hoped that construction could be
started in 2011, however, it is now likely to start Term 3 2012.
Lastly, on behalf of the both the Trust and Management
Boards, I would like to sincerely thank Jenny for her
leadership, and all staff for their hard work and dedication this
year.
Catherine Savage
Please notify Mrs Rosalba Finnerty, Samuel Marsden
Collegiate School, Private Bag, Karori Wellington 6147 or
e-mail [email protected].
Middle School Playground
We are thrilled to have the first stage of the Middle School
Playground complete and ready for Year 7-9 students.
We appreciate the generosity of the Parents’ Association
and donors in our community who have made this
wonderful amenity available through the 2011 Annual
Giving Programme, and we look forward to Stage Two!
Trust Board
One of the great privileges of being Bishop of Wellington is also to
be Chair of the school’s Trust Board. That dual role emphasises the
strong bond between the diocese and the school - between the bishop
and those who lead the school including members of the boards of
trustees and management, and the principal. While good governance
is important and you can be assured you have the best board members
going, it is the roles of principal and her team of school leaders not the
least of which is the student leadership group, that lead Marsden daily
and to such good effect. This leadership enables Marsden at Karori
and Whitby to continue to flourish as centres of holistic educational
excellence. When I conclude my role in 2012 I shall do so confident in
the future of Marsden – it is in very good hands.
Rt Revd Dr Thomas Brown
Bishop of Wellington
We offer their family and friends our deepest sympathy
and are grateful for advice from family and friends on the
passing of Old Girls.
www.marsden.school.nz
www.marsden.school.nz
WORD FROM MARSDEN | 21
20 | WORD FROM MARSDEN
Principal
Have you ever jumped in the car to go somewhere and
the next thing you realise is that you have arrived at your
destination but can’t remember a thing about the trip?
How often have
Oogway arrives and gently reprimands the troubled panda:
you finished a
You are too concerned about what was and
what will be. There is a saying: yesterday is
history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a
gift. That is why it is called the ‘present’.
meal and not
really thought
about what
you are eating?
Jenny Williams
We often seem
A look of realisation dawns on Po as he understands that he is
to be moving
worrying about what has happened and what might happen
automatically
rather than simply being in the present moment, itself a gift
and
that we rarely appreciate.
unconsciously
Here are a few tips to get you started:
through life, reacting to people and situations All these
things occur as our brain goes into ‘automatic’ – doing things
we often do without us consciously having to think about
them. There are of course advantages to this but it also
means that we can spend a lot of time not being present in
Get centered – take a moment to just notice your
body, noticing any tension and seeing if you can
choose to let that tension go. Become aware that
Before you start each day set some specific mindful
and around us. Think about this interesting saying ‘ if you’re
goals eg: find and remember five beautiful things,
coasting – you are going downhill’. I don’t think any of us
savour lunch – think about each food and flavour
want to be going downhill for long. It often seems to be that
present and describe it to someone when you get
mindlessness, rather than mindfulness permeates our lives.
home
Mindfulness is in the practice – being aware and present.
Try a five minute relaxation mediation during the day.
mindfulness is shown in the animated film ‘Kung Fu Panda’.
Po (our hero panda) is feeling very low, his anguished
monologue touching on many a 21st century anxiety. He
thinks he is rubbish at everything (low self-esteem), he knows
he eats too much (eating disorders), he worries a great
deal (stress/anxiety), and is now on the verge of giving up
his dream of kung-fu glory. Thankfully, the wise old turtle
Marsden offers girls and boys, from ages three and a half to five years
old, a pre-school education that’s measured, monitored and reported
back to you during their time with us.
you’re breathing.
the moment – not really noticing what is happening to us
One of the most succinct and compelling ways of explaining
G i v e y o u r l i ttl e p e rson
a big sta rt
Your child will learn literacy, numeracy and motor skills through
play. Life skills including; belonging, contribution, communication,
confidence, competence and Christian values are a focus.
Our programme is based on Te Whaariki, the national early childhood
education curriculum. Our day is 8:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday.
Our facilities are second to
none, and the Government
subsidy applies.
Paul Wilson’s Little Book of Calm or his one minute
Contact us quickly to secure a
place near the top of our new
entrants list. Call 04 476 8707
to arrange a visit.
meditations are very accessible. Google ‘Loving
Kindness Meditation’ and try that, or just sit and
notice your breath for one minute.
Engaging in physical and mental mindfulness exercises allows
www.marsden.school.nz
us to focus our attentions, direct our behaviour to achieve our
goals and aids in increasing our happiness and wellbeing (see
the study by Brown and Ryan ‘the benefits of being present’).
www.marsden.school.nz
www.marsden.school.nz
SMC039 - HYPE.CO.NZ
22 | WORD FROM MARSDEN
Look for news of our Schools, Parents’ and Old Girls’ Associations at
www.marsden.school.nz
Marsden Avenue, Karori, Wellington
Phone 476 8707 Fax 939 8934
2 Starboard Lane, Whitby
Phone 234 1070 Fax 234 6999
 
www.marsden.school.nz