✝ Mercy & Wisdom

We live in a world where women’s rights are largely taken for granted.  Yet the educational opportunities, career advancements and value placed on women was a hard-won process that many women all over the world are still striving for.  March 8^th was the 101^st International Women’s Day, and St Catherine’s students had two opportunities to celebrate this day, which passed unnoticed by many New Zealanders.

In the early morning, Anne Isaac and Grace Jansen represented St Catherine’s at a breakfast, organised by the United Nations’ Women’s National Committee and the ZONTA Club of Wellington and was held at Parliament.  The morning was hosted by the Hon. Jo Goodhew, Minister of Women’s Affairs, with the theme ‘Equality means Business,’ which means ensuring that all women have the opportunities to take their future careers wherever they choose.  The girls were also treated to a very spirited address by the Mexican Ambassador to New Zealand Her Excellency Leonora Rueda.

In the afternoon, four Year 11 students, Jakarna Eagle, Ella Jansen, Narda Shemon and Nera Tautau had the opportunity to attend a workshop for Year 11 students on role modelling for women, organised and run by the Office of the Auditor-General.  New Zealand’s Auditor-General, Lyn Provost is the first woman to hold the role.  She addressed the students over lunch on the topic of role models – “You can’t be what you can’t see”, advising the girls to take every opportunity that is given to them, and to never be afraid to put themselves forward for consideration in any roles.  Following her address, the girls had the chance to take part in a workshop with students from other schools.  All four of the girls have reported back that the afternoon was a fantastic opportunity and it really made them think about the options that are open to them as young women.

As part of the Year 9/13 Peer Support programme, the girls spent a very enjoyable afternoon on Tuesday, March 7^th, building their buddy relationships.  Originally, the plan was to go down to Lyall Bay beach, but during the course of the lunch hour the weather deteriorated, and we had a quick change of plan to our “wet weather option”.

The first activity of the afternoon involved the Year 13s teaching Year 9 the school waiata, “Aue Te Aroha”, which each House group then performed to everyone else.  The Year 9s were impressive in the way they learned and performed the song, which allows them now to fully participate in whole-school gatherings where the song is sung – the first being the Powhiri for Mrs Curran on March 12^th.

The second activity revealed creative flair and furious teamwork, as the girls were given 30 minutes to devise, design and dress a model from each small group as a fairytale character, using pink and white plastic bags, Sellotape and imagination!  The results were truly astonishing, with a great “catwalk” presentation of the final costumes – fairies, Red Riding Hood (or should we say, Pink Riding Hood!), mermaids, red (pink) Indians, little pigs, pink cats and many other fascinating characters.  As the attached photos show, there was great creativity, construction and finesse, coupled with lots of laughter and appreciation for the completed outfits.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, with opportunities for the Year 13 students to develop their support of the Year 9 students.

On Friday the 9th of March, the Year 13 Geography students from SCC and SPC set off on the first good day’s weather for weeks.  We were all organised to measure the rates of erosion at different beaches on the Kapiti coast.  This involved visiting Kena Kena, Marine parade, Raumati south and Paekakariki beaches.  We wanted to see how the profiles (shape) of the beaches were different and which of the factors of wind, waves, Long shore drift , tides, currents and fetch caused the most erosion.  We got in the water and measured the waves and climbed up and down the sand dunes.  Lunch was spent in the sun at Paraparamu beach shops.  It was great to be able to see the beaches that we have been learning about this term. Now we have to start writing up our research to prove our theories about the reasons for the differences between the beaches.

Congratulations to the following Student Leaders for 2012

Head Girl	Anne Isaac
Deputy Head Girl	Grace Jansen
Community Captain	Catherine Hills
Cultural Captain	Jasmine Governor
Spirit Captain	Karen Robertson
Board of Trustees Rep.	Pauline Cinco
International Captain	Caira Uy
Sport Captain	Rachel Duignan
St Joan’s House Captain	Rita Etuale
St Anne’s House Captain	Alisi Aukafolau
St Bernadette’s House Captain	April Collins
St Theresa’s House Captain	Hemapu Sakalia

Stationery Lists for 2012 downloadable here >