Tournament Week

Three teams were involved in the 2008 Winter Tournament Week in early September. The Verdon College 1st XI Hockey Team travelled to Greymouth to compete in the Coaches Cup, they came 5th out of fifteen teams, a big improvement from lasts years result of 10th, Grant Miles, Deputy Principal managed the team, and he found it very committed to match play as well as off the turf activites and fully deserved their success.
The Soccer boys won and lost some tough games at Sandy Point and O'Rouke Park in Invercargill. Verdon College 1st XI had a large goal scoring margin in many of the games, which indicated how well they were playing. Verdon was placed 9th overall. "This team was young and enthusiastic, there is a bright future ahead for Verdon Soccer, congratulations on your effort" – Coaches Ross Buxton & John Jones.

Robyn Broughton and the Senior A Netball Team competed in the South Island Secondary Schools Tournament in Dunedin. There were 76 teams competing. The Senior A Team plays in the “A” Grade, the team came 6th overall, missing a place in the top four by a close one-goal loss to St Kevins College. Considering the youth of the team, and wins over much larger schools, it looks good for the future of the Senior A Team.
The school would like to congradulate and thank all of those involved in the 2008 tournament week.
Looking forward to 2009...

Alice McDowell wins Dan Davin Award

Budding writer Alice McDowell won the Dan Davin Award for short stories at a ceremony at the Community Trust of Southland last night.
The Verdon College pupil won the award with her entry entitled Perspectives. Dan Davin Literary Foundation co-ordinator Rebecca Amundsen said the contest, organised to celebrate the contributions of Southland's best-known writer Dan Davin, was the highlight of the year for the foundation. The short story award for school-aged aspiring writers has run since 1995, with this years theme "impressions".
1st place:Alice McDowell, Verdon College, Perspectives.
3rd place: Ben Cochrane, Verdon College, A Second Chance.
Highly commended: Courtney Jones, Verdon, Along Came a Spider and Sat Down Beside Her. Shaentaella Watson, Verdon, Under the Bed. Caitlin Donnelly, Verdon, Impressions.

Saturday Netball

Of the many teams that played in the weekly competition this year, eight made semi-finals, and three made it to the finals. Year 8 Silver and Year 12 Social were runners-up, and the Year 13 Social team won its grade. Thank you to Mrs Marshall and her team of coaches and managers for their hard work and dedication through out the season.

Library Launch

At assembly this week we launched our new Learning Resource Centre. Mrs Taylor encouraged students to make full use of the area and set out some of the expectations around its use. It is made up of the book resource room , the computer research and reading area in the atrium and the room 41 classroom. Mrs Taylor is currently recruiting student librarians to help fellow students in this large learning space.

Clean Up New Zealand Week

Year 7 Science classes did their bit for our local environment this week as they collected rubbish on a walk around the block for Clean Up New Zealand Week. Pictured are 7MJ with their collection from the Otepuni Stream banks.

Farewell Mr Buxton

Mr Ross Buxton, who has been a valued staff member for 14 years was given a farewell at assembly this week. He is leaving in two weeks to take up a position with his wife in Abu Dhabi. During his time at the College, he has been a Religious Education teacher and role model, Marian House leader, computer specialist and a retreat and outdoor eduction organiser. Our prayers are with them as they embark on this exciting teaching opportunity.