International Students at Verdon

Miss Lyall (International and Exchange Student Co-ordinator), Yukiko Takahashi from Japan, Tabea Eisenring from Swizterland, Renee Tang from Hong Kong and Josephine Murke from Germany.

We welcome our three new exchange students Yukiko, Renee and Josie to Verdon College. It is wonderful to have students from different cultures join the Verdon Family.

Being a Host Family is an awesome opportunity to share our own culture and learn about another one. If you are at all interested in being a host family for an exchange student in the future, please contact Miss Lyall via the School Office.

Verdon triumph over Kavanagh in 1st XV Rugby

Last Saturday, the annual Verdon - Kavanagh rugby fixture was held in Invercargill. Although the grounds were wet from a week of rain, the weather was excellent for this annual challenge. The score was 19 to 18 with Verdon the eventual winner in a nail biting finish. At the after match function, both teams acknowledged that rugby in the Dunedin diocese is in good heart. The shield for this competition was presented to Sean Adams by Mr Olsen. The competition has been running since 1945.

Year 13 Chemistry demonstrate their skills

Over the last week, the Year 13 Chemists have had the opportunity to display their practical skills in the laboratory. They have been making a range of Aldehydes and Ketones from Alcohol. The skills they have mastered will help them with the Organic Chemistry section of NCEA Chemistry.

Rock Climbing Club Proves Popular

The Verdon College Climbing Club meets on Wednesday after school at the YMCA rock wall. Interested students completed an introductory climbing course during term two and with the help of Mountain Safety instructors, are showing rapid skill development. Pictured is Peter O'Neill doing a safety check on the knots before students attempt a climb. Anyone who is interested in joining these sessions should fill out a permission sheet from the office. The students are training for the annual Southland Interschool Competition at the end of the term.

Entrance Trees Fall in High Winds

Wild weather has resulted in a tree fall at the College entrance. Luckily our local chainsaw specialist, Fr Brendan Ward, was available to help with the clean up. The aging pine trees are becoming unstable and it is inevitable that they will need to be felled. Thank you to Fr Ward for his help with the clean up. We are taking orders for the wood via the school office.

Open Day 2009

1st XV Rugby Trip to Australia

On July 1^st the Verdon College 1^st XV set off on their 2009 Australian tour. Following stop overs in Christchurch and Wellington the team arrived to a warm Brisbane evening. After getting settled, the team ventured into Surfers Paradise for tea and a tentative look at the local wares. Practice took precedence on day two followed by the first shopping expedition to Australia’s largest mall, Pacific Fair, where the boys assisted the Australian economy out of recession.

A trip to Harbour Town and further retail therapy was in order and then on to Brisbane to watch the Warriors play the Broncos at Suncorp stadium, where 32,000 people turned out to watch a club game of league. Many of the boys would like to return and see further games here. Following an intense practice on Saturday morning the boys relaxed by attending surf school in the afternoon. Many were first time surfers left with the skills to stand up and hang ten.

Corrumbin was the venue for the Tens Tournament. We entered two teams. The B team struggled having only two backs and therefore had a very make-shift back line. The 4^th game of the day resulted in their only win of the tournament. The A team had a very easy tournament, winning all their games by 40+ points and winning their division.

Movie World was the scheduled attraction for the next day. The boys went nuts on the rides trying to scare each other. All enjoyed the day and were reluctant to leave.

Dream World was the highlight for many. The rides proving to be a real challenge for some who returned looking very white and quiet.

The first day of the fifteens was played at The Southport School (TSS). We played Northside Christian School, winning both of these games comfortably.

Day two of the fifteens: We enjoyed further success with two wins. Flu was starting to hit a number of the boys and this was now proving to an issue. Finding enough healthy bodies was a challenge.

Friday was the last opportunity for any further retail therapy and exchanges. The boys were given the opportunity to rest and they did this with zest; some not surfacing till lunch time. The Carnival Dinner was held at Movie World. 1,200 people sitting in the main street and being served under the sun shades. It was a cold evening but the boys took the chance to mix and mingle with the other rugby players and girls from the various netball teams attending their local tournament.

Finals day was ironic. The team had travelled to Australia to play Central Southland College whom we drew with 6 all. Verdon went through to the final due to superior pool position. The final was with Roncalli who gave us a lesson in rugby. The boys should be pleased with their second placing at this tournament.

It was now time to consider heading for home. Thanks go to our Coach, Manager and Staff for a great trip.

Year 10A Netball Success

On Sunday the 5th of July, the Year 10A Netball Team traveled to Christchurch to compete in the South Island Secondary Schools Netball Tournament. The best Year 9 and 10 teams gathered at Hagley Park to compete in this annual event. After an initial rocky start, Verdon moulded as a team and won four consecutive games. This meant that they progressed into the semifinals and came 1st in the 4th division, beating St Andrews College in the final. The team wish to thank their coach Tereza Ropata, manager Mary Corbin, supporters and sponsors.

Music Festival

Marian House has scooped the awards in the house choir section of the annual music festival.