Under 15 Rugby

Day Three: The team lost against Mt Hutt College 12 -5 and won against St Peter's College 7 -0. The weather at Oreti Park has been cold with hail showers for the final day of the tournament.

Day Two: The 11am game against Wakatipu resulted in a 5 - 0 loss. This game was played in trying conditions and was an even match. At 2pm the boy's played John McGlashan College and lost 24 - 5. Thank you to the parents and supporters who have attended the games so far.

Day One: The Under 15 Rugby team played their first two games of the tournament week competition on Monday. They unfortunately came second in both games. The matches are being played at Oreti Park at 11am and 2pm Tuesday. Supporters are most welcome.

Southland Science Fair

This week our junior scientists have been able to display, to the Southland scientific community, the results of their diligent efforts. These students were the award winners in the Verdon science fair. They have taken on board the constructive criticism and feed back given by staff and have improved their projects. The students are eagerly awaiting the results of the judging and we wish them all the best. Thanks to Mr du Mez and Mr Dunlop for their help with the set up.

8A Netball Success

Verdon 8A Netball team members Sophie McLean and Samantha Colvin are presented with the runner's up cup by Mr Olsen. The 8A team were second in the Saturday morning netball competition 2009.

Patronal Day Images

Sing Out Choir

Verdon's Sing Out Choir under the musical direction of Mrs Mason are rehearsing for the up coming event on Wednesday September 16th. The performance is at 7pm at the Civic Theatre.

Senior Examination Week

This week senior students have been focusing on their NCEA trial examinations. This is an opportunity to pit their knowledge and skills against the clock in a formal examination setting. Pictured are a group of senior biology students as they begin their three hour examination.

Inter-School Debating Competition

The Southland Secondary Schools Debating competition was held on the 16th of August at Southland Boys' High School. Verdon had 5 teams, of 3 students each, attending the event. They were assisted with the prepared speeches by Mrs Connolly, Mrs Crawford, Mr and Mrs Mile, Mrs More, Mrs Van and many supportive parents. Their help was greatly appreciated.

Each team had to do three or more debates. The juniors had prepared debates while the Seniors had a minimum preparation time of 30 minutes. Each of our teams made it into the semi- finals but unfortunately none were able to proceed further in the competition.

A high level of participation, pride and etiquette was maintained throughout the day even though it was sometimes irritating when the adjudicator saw things a different way or we could not get our points across. Overall it was a fun day and a good experience for everyone involved especially for the younger members on the Verdon team.

Hopefully we have the same amount of interest next year! And next year we will win!

Patrick Stone

Images from the St Peter's College Interchange

Polyfest Festival

Verdon's Polyvibe group who performed at the first Polyfest in Invercargill.

Special thanks to Aiga Faga who was the groups tutor.

2010's Musical Confirmed

Next year's school production is Seussical—The Musical. This is a great fun show based on the characters and stories of Dr Seuss. It has wide appeal for audiences of all ages. More details will follow but you can check it out online.

It will be staged in Centrestage Theatre in Week 3 of Term 2, 2010.

The performances are planned for Wednesday 5 May (7.30pm), Thursday 6 May (7.30pm) Friday 7 May (5pm), Saturday 8 May (4pm) and Sunday 9 May (2pm)

Patronal Day Breakfast

As part of the Patronal Day celebrations, a number of staff meet for breakfast. Patronal Day has special significance for the Marist community, so it was a pleasure be able to share the occasion with Br Osmond.

Teacher Trainee Welcomed to the College

This week the College welcomed Justin Yu who is undertaking his final practicum at Verdon. He is about to complete his teacher training at the University of Canterbury College of Education. Justin was educated at the University of Ottawa in Canada and specialises in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. We hope his time with us is enjoyable and rewarding.

St Peter's Interchange - Wednesday 12 August

St Peter's Interchange was held today in brilliant weather and even though Verdon lost the interchange 5 - 3 everyone had a great time and enjoyed all their games. The results were as follows:

• Netball 10A - Lost 37 - 23
• Netball 9A - Lost 46 - 19
• Netball 8A - Won 26 - 22
• Netball 7A - Lost 26 - 22
• Hockey Year 7/8 - Lost 9 - 0
• Hockey Year 9/10 - Lost 3 - 1
• Rugby Year 7/8 - Won 59 - 12
• Rugby U.15 - Won 29 - 10

Spirit of New Zealand

On Saturday 4 July I flew up to Auckland on the Spirit of New Zealand. I went on the boat for ten days. In this time we learnt how to sail the boat, and I went small boat sailing, rafting and swimming. We also learnt leadership skills and met lots of people. We sailed out of Auckland around the Hauraki Gulf and then back to Auckland. Thank you to the Lions for sponsoring me to do this. I had a wonderful time - Paigan Marshall.

Religious Education Fair Images

Ski Trip Images

Ski Trip to The Remarkables

Last Sunday at 5.30am sharp, 68 bleary eyed but keen students and 7 helpers assembled ready for a superb day in the snow. The weather was fine and with plenty of snow on the slopes we had a recipe for success. The more advanced students headed off to get in some early runs while the beginners were helped into lessons. By lunch time it was great to see the progress skiers and boarders at all levels had made. The excellent conditions held for the afternoon and some tired students were spotted having a nap on the returning buses. Our thanks go to the helpers for their efforts during a long but rewarding day.

Polyvibe prepare for Polyfest

This week Polyvibe, the Verdon College Pasifika group, have been training hard for Polyfest on Friday. We wish them well as they represent the College. Please come along and support the event. Details and a time-table follow.

For the first time ever in Southland, the community have come together to host a Pacific and Maori Festival. Commonly known as the Polyfest, over 24 different groups will present performances of Maori and Pacific cultural items.

It’s about participation for all and will include the Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary sectors. Providing performance opportunities in a non-competitive environment, it is about bringing students together within the context of Maori and Pasifika dance. Based in a family friendly atmosphere that will have an intergenerational appeal.

Members of the Māori and Pacific Island education community have been working cooperatively on the project for the last nine months. Their vision for the festival is, “Empowering children by sharing culture through song and dance”. The festival in Southland is about celebrating Pacifica and Maori identity.

The Inaugural Murihiku ECE and Schools cultural festival (Polyfest) will be held on Friday, 7 August 2009, at Stadium Southland Invercargill.

This promises to be an exciting and colourful event showcasing the talent of our Tamariki.

Time	Group	Programme 2009	Room
8.45 am		Mihi Whakatau & Karakia
9.00 am	A	Aoga Amata Early Childhood Centre	4
9.15 am	B	Kōhanga Early Childhood Centre	2
9.30 am	C	Kew Pacific Early Childhood Centre	3
9.45 am	D	Rockdale Park Early Childhood Centre	1
10.00 am	D1	New River	4
10.15 am	E	Donovan Primary (E1)	1
The Edge Radio - Giveaways
10.30 am	F	St Patricks Primary	2
10.45 am	G	Newfield Park Primary	3
11.00 am	H	Fernworth Primary	4
11.15 am	H(1)	Sacred Heart School	3
11.30 am	E	Donovan Primary (E2)	1
Vic Tamiti
11.45 am	I	Te Wharekura O Arowhenua	Squash Courts
12.00 pm	J	Ruru Schoool	2
12.15 pm
12.30 pm	K	Waverley Park Primary	Squash Courts
12.45 pm	L	Bluff Community School	Squash Courts
1.00 pm	M	Aurora College	1
1.15 pm	N	Verdon College	2
1.30 pm	O	James Hargest High School	3
1.45 pm	P	Southland Girls High School	4
2.00 pm	Q	Southland Boys High School	1
2.15 pm		Karakia Whakamutunga
2.30pm onwards		Committee & Volunteers pack up

Verdon Science Fair Awards

Congratulations to Miss Rapley's Year 8 Science students, who have entered the College Science Fair. Mr Olsen was pleased to be able to listen to the presentations and together with Mr du Mez have chosen the following entires to represent the College at the Southland Science Fair. We wish them every success.

Gabriel Winders- Stream lined bike - High Commendation

Aidan O'Neill -Parachute - Credit

Kloe Milne and Sophie McLean - Tuatara Statistics - Commendation

Ryan Swale and Jack Lenihan - Concrete - Commendation

Zac Jackson Barnes and Taylor Swan- Vinegar powered Rockets - Credit

Ben Dobbie - Oxidising Apples - Credit

Gracey Farquharson - Fish gas bladders - Commendation

Jordan McKenzie and Georoid Wilson McKeown- Popcorn - Credit

Daniel Boyle - Oceans dump - Credit

St Kevin's Inter-school Images

St Kevin's College Inter-school Results

The annual inter-school between St Kevin's College, Oamaru and Verdon College was held on Sunday 2nd and Monday 3rd of August. The Russell Cup has taken pride of place in the Verdon trophy case.

Girl's Basketball - won by Verdon

Boy's Basketball - won by St Kevin's

Soccer - won by Verdon

Netball A - won by Verdon

Netball B - won by Verdon

Rugby - won by Verdon

Thank you to the many families who hosted billets for this fixture.

Verdon Wins the Russell Cup

History in the making: Verdon College 1st XV Rugby team won the inter-school match against St Kevin's College for the first time ever on Monday. The score was 38 to 8. The conditions were fine but heavy under foot. The team are preparing to play Gore High School this Saturday in Gore at 12.30 pm. There are places available on the team bus for supporters. Call the College office to reserve a seat.