Talented Music Teacher Trainee

The Music department have had ex-pupil Michael Forde undertaking the last practicum of his teacher training with Mr Menzies. Michael was a student at Verdon College from 2000 - 2004. He studied composite Music at Victoria University (2005 - 2008) receiving a 1st class honours degree. Michael is currently studying secondary teaching at Canterbury with a focus on Music, Drama and German. He was a member of NZ Secondary Student's Choir in 2003/4 and is a current member of NZ Youth Choir. We hope that Michael's term is productive and rewarding.

Verdon represented on Praise Be

The Praise Be television programme was recorded in First Church on Wednesday night. Megan and Nina Gooding played in the Brass Band and several Panache members sang in the massed congregational choir. Mrs Di Lenihan was conductor and Mr Alan Menzies was the organist.

Panache Choir items were recorded on Thursday afternoon.

The Invercargill Praise Be programme will be broadcast on TV1 on Sunday 11 April at 8am. There will also be some items from the Invercargill recording session played the following Sunday, 18 April.

Practical Science

Mr Le Breton, who has taken over as the head of the Science Department, is pictured with Year 12 Biology students. The class has been investigating light intensity and pH in various habitats around the College.

New Year 9 Dean

Mr Bryce Hansen is adjusting to the new dean's role he will hold in 2010. He is the only new dean to be appointed this year and takes the vacancy created by the retirement of Mrs Chris Kiddey. The other deans positions are as follows:

Yr 7 &8 Mr John Smith, Yr 10 Mr John Baird, Yr 11 Mr Alan Menzies, Yr 12 Mr Richard Haveron and Yr 13 Mrs Kathryn Miles

Prizegiving Images

SMAC Maths

The Southland Mathematics Competition was held on Wednesday evening at James Hargest College. Verdon entered two teams at each year level. Pictured are the Year 8 team and proud staff. They came third, after a tie-breaker question for second place.

Celebration of a Valued Staff Member's Career.

Friday September 25 2009, marked the retirement of valued staff member, Leah Boniface. The College staff gathered in the staff room to acknowledge and celebrate Leah's significant contribution to the Verdon Family. Joined by husband Bob, son Rueben and grandchildren, colourful stories from of a career spanning 25 years at Verdon College were recounted. We wish Leah and Bob every blessing as the next chapter of their lives unfolds.

LipSync 2009 Images

On Thursday evening a LipSync competition was held as a fund raiser to help with Miss Boulton's mission to Tanzania next year. Student of all ages performed to an appreciative audience raising over $350 for the cause. One of the highlights of this fun evening was the staff rendition of ABBA's Waterloo. With such good support from students and staff, we hope to make this a regular event.

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

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.

Staff Changes for 2009

Leaving the College         

Robert and Margaret Tait will be retiring.

Sue Maynard has been promoted to AP at St Theresa’s Bluff.

Sue Shaw     

Joining the College         

Keryn Page – Teacher of Middle School 

Karen Hammond– Home Economics 

Megan Van –English and Japanese         

Joyce Campbell – Assistant to the HOLA English   

Internal changes         

Kathryn Miles – DRS and Year 12 Dean          

Richard Haveron – Year 11 Dean   

Colin Kidd- Grounds person  

Director of Religious Studies

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Miles as DRS commencing in 2009. Mrs Miles is  currently Year 12 Dean and teacher of senior religious education at the College.  Mrs Miles brings a wealth of teaching experience in history and religious education to the position. Mr Tait, currently DRS, has kindly deferred his retirement and will be close at hand to assure a smooth  transition during the first terms.

Sharing Champagnat's Vision

At the end of term three, Mr Miles and Mr Olsen were guests of the Marist Brothers at Adelaide’s Passionist Monastery. Twenty Australian and NZ teachers were invited to learn about their founder, St Marcellin Champagnat and the Marist unique teaching philosophy. The Marist charisms are reflected in our Verdon V8 values.

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.

Staff Development

On Tuesday afternoon, the staff were able to undertake professional development with Australian educational consultant Dr Julia Atkin. Julia has been working with a number of staff as part of the Verdon-James Hargest-Southland Boys' High cluster. Linking values and beliefs to our work with teaching and learning was one of the key messages. This is a requirement of the revised national curriculum for all schools but it is especially relevant to Verdon College with our Catholic special character.

Hung up on Physical Education

Mark Scobie's year 12 students Jonathan Ryan and Sam Thurlow get hung and strung by Adventure Southland's Rope and Climbing Guru Jason Holland as they attempt abseilling inside during their PE lesson.

Coach of the Year

Congratulations to Robyn Broughton on being awarded Coach of the Year award at the Southland Sports Awards together with her induction into the University of Otago Physical Education Faculty’s Hall of Fame. Robyn’s award recognises her commitment and hard work with the Sting and Verdon A Netball Team.

EHSAS Launch

The last week has had a professional development focus for staff at the College. Tuesday afternoon saw over 200 teachers gather in the James Hargest College hall to launch the EHSAS project. The key note speaker was Dr Julia Atkin who highlighted some of the challenges faced by teachers in 2008. She made the point that each teacher needs to reflect on and question their classroom practice if we are going to meet the needs of all students. The University of Otago advisory service is looking at student Literacy. Results from our ASTTLE data show that levels are holding back many student’s achievement in a range of subjects—not just English. Our staff are developing practical steps to improve this situation.