TACs Cross Country

2012 TACs Cross Country at Puketapu School was a perfect day. Although the course was challenging, steep and poohy, it was exciting and not too slippery. All of our students ran their hearts out. Congratulations to Olivia who came second in the Year 8 Girls race.

Geometry

During Maths today, some of us were in Rm 3 and we rotated through a variety of Geometry based activities.  We had the chance to draw 3D shapes, draw pictures using 2D shapes, building 3D shapes and creating patterns within circles.  We were also on Mathletics.  

Wheels Day

Today was "Wheels Day' for the Seniors.  It means a mufti day and scooters, skateboards and ripsticks at school.  We have first right on the courts during breaks and our teachers even let us take our wheels out during classtime!

Catholic Clash

On Friday 7th September, combined with the Yr 7 and 8s from St Joseph's, we competed against St Patrick's in the annual Catholic Clash.  The weather was fantastic, the competition tough and sportsmanship fair.  Unfortunately the Hastings team lost out.  Bring on next year.

Cross Country 2012

A great (but windy) afternoon in the sun for the St Mary's School Cross Country today.  All Year 7 and 8 students should be proud of themselves for completing the event.  Congratulations to the place getters.

Year 8 Boys Ethan, Liam and Daniel

Year 8 Girls Olivia, Adrianne and Niamh

Year 7 Boys Logan (3rd), Caleb (1st) and Viliami (2nd)

Year 7 Girls  Samantha (2nd), Kelly (1st) and Alexandra (3rd)

A Vocation

Father Vince bought Ferdinand along to St Mary's today.  Ferdinand is from the Philippines and spent 10 years in the seminary over there.  He is now studying in Auckland and will be ordained in NZ and become part of the Palmerston North diocese.  Ferdinand spoke to us about a vocation being a call from God.  At the age of 16 he decided he wanted to be a priest but his parents and grandmother were not supportive.  They encouraged him to experience the world first.  As Ferdinand said, to have an appreciation of the world showed him how great God is.

Bronze Medal

We were treated to a visit from Westley Gough today.  He was one of the NZ track cycling team who won a bronze medal in the Teams Pursuit.  We were lucky enough to be able to touch the medal and it really is as heavy as it looks!  Westley spoke about how setting small achievable goals is the best way to work towards the bigger goals.  While he won his medal on the track, he is also a keen road cyclist and encouraged us to sign up for the Tour of the Bay later in the year.

Tech Arts

FutureInTech

Two fabulous FutureInTech Ambassadors, Rob and Hayley, visited our Senior school to tell us all about their jobs, and about their science journey towards where they are now. 

Rob is an Earth Scientist and studied the Sciences and Geography at High School. All of his interests involve being outside and exploring wild open spaces. He completed his Degree at Massey University and now works for the company Fulton Hogan. He has particular knowledge about volcanoes and earthquakes.

Hayley is from Waipawa and has a Zoology degree. She studied at Otago University. During High School Hayley found the Sciences particularly interesting. Hayley has always enjoyed being outdoors and she knew she never wanted a job that would involve sitting behind a desk. After leaving uni she travelled to Canada and worked in the mountains caring for a Grizzly Bear named Boo. Her job now is in Biosecurity and she is a Vector Controller, which involves eradicating possums. 
Possums can carry a nasty disease called TB, which is easily transferred to cows.

Thank you Rob and Hayley for telling us about your jobs.

Cross Country Training

Our first day out training this week. There were some promising improvements on last week. It's going to be hard to pick the top runners for the school competition.