Evergreen Ties December 2023

Farewell to our Principal, Justine Mahon

The Addams Family musical takes centre stage!

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Evergreen Ties is published two times a year by the St Cuthbert’s Advancement Office.

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In this edition we celebrate our students and the many ways in which we spend time together as a community. Follow us on: StCuthbertsCollege StCuthbertsCollege

Janice O’Kane StCuthbertsCollege

From the Desk of Justine Mahon

It’s with a heavy heart that I write my last foreword for Evergreen Ties, marking the end of my tenure as Principal and my 20 years at St Cuthbert’s. Though bidding farewell is bittersweet, I’m excited about the future of the College, acknowledging that change of any kind opens doors and enables growth, and knowing that a different stewardship offers new opportunities as education evolves.

Firstly, I’d like to extend heartfelt gratitude to students, staff, and the wider College community, for making my last term so memorable. The pages in this issue capture the vibrancy of many recent events, your tremendous accomplishments, and allow us to profile some special people.

As I sign off as Principal, many of you will know that I am looking forward to exploring new opportunities in education, after nearly five decades in full time teaching and leadership roles across the tertiary, secondary and primary sectors. Although I’m enthusiastically anticipating the future, it is with great pride that I reflect on a number of pivotal achievements and memories, in my career at St Cuthbert’s, which spans two decades.

You’ll know that I’m passionate about strategies, policies and action plans to ensure our teachers are well prepared and supported, so I am humbled and gratified knowing that I leave you in the hands of New Zealand’s very best educators.

I look back with huge satisfaction on the roll-out of our Knowledge Rich Curriculum here at St Cuthbert’s (under the auspices of Professor Elizabeth Rata, Auckland University). We successfully launched the St Cuthbert’s Diploma this year and continue to lean on the latest research to remain progressive in our approach to education.

I know our gifted teachers and stellar leadership team will continue to foster a climate where girls are free to make mistakes, free to explore new ideas, free to challenge and free to dream of a better future.

Our pioneering initiatives in AI and a steadfast commitment to staying ahead in a rapidly changing digital world, are testament to our forward-thinking ethos. It’s inspiring to witness so many graduates making a profound impact in STEM spaces, and we are grateful for the way in which they return so readily to the College, to speak to current students.

I love seeing the huge value for girls in the Big Sister, Little Sister programmes, where the Senior and Junior School work closely together, so beautifully. Our integration of Year 7 and 8 into the Senior School benefits girls greatly during such a transitional time in their lives and we have observed how this structure strengthens our academic offering.

Over the last 20 years, the diversity of our cohort has changed dramatically, and the College community has been enriched immeasurably. In addition to our rigorous academic programmes, we have focused on mental and emotional well-being, with a strong emphasis on a robust pastoral care framework. This is pivotal given the external pressures on all women today.

I strongly believe that our young women and girls need customised, wrap-around support and dedicated programmes, to prepare them for the real world, promoting confidence and resilience. Kahunui is a great example of this and is on an incredible trajectory under the leadership of Caroline Reddish (featured in this Issue).

I reflect fondly that girls at all levels, and our diverse learners, have more opportunity than ever, to reach their full potential thanks to the expertise, resources and approach of our Pohutukawa Learning Centre, and the pivotal strategies in the Knowledge Rich Curriculum.

Our Careers offering has expanded considerably, and thanks to outstanding leadership in this space, more girls have been offered places at Oxford, Cambridge, Ivy League Colleges, and other prestigious institutions, than ever before, with millions of dollars awarded in scholarships. This success and our other academic rankings, cement our position as a leading New Zealand school.

I am thrilled by the range of activities offered across music, dance and drama in our performing arts programmes both curricula and co -curricular – you can read more about these programmes in this issue too. We’ve established an ever stronger working relationship with our ‘brother school’, Auckland Grammar, and as a performing

arts advocate, I love that we now have productions every year, with many involving our ‘brother school’.

The creative arts also continue to flourish across the College, with an exceptional number of students achieving scholarships in these subjects. We were thrilled to launch the St. Cuthbert’s Art App recently, which showcases the College’s fine art collection and is the vision of former Head of Faculty, Diane McKissock- Davis.

International research tells us that participation for women in sport is diminishing, yet we have record numbers of girls involved across an astonishing 33 codes, and boast top placements nationally this year, in fencing, hockey, orienteering and water polo. I applaud the efforts of our incredible sports staff, parents and volunteers.

You will know that I have always been a strong advocate of girls’ education and the relative freedom of Independent Schools and will continue to be so. Unfortunately, equality of opportunity in education does not exist in this country, and I believe we are in a privileged position at St Cuthbert’s, to continue influencing and improving teaching and curricula, in the public sector. Access to quality education is a right for everyone, and it is with this insight, that I step aside from my role, and into another realm of opportunity.

I feel that there are simply too many people to thank after such a long tenure, so I must now paint with a broad brush. But I hope I have managed, of late, to express my gratitude personally, via other channels.

To all academic and support staff, I am eternally grateful for your resilience and your unequivocal support. The last six years sent serious obstacles our way and your skills and guidance helped us to pivot and innovate in an extraordinary fashion. The outcome of your efforts can be witnessed in today’s cohort, who have flourished despite the disruption.

To members of our Trust Board and the various Chairs over the last two decades, Old Girl Presidents and Presidents of The Parents and Friends’ Association and Asian Friendship Group, and to all volunteers, I give my heartfelt thanks. Our College community could not be maintained without your selflessness and passion.

To the Year 13 cohort who leave us this year, I have seen you develop into compassionate, brave young leaders, applying yourselves with grace, through a challenging pandemic and aftermath. As I, too, prepare to depart this special place, I could not ask for a finer group of young women to have provided my final memories in Black Watch tartan, a group of young women who, despite being sometimes afraid, do, I know, carry the capacity to embrace the words of Hedy Lamar, the extraordinary film actress and engineer, who famously said “Hope and curiosity about the future seem better than guarantees- the unknown was always so attractive to me and still is.“

In these final weeks, I have been asking you to build on the legacy of women who have gone before you, to pay the debt of your education here, perhaps emulating Dorothea in “Middlemarch” by “contributing through unhistoric acts to the growing good of the world,” and to boldly wrap yourselves in a mantle of courage as you move into a future without guarantees.

“On you may Christmas good descend And blessings of the unknown year So soon to overtake us here.

Unknown, yet well known: I portend Love starts the course, Love seals the end.” *

It has been an immense privilege being your Principal.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koe, With endless gratitude,

Ms Justine Mahon – Principal

* Christina Rosetti

From the extreme weather events at the start of the year, we’ve been able to create fresh and modern renovated spaces, and I would like to say a very special thank you to our property team who have done wonders managing this process in a relatively short timeframe. Thank you too, to our staff who continued to deliver for the girls, often in make-shift classrooms – we appreciate your flexibility and focus on ensuring our students didn’t miss a beat.

This year has also seen our dedicated Digital Co-lab spaces open as part of our Teaching for the Future strategic focus.

We have opened our two new playgrounds, to much anticipation and excitement, with a newly created Year 0 playground, and a state-of-the-art Year 1-6 Playground. The girls have watched these spaces develop over several months, and the joy on their faces as they were allowed to play on the equipment for the first time was a delight to see! Many grateful thanks to our Parents & Friends Association for their generosity in supporting these initiatives to come to fruition.

The announcement of our bespoke Year

Message from our Trust Board Chair,

Leigh Melville

As the holidays approach, and reflecting on the year, it has been another milestone period for the College.

11 Diploma for 2024 reminds us all why St Cuthbert’s is one of Australasia’s leading schools. Our fantastic teaching team have delivered a robust, and dynamic curriculum for our students that will ensure they achieve their potential and are well prepared for higher learning. Thank you to Justine, and her team, including Head of Senior School Suzanne Winthrop, who have worked so hard to develop this programme.

In the middle of the year, we announced the retirement of our beloved Principal, Justine Mahon. After nearly five decades in teaching and educational leadership, Justine is keen to explore other opportunities in the sector, and we wish her all the very best for this next chapter of her life. Justine’s contribution to St Cuthbert’s has been nothing short of immense, and she has inspired many cohorts of students over the years to strive for their personal best, to get involved in the performing arts, and sport, and to see our motto, ‘By Love Serve’, as a framework by which they can live their lives.

2024 sees the College welcoming in a new era to St Cuthbert’s, with the appointment of Charlotte Avery as Principal. Ensuring we appointed the right person to lead our school has been the top priority for the Trust Board this year. Charlotte has an outstanding reputation in girls education, and she is passionate about developing confident and compassionate young women, who are ready to go out into the world and make an impact. She is very excited about meeting our community next year!

Our connected community is a special part of St Cuthbert’s, and ensuring we offer opportunities for us all to connect with one another is important to me. This year has seen the College hold events around New Zealand, and in Sydney, to support us to keep in touch. Initially focussed on our recent graduates at the different universities, the functions have grown to include all Old Girls, parents, and staff. These events will become a regular part of our annual calendar.

This year we also launched our inaugural Making Their Mark Awards Dinner, to honour the incredible achievements, and commitment to the values underpinning

‘By Love Serve’, of our Old Girls. It was the first time we have held this event as an evening function, and it was hugely successful, with just over 100 Old Girls, past and current staff, and parents, gathering together.

I was also delighted to attend the Mid-Autumn Festival organized by the Asian Friendship Group and the Chinese Cultural Committee students in September. What a wonderful night of entertainment, with enthusiastic participation by all the performers and the audience!

This month we farewell another cohort of Year 13 students, who leave through our green gates, with their futures beckoning. We are very proud of all of you, and wish you every success for this next, and very exciting, period in your life. You will always be St Cuthbert’s girls, bound together by your shared experiences and values. Go well, and we look forward to hearing your news as this exciting new stage unfolds.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Justine Mahon and her incredible team for all they do to support our students to achieve their absolute best. I would also like to acknowledge my fellow Trust Board members for their support of the College, and constant willingness to be of service.

As the year draws to a close, I know how much we are all looking forward to a well-deserved break over summer, and I am sure we are all hoping for some nice dry weather over this period! Thank you for everything you do to support our students, and the College. I look forward to catching up with many of you in the New Year.

With warmest regards

Leigh Melville St Cuthbert’s College Trust Board Chair

MEET OUR TRUST BOARD:

Scott Weenink

We chat to Scott about life as a father of four girls, his sporting background, and his commercial career that began in the historic halls of Oxford University.

Despite being an Oxford University graduate, having played sport to high levels and having had a commercial career spanning the globe, Scott Weenink says the thing he is most proud of is his four daughters.

Scott currently has three girls at St Cuthbert’s, in Year 13, 11 and Year 9 respectively – with another to join soon. As an active parent, passionate St Cuthbert’s advocate and accomplished leader – we are thrilled to have him on the College Trust Board.

Exceptional experience at the table

Scott is no stranger to commercial boards. He is currently the non-executive Chair of the Boards of Generate KiwiSaver, Xceda Finance and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, and a non-executive Board Director of Enable Fibre Networks. He is also a member of the NZ Cricketers Trust Board of Trustees.

Scott joined our Board at the end of 2022 and has been impressed with what he has experienced so far.

“As a Board Member – but primarily as a parent – I can see the school is in incredibly good hands,” he says. “The talent of staff and the teaching community shines, as well as the exceptional capability across the Board table. I was delighted to join the team.”

Scott has previously held business leadership roles that took him across the globe – including roles in the Middle East and North Africa, the UK and Southeast Asia. He even lived in Myanmar for 12

months, in an operational leadership position.

Lords, Twickenham and Oxford

Scott’s early days at school and university clearly set him up for success. After completing law and arts degrees at Victoria University he worked for the law firm Bell Gully in Wellington, before receiving a scholarship to Oxford University to pursue his Masters in Law. It was an incredible opportunity for an ambitious young legal professional and committed Wellington sports representative (in rugby and cricket) – and one he didn’t take lightly.

“When I arrived, I had to pinch myself. I distinctly remember when I first stood under those colossal English Gothic style buildings - thousands of years old. The weight of that legacy was stimulating and inspiring.”

Scott talks fondly of working with some of his greatest academic and professional heroes in the legal realm. “Another highlight was meeting students from all around the world who were so driven, talented, and motivated.”

Scott was proud to represent Oxford University in rugby, against Cambridge University in the Varsity Match at Twickenham, where he was awarded an Oxford University Rugby Blue.

As if that wasn’t enough, he also played cricket in the Varsity Match at Lords and was awarded an Oxford University Cricket Blue in the same year.

Scott believes that there’s a lot from sport that he carries with him in business and everyday life.

“Losing in sport can be one of the best experiences you can have if you take the right lessons from it! Learning to not give up, believing in your abilities and also those of your teammates, and being prepared to fight back from adversity can

be some of the greatest lessons you can learn.”

Scott credits a sense of adventure for his decision to work in the international business arena, in part thanks to his youth – where he spent time immersed in different cultures, including living in Tanzania as a child.

“This early experience opened up my mind and gave me confidence to go to new and different places,” says Scott. “My wife, Sophy, had a similar mindset having lived in Bahrain as a child. Sophy is also a lawyer, and after meeting when we both graduated from law school, we both wanted to embrace what different cultural experiences can offer. We were very fortunate to live and work in some incredible places around the globe before returning to NZ.”

The next chapter in New Zealand

After 17 years abroad and with a young whanau, the call of home beckoned, and it felt like the right time to settle back in NZ.

When Scott reflects on why he and Sophy chose St Cuthbert’s, he believes it was firstly reputational. The family knew of the school from extended family and friends both here and abroad.

“Once Sophy did some research in person, it stood out instantly as the right fit,” he says. “We haven’t looked back.”

When we ask Scott about the year ahead for the Board, he is quick to mention the retirement of our much-loved Principal, Justine.

“One of the biggest things on our radar is managing this historic transition well,” he says. “We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have Justine, and she will be hard to replace. I look forward to being there for this next chapter.”

We are grateful to have Scott’s support and expertise.

Since this article was written, we would like to congratulate Scott on being appointed CEO of NZ Cricket.

Justine

“I have witnessed how the students look up to Ms Mahon as a strong, independent and intelligent St Cuthbert’s Old Girl. I feel extremely grateful to have been able to work with her this year, and aspire to be as great a role model for young women as she is.”

— Grace Merrilees, Head Girl 2023

“Justine’s commitment to supporting every student to achieve her personal best has seen the College’s roll grow to the strongest in its history. I would like to thank and acknowledge Justine for everything she has done for the College. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with such an outstanding educator.”

— Leigh Melville, Trust Board Chair

Our new look Making Their Mark Awards Dinner

This year, in conjunction with our Old Girls’ Association, the College decided to host an extra special Making Their Mark Awards, which honour extraordinary Old Girls who really live our motto ‘By Love Serve’. Laughter, anecdotes, and camaraderie filled the air as we gathered at the Northern Club to celebrate this year’s inspirational winners. With over 100 Alumni, St Cuthbert’s senior leadership and staff, Trust Board members, family and friends, it was certainly a night to remember!

Guests were treated to a sumptuous meal and enjoyed the music and entertainment from recent Old Girls, Enyah Talamaivao (2021) and Hayley Minturn (2021). Many thanks to Deputy Mayor, past student, and Ōrākei Ward Councillor Desley Simpson, who was the guest speaker at the event, and to Old Girls, Gretchen and Jemima Hawkesby, who presented the inaugural Educational Excellence Award to a very surprised Justine Mahon. This new award recognises the outstanding teachers and staff we have at St Cuthbert’s, and it was a wonderful tribute to the incredible contribution Justine Mahon has made during her two decades in leadership at the College. Going forward, this can be awarded to any past or current St Cuthbert’s staff member, regardless of whether they attended the College as a student.

Inspirational Old Girl and former Silver Fern, Sulu Fitzpatrick, also received a new award

Congratulations to our 2023 winners:

Justine Mahon (1970) Educational Excellence

Dr Gillian Greer (1961)

Old Girls’ Honours & Marking Service

Judge Pippa Sinclair (1977)

Making Their Mark

Claire Trevett (1991)

Making Their Mark

Ainsley Walter (1992)

Making Their Mark

Sulu Fitzpatrick (2010) Emerging Leader

for an Emerging Leader which recognises her achievements in sport. Raised in a tightknit community, Sulu firmly believes in the power of unity and cherishing the worth of every individual. Her leadership philosophy centres around love and fostering a sense of belonging within the collective.

Old Girls’ Association President, Kirsten McKenzie, and Trust Board Chair Leigh Melville presented the awards for four deserving Old Girls. Dr Gillian Greer received both Old Girls’ Honour and Marking Service for her lifelong contribution to international health, sustainability, and human rights. Making Their Mark Awards were presented to District Court Judge Pippa Sinclair for her services to justice and mental health, NZ Herald Political Editor, Claire Trevett for her leading contribution to the political and policy narrative, and Ainsley Walter, for her inspirational work on community and cultural projects including

her work as the Chair of the Hororata Community Trust.

Beyond the accolades, this event underscored the power of our St Cuthbert's community. It served as a poignant reminder that our connections are enduring, and our shared journey is profoundly inspiring. The evening fostered collaboration and provided a platform to nurture relationships which will withstand the test of time.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended the awards night. It was a fabulous evening with our community coming together to celebrate the exceptional achievements of our St Cuthbert’s Old Girls. Thank you also to all of our nominees and those who nominated them – we were delighted to see a record number of nominations this year and we look forward to the ongoing success of these awards.

Cherished moments at the Father and Daughter Breakfast

It was a pleasure to welcome our Junior School Dads to Clouston Hall for our first Father and Daughter Breakfast since 2019! Guests enjoyed some delicious fare while listening to our thought-provoking speaker, acclaimed children’s book author James Russell, who spoke about fostering lifelong creativity.

A huge thank you to our amazing Parents & Friends’ Association for pulling together this meaningful morning. It was amazing to see all of the special Father and Daughter bonds!

Celebrating Grandparents' Day

In September, our Grandparents and Treasured Others enjoyed a special morning in the Junior School.

Grandparents' Day is always a highlight of the Junior School calendar. The morning started with performances by our Junior School girls, then morning tea and treats for our special visitors, before they were led to the students’ classrooms. Our girls loved sharing their school life with their adored Grandparents!

Thank you to all our wonderful Grandparents who attended, and also our teachers and parent volunteers who made this day possible.

Mums' Night Out

Our Mums' Night Out was held on a warm and sunny Spring evening in October at Azabu Mission Bay. Filled with delicious food, laughter and friendship, it was a lovely way for Mums in our community to catch up and reconnect with one another. We reached our fundraising target for new kayaking equipment to be used at Kahunui. A huge thank you to all the Mums who came along; our amazing sponsors and supporters of raffles, spot prizes and goodie bags; and Parents & Friends for organising this wonderful gathering!

Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, has been celebrated since the Tang Dynasty in China on the 15th day, of the 8th month, on the lunar calendar. It is believed that the moon is the fullest and brightest on this day. Ancient emperors used the day to host a feast as an offering to the moon.

St Cuthbert’s holds its own Mid-Autumn festival in September which saw Clouston Hall festooned with lanterns in celebration. A sold-out audience was treated to an exciting lion dance by the Kung Fu School followed by outstanding performances from the Junior School and the Chinese Cultural Group. Delicious home-made mooncakes, tea sampling and a Chinese calligraphy demonstration were some of the highlights of the evening, with guests also enjoying food trucks and stalls set-up in the Quad. Special thanks to the Asian Friendship Group for supporting such a spectacular evening.

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Connecting our Alumni & Friends

On the back of our inaugural Alumni & Friends event, which was held at the New Zealand Stock Exchange in Auckland, we held similar events in Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, to support our Old Girls, former staff, and parents to reconnect with one another.

We were privileged to hold our Wellington event in Parliament, with our local MP, David Seymour, as our official host. This event was attended by our Principal Justine Mahon, Trust Board members Leigh Melville and Hamish Firth, former students and parents, and even some current parents who flew down! Old Girls’, Claire Trevett (Political Editor, NZ Herald) and Brook van Velden (Deputy Leader of the Act Party) gave wonderful speeches about their memories of the College, and how their experiences have helped shape their careers.

This evening was followed closely by our event at The University of Otago Staff Club in Dunedin, where a warm gathering of young

Alumnae were treated to insights from Old Girl guest speaker Professor Michelle Thompson-Fawcett. We had an equally impressive turnout in Christchurch, with a fantastic speech from Old Girl and construction company director, Hayley Groves who spoke about projects close to her heart, her career and life journey which have always been underpinned by our College motto.

These occasions were an incredible testament to the strong bonds that tie our St Cuthbert's community together. As we move forward, we eagerly anticipate more opportunities to come together and celebrate our shared legacy.

Careers Breakfast

Despite the frosty early morning start, Clouston Hall was buzzing with anticipation on the morning of the Careers Breakfast.

Year 13 students and mentors from the parent and alumni community gathered in June for this annual event put on by the Careers Faculty. The Careers Team worked hard in matching students and industry experts from our community to enable lively conversations about career paths and insights. This is just one element of our comprehensive careers programme offered to Senior School students.

Head of Careers, Rhonda Vink said, “We are so grateful for all of our mentors who took the time to come and share their wisdom and experience with our Year 13s.”

Thank you to Paneton and Taiping Supermarket, who sponsored this event with delicious pastries and fruits.

Preserving our past with eyes to the future

Meet Sarah Padey, St Cuthbert's dedicated archives specialist

"I'm an archivist, not to be confused with an 'activist' – which weirdly does happen sometimes!" jokes Sarah Padey, who is sitting in the Archives office at the back of the Frances Compton Library. Sarah is the steward for the amazing College archives collection. A keeper of stories, and a bridge that connects the past, present, and future.

When she presents to students, Sarah paints a vivid picture of her role, "I tell them my job is to find, collect, keep and care for records, materials and objects, that have long-term value and relate to the college and its community."

Thanks to years of interest and generosity, the St Cuthbert's Archive has evolved into a treasure trove akin to a museum, filled with items and records that reflect the College's journey through time. Many of the items have been generously gifted by past pupils, staff, and their families – such as photograph albums, scrapbooks, and uniforms from bygone eras, cherished badges, and other mementos of school days.

Sarah emphasises the significance of preserving these things, “It's all about history, memories, traditions and identity. It’s quite a responsibility, and I don't take it lightly."

A digital future

In a rapidly changing digital landscape, where moments are often fleeting, Sarah acknowledges the value of tactile experiences. "There's something special about opening a dusty shoebox with age-old pictures inside! However, we’re also very visually tuned, so from an accessibility and preservation perspective, the more items we can digitise the better" she notes.

Looking ahead, Sarah sees the potential of technology, including AI, in aiding archivists to identify and make a selection from the avalanche of digital images that are being created these days.

One of Sarah's recent projects during the COVID-19 pandemic was digitising key college publications The Chronicle and College Ties – an initiative that aligns with the College's commitment to embrace modern archival practices.

Assisted by ILT Director, Andy Parker, Sarah is in the final stage of selection for new technology that supports collection management. It will mean efficient data management and much quicker access,” she says. “We are just at the beginning of this journey, but so far it’s going well.”

Sarah is also enthusiastic about the oral history collection, where interviews on cassette tapes are now digitised, preserving the voices and stories of some of St Cuthbert’s earliest pupils.

She recently facilitated an interview with much-loved Head of Chemistry, Ian Torrie, after he retired from 30 years of teaching at St Cuthbert’s. (She holds up his famous lab coat that he donated, a great example of a ‘teaching aid’ that carries iconic memories for hundreds of students!)

Branding our Amazing Archives

The "Amazing Archives: A collection with over 100 years of history and memories” is a new sub-brand, developed with our Communications and Marketing team.

It’s all about breathing new life into the message and purpose of the archive. Displays and content at events, for social media posts, and a new Archives Week (in June) have invigorated interest among the wider College community. Sarah also has changing pop-up displays and a blog on the Archives ‘My College’ page.

This year, Sarah welcomed two student archivists to the team, Emily Innes and Dima Kanani, who are learning the ropes. “It gives the girls an opportunity to learn about collection care and management, and a deeper appreciation of College history,” says Sarah. “We hope the girls spread the message that archives and history are engaging!”

The St Cuthbert's Archive is more than a collection of items – it's a portal to the past, a wellspring of knowledge, and a memory bridge to a future shaped by the echoes of yesteryears. Take yourself along, have a browse, and spread the word!

1934 St Cuthbert’s College, School Entrance

The Power of Structured Literacy

In recent years, structured literacy has gained recognition as a highly effective approach for teaching children how to read and write, with research showing that the most successful method is systematic and explicit instruction. This has formed the strategic focus for the Junior School – to empower students with the specific skills and strategies they need to read, spell and write effectively.

An extensive body of research on reading instruction has concluded that there are five essential sets of knowledge and skills for reading – Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary and Comprehension, and that a high-quality literacy programme should include all five components. These components are inter-related – the development of each is dependent on the others.

Structured literacy focuses on systematically teaching the foundational skills necessary for reading and writing. By providing a structured approach to learning, children can build strong foundations in these critical areas. As children develop strong literacy skills through structured learning, they gain more confidence in their reading and writing abilities.

Fe Tomich, Head of Junior School says “It’s not a small number of children that find reading difficult, and as teachers we feel so strongly the need to address this. We have invested a significant amount of time and resourcing into building our knowledge and skill base in this area. There is an overwhelming body of research that supports the effectiveness of a structured literacy approach.” Fe adds, “We now know through this latest research what is actually happening inside people’s brains when they are reading, and what’s been particularly exciting about this research is that it enables us to change our teaching to methods that are proven to be effective in growing or developing the neural pathways, for those readers that struggle, so that the activity that happens inside their brains

when they are reading more closely mirrors capable or fluid readers”.

By having all of this research, the Junior School teachers are drawing upon the very best of what they know about how children learn language, and are tailoring their teaching to meet these needs.

Emily Fisher, Year 0-3 Dean says “The way in which we are now teaching students to read and write is very different to how we ourselves were taught and trained as teachers. There has been so much new learning for not only our students but for us teachers as well, with plenty of a-ha moments along the way. I think the most exciting part of it all is seeing the difference it is making to our students’ learning. The way our youngest students can articulate

spelling rules and apply this to their learning is amazing. They are like sponges, and we are seeing that this systematic and structured approach really does work.”

Unlike walking, talking and moving, reading is not a skill that we learn naturally, and is an incredibly complex process. Reading requires connecting the visual systems in the brain to the shapes of letters, and then connecting them to speech sounds. We know that the English language is predictable and highly structured with set rules and patterns. This has led to significant changes in the way we teach young children to read, helping them learn the relationship between sounds and letters in a very structured way.

“In the early years we use the Little Learners Love Literacy (LLLL) resources. The LLLL programme is more than just learning to read, it encompasses reading, spelling, handwriting and dictation. Through this Structured Literacy programme, we are creating stronger links between reading and writing. Previously, there was often a gap between a child’s ability to read and their ability to write. Structured Literacy is bridging that gap and equips students with the knowledge and skills to not only be able to read words, but to be able to spell them as well”. Emily adds, “In the early stages of learning to read and write, students move from sounds (phonemes), to letters (graphemes), to words, to sentences, to books. This sets them up for success and minimizes the cognitive overload that comes with learning to read and write.”

Once students have completed the Little Learners programme, they move onto The Code, which, like Little Learners is also a very systematic and structured way of teaching. Jude Griffiths, Year 4-6 Dean says “The Code uses the idea of “I Do, We do, You do”. That means that as teachers, we are explicitly showing the students how to perform a task, then we give them a chance to test it out with our support, then finally move through to where they are able to embark on doing this independently. Having this lesson structure, means for the students, there are no surprises; they know exactly what is going to happen in a lesson, and their cognitive load can go into the lesson, not worry about

what is going to happen next.”

The Code also supports the teaching of spelling through a very structured approach, also working on correct pronunciation, so this translates into more accurate spelling. Jude comments that students are typically stronger readers than they are spellers, which is why we continue to use a systematic approach to spelling. She says “Parents probably remember when we were at school, we’d be sent home with a list of spelling words on a Monday that we would have to memorise for a test on a Friday. Think how many words are in the English language you need to learn, versus actually learning spelling rules that you can apply to a multitude of words across the English language. This is where you start to see the benefits of this Structured Literacy approach”

Targeted learning is an important part of this approach. At the start of the year, all students in Years 3-6 are assessed so teachers can see what level they are at, where their areas of strength are, and where their gaps are; and from using this data, students can be put in a group specifically addressing their individual needs. “The beauty of the programme is that we are so deliberate in what we are teaching and I think that is the key difference in a lot of ways – that we are very conscious and and know what the girls need at specific moments in time, and we are always assessing to find out what those needs are,” Fe Tomich says. This means that students who are struggling, can receive targeted support, while more advanced students can be challenged, ensuring that no child is left behind.

Fe states “One of the best things about teaching is that we are constantly learning, and when you know better, you do better, and that’s a huge part of what we are doing here when we are being adaptive with our practice. We’re moving with the girls and that’s the beauty of it. We are incredibly fortunate that not only do we have the resources to roll this out properly, we also have the entire teaching team on board, so the change has happened very quickly. It’s so exciting that there is so much scope in this approach.”

Ways you can support your daughter at home

FE TOMICH, HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

“One of the most powerful things you can do for your child is to read to them, even as they get older –that’s how you can extend their vocabulary. Another valuable thing you can do is talk to your daughters about the books she is reading and ask lots of rich questions, ranging from their opinions, to asking about new words they have come across. Also, read yourself! Read books that you enjoy in front of your children, and talk to them about the book you are reading.”

“Learn with your daughter at home. Ask her to explain the spelling rule or pattern she has been learning, and see if you can find examples of it and practise these words. Ask them to explain what they have been learning in class, as this will really help consolidate what they have learnt at school.”

EMILY FISHER, YEAR 0–3 DEAN

Meet Caroline Reddish

Director of Kahunui

"I'm confident we're doing something transformational, that girls will carry for life.”

Caroline Reddish

Caroline Reddish is an exceptional educator whose passion for outdoor education and commitment to holistic learning make her the perfect fit for her role as Director of Kahunui.

Caroline Reddish chats to us remotely from Kahunui St Cuthbert’s second campus. It’s been pouring with rain in the Bay of Plenty wilderness, but she isn’t fazed. Her energy and passion are palpable as she talks about her role leading students and staff at Kahunui, and the outcomes of our unique programme.

Caroline has been working in the outdoors for the past 20 years, first as an outdoor instructor, then teaching Outdoor Education and Physical Education at secondary level. She is relishing the role at St Cuthbert’s which she started in April 2023.

Caroline is a long-standing Board Member of Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ), a national professional organisation leading, supporting, and influencing education outside the classroom.

She has held a variety of roles at St Paul's Collegiate Tihoi Venture School, Green

Bay High School, Hamilton Girls and most recently, Trident High School, where she was Deputy Principal. She also has a Masters in Educational Leadership.

With such a diverse range of experience and a strong background in curriculum development, Caroline is well-equipped to help students achieve the goals of Kahunui.

Although she is quick to credit the natural environment with a primary teaching role as well.

“The jaw-dropping landscape serves as a vehicle for learning resilience, interpersonal skills and confidence, but it's not all about running around and getting muddy outside!" she explains. "It's about having a go and realising that if you fail you can try again and succeed. Where this takes you, is nothing short of incredible."

By encouraging students to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new

challenges, Kahunui instils a sense of selfbelief and accomplishment in girls’ abilities.

The Kahunui programme involves outdoor activities which range from tramping, sea kayaking, and blow-carting to mountain biking, fire lighting and survival camping. The girls live together in a house of 8 and are responsible for meal planning and cooking, managing house chores, environmental and social education programmes. The broad learning environment encourages girls to challenge and enquire – to think deeply about the world they live in and delve into problems to develop creative and innovate solutions.

There are several things that Caroline says attracted her to the role, including the amazing opportunity to empower young women. “There are not many outdoor centres specifically for girls, so it’s unique and inspiring to be involved.”

She also loves to teach the concept

of environmental stewardship. “By instilling a deep appreciation for nature and sustainability, we’re encouraging students to feel more responsible for the environment in the future. For example, we’re working with the regional council on a goal of becoming 95% pest-free, Carbon Zero by 2030, and we have food sustainable practices through growing our own vegetables, and a zero-waste recycling programme”.

Caroline believes that supporting community initiatives around biodiversity, such as tree planting, is a great concept for girls to take away. “They then understand their individual ability to take action and make a long-term difference.”

Another focus is for students to learn about the history and culture of the area, as well

as the role of local iwi. Kahunui is situated in a beautiful valley with rich manawhenua. “We ensure that students appreciate the significance of the land and its heritage, which promotes a sense of understanding, respect and self-reflection.”

Caroline also believes the absence of devices is key to the success of the programme. “With no phones, students learn to engage with one another more actively, with no distractions”, she explains. “They experience moments of boredom, which is important for our brains and personal development”. The perfect example is the 'Solo' time each week, which challenges students to spend time alone, fostering self-reflection and self-reliance.

Reddish acknowledges that the Kahunui journey is not always easy for all students,

at first. "We do have girls who turn up nervous, but this changes quickly. As the programme progresses, students soon develop confidence, kindness towards one another and themselves, and resilience”.

She describes how tears can flow during the final week, as girls reflect fondly on their month away. The reluctance to see the programme end, is a testament to the incredible experience they have undergone. “I'm confident we’re doing something transformational, that girls will carry for life." she says.

With her unwavering commitment to empowering young women and fostering personal growth, Caroline is an invaluable asset to Kahunui, shaping the lives of young individuals and preparing them for a future filled with possibilities.

Conservation Week initiatives at the College

During Conservation Week this year, St. Cuthbert’s focused on two important projects – tree planting and pest-free activities, at Kahunui, our second campus.

One of our Year 8 classes travelled to a farm located in Bombay and planted approximately 700 native trees in an area to prevent soil erosion. This is the same location where we also planted last year so it was wonderful for the girls to see the progress after a year.

Meanwhile, at Kahunui, conservation activity focused on Biodiversity growth with a goal, by 2030, to be 95% pest free, waste zero, carbon zero and grow food sustainably.

Throughout the 26-day intake, students' planted eco sourced trees throughout the centre, participated in community service planting, or tree releasing throughout the Ohiwa/Waiotahi Valley community, and pest eradication through our trapping programme. Every piece of material brought onto the Kahunui site is recycled or reused, and students grow their own food through student built gardens and green houses.

Celebrating 20 Years of the Endeavour Scholarship Programme

In June, St Cuthbert’s was honoured to host a celebration of 20 years of the incredible Endeavour Scholarship Programme in our Violet Wood Dining Hall. The Endeavour programme supports students of Māori and/ or Pasifika descent to attend four schools in Auckland – St Cuthbert’s College, King’s School, King’s College and Sacred Heart. It is funded by a generous benefactor in partnership with funding matched by each school. Over 70 students and staff joined together for a meal to celebrate this momentous occasion. It was wonderful to see all the current Endeavour students from Years 7–13 together, and the group were inspired by speeches from St Cuthbert’s Old Girl and Endeavour Scholar, Asena Tolungamaka, who is a Foreign Policy Officer for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as Pauline Winter, QSO and Chief Executive Officer of Nga Tamaki Puawai o Tamaki (Auckland Kindergarten Association).

Pauline Winter has been a panel member for the selection of Endeavour Scholars for St Cuthbert’s since 2002 when the programme first began. She says, “Endeavour has grown strong leaders who are helping to create a more culturally diverse learning environment at St Cuthberts. This contribution to the cultural diversity of one school community is no small thing in itself. It helps to model, for the next generation, just how we as a community, and Auckland as a city, are rapidly making the transition into an exciting new future state – the culturally diverse Auckland of tomorrow.”

Since 2002, St Cuthbert’s has seen nearly 90 students awarded this scholarship.

Gifting Amazing Annual Fund Update

The 2023 Gifting Amazing Annual Fund exceeded its target and has allowed us to deliver five incredible new initiatives.

DIGITALINNOVATIONLABS 1

Digital Co-Lab Launch

On 17 August, the opening of the new Digital Co-Labs at the 2023 Girls Innovate event, was simply electric, with record numbers of families in attendance to witness how St Cuthbert’s College is teaching for the future with its Technology offering.

The newly created Digital Co-Labs were officially opened, and parents and students alike, engaged in a range of digital tools, enjoying hands-on tech exploration and innovative game play.

Students enjoyed taking part in robotics, virtual reality, badge making and lego construction. In the Atrium, the giant dance floor was hugely popular, while in the Auditorium, it was fantastic to see the energy of parents and daughters taking part in the eSports tournament together.

110

families attended tours run by Head of Faculty, Sam Langatuki, with guest speaker Professor Olaf Diegel (pictured above) from the University of Auckland introducing the mind-bending future of 3D printing and creative industries.

The Technology Faculty runs and supports many creative clubs students can be part of. Students from these clubs did a terrific job showcasing their activities and selling afternoon tea to raise extra funds to support the resources they need. We’re grateful to parents and Board members for running the sausage sizzle.

Parents and students alike, learned so much about the clubs available and we look forward to seeing more students register with these to grow their digital opportunities at St Cuthbert’s.

Principal’s ‘Every Girl’ Initiative

The Principal’s ‘Every Girl’ initiative supports girls in financial need who have been asked to represent the College in co-curricular activities. This was a keenly supported fund and we’re thrilled to share that money raised has allowed girls from across a broad range of Year groups to attend events such as Netball, Football and Hockey tournaments; Big Sing and other choir festivals. Thank you for your support.

Through donations to the Gifting Amazing Annual Fund, we have been able to commission a new Audio Recording Studio within the Performing Arts Centre, the first of its kind at St Cuthbert’s College. Building work is set to commence shortly, and students will be able to use the new studio in 2024.

Sports Recording Equipment

Donations to the Annual Fund enabled the College to purchase progressive sports recording equipment. These have been used on a weekly basis by our Hockey and Football teams. The Go Pro recorded material is played back in analysis sessions to help improve players’ performance. St Cuthbert’s 1st football coach Sander Waterford shared, “It has been great for the girls to see themselves play and have an open discussion about what they are doing well, and what can be improved on. The camera software enables us to draw lines on the game overview, to aid discussion about possible runs the students could make next time, or what position they could move to. Many of the girls hadn’t seen themselves play Football before we had the recording equipment and they’ve

really enjoyed reviewing their games, visually.

The equipment has also allowed our Hockey teams to learn and improve over the course of the season. Coaches Vic Methven and Tori Vao have used the footage during Hockey analysis and say, “Being able to consult, with our teams of players, in training and games has really taken our Hockey insights to the next level. We can work with our athletes to show how their techniques can be adjusted for different outcomes. We’ve seen that the players who review their own performance from the video footage, are able to quickly adapt both in training and on the field, in important games. We have plans to use this much more in 2024 and beyond.”

“We aim to run a session once every couple of weeks to go over their games. It’s amazing to see how the girls have improved as a result of the video sessions; the players are certainly recognising moments we have discussed as a team”

Sander Waterford First XI Football Coach

First XI Football students reviewing a game against Glendowie College that resulted in a 1–1 Draw.

Go Pro in action capturing footage from a Hockey training session, that coaches Vic Methven and Tori Vao used in later analysis with the players.

Staff Scholarships

Ros Ali, Sally Chudzynski and Victoria Mauala

Teachers and students at St Cuthbert’s, truly are at the very heart of all we do. With thanks to the donations to the Gifting Amazing Annual Fund we were able to award significant staff scholarships which will bring enhancements back to students in 2024.

Victoria Mauala and Sally Chudzynski were awarded the staff scholarship prize in order to bring a world view back to our Junior School STEM learning. Victoria said, “Having this scholarship will enrich me, as well as other staff, in digital learning, and in a broader sense, also, Apple Learning at St Cuthbert’s College. Bringing back the knowledge from the Apple Distinguished Schools conference and the STEM in Education Conference, will elevate and promote the College as a destination to observe our programmes and skilled teachers. It will enhance the professional learning experiences for all Junior School staff and encourage professional growth. Underpinning this professional development opportunity, is the welfare and achievement of our students. By

building on our confident, innovative and creative teaching styles, we are encouraging the same for our students.”

Importantly, a part of the conference addresses how neurodiverse thinkers can benefit from advancement in digital learning.

Victoria and Sally will investigate how using the accessibility functions woven into the devices, will allow our diverse learners to access new approaches which, in turn, will enhance their learning experiences as well as extend their creativity and thinking.

Sally adds, “We are in charge of educating our students for an unknown digital future, for jobs that don’t yet exist. By awarding professional learning experiences through the Gifting Amazing Annual Fund Staff Scholarships, we open up our teaching staff to new education pathways, to best support our students’ future development. We seek to be innovators, at the cutting edge of advancements in this field. We believe our Junior girls will enter our Senior School armed with a depth and breadth of knowledge of how to activate and accelerate learning through digital devices.”

St Cuthbert's College Publishing Project

The Gifting Amazing Staff Scholarship will provide an exciting opportunity to develop the Publishing Project. The major objective of the Publishing Project is to nurture the student voice and the craft of storytelling in the Writing Programme.

Recipient Ros Ali, Director of Libraries and Head of the Writing Programme says, “Our goal is to publish in-house and establish St Cuthbert’s own imprint, involving students in composing, developing and publishing their work. Creating a special writing journal for students, supporting Margin, the student led publication, and experimenting with digital, print and multi-media forms, will be at the heart of the project.”

“Collaboration with writers and specialists in the publishing process, developing creative confidence and capturing our stories, will be invaluable for us all.”

Benefits students will look forward to will include the development of greater creative confidence and competence in the writing and publishing process, and skills in managing themselves. Students will develop further skills in all stages of writing, publishing, editing in print, digital and use of multimedia platforms. These are lifelong skills which are transferable across all disciplines. Students will also benefit from using publishing and editing software at industry level, as well as enjoying collaboration with peers and the College Community. Importantly, once St Cuthbert’s College has its own publishing house it will strengthen our community of writers and readers.

Ros and the team are looking forward to launching this to the student community in early 2024.

Communities Feeding Communities

"When different groups come together with a common goal of helping people to thrive so much more can be achieved. Thank you St Cuthbert’s, – for your spirit of generosity and manaakitanga. We love your motto of ‘by love serve’, and we love working with you to achieve this at our Communities Feeding Communities initiative”. — Anne Overton

An important part of the Gifting Amazing Annual Fund has been to donate a portion of the funds raised to social good. Our Chaplain, Rev. Francois Joubert, assessed charities with the Year 13 Service Committee and staff, determining that the ‘Communities Feeding Communities’ charity would be the beneficiary of the $25,000 raised from the overall donations.

Communities Feeding Communities (CFC) provides a place and support for those in financial need to learn more about food and tend their own gardens. Its mission is to deliver food security, to nurture reciprocity and relationships through kai, and to create a sense of belonging for all who visit their site in Mount Roskill. Anne Overton, Old Girl and Community Relationship Manager of Presbyterian Support Northern, the parent charity of CFC, describes its mission as “bringing people from the local community together to learn more about growing produce to feed themselves, and how to cook nourishing food that is affordable”.

In addition to the donation, year-round service has also been appreciated at the site. Year 13 students built a greenhouse which was funded from the congregation collection at the 2022 Christmas Carol Service. Our Science faculty worked with Year 5 girls in Term 3 to grow seedlings which will be transferred to the greenhouse and, when ready, will be planted in the garden beds. In Term 2, our Junior School teachers visited the site to plant passionfruit trees which are now bearing fruit included in the food parcels those in need can receive.

The $25,000 social good donation has enabled the purchase of an entire new system of shelving and chillers, which will store Foodbank donations. The team from CFC was presented with the donation in August and Anne Overton shared with students.

“Now, with the money you have gifted to us through your Gifting Amazing Annual Fund donation, we are able to move towards a new model of Foodbank which we call a Social Food Pantry. For this, we

need new equipment, appliances, shelving as well as a wider range of food. When people from the local Mt Roskill community access the Social Food Pantry they will be able to work to a budget and choose food from our shelves that is subsidised. As they ‘shop’ from our pantry we will have a someone walk alongside them as they make their choices, building a relationship with them, encouraging them to access the recipes we have developed and learn more about meal planning to create affordable nutritious meals.

Inside the Social Food Pantry, we will have a refillery which will mean people can use their own containers and purchase smaller quantities of items like flour, dried beans and nuts. There will be lots of fresh fruit and vegetables to choose from, with as much produce as possible being harvested from our community garden and micro-food forest.

Meet our new Service Co-Ordinator, Penni Glengarry

We warmly welcome Old Girl, Penni Glengarry, to the new role of Service Coordinator. Penni currently has two daughters at the College in Year 9 and 11. After working in the charity sector in London, Penni moved back to NZ and took on a volunteering role at Ronald McDonald House in Auckland. Penni's role involves

working with staff and students, including the Year 13 Service Committee. Penni will develop and oversee the College's various Service programmes, including those which are an essential part of the Year 11 St Cuthbert's Diploma, ensuring 'By Love Serve' is threaded through our Service actions. Welcome Penni!

Food From The Heart

At any given time, there will be a family in our community who is going through a challenging time, which could include a hospitalisation, illness, or family crisis.

The Parents & Friends have started a Food From The Heart initiative where the family in need is given some meals to see them through or help make life just a little easier. This initiative is calling for our College community to put aside a meal or two when you are cooking or baking in bulk. These meals can then be brought to the school and frozen, ready to be distributed to those families when in need. Our Reverend Francois Joubert will make the assessment and manage the distribution.

Please visit the Robertson Building Reception to get a container if you would like to contribute to this great cause. Noel Leeming has generously donated a chest freezer for us to store these meals for distribution.

If you know of someone in need, you can contact Reverend Joubert or our new Service Coordinator, Penni Glengarry. This is also a great time to introduce Penni who has joined us on a part-time basis working alongside Reverend Joubert. We are very lucky to have Penni who knows the College well, being an Old Girl, a parent and now a staff member.

St Cuthbert’s Cookbook

Our wonderful P&F Chair and Old Girl Harriet Booth has taken on a fundraising project to publish a St Cuthbert’s cookbook. This cookbook will consist of recipes from the community – Alumni, parents, and staff members. Harriet is wellplaced to oversee this project as she has worked on multiple cookbooks in the past, as an Art Director.

There will be a call out for recipes from the community early next year. Once these are collated, an independent Chef and Food Writer will make the selection for the cookbook. Some tastings, tweaking and photographing will then follow. The aim is to have these published by September 2024. The last cookbook St Cuthbert’s published was in 2015.

A World of Possibilities in Performing Arts

Oliver Gilmour Head of Faculty – Performing Arts

Whether a student feels most at home behind a grand piano or competing in hip hop competitions, there are countless opportunities to pursue creative and artistic passions here at St Cuthbert’s, at all levels of experience.

The St Cuthbert’s strategic vision includes the aim to grow each girls’ Mind, Body and Spirit. Participating in Performing Arts certainly contributes to this outcome, thanks to rich opportunities in performance, production, movement, creativity, selfexpression and learning.

“Well, obviously, I’m a huge advocate for the arts!” smiles Oliver Gilmour, our passionate Head of Faculty: Performing Arts, who is an accomplished musician and educator. “Over the years I’ve seen first-hand how dance, drama, music and speech programmes can help young people to develop resilience, creativity and confidence, and most importantly, develop empathy.”

Oliver points out the Performing Arts can also be credited for developing imagination and building the skills future employers are looking for – collaboration, curiosity, risk-taking and an ability to think outside the square, “All essential qualities for the real world.”

Oliver and his accomplished teaching team of 11 staff, together with a large team of itinerants and contractors, work across the disciplines in curricular, co-curricular and itinerant lessons. “We are incredibly lucky to have a hugely talented and committed team” he says.

“There are plenty of ways for students to either dip their toes into something completely new and have some fun collaborating with friends,” explains Oliver. “or, to really excel and progress more formally and competitively”.

Here are just some of the activities and highlights of Performing Arts in 2023, and an insight into the faculty’s vision.

Dance in many forms

“We offer some great ways for girls to express themselves through movement,” says Oliver. “It’s an art form that’s always evolving.”

Curricular dance includes a plethora of styles, and our co-curricular dance programme is growing. “This year, we are entering troupes into regional competitions for the first time, which is providing an allimportant focus.”

‘The Company’ is our troupe of auditioned, elite dancers from Years 10 to 13, with a focus on contemporary dance. New this year is the ‘Year 7 and 8 Jazz Dance’ Troupe, catering for many enthusiastic Junior Secondary students, and we recently had great success in a local hip hop competition. “Girls have collaborated this year on stunning pieces for performances and a particular highlight was the annual Dance Showcase, held in Clouston Hall in August” says Oliver. “This featured our fantastic dance troupes, along with our NCEA Dance

students performing at a high level. We also had the privilege of bringing in some outstanding professional dancers for our annual ‘Dance Intensive’ weekend workshop”.

Finding your rhythm

When it comes to our all-important Music offering, girls have a unique and impressive array of choices, and can set their own pace. “Whether it’s an un-auditioned, development group or an elite, premier ensemble, there’s something for every girl when it comes to music,” explains Oliver. “There’s choirs, bands, jazz ensembles, orchestras, chamber groups and rock bands, competing in local and national competitions. It’s a hive of activity!”

We are proud of our top ensembles, such as Saints Alive, who are competing in the 2023 National Finale. However, the development groups also provide essential pathways for students to grow and develop in their younger years.

Oliver points out that as well as a robust curricular and co-curricular offering, there are over 30 itinerant music teachers, tutoring a range of instruments including voice. “Our itinerant tutors bring a depth of experience, and many of them are professional musicians too.”

“Action!” with our unique drama offering Drama students learn to explore many interesting and iconic characters and scripts, and gain valuable personal skills they will carry through life.

“I believe acting develops intimate levels of empathy and a sense of self and performance helps with developing confidence.” says Oliver.

He would certainly know, having witnessed

over 250 students annually go through Drama Club and Theatresports, as well as many other curricular drama activities.

“We’re also proud that many girls participate in the Shakespeare Prologue Festival, many of them progressing to the SGCNZ Sheila Winn Shakespeare Festival.”

Oliver is quick to add that it’s also about what’s behind the scenes, “When students help to produce plays or shows, which is an essential and specialised part of Performing Arts, they also get recognised. Our Tech Team are highly skilled students who help with sound, lighting and other backstage tasks”.

As an advocate of musical theatre, Oliver believes school productions are a favourite part of the year. “Whether it’s ‘Annie’ or ‘The Addams Family’, productions offer a role for everyone. Our productions, in conjunction with Auckland Grammar School, create lifelong memories for our students.”

Finding your voice with speech lessons

Oliver believes that our Speech programme is led by some of Aotearoa’s top communication experts, who teach girls valuable technical skills and confidence.

“Students who enrol in these programmes soon learn to find their own clear, authentic voice when it comes to public speaking” explains Oliver. “Many of our students choose to advance through the Trinity School of London or New Zealand Speech Board exams”.

Looking to the future

Oliver started with us in 2020 as Associate Head of Faculty. Since mid2022, he has led the faculty and has a strong vision for the years ahead.

“There is an exemplary set of programmes already on the table –but we’re always evolving,” he says. “An example is the new Chapel Band that performs at Sunday Services, students learning to play the new organ in Clouston Hall, and our efforts to develop singing, through the integration of Māori waiata and hymns.

Oliver and his team will continue to strive for excellence in ‘premier’ groups like Saints Alive, Sebastian Squad, Shakespeare Festival, and Stage Band, at a national level.

“We’re also concentrating on increased networking and collaboration with other schools

and increasing competitions as well. Hosting the Honours Band Festival in 2023 is a great example of this.

Furthermore, we believe that service is an important part of the College’s ethos, so we are also involved in performing for the community.”

Oliver is also excited about a new recording studio in the pipeline. “Along with our other impressive resources in the PAC, we’ve got a purpose-built studio being constructed that will offer girls unique hands-on recording experience.”

PAC is short for Performing Arts Centre, our purpose-built building constructed in 2011.

“It’s a truly impressive and unique space for a school,” he says. “But the thing I love most, is that it’s a safe haven for all students to just hang out, try new things, such as a new instrument. The PAC fosters a sense of belonging that is very special.”

Oliver has an impressive musical background, with an undergraduate degree in music and Masters in Education Practice from the University of Auckland. He is currently on the Board of the National Youth Theatre, has been the musical director of countless shows, and spent five years as conductor of the Auckland Wind Orchestra. He plays the saxophone and flute, and even taught himself to play the piano.

“Since I was young, I knew I wanted to do something in music, and teaching has been the perfect progression,” says Oliver. “Watching a student fall in love with an art form and create lifelong memories in Performing Arts, is such a thrill for me. I love watching our talented teachers grow and develop their practice too.”

We hope that our students will feel inspired to try something new – either on or off stage.

Getinvolved!

Here is our annual co-curricular Performing Arts offering. Chat to one of our Performing Arts teachers for more information.

Drama

Shakespeare Festival

Theatresports

Theatre Club

Annual College Productions

Dance

Black Watch Company

Black Watch Ballet

Hip Hop Crew

Year 7 Jazz

Black Watch Hip Hop

K-Pop Crew Company

Little Dance Company

Junior School Hip Hop

Music

Choirs:

Junior Song Squad

Junior Black Watch Singers

Junior Saints

Song Squad

Black Watch Singers

Saints Alive

Jazz:

B Band

Sax Quartet

Stage Band

Milestones

Concert bands: Honours Band

Black Watch Winds

Orchestra:

Black Watch Orchestra

Junior Black Watch Orchestra

Sebastian Squad

Suzuki:

Suzuki Violin Group

Small ensembles:

Chamber Music

Flute Choir

Classical Guitar & Harp

Rock Band

NURTURING MUSICAL TALENTS – our student led music mentoring programme

Two of our Senior School students, Bonnie Wang and Elaine Heimgartner, have set up a new Music Mentoring Initiative – a student led, voluntary programme in the Performing Arts Centre to foster young minds interested in music. Senior student mentors are

paired up with younger students who would like extra help with their music practice. It is wonderful that the Junior School girls can spend time with, and learn from the Senior Students, and bond over their passion of music.

The Addams Family musical takes centre stage!

The Performing Arts Team was delighted to be able to produce a full scale musical production after four years of disruption due to the pandemic. It was impressive how the cast, orchestra, creative team and crew put together such a spectacular show. The cast, including Auckland Grammar actors, enthralled us with such an amazing, witty and professional show – this was definitely one to remember!

Thank you to all who were involved, from the Creative Team and those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, to our fantastic cast and our valued audience of friends and supporters.

Cultural Honours

Congratulations to this year’s Cultural Honours recipients who all display an exemplary level of achievement, commitment, and service to the Arts and Culture of St Cuthbert’s. The Performing Arts are a vibrant part of the College, supporting students to

develop their creativity and intellect, and our girls are so fortunate to have such a diverse range of Performing Arts options available to them.

Choral Showcase

This year’s Choral Showcase was a truly impressive and uplifting event, with performances from all our Years 2 –13 choirs. The evening was an exceptional example of what a choir can achieve because of the highly talented and committed staff who coach our choirs. We have close to 250 students involved in our College choirs, and it is a privilege to watch the students becoming such confident and capable performers.

Big Sing Finale

Congratulations to our premiere choir, Saints Alive, who won Gold at the Big Sing Finale.

The girls performed at an extremely high standard. Denzel Panama, Director of Saints Alive said ‘The students in this choir are truly a joy to work with and they put every ounce of themselves into achieving an incredibly high standard of singing and music making.’

A huge thank you to the Performing Arts faculty staff – in particular, Denzel Panama, Mary Cornish, Oliver Gilmour, Mike Young and Dragana Yelavich. Well done Saints Alive!

Dance Showcase

The Dance Showcase is always highly anticipated and this year’s event was a fantastic display of St Cuthbert’s talent. Over 140 students from Year 7–13, took to the stage in a spectacular performance showcasing some of the best dance talent at St Cuthbert’s. The audience was treated to an evening of amazing energy – from classical ballet to hip-hop, there was something for everyone. Highlights included the performance from Black Watch Company who also took first place at the DanceNZMade competition, the NCEA Dance students assessments and Mia Reddy’s Dance Scholarship choreography submission. This event always offers a chance for students who are passionate about dance, to mix with dancers from different year levels, and challenge themselves to reach their best in a supportive environment. Congratulations to all our fabulous performers.

KBB Music

A number of our music groups took part in the annual KBB Music Festival at St Mary’s and the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Our students performed alongside other talented young musicians in orchestras and bands from across the Auckland region. The Black Watch Orchestra, Sebastian Squad, Stage Band, B Band and Black Watch Winds all performed beautifully. In addition, our gifted cellist, Jifei Shao (left), was awarded the accolade for ‘Best performance of a soloist’. A huge congratulations to our spectacular musicians and their talented directors, Mark Bennett, Dave Edmundson, Mike Young and Oliver Gilmour.

Congratulations to our Sebastian Squad for being selected to perform at the KBB Music Festival Gala Concert and winning the prestigious Gold award.

Where fun and imagination thrive – our new Junior School Playground

We are delighted to share with you, our new Junior School Playground! Playing is such an important factor in learning, and this state-of-the-art playground will bring endless fun for years to come.

It has been fantastic for our students to be involved with the entire process. Girls gave their input on what items they would like to see in their playground, and were, of course, the first people to try it all out at our official opening.

We must extend a huge thank you to our Parents & Friends, whose generosity has brought this playground to life.

A club for everyone

From gymnastics and football to running and chess, our Junior School has a Cocurricular club for every student to enjoy!

Awakening new interests, learning new skills and making friends with students with whom they may not normally interact; here at St Cuthbert’s Junior School, we understand that the benefits of joining a co-curricular club are endless.

The aim of our co-curricular club programme is to get as many students involved as possible!

The Board Game club, held each Monday, is a great way for friends to connect at the start if the week, with Kapa Haka each Friday, fast becoming a firm favourite with many students. Creative Thinkers club and even our Secret Garden Club, offer the perfect lunchtime escape whilst others get active with our sport options that include Jump Jam, running and football.

It was amazing to attend the Junior Black Watch Orchestra club recently, and quietly observe how the students enjoyed their lunches together, before picking up their instruments and performing with their pals.

And our offering is always growing to meet demand! We recently started a Chess club that has proved so popular that it’s at capacity, with members participating in local tournaments. Do you have an idea for our next club? Get in touch today!

One of our favourite traditions in the Junior School is our 100 day milestone, where the girls come dressed as 100 year olds. It is so special to see how far the girls have come since their first day of school, and we loved seeing them dressed up in their pearls and wigs to celebrate this.

Celebrating 100 days at St Cuthbert's A magical Junior School disco!

Clouston Hall was transformed into a winter wonderland for this year’s Junior School Disco. The girls enjoyed dancing the night away on the light up dance floor, falling fake snow, delicious food trucks, a fun photo booth, and UV hand painting.

A huge thank you to our amazing P&F committee who, once again, created a night to remember for our Junior girls.

Book Character Day

Our Junior School had fun in August celebrating Book Day. The students took part in the Book Character Parade and we were so impressed with the creativity of the costumes!

Stepping Together

In August, our current Year 6 students were joined by close to 80 Year 6 students from other schools, who are joining our Year 7 cohort next year. It was a fabulous opportunity for them to connect as a group; we introduced them to some team building activities and offered them the chance to speak with our Year 13 students about all the exciting opportunities that are on offer as they move into the Senior School. We were also treated to a concert showcasing some of the opportunities available for them in the performing arts, including dance and drama, choral and instrumental options. It was heartwarming to see the friendships form so quickly and the visiting students were visibly more relaxed and excited as the morning progressed, with our girls hosting with true “By Love Serve”.

It was a real pleasure to host the King's School students for our annual exchange. Our Year 1 girls visited King's School and our Year 2 girls hosted the Year 2 boys. Our outdoor courts were loaded with fun activities and it wasn’t

long before the girls were mingling and giggling with confidence amongst the boys. Gilbert was drawn like a magnet to all the excitement and managed to intercept one of the balls being thrown to join in with the play.

King's Y1 and Y2 Exchange Kapa Haka Exchange

The girls love meeting new friends and taking part in lots of fun activities including making their own fruit kebabs. It's wonderful to have such a great partnership with King's School!

The King's and St Cuthbert’s annual Kapa Haka exchange has been going on for many years now, with each school taking turns in hosting the event. Every year, the visiting school places a small treasure of significance in a taonga and it rests on the chapel altar, signalling the link between the two kura.

Last year St Cuthbert's placed a small piece of Matariki jewellery due to the significance of the first Matariki day of honour. This year King's placed their 100 year Centenary Badge in the taonga.

A Cultural Voyage: Say Bonjour to the reopening of our Exchange Programmes

This year St Cuthbert’s has been thrilled to reprise foreign exchanges, which have not officially featured since pre-Covid times. Six senior St Cuthbert’s students are taking part, as well as their families, and they each hosted a French exchange student for six weeks over July and August this year. The St Cuthbert’s students involved are Victoria Cole Year 11, Elaine Heimgartner Year 11, Estelle Lee Year 12, Lavinia Mahadevan Year 12, Millie Paris Year 13 and Grace Liang Year 13.

Three of the St Cuthbert’s students have already attended school in Paris for six weeks, earlier this year and stayed with their student’s family, while the remaining three will head there in December to complete the programme.

The French exchange programme offers the opportunity for a life-changing experience for students at St Cuthbert’s, and French students from several Paris schools. It’s a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in a different culture, enhance language skills, foster global awareness, and develop personal growth.

St Cuthbert’s Head of French, Florent Pieri, helped to reopen these two remarkable programmes with his peers in France. He says “We are extremely lucky to have a

long-term relationship with two French schools - Ecole Alsacienne which is located in the centre of Paris and Lycée Lakanal which is situated 20km south of Paris, called Sceaux. This offers fantastic opportunities for our students to live with a French family, go to a French school and discover Paris for 8 weeks.

As part of these reciprocal exchanges, our students and their families in turn host their French partner and offer them a special Kiwi experience. They often establish long-term friendships and meet up again years after.”

When the French students came to St Cuthbert’s they were warmly welcomed by an enthusiastic cohort of Kiwi peers, and enjoyed the July winter holidays with the families who hosted them. The students had exceptionally good English language skills which certainly helped them adapt. The experience was unique for these students as they all attend co-educational school in France, with no uniform. One student explained that school was more relaxed and friendly at St Cuthbert’s, and they liked the teachers in New Zealand, compared to their stricter French schooling experience.

Beyond the academic realm, the French students enjoyed the enchanting beauty

of Auckland and its surroundings, with one student being lucky enough to head to the South Island with her host family. They all agreed it rained a lot more here than they were expecting, but enjoyed the challenge of coming to the other side of the world and hoped one day to return.

Here are some accounts from the St Cuthbert’s students involved:

Elaine Heimgartner, Year 11

“Once Miriam arrived, in a short while, she definitely fitted right in and became another busy St Cuth’s student, going to all of my extra music groups, running around Auckland, and hanging out with the other exchange students. In the holidays, we showed her around the best parts of the South Island and made the most of the stunning nature that New Zealand is known for. Throughout the short six weeks, we enjoyed telling each other about our families, friends, and school life, as well as getting Miriam to try lots of new activities and foods that she wouldn’t have tried back in France. I am definitely very excited to be going in December, to stay with Miriam’s family and about discovering what life in Paris is like!

Lavinia Mahadevan Year 12

I thoroughly enjoyed the first part of my French exchange programme and am looking forward to going to France in December with my exchange partner, Sophie. This experience helped me to improve my intercultural knowledge about French language and culture, by interacting with a French person my age. I enjoyed showing Sophie a peek into my lifestyle in New Zealand, and having a discussion comparing the differences in the lives of a New Zealand student versus a French Student.

I enjoyed showing Sophie around my life: my College campus, my friends and family, my hobbies and extracurricular activities, and the beautiful country of New Zealand that I’m proud to call my own. It was incredibly fun having a new friend of someone my age, with similar interests to me. Sophie and I both spoke English, French and Spanish, which meant that we could constantly change languages so that people around us wouldn’t understand us, and we could watch movies in a range of different languages! I am very grateful for this opportunity and am extremely excited about going to France myself later this year!

Grace Liang Year 13

The exchange was a surreal experience that has given me a sense of accomplishment. I've always been an independent person, nonetheless, flying to the other side of the world by myself and staying away from my family and friends for six weeks was a new and challenging experience. I enjoyed living with my French family, as they were a family of artists and historians, whose lives differed a lot from mine back home. Exploring Paris not like a tourist, but rather like a local with my French family provided an immersive experience into their culture—whether it was visiting the local bakery, riding vélibs through the city, using more colloquial French at school, or discovering each unique arrondissement, every day taught me something new about the city. More importantly, the exchange allowed me to put my French language skills to the test in real-life situations, especially boosting my confidence in my listening and communication abilities. It was nice to see how far I had come and how I could now easily navigate various daily tasks in a foreign language.

I enjoyed hosting the French exchange students as it allowed me to see New Zealand from a fresh perspective. Their fascination with what I considered ordinary aspects of life in Auckland, made me appreciate the little things and the beauty of my surroundings.

A Fairtrade Recipe for Success

Fairtrade is something close to the hearts of the Year 13 Global Citizenship Committee, and to encourage our community to think about using more Fairtrade ingredients, they host an annual Fairtrade Baking contest. All students and staff were invited to take part, and the top entries were auctioned off, with all additional entries being sold on the day. The money raised was donated to the Fairtrade Organisation and Communities Feeding Communities. Thank you to organiser, Amber Lloyd and our wonderful judges: Harriet Booth, Parents and Friends Chair, and Brett McGregor, NZ’s original Master Chef winner.

Unleashing creativity at our Wearable Arts performance

Our annual Wearable Arts performances were a fabulous showcase of students’ imagination and fun. Years 8 –13 students met in Tutor group time to make garments entirely from magazines and newspaper. The theme was “Fashion – Present, Past and Future” and each tutor group covered a different era from the Prehistoric Period to The Future.

Boarders' Update

International Dinner

The Boarders had a great evening at their delicious Japanese themed International dinner. Congratulations to the winners of the best-dressed category: Jennifer Liu, Misa Masamura, Dylan Townsend and Luie Townsend. The girls had the chance to give sumo wrestling a go, thanks to some hired sumo suits! A special mention to Sasha Whitlock, our Sumo champion.

Boarders' Talent Quest

Wow! We have an amazingly talented group of Boarders. We had a number of girls perform at our annual Talent Quest and the standard was incredible. Congratulations to all the acts!

Monday Chapel

The Boarders led an amazing chapel service during the term, with the theme ‘Magnificent Men’ to celebrate Fathers Day. Many of the girls shared beautiful reflections about their Dads and other significant men in their lives and spoke about what their love and support has meant to them. Mrs Slade and Mrs Winthrop also shared their own reflections about the special men in their lives who have made a difference.

Device-free Afternoons

A new initiative this Term is ‘Device-free Afternoons’ for our younger Boarders. Activities are arranged by our Year 12 Leaders for the Year 9 and 10 girls. This has been such a success and the girls have had so much fun. It has been a real pleasure seeing them engaged and happy, outside and off their phones.

National Boarding Week

The College celebrated National Boarding week with a special item at assembly to celebrate the Boarders. Ms Solomon also ran a ‘Guess the baby’ competition and we held a Boarders v Daygirls Tug of War – a win to the Boarders, 8–2!

Football Fever

Women's Football World Cup Fever hit St Cuthbert's when Kicky, the Dutch Football mascot, came to Campus. Senior students enjoyed watching a goal shoot out from our Junior footballers v Kicky in goal – under the tuition of recent alumna, and NZ football player, Ava Collins. It meant so much to the girls to meet Ava, who is presently studying French and Film in NYC, while keeping her football skills sharp for the university team.

Deputy Head of Senior School, Julie Hogg, was invited to the Official FIFA World Cup 2023 Team announcement at Eden Park.

Julie was one of 23 past players selected to present a shirt to the 23 World Cup Squad members at their official announcement. All squad members were asked to identify a past player to present their shirt to them. The presenters were a representation of former NZ Representative players from different generations. Ex St Cuthbert’s student, Ava Collins was one of 3 players named as a training partner for the tournament.

Julie first represented New Zealand in Football in 1979, playing for the National Women’s team (Football Ferns) in the Inaugural 1979 TransTasman series hosted by the Matildas. Post her football playing days, Julie held a variety of roles for Football NZ, including managing the NZ Women’s Football team for 8 years, and working for the NZ Football Women’s Advisory Group, with the goal of increasing participation of women in all areas of the game.

Congratulations Julie, what an honour to be selected to be part of such a special occasion. “Once a fern, always a fern!”

At St Cuthbert’s, students can start weekly football coaching during winter right from Year 1. All levels of skill are welcome, as players are all provided with a ball to work at their own pace. There is also a Junior School Football Club, every Thursday lunchtime, for Years 0 –6 to have fun and learn new skills!

MEET OUR SHERILYN WHITE WINNER FOR 2023 Year 13 student Kate Irwin

We are delighted to announce that the prestigious Sherilyn White Scholarship has been awarded to Kate Irwin, for her outstanding sporting achievements, and ‘By Love Serve’ approach in giving back to the College, and students.

The Sherilyn White Scholarship was established to commemorate the life of a much-loved past student, and athlete, who sadly passed away in 1988, after collapsing during a Half Ironman competition. The recipient of the scholarship receives $6000 to help progress towards their short and longterm sporting goals.

The shortlisted candidates for 2023 were Charlotte Greenwood (Cross Country and Athletics); Lauren Storey (Hockey); and Jessie Yan (Fencing).

The award was presented at a Senior School Assembly in August by Head of Faculty for PE and Health, Amelia McKibbin. “Kate is a passionate, enthusiastic sportswoman. She is humble when listing her sporting successes and contributions to the College. Her sporting achievements are undeniably impressive. She proudly represents New Zealand on the international stage, excelling in not just one, but two sports: Cricket and Hockey.”

Kate has been selected for the New Zealand U19 Women’s T20 Cricket team, and, in Hockey, she has been selected for the New Zealand U18 Women’s squad. A testament to her leadership, Kate is the captain of both the St Cuthbert’s premier Cricket and premier Hockey teams. Among her numerous accomplishments, Kate points to her selection to represent New Zealand at the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup, held in South Africa in January, as a very special moment.

On top of her busy personal sporting schedule, Kate exemplifies our motto, ‘By Love Serve’, giving back to St Cuthbert’s. She coaches two St Cuthbert’s Hockey teams, plus she also coaches the Year 5 and 6 St Cuthbert’s Cricket team. Kate is a York House Leader this year and is also an academic accounting tutor. She attributes her strong work ethic and diligence to her time at St Cuthbert’s, acknowledging the College’s role in nurturing these values.

Amelia McKibbin adds, “The path has not always been smooth for Kate. Last year she suffered two bulging discs which meant she was unable to play hockey for a lot of the season. It marked her first encounter with such a significant injury and resulted in her missing crucial tournaments she had diligently prepared for. This experience taught Kate how to endure and persevere in the face of substantial disappointments.”

Kate has big plans for her future, and has recently received a New Zealand domestic cricket contract to play for the Auckland Hearts in the upcoming season. When she leaves St Cuthbert’s at the end of the year, she plans to attend Canterbury University to study a Bachelor of Science majoring in Financial Engineering, with the ultimate goal of becoming an investment banker. In conjunction with her academic pursuits, Kate nurtures the aspiration to represent New Zealand at the Olympics.

“Amidst her commitments, Kate manages her responsibilities with a delightful sense of humour and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She thoroughly deserves this special award” says Amelia McKibbin.

Hockey champions

Our 1st XI Hockey Team has been crowned national champions, along with our victorious 2nd XI, who also won their national competition.

We are delighted that our hockey teams had such fantastic success at the NZSS Winter Tournament in September.

Our 1st XI hockey team took out, the top prize for Secondary School Girls hockey in NZ, winning the Federation Cup in Christchurch. The girls played outstanding hockey throughout the week, beating 3 Christchurch schools in the Quarters, Semis and Finals. The final was against a very strong St Andrew’s

Shaping Future Stars

College, finishing with a 1–1 draw at full time and heading into a penalty shoot-out. Luci Hollister made some clutch saves in goal, with the shoot-out ending in a 3 – 0 win to St Cuthbert’s. While our 1st XI was in Christchurch, making history, our 2nd XI was in Ashburton making history of its own! The St Cuthbert’s 2nd XI won the Chris Arthur Cup for the first time ever! The girls had a hard fought final against a strong St Margaret’s hockey team which also ended in a penalty shootout win! This is an incredible achievement for such a young team and a promising future for the St Cuthbert’s hockey programme. Our Federation Cup win is the 5th time in history we have won, and more than any other school. It is also, only the second time in history that any school has taken home both titles in the same year! Congratulations to the girls, amazing coaches, and management teams, and thank you to all of our wonderful parents and supporters.

We are so fortunate to have dedicated students in the Senior School who enjoy helping our Year 3 –Year 6 Hockey players. Our student coaches (Year 10 and above) run Hockey training sessions for their teams throughout Term 2 and 3, and coach and mentor their teams during their Saturday morning games. The younger girls love having the older girls coach them and give them tips on how to be better players. This Big Sister, Little Sister mentoring is also part of our Netball, Football and Cricket programme.

With the hockey win, St Cuthbert’s currently holds four national sports titles – Hockey, Orienteering, Water Polo and Fencing. It is a wonderful testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of our students and coaches.

FENCING

Congratulations to St Cuthbert's Fencing team, who won 1st place at the New Zealand Secondary Schools' National Fencing Championships. The superb teamwork shown by Jessie Yan, Maia Smith and Nicole Zhou was exemplified by their close sharing of tactics and constant support for each other throughout. In the semi-finals, they beat the last year's Champions in a thrilling nail-biting match where the whole team fenced tirelessly to keep the score within a one point striking distance to allow Jessie Yan to clinch the final bout.

WATER POLO

The St Cuthbert’s Water Polo team beat Diocesan in a nail-biting 7/6 final in Christchurch, at the New Zealand Secondary Schoolgirls' Premier Water Polo Championships. The girls put in an incredible performance and deserve to be very proud of themselves. Oliver

Gibb was an inspirational coach to the team and we thank him for always going above and beyond for the teams. Congratulations to Emison Styris who was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament for the girls’ grade.

ORIENTEERING

At the New Zealand Secondary Schools' Orienteering Championships

St Cuthbert’s enjoyed stunning success. The team won the Premier Girls Trophy, retaining their 2022 hold on this prestigious award which acknowledges the excellence of the top student in each of the Senior, Intermediate and Junior grades. The team’s strength was most evident in the relay, with podiums in each of the four age grades. The Senior girls’ Gold made it the first win since 2011 for St Cuthbert’s, in the Senior Relay at Nationals. The Intermediate girls took Bronze, while the Junior girls added silver to the medal tally.

AIMS Games

Over 60 Year 7 and Year 8 students attended the Zespri AIMS Games in Tauranga and Mt Maunganui, competing in Hockey, Football, Netball and Water Polo. We also had students competing in the individual codes of Tennis, Badminton, Golf, Swimming and Gymnastics. Our students joined over 11,000 other students from more than 370 schools from around NZ, and as far as some of the Pacific Islands. Experiences like this are immeasurable and unforgettable for our students.

Consider gifting your donation rebates from previous donations

It’s

simple, costs nothing, and will amplify your previous donations by 33%!

St Cuthbert’s has partnered with kiwi social enterprise, Supergenerous. This gives our parents and alumni the ability to gift their donation rebates back to the College.

This will enable your St Cuthbert’s donations, from the last four years, to go further - delivering even more impact on students’ learning and lives.

The additional money the College receives thanks to the donation rebates on your original monetary gift, will benefit students in areas including Academics, Performing Arts, Technology, Sport, Professional Development and Student Wellness.

Our goal is to have everyone who supports St Cuthbert’s to register with Supergenerous. Even if you claimed previous tax credits, or have not yet donated, we still invite you to sign up and enhance your future donations by up to 33%.

Scan this QR Code with your camera phone and follow the simple prompts to register today.

Have you signed up with Supergenerous?

In less than five minutes, you can join thousands of Kiwis who have signed up with Supergenerous. Its online platform makes it easy to gift your donation rebates. And, Supergenerous does all the hard work by collecting your donation receipts (including donations to St Cuthbert’s!) and making the claim with the IRD on your behalf, year after year.

Our generous donations to St Cuthbert’s can go even further!

Leigh Melville has been one of our generous donors. Since registering with Supergenerous the donations Leigh has made, over the last four years, were eligible for donation rebates. With the help of Supergenerous, Leigh’s donation rebates were gifted to St Cuthbert’s –making her original donations go even further for the students and school.

Join Leigh, and other members of the Board and Senior Leadership Team, to register with Supergenerous and gift your donation rebates to St Cuthbert’s.

www.supergenerous.co.nz/st-cuths

The college has established registered charities in both the UK and Hong Kong. This allows for in-country tax benefits for St Cuthbert’s Alumni & friends living abroad and ensures that the expressed wishes of donors in these countries are fulfilled. For further information please contact: development@stcuthberts.school.nz

Did you know?

There are over $1B in donation rebates sitting unclaimed with Inland Revenue. So, there’s never been a better time to sign up with Supergenerous!

Globally, New Zealanders are renowned for their generosity. With more than 27,000 registered charities in New Zealand, there are more charitable organisations here (per capita) than most places in the world! Despite the fact that most donations in New Zealand are eligible for a 33% donation rebate from the IRD, a whopping 3 in 5 Kiwis simply don’t do it.

What if the unclaimed $1B in donation rebates were put to good use?

Supergenerous donors have already gifted $400,000 in donation rebates to benefit charities, religious organisations and schools across New Zealand and that number is growing every month.

Just imagine the extra impact this could have for organisations like St Cuthbert’s!

Can you take five minutes to register today to help deliver an even greater impact on St Cuthbert’s students’ learning and lives?

“Spellbound” –

our enchanting Senior School Ball

The Visual Arts Committee did a wonderful job transforming the ballroom at The Pullman Hotel for the College Ball, and ensured all the attendees were “Spellbound.”

CONNECTING WOMEN WORLDWIDE

Old Girls' Association President Report

This year, we’ve worked hard with the College to lift the profiles of our alumni, to celebrate their achievements and share them with the extended community. I hope you have felt the increased connection, whether you’re an Old Girl, a parent, a current student, or staff member — both past and present. That was my goal when I took on this role, and it remains the driving force behind everything that we do. I recognise that some of our traditional events were not held this year, for a number of logistical reasons, but we hosted some alternative events, including some which we hope will become part of the fabric of the College going forward.

This year, alongside the College, we held a truly special event, the revamped Making Their Mark Awards. An event designed to elevate the awards, it was a night filled with laughter, touching anecdotes, and the warm embrace of friendship at the Northern Club as we celebrated this year's exceptional award recipients. These remarkable women embody the spirit of our cherished motto, 'By Love Serve,' and their stories continue to inspire us all. To those who attended, your presence made the evening truly unforgettable. It's no surprise that tickets sold out in a flash!

A heartfelt thank you to the lovely Nicky Staples for leading an enchanting morning of yoga for our alumni and parents. We're excited about making this a semi-regular event, aiming to strengthen our bonds with

one another and our beautiful campus. It was indeed a treat to be doing yoga in the Junior Gym under Nicky's gentle guidance, a far cry from climbing those hemp ropes to the ceiling or doing leg lifts on the wall bars under Miss Gott's eagle eye, don't you think?

Ah, the letters! So many letters. We've been diligently working to send out the backlog of Kahunui and Time Capsule letters. Working up in Archives, alongside Sarah Padey, who is undoubtedly the best archivist in New Zealand, we’ve sent out hundreds of letters. With still more to go. I do feel that it’s only right that we now call our archivist, Sarah “Sherlock" Padey. She's been instrumental in helping us reconnect with many lost alumni. LinkedIn has been a valuable tool too. As well as the asssistance provided by a number of former Head Girls who have helped reconnect us with some of you.

Speaking of LinkedIn, we've hosted two sessions this year on the platform— one for our alumni and another for our Year 13 students, run by the incredible Kate Bacchus. LinkedIn is an incredible resource for staying connected with our Old Girl network. I encourage each of you to update your LinkedIn profiles to include your connection to the College.

The third Annual St Cuthbert’s Literary Evening is an annual personal highlight for me, and I’ve loved seeing some guests

attend over all three years. Choosing the panellists, and the student panellists, is a joy, especially when, as a College, we are blessed with an abundance of talented writers, in every field. Planning is already underway for next years event. Trust me, you won’t want to miss the 2024 Literary Evening…

This year, we've worked closely with an amazing team in the Advancement Office, making my role an absolute breeze. A heartfelt thank you to Cherry, Sarah, Rosalind, Graeme, Judy, Suzanne, Louise, Ella, and everyone else who has contributed. And let's not forget Kate at Reception, who has been tirelessly updating all the alumni emails and addresses for us. I know I’ve asked you all a million times to please email through your updated contact details, but I’ll just ask one more time (this year)!

And to my marvellous committee members, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your dedication and hard work. What a great team we have made! We are now so close to the annual Graduation Ball for our 2023 leavers. This is the precious and memorable moment the Year 13s become St Cuthbert’s College alumni. I did offer my 1992 graduation dress to any interested student… oddly, no one accepted. So perhaps it is destined to end up in Archives! As a committee, we welcome any new committee members, so please let me know if you are interested in hearing more about what we do.

Justine. It has been an absolute honour to lead the Old Girls' Association under the guidance of our Patron, Principal Justine Mahon. We bid farewell and extend our heartfelt thanks to her for her dedicated service to both the College and the Old Girls Association. We will dearly miss Justine's warm humour and unwavering support. Thank you also to our Trust Board Chair, Leigh Melville, it has been wonderful working with such fantastic women this year, my gratitude for your support of the Old Girls’ Association knows no bounds.

I wish you all a wonderful year ahead filled with love, service, and cherished memories.

Warm regards

Kirsten McKenzie

— President, St Cuthbert's College Old Girls' Association

Global Graduates – a Q&A with past students at overseas Universities

We are always proud and love to watch our students pursue a wide range of tertiary studies, both nationally and internationally. Our fantastic Careers Faculty works with students to help them apply to leading universities worldwide. We caught up with Old Girls Arabella Patrick and Helena Haldane, who are both currently studying at university in Sydney and Melbourne.

What made you decide to pick

The University of Sydney?

I decided in my last few years of school that I wanted to pursue Medicine as a career. From here I started researching the potential Universities. I realised that I wanted to do something that pushed me out of my comfort zone, something that would bring me self-growth.

The University of Sydney, has a prestigious reputation in academic achievement and research, and is widely recognised both nationally and internationally for its employability and outstanding graduate qualities. The University has a plethora of top-notch faculty and cutting-edge resources. Reaching out to Old Girls who were at the University, was extremely beneficial for me. They informed me of the vibrant and diverse culture of the Uni and its strong commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. I found that it was the forefront of research in many medical fields, and this was extremely compelling and exciting to me. Although I was set on pursuing medicine, I also had a passion for English, Philosophy and Politics. Something really captivating about Sydney Uni was that within my Undergraduate degree in Premedicine I could choose courses completely out of my subject field. This meant I could continue to pursue my other passions whilst still working towards my career goals.

What are you studying?

I am studying a Bachelor of Medical Science. I am hoping to continue into a

postgraduate Doctor of Medicine.

What do you enjoy about being at University in Sydney? Have there been any challenges?

The city is awesome, the beaches are super close by, there are countless beautiful parks, incredible art galleries, restaurants and great night life that make this city so inviting.

It was a challenge. Moving away from home, I barely knew anyone. University is nowhere near as structured as school. University is all self-led, which can be amazing at times, but also challenging. You must learn how to manage yourself, stay motivated and create a balance between social life and study. I was challenged personally as I had to find out who I was without the structure that school had provided for me. It was hard, but I wouldn’t change anything for the world – I have grown as a person in ways I didn’t even know were possible.

Tell us about the accommodation / halls of residence

I attended St John’s College for my first year of uni. This is a residential college on the Sydney University campus. All the Colleges are incredible, they have beautiful campuses, great academic resources such as weekly tutorials for subjects and extensive library collections, and a great social culture. The Colleges partake in intercollegiate competitions which is a really great way to get involved and

show your skills and passions. They have incredible sports and dance teams, drama, art, singing, music and debating. Although it’s not for everyone, College life was a very important steppingstone for me in moving to Sydney. It allowed me to make friends and establish myself at university in a new city!

Do you have any advice for girls wanting to apply to an overseas university?

My advice would be to be organised and prepared. If you are interested in living on Campus in a College and/or obtaining a Scholarship make sure you know when the deadlines are. For scholarships and College applications, they want to see a wellrounded person with passion! Although academic prowess is important, what is just as important are cultural, musical, or sporting passions! The universities also want you to get in, don’t forget that!

In terms of deciding where you want to go, or which College/Halls of residence you want to live at, my advice would be to not to worry too much. What I didn’t understand was that it’s not always about where you are but about your attitude and your drive.

How did the St Cuthbert’s Careers Team help with your application?

The Careers team helped me organise my application, meet deadlines, find support in networking and much more. St Cuthbert’s Careers counsellers were incredible as I got to have one-on-one guidance with a careers counsellor. In these sessions, I identified with the staff, my strengths, interests, and career goals. They helped me to explore various ways of going about my career path, searching to find what would suit me best.

The main benefit of the Careers team was that it put me contact with Old Girls, which as I mentioned, was such a helpful part in this journey. There are so many lovely Old Girls, including me who would be more than happy to help you out with your exciting journey.

What made you decide to pick the University of Melbourne?

In my final year of school I knew I wanted the chance to pursue my university study overseas, and Australia seemed like an exciting option as I had never been before. The University of Melbourne has been a wonderful place to start my tertiary study journey as they employ what is called the ‘Melbourne model’. This has meant that my degree is structured in a way that allows me to learn from disciplines outside of my majors. I have been able to expand my skills and abilities as a learner, which has suited me, as I was not completely sure what to study straight out of school! It was important to me to attend a university that was in an interesting city that I was able to explore. Melbourne, as a unique, vibrant and cultural hub, has allowed me to do just that!

What are you studying?

I am studying a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in Media and Communications and Politics and International Studies.

What do you enjoy about being at University in Melbourne? Have there been any challenges?

I thoroughly enjoy studying at the University of Melbourne, as it is an institution that prioritises its Arts education. It is unique, as the degree structure incorporates ‘Breadths’ – classes that are outside your discipline, that engage you in a wide range of study. These classes have allowed me to explore areas of study that I didn't know existed.

The University has a beautiful campus, just outside Melbourne CBD. With its interesting buildings, beautiful open spaces and wonderful cafes, the campus is a place I always want to come back to! The students I have met at the University are intelligent and engaged, and I have learnt as much from them as I have from my lecturers.

This experience has not been without its challenges. In my first year, I struggled with the level of independent thinking. The expectation to formulate ideas and find my academic voice was initially hard for me to wrap my head around! Half way through my

degree, I can confidently say that I feel I have developed that voice and enjoy the level of independent, critical thinking my degree offers.

Tell us about the accommodation / Halls of Residence

The University of Melbourne has affiliated residential colleges that are similar to Halls of Residence in NZ. These Colleges have a Student Club which plans social, sporting and cultural events that foster community spirit and inspire intercollegiate competition. I have had the most wonderful two years at University College, fondly referred to as UC, where I am currently the Student Club President. This means that I oversee the student led team that plans and executes all events and works. Our motto is love, passion and die hard spirit, and I see this brought into everything we do. UC welcomes students from other Universities so the College is full of a diverse and unique group of people. University is a huge step and moving to another country, I knew that I wanted a supportive and welcoming community to provide a base in this time of transition.

Do you have any advice for girls wanting to apply to an overseas university?

My advice is to put yourself out there! It is not something you will regret giving a try, no matter the outcome. After my last two years of school were changed by lockdowns, I was ready for an adventure! Living in another country is a big step but I personally feel I have grown and gained confidence in myself and my independent capabilities. It has allowed me to have faith in my ability to take risks even when I don’t know what is waiting for me. If studying overseas is something you have thought about, my advice would be to be brave, there is no harm in giving it a try. You learn so much from the application process alone!

How did the St Cuthbert’s Careers Team help with your application?

I am so grateful for all the help Mrs Vink and the Careers team gave me throughout my application process. I started talking to Mrs Vink in Year 11 about what I wanted to do, and she suggested the University of Melbourne with its flexible, yet structured degree that would be beneficial for me as a student with lots of interests! Mrs Vink motivated me to apply to the University of Melbourne Aspiring Scholars' community which gave me access to webinars and Q&A sessions, a unique introduction to the university. The Careers team supported me through the application process to both the University and the College which is a huge undertaking in your last year of school. I am so grateful for the help and care they offered me in making my university goals a reality. I couldn’t have done it without them!

Tell us about the US exchange you have to look forward to.

The University of Melbourne has an incredible exchange partnership program with host Universities all around the world where you are able to continue your degree at another institution. It is in line with the University of Melbourne’s aim to provide an education that equips you with the tools necessary to grow as a global citizen. I will be going to Pennsylvania State University for the first semester of 2024. The chance to study at an American University for six months was an academic opportunity I could not pass up. I picked Pennsylvania State University because of its renowned politics department and the chance to engage with quintessential American College life. I am so looking forward to it!

Decade Reunion

The St Cuthbert’s College Old Girls’ Association held a truly remarkable and memorable Old Girls’ Reunion on Saturday 10 June, with over 300 attendees, including Old Girls and both current and former long-serving staff members. It was a joyous occasion, filled with laughter, reminiscing, and heartfelt connections – with the last of the revellers being prised out of the hall by the time the event ended!

When guests needed to take a break from the dancefloor, they had the opportunity to view a specifically curated Archives display in the Atrium which featured photos, stories, uniform, and memorabilia from the last 100 years on campus. Old Girls enjoyed making more memories with photos being taken throughout the night by Norrie Montgomery who captured shots of each peer year group.

We were honoured to have the presence of honorary Old Girl, Mr Ian Torrie, who added his unique flair to the event. The night was made even more poignant as it was Ms Justine Mahon’s final reunion as our Principal, before she transitions into the singular role of a St Cuthbert’s Old Girl herself.

Special thanks to our student volunteers from the Year 13 Development Committee who helped guests sign in and collect their name tags. Also, to the Milestones Jazz Band led by David Edmudson who delighted guests with lively music to open the evening. Thank you to the dedicated Old Girls’ Committee and the Advancement team for all their hard work in ensuring this event was a success!

International Alumni Events

Special thanks to our local coordinators for organising these events.

Sydney

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Sydney community for joining us in creating a truly spectacular night at Little Felix in September. The event was a lovely occasion where we had the pleasure of reuniting with many of our recent graduates. It was heartwarming to witness the forging of new connections between these young alumnae and our well-established Sydney-based Old Girls. The evening was filled with lively conversations, laughter, and a strong sense of camaraderie which embodies the spirit of our community.

Brisbane

A warm thank you goes out to our Brisbane community for making the luncheon at Rydges Hotel South Brisbane an absolute delight. It was a lovely opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and build new connections that will undoubtedly endure. We are eagerly anticipating more opportunities like this in the future, where where our Old Girl community can continue to strengthen their bonds and celebrate the enduring connections.

Tonga

The Tonga Old Girls gathered for a memorable reunion in June. The event was met with a resounding sense of positivity as it provided a valuable space and platform for Old Girls to come together a few times each year. One highlight was the recognition of an increase in the number of Tongan girls currently attending the College, underscoring the enduring legacy of this community.

Conversations flowed freely, with many sharing tales of their experiences, from Boarding House stories that brought laughter to heartfelt recollections of past Head Mistresses and more.

A culinary journey into the heart of Thailand, starting at St Cuthbert’s

Most of us can agree that there's something uniquely captivating about Thai food. The vibrant blend of aromatic herbs, rich spices, and exotic ingredients has made Thai cuisine a global favourite. Now, in the enchanting pages of ‘Real Thai Cooking: Recipes and Stories from a Thai Food Expert’, two of our passionate, talented parents, unveil secrets of Thai cooking that go beyond just recipes.

The book is a labour of love from Chawadee Nualkhair (known as ‘Chow’) and Lauren Lulu Taylor (who goes by ‘LuLu’). Chow and LuLu met via their daughters, Cybella and Kanicha (‘Nicha’), who both graduated here at St Cuthbert’s, in 2019.

“I invited Nicha and her mum over for a Thanksgiving dinner, knowing we were both born in the US and shared a passion for food,” smiles LuLu. “And here we are now, with a wonderful friendship spanning the globe and a book together!”

Shortly after they met, the pair planned to travel through Thailand, but COVID restrictions put an end to that. “Our friendship grew remotely, and this book was literally born online during the pandemic. We hadn’t seen each other in-person for four years until recently!” says LuLu.

With the book idea front of mind and Chow’s knowledge and insights from afar, LuLu’s Auckland kitchen transformed into a culinary haven where she experimented with recipes, testing and adapting them for

home cooks. "I couldn't travel to Thailand, but I could bring Thailand to life in my kitchen here in New Zealand!" she says.

Released earlier this year, the book is a treasure trove of authentic Thai recipes and family secrets, handed down through generations. Many of these gems, once hidden in funeral cookbooks and scribbled notes in kitchen drawers, have been lovingly preserved and shared for the first time. In this unique format, short essays accompany the recipes and provide valuable insights into the origin of each dish.

Chow is one of Thailand’s most popular food writers, and this expertise is evident –as is her passion for history. “Every recipe has a story and brings you closer to the soul of Thai cuisine, capturing the essence of every region in Thailand and the distinct flavours they contribute,” says Chow.

Read the intriguing tale of Chef Black's famous Sriracha Sauce, a 100% Thai creation with a fascinating story that will forever change the way you perceive this fiery condiment. Or delve into the world of Pad Thai, a dish that has become a symbol of Thailand's national identity and understand the role it plays in the country's culinary heritage.

With 75 recipes, over 200 colour photos, charming stories, and the dedication of two talented St Cuth’s mums – this book offers a delectable Christmas gift for foodies and home cooks!

CHECK OUT

Chow's food blog at bangkokglutton.com and LuLu’s artisan food business: SecretKiwiKitchen.com

You can grab a copy of their new book, Real Thai Cooking: Recipes and Stories from a Thai Food Expert from all good bookstores.

Old Girls' Literary Evening

The annual St Cuthbert’s Literary Evening is a hugely popular event for our alumni community.

This year’s panel consisted of Old Girls involved in media, communications, and journalism – with a poet for good measure!

Thank you to the Old Girls’ Association President, Kirsten McKenzie who put on this lively and entertaining evening. Kirsten posed thoughtful questions to our charismatic, engaging, and wisecracking

panel who regaled the audience with stories from their career and personal lives. Year 10 student journalist Joyce Liu read her article which had a profound message on the destructive impact fast fashion has on the environment.

Special thanks to our suppliers, AF Drinks and Invivo wines.

Amanda Eason Jenni Mortimer Joyce Liu Lisa Bates Nico Penny Sara-Jane Elika Savannah Tafau-Levy

Hayley Bridgford: Shaping Artistry with Clay and Passion

The St Cuthbert's College Old Girls' Association has a long-standing tradition of gifting a sculpture to the Head Girl during the annual End of Year Senior Prize Giving ceremony. For the past decade, this cherished tradition has involved presenting a limited edition miniature sculpture crafted by renowned artist Terry Stringer, with the most recent sculpture having been awarded in 2022.

Recognising the significance of fostering a sense of connection and shared heritage between current students and alumni, the Old Girls' Association reached out to one of our own, the accomplished potter Hayley Bridgford, with a unique proposition: to create the next series of Head Girl sculptures. With the guiding theme of "By Love Serve," Hayley was given the creative freedom to let her imagination soar. This creative collaboration has resulted in the commission of 11 sculptures. Ten of these exquisite pieces are destined to be presented to our next ten Head Girls, ensuring the continuation of this cherished tradition. Additionally, one sculpture will find its permanent home in the Archives, symbolising the enduring bonds formed through art and the enduring values of St Cuthbert's College. Hayley's love affair with ceramics ignited when she was just 15 years old. Located conveniently close to Auckland Studio Potters in Onehunga, she and her sister embarked on night classes that would set the stage for her artistic journey. Under the guidance of her first teacher, Peter Lange (a pioneer within the New Zealand ceramics community), she crafted her initial creations — quirky, delightful dishes that her mother still cherishes and uses today.

After returning from overseas, her artistic exploration continued as she started a Diploma of Ceramic Art at the Otago School of Art, before venturing to Wellington to work with the potter Rosemary O’Hara. Hayley then spent time on Waiheke Island working as a potter, before completing her diploma in Auckland, where she was asked by Peter Collis to be his apprentice.

Hayley's artistic palette draws from the rich tapestry of New Zealand's landscapes and wildlife. As the manager of Auckland Studio Potters, she is constantly inspired by the diverse range of work that flows through the center. However, her primary muse is nature itself, and she is often found tramping through the wilderness, camping, or relaxing by the water's edge. The hues and tones of New Zealand's natural beauty have become her artistic palette, imbuing her creations with a distinctive connection to the land.

Alongside her dedicated team at Auckland Studio Potters (ASP), she coordinates exhibitions, classes, workshops, and kiln firings.

They provide unwavering support to talented tutors, facilitate artist residencies, and ensure the pottery community at ASP is thriving. Hayley's journey as a ceramicist has led her to collaborate with various creative minds and ventures. She designed and crafted tube holders for the luxury skincare brand Sans [ceuticals], a project that added a touch of artistry to the world of skincare packaging. Her creations have graced the interiors of esteemed eateries like Gemmayze St, Hugo's Bistro, and Williams Eatery.

After seeing the photos of the glorious tube holders Hayley produced Sans [ceuticals], we’ve reached the opinion that every skincare range should offer them as a gift with purchase, or at least sell them. So useful, and Hayley’s are beautiful. An idea for a future Young Enterprise group perhaps?

Her ceramics have garnered attention from not only the culinary world but also the design sphere. Collaborating with interior designers, she has played a pivotal role in creating bespoke ceramics that seamlessly merge with the aesthetics of the spaces they inhabit. Her partnership with Città homewares store resulted in 500 limited edition Città x Hayley Bridgford Ceramic Vessels, each a unique testament to her craft. She also worked alongside Katie Lockhart and furniture-maker Grant Bailey on displays for the new-look Deadly Ponies flagship boutiques.

Hayley's ceramic artistry finds inspiration in both the traditional and the contemporary. She frequents museums, drawing inspiration from the shapes and forms of old vases and urns, as well as the works of master potters like Lucy Rie. While these influences may not always manifest directly in her work, they contribute to the depth and richness of her creative reservoir.

Hayley's journey is intertwined with her family, particularly her three sisters, each inspiring her in unique ways. Her artistry has also intersected with her sister Jo Bridgford, an acclaimed food photographer, resulting in their work gracing the pages of numerous magazines.

As you dine in some of Auckland's most renowned establishments, you might find yourself holding one of her exquisite plates, savouring not just a meal, but a work of art. Whether it's the finely crafted tableware at Hugo's Bistro, the elegant ceramics at Sid at The French Café, or the bespoke pieces at Williams Eatery, Hayley’s handiwork enhances the dining experience, infusing it with a touch of artistry.

With a career built on clay, creativity, and community, Hayley’s journey is far from over. She remains a source of inspiration and a testament to the enduring power of artistic expression. As she continues to shape the world with her unique vision and creations, we eagerly anticipate the next chapter in her remarkable artistic odyssey.

Remembering Anne Carpenter: A Life

Shaped by Faith, Family, and Love

We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Anne Carpenter and thank them for sharing Anne’s story with us.

Anne was born on 30 December 1932 with her journey beginning in the embrace of Doctors James McMurray Cole and Doris Elizabeth Cole, parents who not only nurtured her with love but also instilled in her the values of compassion, service, and faith. These values would become the foundation of Anne's remarkable life.

As a young girl, Anne's love for music flourished. She became an accomplished pianist and cellist, using the universal language of melodies to touch hearts. Her days at St Cuthbert's set the stage for a

life devoted to the College's motto, "By Love, Serve." This guiding principle would resonate throughout her life, shaping her path and inspiring countless others.

A pivotal moment arrived in 1950 when she met Theo Carpenter. Their love story blossomed, leading to a joyous marriage in 1957. Theo's career in the Royal New Zealand Air Force took them on an adventure, but wherever they went, Anne's commitment to community and service followed.

As loving parents, Anne and Theo nurtured a family of five children – Robert, Graeme, Elizabeth, Christine, and Sally. Their home

was a haven of warmth and support, reflected by the pages of Anne's diary which were meticulously filled with milestones, birthdays, and cherished family moments, capturing her dedication to her family.

Anne's impact extended far beyond her immediate circle. Her involvement with Mother's Union, Girl Guides, and church groups showcased her dedication to serving others. Her caring spirit transcended geographical boundaries, as seen when she moved to Singapore and embraced her role as a community member. Amidst change, Anne's kindness and resilience were recognised by those fortunate enough to cross her path.

The passing of Theo in 2017, marked a poignant chapter in Anne's journey. Yet, her unwavering faith and determination allowed her to navigate challenges with grace. She continued to find joy in family gatherings and special occasions, proving that her love was not bound by time or circumstance.

Anne's recent project, transcribing her mother's letters, epitomised her commitment to legacy and connection. Just as she held tight to the memories of her own life, Anne ensured that the stories of those before her would be passed down.

As we remember Anne Carpenter, an exceptional Old Girl of St Cuthbert's College, we are reminded that her legacy is not confined to the pages of history. Her life serves as a testament to the impact that can be made through faith, family, and love.

A step back in time

In her first ever video call, centenarian Old Girl, Tepaeru Whitta, reminisced with us about her formative years at St Cuthbert’s during the Second World War, far from the shores of her beloved home of Rarotonga.

Tepaeru Whitta, or Tepaeru Tepuretu as she was known then, travelled on a boat for seven long days to get to New Zealand and start at St Cuthbert’s, in 1939.

She was to be a boarder for three memorable years, before she had to leave school early to deliver her beloved sister’s ashes back to her family. Her sister, Reureu, was also a student at St Cuthbert’s, and had passed away tragically. Naturally, this was a formulative period for Tepaeru, as were her years in the Senior School.

Tepaeru turned 100 in October, and we were lucky enough to take a step back in time with her to reflect on this golden time. She was quick-witted and articulate, and very much an inspiration.

Firstly, congratulations on turning 100 – wow! How does it feel to reach such a milestone? And do you have any secrets to longevity?

It’s hard to believe to be honest – I am very lucky. People have been asking for my secret since I turned 80! My answer is always, the Grace of God. Christianity has played a central role in my life. When I was young, we were woken at 6am each day to say a prayer.

So, it’s not a special diet or particular regime I’m afraid. Although I do like chocolate!

What brought you to St Cuthbert’s, all the way from Rarotonga?

My sisters were students, and my family wanted a good education for us. I didn’t

want to go at first – it was such a big move in those days. It took seven days by boat, and the boats were not always available thanks to war breaking out. So I was very nervous to leave my home which I loved, to travel to such a different place.

What was it like going to school during the war?

I vividly remember the Assistant Principal announcing that England had just declared war. She was holding back tears as she told us, and it was all quite frightening. But thankfully, as boarders we had one another, and we were far away down in New Zealand.

I recall getting up at 5.00am with the boarders and going to see HMNZS Achilles limp home into Auckland Harbour, after the Battle of the River Plate. It was quite surreal and will always stick with me.

We certainly never starved, but food had to be rationed at the hostel. We enjoyed a lot of apples, bread and milk. We also did lots of knitting for the armed forces.

What are some special memories of your time at St Cuthbert’s?

First and foremost, the friendships – I was in Dunblane, and we had loads of fun. I spent many holidays at other girls' homes. I recall that three friends even came to Rarotonga on holiday.

I also remember the Head Mistress, Mrs Clouston, being very attentive towards the boarders. She made sure that the older girls looked after the younger ones. And

our House Mistress was also very caring. We had no phones to call home of course – so I was grateful for these things, being so far from family.

Tell us a little about life after school I actually returned to New Zealand after school in 1943, to do a commercial course. There weren’t many options for women in those days. I then went into nursing, but I soon had to go back to the Cook Islands to nurse my mother who had a terminal diagnosis. We then moved to Niue for a few years, which I adored.

I have four lovely children who all went to school in New Zealand. In fact, my daughter, Mary Ann is a St Cuthbert’s Old Girl too! They all have wonderful careers and do a lot of good in the world.

I’ve had many travel adventures and am proud of all my beautiful grandchildren and their accomplishments. I am lucky to live with my son, John, now. He gives me chocolate!

I have been blessed in my life, thanks to the Grace of God.

What advice would you give a young St Cuthbert’s student these days?

The world today seems rather upside down. Always remember, there’s a great God who loves you.

Local Co-ordinators

BAY OF PLENTY

Contact: Dearwyn Caulfield

Email: pdcaulfield@xtra.co.nz

BRISBANE & GOLD COAST

Contact: Trish Cotterell (Flitcroft)

Email: trish07.cotterell@gmail.com

CHINA (BEIJING)

Contact: Jennifer Jin Ma

Email: jenniferjinma@littleoasis.cn

DALLAS

Contact: Clair Robinson (Menzies)

Email: clairmenzies@gmail.com

LOS ANGELES

Contact: Amanda Wong

Email: kiwi_esq@hotmail.com

PERTH

Contact: Marg Shorter (Hartnell)

Email: margshorter@westnet.com.au

TONGA

Contact: Ana Tupou Panuve

Email: ana.tupou@panuve.com

Old Girls interested in becoming Local Co-ordinators in other cities and countries please contact: alumni@stcuthberts.school.nz

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to Year 1 student, Lucia Rose Hayes, who started in the Junior School this year, and is the 5th generation of her family to attend St Cuthbert’s.

Lucia’s Great Great Grandmother, Gladys Stewart, her Great Great Aunt, Judith Catherine Wells and her Great Aunt, Judith Susan Ellis were all Games Captains. Lucia’s Great Grandmother, Joan Wells was Head Girl.

Lucia’s Great Grandfather, AU Wells and her Great Great Grandfather, TU Wells, were both Board Trustees. In 1972, the Smith Gray Library and Wells Building opened, named after both Father and Son Board Trustees. In 1990, the David Ellis Building opened, named after Lucia’s Grandfather who was Chairman of the Board.

Happy Birthday to Old Girl, Leone Bracken Clark who turned 100 on 31 July this year. Pictured is Leone celebrating her special day with her Great Granddaughter, Mia MacDonald, who is a Year 10 student at St Cuthbert’s.

Lucia’s Great Great Grandmother, Gladys Stewart – bottom left, 1921 Prefects photo

Family Notices

In Memorial We sadly farewell the following Old Girls:

Mrs Anne Carpenter (Cole)

Mrs Pamela Rose Williams MNZM (Woodhams)

Mrs Janis Adams (Hooker)

Mrs Adrianne Campbell Hawkins (Isaac)

Mrs Angela Doo-Cho

Mrs Susan Popping (Boles)

Louise Jeff (Davidson) Johnston (1966) passed away earlier this year. 'Jeff's' husband Mark said she thoroughly enjoyed her time at St Cuthbert’s where she developed life-long friendships and she always looked forward to receiving her copy of Evergreen Ties.

Mrs Winifred Audrey Armstrong (Southgate), former staff member

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