St Dominic’S College Board Of Trustees

ST DOMINIC’S COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES June 2010 Greetings from your new St Dominic’s College Board of Trustees. Thank you all for your support and placing your confidence in us to represent your best interests and of course the best interest of your daughters – our students. We hope to continue reporting on the many positive changes and developments occurring at St Dominic’s College. Our plan is to continue to deliver against the current vision of “developing confident young women who contribute positively to society’. A worthy challenge in this day and age and one that your help and support in trying to achieve is welcomed and valued.

The Board is made up of 4 proprietors representatives (Naomi Gembitsky, Margaret Pedebone, Simon Webb, Philip Doyle)- who represent the Catholic Bishop of Auckland - as well as 5 elected parents representatives (Gail Leach, Carla Sutton, Malia Tuala, David Coutts, Craig Douglas), and of course representatives from the College community – Alice Palmer the student representative, Melanie Webb the staff representative and of course the Principal - Mrs Coddington, who are all full Board of Trustees members. The current Board took office in May this year and our term is for 3 years.

From our initial induction we can see These results could not be achieved unless we Therefore your donations, fees, there are many examples of how the had a dedicated, committed and talented contributions, help and input are primary goal of the College to “Develop community of teachers to whom we say ‘thank invaluable in delivering the education we confident young women who you”. all see as essential in today’s world and contribute positively to society” is in facilities that are ‘fit for the purpose”. happening - you only have to look The teaching community is very capably led by around the College to see that the the Senior Management Team – who provide It is a very fine balancing act between College is achieving that vision. leadership, knowledge, guidance and direction. what needs to be done and what can be The senior team are Carol Coddington, our done - we plan to continue to endeavour From a student achievement point of principal, Elizabeth Hill, Sue Armstrong and Philip to get that balance right and again thank view as a Board we are very pleased to Jellyman deputy principals, Noel Spalding the you all for your on-going support. again report that in all internal and Business Manager and Bruce Drysdale Director external measurements St Dominic’s of Religious Education. Thank you all for your We have great pleasure in reporting that students continue to achieve better very valuable contributions. the Special Catholic Character here at St than contemporary schools and in Dominic’s is in good stead. Every three many cases achievement levels are way There are also a group of people who work years an external audit of Special ahead of the national averages. “behind the scenes” – the support staff – we Character is conducted by the Catholic would like to thank and acknowledge them for Schools Office – who represent the It is very encouraging to be able to their enthusiastic efforts and willingness to Bishop of Auckland and with whom we report that there has also been an always “go the extra mile”. work closely in delivering education in overall increase of students who are today’s world within the context of our achieving NCEA certificates each year As a school community we are indebted to many Catholic Special Character. at St Dominic’s since NCEA was people, - volunteers, external groups and introduced and 2009 was no exception: organizations, our parent community, the PTFA - We are very pleased to report the visit to name but a few. There are also many local and and review was very successful and there In 2009: national funding organizations without whose are too many elements to detail here  79% achieved NCEA Level 1 financial assistance we would not be able to however the report in essence said: and this percentage provide the breadth of opportunities that exist St Dominic’s College is a Catholic school continues to improve every here at the College. And of course we work based on Gospel values and nourished by year. This compares with a closely with the Auckland Diocese through the the 800 year old tradition of its founders, Catholic Schools Office. national average of 70.4%. the Dominican Sisters. Although  Even better results were We have an on-going 10 Year Development Plan proprietorship of the College has been achieved in Literacy at 87% for the College which includes some much passed to the Catholic Bishop of the compared to 77% nationally needed enhancements to this site – which we Diocese of Auckland, the College remains and Numeracy 93% will be revisiting and revising as this year true to its Dominican heritage. compared to 86% nationally. progresses.  At Level 2 77% of students The spirituality of St Dominic’s College is achieved (compared to 75% We are also especially mindful of education costs evident in the way that God’s presence is nationally) again well ahead. as we continue to face local and indeed global acknowledged through prayer in 11% of students achieved economic challenges. Level 2 endorsed with liturgical celebrations, assemblies, in the excellence compared to 6% But as you no doubt know costs are increasing in classroom at the beginning of each day nationally. many aspects of our lives and as you may have and at meetings. Religious Education heard in the media government funding is not classes begin with prayer, usually led by  And at Level 3 74% of keeping up with educational demands. students who pray for their special students achieved compared intentions. to 69% nationally.93% of Year 13 students gained NCEA Level 2 certificates. The chapel in the school provides a St Dominic’s College is regarded by parents, staff You may have also seen some media quiet place for reflection and prayer and students as a friendly, warm, caring and commentary about National Standards – and is the venue, in alternate weeks, harmonious community. Many commented that which again Mrs Coddington has discussed at some length in the weekly for either Mass or a liturgy prepared by the positive atmosphere was attributable to the newsletters and you may have seen (will a Religious Education class. College’s Catholic Special Character. The see) some of the resultant developments supportive nature of the College is seen as one of in the students reports and during Students also have the opportunity to its major strengths; students feel supported not Parent/Teacher meetings. deepen their spirituality at retreats only by the staff but also by their fellow students. which are held annually for each year New systems often have a way of adding level. Overnight retreats have been The Principal articulates her vision for the to existing workloads and we are retained for Years 12 and 13 which is College in the following way: “To develop indebted to the teaching staff for no longer the norm for other schools. competent young women with a solid embracing these new requirements which will ultimately benefit our These give greater opportunity for faith understanding of their Catholic faith and the students educational outcomes. Thank development in the students and the Dominican charism, confident to leave school you to the many of you who continue to College is to be commended for with a good experience of church which they can be involved in consulting in this process. allocating the time for them. The carry into their adult life”. With the fine work of teachers, too, are to be commended for the Director of Religious Studies, the Deputy Thank you for your continued support their generosity in staffing them. Principal and the Subject Leader Religious and please feel free to contact any of us through the main phone number at the Education, the Principal has been able to make College. A voluntary, annual retreat is provided that vision a reality. for teachers also. It is a Twilight St Dominic’s College Board of Trustees Retreat held outside school hours and Strategic Plan: Proprietor’s Representatives: is led in alternate years by the DRS. One of the main functions of the Board is to Mrs Naomi Gembitsky, Ms Margaret provide strategic direction to the College which Pedebone, Mr Simon Webb, Mr Philip A unique and special feature of St we do in a variety of ways the most significant Doyle Dominic’s College is the daily ringing of being the Strategic Plan which details the vision, Parent’s Representatives: Mrs Gail the direction, and most importantly educational the Peace Bell when the school Leach, Ms Malia Tuala, Mr David Coutts, outcomes for our students. community pauses to pray to receive Mrs Carla Sutton, Mr Craig Douglas Principal: Mrs Carol Coddington God’s peace and to send peace to We have reconfirmed the view of the previous Staff Representative: Ms Melanie Webb others. board that focusing on an holistic education – Student Representative: Alice Palmer covering as many aspects of our students lives as Board Secretary: Mr Noel Spalding The theme for the year becomes a possible is the most effective and sustainable Advisor: Ms Elizabeth Hill focus for enhancing the spirituality of way forward. Minute Secretary: Ms Tina Allingham the College. The 2010 theme is: Dominic’s Delightful Garden – Broad, In this we are very much aligned with the new NZ Please note: Generous and Fragrant. Newsletters Curriculum which came into effect earlier this In the interests of the environment and year. You may have heard some media sustainability our intention going always include the theme and often commentary about that – we can confirm as you forward is to make these newsletters carry some information relating to the would have noted in the Principals weekly available by email, on the College Catholic Special Character of the newsletter that the College is embracing the new website and a limited number of copies College. Curriculum as it fits very well with the current left at the College reception for those ethos of St Dominic’s. without internet access. The Catholic Special Character of St Dominic’s College is visible in the relationships within the school. Students new to the College feel welcomed into a warm, friendly environment where teachers care about the students and support them in the classroom and in co-curricular activities.

Parents and students stressed that the cultural diversity of the College was not divisive but rather a strength because the students made friends easily across cultures.