Samara Dalziel on the right.

August 2010

Samara Dalziel, Year 11 at Columba College is a member of the New Zealand Youth Olympics Hockey Team that won Bronze at the Youth Olympics, winning 5-4 against Korea on 25th August. Samara played in every game at the event, with New Zealand winning 4 of its 5 games.

The Hockey Bronze medal was New Zealand's fifth medal at the Youth Olympics.

	The New Zealand Youth Olympics Hockey Team with their Bronze medals.

July 2010

Click to see the Junior School Musical Production Photo Gallery.

July 2010

On Wednesday, 9th June the Junior School children performed their musical "Rainbow Spectacular" to a crowded hall of parents, grandparents and friends. In this musical the colours combine with the forces of nature to produce a spectacular show.

It opened with a cast of rainbow colours rehearsing for their show, with each colour performing their own special song and dance routine. Then a gang of grungy Monochromes arrive and try to disrupt the proceedings. The brilliant sun saves the day by encouraging teamwork, resulting in a spectacular kaleidoscope of colours - a spectacular rainbow. The message in the play concerns the individual colours of the rainbow. Each colour has its own tone and personality and each has a part to play for all the world to see - a vivid Rainbow Spectacular.

This is the Junior School's fifth musical production. Once again Mrs Judith Borick, Ms Alison Bowcott, the Junior School orchestra, staff and the children are to be congratulated on such a wonderful effort. All have put so many hours into perfecting and bringing "Rainbow Spectacular" to life.

We also performed "Rainbow Spectacular" twice on the Thursday, at 8.30 a.m. for the Senior School Assembly, who were a very appreciative audience, and then again at 10.00 a.m. for Wakari School.

As usual with a production, there are always behind the scene activities which must take place to ensure its success. Many thanks go to Glenda Simpson for her teaching of some of the dance routines, Murray Ross and Kevin Mechen for assisting with the lighting, Kaia Bishop who was our guest drummer and to the parents for providing the costumes, make-up and props for the cast members.

Our sincere thanks must also go to Mr Richard Warnock, who always manages to bring our musicals 'alive' with his superb piano accompaniment.

Once again the Junior School children are to be congratulated on a wonderful performance. They managed to showcase their talents in a most successful 2010 Musical Production.

- Marion Hogg, Dean of the Junior School

	Samara Dalziel (left of picture)

June 2010

Samara Dalziel in Year 11 is one of Hockey New Zealand's sixteen rising stars chosen for the Youth Olympics in Singapore in August to compete in the New Zealand Junior Hockey Team. She is the only player south of Christchurch to make this team. At 15 years of age, Samara is the youngest New Zealand player in the team.

Samara is a key member of the Columba College 1st XI and has represented Otago at U16 level, is in her second season of Premier Club Hockey in Dunedin and was the youngest member of the Southern Women's National League Team in 2009. Samara was also the youngest player at the National Tournament having just turned 15. In 2010 she will represent Otago U18 at the coming New Zealand Tournament in July. She is a talented and gifted striker who has speed, vision and skills well above her age level. She is an inspiration to her team members and has scored some amazing goals in the school competition and at representative level. I believe Samara has a big future and the Youth Olympics will give her the opportunity to foot it with the best. Her campaign to represent New Zealand started with a training camp in Auckland along with the Junior Black Sticks.

The Youth Olympic Games are a special event that will include élite competition balanced with cultural and educational opportunities. This event will bring together 3,600 athletes from 26 sporting codes.

We wish Samara well for this coming event and are very proud of her achievement.

- Shona Harvey, Columba College 1st XI Coach

June 2010

After months of preparation the day to take the stage of the Regent Theatre was finally upon us. Nerves and stress levels were high at the thought of performing in front of thousands of peers, friends and family members. Stress levels, however, were quickly relieved at the sight of over a hundred Columba girls excited to put all their hard work into action, performing a modern day version of "Little Red Riding Hood". As Little Red Riding Hood leaves home she is warned not to stray from the path, but along the way meets the wolf, who introduces her to a world of peer pressure, crime and drugs. The days leading up to the performance induced very high stress levels amongst the girls, but after the best performance of "Little Red Riding Hood" that we'd ever put on, we managed to come away with seven Awards for Excellence for:

This won us a very well-deserved 2nd Place, which was a great acknowledgement to everyone who was involved, and of all their hard work and dedication. We would like to thank Miss Wilson, Mrs Hancock, Ms Andrew, Mrs Hill, Helen Newton, Elena Barclay, Jude Alloo, Kelsey Davis, Hazel McCulloch, Helen Kent, Rachel Buckingham, Alister Noone, Alan Richardson, Mr Corry and Mr McLachlan for their invaluable contributions to the performance. We would especially like to thank all the girls involved who tolerated long practices and were consistently enthusiastic about the experience, making it a pleasure for the Year 13 girls to organise our entry.

Cast and Crew: Samantha Allen, Jasmin Alloo, Jessica Alsop, Melissa-Jane Austen, Ella Barclay, Holly Barclay, Lauren Barker, Tara Bennett, Michelle Bridson, Marcail Brosnan, Libby Brown, Christina Bruce, Ailsa Carroll, Tilly Carroll, Grace Cassie, Fenella Christensen, Sandy Chu, Sara Colombo, Jessica Coombes, Georgia Cotton, Alexandra Coughlin, Caroline Crowley, Jessie de la Roche, Farren Dick, Olive Dippie, Olivia Dodds, Ban Dohan, Caitlin Doran-Taylor, Gemma Duckett, Emma Eckhoff, Shannon Edgar, Sophie Ehlers, Jessica Elsom, Lauren Elsom, Kate Fowler, Paige Gale, Kacee Grant, Ella Haig, Emily Huddleston, Julia Hunt, Bella Hurley-Skegg, Julia Isoyama, Samantha Johnston, Simran Kaur, Ashleigh Keen, Olivia Kennedy, Helen Kent, Shirley Kim, Gemma Laws, Youri Lee, Kiri Lenagh-Glue, Zoe Lenagh-Glue, Erica Lovelock, Ella MacDiarmid, Hannah MacDiarmid, Alison Mackie, Tessa Maclean, Gabrielle Magnuson, Nicole Maley, Georgia Manera, Kate Manera, Nicole Martyn, Hazel McCulloch, Emily McKay, Alexandra McKenzie, Paige Morton, Laura Nailard, Laura Napper, Ashleigh Neill, Lucy Newton, Jennifer Noone, Anna Oliver, Eva Ovens, Greer Parslow-Boyd, Natalie Patterson, Jessica Perry, Sophie Ray, Harriet Richardson, Kelsey Shaw, Elysia Shettler, Maddison Skeggs, Biddy Skerten, Kenzie Smith, Catherine Steiner, Victoria Steiner, Sarah Storm, Vienna Sutherland, Abigail Tillotson, Milly Townsend, Mikaela Tyrrell, Isabelle van der Zande, Cindy van Leeuwen, Elizabeth Wallace-Gibbs, Annabel Wennekes, Penny Wennekes, Katie Whitefield, Alice Williams, Kirsten Williams, Emma Winders and Jamie Wood.

- Jasmin Alloo, Lucy Newton, Greer Parslow-Boyd and Harriet Richardson Stage Challenge Leaders

	Left to right: Miss Elizabeth Wilson, Samantha Allen, Ava Atkinson-Barclay, Alison Mackie, Aislinn Furlong, Sarah Agyeman, Sophie Bang, Lydie Schmidt, Megan Asher, Yin Lin and Ashleigh Brenssell.

May 2010

Columba had two entries in this year's Festival: one in the five-minute section and a fifteen-minute entry (directed by Aislinn Furlong in Year 13 who also acted in the play).

The five-minute entry was "The Taming of the Shrew", Act II Scene I with four Year 12 actors: Penelope Couper, Imogen Davis (also the director), Dannielle Hall and Kate Waterman.

Aislinn chose extracts from Acts IV and V from "Pericles" to direct this year and the girls delivered a performance of which they can be very proud. It was especially pleasing to hear the two adjudicators comment so favourably on the girls' use of the stage and Aislinn's skill as a director. Aislinn received the Best Actor Award for the Festival which gives her direct entry to represent Otago at the week-long residential course to be held in Dunedin from the 26th September to the 3rd October and also an invitation to attend the National Shakespeare Festival in Wellington from the 4th to 7th June.

Thursday, May 20th 7.00 p.m. at Constance Hall

As a fundraiser for our Senior A Netball Team to compete at the August South Island Secondary Schools' Tournament in Blenheim, we are holding a gala evening of fashion featuring some of Dunedin's leading designers. Fashion houses featuring on the night include:

Students, parents and teachers will be modelling the current winter fashions, as well as some upcoming looks for the next summer season. Tickets are $25 per person, which includes a complimentary drink on arrival and nibbles. Fantastic raffles and spot prizes will be drawn throughout the evening. A cash bar will also be operating. Tickets are available from the School Office from Friday, April 30th. Please come along and support the team.

	Otago Southland Farmer Hayley Jenkins-McCaw and Ross Ewing

by Lesley McIntosh

March 2010

Hayley Jenkins-McCaw, from the Hakataramea Valley, has received the North Otago Federated Farmers National Bank Rural Scholarship for 2009.

She was presented with a $2,000 cheque by Federated Farmers North Otago president Ross Ewing, and National Bank rural manager Timaru, James Christie.

After five years at Dunedin's Columba College, Hayley will start a three-year Bachelor of Commerce with Agriculture at Lincoln University.

Hayley, 18, said she was thrilled to have received the scholarship and was looking forward to starting university.

"The money will come in really handy for books and course fees and I am really grateful to my school careers adviser, who cut the advert out of the paper and brought it into school," Hayley said following the presentation.

It had been straight-forward to apply and although it was the first interview she had ever done she felt, at the time, it had gone well. "It was a great relief to get the phone call that evening to hear that I had been chosen, and I am extremely grateful to North Otago Federated Farmers and the National Bank for funding the scholarship.

The oldest in a farming family of four, Hayley is the third generation McCaw to go to Lincoln following her father Gavin and grandfather Malcolm.

She is also related to All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.

Hayley is keen to work in an advisory role supporting farmers, and will look at the options that are available in rural banking.

North Otago Federated Farmers president Ross Ewing said it had been a difficult task to select the winner as the nine applicants had all been excellent.

"It's not easy to come before an interview panel but Hayley came through as being very focused on what she wanted to achieve. She shows great leadership qualities and had done very well in the science subjects while at school," Mr Ewing said.

North Otago Federated Farmers treasurer Colin Harvey said it was good to have a local recipient as there had been quite a few from out of town.

March 2010

Click here to see the 2010 Columba College Fair photo gallery.

For more information click here.

March 2010

Click here to view the 2010 Sports Day photo gallery.

February 2010

Seventeen Scholarship grades were gained in 2009 which is a very good result from a smaller Year 13 group than usual - 53 girls last year.

Four Scholarships in both Biology and Statistics and Modelling and three in Technology (ICT) with one of them an Outstanding are particular highlights of last year's Scholarship achievements.

Scholarship Grades

We especially congratulate Amy Chu and Nicola Crawford on gaining three Scholarships each (this qualifies the girls for a Scholarship Award which is worth $2,000.00 per annum for three years at University). Also warm congratulations to Jessica Napper on gaining two Scholarships with one being an Outstanding in Technology (ICT) - an exceptional achievement.

Amy Chu - Chemistry, Mathematics with Calculus, and Statistics and Modelling
Nicola Crawford - Biology, Statistics and Modelling and Technology (ICT)
Jessica Napper - Painting and Technology (ICT) - (Outstanding for ICT)
Zoe Brook - Statistics and Modelling
Samantha Edgar - Physical Education
Elizabeth Fraser - Technology (ICT)
Rose Hyndman - English
Lucy Kent - Biology
Gemma Lindsay - History
Kate Manson - Statistics and Modelling
Alice Marsh - Biology
Georgina Martin - Biology

	Isabella Johansson starting on a jigsaw puzzle

Mrs Marion Hogg with Isabella Johansson and Daizy Thompson-Fawcett with a new Activboard (one of twelve purchased for each of the Years 0-8 classrooms thanks to the Otago Community Trust of Otago and our Parents' Association).

We express our sincere appreciation also to the Junior School family for generously making the installation of the seven Activboards for the Junior School classrooms possible (three this year and the other four to be done for the start of the new school year).

The five in the Intermediate Department will also be installed over the Christmas holidays thanks to the generosity of an Intermediate Department family.

	Columba College Business Hall of Fame Laureates 2009: Ann Kennedy Perkins and Helen Anderson

	Business Hall of Fame Alcove

The third Columba Business Hall of Fame function was a fantastic success. With Old Girls, students and parents present there was a real buzz at the event.

The induction of the Laureates is the highlight of the evening, and their identity remains a closely guarded secret until the night. Choosing who to induct each year is no easy task for the organising committee comprising Jennie Hughes, Margie Stevely, Amy Collins, Janet Marquet, Leigh Duncan, Vivienne Eason from COGA and Suzanne Bishop and Cecylia Klobukowska from the Commerce Department .

Columba students have done very well over the years and any Laureate has to meet strict criteria so that the standard of Laureate is guaranteed to be high.

The committee looked forward to the event as it was also the unveiling of the cabinets generously donated by Natalie Ellis-Wilson. These cabinets will house the memorabilia of the Laureates so that there will be a lasting reminder to the present students of the Laureates' achievements. A slight hiccup with the cabinets meant that they were not all there for the night but they are all in place now.

Margie Stevely launched the Columba Business Hall of Fame Charitable Trust at the function. It is hoped that people will donate to the Trust so that the income will assist the funding of future events.

Three students were also honoured for their achievements in gaining Commerce Scholarships. It is hoped that in the future other school Departments will use the function as an opportunity to honour their students.

The response from the Laureates is amazing as their induction to the Hall of Fame has clearly been seen by all of them as a major achievement. There are now seven Laureates across a range of disciplines. There are photo displays around the school and their stories are being used by many Departments to provide inspiration to current students.

Suzanne Bishop, HOD Commerce

	Helen Anderson

Columba Years:1968 - 1973

Current Role: Chief Executive, Ministry of Research, Science and Technology

Helen Anderson is one of New Zealand's best scientific minds. She is setting the agenda for science and research in this country.

She has achieved significant academic success in her career, graduating from the University of Auckland with a First Class Honours degree and completing a PhD from the University of Cambridge. In 1990 Helen was awarded a Fulbright Senior Research Scholarship for study at the University of California.

Helen has a particular interest in seismology and was selected as the Director of the Earth and Ocean Sciences in Dunedin, a collaboration between the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences and the University of Otago.

In 1997 Helen began working for the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology as its Chief Scientific Adviser. After six years in this position she was appointed Chief Executive of the Ministry. In this rôle Helen provides leadership and direction to staff within the Ministry and co-ordinates Ministry projects with a clear focus on the returns that investment in science will deliver to New Zealand businesses operating on the world stage, which simultaneously increases the wealth of the entire country.

	Ann Kennedy Perkins

Columba Years:1973-1976

Current Role: Founder and Director of AKP Communications Limited - Public Relations Consultancy

Ann Kennedy Perkins did not know what public relations were when she left school; she has, however, always been interested in communication. She graduated with a first class honours degree in English from the University of Otago and worked at both Radio New Zealand and TVNZ, before beginning her career in public relations.

In 1994 Ann established AKP Communications Limited, a public relations consultancy firm which develops and implements communication strategies to help companies achieve their business objectives. Ann believes that through communication she can make human connections, not just provide information.

The small company structure enables Ann to be hands-on and flexible. She enjoys working in partnership with her clients and seeing a brief from start to finish.

Ann possesses a particular skill-set as she is intelligent, creative and an effective communicator. She has achieved many career successes and in 2009 Ann was awarded a Gold Quill Award for Excellence in Communication, presented by the International Association of Business Communications for her "On the Way to the Agency" campaign, a communications project to support the establishment of the NZ Transport Agency. It was her third Gold Quill award.

	Left to right: Alexandra McKenzie, Paige Gale, Rebecca Doré, Charlotte Boyce and Holly Cadzow.

This year the Year 10 German class decided to enter the ShortFilmFest Competition organised annually by the Goethe Institut in Wellington. With the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall being celebrated in November 2009 it was not surprising that this year's theme for the contest was "Die Mauer" ("The Wall"). We wanted to produce a DVD that would involve the whole class of 24 girls, although some were away on exchanges when we came to filming. After much brain-storming we decided to use the plot of one of Roald Dahl's short stories, "Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's Coat", but having the main character as Bärbel Schmidt travelling from West Berlin to visit her Aunt Tanja in East Berlin, crossing the Berlin Wall through the Underground station at Friedrichstraße. The back of Bishopscourt made a very useful setting for the Berlin Wall and the various sitting-rooms and Mr Madden's BMW provided the other backdrops. We were fortunate to have Mr Baddock to film the work and were lucky to manage to squeeze this into three periods in the last week of Term 3, just in time to meet the deadline on Saturday, 26th September.

We were surprised and thrilled to learn at the start of Term 4 that our DVD, "Roald Dahl an der Mauer: Couscous", had won First Prize in the Years 7 - 10 section of the competition and that we were invited to collect the prize and see the film on the large screen at the National Film Archive in Wellington on 6th November. Unfortunately, the airfares by this stage were too costly for more than a few to be able to attend so the group was represented by Charlotte Boyce, Holly Cadzow, Rebecca Doré, Paige Gale and Alexandra McKenzie, accompanied by Mrs Doré and Ms Riethmaier. Our second surprise was to find that we had won a cheque for $500.00 which was presented by the German Ambassador and which will be used for purchases for the Languages Department.

Despite the tight time constraint, we had a lot of fun filming the skit and it was pleasing to see the whole class involved one way or another. The three students who had the main parts, Annabel Drummond, Jacinta Dunn and Chloë Anson, need a special commendation for learning their lines so quickly and we also thank Mr Evan Baddock for his patience, skill and willingness to give his time so generously.

Jenness Riethmaier

November 2009

The Parents' Association voted this past week to accept the above proposal to build the new Outdoor Fitness Centre on the senior school campus. Monies were raised towards this project through the 2007 Columba College business directory, the 2009 School Fair and generous parent donations and grants. We look forward to breaking ground early in the new year and have the Centre ready for use in the first term of 2010.

	Lucy Kent, Amy Chu, Georgina Martin, Nicola Crawford and Alice Marsh.

Warm congratulations to the seven Year 13 girls who have been awarded Tertiary Scholarships. Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarships from the University of Otago for 2010:

Lucy Kent, Alice Marsh and Georgina Martin each received a Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship from the University of Otago for study in 2010. Nicola Crawford has been awarded an Alumni Annual Appeal Scholarship from the University of Otago for 2010.

Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarships are worth $5,000, payable against University fees or Hall of Residence accommodation. The Alumni Annual Appeal Scholarship is to the value of first year fees, irrespective of course.

University of Auckland Undergraduate Scholarship for 2010

Amy Chu has been awarded a University of Auckland Entry Scholarship for 2010. The University of Auckland Scholarships are the University's most prestigious undergraduate Awards. They are awarded to students who have demonstrated academic excellence, all-round ability and leadership. The University received 950 applications for these scholarships and 110 have been awarded throughout New Zealand.

	Mrs S. Bishop

The Otago Regional Finals of Young Enterprise were held at the Otago Museum on the 14th October. We were delighted to hear the announcement that Mrs S. Bishop, HOD Commerce. is to be the 2009 recipient of the Sir James Fletcher Award for Outstanding Contribution to Enterprise. This award is made annually to a teacher in New Zealand who has made a consistent contribution over a number of years to Enterprise, not just within the teacher's own school but to Enterprise in New Zealand.

Our 2009 Young Enterprise Company, "Lucrative", also did very well, gaining 1st Place for Best Financial Performance and 2nd Place for Best Marketing Plan.

It was great news to hear that "Lucrative" was one of the two Otago companies to be named to go forward to the National Young Enterprise Finals to be held in Wellington on the 4th November. "Lucrative" has been nominated for an Excellence Award at national level - the category will be announced in Wellington on the night.

Hayley Jenkins-McCaw and Elizabeth Fraser will represent "Lucrative" at the National Awards Function.

A full list of the Year 13 girls who are members of "Lucrative" follows: Hae In Choi, Leah Coghill, Elizabeth Fraser, Alisa Hasdarngkul, Alice Hunter, Sophie Hutchison, Naomi Ireland, Hayley Jenkins-McCaw, Jirachaya Kerdpanya, Alyse McDonald, Kate Manson, Courtney Morton, Libby Richards and Jessica Todd.

	Kate Manson, Year 13 Recipient of a PricewaterhouseCoopers Aspire Scholarship

A total of 16 Aspire Scholarships has been awarded in this the sixth year of PricewaterhouseCoopers Scholarship programme. Of the 16, two were awarded to students in the South Island with one going to Christchurch and the other to Dunedin.

Warmest congratulations to Kate Manson in Year 13 on being the recipient of an Aspire Scholarship.

Kate will receive a contribution towards her University tuition fees valued at $7,000.00 over the course of her degree as well as receiving mentoring support from PwC, the opportunity to develop valuable relationships and networks and summer holiday employment while at University.

	Kim Schultz, a year 8 pupil at Columba College, Dunedin, is raising eyebrows with her research on scoop-served ice cream. Photo by Peter McIntosh courtesy of the ODT

by John Gibb - Otago Daily Times

21 August 2009

RESEARCH by Dunedin school pupil Kim Schultz about scoop-served ice cream was a "timely reminder" about the need for safe food handling practices in stores, a Tip Top senior manager, Mike Leyland, says.

Recent testing of vanilla ice creams bought from 17 Dunedin dairies and other shops showed that five of the cone ice creams were contaminated with E. coli bacteria at levels about those permitted by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.

Kim (12) outlined her findings in a research project she has created as part of the 2009 Aurora Otago Science and Technology Fair, which continues at the Otago Museum today and tomorrow.

Mr Leyland is the general manager for sales and distribution at the Tip Top ice cream company, a subsidiary of the Fonterra Co-operative Group.

Food outlets, under the guidance of local authorities and the food safety authority, could "make a big difference to ensure consumers get the very best quality and safe products", he said.

Tip Top also operated a food safety and quality programme that included an induction programme for new retailers, with demonstrations and information on how to service freezers and to serve a "safe ice cream".

The company also held an annual training programme to ensure its sales consultants, during their weekly store visits, were always reinforcing the right way to do things.

Tip Top tested every batch of ice cream before it left the factory and could assure the safety and quality of its products at each step in the production process up to delivery to the retailers, he said.

Kim said she had been surprised and "quite happy" about the media attention she and her research had received this week - including being on the front page of the ODT, appearing on TV3 news and being interviewed on National Radio.

She said she did not want to discourage people from eating ice cream, but hoped her research would help people to "get the message" about the need to improve food hygiene practices.

Wayne Boss, a senior environmental health officer at the Dunedin City Council, said there was no cause for alarm about scoop-served ice cream, which could still be eaten safely.

However, there was also no room for complacency about food safety, Mr Boss said.

The DCC environmental health department would continue to emphasise the necessity for professional hygiene practices, including good hand-washing, at food outlets.

Since the publicity, several retail outlets had contacted the department asking if there was anything they could do to further improve their food safety practices, he said.

This project is featured in the Student Work section of the Columba College website. Click here to read more...

Friday 24th July. 9.00am ~ 1.00pm.

	Click to view the Junior School Production photo gallery.

June 2009

On Tuesday, 9th June, the Junior School children put on the production of "Scrooge - A Ghost of a Chance", a musical based on "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, with the play and lyrics by Colin Baker and music by Sheila Wilson. This is the fourth musical production for the children and it was evident their excitement has not waned. From the lead characters to the little snowflakes everyone played her or his part with enthusiasm. Once again Mrs Borick and the children are to be congratulated on such a wonderful effort. To manage a cast of 155 children is no easy task and together with the help of the teaching staff as stage managers everything managed to go without a hitch.

We performed "Scrooge" twice on the Thursday, once at 8.30 a.m. for the Years 7 to 13 students at assembly, who were a very appreciative audience, and again at 10.00 a.m. for Kaikorai and Maori Hill Primary schools. Also invited were the residents from Redroofs and members of the Highgate Presbyterian Church. As usual with a production there are always behind the scene activities which must take place to ensure its success. Many thanks go to Murray Ross for assisting with the lighting, Paula Good for the Rock 'n' Roll choreography, Charlotte Sutherland who was our guest drummer, the Parents' Association for purchasing the new sound system in Constance Hall and Kyla and David Jasperse, who once again designed and made the props.

Our sincere thanks must also go to Mr Richard Warnock, who always manages to bring our musicals "alive" with his superb piano accompaniment, Miss Alison Bowcott who so ably teaches and conducts the Junior School Orchestra and of course to our wonderful Musical Director, Mrs Judith Borick, who put so many hours into perfecting and bringing "Scrooge" to life.

Finally, a very big "thank you" must go to all the Junior School children. They managed to showcase their superb talents in a most successful 2009 Musical Production.

Marion Hogg - Dean of the Junior School

For those who may have missed reading the Sunday Star Times on the 17th May, below is the list of schools that were in the Top 10 in New Zealand for their NCEA 2008 pass-rates.

It is very pleasing indeed to see Columba College in this list.

We acknowledge that such lists have their critics, but are also aware that there is considerable public interest in such information.

For the record, Columba students again gained the highest number of Scholarship grades (21) in Otago and Southland for 2008 - a record that has been maintained by the College since the inception of Scholarship in 2004.

Sunday Star Times 17th May, 2009

	Alice Waterman, Alice Marsh and Ava Atkinson-Barclay

Columba College was host for the 2009 Competition which attracted 14 school teams from Otago and Southland.

The Columba Senior Debating Team of Alice Waterman, Alice Marsh (Year 13) and Ava Atkinson- Barclay (Year 12) had a very successful weekend, winning five of their six debates. They won the semi-final against St. Kevin's College, making it to the final which was won by Otago Boys' High School.

The Otago/Southland team to contest the national finals in Wellington was announced after the regional finals with two of the three team members coming from Columba: Alice Waterman and Alice Marsh.

Congratulations to the Senior Debating Team on a very successful weekend and to Mrs C. Carrell and Mrs M. Harris who run our Debating Club and supported the girls throughout the weekend.

May 2009

Art classes started operating in Sargood House this week with Ms Field delighted to be able to move in following DCC consent coming through last week.

Converting a domestic dwelling to school use was quite an involved project that took us a little longer than envisaged, however, the outcome looks good and we are confident the Visual Art Department will benefit from the new teaching spaces and the proximity of Sargood House to the Braemar Art Room.

One large classroom has been created out of the former main bedroom, dining-room and front hall, while the front sitting-room will provide a smaller classroom. The former kitchen has been largely gutted to make a large wet area with direct access from the new main classroom. The former laundry has also been gutted to create a second wet area off the kitchen.

Painting of all the above areas, strengthening, fire-cladding of walls, disabled access, security, smoke alarms, new overhead lighting and plugs, a heat pump, new vinyl, pinboards and two whiteboards and an asphalt path for improved access are the main jobs that have been carried out.

There is further scope to create a third useful teaching space at the rear of the house. We haven't touched the back sitting-room and bathroom, and they could, in time, be made into one more useful space.

	Alice Marsh with Columba’s Fair Trade School Certificate

May 2009

Alice Marsh, Head Prefect, had as one of her special projects for this year to see Columba College become a Fair Trade School recognised by the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand. Well done to Alice on this initiative and its success. Columba is now one of eight Fair Trade Schools in New Zealand.

To qualify we had to meet the following criteria:

What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

Fairtrade is an alternative model of international trade, which aims to share the benefits of trade more equitably between consumers, producers and the environment.

Fairtrade guarantees a better deal for producers in the developing world through:

How do I know if a product is Fairtrade?
The FAIRTRADE Label is an independent consumer label which appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal. For a product to display the FAIRTRADE Label it must meet international Fairtrade standards. These standards are set by the certification body Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) and have been developed in consultation with farmer, consumer and industry representatives.

Look for the FAIRTRADE Label on a growing range of products.

www.fairtrade.org.nz

April 2009

It was definitely a fun, fantastic and fabulous Fair! We were blessed with another GORGEOUS day, filled with laughter and friends. This year, the "Columba Family" set up and ran fifty-three stalls, games, events, contests, raffles and activities. The tables were laden with donations of clothing, household items, toys, sweets and baking. The upper school girls and their teachers arranged marvellous games that brought beaming smiles to lots of faces. It was great to see so many of the classes really getting into the "Best Decorated Stall" contest and all the fantastic student entries in the cake competition. The judges in both contests truly had a hard time-so many wonderful choices! And WOW! The generosity of the families and businesses donating items and money to the Fair was simply overwhelming and GREATLY appreciated. We had our biggest Dutch Auction ever-three tents were needed to contain it all!

From the Prefects greeting and welcoming our guests to the blast of "Rule Britannia" as the "Queen" graced us with her presence to open our Fair to the eager crowds waiting almost patiently outside for Constance Hall, the Books and Pre-loved Clothing stalls to open and filling the tents on the lawn to the Easter Bunny handing an egg to a delighted child to the satisfied diners at the various yummy food stalls to the eager entrants in the various contests to the fantastic items available at the Dutch Auction to the happy winners at the Tombola to the peals of laughter from the Midway - celebration and fun were in the air. A good time was definitely being had!

Many thanks to all who worked so tirelessly before, during and after the Fair. Weeks of preparation by countless people go into making sure the logistics are ironed out; tables and tents borrowed (and returned!); equipment is ordered; menus are determined and foods are arranged; items found, sorted and priced; volunteers lined up and everything is ready to go on time. The conveners are to be commended for their excellent work (see the list over the page so you can tell them "Great job!").

Every stall was humming with a buzz of excitement. And ALL of you wonderful people who volunteered to put those plans into action before and during the Fair as well those who volunteered to help shut it all down and return everything - you are VERY much appreciated. It takes many hands, heads and hearts to make an event of this scale happen and happen extremely well. It is also so gratifying to see the friends made at previous Fairs reuniting for a good cause. I especially loved seeing our children's names and Year levels on our name-tags and hearing many "Oh! You are so and so's Mum/Dad!" As a school that draws its students from near and far, it is events like this that knit us together as a community.

Many thanks to all the families who donated, made things and baked or cooked- the variety of items we had for sale was astounding. Many thanks to all the businesses who donated prizes for the raffles, Dutch Auction and foods for the Columba Café . It was an impressive (and delicious) array of goods that were enjoyed on the day and the generosity of many will be long remembered.

Through the efforts of the entire Columba community - parents, teachers, students and staff - I am pleased to report that the 2009 Fair raised $48,000. These proceeds will be used to purchase ICT/computer equipment for Years 1 to 8, a new outdoor fitness structure for the senior campus and resources for our new Visual Arts rooms in Sargood House. We can all give ourselves a much deserved pat on the back for a job VERY well done! It was a terrific day and plans are already in the works for 2010. See you at next year's Fair!

Jennifer Anglin 2009 Fair Convener, Mandy Metzger 2009 Fair Logistics.

Read more about the fair in the April 2009 newsletter...

Saturday 4th April 2009 starting at 11:30am

Don't miss the Columba Fair. Saturday 4th April 2009 starting at 11:30am. Click here for more information...

	Back row: Renée Hodgkinson, Holly Cadzow, Zoe Cadzow, Tori Hall, Stephanie Lambie, Nicole Martyn. Front row: Vienna Sutherland, Kimberley Martyn, Jamie Boyce, Charlotte O’Leary, Sarah McDonald, Kirsten Williams. Absent: Charlotte Boyce.

March 2009

Warmest congratulations to our Senior A Waterpolo Team on winning the South Island Tournament.

All the girls in the team can be very proud of this achievement, and also of their overall win in the local Dunedin competition in which they won their final games against Kavanagh College and John McGlashan College (this was a hard-fought game that Columba won 6-5). They are a young (six of the girls are in Year 10 and two in Year 11), fit and well prepared team and thoroughly deserve their South Island win.

In the closely contested semi-final with Villa Maria, the score was 3 all at full-time and 4 all at extra time. The game was won on the penalty shoot-out with Charlotte O’Leary, Zoe Cadzow and Holly Cadzow all scoring, taking the final score to 7-4. The final was against Christchurch Girls’ High School with a win of 4-1 to Columba.

Tori Hall - Most Valuable Player - South Island Waterpolo Tournament.

Stephanie Lambie - Most Promising Player - South Island Waterpolo Tournament