Friday 3 March 2021 - Issue 5 - Selwyn College

Friday 3 March 2021 — Issue 5
                 Tena Koutou Katoa

                         Message from Richard Ward, Board of Trustees Chair
Kia ora koutou
Greetings to you all on behalf of the Selwyn College Board of Trustees. Welcome back to returning students and
whanau, and a special welcome to those whanau who are joining the Selwyn College community this year. Like
you all, I feel the frustration of starting the new academic year will these two periods of Alert Level 3
restrictions and I acknowledge the disappointment some of you will be feeling over activities and events having
to be cancelled, such as the Year 9 camp. I do want to thank all of the Selwyn staff, in both teaching and support
roles, for the ways they have adapted and accommodated these necessary changes, including reverting to
online teaching. To parents and caregivers – thank you for your support and encouragement of your students
through this period as well, and we look forward to a return to normal soon.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the Governance of the school and is made up of eight trustees: the five
parent-elected trustees are myself, John Schellekens, Andy Butler, Wayne Pihema and Scott Pearson, and we
are joined by student-elected trustee Elizabeth Sovincet, staff trustee Aaron O’Brien, and our principal, Sheryll
Ofner. Julie Arnold serves as secretary for the Board, and any communication should be directed through her
(arnoldj@selwyn.school.nz).
The Board meets on the last Tuesday of the month, with the Property and the Finance Committees meeting in
the week prior. The Board therefore oversees the finances of the school, being responsible for setting and
monitoring the annual budget, as well as overseeing property maintenance and development, and this is largely
funded by the Ministry of Education according to a five yearly expenditure plan. We establish and continuously
review a three year Strategic Plan and the Annual plan which is developed from this, which is used as our point
of reference for the calendar year. Sheryll Ofner keeps the Board well informed of student achievement,
staffing matters, and other progress on implementing the Annual Plan.
Although much of the work of the Board is seen in the day to day good running of the school, the observant
among you will have noticed the Senior Leadership Team’s office area shrouded in scaffolding and plastic over
the summer while renovations were being completed. It is often these building projects which are the most
obvious parts of the Board’s work, and so through this year you will see further ongoing maintenance and
development being undertaken around the site. As a Board, we are looking forward to the challenge and
opportunity of the upcoming redevelopment of E Block (Social Sciences) – which we hope will be innovative as
the recent Maths Block project.
Finally, I want to assure you that that the school’s finances are in a very good state. Although our regular
funding comes from the Ministry, we have additional income streams from things like Community Education
and overseas students, both of which have been impacted by the COVID situation. However, we continue to
maintain sufficient reserves to comply with Ministry requirements, and to also allow us to complete some
smaller projects around the school through the year.
Looking ahead, we as a Board are half way through our three-year term, with Board elections taking place in the
middle of 2022, so some of you may want to consider offering your time and skills to serve the school
community in the future.
Please feel free to contact the Board via Julie Arnold at any time if you have questions or concerns in the areas
of our responsibility.

Nga mihi
Richard Ward

Introducing New Teachers

                 Logan Ball - Teacher of Social Sciences & Economics
                 It is an absolute privilege for me to join the talented team of educators and learning
                 strategists here at Selwyn College. A school that is held in incredibly high regard and models
                 best practice in terms of curriculum design, pastoral care, staff professional development,
                 and extra-curricular opportunities.
                 I come from a background of ten years’ experience of teaching Business Studies, Economics,
                 and Commerce, and have recently returned home from working in Sydney for a number of
                 years. You’ll find me competing in Ocean Swim events most weeks at our superb beach,
Kohimarama, or at other swim events throughout NZ. Water Polo, Surf Life Saving, and keeping fit keeps me
busy outside of work.
I’m passionate about how sport and exercise can complement student learning and instill habits to achieve
their goals whatever they may be. I look forward to working with you and your student throughout their
secondary school journey.

                 Ben King - Teacher of English & Social Studies
                 Tēnā koutou katoa, my name is Ben King and I have joined Selwyn in the English and Social
                 Sciences learning area. I am excited to be a part of a school that really values and celebrates
                 many different kinds of success. My first few weeks at Selwyn have been made all the easier
                 by my encouraging, supportive new colleagues, and the enthusiasm for learning that the
                 students have brought with them into the classroom. I think we are all on track for an
                 enjoyable, productive, and rigorous school-year.

                                 Celebrating Selwyn’s Waka Ama Stars
We are thrilled to learn that our U16 Waka Ama Girls came first in the 500m at the 2021 Senior Regatta and 2nd
in the 250m.

Congratulations again this year on a splendid performance! We are proud of you:
Lucy Jordan, Judea Pihema, Noval Harriman, Henaci Kubuabola, Trinity Kietonga and Harmony Royal
The photo below shows the students from both teams that entered – members of the senior team were
Maia Royal (our 2021 Head Girl), Shailah Eruera-Watts, Maharatia-Reo Pahau, Gracie-Mal Makoare-Watene,
Ecclesiastes Allen and Sariah Pihema.

Selwyn’s Futsal Players are Soaring

Congratulations to our Year 9 and 10 Futsal team who recently won the tournament against Mt Albert
Grammar School, Hamilton Boys’ High and Tauranga Boys’ College which was held here in the Barfoot &
Thompson Stadium. The junior players included:

Quynn Travaglia, Luke Travaglia, Astor Perez Baldoni, Alex Ozturk, Hamza Alfayad, Jack Brown, Lachlainn
McMahon, Mojtaba Sayed, Paddy Moore and Yume Endo

Last Saturday, our Senior Boys team played in their final preparation tournament in Hamilton before the Futsal
Nationals. Selwyn finished top of the group and progressed straight to the Grand Final vs Rototuna 'A'. It was a
nail biter. Year 13 student Jonah Pastiroff led the way with 2 great goals, but the Selwyn boys struggled to stop
Rototuna's star player, who scored two goals of his own. With the scores tied 2-2, the game went to penalties.
Despite 3 great saves and some entertaining antics from goalkeeper George Copeland, Rototuna's star player
stepped up again and scored the crucial penalty to win the game and the tournament. With only weeks to go
until the Nationals, our players will be working hard on the small details that count for ultimate success.
However, coming second is still very exciting!

   Our Junior and Senior Futsal teams

An Outstanding Day of Cricket All Round
Last Saturday was one of the best in recent times for Selwyn Boys’ Cricket.
Our 1st XI had a strong win against Western Springs College. We batted first and were all out for 274 with both
Khamal Kharel (55 runs from 56 balls) and Nathan Mansfield (55 runs off 53) getting quick fire 50’s. In response
Western Springs were all out for 118. There was very good bowling all round with the pick being Arjun Pancha
taking 5 – 28 and George Banfield taking 4 – 15.

Our Junior Colts had an impressive win against Kings College. We batted first and there were notable
performances by Kaiu Wright who scored 55 runs off 83 balls and Cooper Fenwick who scored an outstanding
139 off 94 balls. We ended up on 280 for 3. Kings were always going to be up against it and in reply they were
all out for 120. Jack Couch took a great 3 – 18.

Our Junior Blue team also won against Kings who batted first and reached 131 for 4. In reply the target was
reached after 13 overs with Max Randall scoring 50 runs off 35 balls.

And last but not least, our Junior Green team came away with a good victory against Glendowie College.
We batted first and reached 136 for 5. In reply Glendowie were 118 all out with Josh Devenie the pick of
the bowlers taking 3 for 15.

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a nightclub dancer
who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she
dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to
transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be
ripped from today's tabloids.

Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse,
CHICAGO’s sexy, sassy score includes the show-stopping songs “Razzle Dazzle”, “Cell Block Tango”, and “All That
Jazz”. Winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy, CHICAGO is the longest-running American
musical in Broadway and West End history.
Our Selwyn Performing Arts students and staff are hard at work in rehearsal and loving every minute of it.
Don't miss what promises to be a spectacularly dazzling production. CHICAGO runs from April 10th -15th.
Tickets available soon via iticket.