AD SUMMA MARSDEN Last newsletter I talked about the importance of forming good habits and the process that occurs in the brain. You will remember that all habits – no matter how large or small – have three components, according to neurological studies. There’s a cue – a trigger for a particular behaviour; a routine or response, which is the behaviour itself; and a reward, which is how your brain decides whether to remember a habit for the future. Most of what we do every day is habitual. You probably do the same things all the time quite subconsciously. It is estimated that out of every 11,000 signals we receive from our senses, our brain only consciously processes 40. Habits, good or bad, make you who you are. The key is recognising them and controlling them. If you know how to change your habits, then even a small effort can create big changes. The key to changing a bad habit is to change the response or routine that you have established to the cue and ensuring that you still get a reward. In Charles Duhigg’s book The Power of Habit he talks about a case of a chronic nail biter and how she was taught to overcome her habit. When asked to reflect on her habit she realised that she bit her nails when she was bored. At this time she felt tension in her fingertips and responded to it by putting her fingers to her mouth. The reward she got was the physical stimulation on her hands. So what she was trained to do was to notice when she felt the tension in her fingers. She then immediately put her hands in her pockets or under her legs or did something that made it impossible for her to put her fingers in her mouth. She then did something else that would provide a quick stimulation – like rubbing her arm or rapping her knuckles on the desk. The cues and rewards stayed the same. Only the routine changed. Within a week, the young woman had dramatically reduced the number of times she had bitten her nails. (and rewarded herself with a manicure) After a month, her nail-biting habit had gone – she had created a new habit to replace the old bad habit. This is a simplified version of the story but you can see that it is possible to change bad habits. Do you have any bad habits? Why not see if you can make a little change to your routine and you might find that bad habit disappears for good! Of course as I said last time it is far better to create good habits in the first instance and use them to help us to use our brain effectively and efficiently. Jenny Williams Principal Ad Summa Greetings to the Marsden family Inside this issue Marsden Gala 2 Kids lit quiz success 3 Escape house installed 4 West Side Story 4 Term dates 4 News from the Uniform Shop 5 Year 8 Camp 5 Student fundraising success 5 Marsden student in Fringe Festival 6 Big sister programme 6 Lighting workshop - Years 10 - 13 6 Middle School leaders 7 Cultural activities commitment forms 7 Singing talent recognised 7 Model UN 8 Year 10 Outdoor Education 8 Marsden Primary 9 Samuel Marsden Collegiate School Marsden Avenue, Karori Private Bag Karori Wellington 6147 Phone 04 476 8707 [email protected]www.marsden.school.nz Issue 3 April 2013 1
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AD SUMMA MARSDEN
Last newsletter I talked about the importance of forming good habits and the process that occurs in the brain. You will remember that all habits – no matter how large or small – have three components, according to neurological studies. There’s a cue – a trigger for a particular behaviour; a routine or response, which is the behaviour itself; and a reward, which is how your brain decides whether to remember a habit for the future.
Most of what we do every day is habitual. You probably do the same things all the time quite subconsciously. It is estimated that out of every 11,000 signals we receive from our senses, our brain only consciously processes 40.
Habits, good or bad, make you who you are. The key is recognising them and
controlling them. If you know how to change your habits, then even a small effort can create big changes.
The key to changing a bad habit is to change the response or routine that you have established to the cue and ensuring that you still get a reward.
In Charles Duhigg’s book The Power of Habit he talks about a case of a chronic nail biter and how she was taught to overcome her habit.
When asked to reflect on her habit she realised that she bit her nails when she was bored. At this time she felt tension in her fingertips and responded to it by putting her fingers to her mouth. The reward she got was the physical stimulation on her hands. So what she was trained to do was to notice when she felt the tension in her fingers. She then immediately put her hands in her pockets or under her legs or did something that made it impossible for her to put her fingers in her mouth. She then did something else that would provide a quick stimulation – like rubbing her arm or rapping her knuckles on the desk.
The cues and rewards stayed the same. Only the routine changed.
Within a week, the young woman had dramatically reduced the number of times she had bitten her nails. (and rewarded herself with a manicure) After a month, her nail-biting habit had gone – she had created a new habit to replace the old bad habit.
This is a simplified version of the story but you can see that it is possible to change bad habits.
Do you have any bad habits? Why not see if you can make a little change to your routine and you might find that bad habit disappears for good!
Of course as I said last time it is far better to create good habits in the first instance and use them to help us to use our brain effectively and efficiently.
What a wonderful event our gala turned out to be! An awesome day, thousands of visitors, and irresistible delicacies, bargains and activities. That we have raised a massive $63,000 truly reflects the effort from the whole school community. President of the Parents’ Association, Ursula Egan presented the cheque to Principal, Jenny Williams at Assembly on 4 April. Due to your efforts Marsden was showcased in truly spectacular fashion. The gala funds will be put towards the
Marsden Gala
new Creativity Centre and to purchase additional equipment for the school.
Heartfelt thanks to the gala committee; Ursula Egan, Dellys Harrison, Channa Jayasinha, Ginny Morrison, Sharmini Sivanantham and Dave Wilks and stall convenors:
Gelato, Lisa Habershon • Hot Beef Baps, Annette McNamara/Vic Smith • House raffles and stalls, Adair Grant • Samosas, Clare Chandler •Signage, Brent & Tracy Robinson • Spider drinks, Joanne Maurice • Spin the Wheel, Angela Brown • Sponsorship/ Memorabilia, Martine Foster • Sweets, Sue Sinclair • Tombola/bottle, Hilary Fiennes • Toys, Jo Wilson • Water/drinks, Jane Traynor/Pip Morgan • White elephant, Nicky Reed • Custodial Team, Jeff Grange, Richard Seymour, Ben Flannery, Gene Swinerd, Brian Jensen.
We could not have done it without you and your wonderful teams.
Extra special thanks must also go to sponsors and donors. First, gratitude to Principal Sponsor Jennifer Catley Properties. This sponsorship helped considerably with expenses and enabled more of the gala funds to benefit Marsden and the students.
(cont. over)Vic Smith and Shane Dunphy
Jen Pudney
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orignal mid - centry furniturenz designed gifts & homeware
Fantastic Kids Lit Quiz successMarsden was represented by a combined Year 7/8 - Team A and a Year 8 - Team B.
The Regional Competition was held at Papakowhai School on Friday 5 April. Approximately 50 teams from the Wellington Region were involved. The competition tested the girls knowledge on literature around 10 chosen genres, including cattle, illness, etc.
The girls performed exceptionally well, with Team B winning the competition and Team A placed second.
They were coached by students Jess Fair and Leandra Fiennes along with Marsden Librarians Karen Richards and Jennifer Nicholas.
The final will be held at Parliament on June 12, with 13 regional schools participating. The world final will then be held in South Africa, 18 days later.
Team A - Elinor Bann, Lauren Benseman, Fenna Holmes, and Ruby Hooper
Team B - Katie Mackenzie, Anna Featherstone-Wright, Annabelle Jessop and Amy Cooper
To sponsors, donors and friends, we thank you all for your generosity and interest in Marsden. Your support made a huge difference to the gala. To all of the school community, please support those businesses that support our school including: Absolute Bliss • Karori New World • After Shake • Katrina Shanks MP • Amcal Pharmacy Karori • K C Cafe • ANZ Bank • Light House Cinema Petone • Artworks Karori • Margaret Brooker • Brackenridge Country Retreat and Spa • Marsden Books • Brendon Motors Karori • Martinborough Hotel Bar & Grill • Brumbys Karori • Meat and Fish Direct • Café 162 • Mediterranean Food Warehouse • Caffe L’affare • Mercedes Benz Wellington • California Garden Centre • Miramar Fruit Supply • Christian Cullen • Moore Wilsons • Christine Tooley • Museum Hotel • Circa Theatre • Nicky Reed • Countdown Karori • Penthouse Cinema • Crabtree & Evelyn • Photography by Woolf • Craft Garden • Piece by Piece • Crofton Downs Vet • Real Kebabs • Eftpos NZ • Remax Real Estate • Embassy Theatre • Revive Coffee • Emporio Coffee • Roxy Cinema • ES Design • Royal NZ Ballet • Florence Boutique • Sarah Norling Landscaping • Fuji Xerox • Small Acorns • Gipps St Butchers • Take Note Karori Mall • Gipps St Deli • Tempt (Tamara Staples) • Headlines • Thorndon Green Gardens • Hopscotch • Transpacific Waste Management • Hutt City Panel & Paint • Viaduct Service Centre • Kaffee Eis • United Video Karori • Karori 4 Square • Wellington Vasectomy Clinic • Karori Mall Pharmacy • Wingnut Films and Sir Peter Jackson.
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West Side Story The cast for this wonderful musical has been decided and rehearsals are getting underway. All students involved have been asked to download the commitment letter from Ultranet and return it to the Office.
\We are delighted to welcome students from Wellington College and St Patrick’s College as part of our cast and look forward to presenting a fantastic week of performances from July 1-4 in the Auditorium. Tickets will be on sale from mid-June.
Congratulations to the following girls on their lead roles:
Maria Mishalee WickremesekeraAnita Emma MarslandConsuela Renee BurtRosalia Vishmi HelaratneTeresita Daniela RaveraVelma Leandra FiennesKrupke Emily FiennesSchrank Maddie White Anybodys Jessy ReeseDoc Lydia SainsburyGladhand Lauren Jones
Parental Assistance with Costumes
If you are interested in assisting with costumes for West Side Story, please email [email protected] would involve some sourcing of costumes as well as sewing.
Students involved are from Years 10-13 but assistance is welcome from any level!
Escape House installedTo celebrate the centenary of the Marsden Old Girls’ Association the Old Girls have gifted the sculpture Escape House to the school. On Monday 23 March the sculptor, Louise Purvis installed the powder coated galvanized steel sculpture herself, assisted by an arborist and the Marsden groundsman.
Escape House now proudly sits in a tree near the Primary School and is provoking much comment and admiration. Thank you to the Old Girls for their thoughtful generosity.
Term dates 2014Term 1 Monday 3 February – Wednesday 16 April
News from the Uniform ShopDuring the holiday break we will be open Friday 3 May, from 9am to 12 noon, selling winter uniforms and any other clothing you may need before term two starts.
Winter Blouses $46.00Boys Long Sleeved Shirts $35.00Skivvys – Preschool $15.50Tights (Black Cotton) – Primary School $15.50 Tights (Opaques 50 denier) – Upper School $9.50 Ties $26.00Rain Coats $67.00Tracksuit Pants – Senior School $94.00 Tracksuit Pants – Pre & Primary School $51.00 Tracksuit Jacket – Senior School $132.00 Tracksuit Jacket – Pre & Primary School $61.50 Gloves $16.00Scarves $39.00Beanies $19.00
Specials for this month
Vests – These can be worn under the Senior School Tracksuit for added warmth. Usually $72 - this month just $60
Swimming Bags – Handy for primary school pupils doing swimming this term. Usually $15.50 - this month just $10
Polyprops – medium and large size only. Usually $30 – this month just $25
During term times our hours are Monday 8– 9am and 12– 5pm, Wednesday 12–5pm. For urgent purchases email [email protected]
Year 8 CampA fantastic week away in Nelson was had by Year 8 in March, with fabulous weather and a range of exciting activities. Students were able to complete the high ropes course, go abseiling, kayaking, caving and go-karting, as well as spending a day in Nelson visiting the World of Wearable Arts, a car museum and the beach for a sandcastle competition.
A huge thank you to the parents and staff who accompanied them and to the students themselves for trying everything on offer with such enthusiasm!
Student fundraising success!Well done to our Year 8 students Evie Ferguson, Zoe Coventry, Ruby De Silva and Rebekah Hartley who completed a charity walk up Mount Kaukau on March 3, World Children’s Day, to raise money for a special children’s programme for the Wellington Refugee Trauma Recovery Organisation. These girls raised $400 of the $2,200 collected in total. Well done to the organisers of this event and, a great effort girls!
Bella O’Meeghan and Lara Flannery loving the go garting!
Lighting Workshop Years 10-13We will be offering a lighting workshop run by industry professionals on the following dates next term. There are limited places available and interested students should email Miss Wilson to register their interest.
Tuesday 14 and Thursday 16 May from 3:45 – 5:15pm
Tuesday 11 and Thursday 13 June from 3:45 – 5:15pm
The workshop is free of charge, thanks to the generous support of the Parents’ Association and the Marsden Old Girls’ Association. Students will learn how to plan, rig and execute a lighting design, with the focus being on the lighting for our major production of West Side Story in July.
Students wishing to be part of the lighting crew for the production must attend these workshops.
Marsden student in Fringe FestivalCongratulations to Lara Strong, Year 9, for her role in the Fringe Festival contemporary dance theatre production of Ella and Will in February. Lara was the only child performer in the group, featuring some of New Zealand’s best dance talent.
Big sister programmeStudent Head of Middle School, Jessica Reese, has instigated a Big Sister programme from an idea developed by the Head Girls’ Committee. It is a buddy system where every Y7 has a Y12 buddy and every Y13 buddies up with a Y8 student. The Y12s will continue the relationship through their Y13 year. This will provide our younger students with a senior friend who can answer any questions they may have or where to direct them for help. We think this is a brilliant student initiative.
Catherine Graham and Ellessia Wickremesekera
Lara Strong and the cast of Ella and Will
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153 Karor i Road
Marsden Vi l lage
Karor i
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Singing talent recognisedCongratulations to Bria Renai, Year 9, on being named Head Chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral in Thorndon. This is a fantastic achievement.
Cultural Activity Commitment FormsA reminder to ALL students taking part in Debating and Music Groups that they need to return their commitment form to the office ASAP. These were due in by March 1 and there are a number outstanding. The form can be downloaded at:http://www.marsden.school.nz/marsden-karori/co-curricular/cultural-activities
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Middle School Leaders Form Captain Deputy Sports Captain Deputy7CR Mila Ballara Kylie Haynie Saro Thomson Winnie Solomon7GA Anna Reed Pippi Priestley-King Grace Masseurs Maya Nathu7HE Charlotte Johnstone Katie Morrison Tegan Martin Sophie Brown8HZ Abbie George Megan Fitness Rebekah Hartley Brooke Carpenter8MI Ruby Hooper Brittany Osborne Lucy Brow Charlotte McManus8SL Rebecca Jordan Hannah Summers Isabella Standring Cici Davie9BR Lily Marsh Tayla Dayal Anna Harding Caitlin Bowden9CC Jacqueline Dong Camryn Roberts Bailey Yee Madeleine Ferrier9JS Meggie Morrison Christy Robinson Jessica Seow Katie Reed
Full year appointments
School Council Representatives ICT Monitors7CR Kylie Haynie & Saro Thomson Rhian Beddow7GA Emily Stewart & Molly Dodds Jemima Dowle7HE Vita McDouall & Hanna Jacobs-Grant Sophia McCarthy8HZ Lauren Benseman & Alexandra Growcott Megan Fitness & Caitlin Cooper 8MI Claudia Adamson & Fenn Braithwaite Annabelle Jessop 8SL Ruby De Silva & Claire Shue Olivia Fox9BR Harriett Morrow Hannah Ward & Sophie Whitehead9CC Imogen Norling & Alexandra McKendry Alexandra McKendry9JS Caroline Enright & Georgia Beatson Milly Brunel & Neakiry Kivi
Year 10 Outdoor EducationIn the week of March 11-15, Year 10 attended a week at Blue Mountain Adventure Centre in Raurimu. This centre is run by the Salvation Army and the students took part in adventure based activities such as canoeing, abseiling, caving, high ropes, white water rafting and an overnight tramp. The overnight tramp was a practice activity for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award. We had stunning weather the entire week and engaged in a lot of star gazing on the clear nights. Next year we are returning from 17-24 March, so if you have a daughter in Year 9 this year, please consider coming with us, as we would like to take more parent help.
Model UNKatie Fitzsimons, Isabel Kelly, Patricia Wright and Hannah Fletcher attended the Model United Nations held at Marsden in March. This year it was a two day course where we debated and argued the opinions of our elected countries.
On day one the topic was Child Soldiers and day two it was Human Trafficking. We were given the topics and our countries a few days prior, so we had time to research our country and all their opinions. I found this very difficult with my country, Kenya, as they believe in child soldiers and wanted money from other countries to fix their Human Trafficking problem, but weren’t prepared to put in their own money.
Having done my Level 1 English speech on Child Soldiers and how horrendous Joseph Kony and his troops were, it was difficult to see the other side of the story. However, in saying that, it was extremely interesting to learn the desperate lengths countries go to, to achieve objectives. Model UN was an amazing experience as we got to listen and contribute our ideas about very real global issues. I don’t think any of us went to the conference knowing what we were in for, but can easily say it was very enjoyable and a rich learning experience.
I would definitely encourage any students who have an interest in the wider world, law, debating or a general thirst for learning to sign up for the Model UN sometime in your school life. If you do your research, are engaged and contribute your ideas you will get so much out of it. Model UN has definitely opened my eyes up to yet another career path I can take next year. A very big thank you to Mrs Crawford for organising and opening up this opportunity to the four of us.
Katie Fitzsimons
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Preschool – To extend children’s learning in safety we have had a visit from Constable Duncan Ashton, Police Education Officer. He talked to the children about keeping themselves safe – hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road; be in a car seat in the car; what to do if they get lost; staying safe in car parks. He read story books to the children highlighting some of these situations. After his visit, the children got out their
Marsden Primary
Jessica and Harriet in Preschool. Below: Preschool with Constable Duncan Be colourful, be you!
pop-up fire truck and created role plays keeping the community safe.
Karori Road Crossing Patrol – Constable Duncan has also been at school to run a refresher training day with Y5, 6 and 7 students and parents who are running the Karori Road crossing patrol this year. We are very grateful for the help these volunteers give us all in helping us safely cross the road.
coffee supplier to marsdeN schoolCaffe L’affare | 27 College Street | Wellington
www.laffare.co.nz
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Fiji Service Trip – The team of Year 12/13 girls, heading off to work at St James Anglican School in Fiji have been in and out of the Primary classes upskilling in preparation for their busy time in Levuka. We have bought some beautiful picture books to take to the children at St James thanks to the kind donations made by Primary School. The Subway and sausage sizzle fundraisers both went very well and we appreciate the support that the Primary children give to this each year.
Out and About – Year 6 girls enjoyed a beautiful morning at Chilton St James School for their summer t-ball exchange. They were well looked after and enjoyed a swim in the school pool after the game. Years 1-4 enjoyed a day of performances at the Capital E National Arts Festival. Year 5 girls were delighted to hear that one of their classmates had won a prize on the What Now children’s TV programme that saw their class invited to a private screening of the new movie The Croods.
Parent teacher interviews
Teachers in Years 4-6 have enjoyed the chance to catch up with parents at interviews to discuss the progress the girls are making. The first round of PATs (Progressive Achievement Test) is completed and goals have been set for each girl to strive to achieve her best. In the Junior Syndicate, National Standards reports are written and follow-up interviews are held throughout the year. Please don’t wait for these interviews or hesitate to make contact with your daughter’s teacher if you wish to address any issues.
Happy Holidays!
Celia McCarthy Director of Marsden Primary
Fiji sausage sizzle. Below: Solving clues on the Easter Egg hunt
