PRINCIPAL’S ADDRESS TO SCHOOL ASSEMBLY 13th Aug, 2018.
This morning’s assembly is going to have a special focus on The Chanel Shield. I will briefly set the scene before handing over to our team’s Captain, McKenzie Frear, who will introduce each of our performances this morning.
The Chanel Shield is a competition held annually and involves the five Catholic colleges from the Diocese of Hamilton. Campion College from Gisborne, St John’s College from Hamilton, Sacred Heart College from Hamilton, John Paul College from Rotorua and Aquinas College. The inaugural Chanel Shield was held in 1987 and was initiated by Bishop Edward Gaines, the Bishop of the Hamilton diocese at that time. Bishop Edward envisioned the Chanel Shield as being a way to bring the four Catholic Colleges of the time together to connect, collaborate, compete and deepen their faith. Bishop Edward named the Chanel Shield in honour of the Patron Saint of the diocese, Peter Chanel, who was a French-born missionary priest who worked in the Pacific region in the 19th century.
I had the pleasure of travelling with our 16 wonderfully talented young men and women to the Chanel Shield held at John Paul College over the weekend. Our students represented us with distinction at this prestigious event and achieved some pleasing results, highlighted by first place finishes in the Drama, Junior Poetry (Isaac Jarden) and Senior Oratory (Abigail Speight). Jessica Phayer also placed third in Senior Bible reading. The competition was superb and there was little separating the other members of our team from place finishes as well. The full team is listed below.
Today we are going to have the opportunity to share a piece of the Chanel Shield as I have asked some of our students to perform for you. I am very keen for us to grow our profile in this event and it will be a goal of ours to win the Chanel Shield for the first time.
A special thanks for the effort put in by the key staff members who worked with our team, namely, Mrs Van Zyl, Mrs Harris, Mr Roberson, Whaea Egan, Mrs Marriner and the English Faculty. Your attention to detail and care of the students highlights the high level of commitment you exhibit towards our students and the Special Character of our College.
Aquinas College Chanel Shield Team
Drama (1st Place)
Rachel Brebner
Sophie Tamblin
Elizabeth Hodgson
Abigail Speight
Jessica Phayer
Daisy Vahey-Bourne
Senior Bible Reading (3rd Place)
Jessica Phayer
Junior Bible Reading
Amy Gulliver
Senior Oratory (1st Place)
Abigail Speight
Junior Oratory
Charlotte Watson
Māori Perspective Speech
Finlay Kamo-Watson
Senior Poetry
Hannah Mahon
Junior Poetry (1st Place)
Isaac Jarden
Impromptu Speech
Daisy Vahey-Bourne
Debating Team
Noah van Oudenaaren
Jessica Treanor
Lilli Scott
Bible Quiz
Whole team
Team Captain
McKenzie Frear
