4 August 2023 Newsletter

134 MAuaygu2s0t222023 FMREAMNOCRISIADLOCUOGLLLAESGE A Catholic College in the tradition of the De La Salle Brothers Principal Message Important Dear Staff, Students, and Parents, Dates   Welcome back to Term 3, I hope you all had a achievements as we continue to uphold all of our Level 3 Geo Trip restful break and are ready to embark on another Lasallian Core values. Sunday 6 August exciting and productive term together.As we dive into this new phase of the academic year, I want _______ to take a moment to emphasise the signi cance of hard work and the pursuit of individual Multi Ethnic Week Brand Guidelinesexcellence,especially for our senior students who Mon - Fri are working towards completing NCEA. 7 - 11 August Saint John Baptist de La Salle Pray for us _______ Live Jesus in our Hearts Forever Y12 Retreat (Loves Me Not) At the College, we uphold the Lasallian core Tim Stuck September 2021value of \"Quality Education,\" which places anPrincipal Monday 7 August emphasis on providing each student with the best _______ possible opportunities to reach their full potential. For our senior students, this means Senior Cross applying themselves to their studies and striving Congratulations to this Good College Man: Country for academic excellence over the remainder of Wed the school year.The foundation they build during 9 August this crucial stage will serve as a stepping stone to _______ their future success. Subject / Pathways Already, some of our winter sports will have Information concluded, while others will be gearing up for the Evening highly anticipated Winter Tournament Week. I Thursday commend all our students who have been actively 10 August participating in sports and representing the _______ school with pride. For our Year 7 and 8 intermediate students, September will bring the For other events AIMS games, where they will have the chance to please refer to the showcase their sporting abilities across various calendar on the last codes. I encourage each of them to embrace the spirit of competition, support their teammates, page and demonstrate sportsmanship throughout the event. In all aspects of school life, we expect our students to stretch themselves and reach for their own potential. Stepping out of one's comfort zone is often where the most signi cant 1 personal growth occurs.To that end, we expect all students attending events, be it sports, cultural, or academic, to uphold our school's expectations. The College community congratulates Br. Peter Prior to attending these extracurricular Bray, the Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University opportunities, the expectation is that students in the Holy Land, for receiving a prestigious Papal are reaching their potential in class, submitting Honour. Br Peter was Principal of FDMC from 1979 - 1990. FRANCIS DOUGLASwork on time, completing assessments diligently, MEMORIAL COLLEGEand ensuring punctuality in their daily attendance. I wish you all Aa sCuactcheosliscfuCloTlelergme in3.tLheett'rsawdiotirokn of the De La Salle Brothers together, support one another, and celebrate our Enter to learn, leave to serve. ifif

“With No Regrets\" Special Character Corner Last week we commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the Francis Vernon Douglas was 28 years old when he arrived in arrest, torture, disappearance and death of Father Francis Manila in July 1938 and 33 years old when he was killed in Vernon Douglas.  July 1943. The PowerPoint and Karakia have also been loaded onto In the three days when Francis Vernon Douglas was tortured every RST Google Classroom. Please take some time to and killed no other person arrested with him was killed and become familiar with this story and to pray for Father they were all released after he was taken away. Francis Vernon Douglas. They were rmly convinced that the sacri ce of Father Here is the transcript of our liturgy. Francis Vernon Douglas saved their lives. Francis Douglas Memorial College was opened in 1959 by Francis Vernon Douglas left a legacy for us to follow.  Archbishop Peter McKeefry who said, Choose courage over comfort. “This college is dedicated to the memory of a young priest Whatever you do, do to the best of your ability, and with no of whose nal days you and I know nothing. If from this regrets. school there are pupils who, in moments of trial, rise above Heavenly Father we join together with the people of New themselves as Father Douglas did, and remain faithful to God, Zealand and the Philippines who are praying for the then we shall be able to say that our recognition of his promotion of the Cause of Father Francis Vernon Douglas, memory by making it tangible in stone has not been in vain” Missionary Society of St. Columban. Father Francis Vernon Douglas arrived in Manila July 1938. We are inspired by his example of heroic faith, courage and He was the Parish Priest of Pililla. commitment to the Gospel. In December 1941 the Japanese army invaded the We pray in con dence that by his example we will be Philippines. Fr Francis Vernon Douglas was listed as an enemy inspired to do likewise and live the call of Jesus as alien because he was a New Zealand citizen. peacemakers, promote nonviolence and love of our enemies. Saturday July 24th 1943 Fr Francis Vernon Douglas was May the Holy Spirit move the hearts and minds of the arrested as a spy because he had visited the guerillas in the Church and proclaim Father Francis Vernon Douglas as mountains. He was con ned with 1700 men and youths also witness of the faith suspected of spying. He was then taken to the sacristy and Amen tortured. Later he was tied to the Baptismal Font and Live Jesus in our Hearts Forever beaten.Then he was tied to a wooden pillar in the choir loft Manaakitia koutou e te Atua where he stood for two days. Finally on Tuesday 27th July he was placed in the back of a Anna Zsigovits-Mace truck and driven away into the night. He was never seen Director of Religious Studies again and his body has never been found. ififififif

“With No Regrets\" Br Peter Bray Br. Peter was born on 7 November 1945 in New Plymouth, During a visit to Rome in June 2023, Br. Peter Bray received NZ. He grew up in the little town of Waitara on the west the Papal Cross of Honour.This is the highest honour the coast of the North Island, beneath the shadow of the island's Pope may give to an individual, religious or lay.  most impressive mountain, Mount Taranaki.   Br Peter, a De La Salle Brother from the ANZPPNG District, In his extensive career and ministry as a De La Salle Brother, the current Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University in he has been engaged in such challenges as serving as the Palestine, says that his fteen years in that position at director of the Wellington Catholic Education Centre, in Bethlehem University were a great gift and blessing, but the New Zealand, as a member of a Lasallian formation team, most challenging years of his life because of the complexity and as the head of three Catholic schools in both New and unpredictability of the situation.   Zealand and Australia. He even managed to squeeze in time He said, \"I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work to get an EdD in education from the University of San Diego. here and to have been able to experience the wonder of God's   spirit at work among young people. I have never been in a place Br. Peter has received three honorary doctorates: one from where it is so obvious that what we do is worthwhile.To see Lewis University, Chicago, Illinois, in 2013; one from St. secondary school students arrive on campus and then watch Mary's University, Moraga, California, in 2017; and one from some of them grow, over the course of four years, into Australian Catholic University, Sydney, in 2023.   extraordinary, con dent, articulate, engaging, committed, and He has written for many scholarly and professional resourceful young people, is a great inspiration to me.When I publications, with published works starting in 1994 and have this experience with these young people, I can put up with continuing until 2020.   all the other things that are part of being here!\"  In May 2008 Br. Peter was appointed Vice-Chancellor for a In 1973, when Israel still occupied all the Palestinian territory, ve-year term to begin in January 2009. Later, the the Bethlehem University was established.This institution, appointment was extended to ten years and then to fteen the only Catholic University in the Holy Land, was the rst years, at the request of Brother Robert Schieler, the University to be of cially registered in Palestine.This Superior General at the time.  Catholic, De La Salle-inspired, coeducational university aims On 31 December 2023, Br Peter’s third term will conclude. to serve the Palestinian people through education.  Paraguayan Brother Hector Hernán Santos González, FSC, In an article published in 2022, Br. Peter mentioned that EdD, has been chosen as Bethlehem University's ninth Vice- while the work was challenging, it was most evident that it Chancellor. He will formally begin his new position on 1 was a worthwhile effort. He is inspired by the students who January 2024.   attend and for the way so many of them treasure their education.   \"I spoke to one student some years ago shortly after his family home had been demolished by the Israeli military for the second time,\" Br. Peter recalled. \"He said: 'They have taken my home, they have taken my land, they have taken my freedom but they cannot take my education!' Hearing him say that and experiencing the value he attached to the opportunity he had with Bethlehem University leads me to want to make the best possible opportunity available for our students.\"  ifififififif

“With No Regrets\" Taranaki Science Fair Results The Taranaki Science and Technology Fair was held from 31st July to 2nd August.The standard of entries at the Fair this year was extremely high, and was commented on by many of the judges. Francis Douglas students submitted some excellent entries, and were rewarded with numerous generous prizes. Special congratulations to William Hopkins and his sister Maddi from Sacred Heart for their outstanding entry \"Tiny Butt Deadly\", an investigation into the microplastics found in cigarette butts, their effects on plant growth, and the dangers they pose for our land, freshwater and marine ecosystems.This was an extensive investigation and thoroughly deserved the ultimate award of \"Best in Fair\".William assured me that, although it would have been in the interests of Science, he and his sister did not personally smoke the large number of cigarettes required for the study. Special congratulations also to the Year 10 Science Quiz team of Tomás Verbeek, Hugh Tien,   Vadim Lewis and Sean Robinson who took out the Taranaki Science Quiz Competition, beating all of the other secondary schools in Taranaki.As far as I can recall, this is only the second time we have done this! I am very proud of these young men. The following is a list of the many prizewinners and the prizes they won.Well done to you all! Water Rockets                                                                                                                           Y8    Avinash Jurawan    First Prize                                                                                Quinn Webber Second Prize                                                                                      Justin Ryan Inocencio Third Prize                                                                                        Oscar Seng    Merit  Xavier Mitchell Merit Y9 Ryan O'Neill Merit                                                                                   Robotics                                                                                                                                   Senior Austin Pollard First Prizes MegaBot Battle - Self-Driven,                                                               MegaBot Battle - Remote,  MiniBot Battle - Self-Driven and MiniBot Battle - Remote  Observational Drawing                                                                                                                      Y9 Garrett Kendall Third Prize                                                                            Y9 Blake Downer           Merit                                                                                                       Scienti c Journalism                                                                                                                          Y9 Lukas Strohmeier Second Prize                                                                    Y13     Gabriel Gerente              First Prize                    Technological Development                                                                                                            Y7   Matvey Danych   \"Is Science on Shaky Ground?\"                  First Prize                                                                     GNS Special Prize for Geology                                             Y11     Isaac Lamb   \"Nothing But Net\"                                                                                                   IPL Special Prize                                                      NPDC Special Prize                                                                                                                                                  Y13   Gabriel Gerente   \"Gyp Gyp Spill Pad\"       Merit                                                                           Scienti c Investigation                                                                                                                            Y7      John Cyrus Duya   Energising Electrolytes\"                                                                                                                            Merit   Y8   James Landreth   \"Are There Winning Colours?\"              Arxada Special Prize Statistics Association Special Prize                                       Y9 Garrett Kendall   \"How Does Your Garden Grow?                                          Second Prize Y10 Diego Moreno   \"Climate Change - Flooded With Problems\"                      Third Prize                                                                                         Ara Ake Special Prize                                                   Armatec Environmental Ltd Special Prize                               NIWA  Special Prize                                                            Y10 Tomás Verbeek and Hugh Tien  \"Building a Problem\"                                                                                                 Second Prize     Ara Ake Special Prize                                                               Port Taranaki Special Prize                                               NIWA Special Prize                                                                Todd Energy Special Prize                                                          ifif

“With No Regrets\" Y13   William Poole and Flynn O'Sullivan  \"Regenerative Agriculture\"                                                                           Second Prize                                                                       Ballance Special Prize                                                                 Y11 William Hopkins and Maddi Hopkins  \"Tiny Butt Deadly\"                                                     Best in Fair                                                                          Verbec Trophy for Best Project in Y11-13                          First Prize Y11- 13 Scienti c Investigation                       Corteva AgriSciences Scholarship                                    TRC Special Prize                                                                 NIWA Special Prize Congratulations to all the prize recipients. Colleen Severinsen                                                                                                                        HOD Science Year 10 Science Quiz all changed when we did our fth task, the technology After we had arrived at Spotswood College, we made our challenge.Teams only had 20 minutes to build the tallest way to the gymnasium to get seated. Because we were the agpole using only newspaper, string, and cello tape. In the earliest, we got to pick our table. So, we picked the most end, we were not able to make it as tall as the others. So to central one and got set up. Our rst challenge was a win, we would have to win this next round.The sixth and geography quiz, where we had to match the locations to the nal round was similar to general knowledge, but you could letters.After that, we moved on to the chemistry practical. only answer with a number and no numbers could be Teams were given different solutions from A-D with a range repeated. It was tense, but eventually, the team pulled of chemicals. Our task was to identify the mystery solutions through, getting us the highest score, which won us the and notate the different ions in them. Our third task was to trophy with a one-point lead! identify a whole heap of different biological structures, Hugh Tien ranging from cell anatomy to the heart. Our fourth task was to answer a general knowledge test sheet.This sheet was lled with extremely obscure questions. For example, one was “When did the Large Hadron Collider smash its rst particle”. Until now, we had been dominating most of the competition, only being followed by St Mary’s Diocese.This iflfififififif

“With No Regrets\" Year 10 TOPEC A group of 35 students headed out to TOPEC Monday with bags packed full of jackets, thermals, sleeping bags, and extra socks.  They needed them too, as the rst day was a wet one.  The students began with river safety and rock climbing.  They also completed team building challenges, tness, and problem solving tasks.  On the second day, half of the groups went on the rafts for a river adventure.  The other half learned bushcraft and outdoor skills.  On the third day, the groups ip opped.  Thursday night was the culmination of the camp, with an overnight on the mountain.  If you imagine how chilly it is at school, these outdoor adventurers would have been much colder!  I’m sure the campers will return with heaps of stories to tell and good memories from their TOPEC experience.  We’re looking forward to next year! flflfifi

“With No Regrets\" SUBJECT INFORMATION EVENING – THURSDAY 10TH AUGUST, 2023 5.30-6.30 pm – Pathways Information for 2023 Yr 11 & Yr 12 students Pathways Information for those wishing to know more about: Trades Academy, CPP, STAR & Gateway. - In the Theatrette 6.30 pm Tour starts for all 2023 Yr 11 & Yr 12 students Drop by Room 26 (the cooking room), and grab a freshly brewed coffee or hot chocolate and try some of the freshly baked treats our students have prepared for sampling. Open from 6.25 pm 6.30 – 6.50 pm in the Gym - 2023 Yr 10 students going into Yr 11 in 2024 Plus anyone new to the College Presentation - Mrs. Melinda Stevenson: 1. Subject selection - information and timeline 2. Mrs Zsigovits Mace – Level 1 Religious Studies 3. Year 11 English, Mathematics and Science 6.50 pm - Yr 10 students & whānau start the classroom tour Ms. Lauren O’Reilly, HoD Careers & Yr 13 Dean, Mr Jamie Reid - Yr 12 Dean, and Ms Kath Curd - Yr 11 Dean, will be in the Careers Centre to help answer any additional subject and careers/pathways questions. Mrs Dorothy Lacanaria will be in Room 31 for anyone wanting to know about Special Assessment Conditions and Te Kura Correspondence School INFORMATION FOR PARENTS / CAREGIVERS The Subject Selection Form is used to help guide the subject counselling conversation and to help determine option viability and class sizes. Students often change their options during the subject counselling conversation, and they are free to change their option selection at any point until the end of 2023. The Year 10 interviews are being held from the 4th - 8th September, 2023. As previously mentioned, the Subject Selection Form helps the subject counsellor get an understanding of the student’s strengths and interests, and it is a good conversation starter. Options may be changed once the subject counselling interview has taken place. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to attend these interviews. More information will be sent to parents/caregivers closer to the interview dates.

“With No Regrets\" Subject Selection Timeline WHEN Term 3, Week 2 Friday, 28 WHAT July Students and caregivers will be able to access the Subject Handbook online from Week 2, Term 3 Term 3, Week 3 Mon 31 July – Friday 4 August Students are given a Course Selection/Expression of Interest Form & Senior Subject Handbook in VF Term 3, Week 4 Thursday 10th August – 5.30pm Pathways Information Evening for Yr 11-12 Students Thursday 10th August – 6.30pm Subject Information Evening for Yr 10-12 Students Term 3, Weeks 6 & 7 Monday 21 – Fri 25th August Mon 28th Yr 11 & 12 students and parents/caregivers attend – Fri 1 September (Tournament week) subject selection counselling. Link sent out Friday 11th August. Term 3, Week 8 Thursday 7th September Yr 11 & 12 students must hand in their subject Term 3, Week 8 selection forms Mon 4th – Fri 8th September Yr 10 students and parents/caregivers attend compulsory subject selection counselling Catchup – Week 9 Link sent out Friday 1 September Mon 11th – Thurs 14th September Subject Counselling Interview Catchups – Week 10, Monday 18th September Year 10 and any students taking internal courses All Year 10 forms to be handed in Term 4 Construction of the 2024 timetable begins About The Programme It’s very simple. Customers can nominate a participating school to receive 50 cents for every 100L of bulk fuel they have delivered. So, as we keep your wheels turning you are giving back to your local community too. Once a participating school reaches their $1,000 target / goal they can redeem product from the variety of technology, sports or literature packages on offer. It’s that simple.The more people involved and nominating a school the sooner they will be rewarded. We notify the schools every three months of their progress towards reaching their goals The College would like to thank Fern for the new equipment for the music room. Electric guitars, amps and headphones were purchased through this great initiative.Thank you Greg Rowlands from Taranaki Fern for the delivery.

“With No Regrets\" TSSSA ROTATIONAL GOLF A bus load of FDMC golfers headed to Inglewood for an afternoon on the course last Tuesday 1st August.TSSSA Rotational Golf is always a popular event and this year proved to be the same for our College students with a total of 33 entries.  It’s always great to see so many students out there enjoying the sporting opportunities. TSSSA SKATEBOARDING Our rst TSSSA event for Term 3 was TSSSA Skateboarding, which was held on Monday 24th July at the East End Indoor Arena. Thank you to Drop Deep Skateboarding for their support and for travelling from Tauranga to run this event for our students. Congratulations to Noah Fromings on placing 2nd in the Junior Grade. fi

“With No Regrets\" The Big Brother Programme In the area of Mathematics, the Big Brother Programme The Big Brother Programme at Francis Douglas Memorial proves equally impactful.With the guidance of the Year 13 College is a well-established initiative that fosters a Leaders, the Year 7 and 8 students approach mathematical supportive and nurturing learning environment for our Year 7 problems with more enthusiasm and critical thinking.The & 8 students and their Year 13 ‘Big Brothers’.This programme leaders guide the younger students , demonstrating the brings together the college’s senior leaders to engage with practical applications of problem solving and encouraging the our younger students once a week, providing academic younger boys to give it a go.As a result, the younger students support in the areas of Mathematics, reading, and writing.  not only grasp the mathematical principles being The programme is modelled on the tuakana teina philosophy implemented, but also develop their con dence in applying where an an older or more expert tuakana (brother) helps their skills to solve a range of problems. and guides a younger or less expert learner - teina.     The success of the Big Brother Programme lies in the The Year 13 Leaders, serving as Big Brothers, play a pivotal meaningful connections established between our Yr 13 and role in nurturing a positive mentorship relationship with the Yr 7 & 8 students. Beyond academic support, the senior younger students. By dedicating their time to work closely leaders serve as role models, sharing and modelling valuable with the Yr 7 & 8 students, they create an environment life skills such as resilience, time management, brotherhood, where questions are encouraged, and no challenge is too empathy and effective communication.This programme daunting.This camaraderie not only boosts the academic motivates a sense of unity within the college, creating a abilities of the younger students but also bolsters their self- strong sense of community, whakawhanaungatanga, con dence and enthusiasm for learning in Mathematics, and whanaungatanga and manaakitanga.  It fosters a culture of their passion for reading and writing. mutual support, kinship and collaboration among students of   all ages.As a result, the Big Brother Programme at FDMC Through shared reading sessions, the Big Brothers introduce stands as a wonderful example of how the philosophy of the younger students to new books and literature, tuakana teina (peer mentorship) can truly enrich the learning encouraging a love for reading and a deeper appreciation of experience and shape well-rounded, courageous, kind and the written word.Working collaboratively, the students delve respectful individuals. into various reading materials and explore the power of storytelling.   fifi

“With No Regrets\" FDMC v Highlands Intermediate Sports Exchange Wednesday 19th July saw a massive success against Highlands Intermediate on the sports eld. Our intermediate lads and their coaches have put in a huge amount of work into their season and the results were a testament to this. Congratulations to all players involved who made us proud on the day, as well as all of the teachers in charge, volunteer coaches and community support. Roll on Aims Games Results: Rugby 7’s Game 1  - 19-0 win Rugby 7’s Game 2 - 14-0 win Football - 5-3 win Hockey - 1-0 win Basketball - 28-30 loss (so close) Badminton - 8-0 win Table tennis - many games won Chess - team loss Mountain Biking - team loss fi

“With No Regrets\"

“With No Regrets\"

“With No Regrets\" Sports Exchange v St John’s College On Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th July, we travelled to Hastings to compete in our last major winter sports exchanges against St John’s College.This is always the biggest exchange of the year. Results wise it was another huge success, with FDMC winning the majority of the matches.The games were all played in great spirit and the comradery between the two schools continue to be a highlight of the trip. Junior A Basketball - FDMC 83 - 62 SJ Senior A Basketball - FDMC 107 - 89 SJ Golf - FDMC 4 - 0 SJ U15’s football - FDMC 2 - 7 SJ U15’s rugby - FDMC 26 - 28 SJ 1st XI hockey - FDMC 9 - 1 SJ 1st XI football - FDMC 3 - 2 SJ 1st XV rugby - FDMC 38 - 7 SJ Once again, a huge thanks to all coaches, managers, and supporters for making the trip over and the exchange possible.  We look forward to hosting St John’s in 2024 Nick Taylor Director of Sport

“With No Regrets\"

“With No Regrets\" Career Event for ALL Senior Students Tradies Breakfast The Year 11, 12 & 13 Tradies Breakfast, kindly supported by Todd Energy, is coming up on the 17th August.  Listen to former FDMC students talk about their careers in the trades while enjoying a deliciously cooked complimentary breakfast.  Senior students and parents should have received your invitation via email, so please look out for it.  Also, please make sure you RSVP quickly as numbers are limited. Please note, we believe this is worthwhile for all students, not just students that are already interested in the trades.  We have some interesting speakers who have gained quali cations and their current employment without attending University.  This is an opportunity to learn about other options beyond school. We look forward to seeing you there. Year 12 Retreat Monday 7th August 2023. All Year 12s are expected at school on Monday for this retreat. Details below. The focus of this retreat is Healthy Relationships and will be run in conjunction with the New Plymouth Police. Uniform is to be worn. Lunch will be provided. If you have dietary conditions please bring your own food.You will need morning tea and water bottles as normal. We will meet in the Chapel at 8:45 for prayer and an introduction. We will end the day in the Chapel with an anointing ceremony before being released around 3:00pm. God Bless QRC Experience Samuel Webby attended a (QRC) Queenstown Resort College Experience and Information Program to nd out more about QRC’s internationally recognised Diplomas in Hospitality and Adventure Tourism Management and Internship opportunities.A great way to help decide whether a career in the tourism or hospitality industry is right for you. “I had the opportunity to attend EQRC (Experience Queenstown Resort College) along with 50 other students from over New Zealand in the Term 2 school holidays, which was supported by the Careers Department. I got to experience top Queenstown Tourism operations such as Jet Boating and AJ Hackett Bungy, as well as tour Queenstown's top luxury resort, Millbrook Resort and Golf Course, not to mention the friendships I made along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and recommend it to anyone interested in the Tourism and Hospitality Industries”. (Samuel Webby)  fifi

“With No Regrets\" Chess Tournament On Saturday, July 29th, the Taranaki Regional Secondary Chess Tournament was held at New Plymouth Boys’ High School.This was a thrilling and intellectually stimulating event that brought together young minds from across the region. Organised annually by the Taranaki Chess Association, the tournament served as a platform for secondary school students to showcase their strategic prowess and compete in a friendly yet competitive environment.  Four teams from Francis Douglas attended the event, with one of our teams placing third overall.    The team was made up of:  Jonathan Watson, Cohen Forster, Owain Bridge, and Lucas Connolly. The three other teams were: Aside from the thrill of competition, the tournament Green Team: provided an opportunity for our FDMC players to build 1.      Aidan Green friendships and connections with like-minded peers, play with 2.      Andre Cronin-Nowfor ‘No Regrets,  and share chess stories and moves. 3.      Jordan Law   4.      Achim Hanne Overall, the Chess Tournament was a resounding success.   This engaging and competitive event will leave a lasting Rice Team impact on the FDMC players, and hopefully inspire a new 1.      Ethan Rice generation of strategic thinkers and chess a cionados.   2.      Alex Guo 3.      Hugh Tien Teaching Minds,Touching Hearts and Transforming Lives 4.      Ryan O’Neill Melinda Stevenson   Roper Team 1.      Paul Ylaran 2.      Garrett  Kendall 3.      Quinn Roper 4.      Quinn Fowler   Throughout the day, the atmosphere was electric as our players engaged in intense battles of wits and strategy on the chessboard.The competitive spirit was balanced with camaraderie, as the players shared their love for the game and learned from one another's tactics.    The tournament featured a series of rounds, each challenging the participants' mental acuity and decision- making abilities. Spectators and fellow students cheered on their representatives, adding to the excitement and creating a sense of unity among the chess enthusiasts.  fi

“With No Regrets\" Primary Industries Update Juniors - new classes of students have started their days at Year 12 Primary Industries - the boys have been the AgriDome this term.Y9’s have completed their induction continuing their work placements and have been busier than to the farm and started tting into the everyday workings on ever. It's busy times on the farm, with calving and lambing the farm.Y10’s are also a new group and have started clearing already starting.When at school, they have also been working fence lines to ensure the electric fences are in tip top shape on repairing fence lines on the school farm, sharpening and come spring. maintaining school equipment, and of course, a little bit of The harvesting from our gardens has also begun, with some paperwork in between. great looking cauli ower, broccoli, cabbage, swedes, lettuce, and citrus fruit being delivered to the New Plymouth Y13 Primary Industries - this class harvested their Foodbank. hydroponically grown basil crop at the end of Term 2, and we Year 11 Primary Industries - this class has had a very made plenty of jars of delicious basil pesto to take home. busy time lately, with amazing opportunities offered.These They have just set up new lettuce and sugar snap pea crops in guys completed three days in Hawkes Bay at the end of Term the systems.The group also enjoyed a eld trip to the 2, with a focus on kiwifruit, grapes, and apples.The class also Mystery Creek Fieldays in June; there was lots to see and do, pulled down an old fence line on the farm and replaced it with extra opportunities at the Hamilton Gardens with a brand new one last term.  (horticulture & landscaping) and FMG Stadium (sports turf) This term, they have already spent a full day completing a to look at different strands within the primary industries. wetland planting project at Tarata, getting 1000 plants in the ground.As well as a eld trip to Airport Farm, Midhirst - focussing on free range chicken farming with an impressive array of technology. Phewf, time to complete some paperwork for a few weeks! fififlfi

“With No Regrets\"

“With No Regrets\" New Zealand Doctors’ Orchestra   The Taranaki performance by the New Zealand Doctors’ Orchestra on Sunday 23 July at the Theatre Royal, included Francis Douglas Memorial College Year 10 students Hugh Tien and Tomas Verbeek who helped out on percussion. Old boy and current medical student, Daniel Chow, also performed on trombone.   The Orchestra played Procession by NZ composer Anthony Ritchie, Bailero from Songs of the Auvergne composed by Joseph Canteloube and accompanied by classically trained Christchurch soprano Dr Frances Campbell, and rounded out their afternoon performance with Symphony No. 5 in D minor Op. 47.   This is the 11th year that this orchestra has met, and the conductor this year was Mark Hodgkinson who is a free-lance conductor and music teacher based in Christchurch. He has conducted this orchestra on 7 occasions.All proceeds from this performance were donated to Hospice Taranaki.   When I discussed with Tomas my fear of him falling off the podium as he rushed from one percussive instrument to another, he replied with a twinkle in his eye that he felt in safe hands, all things considered! This was de nitely an amazing opportunity for Hugh and Tomas and other members of the New Plymouth Orchestra to be involved in. Congratulations on such a professional and enjoyable performance. In addition to this event, on July 15 and 16 , Hugh,Tomas, Ethan Rice (violin) and other students (pictured below), were also involved with the Taranaki Youth Orchestra performances in New Plymouth and Kaponga. On July 30- last weekend,Tomas once again demonstrated his percussion skills playing with the Taranaki Symphony Orchestra at the TSB Theatre Royal. It certainly has been a busy time for these students and it is great to see them involved in many events in the Taranaki community. fi

“With No Regrets\" Rockiest - Grillatron On June the 30th, the future of music was changed forever.This was the day of the Smokefree Rockquest regional nals in Taranaki.As the competition drew near, tension was getting tighter, but with our shredding guitar solos, nasty breakdowns, and deaf-defying screams, our freshly formed metal band, Grillatron, was ready to melt some faces. Consisting of the talents of Reuebn Woodhead (Yr 13) on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Riley Keller (Yr 12) on lead guitar, Ryan Walls on Bass and backup vocals (Yr 12), and myself on drums (Yr 12). Just as every humble metal band starts off, we had to jam and pack all of our guitars, pedalboards, and drum cymbals into Reubens car, but we successfully made the trip to the TSB Showplace.There we met the other bands from all over the region and nally placed our stuff in our private FDMC dressing room.When it was our time to unleash our powers on the stage, we were greeted by an eruption from the crowd. Chants, cheers, and cries escaped from the crowd, where we then launched into our two songs.With a good reaction from the crowd and the other competing bands, we thought the odds of getting a place were in our favour. Alas, just as all other art forms are subjective, the judges were so stunned by our face melting music that we left home empty handed. Even though we suffered a loss, we kept our heads held high and used this moment as motivation to become an even better band.  Isaac Cameron fifi

“With No Regrets\" AIMS Games Hockey Two awesome events!!! In support of FDMC AIMS Games Hockey…   1. An evening Quiz extravaganza! - Tuesday, 15 August - 6.30pm start - Tukapa clubrooms - 6-person teams - $15 each player 2. Ambrose Golf Tournament! - Sunday, 27 August. - 11.30am start - Teams of 5 - $25 each player - Hole sponsorship available For more details or to con rm your teams Contact Adrian Knowles - 0279 364 243 All funds raised go towards supporting our year 7 & 8 students make it to their tournament Thanks for your support! Adventure Racing- Get 2 Go Challenge On Thursday the 27th of July, 16 students participated in the Get 2 Go Challenge at Lake Rotomanu. Francis Douglas entered two mixed premier teams with Sacred Heart Girls College and one all boys team.The challenge included three 80 minute challenges based on water activities, mountain biking and rogaining.All teams worked well together and had plenty of fun in the cold and wet conditions. Congratulations to FDMC/ SHGC Team 1 for coming 2nd overall.The team included Ewan Williams, Noah Glasgow, Ben Chow, Ollie Wheatly and 4 students from SHGC.A special thanks to the parent coaches for training the next generation of adventure racers each week.  if

“With No Regrets\" A programme for Pasifika secondary school students in Taranaki • Safe environment • Support from registered teachers • Transport available • Meal provided • NO COST The only cost involved is a willingness to take advantage of this amazing opportunity! WHERE: St Andrews Church, Liardet St, New Plymouth WHEN: Wed 16th August: 4pm – 6pm Wed 23rd August: 4pm – 6pm Wed 30th August: 4pm – 6pm Wed 6th Sept: 4pm – 6pm Wed 13th Sept: 4pm – 6pm Wed 20th Sept: 4pm – 6pm To confirm your / your child’s attendance OR for more information please contact Josh Robertson on 027 266 8649 OR [email protected] Text Messages from DPN Attendance Dues Team Text messages are an important and well received method of communication with our families. Occasionally you may receive a text message from the DPN Attendance Dues team regarding your attendance dues account. In light of recent media stories regarding scam text messages that include links, we would like to reassure our families the texts we send are valid. Our texts will come from 02100321174xxx (xxx represents 3 numbers that will vary) and the link in our text will lead you to the Attendance Dues page within the Diocese of Palmerston North website. We share your concerns regarding security so if this notice raises queries, or you are unsure about the text you receive, please contact us on 0800 200 208 or [email protected]

“With No Regrets\" 2023 Calendar of Events Events listed are current at time of issue but are subject to change August L3 Rotorua Field Trip Sun 6 Seaside Market - YES student Mon 7 Multi Ethnic Week Y12 Retreat / loves me not Wed 9 Y9-13 Senior Cross Country Thur 10 Pathways/Subject Info Evening Sun 13 Year 11/12 Parish Mass 5.30pm L3 PE Risk Assessment Wed 16 CPP / Gateway Presentation Thur 17 Tradies Breakfast Vernons Vocals - Cadenza Mon 21 Y11/12 Subject Counselling Careers Expo Please support the companies that sponsor our College sports teams Sponsors of College First XI Cricket Sponsors of College Rugby Sponsors of College Rugby 201 Tukapa Street, New Plymouth 4310 | PO Box 5124, New Plymouth 4343 | +64 6 753 6149 | of [email protected] | www.fdmc.school.nz if