Francis Douglas Memorial College

Francis Douglas
Memorial College
A Catholic College in the tradition of
the De La Salle Brothers
11 November 2009
From the Principal
Friday 23 October was special. It began with MAD,
our annual major fundraiser that sees our school
donate an impressive sum for work in the Lasallian
mission field. With more funds still to materialise,
we have so far raised in excess of $22,500! This is
thanks to great promotional work by our Head Boy
Mathieu Stevenson, the coordination of Peter Costello,
a robust school tradition and expectation, and
the willingness of the majority
of our students and community
to support the cause.
Philip Ternouth is pictured
receiving the prize sponsored
by ‘By Arrangement’, for the
most raised by a student
($651 in his case).
In the afternoon we farewelled
the Brothers during a
gathering that many will long
remember. With the assistance
of fine food provided by our hostel, the moving
words of Michael Finnigan, Peter McDonald, Br
Pat Lynch and Br Ambrose
Payne, along with elements
of liturgy, the Brothers’
time here was well remembered.
Property Manager, Dan Keegan,
fixes the new plaque,
pictured above, to the Founderʼs
statue plinth
Saint John Baptist de La
Salle Pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts
forever.Martin Chamberlain
Brother Steve Leatherland
After reaching his golden
jubilee earlier this year,
Brother Steve Leatherland
died recently in Auckland
after battling with illness
for some time. He had
several tours of duty at
FDMC and until last year
he had been a member of
the Brothers’ community
here. Staff have many
memories of Br Steve including
his morning reflections
and poetry readings.
May he rest in peace.
ICAS Mathematics International
Assessments
Seventy students from the College performed especially
well this year. Some 30 students achieved a
credit level and the following achieved Distinction:
Ben Irvine (Yr 7), Michael McKillop(Yr 8), James
Perry, Chaz Jones, Matthew Poole, Kallum Whitehead,
Eric Yang (Yr 9), Shaun Campbell, Martin
Hales, Jonathan Ritchie, Matthew Sullivan-Brown,
Andreas Thangam (Yr 10), Joe Bracegirdle, Jonathan
Carey, Kieran O’Donnell, Christopher Pearce
(Yr 11), and Zach Mooney (Yr 13).
The College would especially like to congratulate
Joshua Woudt in Yr 8 who was awarded a High
Distinction placing him in the top 1% in New Zealand.
Graeme Mustchin

2009 FDMC College Magazine
The College magazine – the “Cardinal, Blue and Gold” – is the official record of our College year. The
magazine is a reflection of all the events and activities of the College year. So as to be able to include
all the significant activities of the year, up to and including the Junior prizegiving held in early December,
the magazine is published in February of each year. It is made available to all current families and is
mailed home to Year 13 and other students who finished at the College the previous year. As I am sure
you are aware, the magazine is a costly production and in an attempt to subsidise the cost of and to
produce a magazine of the highest possible quality, the College would like to offer families and businesses
the opportunity to sponsor a page. We have 140 pages available for sponsorship at $25.00 per
page for family sponsorship and $50.00 per page for business sponsorship. This would allow for your
family name or business name and details to be typeset in the bottom margin as the sponsor of that
page. Your support will be much appreciated. Please complete the slip below and send it together with
your cheque (made out to ‘Francis Douglas Memorial College’) to the College Office as soon as possible.
Thank you for your support.
Francis Douglas Memorial College 2009 Magazine Sponsorship
I/We would like to sponsor a page in the 2009 College magazine.
Our cheque is attached for:
apple Family Sponsorship @ $25.00 per page
Page sponsored by .....................................
apple
Business Sponsorship @ $50.00 per page.
Page sponsored by .........................................................................................................................
Contact details – address and phone number................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
Paid Union Meeting
During the afternoon of Wednesday 18 November,
the PPTA members on our teaching staff will be
ceasing their teaching to take part in the second
paid union meeting they are entitled to this year.
Due to reduced student numbers with seniors sitting
NCEA, non union staff will be able to cover the
remaining students so that the College will remain
open for tuition for the afternoon. As a consequence,
there will be no effect on parents’ or students’
normal routines.
Mission Action Day 2009 Sponsors
We would like to thank the following businesses for
their generous contributions towards Mission Action
Day 2009:
By Arrangement Florist Cheapskates
Kingsway Menswear Kudos
Origin Energy
Please support these
businesses.
Mathieu Stevenson
John George
Farewelled last year as long time teacher and
Sports Coordinator, John George continued this
year as coordinator of
rugby. His contribution
has once again
been applauded at
two recent sports
awards ceremonies –
the one pictured, in
the company of former
student and
Taranaki captain Tony Penn.
Thank you for your tireless work John and we wish
you well, expecting still to see you on our sidelines
for years to come.

2009 Sports Awards Dinner
This was held last Saturday evening at the New
Plymouth Club. Attached with this newsletter is
the full list of award winners.
Joint Sportsmen of the Year, Robert Rawles and Dylan
Dunlop-Barrett
School Stationery 2010
Please note that if your son is in Yrs 7 – 10 you
will be able to buy a stationery pack for him at
the college bookshop during the week prior to
school beginning or in the first week of term. We
will advertise the hours that the shop will be
open in the Daily News in early January.
Seniors may order stationery on line via a link
from the College website www.fdmc.school.nz
during January. Officemax Ltd on Courtenay St
will have limited amounts of stationery available
for those who do not have the facility for on-line
purchases.
Calves
Thank you to those who have donated weaner
calves this year. Aitken Bros Transport will contact
you in the next week to arrange to pick
these up. If you do have a calf available and
haven’t contacted us yet we’d love to hear from
you.
Congratulations
To Mathieu Stevenson who is the recipient of the
Pricewaterhouse Cooper scholarship.
Taranaki Electricity Trust Scholarship
Applications are being sought for the 2009/10
TET Scholarship from school leavers who are
furthering their education at a Polytechnic or
University as a full time student.
Students whose parents reside within the
boundaries of the Stratford and Stratford wider
area including Waitara and Urenui, are eligible.
Application forms are available from the Careers
department or email colin.june.lees@xtra.co.nz
or fankie@xtra.co.nz
Applications close 8 February 2010.
Beauden Barrett receiving the award from Bevan
Matene for Contribution to College Sport
Pukekura Education Trust
Written applications for grants are sought from
post-secondary students who live within the New
Plymouth District Council area, are socially or
regionally disadvantaged or require financial assistance
to further their education or chosen career.
Applications close 14 November.
Application forms can be requested from Jenny
Goddard by phoning 06 755 0846.
Congratulations to Vinshay Bindra who is off to
compete in the World Karate Championships in
Auckland this weekend.
Other Award Winners: Emmett Hurley, Kurt Leuthart,
Taylor Jackson, Sam Wells, Tom Lord, Callum Ireland,
Callum Schrader and Nick Childs.

Term Dates for 2010
Term 1 Tuesday 2 Feb to Thursday 1 April
Waitangi Day – Saturday 6 February
Taranaki Anniversary Day - Monday 8
March
Term 2 Monday 19 April to Friday 2 July
ANZAC Day – Sunday 25 April
Queen’s Birthday - Monday 7 June
Term 3 Monday 19 July to Friday 24 Sept
Term 4 Monday 11 Oct to Friday 10 Dec
Labour Day – Monday 25 October
Commencement Information 2010
Monday 1 February Staff Only Day
Year 9 boarders – meeting @ 2.00
p.m.
Year 10 boarders need to be in residence
by 5.00 p.m.
Tuesday 2 February
Years 7 to 10 classes commence.
Meet in Gymnasium at 8.45am
Year 11 to 13 meetings commencing
@ 1.30 p.m.
Year 11 – 13 boarders to be in resi
dence by 5.00 pm
Hostel meeting – all boarders at
5.30 pm in the Chapel
Wednesday 3 February
Y7 to Y13 classes commence
Thursday 4 February
Year 7 Camp at FDMC
Friday 5 February
Year 7 Retreat and activities
Sunday 21 February
Boarders' families BBQ @ 6.30 pm.
Calendar Term 4
November
Thursday 12 Leavers’ Mass 9.00 am
College Chapel
Senior Prizegiving 11am
Friday 13 Graduation Ball
Saturday 14 Scholarship exams
begin
Monday 16 NCEA Examinations
begin
Thursday 19 Junior exams
Friday 20 Junior exams
Monday 23 TOPEC
December
Tuesday 1 TSS Showjumping @
Stratford
Thursday 3 Yr 9 & 10 Social @ FDMC
Monday 7 Activity Day for Yr 9 & 10
Tuesday 8 BOT meeting 7.30 pm
Wednesday 9 Activity Day for Yr 9 & 10
Thursday 10 Junior Prizegiving 11 am
School Year Ends
Uniform Shop Hours January 2010
Monday 25 January 10 am - 12 noon
Tuesday 26 January 10 am - 12 noon
Wednesday 27 January 10 am - 12 noon
Thursday 28 January 5.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Friday 29 January 10 am - 12 noon
Could any parent able to help out as a
volunteer during any of the above days
please leave your name and contact
number with the college office before
school closes on 10 December, 2009.
STAGE CHALLENGE 2010
The Taranaki competition date for this is Tuesday 1 st June. If you have skills that would be beneficial to
our performance such as sewing, carpentry, painting, transportation (truck/ horse float etc.) and are
prepared to help, please fill in the attached form and return it to the College Office.
If you cannot support us physically but are prepared to make a financial donation to help with our production,
this would be very helpful and gratefully accepted. Please make any such payments to Francis
Douglas Memorial College and write ‘Stage Challenge’ on the back of the cheque.
Jane Aitken Connolly
I can help and volunteer my skills of………………………………………………………........................................
to help with the Stage Challenge production for 2010, and am available in the first term to do so.
Signed…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Contact Phone……………………………………………………………………………………
I am unable to help, but am prepared to make a financial donation with the understanding that my
name/ company name will be identified on the production T.shirt worn by every student, and also on
advertising material that pertains to Stage Challenge.
Name/ Company Name………………………………………………………………………
Signed………………………………………………………………………………………………
Donation…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Francis Douglas Memorial College 201 Tukapa Street, New Plymouth 4310
P O Box 5124, New Plymouth, 4343, Tel: 06 753 6149, Fax 06 753 6148
office@fdmc.school.nz
www.fdmc.school.nz
www.fdmcoldboys.blogspot.com