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Greetings to one and all from your Alumnae Executive Committee in Suva

We are already into the third month of 2007 and following the exciting Jubilee celebrations of September 2007, there have been a number of get-togethers, not only in Suva but in Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane. Late last year, I attended an evening get- together of the alumnae living in Lami at the home of Caroline (Narruhn) Rodan and another at Violet King’s residence in Sydney. I also had the good fortune to meet Edwina (Slatter) Jennings at Mass at St Patrick’s in Auckland where she updated me on alumnae activities and plans.

In Suva we had an evening in November 2006 that was fun for those who attended but which clashed (we set our dates first!) with the Marist Fundraising dinner, the Lami Convent Jubilee (used our programme!), a Nadera Parish function and the ANZ sports day function and so we did not have the numbers we had anticipated.

We are continuing with our monthly Masses and in this newsletter we have included our plans for the year and the dates of these activities. Please pencil these into your diary and remember them so that when your Parish or PTFA is planning an occasion you will be able to try and steer it clear of the dates set by us.

Strength to the Alumnae and God Bless

80^th Birthday – Sr Agnes Kenny

Sr. Agnes celebrated her 80^th birthday on 8^th March which coincided with International Women’s Day. Father McCarrick celebrated Mass at the Convent at 5pm with her community and novices and a few alumnae. The Alumnae organized her cake and the `roast meal’ that was part of the menu for the evening. I offered a prayer of the faithful on behalf of the alumnae thanking God for her life and all the girls that she had taught and influenced in a very positive way.

The Alumnae DIARY

Please insert into your diaries. Alumnae visiting Fiji please do join us at:

Monthly Masses – These are all held in the Cathedral at 5.30pm on the Wednesday’s below except for March when it is on a Monday to coincide with St. Joseph’s Feast Day:

Mon.19 March – St Joseph’s Feast Day

18 April – Mass &AGM

20 June

18 July

15 August

19 September

17 October

21 November

Wednesday 18 April 2007: Annual General Meeting. This will follow our monthly Mass.

Saturday, 12 May’07: De Cluny Bi-centennial Celebrations- 200 years of Cluny in the World.

Mass followed by pot luck dinner in the hall. Choir practices with Mere Fong will be held at the Crypt on the following dates:

April - Wednesday 4/4; Wednesday 11/4; Wednesday 18/4;Wednesday 25/4;

May: Wednesday 2/5;Thursday 3/5;Wednesday 9/5;Thursday 10/5

The Alumnae will be represented at the celebrations in Paris (12-14^th May) by yours truly and Margaret Reade Rounds on the invitation of the Mother House.

11 August 2007: Bula Banquet” – A fundraising dinner and dance is planned in the School Hall. Food will be chinese and there will be 40 tables (the Hall can only hold 40 tables comfortably) of 8 persons per table. Tickets at $25 per person will be sold as per the ball. Tables may be booked from now and all monies must be paid by 14^th July to Shirleen Sahai (Tables 1-20) and Leilani Seduadua (Table 21-40).

24 November, 2007 End of Year Function –Details later

Alumnae Executive Meetings

The Alumnae Executive meets on the second Tuesday of every month in the Alumnae Room at the Hall and this is open to any alumnae who wish to attend. The dates for the meetings for 2007 are:

Jubilee DVD – This is in progress. The conversion from VHS was a problem initially but this has been sorted out. The conversion of the remaining tapes will now take place. We will keep all posted and hope for a 12 May launch.

Alumnae Room

The Alumnae Room is now more functional room. To complement earlier donations by alumnae, with funds raised from registration at the Jubilee we have purchased a fridge, small stereo system, esky, microwave, PC, tables, stationery and shortly two filing cabinets. Our meetings are held here.

Financial status and Jubilee account

At the October meeting of the Executive we finalized the accounts for the Jubilee and following the Alumnae contribution to the Hall of $65,000 that was later supplemented by another $3,000 in December from monies that came in after the Jubilee we made a profit of $21,000 that allowed us to furnish the Alumnae Room amongst other activities that we have planned that includes a scholarship and training workshops for school leavers.

Audited accounts of the Committee, inclusive of the Jubilee accounts will be available at the Annual General Meeting – 18 April.

SJSS Alumnae Branches – The Executive proposed that SJSS Alumnae branches be set up in each parish. This will be an easy and convenient way to bring all the girls together. Listed below are some names of ex-students that have been suggested to coordinate this. If you are willing to do this please call/e-mail me (fong_e@usp.ac.fj; 9213062; 3232363) or suggest someone who is willing to (make sure you have spoken to them first please).

Lami parish -Caroline Narruhn; Laucala Bay Parish -Tina Rokoua and Maria Tawake; Tamavua Parish – Leilani Seduadua; Nadera Parish – Avelina Ah Bong; Raiwaqa Parish - ?; St Agnes Parish - ?; Nausori Parish - ?; Nadi – Tina Giblin & Shirley Mar; The North – Serafina Gukibau; Lautoka – Patricia Louey

Workshop for School leavers – This is being planned in response to the suggestions in the Where to from here? session at the Jubilee. Sessions will focus on etiquette, personal grooming, interview skills, resume skills, job application writing and public speaking. Margaret Reade Rounds addressed the PTFA AGM on March 1, 2007 on this activity to encourage parental support on which this depends.

Scholarship for 2007 – Scholarships will be given to a 5^th, 6^th and 7^th former. Criteria for selecting the appropriate candidate will be based on a means test, their performance and family support.

Pass Rates for 2006 external exams – FJC: 100%; FSLC: 85% and FSFE: 94%. We are pleased with the results.

Overseas Alumnae – please keep us posted on your activities via the website. Contact is Cathy Groom: cgroom@sfu.ca