The 22-year-old driver of the van was seriously injured. He is being assessed at the Emergency Department at the Taranaki Base Hospital in New Plymouth and is in a stable condition.

Francis Douglas Memorial College principal Tim Tuck said between 20 and 30 students were travelling into New Plymouth on the bus from Hawera. Read more

In an alert sent out to parents and caregivers of students at the New Plymouth Catholic boys high school on Thursday, principal Martin Chamberlain said the Year 13 students were on a geography field trip at the time. Read more

Deputy principal Tim Stuck had the pleasure of coaching all three but was first to admit they had some key elements embedded in their game even before arriving at high school.

"I think it's [down to] their work ethic and their understanding of the game, but you know, it stems from probably playing footie in the backyard and going to school down the coast and coming into Francis Douglas Memorial College and then heading on to the greener pasture as well."

Even when pressed, Stuck was not keen on taking too much credit for the Barretts' success.

"Absolutely not. There's been a number of coaches that they've had along the way that have had an impact and I suspect that the environment they are in at the moment ... those coaches have done a pretty good job with them."

But Stuck believed there could just be something in the water at Francis Douglas.

Former All Black Conrad Smith is also an Alumni of Francis Douglas.

Smith who graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Law with Honours, has a strong rugby lineage.

His uncle and great-uncle were both All Blacks and his father represented Taranaki in both rugby and cricket.

More recently, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens Jacob has signed with the All Blacks Sevens for two years.

As for which Barrett was best, Stuck leaves it to others to decide.

First fifteen lock Abraham Mataitini opted, perhaps not unsurprisingly, for Scott who was a surprise selection in the All Black's starting lineup for the semifinal, at blindside flanker.

"For me, it's probably Scott Barrett. He's got the biggest work rate on him I'd say."

Source

• rnz.co.nz
• wn.catholic.org.nz
• fdmc.school.nz
• Image: rnz.co.nz

Critics say their performance is a "masterclass" in acting.

The Two Popes is a Netflix movie written by novelist and screenwriter Anthony McCarten.

Born and raised in New Plymouth, McCarten attended Francis Douglas Memorial College and went on to study for an Arts degree at Massey University and Victoria University of Wellington, where he studied creative writing with Bill Manhire.

McCarten is best known for writing the biographical films The Theory of Everything (Stephen Hawking), Darkest Hour (Winston Churchill), and Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen).

Pope Benedict XVI's decision to resign and subsequent transfer of power to the more progressive Cardinal Bergoglio was the inspiration for director Fernando Meirelles.

Facing scandal and self-doubt, Pope Benedict summons his harshest critic and the future successor to Rome.

He reveals a secret that would shake the foundations of the Catholic Church.

Behind Vatican walls, a struggle commences between both tradition and progress, guilt and forgiveness.

The two very different men confront elements from their pasts to find common ground and forge a future for the Church.

The Two Popes is not a straight drama. There is an element of comedy.

The endearing chemistry between the characters and the movie's breezy tone often clashes with the subject at hand.

The two characters exchange jokes and rib each other.

And the Cardinals make their way into the Vatican for the papal elections to the tune of Abba's Dancing Queen.

Meirelles said during the intro of the film at the world premiere that he was interested in Pope Francis because of his progressiveness and social activism.

"I feel that there's something out of place in the world," he said.

He praises Pope Francis for "building bridges" during a time when certain leaders (he didn't name names) are more interested in dividing people with "physical walls, economic walls and technical walls."

Source

• variety.com
• indiewire.com
• thewrap.com
• en.wikipedia.org
• Image: thewrap.com

The three Barrett brothers, Beauden, Scott and Jordie and Liam Coltman were in the All Blacks. Ricky Riccitelli played for the Hurricanes. Teihorangi Walden was in the Highlander's team.

Watch Video: What's in the Water at Francis Douglas College

Deputy principal Tim Stuck, and teacher Steve Simpson both coached the school's 1st XV team together and separately between 2004-2015.

Stuck says the success former students had on the bigger stages of the sport recently had definitely affected the school in a positive way.

The school roll this year is 781, up from 740 in 2009. It caters for students from year seven to year 13.

But Stuck says the school isn't rugby focused; the number of students representing the school has remained around the 200-250 mark since 2009.

Principal Martin Chamberlain credits Stuck for the work he did with the rugby programme.

He says while sports, as well as culture and service are important, "making the man" and academia come first.

He said Stuck worked on making the man before he's worked on making the rugby player.

"I think if people learn responsibility, self-discipline, training, being kind to others and being open to being a team member, all of those things, if those come first then the rugby skills can be built on that."

"In some ways some of these guys shone more when they left the school in their rugby because their foundation of manhood had been built here."

Source

• Stuff
• TVNZ
• Facebook
• Image: La Salle

Along with the three Barrett brothers, Beauden, Scott and Jordie, Liam Coltman had been named as a hooker on the tour.

Martin Chamberlain, the principal of Francis Douglas Memorial College, said they were not only proud of their rugby achievements, but that they had grown into well-rounded young men.

Tim Stuck, who coached the three Barrett brothers at Francis Douglas said they had all shown potential and each had "special qualities".

As the first 15 coach, Stuck had watched all 3 boys play and see their skills develop.

While Beauden showed attributes of a professional rugby player early on and demonstrated skills that would allow him to be influential in a game, it was Scott who he knew would definitely be an All Black.

"As a coach to be honest, I actually thought he would kick on to be an All Black. I thought this guy has an amazing skill set."

"For a lock, kicking goals, footwork, everything. I thought he could certainly go on and play for his country if not for his province."

Jordie, the youngest of the Barrett boys and just 19, had only been away from the school for two years but progressed quickly, Stuck said.

"Jordie grew really quick at secondary school, he was a very, very able rugby player and again skill set, ability to read a game, very tough - he's progressed as well. "

Other notable sportsmen who attended Francis Douglas include:

• John Mitchell - All Black, former All Blacks coach, Western Force Super Rugby team coach
• Conrad Smith - former Hurricanes captain and former All Black
• Frank van Hattum - New Zealand football (soccer) international
• Deacon Manu - New Zealand Maori Rugby and Fijian International.
• Scott Fuglistaller - Wellington Lion, Melbourne Rebel. (Rugby Union)
• Leon Power - Taranaki rugby Bay of Plenty rugby ACT Brumbies Super rugby.
• Carl Carmichael - Taranaki rugby, King Country Rugby, Tasman Rugby and NZ Heartland Rugby Team.
• Teihorangi Walden represented New Zealand Under-20 during the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship in France.
• Ricky Riccitelli hooker for the Hurricanes at the tender age of 21.
• Kane Barrett Captain Taranaki in the ITM Cup. Blues squad 2013 and 2014. New Zealand Secondary Schools.
• Source

• nzherald.co.nz
• wikipedia.org
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: thai-dreaming.com

4 out of 40 All Blacks attended Francis Douglas College]]> 88590 https://cathnews.co.nz/2016/06/07/controversy-tourist-drivers-business-opportunity/ Mon, 06 Jun 2016 17:02:58 +0000 http://cathnews.co.nz/?p=83514

Six Francis Douglas Memorial College students in New Plymouth have developed a 'T' plate that tourists drivers can put on their car, similar to an 'L' plate for learner drivers. Having the plates on tourist drivers' cars would make the public "more aware" of crashes involving foreigners, year 12 student and company "CEO" Patrick Back Read more

That exceeded the target they had set themselves by $12,000.

Starlit HOPE was started by 13 year old Gabby Devine who died in May from bone cancer.

It is a charity designed to give cheer to children in hospital and their families.

Every year Francis Douglas leaders select a charity that they're going to raise money for throughout the year," head boy Louis Poole said.

"This year we've chosen Starlit HOPE. Unfortunately a few weeks after we made our decision Gabby passed away.

"It's been pretty hard on the family and we're just willing to support them as much as we can and honour our commitments."

The Francis Douglas students recently presented the money to Gabby's parents Roland and Sarah.

Poole, explains Starlit Hope was the school's year-long fundraising project. "We thought this one was close to home and a lot of good deeds were being done from it."

The students held various in-house events, and a community fundraising dinner and auction, held on July 31, which raised $14,000.

"It was an awesome night," he said. "We had a big turn out of people and it was really good to see all the support they gave."

The school's fundraising record from previous years was $6000. "With the great support form the school and community we managed to get everyone behind it and raise $18,000, which is three times what we were expecting," he said.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: facebook

Last year Gabby started Starlit HOPE, a charity designed to give cheer to children in hospital and their families.

"Every year Francis Douglas leaders select a charity that they're going to raise money for throughout the year," head boy Louis Poole said. Continue reading

The 15-year-old had his chance to drill the New Zealand Army on a career in the military when the Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles were at his school, Francis Douglas Memorial College, as part of the regiment's tour around Taranaki celebrating its 150th anniversary.

The stop at FDMC yesterday was also a chance for the regiment to discuss life in the armed forces with the FDMC boys who were considering a career in the army. Read more