Tēnā koutou kātoa ngā whānau o te kura

As we come to the end of a busy and successful first term, we reflect on the many opportunities and achievements of our young people. We are proud of all they have accomplished, and we are grateful for your continued support and encouragement. In this newsletter, we invite you to dive deeper into the richness and diversity of our college community. From academic achievements to sporting triumphs, from artistic creations to community service, our young people have truly embodied the spirit of our Catholic values.

We believe that our students are not only learning important skills and knowledge but are also growing in faith and character. We are proud to provide a holistic education that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. We hope that you enjoy reading this newsletter and celebrating the many successes of our students. We thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to working together to help our young people reach their full potential.

He is Risen!

As we approach Easter, I am reminded of the incredible sacrifice that Jesus made for each and every one of us. He suffered and died so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life with Him. This is a powerful reminder of the depth of God's love for us and the importance of our relationship with Christ.

During this time of reflection and renewal, I encourage each of you to take a moment to connect with your faith and deepen your relationship with Christ. Take time to pray, read the scriptures, and reflect on the profound meaning of Easter.

As a Catholic school community, we are called to live out our faith in everything we do. We are called to love our neighbours, serve our communities, and spread the message of Christ's love to all those we encounter.

Let us also take this time to reflect on the many blessings in our lives and to express gratitude to God for all He has done for us. Let us seek to embody the values of our Catholic faith and to serve as beacons of hope and love in our communities.

May this Easter season be a time of deep spiritual renewal and growth for each of you. May the joy of the Resurrection fill your hearts and bring you closer to God.

PPTA Industrial Action

As we navigate through this period of industrial action by our teachers, it is important that we come together to support them in their quest for fair and just working conditions and remuneration.

We understand that the disruption caused by this action can be challenging for our community, but it is necessary to bring about the changes required to ensure that our teachers are valued and respected for the important work that they do.

Teachers are the backbone of our education system, and it is essential that we support them during this time. The last thing our teachers want is to cause disruption, but it is vital that they send a strong message to the Government about the urgent need for improvements in their pay and working conditions.

If we do not address the current issues facing our education sector, we risk facing a crisis that could have a significant impact on the future of our children and the wider community. I fear we are already in crisis based on the numbers leaving the profession at present and record lows entering it.

I urge our community to show their support for our teachers during this period of industrial action. Let us come together and stand in solidarity with our teachers, advocating for fair and just working conditions and remuneration. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that our education system continues to thrive.

Administration Block Works

I am excited to share plans for the project's first phase to transform our Administration block. Works will occur in our Administration block from April 11 to September 9. These works will involve the closure of half of the administration block and relocating of some services to alternative locations within the school.

While I have already explained to our students where they can access staff and services during this time, as parents, you need to be aware that the Main Office will be relocated to the staffroom. This will be signposted. The works being undertaken will deliver a well-designed student wellness centre to better cater for our counselling and medical services. This project will also include a new, more defined reception area, a new student toilet block, and a new suite of offices for some staff. These changes will significantly enhance the facilities available to our students and staff, and we are excited to see the final result.

Please note that these works constitute phase one. Phase two of the renovation will follow in the next two to five years at the discretion of the Diocese. In signalling the lag between phases, I wanted to give you a glimpse of what's to come in phase two.

When fully completed, the Administration block will be a central location for all student services. Our student wellness centre (phase one) will connect directly with other student services such as IT support, Future Pathways, the Library functions, and the wrap-around pastoral support team. This will create a seamless, supportive and vibrant environment for our students to access all the resources they need to succeed.

This project is an exciting step forward for our school community. The new and improved facilities will provide our students with a modern and comfortable space to learn, grow, and thrive. We will inform you of any updates as we progress with this project. As we have already advertised on our social media pages, the Second-Hand Uniform Shop will be closed during this stage of work. Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation as we work to improve our school facilities and services.

Attention all parents!

We are excited to announce the formation of a new Parents and Friends Association (PFA) at our college. The primary purpose of this association is to bring our community together through various events and activities, in line with our Touchstones of Family and Joy. We believe that by establishing this association, we can create more opportunities for our community to connect with each other and foster a strong sense of belonging. This is a great chance for parents to get involved and make a positive impact on our college community.

We are inviting all interested parents to attend our introductory meeting on Thursday, April 27 from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. in the college staffroom. During this meeting, we will discuss the goals and objectives of the PFA, as well as brainstorm potential events and activities that can be established this year.

Whether you are a new parent or have been part of our community for years, we welcome your participation and support in this new venture. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected college community. If you are interested in joining the PFA but cannot make this scheduled meeting, please email admin@aquinas.school.nz with your name and contact details. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting!

Holidays During Term Time

As we approach the upcoming school holidays, we would like to remind you of your responsibility to ensure that your child is attending school regularly and not taking any holidays during term time. Under New Zealand's Education and Training Act 2020, parents are responsible for ensuring that their child attends school every day that it is open for instruction, and taking holidays during term time can have a negative impact on their education.

It is important to understand that when a child is absent from school, they miss out on valuable learning opportunities, and it can be difficult for them to catch up on the work they have missed. It is also important to note that it is not the responsibility of teachers to support your child's learning during these absences.

If you intend to take your child out of school during term time for three days or more, the Principal must be advised in writing at principal@aquinas.school.nz.

We urge all parents to plan their holidays outside of term time to ensure that their child's education is not disrupted. By doing so, you are helping to ensure that your child has the best possible chance of success in their academic journey. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki

May God’s Blessings be upon us all

Matt Dalton

Principal | Tumuaki