Kia ora koutou katoa

I had the privilege of taking Head Students Mia Brake and Samantha Donaldson, and Catholic Character Head, Jack Byrne, to the Marist Student Leaders forum in Kaiapoi last week.  They had the opportunity to attend a four-day student leadership camp with their peers from Champagnat schools from around the motu. We learnt about each other’s schools, values, students, strengths, and foci. Students were challenged to develop their leadership through a Marist lens: strong of mind and gentle of heart. I am proud of the way our students represented JPII and the West Coast, and they were reassured that they are getting a great education and excellent opportunities to succeed here. It was also a lovely opportunity for our students to spend time with our new DRS, Joanie Roberson, who starts with us in term two. Joanie is a key part of the Champagnat Marist organization in her outreach with youth.

This week our students received their Coast-to-Coast shirts to wear for Wednesday bootcamp trainings. I wish to acknowledge Julie Rowe for her generous donation and thinking of our students as they get fit for bootcamp. I know these have been received with much excitement and gratitude from our students and our staff (most of whom would never have worn a coveted Coast to Coast shirt otherwise!)

You are all warmly invited to the commissioning Mass on Tuesday 7th March at 4:30pm, at the Sew View Chapel in Hokitika. We would love to see as many of you as possible come and celebrate Mass with Bishop Michael and our JPII Catholic whānau.

Moving forward, we will be celebrating a school Mass once a term on Sundays. We know that school is ‘church’ for many of our students, however the celebration of the Eucharist at Mass is a vital part of our lived faith. Please come along: Saturday vigil Mass at 6pm or 9:30am Sunday’s at St Patrick’s church.

Have a restful and enjoyable weekend.

Ngā mihi nui

Renée Hutchinson

Principal