All students, caregivers and whānau are part of our school community. In line with our value of Whanaungatanga we provide a range of ways for you and your whānau to connect and feel part of our kura. This includes the Stars Programme, whānau time and Houses.

Whānau Time

On Monday and Friday Whānau Time is 20 minutes between periods 1 and 2. 

On Wednesday Whānau Time is a taught lesson for one hour. 

Deans and Whānau Teachers have developed a learning programme specific to each year group. During Whānau Time students and their whānau teacher will meet to set goals, form positive relationships and discuss learning and progress.

The STAR mentor programme for Year 9’s will also be delivered within Whānau Time by our Year 12 and 13 STAR Mentors.

Star Programme

Stars is a proven mentoring programme, which pairs all incoming Year 9s with senior students trained to be amazing peer mentors! Stars offers proactive measures to support enhanced resilience, mental health and wellbeing of students.

Our Stars programme is made up of three main components:

1. Adventure Camp: We head off to the Outward Bound facility at Anakiwa to kickstart the programme with a series of outdoor and indoor activities to develop positive relationships, resilience, and teamwork.

2. Peer Mentoring: Year 12 and 13 students are trained to be Stars Peer Mentors (to their junior mentees, the Year 9s) and together they follow a structured programme that addresses key life skills like goal setting, time management, good communication skills and building positive relationships.

3. Community Project: Towards the end of the year, the students plan, organise and spend time giving something back to the Marlborough community. 

Houses

There are four Houses at MGC – Awatere, Kaituna, Ōpaoa and Wairau.

All students are allocated to a house for their whole time here at MGC.

There are plenty of house activities throughout the year including loads of fun events. Getting involved with House events is a great way to meet new friends and have heaps of fun.

Throughout the year we run a series of Inter-House Competitions from February to November and this means a lively and fun competition between houses which helps to build involvement and team work.

Some examples include the swimming sports, athletic sports, cross country, House Drama and House Choir Competitions. House points are awarded for participation and to winners.  

Guidance

Guidance is the pastoral hub of the school. The Guidance Counsellors, Deans and Youth Workers are available in this area to support you. You should only be in Guidance when you have an appointment.