We are back in action! After many weeks of planning and preparation, it is wonderful to have all our young people back with us.

We have had a great start to the year with a calm, settled, happy and very well organised first few days. We begin this year with an increased roll, and we hope that our new students and whānau quickly feel part of our St Catherine's whānau.

Staff have been working to plan for various scenarios for this term, which looks likely to be disrupted again. The landscape is unclear, and I will be doing my best to communicate changes, new procedures, and alterations to programmes as needed without bombarding you with emails too frequently!

The Year 13's, Lavina, Mrs McDonald, Mrs O'Brien and Mrs Ryan enjoyed a couple of days at the Year 13 Leadership camp. I was able to join them overnight at the Magnificant Retreat Centre just out of Featherston. I was particularly impressed by the leadership shown by the Year 13's, their willingness to explore what makes good leaders and how they all have a responsibility to lead our college and their desire to take up this challenge. A huge thank you to Mr McDonald for all his work in the kitchen. The students' willingness to support each other in every way, even cleaning up and washing dishes was outstanding. It was great that we were able to join together in the midst of all of this uncertainty.

Regrettably the Academic Mass next Wednesday has had to be adapted. It will be a student only Liturgy. We will be presenting the Academic Blacks and the Year 13 Badges, House Captains and Whānau Leaders.

We have welcomed five new staff into St Catherine's this year. Enjoy reading a little about each of them during the following few newsletters, and let’s hope it is not too long before you can meet them in person.

Konestasia Aukusitino's in Year 12's father has just passed away last Friday and his Funeral Mass is this Friday.  He was also the brother in law of Vitorlia one of our staff members.  "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. We pray for Kone and her family, that they may feel the love, support and comfort of our community. Amen"

As always, any concerns, worries, or conversations about your daughter’s life at school are welcome. The home-school partnership is key to success, and we look forward to working closely with you in 2022.

As we enter a term of covid challenges, a colleague reminded me this week of some words by Mother Teresa – “One step at a time is all it takes to get you there.

”Mā te atua e manaaki – God Bless