Kia ora e te whānau

Athletics Day was certainly a great event, and it was tremendous to see so many students engaging in the various events of the day. The level of participation was good, and I was pleased to see our new student leaders encouraging our younger students to get stuck in. It makes me hopeful that 2025 will be a year of strong and enthusiastic inter-house competition.

Our Opening Mass was another great event, and I want to thank all those parents and supporters of the College who took time out of their day to join us for Mass. Fr Sani reminded us all of the need to make the most of opportunities and to do our very best. A new school year is an opportunity to learn from past mistakes and grow for the future. We were blessed to be joined by two of the Sisters of Mercy who previously taught at St Peter’s College. The connection to our founding orders is a link that is important in maintaining the school's identity.

At Mass, we also had the opportunity to acknowledge publicly the many years of service that Mrs Anne Perniskie has given to the College. Being a former student herself, with deep family connections to the founding orders, makes her finishing up a bittersweet moment. Anne moves into well-deserved retirement, but with that the College loses a significant amount of institutional knowledge and a staff member with great passion for the students. We wish her all the best for the years ahead.

We have recently noticed that some students are bringing energy drinks to school. There is vast amounts of research around the negative health impacts these drinks can have, and school-based experience indicating they are not conducive to learning. We ask that students do not bring these energy drinks to school, and we take this opportunity to let you know that if any student is found with one, they will be asked to tip out the contents. We are here to learn, and energy drinks don’t help with learning.

As we prepare to move into the Season of Lent, we are called to consider in what ways we can ensure our actions lead us closer to Christ and others. Traditionally, it is a time to give up something that may not be helpful, or to increase a helpful practice such as prayer or caring for others. It is also a time for alms-giving, or giving to others. I would encourage all our students and families to consider what they can do this Lent to grow closer to Christ and to others. In what small ways can you make a positive change to deepen your faith or improve the lives of others? I encourage you to embrace this season of change.

Charity fulfils the Law