The Catholic principals association of our Hamilton Diocese - which includes 24 schools from Huntly to Taumarunui, Te Kuiti to Opotiki- is joining together to raise funds for the families of St Mary's Primary School and Campion College, Gisborne.

People have suggested donating goods and sending them through to Gisborne. The message we have had from our colleagues in Gisborne is "please put money in the bank". It is quicker and they can purchase the specific things needed to help each family. Sending goods involves transport, sorting, making up packages and co-ordinating needs with the people making the help packages. It is tiring work.

This photo includes Helen McGuigan (St Mary's Principal) on the far right next to Jenny May Coffin from One News. It was taken last Thursday morning after the flooding disaster hit Gisborne. I can see the strain on Helen's face even though she is smiling.

By sending in what you can afford the money can easily be sent through to St Marys and Campion who can put their families together with the means to purchase what they need most urgently.

Some families have come through the floods with most of their belongings intact and others have lost everything. Where do you begin?

On Monday 6th March our children are having their free sushi/sausage lunches. We will have a non-uniform day (Mufti day) as well.

An envelope will come home tomorrow with a special request for help ( money to send to Gisborne).

Whatever you would like to donate will be very much appreciated. We will bank the money into the schools' account so that the combined Catholic schools donations will go directly to where it is needed.

We need to bank our money by March 10th - which is the day that the total amount raised from all our Diocesan Catholic Schools in the region will be known. 

We will keep you updated through photos and our newsletter about the positive things the donations are able to achieve in Gisborne. Thank you.