Here we are at the end of Term 2 - it seems the year is racing by!  This week is Special Character week during which we celebrate time as a community, in particular culminating in our Special Character Mass on Friday with Fr John Adams officiating and twelve students receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Communion and Confirmation.  Their families will join us for this special occasion.

We extend thanks to Diocesan Administrator Fr Rick Loughnan, Fr John Adams, Mr Stephen Kennedy and Mrs Bernie Lee for organisation and delivery of the preparation programme for these sacraments.

Students have learnt many new skills as entrepreneurs  running a fair with fund raising stalls for charity yesterday.  There were delicious aromas of French cuisine (snails and chicken hearts), BBQ sausages,  bacon and egg butties, banana and nutella crepes, along with music, drinks, home made sweets, games, chocolate wheel and much more.  The atmosphere was fantastic even with the alarm company setting off the fire alarm and causing a drill in the middle of it all!

After Mass on Friday, students engage in the annual House singing and haka competition with huge intensity.  I will not predict the outcome now as I cannot favour any House but you will know by the time you read this.  This afternoon, I am looking forward to co-judging the Talent Quest.  I understand new staff talent is making a debut along with a whole range of student items.  It will be fun!

The week is a perfect note on which to end fifty one years in the teaching profession and forty two years of service to the College for Mr John Gaffaney.  I detailed John's  significant contribution in a previous newsletter.  I am sure John has enjoyed this last week immensely and we wish him all the best for many happy years of retirement.

Last week our student team launched the Youth in Custody Index at Nga Hau e Wha marae in partnership with Nga Maata Waka and Community Law Canterbury.  The presence of the Human Rights Commissioner, the Commissioner for Children and the Chief Ombudsman gave weight to the rigour and importance of this serious piece of academic research by our students and the critical place for it in the public debate on youth offending and incarceration. 

I have no doubt that Edmund Rice as founder of the Christian Brothers, would be very proud to see this work if alive today.  As a wealthy businessman, he shocked many by visiting prisons in Waterford and accompanying men to the gallows.  The Index is a perfect example of twenty first century education in action, underpinned by our Catholic values.  The students have learnt how to pursue advocacy for those at the margins and to navigate civil and political structures in the process. That takes courage and commitment.

We remember at this time the O'Donnell family and old boys Luke and Mark.  They lost their father Peter several months ago, and sadly, also their mother Judy last week, both at a relatively young age.  Both Peter and Judy were mainstays of St Thomas' parent community, giving great service and time to the Board of Governors, Board of Trustees and PFA.  Our thoughts and love are with the family.

Take care in the holidays if travelling on the roads.  I hope you enjoy having your boys at home and make sure they cook you some meals and do a bit of extra housework!  Then they can return ready to settle into a focused term of lead in to NCEA examinations early in Term 4 for the seniors in particular.

Warm regards

Christine O'Neill