Tēnā koutou katoa,

It has been lovely engaging with whānau this week in our hui on Tuesday evening, and in student led conferences on Thursday.  We really enjoy this opportunity to deepen our connections and the partnership we are in for your daughters’ education.   

Even more significantly, this week we have celebrated with 53 students who have gone through the sacraments of initiation and taken the next steps to celebrate these with us as a College community. (Photos below)

For a Catholic College, the opportunity to celebrate Baptisms, First Eucharist and Confirmation with students is a special delight.  While these events are part of parish-based programmes in the first instance, for those who are making or renewing connections to the Church to work through our community towards the parishes is very exciting. We greatly appreciate the support our parishes provide to these students on their faith journey.  It is always wonderful to have an opportunity to welcome Bishop Michael Gielen to our College to share in these events also.   

We have had a wave of sickness going through the College affecting students and staff which has made for some challenges as we work through the important events of this week and prepare for the College examination period for seniors next week.  We do ask that you keep sick students at home rather than allow these infections to spread, including Covid positive students. Within a community of our size we know there are many vulnerable people and our approach is to be mindful of one another and try to limit any spread of infection.  We do recognise how difficult this can be but thank you for supporting us in this.  

We wish our choir students all the best for their performances in Cadenza this weekend.  This is held in Timaru at the Sacred Heart Basilica, which is a beautiful venue to enjoy uplifting choral music!   

Ngā mihi mahana,  

Deborah Brosnahan 

PRINCIPAL