Tēnā koutou katoa, Welcome to Term 4!

When Mr Baugh told the staff that it was Term 4 on Thursday morning, we all laughed at the idea that we might not realise that, but it is difficult to believe we are here already.   

We have already been celebrating the year that has been with our Pasifika celebration night on Wednesday and our Sports Awards on Thursday evening.  Both events have enabled us to honour the achievements and commitment of students at the kura through 2024 and we have seen the leadership of our students on each occasion. We thank the whānau who have been able to attend and support their daughters. 

Our speaker for Sports Awards was Madeline Davidson, New Zealand’s Olympic trampolinist in Tokyo and Paris, since she left Villa Maria in 2016.  She spoke to the students about her unspoken dream to get to the Olympics when she was at school, and it was clear the courage that it took for her to pursue that dream and make it a reality.  What an inspiration for all the amazing young sportswomen who were listening to her.  For parents and staff who were present it was a remarkable evening to note the range of sports and the levels our students have achieved this year.  Congratulations to all who were acknowledged, but also to all who have played, participated and enjoyed their sport this year.  When I interview new enrolments they so often start by telling me about the sports they love, and it is great to see them continue in these passions through their time at the College.  

Meanwhile our Year 13s have been enjoying the final weeks they will be with us with non uniform theme days and their assembly for the school.  It is a special time for them, but we do need to balance the academic requirements for them, and for the rest of the students also as this is a particular crunch point of the year for assessment.  As some hear about scholarships they have been awarded, these will hang on their achieving the benchmark qualifications.  It is also very important to make a good finish to their time with us by remaining true to our values throughout.   

This week we were saddened to hear of the death of Diane Low, a greatly loved teacher at Villa Maria College from 1987 to 2012.  She was a very talented opera singer, and it was very special at her requiem Mass to hear her own voice as she sang Ave Maria as we began.  There will be many in our community who remember Diane well, and our prayers are with her family. 

Ngā mihi atawhai, 

Deborah Brosnahan  

PRINCIPAL