A Message from our Principal

Teacher only day today is a timely break for our students who are getting ready to head away to various tournaments as part of the national Winter Sport Tournament Week. We wish them well and, in advance, thank all the staff, parents, coaches, managers, drivers and wider support crews, who have allowed them to get to this level of competition. Our sports strategy developed in 2024 is well underway and is supporting the foundations required that then support performance. It was very pleasing to see the development of strong foundations, structures and planning come to fruition in netball, basketball, hockey and football success at the end of their local season.

And of course, some extra time today to get prepped for the Senior Formal tonight will be welcome for many. It is always special to see our young people enjoying themselves in a different school environment such as this. Thank you to Naomi Tupa’I (Year 13 dean), Rachel Mortimer (AP), and Year 13 Charli Innes and her team who have coordinated this event.

Last, but certainly not at all the least, is a chance to study, catch up on assessment prep, and look towards a solid showing at the upcoming senior exams in mid-September. Our year 10s have reading, writing and numeracy co-requisite exams at this time too. Please encourage your young people at home to commit to homework and study, seek help where needed, and take the opportunities offered to them at school, as they prepare for these important exams.

Today, while the above things are happening at home, our staff are taking part in a Diocesan-wide day being hosted at Trinity. Part of the day for our staff will be spent with staff from other Catholic schools from throughout Otago and Southland, and part of the day will be spent in curriculum planning. As you will know, there is plenty of change ahead for us over the next few years as we implement new curriculum, assessment and qualification programmes. We will keep you updated as these start to be implemented.

It is always good to spend time with colleagues in other Catholic schools. I have had the privilege of being part of a Special Character Review Team visiting another Catholic college this week. It has reinforced for me the important vision we work towards at Trinity, along with all our Catholic colleges, and the importance of the Catholic Social Teachings in all our interactions with students, colleagues and whānau, as well as our wider community. Many would consider our core business is education and extra-curricular activities, but the focus on special character, pastoral care, and the Catholic social teachings we implement as a Catholic school, are the value added component of what we offer our communities, and the real reason for our existence.

"The Catholic school is a place where faith, culture and life cross paths. It's not just an institution, but a living environment in which the Christian vision permeates every discipline and every interaction." – Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Letter on Education, 2025.

Manaaki te Atua

Mrs Kate Nicholson

Principal