A Message from our Principal

As we finish term three, I would like to share a couple of reflections with you. Today at school, we celebrate Mercy Day in honour of Catherine McAuley who founded the Sisters of Mercy who are one of Trinity’s founding religious orders. In a recent edition of ‘The Nathaniel Report’, there is an excellent piece on the vision of Catherine McAuley and how this aligns to our challenges today.  Natasha Watson’s article reminds us that the mercy that Catherine McAuley advocated for and role modelled, extends today to mercy and social justice aligned with Laudato Si’ which is Pope Francis’ well-known encyclical about care for the needs of the earth and the needs of the poor in our common home.  As the article states, Mercy is demonstrated through action rooted in compassion, justice and care for others. We highlighted social justice last week at school through actions during the national social justice week. We supported the ‘needs of the poor’ locally through the collection of food products for St Vincent de Paul; and we also acted with a sense of our global church action to raise money for resources for a very underfunded school in Zambia – thank you for your contribution to this.

Yesterday morning, I was interviewed for a podcast to speak about leadership in Catholic schools. Joined by two other principals from around New Zealand who I have not personally met, it was a great reminder for me of our place in the Catholic school network and our common beliefs and moral purpose to ensure that we contribute to the mission of our Catholic schools. All of us spoke of a culture of mercy, of respect for all, maintaining the dignity of all our young people even when they make mistakes, and the importance of restorative practice to encourage forgiveness and restore relationships. The role of Catholic schools is to develop our young people to be the ‘Catherine McAuleys’ of tomorrow – contributing to the world through service with mercy, social justice and compassion.  As a leader, holding this line can be hard at times, but the families who actively choose to enrol at Trinity because of this shared purpose are a huge support to us and you keep encouraging us to stay true to what the gospels tell us is important.  Thank you!

Our Board is also very important in our ‘raison d’etre’, and I wish to acknowledge the significant work, advocacy, and attention to detail of our outgoing Board members - Presiding Member for six years, Barb Long; Board member of six years and Policy Committee Chair, Liz McKenzie; and the work of Christian Schonwald on our Finance and Resource Committee during the last three year term. Thank you all for believing in the kaupapa of our Catholic College and for serving with compassion, justice and care for others.

“The simplest and most practical lesson I know … is to resolve to be good today, but better tomorrow.” Catherine McAuley

I hope you can enjoy some much deserved relaxing family time over the holidays.

Ka kite,

Mrs Kate Nicholson

Principal