A Message from our Principal

I wish to acknowledge all those staff, students and parent volunteers who contributed to our recent Open Day. We were thrilled to have about 270 prospective students and their families come through our school – our biggest number yet. We were blessed with beautiful weather and this contributed to the successful day. The most special part for me is the big number of students who volunteer to be guides. All are welcome to put their names forward to do this job, from year 7s to year 13s. Our students accept this role with absolute pride in our school and pride in our kaupapa. To have 200 students volunteering to donate their Sunday to show off their school is pretty special, and I am very grateful to all these young people. Our roll is under pressure for 2027, so if you know families in our Catholic network who are intending to enrol but who have not yet handed in their application, please encourage them to do so by next Friday 21st August.

A huge congratulations is in order for the marvellous Bishop’s Shield Team of 2026 – students and staff – who took out this year’s title with a massive 10 point margin (usually the winning margin is just 2 or 3 points, if that). The weekend was spent in camaraderie with our three other Catholic secondary schools, and it is wonderful to see the connections and friendships made over the years of competing re-igniting so quickly on the Friday evening when proceedings began. Thank you to Bishop Michael and Fr Hook who said Mass for the teams on Sunday morning at the Cathedral, to Tor Devereux for her impeccable organisation, and to Amelia Bresanello, Moananu and our Te Kaika Moana team who provided the catering for the weekend. It was truly a team effort. This was the 82nd Bishop’s Shield competition, and the traditions and history of this Diocesan competition were on show during the weekend, with many of our judges, and supporters having competed in this competition themselves during their time at Catholic schools in this Diocese.

We enter the end of the winter sports season with many finals during the next couple of weeks. All the very best to these teams as they aim for top honours, but more so, it is wonderful to see the positive attitudes, the school values and the commitment to excellence that our teams are showing. Parents - thank you for your part in this. Your role modelling is more important than you realise. Let’s remember that so many volunteers – coaches and managers, umpires and referees - continually show up to serve your young people. They don’t ask for anything in return, so ensuring respect and appreciation is the least we can do.

This morning we celebrate ‘The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ (15th August). Mary, the Mother of God, is the Patron Saint of New Zealand and she is a very important part of our Catholic Faith. It is at this Mass that six of our students will receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time. Congratulations to these young people – what a special gift to receive in front of our college community! Thank you to Michelle Tili and Fr Hook who continue to support our young people in their sacramental journeys.

I hope you enjoy a very special, spring-like weekend.

Manaaki te Atua

Mrs Kate Nicholson