… from the newsletter notes of Head Teacher John Boyce
Our architect, Les Clapcott, gave us a specialist Performing Arts centre, and our Establishment Board employed a Principal and staff who are passionate about the arts. The arts were always seen as a key part of Garin.
In term 2 we have our annual arts week and Mahi Toi, and parents may wonder why Catholic schools around the world put so much emphasis on the performing and visual arts.
Staff in Catholic schools are “co-creators” – we work alongside parents and our Creator to help young people become the people they were created to be. We emphasise academic development – but also work hard to develop physical, spiritual, creative, leadership and relationship skills and gifts.
The arts are important because they give us confidence. They help us become aware of the unseen side of life, and they sharpen our sensitivity to our Creator as we join in small acts of creation. They help us to see and appreciate beauty. They also allow us to become the inspiring, imaginative, compassionate and spirit-filled people we were created to be.
And we believe that the development of creativity, sensitivity and wonder adds richness to love in our lives, and to our prayer. Both are stronger when we have a rich imagination, and an active awareness of beauty in all its forms.
On top of that, the arts train us in discipline, and provide a huge amount of satisfaction as well as a lot of fun.
At Garin we believe in the education and development of the “whole person” and, without the arts, many of us would be less inventive and innovative – and fewer of us would be seen as interesting or exciting people.
The title of our arts festival is full of meaning: Te Wairua o nga Mahi Toi – the Spirit of Creation in the Arts.