Principal’s Update

Tēnā Koutou Katoa ngā Whānau,

Ki raro i te hau maru tanga o Garin , He taonga nui a tatou tamariki.
ko te whakapono, ko te mātauranga, ko te ātua, ko te karaiti
Underneath our place of Safety, The greatest treasure is our children.
Faith, Knowledge/Education, God, Christ

Thank you to our teachers and support staff for gathering to celebrate the achievements and successes of our learners at Prize Giving today. The support of Whānau, Parents and Caregivers was truly evident despite having to watch the online live stream of prizegiving. The connection went live across the globe with many tuning in to witness this most wonderful celebration. Congratulations to all who crossed the stage, be pleased and thank God for all you have achieved and gained throughout the year. We particularly celebrate our Dux of College for 2021, Kellyanne Urquart. Distinction in English, Distinction in Religious Education, Distinction in Media Studies, Distinction in Drama, Distinction in Statistics. Kellyanne is an inspiration to us all, we wish her every success for her Bachelor of Environmental Science studies at the University of Canterbury.

This year we farewell many long serving staff members; Mrs Trudie Walter 2002 – Teacher Spanish and Religious Education, Mrs Shona Erasmuson 2006 – Principal PA, Mr Peter Mellor 2007 – Teacher Religious Education, Mrs Lindsey Furlong-Taylor 2013 – Teacher of Art, Mrs Kim Stephen-Pope 2011 – Teacher of Religious Education, Mrs Jacqui Cleary 2009 – International Homestay Coordinator, Mrs Heather Tonk 2003 – Uniform Shop manager, Mrs Corrina Kagaya – Teacher of English as a Second Language 2018, Mrs Maree Hall 2019 – Office Manager, Ms Lauren Williams 2021 – Teacher of Maths and History. We thank all these staff for their service to Garin College and our learners. We also farewell Mr David Dewhurst, teacher of Digital Technology who will be on refreshment leave for 2022 and we wish David every success for the year ahead.

The college is well served by our dedicated Garin Board. I acknowledge the leadership of our Presiding member Mr Chris Ward and thank all members for their commitment and service throughout 2021. I particularly wish to thank and acknowledge the professionalism and dedication of our teachers and staff. Learner success permeates from the engaging relationship established between learners and staff, quality teaching, inclusiveness and service are evidenced from our teachers and staff every day in the college.

Today our most wonderful 2021 year book Footprints was released. As I turned the pages, read the articles and gleaned the pictures, I was lifted up out of the gloom and doom of the world we have come to accept during Covid-19! Footprints is a book of joy and celebration, the Garin story in colour pictures and words demonstrate Garin’s capacity to rise above the challenges that have faced us as a community in 2021. To have the Garin year captured in this way is outstanding, our gratitude and thanks must go to our Fashion Design Teacher Ms Yaelle Pochon, and year 13 learners Indigo Faulkner and Luca Shultz for their creativity in design and editing throughout Footprints. I encourage you to sit back, read, reflect and reminisce.

We pray that this advent will be a time of true spiritual awakening and renewal for you as you prepare to celebrate the birth of the Savior of the World!

Hari Kirihimete
Mā te Atua koe e tiaki – May God be with you
Ngā manaakitanga,
John Maguire

Take a Moment – “God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If he gives us the gift of Christmas it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it.” Pope Francis