Tēnā koutou katoua ngā whānau,
Thank you to our learners, parents, caregivers and community for gathering in prayerful unity to celebrate at our Garin College Opening Mass. Thank you to Father Seph Pijfers and Father Cirilo Barlis for celebrating with us the Eucharist and preparing us for our journey of faith and learning in the year ahead. As we travel the Lenten Journey together, and prepare for the risen Lord at Easter, let us reach out and be present to those who face obstacles and challenges in their lives, through our prayers and our compassion, may we bring about change bringing peace and love into the lives of others.
He taonga nui a tatou tamariki – “The greatest gift is our children”
We welcome Father Fr Cirilo Barlis (Assistant Priest) to our Parish of Our Lady of the Bays. Cerilo comes to Nelson from serving the parish community including schools of Lower Hutt. Cerilo will be with the parish working alongside Fr Seph Pijfers for this year and we look forward to Cerilo supporting us as Garin Chaplain and supporting our religious education programme in classes. Cerllo is a keen basketballer, it was great to see him competing with our students on the courts at lunchtime on Wednesday. We wish Cerilo every success for the year ahead,
It was an absolute privilege to be present representing Garin College at the St Paul’s Powhiri this week. The excitement of the children and staff of St Paul’s was evident in waiata, words and actions as they welcomed the new students and whānau into their school and our community. It is exciting to reflect on and consider the opportunity our St Paul’s learners have for a seamless transition to Catholic secondary schooling at Garin College. I thank Principal Maureen Phillips for her invitation and the wonderful opportunity shared with me to celebrate this significant occasion with St Paul’s.
Presentation of leadership roles took place at assembly this week. We congratulate our learners who have presented themselves for leadership roles in the College. Leadership at Garin is one of service and commitment, the success of the college and of each learner within the College is enhanced through the daily work of our student leaders. On behalf of Garin College students, staff and community, I congratulate each of the following students on their appointment, thank you for the gift you are to Garin, have a wonderful year.
Aubert House Captains Maddie Cornelison and Reuben Donnison
Barbier House Captains Skyla Kroupa and Jack Hateley
MacKillop House Captains Jasmine Barney and Amber Diack
McAuley House Captains Alicia Maxwell and Theo Simone
Enviroschools Committee Chair Nate Wilbourne
Health and Wellbeing Captains Zoe Clark Sharmaine Gozo
Footprints Magazine Student Editors Rory Dadds Ella Bogle
Head Library Assistant Tatum Collins Annabelle Forgan Jack Hateley
International Student Leader Asuna Akasaka
Careers Ambassadors Lydia Inglis Jake Mellor Jaanvi Harrison
Garin Hostel Student Leaders Brooke Kennedy, Hayley Fortune, Mackenzie Brough, Jack Hateley, Kenneth Chao
Year 9 Parent evening this week was a resounding success. On Wednesday evening, parents gathered in the library, were welcomed and presented with key messages relevant to their child settling into learning and life in Garin. Being week 5 of term, our new learners are now well established in their friendships and routines. It was timely for the many parents to visit the classrooms, meet their child’s teachers and learn more about the learning program and support resources available within each subject. As important was the opportunity for our teachers to meet the parents and share their aspiration for student learning and engagement. Thank you for your attendance.
Our year 11 learners are heading off on their Kaitiakitanga Journey next week to the Abel Tasman National Park, they will celebrate and explore the great outdoors, build friendships and take time to reflect, pray, explore faith and their path as Garin students. Our journey program is significant in the lives of our learners as they graduate progressively through schooling each year. It is an absolute blessing and privilege to have such a beautiful outdoor environment on our doorstep and of course your support as parents and caregivers for supporting the journey program through enabling your students to participate and engage.
Also, our international student team are still keen for more homestay families; please refer to the flyer below.
I wish you a restful weekend
Mā te Atua koe e tiaki,
John Maguire
Take a moment
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.
Success is not the work of an individual, but the work of many.
