Tēnā koutou katoua ngā whānau,
Our lives continue to operate in more complex environments at present and change or adaptation is experienced regularly. I write to you with gratitude for the gentleness and calm in how our school community is interacting through times when we know change is disrupting and ongoing. With regular need for staff or learners to isolate or they are unwell, everyone is taking their role in understanding and supporting others. I am full of gratitude for this response from our community, learners and staff. This collegiality creates the responses needed when we are challenged to fulfil everything in usual ways.
In another act of generosity, I was privileged to receive on behalf of Garin College a $1500 donation from The Knights of the Southern Cross. This generous donation was presented by Peter Mellor and Pat Heaphy and will provide for learners in need of financial support for school related costs. The Knights of the Southern Cross of New Zealand is a society of Catholic men in the Nelson region and from across New Zealand who are actively involved in supporting the Church and each other through practical works, fraternity and promotion of the Gospel.
Shave for a Cure, on 13th April, is a learner led initiative which is almost ready to go ahead in our school community. Along with the fundraising for this event, we also hold in our prayers those undertaking the Shave for a Cure who are responding to circumstances of cancer in their own lives or for those who they are supporting who have experienced this journey. We look forward to this event in the college, and thank our learners, staff and ex learner involved for the outreach they generate from their generosity and commitment to this cause. Please, if you feel inclined to support the efforts and donate, see the information in our news stream on the website.
Parent Teacher interviews for year 9 and 10 learners are being held next week Tuesday 5th and Wed 6th April. I thank the many parents and learners who have booked to attend interviews and our teachers for their professionalism in providing quality feedback to parents on learner learning, engagement and achievement. The support offered at home for our learners is crucial to their success. The partnership of learner, school and parents has to be one of the greatest contributors to learner success and ongoing support. How our learners develop their lifelong learner pathway is encouraged by this process. Thank you for your participation and to the staff for the preparation they put into this.
Daylight saving finishes this weekend, so enjoy your weekend with an extra hour. With the autumn morning chill on the way, we are reminded to ensure all learners are preparing their winter uniform. From the start of term 2 to the end of term 3 winter uniform is to be worn by all learners. Learners are required to maintain a high standard in the wearing of their uniform. Staff will monitor, support and encourage learners to achieve this. Hoodies are not part of our uniform. If for any reason your child is unable to wear the correct uniform, we ask that you provide a note or email message to their whānau teacher. A uniform pass will be issued to a learner by the whānau teacher enabling reasonable time to support learners and family to achieve uniform requirements.
Mā te Atua koe e tiaki – May God be with you
Ngā manaakitanga,
John Maguire
Take a moment – “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.” Pope Francis Lent 2022