Talofa lava, Kia ora tātou, Greetings,
This week Samoan Language week is celebrated across Aotearoa. Samoan is the third most spoken language in New Zealand after English and te Reo Māori. The theme this year is “Lalaga le si’osi’omaga mo se lumana’I manuia”, which means “Weave an environment for a better future”, To our Garin Samoan Tagata a’oa’o (learners) and Aiga (families), I wish you every Faamanuiaga Uma ( Blessing).
Our Mass of Creativity for the launch of Te Wairua O Ngā Mahi Toi was celebrated this week to the theme of “Gifts God gives to us – you are the fruit of God.” Thank you to our readers, Eucaristic ministers, arts leaders, artists, musicians, dancers, Father Seph, all learners and staff for your prayerful contribution and making our mass a most wonderful celebration of the gifts we have received from God, the gifts we share and the talents we enjoy. Within the mass we celebrated God’s gift of languages to us to share and celebrate God’s message, this we represented with the Samoan cloth.
For the next two weeks I will be away on leave for shoulder surgery and recovery. I certainly have not been looking forward to this, however I live in hope that following surgery and recovery I will be better off. ( Here’s hoping!!)
I thank our senior leadership team and staff for their continued support and leadership that is always evidenced in the day to day running of the College. I advise that Deputy Principal Mr Jeremy Marshall will be acting Principal till my return. In Jeremy, I know parents, caregivers and learners will be well supported throughout this time.
We wish our year 11 learners every success as they travel to compete in the Sheilagh Winn National Festival in Wellington over Queens Birthday Weekend, Thursday 2nd of June until Monday 6th of June. Thank you to Mrs Annie Millard for her passion and vision that inspires our learners toward their success in Drama.
A reminder to all that next Tuesday, 7 June we have our Teacher Only day where we will focus on developing our restorative practice capacity as staff, our learners will all be engaged in the Garin Workday. I wish all our learners well as they carry out volunteer work at home or in the community to raise money to support Caritas and the Nelson Loaves and Fishes Project that provides full community lunch meals to those in need. Money raised will also support a student lead initiative in the College.
We look forward to welcoming parents and whānau to the Year 9 – 10 Parent Teacher conferences next week, 8 & 9 June, as we continue to support our learners on their learning journey. Despite the impact of Covid on students and teacher attendance this term, I commend our junior learners for their commitment to giving their best throughout the term. These are challenging times.
The Triannual Board Elections are being held in September this year. I encourage parents to consider nomination and standing for election to the Garin Board,
There are 5 Parent representative positions on the Board. Should you like to discuss or learn more about school board election visit www.schoolboardelections.org.nz or if you wish to learn more about the Garin College Board you may contact the school office or the Board Presiding Member, Mr Chris Ward.
We are working hard to slow the spread of the Covid virus at school; hygiene, wearing face masks on school transport and indoor settings is essential. Your support and encouragement of your student in maintaining these health and safety measures is appreciated, thank you.
Tōfa soifua – goodbye. Have a restful Queens Birthday weekend.
Mā te Atua koe e tiaki – May God be with you
Ngā manaakitanga,
John Maguire
Take a moment
Aiga – where life begins and never ends