Kia ora tatou ngā whānau,
Thank you to all for sharing with us the Mass of the Assumption of Mary and Father Antoine Garin in the College Gym on Tuesday 15 August. We particularly thank Father Cirilo Barlis, our musicians, readers, eucharistic ministers and all students, staff and parishioners for making this a most prayerful and memorable celebration.
I would like to remind families that we are going into the Winter Tournament this week. This means the College is open for learning on Monday 28 August – Wednesday 30 August (closed Thursday and Friday), allowing teams and coaches time to travel to their various sport tournaments. Our Mixed Hockey Team travelled to Oamaru, the Senior A Netball team is competing in Invercargill, Garin is represented at the Equestrian Champs in Christchurch with football and basketball teams competing in Nelson. We wish all teams safe travel and every success in competition. I thank our staff, parents and coaches for their support and encouragement of our teams throughout the tournament.
Our congratulations go to year 11 Student Hector McNeilly for his recent outstanding success at the World Archery Youth Championships. Hector represented New Zealand in the under-18 age division against the best in the world, after competing for 8 days in Limerick, Ireland, Hector was ranked 5th overall. Last weekend Hector attended the NZ Archery Indoor Nationals and shot the nationals in the open men’s division and was ranked 1st, Matchplay 1st, Teams 1st and he also set multiple NZ archery Records – well done Hector on this outstanding achievement.
We have our Teacher only day this Thursday 31 August as our Professional Learning and Development Day. The day will begin with our staff liturgy in the Father Garin Chapel in the Wakapuaka Cemetery. We will take time to gather, reflect and pray for Fr Garin, giving thanks to God for his life of Faith and Service. On May 9, 1850, Father Antoine Marie Garin arrived in Nelson. During the next 40 years Father Garin would contribute hugely to the development of education in Nelson as well as establishing the Nelson parish of St Mary’s and many Catholic Churches in Te Tau Ihu. On October 19, 1884, Father Garin died in Nelson and on April 14, 1889, was laid to rest in a crypt underneath the chapel. Our staff will then be welcomed in powhiri to Whakatu Marae where we will spend a day of learning from Iwi with focus on our local curriculum, Mana ōrite mō te Mātauranga Māori
Enrolments 2024 – Thank you to all families who have sent in enrolment forms and Scholarship applications for their students to start the school year in 2024. All enrolments are now being processed and letters confirming enrolment are being sent to families. The non preference enrolments are also being advanced toward the non preference enrolment ballot to be held this Thursday, 31 August. I encourage all families seeking preference enrolment for their student to ensure the school office receives that as soon as possible.
Thank you to all students and parents for supporting the process of subject selection over the last few weeks. This is a crucial step in ensuring subject options and staffing for all areas in our school. The co-operation of the students has made this large undertaking run relatively smoothly and this allows us to now move forward with this work in preparation for next year.
Nominations for the Student Trustee for the Garin Board remain open until 29 August, with the election set for 14 September. Students enrolled full-time in year 9 and above, and under the age of 20, are eligible to stand for election. Students are encouraged to contemplate how they can contribute to the College as a Trustee and submit their nominations.
God Bless
Ngā manaakitanga
John Maguire
Take a Moment
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
St Mother Teresa