Tēnā koutou katoa ngā whānau,
We hope this newsletter finds you well. Week 5 has been nothing short of exciting and productive. We extend our gratitude to the many parents and students who actively participated in the Tertiary Information Evening. Your presence made it a wonderful turnout, and we appreciate your commitment to supporting your learners as they prepare for their future beyond school. A special acknowledgement goes to our dedicated Careers Advisor, Brenda Helliwell whose guidance and support is key for our learners as they navigate their path toward their post-school journey.
Our Year 9 Parent Evening was a resounding success, with many families taking the opportunity to explore the diverse opportunities available in classroom learning, as well as sporting and cultural programmes as their learners get established in college life. We extend our gratitude to all parents who took the time to meet with our teachers and experience the very classrooms where learning takes place for your children each day. Your active involvement in understanding the learning environment is crucial for enhancing learner success, and we appreciate the strong partnership between teachers, parents, and learners. A big thank you to all our teachers for their commitment to making the Year 9 Parent evening an informative and engaging experience for everyone involved.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the week was our College Opening Mass. Gathering as a full school community in song and prayer to celebrate the Eucharist is a deeply special and spiritual element to begin our Garin College year. We extend our sincere thanks to Fr. Michael Bellizzi and Amelio Capin, Seminarian at the Richmond church for leading our celebration and making our celebration a memorable experience for all.
Introducing our Student Leadership Teams 2024 – To cap off our week, I share the photo below of our wonderful student leadership team for 2024. This image is taken at the close of our leadership training day held in the St Peter Chanel Parish Centre Motueka (so many happy faces). Our day was led by Louise Lloyd (Young Catholic Leader -YCL Youth Minister – Archdiocese of Wellington) with the support of our student leaders who last year attended the YCL training programme. Our student leaders are fulfilling a wide range of roles including Hostel leadership, International student leadership, Hauora leadership, House Captains, Library assistants, Enviro Group, Arts (dance, music, drama, performance), Footprints magazine student co-editors, Board student representative, Technical Arts leadership. The combined strengths of these outstanding leaders is absolutely incredible – their unity, energy and commitment to lead in the Spirit of Garin sees them creating an environment where each Garin learner will be supported to thrive academically, personally, and spiritually this year. I thank them all for their gift to Garin.
“Leadership is like a handful of water.
Lord, let us be the people to share it with those who thirst.
Leadership is not about watching and correcting.
Lord, let us remember it is about listening and connecting.” Jesuit Prayer – Leadership
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. We wish all a safe and enjoyable Journey
NCEA 2023 Provisional Results – In next week’s newsletter, I will present the 2023 NCEA Provisional Achievement data for Level 1, 2, 3 and University Entrance (UE). Garin learners have attained a pleasing level of achievement in NCEA in 2023. We will recognise student’s efforts at our Academic Colours Awards next Monday (11 March) at 10am; families that have a student receiving an award have been emailed an invitation to the ceremony and morning tea afterward.
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Attendance Every Day Matters! Garin College Attendance Target 90% Students attending a minimum of 9 days out of 10 days each fortnight Thank you for encouraging and supporting your student in school attendance, your energy, effort and commitment is making a significant difference in their lives. “School attendance is a key priority as attendance at school is critical for achievement, wellbeing, and other lifelong outcomes. The more days of school a learner misses, the greater the impact on their learning. Establishing healthy attendance patterns early in schooling helps learners carry through attendance habits into future schooling. Missing school for justified reasons is less harmful than missing school for unjustified reasons, but there is no safe level of non-attendance. Every day matters.” Education Review Office |
During Lent as we prepare for the celebration of Easter, we are called both to turn away from those things that encumber our faith journey and to turn towards God. Lent is a wonderful opportunity to open ourselves to changes that God wants to make in us, so that we can truly flourish.
“Lent is a time for us to empty ourselves of worldly distractions and allow God to fill us with His love, His grace, and His peace.”
St. Teresa of Calcutta
Ngā manaakitanga
John Maguire
Principal