Tēnā koutou katoa ngā whānau,
Palm Sunday Greetings as we commence Holy Week. We enter the disciples hearts as we pray with the events of the coming days. 
To pause in prayer, in order to receive the word of God, to pause like the Samaritan in the presence of a wounded brother or sister” because “love of God and love of neighbour are one love”. The invitation consists, then, of “to pause in the presence of God beside the flesh of our neighbour.
Pope Francis’ message for Lent 2024
We welcome all parents and parishioners to the Chrism Mass to be celebrated at Garin College this Tuesday 26 March in the Garin College Gym at 11.00am .
House Sports Day – House spirit was alive and well on Friday at our House Sports Day, Blue, Yellow, Red and Green representing each of our wonderful House Patrons – Susan Aubert, Catherine McCauley, Euphrase Barbier, St Mary McKillop. It was heartwarming to witness the engagement, enjoyment and celebration of all students as they set a most positive tone for the day, from House chants to fun events and competitive sport. A huge thank you to all our Student Leaders, and particularly our Sport Leaders Kurt Berry and Amy Oliver and our House Captains for their leadership and making this such a wonderful day of fun and celebration. A special thank you for Mr Kevin Jacobs leadership and organisation of the day and our wonderful staff for their support and encouragement of all students in all events. Well Done Garin College!!!
Summer sport tournament last week we had the Girls Senior A Team travel to Christchurch to compete in the South Island Satellite tournament and our Garin Boys Senior A team travel to compete in Palmerston North in the VNZ Secondary School Nationals tournament, coached and managed by parents Grant Maxwell and Nikki Campion. The teams were successful with the boys team performing extremely well to finish 14th in Division 3. At the satellite tournament the girls finished 11th in division 1. I particularly thank our Sport Director Martine McCabe for her leadership and organisation in support of these teams, Jeremy Marshall for his leadership, coaching and management of our College Volleyball and supporting our Girls team at the Christchurch tournament with parents Anita Parkes and Mitch Denny.
Consultation on the Phone ‘Away for the Day’ Rules
I thank all parents and caregivers who responded to the consultation on the Phone ‘Away for the Day’ Rules / Procedure Thursday 14 March – Thursday 21 March. 92 responders provided responses to the three questions. The results can be seen in the survey data graphs shown below. 43 persons provided comment responses to Question 1, 36 persons provided comment responses to Question 2 and 38 persons provided other responses to Question 3. We appreciate the commitment to all who have supported this consultation, the data and comments have provided significant insight into a diverse range of views and opinions relating to the pros and cons of students having access to their phones when attending school and particularly before and after school. Your responses do ultimately support us in understanding parent needs and expectations as we move to implement these rules and procedures. Whilst the Phone ‘Away for the Day’ is a government regulation, it is pleasing to note that the consultation process identifies 74.1% of respondents (agree to strongly agree) with the established Garin ‘Away for the Day’ rules and procedure. I confirm that the Garin Phone ‘Away for the Day’ Rules and Procedures are now adopted for implementation. I confirm that the Phone ‘Away for the Day’ applies 8.35am to 3.10pm school day, therefore students will be able to access their phones before and after school – this was identified by many as significantly essential for students communication purposes outside of the school day.
Garin ‘Away for the Day’ Rules – Timeline of Implementation & Introduction Period
- From Wednesday 3 April (T1 week 10) until Friday 12 April (T1 week 11) introduction period
- From Monday 29 April (start Term 2) 2024 the Garin College ‘Away for the Day’ procedures will take effect fully.
- Application for Exemption (health reasons / disability or learning support) – parents will this week be advised of the ‘Application for Exemption’ process to ensure those requiring an exemption have this in place.
1 = Strongly Agree ….. 5 = Strongly Disagree.
|
Attendance Every Day Matters! Garin College’s ultimate target is for all learners to have 100% attendance each day of the week, each week of the term, each term of the year! 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 |
Ngā manaakitanga
John Maguire
Principal
John Parsons – Internet Health and Wellbeing presentation
Easter Our Lady of the Bays Parish Timetable