Tēnā koutou katoua ngā whānau,
Term 3 is off to a fantastic start, learners have settled into school life with renewed energy following the term break.
I have enjoyed a most wonderful sabbatical throughout term two. Time for relaxation and refreshment was the key! Travelling with Lou within the Pacific, Australia and Aotearoa enabled us to explore and enjoy many places we had not been and also enjoy the familiarity of those we had amongst family and friends. Our return to Nelson and our Garin College community has been a positive and joyful experience – it’s great to be home! I acknowledge and thank our Garin Board, Staff and Students for supporting me in taking this time away, in particular, I thank our Senior Leadership Team, Jeremy Marshall, Justine Butler, Sarah Rankin and Trudie Walter for their leadership service throughout term 2.
I thank all parents and caregivers for supporting and preparing their students for learning and engagement in all aspects of schooling.
Regular student attendance (90% attendance rate for learners) remains a top priority for us at Garin, our attendance target this year is to have a minimum of 70% of our students attending school 90% of the time. Unfortunately, attendance fell well below this target in term two where there was significant absenteeism due to sickness in the community. However there remains a significant level of unjustified absenteeism each week. This term we are implementing further strategies to ensure timely tracking and monitoring of student attendance that will enable us to proactively engage with students and parents to drive change in student attendance rates for enhanced learner success overall. Our Leadership team looks forward to communicating these strategies with students, parents and community in the coming weeks.
Garin College Enrolments for 2025 ( Enrolment applications due by Friday 23 August 2024) – We held our Parent information evening last week, and were privileged to present to many Parents, Whānau and rangatahi seeking to learn about and explore the many exciting schooling opportunities available to all Garin College learners. I acknowledge and thank all student leaders, teachers and staff for their outstanding presentations support throughout the evening.
Should you have Whānau, friends, neighbours or colleagues considering Catholic secondary education for their children, please do encourage them to attend our Open Day or contact us via the Garin Office. Enrolment packs can be collected from the school office or downloaded from our website https://www.garincollege.ac.nz/
Garin College Open Day 2025 – At 12 noon, Wednesday 31July, We look forward to welcoming and hosting Y8 – Y12 students from across the Nelson, Tasman region and the Top of the South. This is an opportunity for students, parents, caregivers and Whānau to visit the College during the school day to explore and learn of the many schooling opportunities available to Garin learners. Along with presentations, a tour of classrooms and the campus, there will be an opportunity to speak with our Garin students, teachers and staff. Enrolment packs will be available and an opportunity to speak with the school office and our Senior leaders to assist with your specific inquiries. There will also be an opportunity to visit the Garin College Boarding Hostel for those seeking information in relation to Boarding.
Scholarships 2025 Thanks to the generosity of Nancy Black (Twinkle), we have a number of scholarships available for 2025. Due to the increasing cost of living and financial demands placed on families, we want to ensure the scholarship fund provides financial support to the families needing it to enable access to an education at Garin – this was very much Nancy Black’s heart and intention as the benefactor. We also encourage applications for those existing Garin students who are able to demonstrate outstanding potential in academic, sporting, cultural, leadership and faith-based activities. Scholarship information and applications can be found here and on our website.
Congratulations Sophie Richardson Māori Head Girl Sophie has been a member of Pūhoro, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Mātauranga Māori (STEMM) Academy for the past 3 years. The Pūhoro Academy improves rangatahi engagement in STEMM. Pūhoro helps rangatahi see the connection between mātauranga Māori in STEMM; improves their academic achievement in STEMM; and, through strategic partnerships, provides pathways into high value careers. Pūhoro encouraged its 2500 students to apply for an all expenses paid, learning experience in Silicon Valley, San Francisco and after a rigorous application process, Sophie was selected as one of 12 students nationwide to go to America in late November!
Student Exchange opportunity for year 12 & 13 Students – April school holidays 2025 – The Nelson Branch of the NZ China Friendship Society is again arranging a student exchange with Guangdong Liangyang Senior High School in Yangjiang, Nelson’s second sister-city in China. If your student would be interested in learning more about this exchange, please contact the Principal’s EA andreacolley@garincollege.nz
Please keep an eye on our College events calendar throughout the term. We have an array of celebrations ahead, including Garin Day – Mass of the Assumption on 16 August, Garin College Ball, Garin Sports Awards. Your presence and support at these events would be cherished.
We are excited for the events and learning opportunities that lie ahead this term. Let’s continue to create a positive and vibrant community together.
Mā te Atua koe e tiaki – May God be with you
Ngā manaakitanga
John Maguire
Take a moment
Pope Francis speaking to university students
“This old man now speaking to you also dreams that yours will become a generation of teachers! Teachers of humanity. Teachers of compassion….Teachers of hope.”
Pope Francis