Comments from the Deputy Principal

Kia Ora Whanau

Always a highlight at this time of year is our amazing school ball and this year was certainly no exception.  The Year 13 Leaders, along with the Ball Committee and some very supportive parents and staff, did a wonderful job of creating a very memorable night.  Thank you to all those involved for your hard work.  One of the highlights for me was the behavior of all students involved and I congratulate them in this. It is always so lovely to see our young people at their very best and on display. I know you will enjoy looking at the photos in this newsletter and there are many more on our school facebook page.  Please feel free to download them.

As we look ahead to the weekend and next week,  we wish all our sports people the very best when competing in the Catholic Schools’ Senior Sports Tournament, which is being held at St Kevin’s College in Oamaru.  The students enjoy spending time with other students from the four schools involved and they will be sharing Palm Sunday Mass together.  Good luck to all those students competing and a huge thanks to Daniel Wards, our Sports Co-ordinator, for all of the organisation of the teams, etc.

St Edmunds Christian Brothers’ College Under-15 Rugby team visited from Ipswich in Queensland, Australia this week.  We are always happy to host this team and play them in rugby.  The touring side was treated to a fantastic welcome from our College Kapa Haka group and they enjoyed the billeting experience from our local families.  Unfortunately for us they won the game; however it was a very close game and our students played extremely well. One of the lovely sentiments passed on by their Principal Derm who was travelling with them this year, was how much they were feeling for us all after Christchurch and that their huge admiration for how we, as a country, have responded. He also gifted the school an 'Aboriginal Talking Stick' painted by the school's Aboriginal elder which was really appreciated and will be on display in the School Office if you would like a closer look. 

​The Vietnam students head away today.  Thank you to all the families and members of the community for making these trips possible, by supporting them in their fundraising endeavours.  We look forward to hearing all about the trip when they return, and wish them safe travels.
A very busy time then, especially for senior students juggling sporting and other commitments, with internal assessments and the general 'rush rush' that life seems to be these days. With this in mind then, we ask families to be mindful of students getting enough sleep, eating healthy food and generally living life with the balance needed for all round wellbeing. 

May God Bless you all,

‘God of life, help us to see that your gifts are meant to be shared by all, not just exploited by a few.  Lead us to take action to make a change not just for ourselves, but for all creation. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen’
 
 
Darren Jack
Deputy Principal

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