Comments from the Principal

Welcome back to 2019 at St Peter’s College. I do hope everyone has enjoyed summer so far and that you managed to claim some restful family time during the last few weeks.

The weekend before last was the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the college. Our hard working Foundation committee, ably led by Bernie Weller, certainly made it a reunion worth attending. Speaking with many past students was a reminder to me that the start our children receive growing up in this great part of the country and the strong academic and spiritual foundation they gain at St Peter’s College, provides them with an excellent foundation for their future – wherever that takes them. If you are interested in seeing photos from the weekend, these are being uploaded onto the St Peter’s College Foundation Facebook page.

Following on from the reunion weekend, when staff gathered for our first liturgy of the year, it was fitting to reflect on our motto – Charity Fulfils the Law. We need to remember the Mercy Sisters’ contribution in the establishment of our college alongside the Rosminian charism. Sr Sue France (ex-staff member of the 1980s) reminded the reunion group that the keystones of this college are Charity and Mercy. Our job as staff of the college is to role model and teach how to enact mercy and charity as part of everyday life so they are not just words or symbols on our school crest. Please keep this conversation going at home as well. We want our graduates to contribute to the world they go into, not just take from it.

Speaking of contribution, congratulations to the big number of our students who have offered to serve on the Gore and Districts Youth Council this year. I am sure these ten young people will learn a great deal from the experience.  I enjoyed spending time at the Year 13 Retreat earlier in the week. Year 13 is a very special year for students, and the retreat led by Mr Brendan Terry set the tone for the year in challenging the students to think about their talents, personalities and skills, not only as individuals but as a group working closely together. 

We welcomed new staff to our college this week along with Ms Pavitt who has returned part-time from maternity leave. Mrs Laura Thomas, Mrs Kate Sinclair, Mrs Lisa Sanson, Mrs Linda Dalzell and Mr John Watkins have joined our staff this year and were welcomed into our college community with a Powhiri on Monday morning, along with our large group of new students and their families. These staff will introduce themselves to you via the newsletter during the coming weeks. 

​I encourage you to attend our Opening Mass next Friday at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Ardwick Street. As always, we look forward to this reminder of who we are and what we are about as we begin 2019.
 
Ngā mihi nui 
 

​Kate Nicholson

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