Kia ora koutou and warm greetings,
As we come to the end of Term 2, I am delighted to share some highlights and reflections from a busy and rewarding semester here at Sancta Maria College. Just recently, I had the pleasure of visiting some of New Zealand’s stunning destinations, on our trip to Taupō and Rotorua, alongside a wonderful group of students. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore these incredible places and strengthen the bonds within our international community.
This Term has been vibrant and full of activity. We have seen some of our students successfully complete their time with us and prepare to return to their home countries, carrying with them lasting memories and new experiences. Our school’s diverse activities and programmes have continued to thrive, providing enriching opportunities for all students to develop academically, socially, and culturally.
In addition, I have had the privilege of attending two international conferences recently, which reaffirmed New Zealand’s strong reputation as a welcoming and safe destination for international students. Given the current global political climate, New Zealand remains a highly attractive option, with Immigration New Zealand reporting impressive visa turnaround times—sometimes as quick as 13 days. This efficiency helps ensure students can plan confidently and arrive in New Zealand with minimal delay.
As we reach the halfway point of the year, I will be sending out surveys to gather feedback. Community insights are invaluable in helping us continue to improve and provide the best possible experience for all our students and families.
We will also be sharing academic updates: term reports for our junior school students are now available, and for our senior students, there will be a review of their academic results thus far. These can be accessed easily through the SchoolBridge app.
To mark the end of this busy term, we will be holding a special dinner celebration, bringing our community together to reflect on our achievements and look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead.
As we head into the school holiday break, I wish everyone a safe, restful, and joyful break from the school routine. For those returning to family and loved ones, I hope your time together is filled with happiness. For those staying in New Zealand over the winter break, please take care to stay warm and healthy. We look forward to welcoming our students back refreshed and ready for the exciting Term 3 ahead.
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday.
Ngā mihi nui,
Kendall Watson-Peach
Director of International Students.
