Farewell
At the end of Term 1 we farewelled Ms Charlotte McKell, Director of Sport to enable her to travel overseas for an indefinite period. There have been many highlights under Charlotte’s leadership. 2023 saw our first ever swimming sports carnival for Years 7 & 8 students at the Massey Park outdoor pool, three basketball teams qualified for the Greater Auckland Championship playoffs, and we had the largest contingent attending AIMS Games. This year, there was increased schoolwide participation on Athletics Day including increased ‘fun’ options. There was an incredible school-spirit and support of those participating throughout all events. It was terrific to make use for a first-time our amazing covered-turf area!
Welcome
The process and appointment of an Assistant Principal is now completed. I am pleased to inform you that Mr Lawrence Naicker will be returning to us. Lawrence was formerly our HOD Mathematics & Statistics, 2010-2016. Since this time Lawrence has been a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Manurewa High School and has broad experience leading school-wide initiatives, in-depth pedagogical and NZ curriculum knowledge. Lawrence has been leading Pastoral & Wellbeing initiatives for several years. We will welcome Mr Naicker at the start of Term 3.
The International Department has also welcomed Mrs Aimee Wang who is our new full-time Homestay Co-Ordinator and Mrs Carmen McKnight, part-time Homestay Co-Ordinator. The International Department has been kept extremely busy throughout Term 1 with several groups of international students visiting from Japan and China. We look forward to the arrival of Jiaxing Nanhu Experimental Middle School, our sister school next week.
With the departure of Charlotte McKell, we warmly welcome Divesh Goundar our new Director of Sport. Divesh comes to us from Marcellin College where he was a Director of Sport and prior to this Sports Co-Ordinator at St Thomas’s School, Kohimarama. Divesh has also managed Under 17 and Under 19 soccer teams, been a soccer referee and manager for 7’s rugby teams and junior grade touch.
We also welcome Joshna Maharaj into the Year 7 & 8 teaching team. For a list of all our staff, please click the following link Staff List | Sancta Maria College.
Education Review Office (ERO) Evaluation
During Term 1 we hosted the Education Review Office for our regular 3–4 year cyclical review of:
- Regulatory and Legislative requirements
- Provision for International Students
- Teaching and learning effectiveness
ERO found regulatory and legislative requirements have been met.
Key strengths findings:
- The board, leaders and teachers are focused on achieving equitable outcomes for all students through effective teaching.
- A culture of evaluation and continuous improvement.
- Holistic approaches that promote student wellbeing and learning success.
The full profile report can be found by clicking the following link https://ero.govt.nz/institution/491/sancta-maria-college
NZQA Managing National Assessment (MNA) Review
Also, this term, we have hosted NZQA who have conducted our regular MNA review. The full report is expected during the term and will be made available to you. Only 15% of New Zealand secondary schools will receive a ‘Highly Effective’ level for their MNA. The review will set out any Actions and Recommendations. We are aware that there are no further actions for the school to take and no recommendations. We are grateful for the strong leadership of Mrs Heffernan who has had oversight of this important review.
Celebrating 20 years with Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Auckland
In this 20th year, we are looking forward to taking all staff and students to celebrate Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Auckland on Friday 31 May. Staff and students will be transported by bus from school to Auckland, returning in the afternoon, and it is an expectation that students will experience Mass with Bishop Stephen Lowe presiding in this special 20th Anniversary year of Sancta Maria College.
St Patrick’s Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Auckland and the seat of the Bishop of Auckland.
Chapel Road Entrance
Thank you all for your continued support to observe safety when entering the back entrance to the school and following the one-way system in and out and a reminder that there is no turning right onto Chapel Road. Students have been reminded regularly about using the carpark on the Te-Irirangi Roadside of the school and NOT the carpark at Sir Barry Curtis Park. Students are prohibited to cross Chapel Road by foot. There will soon be a new gravel footpath. However, we still urge everyone to exit the school on foot, from the front. Safety for all is to be observed.
No Parent Parking in Bishop Dunn Place
I have been asked by the retailers in Bishop Dunn Place to remind parents that parking is not available in any of the carpark retail shop areas for drop-offs and pick-ups of students. Please use the bottom carpark as you come into the school entrance. The retailers are neighbours to the college and are most supportive of the school in many ways. We must maintain a collegial relationship with them.
Finally, for parents picking up their children, if you have a child at both Sancta Maria Catholic Primary School and also Sancta Maria College, please park in the lower car park to the LEFT as you enter the school grounds, rather than take up space reserved for Primary parents entering the paddock car park to the right. Thank you.
Louise Moore,
Tumuaki/Principal.
