For we live by faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7
Tēnā koutou,
Term 4 is racing by, and we recently farewelled our senior students on study leave. NCEA external assessments begin next week, and I wish all our senior students the best of luck in their exams. Of course, preparation, time spent studying and working through past papers will be much more fruitful than relying on luck!
The Year 13 students farewelled the school with a thoughtful and fun leavers assembly last week. Having started their Sancta Maria College journey during lockdown it is great to see them leave as mature, well rounded and happy young adults with many opportunities in front of them.
It was wonderful to see our senior students being recognised for their hard work and talents at Tuesday’s prize giving. The genuine care and celebration from our community towards our prize winners was great to experience. Thank you to the parents and caregivers who attended and celebrated with us. Sports prizegiving and diligence and recognition assembly were also well attended and again it was wonderful to see our young people being acknowledged for their efforts this year. Congratulations to all our prize winners.
Our junior students have begun their end of year assessments, this will be an important experience for them in preparation for formal assessments in the future, as well as giving them the opportunity to reflect what they have learned this year.
Looking ahead to 2027, it was a pleasure to announce our new prefects for next year. We have a group of hard working and keen year 12’s ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that 2027 will bring. Well done to our new student leaders, click this link to view the portfolio’s assigned to each student, for 2027.
Please see the key dates for next year – particularly the start details for late January 2027. Attendance continues to be our focus, and students need to be present from day 1 in 2027, ready to learn and get involved in the wider life of the school. Learning is a social activity, both academically and socially and our young people need to be here to take advantage of the many opportunities Sancta Maria College offers.
There will be some changes to the school timetable in 2027, particularly Navigation time being replaced by subject class time. Pastoral care will be delivered through year level home rooms in 2027, and student pastoral issues will be administered by Year Level Deans. More information will be sent home regarding these changes before the start of school next year.
May faith be our compass as we navigate this busy time of year.
Nga mihi,
Andrew Mackenzie
Principal