Prefect Pilgrimage to the Hokianga
From the 21st to 23rd of January, our prefect team followed in the footsteps of Bishop Pompallier’s early years in Aotearoa. We stayed at Tamatea Marae in Mōtuti for two nights and learned a lot about Māori culture and manaakitanga.  

Highlights included teambuilding activities such as waka hourua at Waitangi where they honed their paddling skills on a journey to Haruru Falls, before visiting Pompallier House in Kororāreka (Russell).  

The prefects were blessed with beautiful weather as we held a liturgy at the site of New Zealand’s first Mass, at Tōtara Point. We followed this with a spiritually uplifting visit to Bishop Pompallier’s resting place at St Mary’s church in Mōtuti. 

NCEA
Congratulations to all Sancta Maria College students who sat NCEA in 2024 – you have made us very proud. 

 In 2024, Level 1 students completed the new version of NCEA for the first time.  We had a pass rate of 90% compared to the national average of 45%, this is a superb achievement for the updated qualification.  

There was a 97% pass rate for Level 2 students and 95% for Level 3 students – both of these year groups achieved more than 25% above the national averages for Levels 2 and 3. A superb accomplishment!  

Academic Honours Assembly
On Monday 24 February, we held our Academic Honours Assembly. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the final NCEA results and achievement of our students. We celebrated the overall Merit or Excellence Endorsements of almost two-thirds of our senior students – an outstanding effort! 

Eight students were awarded Scholar Badges – our highest accolade – for gaining Excellence subject endorsements in 4+ subjects. The students who achieved this were: 

• Ella Clark 
• Sofia Bryan 
• Isabela Dela Cruz 
• Leana Heffernan 
• Paolo Lecias  
• Meara Magsalay-Downie 
• Eve Salvador 
• Martina Sanchez 
• Greer Sullivan 

Click the following link for full details of all the winners Our 2024 Academic Honours | Sancta Maria College

RYDA
Year 12 students started the year by participating in the award-winning RYDA Road Safety Programme.  The high interest workshop aims to increase understanding of road safety for teenagers by providing them the tools, habits and motivation to take action and stay safe on our roads as both drivers and passengers throughout their lives. 

Our students found it an interesting and informative day. As many Year 12 are considering – or have started – learning to drive, the lessons of the day should prove invaluable.

Howick Youth Council
Sancta Maria College seniors have been active participants in the Howick Youth Council for many years. This youth-run (and local government funded) organisation aims to create valuable opportunities for young people to connect, to represent and be a voice for youth, and to empower youth leadership. They are responsible for a range of events for the youth of the Howick Pakuranga area.  

I would like to thank Maree Enricoso  for her service on this council in 2023 and 2024, and also Kathrina Bacay who will be continuing in 2025 for a second year. Their contribution to youth in East Auckland has been considerable.   

Joining Kathrina at the HYC this year is Aryaman Sinha.  

You can find further information about the Howick Youth Council and their activities here: https://www.howickyouthcouncil.org.nz/  

Student Carparking at Sancta Maria College
Students with their restricted or full licences can apply for a permit to park on school grounds. The application can be collected from the Student Centre. The permit must be visible on the windscreen or dashboard at all times.  Please let us know as soon as possible if the car or licence plate associated with the permit changes. This permit may be revoked for repeated lateness to school. 

It is a privilege for students to be able to park on-site and we are the only local school that permits this.  

Students must: 

• Drive safely and follow the rules clearly outlined in the ‘Application to Park On-site; 

• Be on time for class and not return to their vehicles during the school day 

• Wait until 3.25pm before exiting the allotted student carpark. This is to reduce congestion due to the parent carpark at the front of the school and the buses having priority 

•  must follow the legal rules regarding no passengers whilst on a ‘Restricted’ licence

Chris Sullivan,
Deputy Principal, Senior School