Principal's Message

While we continue to be reminded of countries around the world who are still experiencing huge personal, social and economic distress due to the pandemic, we are feeling blessed returning to school, experiencing normality and enjoying sports and cultural events without restrictions.The gospels from the past two Sundays have focussed on the well-known parables of the sower sowing seed in various soils, and then of the crop growing, weeds and wheat side by side. Jesus, the master storyteller, passed on stories that are as relevant now as they were over two thousand years ago. These two parables particularly, remind me of my role as principal and our role as a Catholic college community. At this time of year, when the marketing cogs turn and competition to encourage new students into our various schools for the coming year is high on the agenda, it causes us to focus on our ‘brand’ and what we stand for. Our staff along with our parent and student community have determined recently that we want to develop young people who are resilient, have perseverance and a growth mind-set and who can self-manage successfully. Our role as the ‘gardeners’ is to keep the soil fertile, rich and deep to care and protect these young seedlings growing up; but it is also to allow the variety of sizes, strengths, and different shaped plants grow side by side. It is the diversity of experiences, backgrounds and opportunities in our college that contribute to the resilience and perseverance that we want our graduates to carry with them into life beyond school. A seedling growing in a homogenous, manicured garden with no weeds and no stones is not necessarily going to cope well when it is replanted. The diversity and inclusive nature of Catholic schools throughout New Zealand is unique within the integrated school sector and our diversity is also our richness. Service, faith, and humility are fostered in our schools and, along with a good dose of resilience, it is no wonder that students from Catholic colleges around New Zealand go on to be exceptional contributors within our communities.

We have begun the term with a couple of staff changes due to Mrs Smillie leaving us at the end of last term. We welcome Mr Tom Jakubcik who has joined us in a part time capacity. Tom is teaching senior graphics, a subject he is very familiar with from his recent employment at Rosmini College before returning to Dunedin. We farewell Mrs Caroline Larson this Friday who has been looking after the ESOL area in the absence of Mrs Nicky Ridden-Angus who returns from parental leave. We wish Caroline all the best in her new workplace and thank her for her wonderful contribution over the last couple of years with us. We are also sad to say goodbye to Anita van den Beld who was our sports coordinator prior to taking parental leave last year. Anita has decided to concentrate on her busy life at home, and we are pleased that Morgan Walker who replaced her, is happy to step into Anita’s job on a more permanent basis.

Please remember our Open Day next Sunday (start time 12.30) and encourage any curious friends and acquaintances to pop along to see what we are all about. Everyone is most welcome.

There is plenty of Kavanagh sport to watch this weekend – the various draws can be found on the college website, and I might see you there.

Have a good weekend.