13
St Marys Catholic School T
his year at St Mary’s has been one of growth, opportunity and excitement for our students and our school community. Schools should be vibrant places with the energy of learning and exploration apparent in all that we do. This has definitely been apparent at St Mary’s this year. In looking back at the year that was there are a number of key events and initiatives that have certainly enriched the experience of our students.
He Mihi Nui Kia Koutou Haere Mai Haere Mai Nau Mai Haere Mai Greetings and Welcome to St Mary’s Catholic School. At St Mary’s children develop a passion for learning through quality teaching and a balanced yet diverse range of learning experiences. We encourage and foster a love of learning and strive for excellence within a quality learning environment. We have an extremely talented and professional team of staff members, supported by a dedicated Board of Trustees and a committed parent community. Our harbour setting is second to none; a fantastic place for children to come and learn, and a rewarding place for teachers to come and teach. It is our collective aim to provide the very best learning opportunities for all of our students. Parents and caregivers are of vital importance to the success of our school. You are the first educators of your children and your positive support of your child’s school education provides encouragement to your child, their teacher and helps build the spirit of the school. Education is a lifetime journey that you will begin at St Mary’s Catholic School. We are dedicated to preparing your children for their journey of learning. We welcome your interest and warmly invite you to visit or call for further information. Nga Mihi Nui Mr Ben Fuller Principal
St Mary’s Catholic School occupies a unique place on the shores of our beautiful harbour which makes it an idyllic settting for all to occupy during the school day. The environment also helps feed the many, spiritual, educational, sport r ing, and cultural opport r unities we are able to provide for our children. Over the last few years we have focused on the development of our own cultural responsiveness, both recognising our place and its significant place within Tauranga Moana and exploring Te Ao Maori as it relates to us. We have also seen significant growt w h in the way we recognise how the many cultures within our school enrichen us as a community ty. An example of this is the growt w h of our Pasifika group, once again perf r orming with pride at our local Primary Pasifika Festival. Approximately three years ago, whanau of St Mary’s Catholic School recognised the potential hosting of the Tauranga Moana Ra Whakangahau Kapa Haka Festival as a way to broaden our approach to Taha Maori. This year that intent is being realised as we look forward to welcoming 44 schools, approximately 2000 performers and over 5000 spectators to our school for two days of kapa haka celebration. Aftfer many years of contemplation we once again embarked on a full school production. Trek to the Top was a stage performance that involved approximately 400 of our students, depicting a most significant piece of New Zealand History. In following Sir Edmund Hillary’s successful attempt at climbing the world’s highest mountain we captured and portrayed the spirit of adventure, risk and accomplishment. Learning in New Zealand is currently in a state of continual change. It was extremely reaffi f rming of the Educational Review Offi f ce
to recognise that educationally at St Mary’s we are striving to ensure high levels of equity ty and excellence is evident in our examples of student achievement. As we progress into 2017 we will continue to focus on the continual improvement and efffective resourcing of quality ty educational outcomes for all.
Water safety tyy is such a big part rtt of growing up in our country ryy
At St Mary ry’s y we recognise that learning is not necessarily best conduct cted t in the classroom. While our senior students look forw rward w to their annual camp.
Congratulations to our junior ripper rugby team who made it all the way to the Bay of Plenty tyy final.
Children enjoying a celebratory ryy shared lunch aft fter t completi ting i some act cts t of good serv rvice v
Our Pasifika group proudly perf rforming f at this years Bay of Plenty tyy Pasifika festival
As a school we are extremely proud of our achievement in hosting this year’s Tauranga Moana Ra Whakangahau Festival
One of our highlights of the year to date is definitely our Product ction t ‘TT ‘Trek to the Top’
*
DINE IN • TAKEAWAY • FREE DELIVERY
Proudly supporting St Marys Primary School 0800 500 123 | tauranga@mikepero.com Mike Pero Real Estate Tauranga | 299 Cameron Road, Tauranga Mike Pero Real Estate Ltd Licensed REAA (2008)
www.mikepero.com
We work hard but we have a lot of fun too. A safe, encouraging environment where your child can reach their full potential. We have classes for pre schoolers through to Adults in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hiphop, Acro & Contemporary in both open classes and exam classes (NZAMD & BBO) First class is FREE Fully qualified teachers
Lunch Combo
(@danceavenuenz)
Lunch Only
Curry, Rice & Curry, Rice, Naan Naan & House $1 Soft Drink Wine or Beer
Takeaway only
Amy Yorke 021 356 368 www.danceavenue.co.nz (/danceavenuenz) &
$10 $15
Ph: 571 8502
Dine in Only
175 Eleventh Ave, Tauranga