|
Marcellin College Newsletter 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marcellin College Newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Message from the Tumuaki / Principal - Ms. Maria Prescott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We began the term with a school assembly to pray and remember with love Pope Francis — a humble servant who, like St Marcellin Champagnat, made Jesus Christ known and loved.
|
It was great to see our ākonga and staff reconnecting after the two-week holiday and settling into expected routines, ready to learn in Term Two. It was a busy start for our Marcellin whānau, with our Pompallier Shield competitors participating in the annual Catholic secondary schools event hosted by Sacred Heart College, our La Valla/Special Character Prefects attending the World Vision Conference, and our Manaakitanga ‘Have-a-Go’ engagement day taking place.
|
This term is a short one (9 weeks), and we will continue to focus on attendance and engagement. Research shows that missing school impacts both achievement and well-being, so it’s important that your tamariki/child(ren) attend school regularly. EVERY DAY MATTERS, and you play a vital role in ensuring your tamariki arrive on time and ready to learn. Our staff are here to support you — please reach out if you have any questions or concerns, sooner rather than later!
|
As we remember Pope Francis and celebrate the hope of Easter, may we also renew our hearts and minds for the term ahead — with purpose, kindness, and courage.
|
Ngā manaakitanga Marcellin whānau,
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manaakitanga Engagement Day
|
|
Ngā mihi kia koutou to all who participated in the Manaakitanga day today! We had 12 different stations facilitated by external providers from our community, and these included a range of activities for all our ākonga to ‘Have-a-Go’.
|
A heartfelt thanks to Mr Aiolupotea, our Sports Director, Mr Nakaora and Presiding Member / parent Ms Tovio who organised the day, especially to the following external providers:
|
|
Auckland All Stars Volleyball - James Summers
|
|
Auckland Basketball Services - John Carr
|
|
Auckland Rugby League - Feagiai Malisi
|
|
Hungerball - Andu Iordache
|
|
Siva Afi, Polynesian Entertainers - Amo Ieriko
|
|
Sport Auckland (Rangatahi Voice) - Greg Burne
|
|
Touch NZ (Tāmaki Makaurau) - Karl Bailey
|
|
Warriors Community Foundation - Charlotte Scanlan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2026 Enrolments and Open Tour Day - 7 Haratua / May
2026 Enrolments are open!
|
Prospective whānau are welcome to join us on a guided tour of the school to see what happens in the life of a Marcellin ākonga / learner on a normal school day. If you cannot make the scheduled tour days, contact the office to arrange a personal tour.
|
|
|
|
|
Ākonga Success
|
|
|
|
|
Marcellin Spirit Awards
At Marcellin College we use the name ‘Marcellin Spirit’ for Positive Behaviour for Learning. Marcellin Spirit teaches positive behaviour for learning by teaching expectations to all ākonga. We do this via specific Marcellin Spirit lessons, as well as by rewarding expected behaviours. We link our expected behaviours to the Marist Pillars. Our free and frequent reward system is whānau points, which ākonga can track using the MyMahi platform.
Marcellin Spirit certificates are awarded to the ākonga with the most whānau points each week of the term. Congratulations to the following recipients for Week 11 of Term One:
|
|
Term 1 Week 11 - Ki te huarahi o Maria / In the way of Mary
|
|
Year 8: Azelynn Jackswell
|
Year 13: Margaret Finefeuiaki
|
|
|
|
|
|
ISA New Zealand Softball
Congratulations to our Year 9 ākonga Perry-John Afato who has been selected to represent New Zealand in the ISA New Zealand Under 13 boys softball team to play in New South Wales State Championship In September.
|
His selection comes after his selection into the Under 13s Auckland team that played in the National Championships in Palmerston North and his recent club Prizegiving where he was awarded Player of the Year for his team and awarded the club MVP.
|
|
We wish him all the very best for the upcoming international tournament!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pompallier Shield
The Pompallier Shield is a prestigious competition for the 16 Catholic secondary schools in the Auckland Diocese. Ngā mihi kia koutou Mrs Rodrigues, Mr Pillay, Ms Sutton and Ms. Falepeau who helped in preparing our ākonga for the Pompallier Shield competition. This was held on 1 Haratua / May at Sacred Heart College.
|
Congratulations to Semu Asotau Fa'alavaau, who won the Senior Scripture Category this year, and to all our ākonga who represented our kura so beautifully.
|
|
|
|
Young Vinnies Mass
On Sunday, 27th April, four students from Marcellin College were commissioned as Young Vinnies Leaders at a special Mass held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Auckland City. The Mass, presided over by Bishop Steve Lowe, included a moving tribute honouring the inspiring legacy of Pope Francis. Over 1200 people were in attendance.
|
It was truly uplifting to witness our leaders — Tomasi Taufa, Gracedarling Lino, Noah Collins, and Semu Asotau Fa’alavaau — stepping up to serve our community. We are excited to see how they will work together with leaders from other Catholic schools across Auckland to make a real difference!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Curriculum News
|
|
|
Year 11, 12, and 13 Literacy and Numeracy Digital Corequisites
In Week 5 of Term Two, all Year 11, 12, and 13 ākonga who did not gain the literacy and numeracy corequisites last year will sit the first digital corequisite attempt for 2025. Before this, another literacy and numeracy preparation day will be held on Rāapa/Wednesday, 21 Haratua/May. The confirmed days and times for these corequisites are:
|
-
|
Rātū/Tuesday, 27 Haratua/May: literacy (reading) periods one - three
|
-
|
Rāapa/Wednesday, 28 Haratua/May: literacy (writing) periods one - three
|
-
|
Rāpare/Thursday 29, Haratua/May: numeracy periods one - three
|
|
Ākonga will need to arrive at school on time and with a charged device for these days. There will be a second and final attempt in Term Three for ākonga to achieve the literacy and numeracy corequisites for 2025.
|
|
These corequisites are vital, as without them, ākonga will not be awarded Level One, Two, or Three NCEA.
|
|
|
|
|
Engagement Reports
Whānau of all Year 7 - 13 ākonga will receive engagement reports via email in Term Two, on Rāmere/Friday, Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8. The purpose of these is to keep whānau regularly informed about their child's engagement in their learning. We encourage you to have a positive and constructive conversation with your child about their engagement in each of their subjects. Here is a reminder of the criteria for engagement:
|
The criteria for Engagement in Learning are:
|
-
|
ALWAYS - completes classwork; participates actively in class; manages self effectively
|
-
|
USUALLY - completes classwork; participates actively in class; manages self effectively
|
-
|
SOMETIMES - completes classwork; participates actively in class; manages self effectively
|
-
|
NEEDS REMINDERS - to complete classwork; to participate actively in class; to manage self effectively
|
|
|
|
Full Reports and Progress Hui
All ākonga will receive a full report in Week 7 of Term Two. This will be followed by two progress hui afternoons, on Rāapa/Wednesday, 18 Pipiri/June and Rāpare/Thursday, 19 Pipiri/June from 2 pm - 6.30 pm. Add these dates to your calendar now!
|
|
|
|
Pastoral & Engagement News
|
|
|
Mālō e lelei and kia ora koutou,
|
Welcome back to a new term at Marcellin College! I trust you had a restful break and are feeling ready for the exciting learning and growth ahead.
|
As we begin this term, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the importance of unity and teamwork. Together, we can achieve so much, and as a Marcellin family, we continue to support each other in our shared goal of fostering an environment where all our students can thrive.
|
Marcellin College Code of Conduct
|
As we start the term, I want to remind everyone of our Marcellin College School Code of Conduct. This code is designed to foster a respectful, positive, and inclusive learning environment for all. I encourage students and parents alike to review this code regularly, and to ensure that our values of respect, responsibility, and kindness are upheld in every interaction.
|
|
|
|
School uniform
We would like to remind all students and whānau of our school’s uniform expectations. Wearing the correct uniform is part of showing pride in being a Marcellin student and helps build a strong sense of unity and respect across our school community.
|
For Term 2, students are expected to:
|
-
Wear the correct full school uniform each day.
|
-
Only wear Marcellin College jackets and jumpers for warmth — no non-uniform hoodies, jackets, or sweatshirts are permitted.
|
-
|
Ensure uniforms are clean, tidy, and worn appropriately at all times.
|
Health & Safety
The safety and wellbeing of our students is always our top priority. As we share our school grounds with the wider community, it’s essential that we all follow the rules surrounding health and safety.
|
I kindly ask parents and caregivers to be vigilant when driving near the school. Please avoid parking on yellow lines and do not stop in the middle of driveways. These simple actions help to ensure the safety of our students, particularly during busy times of the day.
|
For safety reasons, there is a new painted pedestrian crossing in front of the Chapel for students to use. Parents who pick their children after school are kindly asked to help us keep our students safe by being aware and mindful of this new pedestrian crossing.
|
KiVa Programme
|
The KiVa programme continues to be an essential part of our efforts to nurture kindness and respect throughout the school community.
|
However, this work extends beyond the school gates. We ask parents and families to reinforce these values at home, encouraging our students to show respect, kindness, and empathy in all their interactions. Together, we can create a truly bully-free environment where every student feels safe and valued.
|
Social Media and Internet Safety
In today’s digital age, the use of social media and the internet has become a major part of our children’s lives. However, we have recently seen the negative impacts that some social media platforms can have on our students. We are aware of the harmful effects that cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and social media pressures can have on the mental wellbeing of young people.
|
As a school community, we encourage families to have open discussions with your tamariki/ children about helping them to understand the importance of privacy, kindness, and responsibility when online.
|
|
Like the Tongan proverb goes:
|
"Sii pe kae ha - Even a small action can make a difference.”
|
|
This reflects the importance of small actions adding up to create a big impact. It’s a reminder that even the smallest effort, when combined with others, makes a significant difference:
|
Every small step we take — whether it’s a kind word, a responsible decision, or supporting one another — contributes to the bigger picture of a positive and thriving school community. Let’s continue to work together as a family, knowing that each effort, no matter how small, plays a significant role in creating a positive environment for all.
|
Mālō ‘aupito for your ongoing support and commitment.
|
Jeanavieve Pome’e-Vaipulu
Acting Deputy Principal
|
|
|
|
Counselling Appointments
If you wish to make a counselling appointment, you must email the counsellor and wait for a response.
|
|
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays: email Ms Hyde-Hills (also email Ms Hyde-Hills if you want to see Rob)
|
|
Thursdays and Fridays: email Sr Salome
|
|
|
|
Health Clinic
Please consider the following for the winter season:
|
1. If you have asthma or think you might have asthma, please come see us at the health clinic so that we can assist you in keeping asthma under control.
|
2. Influenza and covid-19 vaccines are highly recommended to protect us against serious winter illnesses.
|
3. If you are unwell, please stay at home to stop the spread of infection to others.
|
|
4. Cover your sneeze, wear a mask and keep a good hand washing habit.
|
|
|
|
Co-Curricular News
|
|
|
Tauranga National Jazz Competition
|
|
The Tauranga National Jazz Festival and Youth competition once again brought the best jazz talent from around NZ to Tauranga during week 11 of Term 1.
|
|
This year, we had 3 Jazz combos enter and compete against 70 other combos from around Aotearoa. Our Marcellin College Jazz Unit featuring Ayva, Cecilia, Vincent, Rachel, Franchesca, Jeremy, Elija and Noah managed to win a BRONZE Award.
|
While our Marcellin College Saints were awarded a SILVER which was a fantastic achievement. Mr Ah Sam and the Jazz group team now turn their attention to hosting a fantastic Jazz Band from Melbourne's Mt Waverley High School (in July), and also begin preparing for the biggest Secondary School Music Competition in the Country which is the KBB Music Festival (in August).
|
Thank you for Mr Loa and Ms Stenberg who were the other staff that helped with driving and supporting our students in Tauranga. A big shout out and thank you to the parents of our students who made the drive down to Tauranga to watch and cheer on our kids.
|
|
Teacher in Charge - Music
|
|
|
|
Sports News
|
With the new term underway, there’s a real buzz around the school as our winter sports season kicks off! Our students are eager to hit the courts and fields as they dive into basketball, rugby league, football, and netball.
|
Winter sports are a fantastic way for our tamariki to grow their teamwork, commitment, and passion for being active, all while proudly representing Marcellin. The energy is high, and it's inspiring to see students training hard, supporting one another, and preparing for an exciting season ahead.
|
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Central United, who generously donated over 30 soccer balls to support our football programme. We also feel incredibly grateful to the Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation, who have donated gear across a number of codes, including netball, volleyball, basketball, and rugby. These generous contributions are already making a huge difference, and our students are thrilled!
|
|
The winter season officially kicks off this Saturday, with our netball teams heading to St Johns, Auckland Netball Centre for their grading games. They’ll be giving it their all as they aim to rank among the best in Auckland. Next week, all of our winter codes will be in action, it's all go!
|
As always, a strong team culture thrives with strong support. We encourage all whānau and friends to come along, cheer on our Marcellin teams, and show your support from the sidelines. Let’s continue to promote fair play, respect, and encouragement for all players, coaches, and officials.
|
We’re looking forward to a term packed with energy, growth, and school pride. Let the season begin!
|
|
|
|
|
Moana Jr Production
|
|
|
|
Disney’s Moana JR. is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. Moana JR. features all the beloved songs from the film, written by Tony®, GRAMMY, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina, including “How Far I’ll Go,” “Shiny,” and “You’re Welcome.”
|
This thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. Moana and the legendary demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies within. With empowering messages of bravery and selflessness, Moana JR. is sure to bring out the hero within each of us.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Download the Marcellin College School App
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KAMAR parent portal
|
|
|
|
Community Events and Notices
|
|
|
Marcellin College Upcoming Events
- 7 May - Open Day Tours for Prospective whānau
- 8 May - Health & Safety Audit
- 11-17 May - Rotuman Language Week
- 12 May - Book Week
- 14 May - Auckland Writers Festival
- 15 May - Year 7 Retreat
- 16 May - Year 8 Retreat
- 21-24 May - Moana Jr Production
- 21 May - Lit / Num Preparation Ra (Year 11) #2
- 27 May - Literacy Digital Corequisite Reading
- 28 May - Literacy Digital Corequisite Writing
- 29 May - Numeracy
- 30 May - Curriculum Rā ( Teacher Only Day) - School is closed
- 1 June - 7 June Samoan Language Week
- 2 June - King's Birthday
- 4 June - NCEA Music Night
- 6 June - Champagnat Feast Day
- Mass & Whānau Singing Competition
|
- 8 June - 14 June - Filipino Language Week
- 9 June - Senior Love of Work Week
- 13 June - Achievement reports emailed
- National Dance Challgenge
|
- 14 June - Bollywood Showdown
- 18 June - Careers Expo
- 18 & 19 June - Progress Hui Evenings
- 19 June - Melbourne Music Trip
- 20 June - Matariki - School is closed
- 25 June - Dancing with the staff
- 27 June - Curriculum Rā (Staff Only Day) - School is closed
- 28 June - School Ball
|
|
|
School Tuckshop
|
|
|
|
|
Bollywood Showdown
|
|
|
|
Marcellin Book Week 2025
|
|
|
|
Marcellin College Book Quiz
|
|
|
|
Junior Netball Coaching Workshops
|
|
|
|
Junior Netball Skills Clinics
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IF YOUR CHILD IS DOING SOMETHING FANTASTIC OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL TIME, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT AND SHARE IT WITH THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY - EMAIL YOUR STORIES (AND PHOTOGRAPHS) TO: office@marcellin.school.nz
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
