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Marcellin College Newsletter 2025
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Marcellin College Newsletter
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Message from the Tumuaki Whakakapi / Acting Principal - Ms. Alisha Hunt
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Last week, we gathered as a community to celebrate our Patron Saint, Marcellin Champagnat, on his feast day. The theme of this mass was ‘Living Saints’. Marcellin Champagnat embodied the concept of a ‘Living Saint’ through his dedication to educating and nurturing young people, especially the most in need. Saints are not perfect people – they are ordinary people who live with extraordinary love.
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Marcellin’s sanctity wasn't defined by miraculous feats, but by his unwavering commitment to service, his compassionate heart, and his practical approach to spreading the Gospel through tangible acts of love and care.
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We can be modern versions of these ‘Living Saints’ by recognising the inherent dignity in every person and actively seeking opportunities to serve our communities.
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Examples of our very own ‘Living Saints’ were celebrated at our Champagnat Day Mass with our annual Champagnat Awards. These awards are a special recognition for our dedicated ākonga/students and kaiako/teachers who consistently exemplify the Marist Pillars across all areas of our school life. The Champagnat Award is given to one ākonga in each year level and one kaiako who leads by example, fostering a spirit of kindness, respect, and responsibility each and every day. The 2025 Champagnat Award recipients were:
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Franz consistently demonstrates our Marist Pillars through his everyday actions, serving as an inspiring example to all. He is a dedicated advocate for his peers, building positive relationships with both his teachers/kaiako and his peers. Franz is always striving for personal excellence; he pushes himself to achieve his best. His commitment to our Marcellin community and his unwavering kindness make him a truly exceptional recipient.
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Year 8 - Azelynn Jackswell
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What truly sets Azelynn apart is her incredible commitment and determination to create an inclusive environment for her Year 7 & 8 peers. She actively seeks out and champions ways to support others in her year level, ensuring that our youngest students feel truly welcome, valued, and respected. You will always find her with a bright smile and she never fails to greet you with kindness every time she sees you.
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Elza is a positive influence on others. She always shows kindness, dedication, and a real sense of responsibility. Quite simply, she is someone you can always count on to make our school a better place just by being herself. Her consistent effort and caring nature shine through, and she embodies our Marist Pillars daily.
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Cecilia truly lives out the spirit of service and leadership within our community. Her commitment was beautifully evident in her ‘In the Way of Mary’ “yes”, throughout the Moana production – from selflessly helping with sewing costumes to volunteering to being a buddy. Beyond the stage, she demonstrates great leadership in the tech crew, always ready to lend a hand and guide others. Her dedication extends to her faith, as shown by her consistent willingness to read at Mass. She is a remarkable example of humble service, strong leadership, and unwavering commitment.
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Hanna has a quiet nature and shows a lot of determination and curiosity. Her kaiako/teachers have commented on her willingness to learn and discover new knowledge. She is respectful to others, warm and friendly towards her peers, and is always willing to lend a helping hand.
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Year 12 - Felicity Pome’e
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Felicity has truly blossomed into an inspiring leader. Her peers say that she is someone who can uplift others, has a caring nature and ensures everyone feels valued and supported. She shares her deep love and faith in Christ through using her voice for Mass, liturgies and, most recently, as the lead in 'Moana,' a role where her immense talent shone brightly, captivating all who watched. Beyond the stage, she always goes the extra mile, and consistently puts others first – a quality her peers deeply admire.
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Ezekiel embodies the spirit of service and quiet leadership. He is an absolute cornerstone of our tech and set-up crews, consistently demonstrating an incredible willingness to help, no matter the task. His patience and calm demeanour are invaluable, especially when things get hectic, making him a true guiding force for his peers. He approaches every challenge with a positive attitude and a genuine desire to ensure everything runs smoothly.
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Kaiako/teacher - Ms Eden Ward
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Eden embodies the heart of a tamaitai Samoa — graceful, strong, and deeply caring. She carries herself with warmth and humility, always putting the wellbeing of others before her own. As a kaiārahi/dean, she leads with compassion, making it her mission to check in on her ākonga not just academically, but emotionally and spiritually too. Her presence brings calm, her care brings comfort, and her values uplift our whole community.
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May we continue to be blessed with ākonga and kaiako who uplift our community with their servant hearts.
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Tumuaki Whakakapi / Acting Principal
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2026 Enrolments are Open!
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SCHOOL ATTENDANCE DUES
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Financial assistance is available to assist families who may need financial support with the payment of Attendance Dues for preference students attending both primary and secondary Catholic schools in Auckland Diocese.
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Families facing financial difficulties can contact their school office, their Parish Priest, or Auckland Common Fund Ltd at the Catholic Diocese of Auckland on 09-360-3040 for further information.
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Application forms for this assistance are available from school and parish offices, or can be downloaded from the Catholic Diocese of Auckland Website:
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Ākonga Success
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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
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Aroha ki te Mahi/Love of Work in Week Five of Term Two:
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Wairua o te Whānau/Family Spirit in Week Six of Term Two:
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Year 9 & 10 Material Industries Student of the Week Award
Our Student of the Week award for Year 9 and 10 MTI students is making a real difference! Created to enhance our learning environment, this award focuses on essential elements of a successful student: being on time, prepared to learn, fully engaged, completing all tasks, demonstrating excellent behaviour, and offering support to classmates.
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I've been genuinely impressed by the transformation in student performance and engagement since this award was introduced. It's clear that the friendly competition for "Student of the Week" is inspiring our students to new heights in the MTI classroom!
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The criteria for selection include:
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• Arriving on time and being ready to learn
• Displaying good behaviour throughout the day
• Being fully engaged during lessons
• Actively helping and supporting peers in class
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Week 5 Student of the Week Year 9
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Week 5 Student of the Week Year 10
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Week 6 Student of the Week Year 9
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Week 6 Student of the Week Year 10
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Week 7 Student of the Week Year 9
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Week 7 Student of the Week Year 10
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Special Character
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On Rāmere/Friday 6th Piripiri/June, we had a joyous celebration of our Patron St Marcellin Champagnat. Our full school mass was organised beautifully by our Special Character Prefects and our kura participated with reverence and deep faith. The theme of this mass was ‘Living Saints’. We reflected on how we can live like Saints in the world today. Many thanks to all those who had a part, our Ministers of the Word, the Filipino and Samoan Groups, our Eucharistic Ministers, Head Prefects and our beautiful singers. Many thanks to Fr Alex for his leadership in our service.
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Please continue to pray for our ākonga who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.
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This weekend we celebrate Pentecost. The Church’s birthday ignited in the Apostles the courage to go out with confidence to spread the Mission of Christ. We are called to do the same. Pope Leo XIV asks us to “Invoke the Spirit of love and peace, that he may open borders, break down walls, dispel hatred, and help us to live as children of our one Father who is in heaven.”
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“May the strong wind of the Spirit come upon us and within us, open the borders of our hearts, grant us the grace of encounter with God, enlarge the horizons of our love and sustain our efforts to build a world in which peace reigns.”
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Acting Ringatohu Akoranga Hāhi / Director of Religious Studies Term 2 2025
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Curriculum News
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Engagement Reports
Whānau of all Year 7 - 13 ākonga will receive another engagement report via email in Term Two, on Rāmere/Friday, Week 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:
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The criteria for Engagement in Learning are:
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ALWAYS - completes classwork; participates actively in class; manages self effectively
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USUALLY - completes classwork; participates actively in class; manages self effectively
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SOMETIMES - completes classwork; participates actively in class; manages self effectively
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NEEDS REMINDERS - to complete classwork; to participate actively in class; to manage self effectively
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Term Two Reports and Progress Hui
All ākonga will receive an Achievement Progress Report, with grades for Effort and Progress, in Week 7 of this term. This will be followed by two progress hui afternoons, on Rāapa/Wednesday 18th Pipiri/June and Rāpare/Thursday 19th Pipiri/June from 2 pm - 6 pm. These hui are an important opportunity for parents/caregivers to speak with kaiako and discuss how best to support academic achievement.
Bookings can be made for this event by going to the School Interviews website or scanning the QR code.
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Plagiarism and AI Reminders
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With the exponential growth of AI (Artificial Intelligence), there are opportunities for ākonga to use AI to help them with learning. Ākonga must use AI carefully, however, and not use it to complete assignments or parts of assignments for them. Ākonga have had these Authenticity Info slides shared with them to help them understand what authenticity is, and where AI can impact that. The following poster is also in every classroom as a reminder:
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Careers Expo
Wed 18th June, 9am - 12:30pm in the gym.
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We have just over 20 tertiary providers coming along to speak with students in Year 10 and above about future study and career options. It will be a fantastic chance to explore different pathways and ask questions directly to the provider's representatives. Students will be welcomed in year groups and if they need more time, all students are free to come in during interval.
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We look forward to a great morning of planning for the future!
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Pastoral & Engagement News
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Kumusta everyone and happy Filipino language week!
As your Acting DP, we wanted to share some exciting updates from our pastoral space. We've been busy creating an even more supportive and engaging environment for our students. A big part of this has involved empowering our student leaders! Our prefects and student council members have really stepped up, taking the lead in organising fun and engaging lunchtime activities such as whānau competitions and games.
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You'll also see their positive presence around the school, helping to create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for everyone. It's fantastic to see them contribute so actively to our school community.
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Winter Ready: Uniform Reminders
With winter truly here, it's essential that our students are dressed warmly and correctly for school. The correct uniform items designed to keep them warm are their school jumpers and school jackets. Please also ensure students are wearing closed black leather school shoes and the correct school socks. This not only keeps them comfortable but also maintains our high standards for school presentation.
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Your support in ensuring students come to school in the correct winter uniform is greatly appreciated.
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Your Voice: Helping Us Set High Expectations!
This year, we are really focusing on high expectations, especially when it comes to how our tamariki behave and how often they're at school. These two things are vital for making sure every child learns and grows in the best possible way.
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Our pastoral team is putting a lot of energy into this, and we'd love your help! We believe that working together, we can create a school environment that truly reflects our values of respect, hard work, and caring for one another – just like Marcellin taught us.
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Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts in our quick survey. Your feedback is golden!
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Salamat po, Whakawhetai and Mālō ‘aupito🫰
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Ms Jeanavieve Pome’e-Vaipulu
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Tumuaki Tuarua Whakakapi / Acting Deputy Principal
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Year 7 Kaiārahi - Mrs Eden Ward
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My name is Eden Ward, this is my second year as Year 7 & 8 Kaiārahi. I joined Marcellin College in 2022 as an English and Religious Education kaiako. Having been educated in the Marist Sisters Charism, it was a pleasant transition into our Marist Brothers Community. It is, and never has been, a dull day at Marcellin College. There is colour in every teaching moment and staff experience.
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My goal for our Year 7 & 8 ākonga is to learn to be confident, young Marist people who embrace what challenges them. Saint Marcellin Champagnat's vision was to, like Mary, "make Jesus Christ known and loved". This is easier said than done and something that I hope our Year 7 & 8 students learn to embrace and draw example from Mary. We know that successful education must impact positively on the student. Educational research shows us that effective learning should be challenging to inspire an ability to learn. In these experiences, students learn to be people of initiative and responsibility. If our Year 7 & 8 ākonga learn to face what challenges them, just like Mary did, the future of Marcellin College looks promising.
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Counselling Appointments
If you wish to make a counselling appointment, you must email the counsellor and wait for a response.
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Health Clinic
Suggestions as the cold season is approaching:
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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.
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2. If you are unwell, please stay at home to stop the spread of infection to others.
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3. Cover your sneeze, wear a mask and keep a good hand washing habit.
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Sports
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Our sports teams are showing tremendous effort throughout this season. So far we have received great results with the majority of our teams winning most of their games. Our football team faced their first loss against Mt Albert Grammar School this past weekend, our netball cubs sadly faced a loss as well having a very close and tough game losing against Auckland Girls Grammar, our senior basketball team also lost against Selwyn College and lastly our first XIII boys rugby team had a rough game against Lynnfield and were unable to secure the win losing against them. On the other hand, our netball senior girls have been smashing it out staying as the undefeated team this season within all our sports teams and winning against Ngā Tapuwae this past weekend.
A special thanks to all the coaches and teachers who have been supporting our teams this far in and sacrificing their time to show interest in our students and their skills within sports. We are looking forward to the special talents they can offer and hope that they are able to follow it up in the future creating a successful career.
To see any information regarding our sports teams, Follow our Marcellin Sports Instagram page for any future updates and results.
Lesina Kautai - Sports Captain
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Our Junior Boys Basketball team has had an incredible start to the season, remaining undefeated after their first five games! Their dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and we couldn't be prouder.
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The boys have shown remarkable skill and teamwork in every match. While all their wins have been impressive, their toughest challenge came against Dilworth College, where they secured a close but well-deserved victory with a final score of 42-30.
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Here's are the results so far:
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- Game 1: Marcellin College 56 vs. St Kentigern 22
- Game 2: Marcellin College 55 vs. Glendowie College 19
- Game 3: Marcellin College 79 vs. ACG Parnell College 19
- Game 4: Marcellin College 116 vs. Selwyn College 16
- Game 5: Marcellin College 42 vs. Dilworth College 30
- Game 6: Marcellin College 72 vs St Kentigern 19
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The team's commitment extends beyond the court; they consistently attend all training sessions on time, show great respect, and give 100% effort during games. They are truly excellent representatives of our school.
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We extend a huge thank you to our dedicated coach, Mr. Lafaele Leaupepe, who is also a parent of team member Sapati. His commitment to coaching the team and attending all games is invaluable, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him.
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- Juriel Balatbat
- Rafel Mathew
- Rome Minardo
- Raphael Perillo
- Moana Pulu
- Rene Racasag
- Carl Ricafrente
- Dempster Santiago (Captain)
- Sapati Setu-Leaupepe
- Aisea Tuakalau
- Aden Tuiletufuga
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Co-Curricular News
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Te Tuhi TopArt Exhibition
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On the 15th May, the Year 12 and 13 combined Art class went to Te Tuhi Gallery to see the TopArt exhibition. Some of the top Year 13 external folio submissions in design, printmaking, sculpture, painting and photography, were on display.
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Ākonga also viewed a painted installation by Kiwi - Samoan artist Sean Hill and 2 contemporary projection based works by Liu Chuang and Grant Priest.
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The Eastern bus lane construction has sliced through the front yard of Te Tuhi Gallery! Michael Parakōwhai's giant sculpture Atarangi ll, is being relocated and we watched as some of the pieces were lifted by crane.
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This was a great opportunity for our ākonga to see some of the best of secondary school art making, with the addition of some thought provoking contemporary art experiences
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Lost Property Notice
We kindly ask that you clearly label your child’s belongings. School Lockers are available to hire each year to help ākonga keep their belonging safe.
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Each day, our Health and Physical Education kaiako find jackets, jumpers, and PE gear left behind in the changing rooms and around the gym. Unfortunately, every year we end up discarding unclaimed clothing and footwear.
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If your child has lost an item of their school uniform, PE gear or other non uniform items please check with student services or the gymnasium.
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Download the Marcellin College School App
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KAMAR parent portal
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Community Events and Notices
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Marcellin College Upcoming Events
- 18 June - Careers Expo
- 18 & 19 June - Progress Hui Evenings
- 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
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Job Vacancy - Auckland Common Fund Limited
Administration Assistant – Part Time 24 hours per week
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The Catholic Diocese of Auckland is seeking a methodical, cheerful, dedicated, and highly efficient person for the role of Administration Assistant to the Operations Manager, Auckland Common Fund Limited to provide administration and operational support.
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This is a part-time role of 24 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with flexibility of hours between 9.30am and 3.30pm. Days/hours flexible for the right candidate.
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Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, along with proficient IT competency in Word, Excel, knowledge/experience of Internal Database or CRM systems (Trello) and Document Management Tools i.e. SharePoint. It would be advantageous to have knowledge of Credit Rating Platforms. Can work under own initiative and have a can-do approach to work and is accurate and organised.
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Applications close on 20 June 2025.
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School Tuckshop
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Does your child love to dance? Are you looking for a comprehensive school holiday program for the July school holidays? The Classical Collab have an incredible opportunity for you! For dancers aged 7 and up, come and join our youth company and see what it’s like to dance and create in preparation for a performance at the incredible Q Theatre on the last day.
https://www.theclassicalcollab.co.nz/projects/current
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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
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