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Marcellin College Newsletter 2026
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Marcellin College
Newsletter
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
The Power of Connection and Belonging
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At the heart of a thriving school community is a simple human truth: we all need to feel that we belong. Research consistently tells us that a strong sense of connection - feeling part of something bigger than ourselves - is one of the single most powerful determiners of mental health and overall well-being for young people. When our students know they are valued, included, and connected to a wider community, they flourish both inside and outside the classroom.
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As a Catholic school, we hold a distinct advantage here.
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Our shared Catholic character creates an immediate foundation of connection. Families choosing Marcellin College share a commitment to gospel values and educating the whole person - providing a grounded environment where students are fully supported to reach their potential.
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This week, several events highlighted this sense of connection and belonging in action:
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Music - An excellent performance from our Jazz Band at the KBB Music Festival, beautifully demonstrating how music connects students across all year levels and backgrounds through a shared passion. Congratulations to Dr Ah Sam and our musicians.
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Service - Joining the wider Catholic community for the annual Caring Mass to support the Catholic Caring Foundation, we recognised students demonstrating exceptional compassion. Congratulations to Lucy Jane Finau, Azelynn Jackswell, Leo Bendall, Kierstan Idago, Hanna Alex, and Daisy Tupoufutuna.
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Faith - Celebrating our annual Sacramental Mass led by Bishop Steve, where a group of our students chose to receive the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion. Congratulations to the following students as they deepen their faith and enter fully into our Catholic family: Eternal Ironside, ‘Ofa ‘Otufangavalu, Elisa Losalu, ‘Unaloto ‘Otufangavalu, Esala ‘Otufangavalu, Halaevalu Tongotongo, Uta Vaiangina, Lexie Otai, Tomasi Vaiangina, Jahkiwa Tufunga, Aisley Malo, Cecilia Koenig, Mikayla-Rose Alo and Luke Koenig.
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Music, service, faith - these moments show that our students belong to a vibrant Marcellin family that extends far beyond the school gates.
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REMINDERS
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Staff Only Day on Friday, 21st August. School will be closed for instruction while staff engage in professional development.
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Optima Quaere - Seek the Best
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IMPORTANT DATES: Week 5 - Term 3
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Monday 17 August - Sunday 23 August
- 13SPS Group 1 - First Aid Training, Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm, Venue: Room 42
- School Assembly, Time: 12.50pm, Venue: Gym
- Senior Dance Tech Rehearsal, Time: 3.30pm-5.00pm, Venue: Drama Theatre
- Year 7 & 8 Netball, Time: 5.00pm Venue: Windmill Courts
- Year 10 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Drama
- Year 13 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Chapel
- 13SPS Group 2 First Aid Training, Time: 08.30am Venue: Room 42
- Year 11 ENG Trip, Time: 9.30am - 2.30pm Venue: ASB Waterfront Theatre
- Year 12 & 13 DRA Trip, Time: 9.30am - 2.30pm Venue: ASB Waterfront Theatre
- Shadow Tech (10 Students), Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm, Venue: Parnell
- Year 9 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Chapel
- Year 12 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Drama
- SUSO Dance, Time: 9.00am - 12.30pm, Venue: Mt Roskill Youth Zone
- MC Law Office, Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm Venue: Auckland CBD
- Enrolment Visit Good Shepherd School, Time: 11.30am - 1.30pm, Venue: Good Shepherd Music Visit
- Southside Debating, Time: 4.00pm, Venue: De La Salle College
- Mathex Competition, Time: 6.00pm, Venue: Barfoot and Thompson Stadium, Kohimarama
- Year 7 & 8 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Drama
- Year 11 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Chapel
- 11PED One Tree Hill Run, Time: 12.30pm-3.00pm, Venue: One Tree Hill
- Enrolment Visit Waterlea School, Time: 10.00am - 12.30pm, Venue: Epsom Library
- STAFF ONLY DAY - SCHOOL IS CLOSED
- Netball: Junior Gold vs Epsom Girls Grammar, Time: 8.55am, Venue: Court 1, St Johns
- Football, Time: 10.00am Venue: Marcellin College
- Netball: Senior Gold vs Baradene College, Time: 11.40pm Venue: Court 5, St Johns
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Curriculum
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2027 Option Selection
Year 10, 11, and 12 students will soon be asked to select their options for 2027. Information regarding this process has been shared at the Year 10 assembly this week, and will be shared at the Year 11 and 12 assemblies next week.
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On Monday 17 August, Senior Course Information Booklets will be shared with students via email and posted on the school website for families to access. KAMAR course selection officially opens this day. Students will then have until Friday 28 August to make their choices. Kaitiaki teacher and Deans will be available to support students throughout this process.
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The following websites also offer additional support for students and families to help make informed decisions for options and future pathways:
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Library Homework Club
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From next week, we will be starting an after-school homework club. This will be held in the library, from 3.30 pm - 4.30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The library will be a space for any Year 7-13 students to complete homework, study, or access support from teachers in particular subjects. This document will be updated throughout the term:
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Please note the libary is also opened Monday to Thursday from 8am for students.
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Deputy Principal Curriculum
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Pastoral Care
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Staying safe online
Netsafety Week (17 - 23 August) is an annual campaign led by Netsafe designed to raise awareness about digital safety across Aotearoa New Zealand. Centered around the theme "Online Safety is a Team Sport – Play Your Part," the week emphasizes that creating safer digital spaces isn't an individual burden - it requires coordinated action across individuals, families, schools, workplaces, and communities.
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Why Online Safety Matters
From staying connected with loved ones to learning and working online, the internet offers endless opportunities. However, it also brings challenges like online scams, privacy concerns, and exposure to harmful content or digital distress. Building a safe online environment ensures that everyone - especially young people - can make the most of digital spaces without compromising their safety or mental well-being.
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How Families Can Keep Children Safe Online
Protecting children online works best when it’s an ongoing conversation rather than just a set of strict rules:
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Open the Dialogue: Talk regularly about what your children do online, the platforms they use, and who they interact with. Create a safe space where they feel comfortable coming to you if something goes wrong.
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Set Up Safe Boundaries: Utilise parental controls, privacy settings, and content filters on family devices and home Wi-Fi networks to limit exposure to inappropriate content.
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Model Good Habits: Demonstrate healthy tech habits yourself - like balancing screen time and keeping personal information private.
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Use Family Resources: Check out practical toolkits like the Digital Guardian Guide to establish clear family rules for device use and digital behavior.
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Deputy Principal Pastoral
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School Attendance Dues - Financial Assistance
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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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School Policies & Procedures
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Our school works with SchoolDocs to provide a website for maintaining, updating, and reviewing our school policies. Different policies are under review each term and our school community can submit feedback. Follow the instructions below to contribute to the review.
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- Go to the SchoolDocs site for our school by clicking on this link: https://marcellin.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
- This will take you to Current review and review instructions.
- Enter the username (marcellin) and password (seekthebest).
- The policies listed here are the key policies under review this term. Click on the policy you want to review.
- Click the “Start your review” button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
- Follow the prompts to submit your review.
Note that you can review any policy that has a “Start your review” button, not just the key policies listed in Current review and review instructions. There will be other related policies in that section of the site open for review.
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If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.
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Optima Quaere - Seek the Best
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