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Marcellin College Newsletter 2026
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Marcellin College
Newsletter
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Reflecting on Our Direction
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Thirteen weeks into my time here at Marcellin, I would like to take the opportunity to remind our community about the direction for Marcellin College.
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The five areas of focus I outlined in my welcome to the college are helping to guide and shape the direction of our school as the year progresses.
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I want to remind you all of what those five areas of focus are and the progress we are making so far:
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1.Build the Base (Fostering Discipline & Learning Culture):
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- Attendance and classroom engagement reports sent out weekly
- Strong stance on behaviour and uniform standards
- Building project for the relocation of our new library - to be complete by the end of the year to help create a culture of reading among all students.
2. Stretch the Limits (Aiming for Academic Excellence):
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- Clear expectations for compulsory attendance for all school and NCEA exams
- Aiming for Excellence credits - not settling for meeting the bare minimum requirements for NCEA
- Students moving into Years 12 and 13 in 2027 will take six subjects (an increase from five) to allow broader choices and keep pathways open longer.
3. Grow Opportunities (Expanding the Co-Curricular Landscape):
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- Consultation for sports strategic planning underway to increase participation and grow sports opportunities
- Opportunities in Music - Big Sing, KBB, Brisbane trip in 2027, planning for year 7 band program for 2027
- Year 12 Leadership for 2027 - new process, new roles - underway
4. Welcoming the Community (Strengthening Vital Partnerships):
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- Re-engaging our families and parish communities through active outreach, Open Days, parish visits, parent evenings, and clear communication.
5. Authentic Catholic Community in the Champagnat Marist Tradition:
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- Sacramental program, year level retreats and weekly lunchtime mass
- Focus on living out our five Marist pillars in daily life.
Change driven by clear purpose allows a school community to grow from strength to strength. Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to support our young people to seek the best and achieve their potential.
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REMINDERS & UPCOMING EVENTS
- 2027 Subject Option Selection (Years 10–12): Option selection forms for Year 10, 11, and 12 students moving into 2027 are due today, Friday 28th August.
- Years 11, 12 & 13 Parent Evening ('Preparing for NCEA Exams'): All parents of senior students are expected to attend as we share crucial guidance to help prepare our seniors for their upcoming examinations.
- Date: Wednesday, 16th September (Week 9)
- Time: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Location: College Gym
- Contact: Mr. James Leavasa (leavasaj@marcellin.school.nz)
- Upper North Island Secondary Schools (UNISS) Tournament Week: Good luck to our Netball girls competing in the UNISS tournament in Hamilton!
Optima Quaere - Seek the Best
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IMPORTANT DATES: Week 7 - Term 3
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Monday 31 August - Friday 4 September
- School Assembly, Time: 12.50pm, Venue: Gym
- UNISS, Time: 9.00am, Venue: Hamilton
- Marcellin College Board Meeting, Time: 5.30pm, Venue: Boardroom
- Year 10 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Drama
- Year 13 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Chapel
- UNISS, Time: 9.00am, Venue: Hamilton
- Junior Thriving Minds, Venue: Diocesan Girls, Epsom
- Year 9 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Chapel
- Year 12 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Drama
- UNISS, Time: 9.00am, Venue: Hamilton
- Senior Thriving Minds, Venue: Diocesan Girls, Epsom
- Southside Debating, Time: 4.00pm, Venue: De La Salle College
- Year 7/8 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Drama
- Year 11 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Chapel
- UNISS, Time: 9.00am, Venue: Hamilton
- Singer-Songwriter Night, Time: 6pm, Venue: Music Room
- UNISS, Time: 9.00am, Venue: Hamilton
- Deloitte Celebrarions, Time: 11.15am - 1.30pm, Venue: Auckland CBD
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Congratulations
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Celebrating Our Emerging Ethnic Leaders
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On Friday, 21st August, Marcellin College was proud to join in celebrating Tāmaki Makaurau’s growing diversity and championing the positive contributions of our rangatahi at the Emerging Ethnic Leaders Breakfast. The event recognised ākonga from diverse ethnic backgrounds who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service within their schools and wider communities. Representing Marcellin College, Year 13 students Mejock Yor and Sofia Duran Lu were selected for displaying distinct leadership qualities and an outstanding commitment to service throughout 2026.
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Curriculum
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September Digital Corequisites
Year 10 students plus any Year 11, 12, or 13 students who did not achieve either Reading, Writing, or Numeracy in May sit these tests again in Week 9:
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Tuesday 15 September: literacy (reading) periods one, two, and three
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Wednesday 16 September: literacy (writing) periods one, two, and three
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Thursday 17 September: numeracy periods one, two, and three
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We will also have one final preparation day for these corequisite tests, on /Wednesday 9 September.
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A reminder that students must provide their own device to sit the upcoming Literacy and Numeracy (LIT & NUM) corequisite exams online. Please ensure the device is fully charged and in good working order before the exam begins.
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These corequisites are vital, as without them, ākonga will not be awarded Level One, Two, or Three NCEA.
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Senior Practice Exams
Our NCEA Practice Examinations will be held in Week One of Term Four. This examination period will serve as a crucial component of the learning process, and the results could be used as a Derived Grade if your child is absent for valid reasons in the November NCEA Examinations (NZQA - Derived Grades).
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To assist with the success of your child, it is important that they:
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Seek assistance from teachers
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The NCEA Practice Exam timetable will be shared in the Week Nine newsletter.
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NCEA Assessment Rules for Students:
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Absence: If students are absent from the Practice Exams due to illness or other valid reasons, they will need to contact the Principal's Nominee (Ms Hunt). Medical certificates are required to allow students to sit their exam papers only if there is an opportunity to do so during the exam period. Students will not be allowed to sit any exam paper they missed after the exam period due to authenticity reasons.
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Important Notes About Practice Exams and Derived Grades
Schools must be able to assure NZQA that derived grades are collected in a way that mirrors the format and conditions of the externally assessed standard. This means that if a student engages in any of the following, we will not be able to assure conditions and practice exam results will not be used for a derived grade:
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- Leaving the exam for a toilet break more than once
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A toilet break that lasts more than five minutes
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Leaving full-screen mode in a digital exam
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Communicating with or disturbing other candidates in any way
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Accessing a mobile phone or digital device of any sort (including a watch)
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NCEA Progression Requirements (Level One - Level Two & Level Two - Level Three)
To support successful academic progression, student must meet minimum NCEA credit requirements at Marcellin College, with structured support and planning provided for those who do not meet these thresholds.
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Gateway credits are excluded as they do not count toward specific subject achievement.
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Deputy Principal Curriculumn
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Pastoral Care
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This week I addressed our senior boys during our assembly to discuss the vital role they play as leaders within our school community. I spoke to them about the responsibility that comes with being a senior, emphasizing that our younger students look to them as benchmarks for conduct and character.
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I made it clear that our expectations for high standards remain consistent across all areas of school life. This includes maintaining a respectful attitude toward our facilities, wearing our uniform with pride, prioritizing excellent attendance as we approach the critical final assessments of Term 3, and conducting themselves with the maturity necessary to achieve academic success. I was pleased to share with them that we have already seen a positive shift in their approach, particularly regarding the respect shown for our shared environment.
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This commitment to excellence extends well beyond our senior cohort; it is the heartbeat of our wider school community. When our senior students lead with integrity and purpose, they lift the aspirations of every student who follows in their footsteps.
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In our discussion, I drew upon the Marist Pillar of Ki te Huarahi o Maria (In the Way of Mary), which calls us to be positive role models for those around us. By embodying this pillar, our seniors are not just following school policy; they are living out our values. This leadership strengthens our Wairua o te Whānau (Family Spirit), ensuring that as a community, we support one another, maintain clear standards, and provide an environment where every student can thrive. I am confident our seniors will continue to lead by example as we finish this term strong.
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Deputy Principal - Pastoral Care
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Healthy Habits and Household Tips
As winter illnesses circulate, we want to thank all of our students and families for working together to keep our community safe and healthy. We know that winter bugs can make attendance tricky, but resting at home when unwell is the best way to ensure a speedy recovery and protect others.
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Healthy Habits & Household Tips
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- Daily Wellness: Encourage plenty of sleep, balanced meals, hydration, and regular handwashing.
- Managing Sick Households: If someone at home is unwell, keep sick children at home to rest. Wipe down shared surfaces regularly, keep rooms ventilated, and encourage everyone to cough or sneeze into their elbows.
- Communication: If your child is sick, please notify the school by downloading SchoolBridge app on our website and entering your child's attendance there.
School & Online Health Support
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- On-Site Care: We offer prescribing nurse appointments, an on-site GP clinic on Thursdays, and throat swabbing as needed.
- Free Online GP Care (Under 14s): Families can access free 24/7 video or phone appointments nationwide. Clinicians can prescribe medications and send them directly to your nearest pharmacy.
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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 the Business Manager, Peyton Hepi at hepip@marcellin.school.nz, 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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Optima Quaere - Seek the Best
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