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Marcellin College Newsletter 2026
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Marcellin College
Newsletter
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Building Bridges of Hope in an Ever-Changing World
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Today marks the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001 - a day etched into global memory. When the events of 9/11 unfolded, I was at university and I remember waking up to the news of the terrorist attack, watching in shock as the world changed overnight. None of our current students were alive when these attacks took place, yet the world they live in today has been profoundly shaped by them. Beyond the geopolitical shifts and tight airport security we now take for granted, 9/11 redefined global connection. In the face of such tragedy, the outpouring of human compassion reminded the world of how interconnected we all are, highlighting the importance of fostering community, critical thinking, and care for one another in our young people.
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Looking back over these 25 years, it is striking to see how quickly fear and division can take root in the face of sudden change. Yet, reflecting on this milestone grounds me in the enduring mission of our school.
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In his teaching, Pope Leo XIV has called on our global Catholic community to respond to world division by becoming active "bridge builders." He reminds us that in times of uncertainty, our mission is to foster dialogue, social friendship, and authentic hope - choosing unity and connection over fear and isolation.
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Here at Marcellin College, our response to a complex world is anchored in a culture of belonging, striving every day to ensure our school is a sanctuary where every young person feels safe, valued, and deeply known.
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We cannot shield our students from an ever-changing world. However, through an education deeply grounded in our Catholic faith and Marist pillars, we offer strong foundations that equip our young people with the moral compass, adaptability, and resilience needed to navigate it. By teaching them to build bridges of understanding in their daily lives, we prepare them to be leaders of hope for tomorrow.
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REMINDERS & UPCOMING EVENTS
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Years 11–13 Parent Evening ('Preparing for NCEA Exams'):
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Date: Wednesday, 16th September (Week 9)
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Attendance: All parents of senior students are expected to attend as we outline essential strategies for the upcoming exam season.
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Questions? Reach out directly to your child's Year Level Dean:
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Year 11 Dean: Mrs. Maglalang (maglalangm@marcellin.school.nz)
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Year 12 Dean: Ms. Diaz (diazm@marcellin.school.nz)
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Year 13 Dean: Mr. James Leavasa (leavasaj@marcellin.school.nz)
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Optima Quaere - Seek the Best
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IMPORTANT DATES: Week 9 - Term 3
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Monday 14 September - Friday 18 September
- School Assembly, Time: 12.50pm, Venue: Gym
- Praise & Pizza, Time: 3.30pm, Venue: Chapel
- Year 10 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Drama
- Year 13 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Chapel
- Year 7&8 Central Zone Basketball, Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm Venue: EventFinda Stadium
- Year 9 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Chapel
- Year 12 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Drama
- 12SPS Run, Time: 11.05am - 1.30pm, Venue: Lovelock Track
- Southside Debating, Time: 4.00pm, Venue: De La Salle College
- Year 11-13 Information Evening, Time: 6.30pm, Venue: Gym
- Year 7&8 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Drama
- Year 11 Assembly, Time: 8.45am Venue: Chapel
- 13SPL Ice Skating, Time: 1.30pm, Venue: Paradise Ice Skating (Avondale)
- BandStand, Time: 6.30pm Venue: Gym
- Debating, Time: 3.30pm Venue: Drama
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Congratulations
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STAND UP STAND OUT (SUSO)
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Congratulations to Mele Pope (solo vocals) & Noah Ah Sam (solo instrumentals) who both performed very well at the recent SUSO Semi-Finals at the Auckland Town Hall. They both performed very well and represent our school strongly.
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Noah has been chosen to advance to the Grand Final in the Solo Instrumental section - where he is the only Junior student in the final up against Year 12s and Year 13s from 4 other schools with a finalist in this category.
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Curriculum
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September Digital Corequisites Reminders
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 next week:
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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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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, students will not be awarded Level One, Two, or Three NCEA.
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Year 7, 8, and Tasters
This is the final week of Taster Three for Yr 7, 8, and 9 students. The final tasters for the year will begin next week.
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Term Three Support
A reminder of the initiatives we are rolling out this term to help ākonga and their whānau stay on top of learning:
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- Library Homework Club: Drop-in support, quiet study space, and extra assistance available after school in the library every Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: Whare Pukapuka / Library Homework Club.
- Year 11, 12 & 13 Parent Evening: Join us to ensure that we can partner together to navigate NCEA, exams, and expectations for the remainder of this year: Wednesday 16th September, 6.30 pm, in the La Valla Gym.
- Senior Study Tips (Yrs 11–13): Year 11–13 students will receive weekly emails every Monday, featuring evidence-based study techniques and revision strategies.
- Senior Tutorials (Yrs 11–13): Year 11-13 students to attend additional tutorials in the upcoming holidays: Senior Tutorials 2026
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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). Attendance at Practice Exams is mandatory.
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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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Deputy Principal Curriculumn
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Upcoming Open Days
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These events offer the opportunity to explore campus facilities and see first-hand what it would be like to attend the institution. All are welcome. Generally there are information sessions about different programmes and there is the opportunity to speak to current students and staff in each faculty.
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Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) Open Day - Saturday 12th Sep 2026 (9:30am – 12:30pm) Register HERE
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MIT Manukau: 25 Davies Avenue, Manukau
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MIT TechPark: 58 Manukau Station Road, Manukau
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What to expect: Experience state-of-the-art nursing labs, digital technologies spaces, and New Zealand’s largest trades training facility in action.
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Elite School of Beauty & Spa: Discover careers in beauty and makeup at the Auckland Campus (360 Queen Street, Level 3) on Wednesday, 16th September from 10:00 - 2:00 pm. Register HERE.
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Cut Above Academy: Hands on hair and makeup training at the Auckland Campus (360 Queen Street, Ground Floor) on Wednesday, 16th September from 10:00am - 2:00pm. Register HERE.
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Techtorium Open Day: Saturday 19th September (9am - 11am) Register HERE
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Discover study opportunities in tech at the Newmarket campus (182 Broadway, Level 3).
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University Transition Summer Programmes for Year 13s - Applications now open.
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Year 13 students planning to attend university in 2027 can undertake a six week university preparation programme over the summer at either AUT or the University of Auckland.
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These programmes help students to:
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- Familiarise themselves with the campus and student support services available.
- Learn about university level study, how to structure assignments, find resources, and reference correctly.
- Complete a 100-level university paper, with points that may count towards their degree (general education course).
- Meet other students and be a part of fun activities.
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Undertaking a summer prep programme at either of these universities does not require the student to commit to studying further at that university. Students can then go on to the university of their choice (although the points may not count at another uni).
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AUT UniPrep Programme – Open to all students starting university in 2027, it is held at AUT’s South Campus (Manukau) and is completely FREE.
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University of Auckland- Three programmes to choose from- one designed for Māori students, one designed for Pacific students, and a general programme.
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The programme costs vary but budget for approximately $1100 - $1500. Scholarships are available for students experiencing financial hardship- Kokiri Raumati Scholarships (applications open late Nov / early Dec).
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Tahatū Career Navigator
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It’s always worth having a look at the Tahatū Career Navigator site for ideas and inspiration. Students can take an interest quiz to help identify good career matches for them. There is also a new Path Finder tool that helps outline the journey for a variety of careers.
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Co-Curricular
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Upper North Island Secondary School Netball Tournament 2026
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As a Year 12 captain alongside Mary Finauvala, UNISS was about more than just playing netball. Representing Marcellin in Hamilton was a privilege, and I was proud to lead our team alongside Mary while supporting the girls throughout the week. I helped make sure everyone felt included and confident both on and off the court. Being part of the team was something I genuinely enjoyed, and seeing everyone have fun and enjoy their time at UNISS made the experience even better.
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The training sessions leading up to UNISS played a huge part in shaping the team we became. The hard sessions and time spent together helped us build trust, good communication and confidence. By the time we reached Hamilton, we had already developed a strong connection, but the week at UNISS brought us even closer.
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Spending so much time together created a special bond between all the girls and made the week even more enjoyable. It was great to see the preparation from the weeks before come through when we finally got onto the court in Hamilton.
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I am especially grateful to Mr Aiolupotea and our coaches, Jess, Kat, Sita and Sesi, for the time, effort and support they put into us. The different skills and knowledge they shared throughout the season helped each of us develop and improve our game. It was great to see how much the netball girls improved from the beginning of the season to UNISS, both individually and as a team. The guidance and expectations they set helped us become more confident, disciplined and prepared to compete to the best of our ability. All of their support played a big part in helping us become the team we were in Hamilton.
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One of the things I am most proud of is seeing the younger girls step up and play alongside the seniors. They showed confidence, courage and a willingness to learn, and it was great to see them embrace the opportunity. Proud is an understatement when it comes to seeing how much they grew and stepped up throughout the week. As a Year 12, being able to help lead and support them was something I really valued. The week was full of competitive games, laughter and plenty of time together, and it was great seeing the whole team enjoy the experience. I am proud of the team we became, the growth we showed and the way we represented Marcellin, and I could not have asked for a better way to finish this year's netball season.
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Pastoral Care
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Navigating Exam Season: Effective Study Habits & Well-Being
With senior exams approaching, establishing strong study habits is key to building confidence and reducing stress. Setting up a structured study environment helps make exam preparation far more manageable and effective.
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Key Study Strategies for Success
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- Finding the Right Time: Schedule study sessions for times when focus is naturally highest, such as early morning or right after school, rather than dragging sessions out into the late evening.
- Creating a Dedicated, Quiet Space: Pick a well-lit, quiet area free from TV noise and high-traffic household distractions so the mind recognizes it as a place to concentrate.
- Structuring Regular Breaks: Work in realistic time blocks—like 30 to 45 minutes of focused effort—followed by a 5- to 10-minute break to step away, stretch, and refresh.
- Planning Ahead with a Timetable: Break study sessions into specific, manageable tasks rather than staring at a vague list, helping prevent overwhelm and last-minute cramming.
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Creating a Restful Environment
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Academic success relies heavily on adequate sleep and limiting digital time. We strongly recommend devices, including phones and laptops should not be present in bedrooms and should be put away after 9:00 PM. Removing screens before bed supports better sleep quality, allowing the brain to process and store what was learned during the day.
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A Quick Note on Attendance
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Consistent attendance is vital during this period. Being present in class ensures students do not miss essential revision sessions, direct teacher feedback, or key exam preparation tips. Please support us by ensuring your child is present and on time every day.
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If your child is feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or simply needs someone to talk to during this busy exam period, please remind them that they do not have to navigate it alone. We have a range of support networks available at school, including our guidance counsellors, who are on hand every day to offer confidential advice, coping strategies, and emotional support. Students can drop in or book an appointment through student services, and parents are always welcome to reach out to us directly if they have any concerns about their child's well-being.
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Deputy Principal - Pastoral Care
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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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