Parents & Whānau Information
A
Ara / Pathways Support & Career Guidance
Our advisor works alongside ākonga and provides:
- Guidance on tertiary study, trades, and career pathways
- Work experience placements via the Gateway Programme
- Career opportunities through EOTC trips
- Support with CVs and interview preparation
- Scholarship advice and applications
- Guidance on senior subject selection
Universities and tertiary providers visit the College annually, alongside a Careers Expo where students can engage directly with providers.
Ākonga can visit the Ara / Pathways office during interval, lunch, or by appointment. Whānau are also welcome.
Attendance Dues
Attendance Dues are a compulsory payment under the Education and Training Act 2020 and are a condition of enrolment at Marcellin College. These dues apply to all students attending Catholic schools in New Zealand.
Attendance Dues are used to repay loans for school building works, cover property-related costs such as insurance, and support administration. Dues are collected by Marcellin College on behalf of the Proprietor (Marcellin College Ltd – NZ Marist Brothers) and forwarded to Auckland Common Fund Limited.
Attendance Dues for 2026
- Years 7–8: $544 per year ($136 per term)
- Years 9–13: $1124 per year ($281 per term)
Attendance Dues can be paid annually, per term, or by regular instalments.
For more information, contact accounts@marcellin.school.nz or call 09 625 6509 (ext. 704).
Information:
Attendance Dues Parent & Caregiver Responsibilities
2026 Contributions (Years 7–13)
Total: $625 per student
Contribution Breakdown
- Board of Trustees General Purpose Contribution – $430
This supports religious, educational, cultural, and sporting opportunities, as well as equipment and activities approved by the Board. - Proprietor Contribution – $120
This is paid directly to the Proprietor to support building upgrades and related costs. - Catholic Special Character Contribution – $70
This voluntary donation ($17.50 per term) supports services provided by the Catholic Education Services Board. These services help preserve and enhance the Catholic Special Character of the school.
Payment Guide
- Years 7–8: $1169 total (approx. $24.35 weekly / $48.75 fortnightly / $97.45 monthly / $292.25 per term)
- Years 9–13: $1749 total (approx. $36.45 weekly / $72.90 fortnightly / $145.75 monthly / $437.25 per term)
Based on payments from 5 January to 4 December (48 weeks).
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available for families who may need support with Attendance Dues. Families can contact the school office, their Parish Priest, or Auckland Common Fund Ltd on 09 360 3040.
Application forms are available from the school or parish office, or online: https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/catholic-schools-2/
Attendance Management Plans
Āwhina Ako
Marcellin College is an inclusive kura, with ākonga able to access additional support through Āwhina Ako (Learning Support).
Support is provided by the SENCO (Special Education Needs Coordinator), LSC (Learning Support Coordinator), and teacher aides.
B
Bell Times
School Timetable
The College operates a two-week timetable. There are five periods each day, with most periods lasting one hour. On Rāhina (Monday), periods are 50 minutes due to Assembly or Hauora.
Rāhina (Monday)
- Warning Bell: 8.40 am
- Kaitiaki: 8.45 am – 9.05 am (no bell at 8.45 am)
- Period One: 9.05 am – 9.55 am
- Period Two: 9.55 am – 10.45 am
- Interval: 10.45 am – 11.10 am
- Warning Bell: 11.05 am
- Period Three: 11.10 am – 12.00 pm (no bell at 11.10 am)
- Period Four: 12.00 pm – 12.50 pm
- Assembly or Hauora: 12.50 pm – 1.40 pm
- Lunch: 1.40 pm – 2.25 pm
- Warning Bell: 2.20 pm
- Period Five: 2.25 pm – 3.15 pm (no bell at 2.25 pm)
Rātū (Tuesday) – Rāmere (Friday)
- Warning Bell: 8.40 am
- Kaitiaki: 8.45 am – 9.05 am (no bell at 8.45 am)
- Period One: 9.05 am – 10.05 am
- Period Two: 10.05 am – 11.05 am
- Interval: 11.05 am – 11.30 am
- Warning Bell: 11.25 am
- Period Three: 11.30 am – 12.30 pm (no bell at 11.30 am)
- Period Four: 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm
- Lunch: 1.30 pm – 2.15 pm
- Warning Bell: 2.10 pm
- Period Five: 2.15 pm – 3.15 pm (no bell at 2.15 pm)
BYOD (Bring your own device)
Compulsory for all students.
Recommended devices can be found through the links below:
MacBook’s, iPads and Tablets are not recommended devices for our students.
G
Guidance Counsellors
Marcellin has two experienced guidance counsellors, both registered with the NZ Association of Counsellors (NZAC):
- Sr Salome – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
- Ms Hyde-Hills – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Guidance counsellors provide a private and confidential counselling service (unless there is significant risk). They support ākonga with personal, social, and behavioural challenges.
- Helping clients explore concerns and build resilience
- Supporting personal growth and development
- Promoting positive relationships
- Encouraging respect for diversity
- Advocating for those who are disempowered
H
Health Services
Our nurse manages emergency situations and supports unwell ākonga. They also coordinate specialised health programmes and create management plans for students with ongoing health needs.
Services include:
- Doctor
- Physiotherapist
- Dental Care
- Asthma Auckland Unit
- Vision Tests
- Hearing Tests
- Health Assessments
- Pacific Outreach Team
K
Kaiārahi
The year level Kaiārahi is a crucial link between home and school, focused on the holistic development of your tamariki.
- Communication: Acting as the main point of contact, liaising with subject kaiako, kaitiaki kaiako, and home.
- Wellbeing & Achievement: Monitoring motivation, academic progress, and overall wellbeing.
- Attendance: Monitoring daily attendance and punctuality.
- Subject Choices: Assisting with subject selections for the following year.
KAMAR
L
Library
Our library has an excellent selection of books suitable for the wide range of reading abilities and cultures in our school. We encourage all students and staff to read for pleasure as well as use the library as their information centre for their research and study needs. A library skills orientation course is run at the beginning of the year for all Year 9 students to familiarise them with our services and help students develop the skills they require to successfully use the library’s resources.
Library Cards
Students will need to bring their ID cards to the library each time they wish to borrow a book..
Student Librarians
Each year students who volunteer to become librarians are put on a roster to help once a week at either interval or lunchtime. All student librarians follow a training programme in issuing, returns, shelving and assisting students.
Facilities
Students have access to the library catalogue, reference books, as well as the internet. All students must sign a Cybersafety Use Agreement before they are allocated a username sign on.
A photocopier is available for student use and students add money to their Student ID card to operate this.
We have a library blog for news and reviews of the latest young adult books.
Marcellin College Library Catalogue Internal Link
To access the school library catalogue from inside the school.
USEFUL INTERNET LINKS
Marcellin College Library Catalogue External Link
To access the school library catalogue from outside the school.
http://www.aucklandcitylibraries.com/
If you can’t find a book you need in our school library, try the Auckland City Libraries.
MARCELLIN COLLEGE LIBRARY BLOG
http://nowreadon.blogspot.com/
LINKS
www.studyit.org.nz – Studyit – Online support for NCEA students of maths and sciences.
www.teara.govt.nz – Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
www.anyquestions.co.nz – Any Questions – Ask your online librarian to help you find the answers you need for your school work. This free service is available Monday to Friday from 1-6pm.
Resource material for many subjects is stored in the schools livebinder site, search marcellinlibrary livebinders to access our shelf.
M
Map
P
Pastoral Care
Poipoia te kākano kia puawai – Nurture the seed and it will blossom
At Marcellin College, pastoral care is at the heart of who we are. We believe that when we nurture the wellbeing of the whole person — spiritually, emotionally, socially, and academically — every ākonga can truly flourish.
Our pastoral care system is comprehensive and deeply rooted in Ngā Ākoranga Pāpori Katorika (Catholic Social Teaching), especially Te Mana o te Tangata — the dignity of the human person. Each ākonga is made in the image of God, and we are committed to upholding their inherent worth and mana in every encounter.
Guided by our Marist heritage, our pastoral care reflects the five Marist Pillars: Family Spirit, Presence, Love of Work, Simplicity, and In the Way of Mary. These pillars shape how we form relationships, respond with compassion, and create a community where every ākonga feels known, valued, and supported to grow.
Pastoral care at Marcellin College is not a single programme, but a shared responsibility woven through every aspect of school life. Through strong relationships, restorative practices, and faith in action, we nurture the seed so that each young person may blossom into their fullest potential.
Across the College, a dedicated network of pastoral leaders, mentors, and support staff work together to uphold this commitment — from our Whānau groups and Kaiārahi, to our Guidance Counsellor, School Nurse, and Learning Mentors.
PB4L / Marcellin Spirit
At Marcellin College, relationships are at the centre of everything we do. As a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) school, we guide our ākonga with care and compassion, using a restorative rather than punitive approach.
Our PB4L approach, ‘Marcellin Spirit’, is lived through our Marist Pillars each day. Through dedicated lessons, ākonga learn what these values look like in action.
Positive choices are celebrated and rewarded with whānau points. These points reinforce our culture and can be exchanged for valued items, building a community where everyone feels supported and connected.
S
Stationery
We’ve teamed up with Warehouse Stationery for our 2026 stationery requirements. Visit our Stationery page for the latest updates.
T
Term Dates
Term 1: 3rd February – 2nd April
Term 2: 20th April – 3rd July
Term 3: 20th July – 25th September
Term 4: 12th October – 11th December
U
Uniform
Uniforms can be purchased from The Warehouse, Pah Road, Royal Oak AKL. Visit our Uniform page for the latest updates.
W
The Whānau System
At Marcellin College, every ākonga is placed into one of four whānau houses: Aubert, Benedict, MacKillop, or Pompallier.
The four whānau compete throughout the year in various fun competitions like singing, chants, haka, and athletics. The overall winner at the end of the year is awarded the prestigious Marcellin College Whānau Shield.
This system encourages our Marist Pillars of Wairua o te Whānau (Family Spirit), Aroaro (Presence), and Ki te huarahi O Maria (In the Way of Mary).
Whakaaro
Whakaaro is a space where ākonga can pause, reflect, and reset before returning to class. It is designed for short stays when students feel overwhelmed or disconnected.
With guidance from a Learning Mentor, students reflect using the five Marist Pillars, helping them self-regulate, rebuild relationships, and refocus on learning.
Whakaaro is about growth, reflection, and returning stronger.