Tēnā koutou katoua ngā whānau,
With great joy we extend a warm welcome to all whānau and our community to celebrate with us the Mass of the Assumption of Mary, Friday 16 August at 11.40pm in our College Gym; a light lunch will be served in the library afterward.
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” Luke 11:28
God chose Mary to be the mother of his son, Jesus. Mary perfectly cooperated with God’s plan through her heartfelt “Yes”. Because Mary was so special, she was taken up body and soul to be with Jesus in heaven – this is the meaning of the ‘Assumption’. Among her many virtues Mary lived her faith, wisdom, humility, compassion and patience inspiring renewal in our hearts, a desire to serve and be like Christ to others. With our Mass we will also pay tribute to Father Garin. Fr Garin was a figure of unwavering faith and dedication to Mary, who laid the foundation for our Catholic education and faith community across Te Tau Ihu o Waka a Māui (Top of the South). It is through Fr Garin’s efforts that we can celebrate the continuous legacy of Catholic education in our remarkable college.
Photo: Statute of Mary outside the Church of St Mary in Motuti.
As we enter week four of term, it is pleasing to note that learners have seamlessly settled into their learning, co-curricular engagements, and school routines. Our Senior learners are actively preparing for their upcoming derived grade exams in week 9. I encourage all learners to embrace tutorials and the study opportunities that will be available to them. Anticipation is building for the Garin College Ball, scheduled for Year 12 & 13 students on the evening of Saturday, 24 August at the Rutherford Hotel. The event promises an exciting evening.
Can Drive Final Collection Day this Friday 16 March I congratulate our Christian Service Leaders Finn Campbell and Bridget Ogden-Bell and our Justice and Ministry Team on encouraging all students, staff and Whānau to unite in Solidarity and give generously in the can drive. Thank you to all students, staff, parents and Whānau for supporting our Can Drive; all goods will be gifted to the Nelson Community Food Bank.
Year 10-11 Learner Course Selection Year 10 – 11 learners course selection is under way this week for 2025. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to initiate conversations with your student about their career goals and the subject choices they are to make for 2025. Learners have received course information.
Garin College Enrolments for 2025
Enrolment applications for 2025 are due by Friday 23 August 2024 – Thank you to all parents, caregivers and students who attended our Parent Information evening and our Open Day recently. I appreciate the opportunity to meet and answer all questions relating to learning at Garin College and the new entrant enrolment processes. Should you have Whānau, friends, neighbours or colleagues considering Catholic secondary education for their children, please do encourage them to contact the school office to pick up an enrolment pack or make an appointment to meet with me.
Enrolment packs can also be downloaded from our website https://www.garincollege.ac.nz/
Scholarships 2025
Scholarships are again available for 2025. Thanks to the generosity of Nancy Black (Twinkle), we have a number of scholarships available. Due to the increasing cost of living and financial demands placed on families, we want to ensure the scholarship fund provides financial support to the families needing it to enable access to an education at Garin – this was very much Nancy Black’s heart and intention as the benefactor. We also encourage applications for those existing Garin students who are able to demonstrate outstanding potential in academic, sporting, cultural, leadership and faith-based activities. Scholarship information and applications can be found here and on our website.
You are invited to connect with others from your parish, neighbourhood and the wider archdiocese at a meeting with the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council at St Paul’s Catholic School this Friday, 16 August – see invitation below.
Mā te Atua koe e tiaki – May God be with you
Ngā manaakitanga
John Maguire
Take a moment
The Way of Mary, Our Lady, Mother of God
Mary’s life was one of many journeys – some were hard and physical, whilst others were internal, spiritual voyages. As a young girl she was called from the obscurity of a hidden village to a role and future she could barely imagine, but embraced wholeheartedly. When the young virgin Mary agreed to become the mother of Christ, it changed the world forever.
Extract – o Te Ara a Maria
