Message from the Principal - Ms. Maria Prescott
“I am the light of the world” John 8:12
Light was the common theme for both our Dedication Mass and Ash Wednesday liturgy this year - a powerful symbol for the beginning of the year. This is also the theme for the Caritas 2023 Lent Appeal, which unites our school with all the other Catholic communities in our call to action, “to bring light to the poor and vulnerable, promote human dignity, and live your faith through love and action.”
Our school Lenten journey will include “Goods for a Cause” food collection by each kaitiaki class and a bake sale to raise funds to support the Caritas Lent appeal this year, as well as our Rāpare / Thursday lunchtime Masses and the Stations of the Cross every Rāmere / Friday lunchtime. Ngā mihi kia koutou to our Special Character and Social Justice prefects who are leading this.
As we approach the half way point of this term, it is wonderful to see our ākonga settling into routines and class work despite the disruptive start to the year, thank you to our whānau for your continued support. All ākonga are now expected to have their full correct uniform, stationery and device to be ready to learn for each lesson. Attendance and being on time every day is vital in helping our ākonga achieve success, confidence and connectedness as stated in our school Vision. If you have any questions about your tamariki/child(ren)’s attendance and progress, please email the Kaiārahi in the first instance.
We look forward to meeting all our whānau tomorrow (Rātū / Tuesday 27 Huitanguru/February 3.30pm to 6.30pm) at our ‘New Whānau and Meet the Kaiako evening’ - all whānau and friends are welcome! Enrollments for 2024 are now open so please encourage families with siblings and whānau planning to come to our school next year, to attend this event . This will also be our ‘Meet the Kaiako/Teacher’ event where all ākonga can show their family around our school, complete different activities and meet our dedicated staff. You will read more about our wonderful staff in the ‘Staff Profiles’ section of the newsletters.
Our ākonga are also busy preparing for Athletics day this Rāmere / Friday with their Whānau chants led by our Whānau prefects and Whānau kaiako leaders! We look forward to sharing the highlights of these days on our school Facebook and Instagram pages so make sure you follow us (see our school website for links).
Please continue to pray for our school community, those who were affected by the flooding and natural disasters, those who are suffering and facing life’s difficulties, and for ourselves as we reflect and pray during this time of Lent.
We pray the karakia our kaitiaki classes prayed this morning:
Ki te ingoa, o te Matua, o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua Tapu, Amene.
Almighty and ever living God, you invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent.
May this time be one of outward focus; seeking you in those we often ignore.
Help us live a Lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter.
Give us hearts hungry to serve you and those who need what we have to give.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Ngā mihi maioha
Ms. Maria Prescott
Tumuaki/Principal
Presiding Board Chair - Mr Filemoni Timoteo
I am the son of two migrants who came to Aotearoa in the 1970s to work and build a different life for their young family and support their families in Samoa. The legacy I was gifted with, is Love of God and Family, service, hard work and sacrifice for our families, church, villages; and applying and practicing Samoan tu and aganu’u (culture and customs). These are my foundations and guide my work and passion in Community and Economic Development of which I have been a practitioner for the past 30 years. However, education is where it all starts. I am honoured to have been elected as a board member since 2016 and privileged to be the Presiding member (Chair) for the last two terms.
I am a co-owner of a boutique consulting company with over 60 combined years’ experience furthering communities’ social and economic development aspirations. We specialise in governance, management, project or programme design, operational management as well relationship management. I know what successful partnerships look like and I know what they are built on, trust, honesty, and a commitment to people.
School Nurse - Ms Clare Corbett
My name is Clare Corbett, I’m the school nurse at Marcellin College, I’ve been here since 2015. I have just returned from maternity leave after having my son last June.
I was raised in Auckland, attended Western Springs College before going onto complete my Bachelor of Nursing and completing my New Graduate Years at Starship, Children’s Hospital.
My main roles and responsibilities at Marcellin College is to provide appropriate healthcare for all students. My role is full time here at Marcellin. We also have a school GP onsite once a week on Tuesday’s, along with a physio onsite two days a week - Wednesday and Fridays.
If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Clare Corbett
Nāhi (Nurse)
Tau wea: (09) 625 6509 extension 707
Email: corbettc@marcellin.school.nz
Guidance Counsellor - Mrs Theresa Hyde-Hills
I am an Aucklander~and was brought up in Mt Albert with five siblings. My ethnicity is Irish, English and Danish and my faith is Catholic. I have two daughters, Elisabeth and Sophia.
I attended Marist College, Auckland University and Massey University. My first teaching experience was at a Catholic Secondary School In Taveuni, Fiji.
When I returned to NZ I was appointed to a teaching position at Marcellin College. My eldest brother, Michael, attended Marcellin College in the 60s. I have been a staff member of Marcellin College for several decades. I started at the school as a teacher of Economics, Social Studies, Maths and Religious Education when the school was a boys only school. Later on I taught my youngest sister Economics at Marcellin.
I then retrained as a Guidance Counsellor and have been counselling for a number of years. It has been an honor and privilege to support and share in the journey through adolescence of many of our akonga. Sometimes I have been able to counsell akonga, whose parents I have also counseled.
Teenage years can be very challenging. The statistics say that 20% of young people struggle with mental health issues. Counselling is a private confidential service. In counseling we deal with issues such as friendship, bullying, social media issues, time management, academic and career counselling, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
I have chosen to spend most of my working life at Marcellin as I do believe in and value the charism of Marcellin Champagnat. The school has always endeavoured to uphold his values and has particularly emphasized family values and the education of the ‘whole person’.
Dedication Mass
Our Dedication Mass set the tone for our school year. We always dedicate our year to God. We pray that his Holy Presence will continue to enrich our lives; that all our words and actions give praise and honour to God’s name. Our Marcellin Pillar focus for the year is Aroaro/Presence. This means that we strive to be an active presence in our school community, showing support without expecting anything in return, contributing to our school events and classes and bringing God’s light to all we meet. I encourage all our ākonga to feel confident to participate in our school events, clubs and groups; to know that their contribution is valuable and makes a difference in the life of our kura.
Ash Wednesday
Our Lenten journey began with Ash Wednesday. It was a beautiful service at our school and we came together as one Christian community, seeking God’s grace and mercy. The ashes are an outwardly sign of renewing our commitment to God and to remember to “turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” May this Lenten season remind us to be steadfast in our prayers, to fast from sin and serve our brothers and sisters in Christ through almsgiving. All our students are invited to pray at the Stations of the Cross every Friday at morning tea in the Chapel. The Stations of the Cross reflect on the events that led to the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Champagnat Partnership Student Leader Forum 2023
Tetrina Tuiletufuga (Head Prefect) and Vincent Matini (Special Character Prefect) with Marist ākonga / student leaders from across Aotearoa New Zealand came together in prayer and action in Christchurch as part of the Champagnat Leadership forum. Tetrina and Vincent represented our school with pride and honour! “I am extremely proud to be a Marcellin Student, and to be one of the leaders of Marcellin College. I thank all of the students that were at the Camp.” Vincent Matini.
Samoan Polyfest Pōsiva
The Samoan Group held a Po Siva fundraising event in the school gym on Saturday night. It was a night of celebration through culture. We are pleased to announce that the group raised over 10 thousand dollars to assist with this years costs. A special thanks to all our whānau and to the wider community who came to support. It was particularly special to see a huge presence from our kaiako / staff members.
Fa’afetai Lava
Mr Bourke
