So we come to the end of another school year. We have had a great year with a mixture of ongoing challenges but when we get to this time of the year and are part of a community celebrating, we know that it was all worth it. The ups & downs, highs & lows all contribute to making us the community that we are. Though many we are one!
To all of the students of Marist School, we are blessed to have you and we have enjoyed sharing your 2022 journey with you. You deserve a great holiday! Rest and have fun!
To the 2022 Year 6 graduates & those families leaving our community;— we hope, no we know, that we have done everything possible to ensure that you leave this place a better person, a richer person, a different person because of the gifts you have received & the people you have met. It was a pleasure celebrating you last Wednesday evening.
To the incredible staff of Marist School. Together we are stronger & this year we have proven that we can do more than just get through a year. The opportunities you have provided for our tamariki have been so valuable, our academic results show the relationships we have with our children & their whānau–we work hard to ensure all of our children achieve success, success for them & we set them up for their continued schooling journey. Thank you for your hard mahi, for supporting each other and loving our children and the Marist Way! Take a well deserved break & rest, rest, rest!
A special thank you to Christine & Janet–senior leadership is never easy and words can not describe how much I value your ongoing support. We’re a great team & I love working with you. Thank you for everything!
To our incredible support staff–no school could function without teacher aides, office staff & a caretaker. Thank you for your flexibility & adaptability. You readily meet new challenges & do it with a smile on your face. To Denise, Beth & Ronnie as you are the first faces of our school, I thank you for always being welcoming, for your gorgeous smiles and for turning on a dime when suddenly Carolynn says–I’ve been thinking!!! —you are amazing!
To our BOT–to Gerard, Matt & Sian who are leaving us—thank you for your contributions over the years–you will be sadly missed–BUT I’ve got you all on speed dial. To the parents in our community who stood for the BOT this year–how lucky are we to have the depth & breadth of skills & passion in our community. Even though you didn’t get on in this election, I now know what you do!!! Thank you.
To the current BOT–Ramona, Rob, Michele, Masha, Cate, Lao & Kris–we are blessed to have you as our BOT–I thank you for the work you have already done & am excited about the next few years journey with you.
To our amazing Presiding Member Amy Smith–wow, how lucky are we to have you leading our BOT. I thank you for your passion & commitment to your role & your ongoing support for myself, the senior leadership team & Marist staff. You are passionate about Marist. You make my job a whole lot easier. Thank you!
To the PTFA–a school needs a PTFA & this year in a very short time, with new members & leaders, you have proven that you mean business. To Mel for taking on the PTFA Chair role & Maree the secretary & Emma–treasurer. Yes we finally got a new treasurer. We have thanked Warren who continued as treasurer for many years–his commitment to Marist has been second to none.
A huge thank you for the time & effort put in by our PTFA in particular Mel & Chris, Albina & Natasha for an amazing Quiz & Fizz fundraiser. You’ve set the bar high!!!! We look forward to a fantastic 2023.
To our wonderful Marist whānau your generosity of spirit, time, money and support knows no bounds. We are so blessed to all be Marist. From Garden to Table, Knitting & Chess Clubs, school trips, sports coaching & managing–again & again you give so much so your/our children can enjoy so many experiences. We are so blessed to be Marist.
Unfortunately we farewell Ana Sullivan (Hub 5). We thank Ana for her enthusiasm & passion for our tamariki and wish her well next year & for her future endeavours.
Last but in no way least, it is with sadness that we farewell Fr Carlo. Fr Carlo leaves us at the end of January for East Coast Bays parish. Thank you Fr Carlo for your time, your passion and your love for our school. Our children love your Hub visits for prayers or chats and enjoy seeing you around the place. I’ll miss our catch ups and I know you will be missed here at school & in the parish. Enjoy your sabbatical in term 1 & your visit home to be with family. Pop in any time–Marist will always have an open door for you!
Finally…I wish you all a very happy & holy Christmas –remember that Jesus is the reason for the season & I hope to see many of you at Mass during the festive season.
Stay well, travel safe & have fun with your whānau. I look forward to welcoming you back to school on 31st January, 2023.
Meri Kirihimete kia a koe ma te whānau,
Carolynn
Principal/Tumuaki
