New Zealand Catholic Education Convention

Our school was represented at the convention by Janet Cummings (principal), Cath Blacklow (Staff and Board Rep), Kathleen Goulter (Board rep) and myself.
With 900 people present from Catholic schools, throughout New Zealand and the Pacific, the convention was an amazing experience for us all, as it focused on ways which will enable Catholic schools to further enhance their educational outcomes.
As well as listening to a number of Keynote speakers from throughout the world, we heard from the Education Minister Hekia Parata  who focused on the special place of Catholic schools in New Zealand, and their success, and the CEO of Catholic Education, Pat Lynch.
We also attended a number of workshops each. These presentations looked at leadership and governance in Catholic schools, as well as teaching strategies, resources and prayer. Several schools also demonstrated best practices in their schools. Overall the messages brought home for the convention constantly reinforced the importance of Special Character and the Catholicity of our schools, how this needs to be the distinguishing feature of our schools and how this can be enhanced.
The theme of the convention was:

Ko te taonga o toku nga kau

                                                                                         Ko toku kura e

     The treasure of my heart is my precious plume of education.

Schools were asked to bring a feather representing their school as a symbol to go with the theme. Thanks to Janelle McMillan for creating a beautiful feather representing our school. It was displayed along with all the other feathers .

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

Caritas is the Catholic Aid Organisation working for a world free of poverty and injustice.

*Delivering aid in emergencies

*Supporting development overseas

*Working for justice in Aotearoa New Zealand and throughout the world.

The exercise of the ministry of charity has been part of the church’s activity since the time of the apostles. Together with the Sacraments and the proclamation of the Word, it is an essential expression of the deepest nature of the Church. As an integral part of the Church in Aotearoa New Zealand, our Catholic schools participate in this ministry. A key way in which they do this is by participating in the work of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.

Caritas was established by the Bishops of New Zealand to enable Catholics to participate in the work of justice and charity within New Zealand and in other countries. Every Catholic school’s involvement with Caritas is an essential part of the expression of its Catholic character.

Caritas New Zealand is part of Caritas Internationalis, a network of 165 Catholic

aid, development and social justice agencies working to build a better world. Caritas agencies work especially for the poor and oppressed in over 200 countries and territories.    (Information from “A Guide to Caritas for schools”)

In our school we have supported Caritas in 2012 by:

·         Our Tables -A -thon in Lent, where we raised $3152. This made our school one of the most successful fundraisers for Caritas this year.

·         A visit from The CEO of Caritas Aotearoa, New Zealand in August. Julianne Hickey spoke to our middle and senior syndicate students about the work of Caritas. She was particularly impressed with the level of questioning of our children and their interest in the topic.

·         Our focus on Sustainability in Term 2 was based on the Caritas Social Justice unit, God’s Earth, Our Earth based on the fundamental belief that we have to look after the gifts God has given us, our talents and our health.

Mufti Day To conclude our Caritas fund raising we will have Mufti Mania Day on 21^st September. Children will wear mufti to school and bring a gold coin donation. Mufti Mania Day is an annual event organised by the NZ Catholic Primary Principals Association to  raise money for poor and vulnerable communities. This year the money raises is being spent on education in the Soloman Islands.

 Nau te rourou,

Naku te rourou,

Ka ora ait e iwi.

With your contribution

And my contribution

The wellbeing of all

People is assured.