Campion College Newsletter
Term 1, Week 5 - 27 February to 5 March
Kia ora parents and caregivers, Nau mai, haere mai, greetings,
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up”. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
As we settle back into school routines during this Lenten time of self-refection and we think more deeply on the message of love for all that Jesus advocated, we are mindful of those families who have been severely impacted from the effects of the recent flooding. Large numbers of people have a massive job ahead of them in the clean-up. It is important that as a community we continue to reach out to them in a practical way and not leave them to toil alone.
One of our responses has been to put together our student volunteer teams. It is so pleasing to see the large group of students who have volunteered to help. They mobilized this week and their efforts have been greatly appreciated. As one person commented: “it can be soul destroying digging out the mud on your own; some students turn up and heaps gets moved…so good. You feel like something has been achieved.”
This practical help to those in our community is one way we can show God’s love in action. We are gearing up to provide a volunteer response over the long period. More students are very welcome to join us by signing up at the office. Thanks to those who were mucking in this week.
Ngā mihi nui
Paul McGuinness
Principal
This Lent We are Walking with Jesus
God, Father and Creator,
we thank you for all the gifts you have given us,
especially for the gift of your Son.
During this holy season of Lent, help us to change and
grow and become the kind of people you created us to be.
Fill our hearts with love for you, and love for other
people created in your image.
Show us how to use the gifts you have given us to
help others in your name.
As we journey together toward the light of Easter, we
know you are with us in all that we do.
May we live always as people of your kingdom
praising your name now and forever.
Mary Our Good Mother, pray for us
St Marcellin Champagnat, pray for us
St Mary MacKillop, pray for us
St Edmund Campion, pray for us.
Amen
Last week, head prefects Lily Heuser and Luca Vita attended the Champagnat Marist Schools Leadership Forum. They spent four days with the student leaders from 10 other Marist Colleges all over Aotearoa. During the forum, the students learned what it means to be a servant leader in a Marist community and how to apply this on a practical level in our kura. Lily and Luca represented our College and their whānau with extreme confidence and humility. By continuing to build a network of belonging across our Champagnat Marist Schools Aotearoa New Zealand, we will find new ways to inspire and support one another as an authentic faith community.
Last week the Young Vinnies team organised a bring a can or coin day for those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. Bring a can or cash day was extremely well supported by our students and staff with many of them bringing several cans of food and donating money for St Vincent de Paul. The workers at 'The Haven' were thrilled to receive the food and said it will go a long way to assisting those in need in our community. We also raised $2,476.50 for Saint Vincent de Paul. Ka rawe, e te whānau!
On Tuesday, 28th February we celebrated our 2023 Commissioning Mass with Father Mark Field and representatives from the Diocese. Our student leaders were given a blessing alongside the student leaders from St Mary's Primary School. At this Mass Karyn Sadler was awarded Leadership Level accreditation in Religious Education and Mark Naden was awarded Leadership Level accreditation in Special Character.
If you, or anyone you know, needs any support with food, bedding, furniture or clothing then please contact the Saint Vincent de Paul Society on 020 4171 8608. They are a local Catholic organisation who is able to provide for those in need. We thank the Vinnies for all the wonderful work they do for our community, quietly and humbly in the background.
Volunteer Teams: We continue to offer assistance to any families in need in our community. Please contact Paul McGuinness 027 226 7466 if you, or someone you know, requires assistance.
Staying connected is now more important than ever. Please keep up to date with all the wonderful things we are doing on our new Campion College Facebook Page. Head over to Facebook to check it out here.
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