Kia ora koutou Te Kura O Hato Mere whānau,

What an exciting time of the year it is for us all. It is an ending and a beginning at the same time.

The end of 2022 is coming swiftly, however the end of school will beat it. The students will be leaving for their holiday break and will all return as students in the next year level when they begin. They will begin another journey of discovery for the year and start to open their eyes to new levels of learning and exploration.

It is also the end of yet another era of fantastic children who have blessed this beautiful kura with their love, joy, happiness and laughter. It is always a sad time to be losing our Year 8 students to see them walk out of the gates as Te Kura O Hato Mere students for the very last time is difficult but also exciting as they begin a new adventure...

A time of new beginnings for one and all. It is Christ’s birthday very soon which we celebrate and commemorate as the most significant time of the year. We celebrate Mary and Joseph who as parents guided and supported Jesus in his life and ministry. This leads us into the New Year and a time to refocus, set new goals and work towards becoming a better, more whole human being.

With death there is life, such as an end sees the dawning of a new beginning and an opportunity not yet realized.

I look forward to being in community with you all next week on Thursday evening for the 2022 Celebration and again on Friday morning for the end of year Liturgy.

Have a blessed weekend.

Yours ‘In Christ’s Light’

Paddy Dowling

Together One Faith, One Family, One Community

Kia Tū Tahi, Hei Whakapono, Hei whānau, Hei Hapori Kotahi

Our mural celebrates who we are “Together One Faith, One Family, One Community”. We are a Mercy school and so at the top of our Manu taratahi kite there is the Mercy cross. We live in Blenheim, Waiharakeke, the place of the flax and so there is woven flax and the koru beside the cross. The simple triangular kite shape is known as manu taratahi. The kite reminds us of Matariki and the special significance this has in Aotearoa New Zealand, especially this year when it was first celebrated with a national holiday. For the boards across the frame each class researched the cultures represented here at St Mary’s School and then designed and painted their section of the kite.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the current team members for their dedication and hard work this year. Some of the projects that they worked on were keeping the school grounds rubbish free and helping to keep the gardens tidy, junior class activities, promotion of recycling and reusing. This year they have a plastic bottle cap collection box which will be used to make a mosaic art piece in 2023.

Kia ora Parents and Whānau,

St Mary’s is well known for their Gala and besides the covid year has held them continuously for the past 40 years. Although it all seems to go smoothly on the day there is a lot of work put into this community event, especially in recent years by just a few people.

St Mary’s Friends is now at the time where we need to plan next year’s Gala, how it may look and how it may differ from previous years. But before that we need your input to be assured a successful Gala which is not left on the shoulders of two or three people to organise.

It would be of great assistance if you would fill in this form so St Mary’s Friends can make the decision on whether we have the people power and community spirit to hold a Gala next year.

St Mary's Friends invites you to complete the following survey:

St Mary's School Gala - Click this link and have your say!

Many thanks for your time and support.

St Mary's Friends

Paddy Dowling - principal@stmb.school.nz

Jacinda Bamford - jacindab@stmb.school.nz

and let them know how St Mary’s Friends could help make things a little easier for you.

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