Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends of St Mary’s School,

Here we are in Week Six and as usual we have a busy week planned.  The senior children are away at camp in Queenstown.

School camps are a tradition in New Zealand and all of us would fondly remember them from when we were children.  I went to a small country school so our school camps tended to be in Dunedin which was a real eye opener to kids from the ‘Styx’.  But most children would have learned to kayak and climb rocks, abseil and generally challenge themselves in a range of stimulating outdoor experiences.

School camps and the opportunities that they present to our pupils cannot be over estimated.  We don’t know what we are capable of until we try.

On Sunday night I watched a documentary about Palmerston North Boys High and the ethos that they had, one of tradition and challenging your self to be better.  I think that we can learn a lot from that.I am always keen for St Mary’s pupils to present a good first impression, by ensuring that their grooming is neat, dress appropriately, and that they use good manners.

To make a good first impression puts you on the front foot when dealing with a potential employer, or someone who can offer you a place in a course or school or select you in a team.  First impressions really do count.

 I will be at the Senior school camp in Queenstown this week—Mrs Kenneally and Mrs Stevens will be Acting Principal.

 Have a great week

Mike Brosnahan