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

Well this is the final newsletter for the year and what a busy and successful year it has been. Academically artistically and in the sporting field our pupils have achieved some excellent results. Brilliant results in the ICAS exams and excellent achievement in our National Standards data show just how well our pupils are achieving academically. The number of our pupils who placed at our regular interschool athletics and cross country events was amazing. Two of our pupils Sophie Galliven and Ella MacKenzie placed in Otago Championships (Athletics and Cross Country respectively). A huge number of pupils gained

representative honours in a range of sports.

Our Choir, Kapa Haka group and school performance were all of the very highest standard and were

highly acclaimed.

I would also like to thank the huge range of people who work hard to make our school the success that it is: Our Board of Trustees, our PTA, the fair organising committee, all of the sport coaches and managers, the Parents who accompany sports groups on outing and camp, the people who helped at working bees, the Parish members who take reading with our pupils and of course Fr Michael and the teachers.

They say that it takes a village to raise a child and if that is indeed the case we are very lucky to have a big supportive ‘village’.

Schools more than any other institution are under constant scrutiny. We are audited by three separate independent bodies. This year we were reviewed by the Catholic Education office review team. They

completed an in-depth and comprehensive review earlier this term.

The first comment on their summary page: "St Mary’s is a successful school delivering high quality

Catholic Education to a supportive and responsive community", is a glowing tribute to what our school achieves. The full report is available at the school office.

I would like to finish this final newsletter of the year by wishing you all a happy, healthy and holy

Christmas and thank you for your continued support of our school.

Have a great week,

Mike Brosnahan






Swimming Lessons