Marcellin College Newsletter – Term 4, Week 5

Message from the Principal

Fakaalofa lahi atu, Kia Ora, Malo e lelei, Talofa lava, Taloha ni, Ni sa bula, Kamonaso, Kia Orana, Ni Hao, Namaste, Ram-Ram, Salām, Sanibona, Magandang, Ola, Fakatalofa and warm greetings to all.

Senior Success

Looking at the current data for our senior students, despite all of the disruption, we are having a very promising academic year with lots of high achievement. This is testament to student, family and staff hard work and commitment through some challenging times. Please encourage your child(ren) to sit their external exams and see if they can match or beat the unexpected event grades that they have already achieved. Rapu i te pai.

Year 7-10 Reconnection Days – this week

Each year level will have a day designed to reconnect students/ākonga with one another, to onsite learning and to the new health measures in place. The days will be:

Year 10 – Wednesday 17th November 9:00am – 2:00pm

Year 9 – Thursday 18th November 9:00am – 2:00pm

Year 7&8 – Friday 19th November 9:00am – 2:00pm

Vaccination rates

From this week, 100% of our staff onsite are vaccinated. The Ministry of Education is still working through how student vaccination data is collected and used by schools, so more details about this will come when they are available.

Onsite Timetable from 22nd November – 10th December

Following public health advice we are keeping Years 7&8 separate to other year levels and reducing the number of students on the school site at any one time, so there is no chance of our youngest students mixing with older students during break. Every student will have two contact days.

Structure of the school day

We have been using a new structure for the school day and it has proven very effective in keeping students safe, minimising movement around the school and providing longer learning periods to enable the school to provide some meaningful experiences. This means our school day is shorter.

Enrolments for new students beginning 2022

Reminder that we would prefer existing families to take up the few spaces we have left. If you have a sibling to enrol for 2022, please visit our web site to complete an online enrolment form or visit our school office for hard copies.

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This Sunday is one of our Marian Feast days. A day when we recall and celebrate the dedication of Mary, as Mother of our Lord. Let us be ever grateful for her ‘yes’. The ‘yes’ that led to the incarnation of our Lord on earth, the ‘yes’ that led to the possibility of Salvation for all men and women, the ‘yes’ that has inspired Holy men and women over millennia, including St Marcellin, to follow Mary to Jesus; the ‘yes’ that inspires us as a way to grow closer to Christ at Marcellin College today. 

Ngā mihi nui whānau,

Dean Wearmouth

Principal 

Health & Safety Information

There are an extensive range of health requirements and measures that will be in place to ensure all ākonga in Years 7-10 can safely return to onsite learning at Marcellin College in Alert Level 3. These are all in line with the most current up-to-date information released.

• Ākonga who are unwell must stay at home, and get tested for COVID-19

• Ākonga at higher risk of severe illness remain home, where possible

• Mandatory mask wearing for staff and ākonga in Years 7-10 (ākonga are encouraged to invest in reusable masks, however disposable masks will be available from SSC for any ākonga who are unable to get a mask)

• All visitors, including parents and caregivers, should wear face coverings when on school grounds and maintain a two-metre distance from those who are not part of their household bubble

• Good hand hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquette

• Hand sanitiser available in all learning spaces

• Classrooms will be well ventilated

• High touch surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected each day

• A contact tracing register will be in place via the attendance register

• There is no specific physical distancing requirement inside or outside when at school, but it is recommended wherever practicable

• Ākonga are encouraged not to share their food or drink

• The tuckshop remains closed until further notice

• Drinking fountains can now be used at Alert Level 3 (mouths should not touch the nozzle)

• Water bottles can be used and appropriate health and safety considerations followed for re-filling.

• Counselling appointments will remain at distance; ākonga can email Ms Hyde-Hills to make an appointment.

• Nurse appointments can only be made by ākonga during the break time, when they are onsite for a learning block. Ākonga must attend these appointments alone at the specified time. There will be no waiting room.

Learning and Curriculumn

Ako/Learning

Middle School Taster/Option Week begins today!

School Loan Devices are NOW DUE to be Returned

Middle School learning Blocks

Nurse and Counselling Appointments

NZQA Admission Slips – Senior  Ākonga

All Yr 11-13 NZQA admissions slips are available for collection from Student Services Centre. Ākonga will need these to gain entry to their external exams.

Special Character

We continue to enjoy the blessing of being a faith community that prays together. The liturgies have continued online throughout the return of the senior ākonga so as to make it possible for everyone to gather for worship. Now, however, liturgies will take place in person during the reconnection days and prayer together in the classroom will begin each of the middle school learning blocks. 

We encourage all senior ākonga to remain close to Jesus in prayer throughout the remainder of the year and we pray that the Year 13s leaving us in 2021 will continue to keep Jesus in their hearts and in their lives.

Mass

Mass continues to be available either on Shine TV at 2pm on Sundays or on the Auckland Catholic Diocesan website: Sunday Mass

NZ Catholic

The New Zealand Catholic is providing, free of charge, a digital link to the latest issue and on the final page there is a story about Marcellin College: 

https://indd.adobe.com/view/707e9a74-c217-46bf-8f04-918203a095a9

Diocesan Novena for Vocations

We are all encouraged to pray together for vocations as the Year of St Joseph draws to a close. Details are in the poster and letter below:

Time Capsules

It was lovely to see the joy, laughter and memories that were part of the Year 13 ākonga opening time capsules they had sealed in Year 9.

Diocesan Youth and Family Events

Auckland Catholic Youth Ministry are planning some wonderful online events in the coming weeks.

Sunday 21 November, 7pm – World Youth Day 2021

To celebrate World Youth Day, there will be an opportunity to gather with other youth on Facebook Live for an exciting online youth event!

https://www.facebook.com/AKCYM

Sunday 28 November, 7pm – Converge // Youth and Young Adult Leaders Gathering

Youth and young adult leaders are invited to join together for an evening of fun, formation and sharing.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87574994154

Sunday 5 December, 7pm – The Great Diocesan Christmas Quiz

This is an opportunity to win up to $500 for your parish school or faith community. Grab your best Christmas outfit and join us for another night of trivia-filled fun!

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/875409124

Community

Senior Prize Giving

Cans for Christmas – Givealittle

The Cans for Christmas Givealittle page has been growing steadily. The sum of $7,160 has now been raised for St. Vincent de Paul to assist whānau in need. We are aware that Marcellin whānau have been among the contributors. There is still an opportunity to contribute, with the goal being $10,000. You can use this link if you would like to do so or you can share it with family and friends and on social media: 2021 Collection

Marcellin College Yearbook