Principal's Message
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Tēnā koutou St Ignatius community,
Applications for admission for Year 7 places in 2027 open on Monday 1st September and close on Friday 20th February. This year we received significantly more applications than places available and are anticipating the same for next, given the number of enquiries that we are fielding. If you are making an application for a sibling then please make sure that you state this on the application because siblings of current students go to the top of each priority criteria and then have the best chance of being offered a place in their priority ranking. A link to the form and more details can be found on the Admissions page of the school website and if you have any questions then please email [email protected] .
Next Thursday is our first Spaghetti Evening, beginning with Year 10 students and their parents and caregivers. These evenings have been developed to provide the opportunity for our students to develop their skills in social conversation in a safe environment. They also help families to experience how students can facilitate conversations in the home using our weekly reflection questions and also how the family can run a simple examen. All with food, drink and table service. We are delighted that so many of our Year 10 cohort have booked and the final day for booking is on Monday. A link to book is further down in the newsletter,
Please take a moment to pray for our AIMs teams travelling down to the tournament, which takes place next week. May their skills and efforts be made for the greater glory of God. May they be an example of Christ to one another and to their opponents and may they find God in the highs, the lows and the quiet moments they experience next week.
Ad majorem Dei gloriam
Dean Wearmouth
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This Sunday’s Gospel invites us to reflect deeply on the virtue of humility. Jesus, observing how people chose the places of honour at a banquet, offers a parable that turns the world’s values upside down. Rather than striving for status or recognition, he teaches us to choose humility over pride.
In Jesus’ words, “For everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled, and the one who humbles themselves will be exalted.” This is not just a lesson in good manners, but a spiritual truth about how we are to live as followers of Christ. Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but recognising that all we are and all we have is a gift from God, and that our worth does not come from where we sit at the table, but from our identity as beloved children of God. In a world that often measures success by achievement, popularity, or wealth, humility can be a challenging trait. Yet it is a virtue at the very heart of the Gospel. Jesus himself embodied humility—from his birth in a manger, to his ministry of service, to his death on the cross. His life exemplifies that greatness is found not in lifting ourselves through pride and false humility, but rather through humbly serving others.
At St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College, our Jesuit charism calls us to be men and women for and with others. This means being willing to serve others quietly, to celebrate the success of our peers without envy, to listen before we speak, and to admit when we are wrong. In our classrooms, playgrounds, staffrooms, and homes, humility fosters a community where everyone is valued, not for what they can give, but simply for who they are.
Jesus challenges not only the guests at the banquet, but also the host. True generosity, he says, is found in giving to those who cannot repay you. When we act from humility, we are able to see the dignity of every person, especially the poor, the excluded, and the vulnerable. These are the ones Jesus invites us to make space for at the table.
So this week, let us reflect on where in my life is pride holding me back from loving others well? How can I take the lower place, not just in action, but in spirit? Am I willing to let go of recognition so that others might be lifted up? May we grow in humility, not to make ourselves smaller, but so that Christ might become greater in us.   |
Curriculum
Science Faculty Update
The Science Faculty at St Ignatius continues to grow and strengthen, with a structured and engaging programme for students in Years 7–10 (Curriculum Levels 3–6). Our teaching approach reflects one of our school’s goals – Called and Connected – while ensuring that students develop both scientific knowledge and practical skills through hands-on experiences, projects, and fieldwork.
Alongside the core curriculum, our Science Electives provide further opportunities for exploration. The STEM Club allows students to pursue robotics and problem-solving challenges, while our Environmental Group is developing the school gardens and promoting recycling initiatives.
Curriculum Overview
Science is taught through two units per term, each lasting 4–6 weeks. These cover a broad range of topics in biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy and earth science, with learning reinforced through assessments, experiments, and cross-curricular links. Our programme is supported by SciPAD textbooks (Book 1 for Years 7–8, Book 2 for Years 9–10) and regular use of Education Perfect (EP) Online.
Key Features of the 2025 Programme
Year 7 students begin with the fundamentals of science: working safely in the lab, measurement, classification, and the scientific method. They also explore solids, liquids, and gases, marine ecosystems (including a BLAKE VR experience), and conclude the year with a study of Earth’s spheres, including a field trip to Drury Quarry.
Year 8 builds on this foundation, covering nutrition and body systems, sound and light, microorganisms, and “Being Brainy.” Practical experiences include dissections (such as sheep hearts and cow eyes), with strong links to Health and P.E.
Year 9 expands into more complex concepts such as density and pressure, exothermic reactions, world ecology, and human reproduction, while integrating cross-curricular learning with Technology and Health.
Year 10 prepares students for NCEA with deeper explorations of atomic structure, bonding, forces and motion, organic chemistry, inheritance and variation, waves, and electromagnetism. The year concludes with a study of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, encouraging students to connect science learning with global citizenship.
Looking Ahead
The Science Faculty remains committed to offering students opportunities to think critically, inquire deeply, and connect their learning to the world around them. With a balance of theory, practice, and creativity, our programme equips students with both scientific literacy and a sense of wonder for God’s creation. The development of the Year 11 Science programme is well underway and will offer the opportunity for students to pursue science into the senior school.
Ngā mihi,
Simon Benge
Head of Faculty – Science  | |  |
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Outdoor Education - Year 10 Whenua Trip Ākonga Reflections
The Whenua trip was a great experience to fully understand ways of navigating through the bush. We used strategies like grid references, handrails, catching features and back bearings to find our way using the map. As well as the learning aspect, the nature along the sides of the track was a sight to see, including small rivers and streams, steep hills and valleys. Since our group was large we all got into pairs and took turns leading everyone. To do this we were given a map and we had to figure out the starting and ending grid points, the contour lines, how long our specific route would take, and if there were any catching features along the way. Overall the trip was a fun experience and we learnt a lot more about how to apply the things we’ve learned in class into real life situations.
- Grace Faire
Last week, on Thursday the 21st of August, 10OED set off to Hunua Falls for our Whenua Trip. This trip involved a long tramp up and downhill, through forests, and alongside rivers. We spent over three hours walking until we finally reached the dam.
We had to bring a range of essential gear, including a raincoat, appropriate tramping or hiking shoes, lunch, water, and most importantly, the confidence to complete the journey. The tramp itself was a great experience. I walked with Charlee-Rose, and we got to admire the scenery and talk about whatever was on our minds.
At one point, we had to lead the group through a section of the track. This meant pointing out land features, sticking to the trail, and making sure we didn’t go off course. We also clipped the medical and safety gear onto our bags and carried it for our part of the tramp. Personally, I preferred walking at the front of the group, it was much more peaceful and motivating compared to the chaos at the back.
In conclusion, the 10OED Whenua Trip was an amazing experience. My peers and I had a blast, and we’re already looking forward to our next adventure.
- Je T’aime Bradley
The Whenua Trip to the Hunua Falls was a learning experience for everyone in the OED class. While it was an assessment, it did not feel like one. It felt more like a journey of self-discovery and teamwork, seeing what you enjoy. I believe that going to Hunua Falls helped me talk and bond to people that I wouldn’t usually talk to. The trip was very enjoyable as nowadays, we are surrounded by technology and most of the time, we don’t take our eyes off of our phones. Spending time outdoors really showed how much we really are missing out on God’s creation by being glued to our phones all day.
- Naethan Prince Caraig
More photos from this trip are available via the News link at the bottom of this newsletter, or via the Recent News tab on our website.
    Ākonga Elective
Music Technology
Once a week my students use BandLab to learn how to create music with computers. Instead of picking up instruments they sit with laptops and headphones and dive into a huge library of sounds. They scroll through beats, bass lines, synths and effects, then choose the ones they think will work.
The main focus is on listening. They are piecing sounds together while asking themselves simple but important questions. Does this drum groove match the bass? Does the melody fit or does it sound off? They learn quickly that some sounds clash while others lock in perfectly.
BandLab makes it easy to experiment because they can hear everything instantly. This means they can try things, make mistakes, and fix them straight away. It builds confidence and teaches them to trust their ears.
Ākonga Achievement
Franco Calutan
Franco Calutan, a Year 9 student here at St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College, has been selected as one of the top U14 boys in South Auckland to represent the Counties Manukau Basketball Team.
Congratulations Franco!  |
Manutaki Certificates
The following ākonga were recognised by their Manutaki for having received an outstanding Weekly Excellence Review. We celebrate these ākonga being more fully alive and reflecting the greater glory of God through their work and actions.
Year 7: Zaidee Marikit
Year 8: Jackson Matia (absent)
Year 9: Iosua Perelini (absent)
Year 10: Peyton Haufano
Congratulations to these ākonga.  485 Award
The 485 Award celebrates students finding God in one another. This award is for students to nominate when they find God in one another. We had many nominations again this week and it was a pleasure for senior leaders to read through the nominations.
Our top nominations this week are:
Aliana Pahulu nominated Chaesi Alosio for conscience and commitment for keeping the environment clean by picking up rubbish.
Zachary Poh nominated Daniel Scott for commitment for always being committed to his work.
Amaria Matia nominated Zachary Poh for conscience for always being kind and caring to his classmates, demonstrating the 4 C’s.
Zaidee Marikit nominated Zoey Schwalger for commitment as she is always engaged in English, and has strong and good answers when she puts her hand up.
Andy Nguyen nominated Matthew Nguyen for conscience for picking up litter and asking people for litter without being asked or instructed.
Paikea Maihi nominated Quinn Robinson for compassion and conscience as after the Auckland Mathex she went up to the marker, said thank you and shook her hand.
Our winning nomination was:
Nadia Wang nominated Amelia Pearce for compassion - for including her when she needed someone to hang out with.
Congratulations Amelia!
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Year 9 and 10 Presentation Evening
Kia ora e te whānau,
You are warmly invited to attend our upcoming Year 9 and 10 Presentation Evening focused on the Year 11 Academic Structure for 2026. This hui will provide important information about how our College is shaping the learning journey as we enter our first Year 11 cohort in 2026.
Date: Tuesday 2nd September
Time: 6:00pm – 6:30pm
Venue: La Storta
Presenters
Mr. Dean Wearmouth (Principal) – Welcome and Rationale
Mr. Kane Raukura (Deputy Principal) – Framework and Programme Overview
Mrs. Catherine Bamber-O’Malley (Deputy Principal) – Suitability for All Learners
This evening is designed to provide clarity, answer your questions, and give you confidence in the pathways available for your child. We encourage all parents and whānau of Year 9 and 10 students to attend, as the decisions made in the coming year will shape their academic journey into the senior school.
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing this important stage in our College’s growth.
 Help Us Celebrate our Cultural Festival – Term 4
Our school is home to over 50 cultures – what an incredible gift to celebrate!
In Term 4, we’ll be holding a Cultural Festival to honour and share the richness of our community.
We’d love for parents, whānau, and caregivers to be part of the planning. If you would like to share aspects of your culture with our students – through food, music, dance, art, stories, games, or activities – we’d love to hear from you!
Come along to our planning meeting:
DATE: 11th September
TIME: 5:30pm - 6:30pm
PLACE: Magis Centre
 The Yummy Fruit Company - School Sticker Promo
St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College is participating in the 2025 ‘Yummy Fruit Company – School Sticker Promo’.
This promotion is for the Year 7 & 8 students.
Please join in to enable our school to receive some free sports equipment at the end of the year. (Stickers can be collected from now till Friday 10th October 2025).
Shop at your local New World, Pak n Save, participating Four Square stores and fruit & vegetable shops.
Purchase Yummy apples, download a sticker sheet and start collecting
Yummy stickers and cut-out labels from Yummy apple bags.
Click here to download your sticker sheets
Students can also put their Yummy stickers on a sheet at school during break times.
A Yummy Sticker Sheet can be found at the Magis Centre.
Once you have a completed a Yummy Sticker Sheet, please bring it into school and hand it in at the Student Reception. When you hand in a completed sheet, please ensure your name is written on it so you can earn House Points and the chance to win some prizes. Spaghetti Evening Volunteers Needed!
On Thursday, September 4, our amazing Year 10 students will be hosting Spaghetti Evening - a night of food, family, and hospitality at St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College.
We’re looking for volunteers from 5pm onward to help with setup, kitchen support, service coordination, and pack-down. Whether you can spare an hour or stay all evening, your help will make a big difference!
Sign up to volunteer here: https://forms.gle/Bj8owpz14YfoMWLn9
Thank you for supporting our students and this special community night!  |
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Winter Wellness Challenge
This week’s Year 9 Winter Wellness Challenge focused on completing a random act of kindness. Students were encouraged to complete a random act of kindness. From helping others with their work and cooking food for their parents, it was heartening to see such thoughtful responses. Congratulations to Jennifer Merkofer this week’s challenge winner, who won a beautiful gift box full of stationery from Warehouse Stationery, Pukekohe.
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Saturday 30th August - Friday 5th September - AIMS Games in Tauranga
Monday 1st September - Community Mass @ 7:30am
Wednesday 3rd September - Reading Co-Req (All Yr 9 + selected Yr10)
Thursday 4th September - Writing Co-Req (Selected Yr 10)
Thursday 4th September - Talent Quest auditions morning tea and lunch
Thursday 4th September - Year 10 Spaghetti Evening @ 6:30pm
Friday 5th September - Talent Quest auditions morning tea and lunch
Friday 5th September - Numeracy Co-Req (Selected Yr 10)
Monday 8th September - Hauora Week
Monday 8th September - Year 7 Science Blake VR
Monday 8th September - Carlo Acutis Canonisation Mass
Monday 8th September - FOSI Meeting @ 6:30pm
Tuesday 9th September - Fathers Day Mass and Breakfast @ 7:30am
Tuesday 9th September - House Magis Lip Synch Competition
Wednesday 10th September - Aubert House Mass 2:10pm
Thursday 11th September - Talent Quest auditions morning tea and lunch
Thursday 11th September - T4 Cultural Festival Whānau Meeting @ 5:30pm
Friday 12th September - Talent Quest auditions morning tea and lunch
Please note ‘Teacher Only Days'
Term Three - September 19th 2025
Term Four - October 22nd 2025
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Winter Tournament Week
Winter Tournament Week is a significant one in the secondary school calendar. It is a time when many of the major winter codes compete at the highest level across the country.
While we are still building the depth of our winter sports teams in the secondary school year levels our vision will be to enter sports such as, Football, Netball, Basketball into these tournaments in the near future.
We are proud that, for the second year, our school has been able to enter riders into the equestrian competition.
Our equestrian athletes — Hannah Mackintosh, Tamsyn Minchin, Charlie Forgarin, Pippa Wilson, Summer Morton, and Milla Forgarin — travelled to Taupō to take part in the North Island Secondary Schools Championships.
Dressage Results
Hannah 1st place level 0 dressage class D
Tamsyn 2nd place level 0 dressage class A
Pippa 4th place level 1 dressage class E
Placing the school team 3rd Overall in Dressage
'This week at the North Island Secondary Schools Equestrian Championships, our team had an incredible time both competing and cheering each other on. We came away with some outstanding results and, more importantly, shared a fantastic experience filled with teamwork, sportsmanship, and plenty of memorable moments with both humans and horses.'
- Pippa Wilson
Results from the rest of the week will be in next weeks newsletter.
 New Zealand Secondary Schools Road Relay festival
We had twelve students compete in the festival held at Pakuranga Sailing club on Thursday.
While our distance running programme is only just beginning it was awesome to be able to take three teams up to this event to compete against some very strong runners.
Well done to Saskia Balle, Pippa Wilson, Quinn Robinson, Annabelle Shields, Ella Hitch, Indiana Falanitule, Grace Tucker, Kaeleb Allison, George Moody, John Glynos & Nic Madelozo
'On Thursday 28th August, 13 St Ignatius students took part in the 2025 NZSS
Road Relay Championships at the Pakuranga Sailing Club. It was an
incredible day filled with energy, teamwork, and school spirit as our
runners gave it their all against strong competition from across the
country. A special congratulations goes to our Junior Girls’ team, who
placed 2nd in their category. A challenging course, but our athletes showed
determination, courage, and plenty of smiles along the way. Thank you to
our supporters and parent helpers, and well done to all our runners for
representing St Ignatius with pride.'
- Annabelle Shields
  Auckland Cross Country Championships - Year 7 & 8s
We had six students make it through the Franklin group & zone days to qualify for Auckland champs last Friday. This is an awesome result to make it through to compete against the top runners in Auckland.
Congratulations and well done, Indi Allison, Campbell Ashworth, James Soo Choon, Sian Balle, Clara Wielenga and Grayson Mills.
As we stepped foot onto the Auckland champs cross country start line we felt the nerves run through our bodies. We couldn’t believe it was real, as we worked so hard to get to where we were. Throughout the race we stayed determined in our minds. We stayed strong in our minds and bodies and continued no matter what the circumstance. There were many steep hills, muddy spots and rough terrain. At the end we were greeted with an amazing support crew!
 Counties Manakau Hockey Representative Teams
Congratulations to the following students who have made training squads for the upcoming rep season.
Saskia Balle
Pippa Wilson
Tarren Naran
Drew Liefting
Daisy Bertram
Ciara Townsend
U13 training squads
Ania Townsend
Jones Elliot
Harry Sayers
Georgia Sayers
All the best to these players!
Farewell to Our AIMS Teams
We farewell our AIMS teams and wish them all the best for the week ahead. This journey has been built on countless hours of training, transport, tournaments, fundraising, and planning — and we are grateful to everyone who has contributed along the way.
We are incredibly proud of the commitment shown by our ākonga and their whānau, who have truly lived out our school values. In preparation, our athletes gathered for a team meeting to reflect on what our 4C’s look like both on and off the field, finishing by decorating signs with positive messages to brighten our vans for the week ahead.
Good luck to our 62 athletes competing across 8 different sporting events — we are right behind you!
 Upcoming events
Keep on eye out on our week ahead document for upcoming fixtures and results
Week ahead
Upcoming trials
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Protein Bar Fundraiser - Let’s Keep it Rolling!
A huge thank you to everyone who has already placed their orders - we’re off to a great start!
Support St Ignatius and fuel your whānau with tasty, healthy, Kiwi-made snacks - perfect for lunchboxes and life on the go. For just $33, you’ll get a box of 12 delicious, protein-packed bars (below retail price). With 8 flavour options – including plant-based and low-carb - there’s something for everyone.
Each bar contains 15g+ of NZ whey protein, is low in sugar, gluten-free, and made without any nasties.
Order by: Friday 5th September
Pick-up: Wednesday 17th September (details to follow)
Order now: https://forms.gle/3bXRX4LcBjpzrFW96
Every box sold supports our ākonga at St Ignatius - thank you for making a difference.
Please help us spread the word by sharing our Facebook post with friends and whānau. The more we sell, the more we can do for our school!  |
As our school grows so does our need for exceptional people to join our staff. We currently have a number of vacancies listed here. |
Vacancy
The Cathedral wishes to employ a person part-time for 25 hours per week as the parish Pastoral Coordinator. This role is to assist the Cathedral Dean to ensure that the pastoral and administrative needs of the parish are met. The role provides pastoral assistance and is responsible for the coordination of the Parish Education Programmes and assisting with Sunday morning Masses. Applicants should be active Catholics able to partake in the full sacramental life of the church, with theological formation (preferred) and ministerial experience. Good communication, planning and organisation skills are essential. Applicants for this position must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work permit.
To view the full advert, position description and how to apply, please visit: www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/staff-vacancies/ Applications close at 5pm on 4th September 2025. |
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Year 10 Outdoor Education Hunua Falls Trip
On Thursday the 21st of August 2025 our Year 10 Outdoor Education class went on a trip to the Hunua ranges for one of their assessments. Student's reflected on this experience: | |  |
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