Principal's Message

Tēnā koutou St Ignatius Community,

As many of our students prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation next week, it is an honour and a privilege to witness young people choosing a life in Christ. They will be actively moving their pathways to lives of faith, hope and love. A moment in the conversion journey of St Ignatius helps us to reflect on the choices that we all can sometimes face on the pathways of our own lives; the choices in following Christ.

Early in his conversion journey, St Ignatius was riding on the road towards Montserrat when a man approached and rode alongside him. After having a discussion about Mary, Ignatius was left dissatisfied with the other's beliefs as the man rode ahead towards a village. According to Ignatius in his autobiography, he was left filled with many emotions and desires to seek the man out in the village and pay him a severe punishment for what he had said. Ignatius reflected on his desires for a while, probably knowing in his heart that what he desired was not what he should do. Coming towards a crossroads, he could have headed towards the village to dole out his retribution or take a higher road in another direction towards Montserrat. Ignatius slackened the reins of his mule and let the mule move ahead, freely taking the higher road rather than heading into the village. In effect, Ignatius had 'slackened the reins' on his personal desires and considered there was a 'higher road' that he could take. Ignatius, in his heart, had known the right path and that there was choice to make living in Christ. We know from this point Ignatius travelled on the Montserrat and during a Vigil to Our Lady, he resolved to shed his old life and committed his life to Christ.

So, next week we celebrate the many students receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, 'slackening the reins' to let Christ in, to be sealed with the Holy spirit and strengthened for a life of faith, hope and loving service. May their witness be a reminder and example to us all to stay on the right pathways in our own lives; to find Christ in ourselves and in others, to make the choices so that we might live our lives in faith, in hope and in loving service. Finding God in all things.

Inveniens Deum in omnibus,

Dean Wearmouth

College Life

Xavier House Mass

On Wednesday we celebrated the life of one of our House Patrons, St Francis Xavier. Our Xavier and Barbier students and parents gathered for Mass, and learnt about Xavier, and why the House has the motto 'Always Joyful'.

House STEM Challenge

On Friday morning each Kaiārahi participated in a STEM challenge to earn House points. There were four challenges, each very different from each other, and the range of talents within each class used to solve these challenges was amazing to watch! See if you can solve one of the challenges yourself:

Find a way to balance a fork and a spoon on the edge of a glass using only a toothpick. Only the toothpick can touch the glass. The utensils must not touch the glass or desktop.

Can you do it?

Sport

Week Ahead:

Friday 15th November
Futsal Training - Yr 9 Girls
La Storta
3pm

Monday 18th November
Touch Training
Field
3pm

Futsal - Boys VS Papakura High School
Pulman Arena

Futsal - Girls VS Wesley College
Pulman Arena

Tuesday 19th November
Boys and Girls Touch
James Cook High

Wednesday 20th November
Basketball Training
La Storta
15:15

Thursday 21st November
Futsal Training Y8/9 Boys
La Storta
12.50pm
_______________________________________________________________

This Week's Results:

Futsal
Boys VS Papakura High School
Won 4-3.

Girls VS Wesley College
Loss by Default

Intermediate Schools Ribbon Day

On Monday, four Year 7 and 8 students from St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College headed to Papatoetoe Pony Club for the Intermediate Schools Ribbon Day – an exciting teams competition where schools from across Auckland compete for top honors.

Clara Wielenga, Poppy Illston, Savanna Styles, and Hannah Mackintosh each competed individually across three different rings.

Working as one with their ponies, the girls put in a lot of effort, earning ribbons across multiple classes. Clara and Savanna were impressive, each winning Reserve Champion in the morning’s flat classes.

The team were eager to catch up with each other during the lunch break, offering each other encouragement and tracking each other’s progress. It was clear that teamwork and support were just as important as the competition itself.

The afternoon brought more challenges with jumping events, but the girls kept pushing forward, determined to collect as many points as possible for the team. Their hard work and determination truly paid off – when prizegiving arrived, the St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College team was proudly awarded 5th place overall.

Hannah Mackintosh was also honoured with a special “Spirit Award” rosette for her outstanding sportsmanship throughout the day.

Athletics

On Wednesday a group of students represented the school at the Franklin Zone, North Group Athletics. This was a fun day, where students put themselves to the test in a range of events. Congratulations to a number of our ākonga, who will be moving through to the next competition!

Results:
Nacho Garcia: 1st Long Jump, High Jump, 100m, 200m, and 400m, 2nd Shotput.
Jack Bethell: 2nd 400m.
Azariah Stobbart: 1st High Jump, 100m, and 200m, 2nd Long Jump.
Clara Wielenga: 1st Long Jump, 400m, and 800m, 2nd High Jump, 
Madi Kennedy: 2nd 800m
Ebenezer Ofori-Anyinam: 1st 100m, 400m, and 800m, 2nd 200m.
Jackson Matia: 2nd 200m, 3rd 400m, 
Indiana Falanitule: 1st 400m, 2nd 100m & 200m
Sian Balle: 3rd 1500m 


Results to advance to Franklin Zone Athletics, Thursday 21st November
100m: Azariah, Ebenezer, Indiana, Nacho
200m: Azariah, Ebenezer, Jackson, Indiana, Nacho
400m: Clara, Ebenezer, Jackson, Indiana, Nacho, Jack
800m: Clara, Ebenezer, Madi, Jack
1500m: Sian
High Jump: Azariah, Clara, Nacho
Long Jump: Azariah, Clara, Nacho
Shotput: Nacho

Basketball

The MAGIS Knights, made up of Year 7 and Year 8 students from St. Ignatius, are currently leading the Counties Manukau CBL Basketball League with a 3-0 record and are tied for first place after Week 3!

Ākonga Elective

Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon our ākonga get to experience a range of activities to promote holistic education, focusing on academic excellence, personal growth, empathy, and resilience. As you can see in these photos, this is an engaging time, and helps our ākonga to Find God In All Things.

Nacho's News

Our student led newspaper has their next issue out now! Just follow the News link at the bottom of this newsletter to read!

Ākonga Achievement

Grace Tucker and Katelyn Arkinstall

Ākonga Grace Tucker and Katelyn Arkinstall were winners of the 2024 Counties Regional Aged Tennis Champs Tournament in the Under 12 Female Doubles category earlier this term.
Congratulations girls!

Katelyn Arkinstall

Ākonga Katelyn Arkinstall represented Counties in the Under 13 grade tennis tournament against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua recently.
She played as the number 1 for her age
She won her doubles (6-1 6-3)
She won her singles (6-3 7-5)
Amazing mahi Katelyn!

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Manutaki Certificiates

This week the following ākonga/student were recognised by their Manutaki for having received an outstanding Weekly Excellence Review. 

Year 7 - Finn Butler
Year 8 - Faustina Finau
Year 9 - Angelo Ramos

We celebrate these ākonga/students being more fully alive and reflecting the greater glory of God through their work and actions.

485 Award

Again, we had many nominations this week and it was a pleasure for senior leaders to read of students finding God in others through their nominations. Our top nominations this week are:

Arjun Bal nominated Erendiria Schuster for showing commitment to helping him with assessment studies.

David Harrington nominated Ethan Steadman and Kees Smith for being compassionate by making a booklet for Year 8 Social Assessment; and sharing it with the class so that David could remember things.

Grace Faire nominated Olivia Fleming for showing compassion and conscience by helping her prepare for making her First Reconciliation.

Neeve Wharfe nominated Indiana Falanitule for showing compassion and commitment when she picked up rubbish that other people left on the field.

Ben Hunter nominated Manaia Davis for showing compassion when he comforted Jaxon who was upset.

Zena Richardson nominated her brother, Gabriel Richardson, for showing compassion and commitment when he picked up rubbish left by others.

Isla Smith nominated Arjun Bal for showing compassion by helping a Year 7 student who fell.

Ethan Steadman nominated Rosaria Soo Choon for showing compassion by helping a student find their Social Studies book that was misplaced.

Sophie Wynne nominated Chaesi Alosio for showing commitment and conscience for leading the class in prayers in class with confidence everyday.

This weeks award went to Sophie Wynne who was nominated by Amaria Matia for showing compassion. Sophie included Amaria in her group and made sure she was okay when her friends were not there. Well done Sophie!

Cura Personalis

2025 Option Selection Year 10 
NOW OPEN

Option selection for our current Year 9 Ākonga moving into Year 10 is now open.

Please follow the link below to view the option booklet if still required.
2025 Option Selection Year 10

Ākonga can make their choices directly through the 'School Bridge' App. 

The due date for Ākonga Option Selection choices is Monday 18th November.

Confirmation Liturgy

Tickets for the College Confirmation Liturgy have now been closed. Sponsors are required to be at the college no later than 10:45 a.m. Due to the school's limited parking, we ask that families come in one car. Families of students being Confirmed are welcome to take their child out to celebrate afterwards. However, you will need to sign them out at the main office.

To celebrate the occasion, the college will provide a hotdog for lunch for all students.

My child has received the Sacraments: What about me?
Your child might have received the Sacraments recently, and you might be wondering, "What about me?" The college will host a meeting on Tuesday, December 3rd, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss topics such as:
- I would like to become a Catholic now my child is; how do I do this?
- I have associated with a parish in the past, but a lot has changed, and I am unsure how to become familiar with Catholic practices again.
- My child would like to attend Mass more regularly; how can I support them without feeling like the odd one out?

The evening will be an opportunity to answer these questions and any other questions you want to discuss. A meal will be provided. We look forward to welcoming you. 

Whānau Transition Hui

This is a hui for the whānau of all new ākonga/ students in 2025.  The hui will provide important information regarding starting at St Ignatius in 2025.

Date:  November 20, 6-7pm
Location:  La Storta (School Sports Hall)

Ākonga/student may accompany their parents/caregivers to the hui however their attendance is not a requirement and there is no specific programme planned for them.

To register your attendance at this event please follow this link:  Whānau Transition Hui Registration

Uniform Consultation - Senior Female Uniform

We are at the point now where we need to start thinking about our Senior Students Uniform.  We would like to consult with all our female ākonga and whānau regarding this.  To provide your feedback follow this link:  https://forms.gle/AxtQwbLRnj3khCsC6

Inaugural College Yearbook Staff have been busy preparing our very first St Ignatius Yearbook.  It is so exciting to see all the amazing content included which records and celebrates our historic foundation year.  A $30 voluntary charge has been added on to your accounts - please check your Schoolbridge account and pay as soon as you can please. Yearbooks will be distributed to those who have paid in the last week of term.

Upcoming Events

Teacher Only Day -  Wednesday 20th November
Year 7 2025 Transition Day - Wednesday 20th November
Confirmation Liturgy - Friday November 22nd @ 11.00am 
Year 7 Quarry Trip - Monday and Tuesday November 25th / 26th
Immunisations Years 7 and 8 - Wednesday November 27th
Wear Your Own Clothes Day - Friday 29th November (see notice below)
Neon Fiesta - Friday 29th November 6 -7:30pm
Christmas Advert Liturgy - Monday December 2nd 
Year 7 Camp - Wednesday to Friday December 4th - 6th
Christmas Picnic - Tuesday 10th December
Thanksgiving Mass - Wednesday December 11th
Final School Day and Prizegiving Morning - Thursday December 12th - School finishes at midday.

PTA News

Hi, I’m Usha! My husband, JT, and I feel incredibly lucky to live on family land in Pukekohe, a place rich with history and memories for us. We have three boys at St. Ignatius across different year levels, and our daughter is excited to join her brothers in 2026!
We’re very hands-on parents, whether it’s cheering at sports days, volunteering at events, or coaching teams outside of school. Joining the St. Ignatius PTA just felt like
a natural extension of that involvement. It’s a great group, and while there are plenty of amazing mums on board, we’d love to see more dads joining in too!
If you’re curious about what we do, drop by our next meeting (date TBC).

And don’t forget to check out our upcoming events—we’d love to see you there! 29 November 2024, Year 8 Neon Fiesta 10 December 2024, Christmas Picnic 21 February 2025, Year 7 and 8 Social Event/Disco 28 February 2025, Pickleball Night 09 May 2025, Quiz Night Any questions, please contact [email protected]

Please join us for a Christmas picnic at school to celebrate the end of year and formation of our school community. 

When - Tuesday 10 December
Time - 6 to 8 pm
What to bring - picnic, blanket (folding chair if you prefer)

Bring your throwing arm for Dunk-the-Teacher! 

Sausage sizzle, drinks and ice cream available to purchase.

Raffle tickets available soon for goodie hamper prizes drawn the night.
Further details to follow next week!

Catholic Character

Ignite Group’s Reflection

Ignite Group is an elective subject at school which was offered in Term 3. It is a group that focuses on the service of the Word of God, by “igniting” others within the school community and beyond. In the last couple of months, the Ignite Group members have been practising to write their spiritual reflections. They started by learning to recognise the elements that make good reflections. They also learnt to employ the tools they have developed in their studies and life experiences in reflecting on the Church readings they encounter. In a way, they have begun to learn to see the world in the light of the Gospel, to find God in all things. 

Here is one of their works, reflecting on the Gospel story when Jesus observed how the crowd put money into the treasury of the Temple.


A Reflection on Mark 12:41-44 (The Poor Widow’s Offering)

Have you ever shared with a friend a bar of chocolate? When you break the chocolate bar in half and it doesn’t break evenly, what do you do then? Do you give the bigger piece to them or save it for yourself? The Gospel reading today asks us to give ‘the bigger half of the chocolate’ or, more for others. To do these acts without seeking title, pleasuring our ego, or having to be forced against our will; but instead to give happiness to others willingly. This is called generosity.

Firstly, what is generosity? What does it truly mean and how can we be generous in our daily lives? The definition of generosity is the willingness to give help or support, especially more than usual or expected. I want to share a short story of when I saw generosity first-hand. Not an obvious sign of generosity, but a small act of kindness that really resonated with me up until this day. It was exam week, and the English exam we had to take was difficult, and forced my and others’ minds to their limit. I felt my overall performance was poor, and it left me feeling hopeless and useless. I was in a depressing state until one of my classmates approached me. She comforted me, and assured me that ‘it was okay’ and that ‘I did great’. We walked around the school grounds and she offered to buy me a pie to cheer me up. She showed the generosity of her heart; not just by buying me a pie, but giving up her time and putting in effort to cheer me up when she didn’t have to. 

The Gospel reading teaches us about generosity. The poor widow in the Gospel story gave more than expected of her. Jesus says, “... out of her poverty, she has put everything she had, all she had to live on.” This verse reminds us that the central importance of what we give is not based on the amount of the gift, as often valued by worldly standards. The action of giving which comes from the generous heart is far more important.

We can reflect on this and also on how God decided to come into the world, in the form of a limited and vulnerable human being. That is the greatest gift from God, unexpected and so generous. As children of God, we seek to become more like Jesus Christ who gave so generously, including his life, so that all can be saved. We pray to be more like Christ in our words and actions; to give generously, but more importantly, to have a generous heart.

Jamie Barillas (9RA), assisted by Lauren Murillo (9RA)

Vacancy

Teacher Aide

We are looking for another  positive and experienced Teacher Aide to join our growing team.  The successful candidate will be someone with the skills to accompany ākonga on their learning journey, working in partnership with teachers to ensure everyone can achieve their potential.   This is a fixed term position for 12 Months.

For further details about the position and the application process follow this link:  https://www.seek.co.nz/job/80174265?ref=direct-share-cm-ui

Community Notices

News