Principal's Message

Tēnā koutou St Ignatius community,

For the final message of 2024, it is fitting to reflect on our school motto “Finding God in all things”. Our motto is a cornerstone of Ignatian spirituality and a reminder that God’s presence is not confined to sacred spaces but is woven into every moment of our lives. As we have encountered Christ through one another this year, our community has been woven together through Christ, finding God in the highs and lows and finding God in the everyday. Finding the keystone in our own lives weaves us closer to God, closer to one another and closer as a community.

This year, every single one of our students have contributed to our success and have participated in the knitting and weaving of the fabric of our school culture. Their collective efforts to become the best they have been called and created to be have established a strong and positive culture woven into the heart of our community. The special culture that students have all been a part of establishing will influence the new cohort of students next year, and the year after, and the year after that. In fact, their influence in this school will remain for generations to come. The cohort of 2024 are the trailblazers who have established our rich culture of joy, justice and peace. A culture that is steeped in Christ and that we are all so proud to be a part of.

Throughout the whole year our staff have embodied the Ignatian call to be "men and women for others." Their dedication to the college during our foundation year has shaped not just minds but hearts, inspiring our students to seek the magis—to strive for excellence not for their own glory but to glorify God through their work. They have developed a culture of excellence in Christ. It shows that when we put the standard of Christ before any other standard, we achieve true excellence.

The work of the school has been thoroughly supported by both establishment board and school board members. I extend our appreciation for all of the work that has enabled our many successes during this foundation year. Thank you particularly to Linda McQuade for your leadership of both boards to support and enable our culture to develop.

The support of parents and caregivers, particularly in the development of our community has been invaluable. Thank you for your support and involvement at home and in wider school life, showing the greater glory of God to your children. This was seen in great evidence at our Christmas picnic this week. What a wonderful culmination of the year for families to engage in. We will make contact with you again in January with arrangements for the beginning of the school year for Year 7 on 3rd February and the whole school on 4th February.

As we bring this foundation year to a close, I thank each and every one of you for the part you have played in this extraordinary journey. Together, we have laid the foundations of something remarkable, that will endure for centuries; a special place where faith and learning come alive, a place of joy and of justice and of peace, a place where every student is empowered to set the world alight with their gifts and talents. A place where we are finding God in all things.

On behalf of our staff, may the blessings of the Holy family be with your families this Christmas and keep you safe over the summer.

Inveniens Deum in omnibus.

Dean Wearmouth
Principal

College Life

Sports Awards

On Monday the 9th of December we held our 2024 Sports Awards ceremony, where we recognised the amazing mahi our ākonga accomplished during the year. A list of winners and official photographs are available on our website, and via the News item link at the bottom of this Newsletter.

Thanksgiving Mass

On Wednesday we came together as a school for Thanksgiving Mass, to reflect on our foundation year, and show gratitude for all that we have been blessed with during 2024.
Official photographs are available on our website, and via the News item link at the bottom of this Newsletter. 

Prizegiving

Junior Prizegiving 2024 was held on Thursday the 12th of December. This was a morning of celebration, recognising the incredible achievements of our ākonga. This was a wonderful way to end our foundation year, honouring those ākonga who have worked hard, and found God in all things. A list of winners and official photographs are available on our website, and via the News item link at the bottom of this Newsletter. 

Cura Personalis

Yearbook

Students who have paid for our Foundation Yearbook will have received copies yesterday.  Copies will be available in the new school year for anyone else wishing to purchase a copy.

Vacancy

Admin & Event's Person required 5 days a week at St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College
35 hours per week, Hourly rate between $ 25 - 30 
Responsibilities will include: reception duty, facilitating school/student events and refreshments, and administration duties.
Interested people to please send their CV's to [email protected]

Upcoming Events

Beginning of 2025
First Day Year 7-  3rd February
First Day Whole School - 4th February

Catholic Character

Christmas Mass Times 2024:

St Patrick's Pukekohe
24 Dec 6 pm Family Mass
24 Dec Midnight Mass - carols from 11.30 pm
25 Dec Christmas Day Mass 9 am ONLY

St Mary's Papakura
24th Dec - 6:30 pm - Christmas Carols followed by Vigil Mass at 7 pm
24th Dec - 10:00 pm - Christmas Carols followed by Christmas Mass at 11 pm
25th Dec - 9:00 am - Christmas Mass - Please note there is no evening Mass

St Anthony's Waiuku 
24th Dec - 5:30 pm - Christmas Carols followed by Vigil Mass at 6 pm
25th Dec - Mass at 9:00 am

St Andrew's Tuakau
24th Dec - 8:30 pm - Christmas Carols followed by Christmas Vigil Mass at 9 pm

News