Principal's Message
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Tēnā koutou St Ignatius community,
Next Wednesday the school will be closed for instruction due to the strike action by members of the secondary teachers union. The decision was made to close on the grounds of health and safety because we would not have the number of adults needed to offer the supervision or teaching of students. We pray that those involved with the ongoing negotiations around teacher pay and conditions can find common ground and agreement soon.
There are many public announcements and opinions about education at present and I would like to take this opportunity to let our community know that we are aware, up to date and working towards any change to ensure our academic programme provides the best opportunities for students to reach their very best levels of achievement.
Finally, Happy Feast Day of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven! On the middle floor of our building, we have an area we call ‘The Halo’, it is a circular table and chair arrangement with a painting of Our Lady of Perpetual Help overlooking the area. This space was created to provide the opportunity for our school community to ask for Mary’s help. Today as the whole school joined together in Communion to celebrate the Feast Day, we reflected on Mary’s role in Heaven as the Mother of God who we can ask for help and to pray for us. Through Mary’s intercessions for us, we can understand and experience the neverending, perpetual, love of God. It is through our experiences of this that we can understand and then live this example out to others. We can be perpetual helpers and enable others to experience the love of God through our own actions. We can share the flames of our faith so that others may experience them and then want to share the flames of their faith with others too. We can go out and set the world on fire with the love of God.
Holy Mary, Our Lady Assumed into Heaven, pray for us,
Dean Wearmouth
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Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—a day of profound significance for Catholics worldwide, and especially for us here in Aotearoa New Zealand, where it is one of our national Holy Days of Obligation. On this day, the Church joyfully proclaims that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. Her Assumption is a sign of hope for all of us—pointing to God’s promise that those who live lives of faith and love will follow her.
This feast is not just about Mary’s glory but about God’s faithfulness. Mary, a humble young woman from Nazareth, offered her life completely to God with a simple “yes.” She followed His call with trust and courage, even when it led her through uncertainty, difficulty, and pain. On this day, we honour her not just as the Mother of God but as a model for how we are each invited to respond to God—with openness, courage, and love.
The Assumption also holds special meaning for our country. When Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, the first Catholic bishop in Aotearoa, celebrated the first Mass on New Zealand soil in 1838, he consecrated this land to Mary under the title of her Assumption. From that moment, Mary has been intimately connected to the Catholic story in New Zealand—seen as a spiritual mother guiding the life and mission of the Church here. Her feast day reminds us that we walk a path trodden in faith by generations before us, and that all we have as a Church iis the fruit of the work and prayers of countless people.
At St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College, we seek to follow Mary’s example in how we live, learn, and lead. Like Mary, we are called to listen deeply, respond generously, and trust in God’s purpose for our lives. Whether it is through service, prayer, reflection, or community, we are invited to carry Christ into the world just as Mary did—with humility, faith, and hope. We also remember that she is not distant or unreachable. She is with us—a companion and mother who understands our struggles and intercedes for us in love. Her Assumption is not only a sign of her closeness to God but a promise of what God desires for each one of us.
May this feast renew our faith, anchor our hope, and strengthen our desire to say “yes” to God in all things, as Mary did.
Mary, Assumed into Heaven… Pray for us.  |
Curriculum
Music - Stand up, Stand Out
On Tuesday the 12th of August, Mr Ruegg took a band to Stand Up Stand Out, a music competition in Tamaki Makurau. This was the first time our school has entered this competition, and the judges were blown away by the bands performance of 'My Hero' by the Foo Fighters. We are now awaiting the results to find out if they made it further in the competition. Well done to Cedric Dena, Jack Bethell, Nikita van Dam, Enzo Collado and Arian Nazareth for their hardwork and dedication in preparing for the performance.  Food Technology
Year 7 ākonga have been busy in the Food Technology room this week making Chocolate Crunchies. From following a recipe, to correctly measuring ingredients, the students worked in groups to bake these yummy treats. The overall feedback was that they were delicious!   Ākonga Elective
I've Been Thinking...Exploring Big Ideas in Our Philosophy Elective
In our philosophy elective, students are encouraged to bring their "I've Been Thinking..." moments to class—personal reflections or questions that have arisen during their week. This approach fosters a dynamic learning environment where students engage deeply with philosophical concepts and connect them to their everyday experiences.
Juan Taylor 10RA says ‘The philosophy elective is an enjoyable place to discuss and debate different ideas and ways of thinking. Having deep discussions about things people normally don’t stop to think about, being able to talk from your own perspective and view on different life questions is great’
Each week, students share their thoughts, sparking discussions that delve into topics ranging from ethics and identity to the nature of knowledge and existence. This practice not only enhances critical thinking skills but also cultivates a community of inquiry where every voice contributes to collective understanding.
Emma Ronald 8XB says ‘Some of the questions we have discussed are : What do aliens look like? Could AI take over the world? and what happens after death? What I love about Philosophy is that it allows us to explore other people's perspectives, opening our minds to many new ways of thinking’
Other questions we have discussed are:
Can you control your mind?
Why do countries fight against each other?
Can killing be an act of mercy?
Who created the universe?
Madison Lowther 9AM writes ‘ We are currently assembling a Philosophy Olympiad group to go, discuss, and compete against other schools using case studies that have been given to us. One of my favourite topics that we have discussed was “Is there an afterlife?” We discussed if consciousness which is in our mortal brain is also in our immortal soul, and whether that soul retains our memories or if those memories die when our brain and body does as well’
I wonder what you have been thinking about this week?
 Ākonga Achievement
Paikea Maihi
Last weekend ākonga Paikea Maihi competed against swimmers from all over New Zealand at the Bay of Plenty Short Course Showdown.
Paikea swam her event in the morning and was seeded in the top 4 for all her finals, which meant she had to swim them all again in the afternoon.
By the end of the weekend she walked away with a well deserved 8 medal tally, and a few steps closer to competing in the New Zealand Short Course Competition as well as the National Age Group Swimming Championships later this year.
Results:
1st - 100m Breaststroke (Personal Best time)
1st - 100m Individaul medley
1st - 50m Breaststroke (Personal Best time)
2nd - 200m Breaststroke
2nd - 200m Freestyle
2nd - 100m Backstroke
2nd - 50m Backstroke
3rd - 50m Freestyle
4th 100m Freestyle  |
Year 10 Retreat
On Wednesday, our Year 10s were on retreat for the day. The theme of the retreat was "Called to Belong, Chosen to Serve." Below are two of our students' reflections on the day.
This Wednesday, our Year 10 ākonga had the privilege of being able to have a retreat led by Mr Grevatt, Bridgette and Father Eka. The students were involved with activities that represented the theme “service” well. We were able to connect deeper with our faith through fun activities and reflection. During the first half of the day, we looked back on our journey this year, finding where God was present and where He wasn’t. For me, it was a great way to look back on the things I was grateful for and help me realise how much God is present in my life. During the second half of the day, we were told to think about a way we can serve our school community. It was a challenge for many of the students, but the outcomes were worth it. Some students had amazing ideas on how to make St Ignatius a better place, including ākonga from all year levels. The mass led by Father Eka highlighted one key message on how much a small act of service can make a big impact on others, which really resonated with students. The key thing I took away from the retreat was that serving others is one of the strongest ways to live righteously and share God’s love every day.
- Ciara van Heeckeren.
The Year 10 Retreat was more than a break from usual school routine— it was a heart and mind-opening experience that evoked a desire to serve: the key concept of today’s retreat. Through exciting games and moments of reflection, we didn’t just grow closer to our peers, but to God. During the talk about Fr Pedro Arrupe’s life, his quote: “Our prime educational objective is to form men-and-women-for-others; men and women who will live not for themselves but for God and his Christ” still resides with me. It emphasises the need for individuals who are not afraid to serve for others; to live for Christ instead of ourselves. This ignited a desire for change in my heart, motivating me to actively find ways—like leadership and volunteering—to serve our community. This Retreat, through the lens of service, opened up a pathway. A way to live as Fr Pedro Arrupe envisioned and as Christ demonstrated through his sacrifice on the cross; to be a person shaped by compassion, faith and service.
- Jamie Barillas
This week on Wednesday, we had our Year 10 Retreat. It was a chance to step back from our everyday schedules and spend the day reflecting, connecting with each other, and strengthening our relationship with God. We played fun games led by Bridgette, one in particular was a game where we had to make our way through a path filled with obstacles - blindfolded and only directed by our partner’s voice. It was hard hearing their directions as there were other students on the sidelines trying to create more noise - but in the end, most of us made it to the other side. This game taught us how important it is to listen to only the important voices in our lives, to focus on God instead of getting distracted by material things. Just like this game, life can be full of voices pulling us in different directions, but when we focus on God, we find our way through difficult challenges. The rest of the day included times of reflection where we were reminded to be grateful for the many blessings in our lives. It was a meaningful day that encouraged us to pause and listen to the Lord.
- Therese Wong
 Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary
Today, as a school, we marked the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a full school Mass. As it is the patronal feast day of the New Zealand Church, we prayed for the New Zealand Church and asked Mary to pray for us as a school. We also heard a reflection from a Year 10 student Ben Hunter, who reminded us that Mary's example is one of humility and quiet service that invites us into greater relationship with God.
Happy Feast Day!  | |  |
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Truancy & Unexplained Absences
Message:
In order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our tamariki, we kindly ask caregivers to notify the school of any student absence by 9:00 AM on the day the absence occurs. This can be done by using the school App or email [email protected]
If no communication has been received by 9:00 AM, the absence will be recorded as unexplained, and—unless subsequently resolved—it will be considered truancy in line with school protocol.
Why this matters:
Under current Ministry expectations, schools are required to follow up promptly on unexplained absences, on the same day, both for safety and attendance tracking purposes .
This approach reflects best practice and supports the legal requirement that students attend school daily, and that schools act swiftly to address unexplained absences .
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure attendance remains a central part of your child's learning success. Māori Language Week Follow Up Whānau Hui  | | This year Māori Language Week will be celebrated during Week 10 Term 3 (September 15 - 19) We are looking forward to celebrating and promoting Māori language and culture in our community during this week.
Following on from our initial meeting our next planning meeting will be on Tuesday August 19 at 5:30 - 6:00pm in our Magis Centre at School. To confirm your attendance follow the link and complete the form: Click Here To Register |
 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 of September
Time: 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Location: Magis Centre  Fakafeta’i moe ‘ofa – Tongan Language Week Celebration
Mālō e lelei!
Next week we are excited to celebrate Tongan Language Week at St Ignatius!
The 2025 theme is:
"Ko 'etau lea, ko e fe’unu mahu’inga ia ki he mo’ui ‘a e Tonga" – "Our language is a vital strand of our Tongan culture."
Our celebrations include a special Tongan Mass on Friday with our Tongan community in the school chapel.
Other events throughout the week:
All Week – Visit our Tongan Language Week wall display, celebrating our Tongan community and culture.
Monday & Friday – Students are invited to wear their Tongan cultural dress to school.
Tuesday Lunchtime – Join in the fun with Tongan Language Bingo in room 22.
We look forward to a joyful week of learning, sharing, and celebrating!  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. |
Monday 18th August - Community Mass @ 7:30am
Wednesday 20th August - School Closed for PPTA Strike Action
Friday 22nd August - Ethics Olympiad Training Day (4 students involved)
Friday 22nd August - Tongan Language Week Mass and Kai 1:30pm
Monday August 25th - Community Mass @ 7:30am
Monday August 25th - Young Vinnies Meeting 4.00pm St Peters
Wednesday August 27th - House Magis Lip Sync Competition 2.25pm
Thursday August 28th - NZSS Road Relay Champs 10.00am
Friday August 29th - WYOC DAY Young Vinnies
Friday August 29th - Y7 & Y8 Special Assembly 9.00am
Friday August 29th - Franklin Schools Yr7&8 Mathex (16 students) 9.30am
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Year 10 Spaghetti Evening
In September, we will host a special meal for Year 10 students and their parents, focused on building connection, growing social confidence, and encouraging a spirit of service. Students will take the lead in welcoming their parents, serving food, and engaging in conversation; developing real-world skills in a warm, community-focused setting.
Thursday 4th September, 6:30pm
St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College
Cost: Koha per person on the evening (includes spaghetti dinner and a drink)
This is a great opportunity to support your child in learning how to serve others, work as a team, and grow in confidence. We’d love to have you join us, you can book your tickets here.  |
Get Involved in School Sport
School sport is about much more than competition. It is an opportunity to try something new, challenge yourself, and grow both on and off the field. With a wide variety of sports and activities on offer, now is the time to step outside your comfort zone and give something different a go.
We are fortunate to have dedicated coaches, external providers, and student volunteers who give their time to support teams, run sessions, and share their knowledge. Whether you are just starting out, looking to improve, or interested in helping from the sidelines, there is a place for everyone in our sporting community.
Take the first step: join a team, attend a training session, offer to help, or simply come along to support. You never know where it might lead.
Check the Google Sport Classroom regularly for updates, notices, and opportunities to participate or volunteer. Listen out for daily announcements so you do not miss your chance to be part of something exciting.
Olympic Weightlifting
Last week, we introduced Olympic weightlifting to our ākonga. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn the fundamentals of lifting in a safe and supportive environment.
Weightlifting offers a range of benefits, including improved strength, coordination, confidence, and overall fitness. It also helps students develop discipline and body awareness, making it a valuable addition to our wider sports and wellbeing programme.
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Counties Rugby Under 16s Wider Squad
Congratulations to Ignatious Noue on his selection for the wider training squad for Counties Rugby Under 16s. This is a significant achievement for Ignatious, his whānau and our school community.
His selection is a clear reminder that talent and dedication can be recognised regardless of the size or history of a school’s sporting programme. You do not need to be at a large or long established school to make your mark in sport. Well done Ignatious.
Magis Netball Team Competes at AAIMS Netball Championship
Congratulations to our Magis netball team on their strong performance at the AAIMS Netball Championship held on Thursday 14th. The team placed a respectable 12th overall in a highly competitive tournament featuring the top intermediate schools from each regional zone.
Well done to all players for your dedication, teamwork and determination. You have represented our school with pride.
Talent ID Award
Congratulations to Kat Balbona, who was awarded a Talent ID Award at last week’s Counties Manukau Secondary Schools Netball Prize Giving, held at Papakura Netball Centre.
Kat was nominated by nine individuals for this honour, she is a committed and valued team member, and this award is a well deserved recognition for hard work throughout the season. Well done, Kat
 Franklin Zone Cross Country
“... We were very lucky to have a sunny winter day with no rain and clear skies. In the end we had 5 students qualify for Auckland champs happening next week which is a significant accomplishment. For all other students we all gained valuable experience and achieved personal accomplishments running alongside 6 zone groups and over 30 schools from the Franklin region. For Penelope and I (Emma) it was a tough course with many hills and challenging terrain but through this we left with smiles and happy with our results.”
- Emma Wattanapradit & Penelope Morrissey
Results:
Year 7 Girls
Indi Allison
Ava Liley
Hazel Gault
Year 7 Boys
Renzo Johnson
Campbell Ashworth
Marius Vicente
Year 8 Girls
Clara Wielenga
Sian Balle
Sophie Clark
Penelope Morrissey
Emma Wattanapradit
Year 8 Boys
Ebenezer Ofori-Anyinam
Jones Elliot
Grayson Mills
 Clash of the Smash – Badminton Tournament
Trials and Practise:
Tuesday 19th August, 3.15pm – 4.30pm
Tuesday 26th August, 3.15pm – 4.30pm
Tuesday 2nd September 3.15pm – 4.30pm
Tuesday 9th September, 3.15pm – 4.30pm
Coach: Father Eka
Venue: La Storta
Tournament Details:
Date: Wednesday September 17th
Venue: Bruce Pulman Arena
Junior Volleyball – Season
Trials and Training:
Thursday 21st August, 3.30pm – 5.00pm
Thursday 28th August, 3.30pm – 5.00pm
Thursday 4th September, 3.30pm – 5.00pm
Thursday 11th September, 3.30pm – 5.00pm
Venue: La Storta
Coach: Ms Bell
Managers: To be confirmed once teams are named
Games Details:
Start: Week 1, Term 4
Day: Thursdays
Venue: Bruce Pulman Arena
Game Times: 4.00pm, 4.45pm or 5.30pm
*Parent help for transport will be required.
Volleyball
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Keen to give back through sport?
We’re looking for Year 10 students who are interested in learning how to coach Touch or Volleyball. This is an awesome chance to grow your leadership, build confidence, and help out your school and community.
If you're keen to step up, learn new skills, and get involved, sign up now for the Student Coach Workshop happening on Wednesday, 11 September.
Student Volunteer - Expressions of Interest
Upcoming events
Keep on eye out on our week ahead document for upcoming fixtures and results
Week ahead
Sports Musters
Entering teams into competitions is subject to the amount of student interest in each code as well as appointing coaches, managers to these teams and allocated registrations.
Table Tennis
Weight lifting
Orienteering
Badminton
Cricket
Tag Team
Touch
If coaching or managing any sports code is of interest to any of our wider school community we urge you to contact our sports team or fill out the following form
Coaching or Managing Expression of interest form
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 | | Hi everyone!
I’m Michelle Crane, and I love being part of the St Ignatius School community. I work as a real estate salesperson with RE/MAX Stars in the Franklin area, and I’m also a mum to two wonderful boys — Cooper, who’s in Year 7 at St Ignatius, and Braxton, who’s in Year 5 at Ararimu School. Our family lives on a lifestyle property in Ararimu with our dog, cat, sheep, and chickens.
I’ve always been actively involved in school communities, having previously served as chairperson for two other school PTAs. I’m passionate about giving back, whether it’s helping out at school activities, organising fundraisers, or supporting local events. It’s a value I learned from my mum, and one I’m proud to carry forward. |
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I’m looking forward to being involved in upcoming activities, including the new student evening and our school Christmas picnic.
If you’d like to be part of the PTA, please reach out — we’d love to have you on the team!
You can reach us on [email protected] |
 Healthy Snacks, Sweet Support!
Support our ākonga with the Nothing Naughty Protein Bar Fundraiser - tasty, nutritious, Kiwi-made snacks the whole whānau will love!
-15g+ NZ whey protein per bar
-Low sugar, gluten-free, no nasties
-Plant-based & low-carb options
-$33 per box of 12 - below retail!
Made fresh in Tīrau by Nothing Naughty, a proudly NZ-owned brand known for making the tastiest protein bars around.
Online order form launching soon - stay tuned!
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As our school grows so does our need for exceptional people to join our staff. We currently have a number of vacancies listed here. |
Please Support our Sponsors  | | Thank you to the sponsors of our Mathex Competition - GameOn Takanini |
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Come to the St Pat's Pukekohe Youth Group!
This Sunday - 3pm-5pm at the St Patrick's Pukekohe Church Hall.
Since it is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary today, we will be making Rosary beads, and then going outside to play some sports!
We will then be attending the 5pm Youth Mass, with dinner available afterwards.
Pick up is at 6:30pm.
NOTE: Please bring one change of clothes for Mass, and one for sports too!
We meet up every 3rd Sunday of the month - so come join us. And bring a friend! |
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Women in Engineering -2nd September evening - University of Auckland
Join us on Tuesday 2 September for Engineering: Her Student Experience — a fun information evening for high school girls and whānau with presentations and discussions showcasing our women in engineering students in each of our 10 specialisations!
Highlights of the evening will include:
Hearing from current women engineering students
Taking part in a Q&A session with our student panel
Connecting with other students who are exploring their future options
Enjoying refreshments while mingling with current women in engineering students
There is also the option to join the event online.
This is the perfect opportunity for students and whānau to find out what engineering is and discuss whether it might be the right pathway for them to follow.
Location: UoA Faculty of Engineering and Design
Date: Tuesday 2 September
Time: 6pm-8pm
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/engineering-her-student-experience-2025-tickets-1487291421679?aff=oddtdtcreator  |
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