MARIST COLLEGECatholic School for Girls, Years 7 to 13 Term 1 - Number 7

Friday 20th March 2020

www.maristcollege.school.nz 31 Alberton Avenue, Mt Albert, Auckland 1025. Ph 09 846 8311. Email admin@maristcollege.school.nz

From the PrincipalLet’s not forget to continue to live in the moment. Covid-19 has become all-consuming over the last week, and rightly so as it is going to impact all of society. However, we must not forget to continue to live in the moment and continue to be present in everyday life.

For your daughters, this means keeping routines as normal as possible. Routines include waking up at a normal time, attending school (when well), completing homework, keeping up fitness routines, completing household chores, and just living in the moment. You could even attend Mass online - Bishop Dunn said he will be celebrating an “on-line Mass” this Sunday that can be accessed through the Auckland Catholic diocese website. (www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz)

Routines, especially in a time of uncertainty, help to keep adolescents engaged and active. Routines get adolescents off the couch and out of their rooms. They reduce confusion and frustration and helps ensure that everyone at home and school is on the same page. Thus, reducing conflict.

Routines give a sense of security. In times of constant change, teenage girls can become extremely anxious. Having structure provides stability amidst all the unknowns in their lives. Our goal at Marist College over the upcoming weeks and months will be to remain as routine and structured as possible for as long as we possibly can.

A Special CongratulationsCongratulations to our young women that performed at the Marist College Fiafia / Samoan Victim Support fundraiser, especially our Samoan and Kapa Haka groups which were preparing for Polyfest. It takes real courage to perform on stage. Thank you so much for sharing your talents with our community. Thank you to Mrs. Tagomoa-Papali’i for organising the evening and the Samoan group. Thank you to Mrs. Jonas for organising our Kapa Haka group. Thank you to all the staff, students, and parents that all dedicated their time and efforts to provide such a great opportunity for our students.

A reflection for Lent…. The Four CandlesFour candles slowly burned. The ambiance was so soft, one could almost hear them talking.

The first candle said: “I am Peace!” “The world is full of anger and fighting. Nobody can keep me lit.” Then the flame of Peace went out completely.

The second candle said: “I am Faith!”. “I am no longer indispensable. It doesn’t make sense that I stay lit another moment”. Just then a breeze softly blew Faith’s flame.

Sadly, the third candle began to speak: “I am Love!” “People don’t understand my importance, so they simply put me aside. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them”. And waiting no longer Love’s flame went out.

Suddenly…. a child entered the room and saw the three unlit candles. “Why aren’t you burning? You’re supposed to stay lit till the end.” Saying this, the child began to cry.

Then the fourth candle answered: “Don’t be afraid, I am Hope!” “While I am still burning, we can re-light the other candles”. With shining eyes, the child took the candle of hope and lit the other candles. The greatest of these is Love… but the flame of Hope should never go out of your life! With hope each of us can live with Peace, Faith and Love.

Prayer: “Dear God, You are my light and salvation. You are my hope. Please come into my heart, forgive all my wrongs and give me Your wonderful gift of eternal Life. Help me be an instrument of Your love and cause Your light to shine on others through me. Amen”

We thank you for all your continued support. Te aroha o te Atua,

Mrs Raechelle Taulu, Principal

KEY DATESTerm 1 2020Week 8 (B) Mar 23 Mo BOT Meeting 6pm M301 24 Tu Y7 Boostrix/Y8 HPV Catchup 11:30am 26 Th Chanel House Mass 8:45am (Marist College Chanel House StaffandStudentsonly–no external guest please) 27 Fr Y12 Loves Me Not Rotation 1 - 5

Week 9 (A) 31 Tu Open Afternoon CancelledApr 1 We Mufti day (Caritas) Rotation 2 - 6

UPCOMING EVENTS:Apr 8 We Last day Term 1 9 Th Staff Only Day, no students

You can also find us on facebook

Please note: The Fiafia Night update will be provided in next week's

newsletter edition. Thank you

On Saturday 14th March fourteen girls and three teachers went to Rotorua for the weekend. It was a sunny, fun-filled couple of days which included the luge, gondola rides, hot pools, Tamaki Maori Village cultural experience and hangi, a visit to Wai o Tapu thermal wonderland and to the Agrodome and a picnic at the lake edge.

Here are some comments from the girls:• I liked the Agrodome best because I had never seen a sheep show.

I was so glad to be able to give milk to the lamb. (Suzuno) • The best activity was the Maori Village because we could enjoy

Maori culture. (Yuna)• I liked the spa the most because I could soak in the hot water after a

long day and talk to teachers and friends. (Nana)• The luge was my favourite. It was very speedy and the view was

beautiful (Aiko)• I enjoyed riding the luge the best. It was my first time and it was fun.

I can’t do this in Japan, so I’m very sad. (Suzuka)

Many thanks to Mrs Kurita-Marsden and to Miss Rhodes for giving up their time to help escort the girls.

Kit Suuring

International Student Rotorua Trip

Artist workshopArtist Evan Woodruffe hosted a workshop for Year 12 and 13 Painting and Printmaking students on the 17th of March. Evan shared what the life of an artist looks- both the glamour and the hard work. He then ran through a range of techniques he uses in his own work including mono printing, stencilling and paint markers and pastels.

Ms Schon

An important message for parents/caregivers of students with Asthma:Please get your daughter’s asthma regularly reviewed at your GP and make sure your daughter is educated around the medication's administration. Please advise the school nurse of any changes in your daughter’s situation.

COVID -19 The World Health Organisation has declared COVID-19 a pandemic. While the virus is still in its early stages in New Zealand and we have no reason to panic, we need to take steps to minimise the potential spread of the virus here.

Here is the current advice to us all:Everybody should follow the following basic principles to reduce the risk of getting an acute respiratory infection or passing it on to others:

- regularly washing hands (for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap and dry thoroughly).

- covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze.

- staying home if you are sick.

- avoiding close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

- if you feel unwell, you should avoid public gatherings and events.

Here are two links for those who wish to read more.Ministry of Education - http://www.education.govt.nz/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-3/

Ministry of Health - https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

Tennis ReportSenior A - Senior A tennis team had a brilliant 9-0 win over Epsom Girls Grammar. Well done to all the Marist girls.

Senior B - The girls took out their 2nd win of the season against One Tree Hill on Saturday (5-4). Great game from Molly Eastwood narrowly losing after a tight tie- breaker. Special thanks to Kate Pettigrew for not only subbing in for our team on Saturday but also winning both her games!

Junior - The girls played hard and had some brilliant moments. Unfortunately it was not enough this time around.

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COVID-19Sacramental Programme 2020Enrolments are taking place now in A302 (Liturgy Office). The programme involves preparation to receive the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Lessons will commence early in Term 2 and it will take place during Break 2 on Thursdays. Bishop Michael will confer the sacraments during our Marist Day Mass on the 14th of August.