2024 Junior Academic Award Winners
December 13, 2024
Congratulations and thank you to the following junior students who have been recognised for their contributions to service, academic excellence and sport. Year 7 Award
Wellbeing
A great relationship is about two things: first, appreciating the similarities, and second, respecting the differences.
Sancta Maria College is committed to providing a safe learning environment where all students feel valued and supported. Following the example of Mary, we show the importance of servant leadership and putting the needs of others first.
Our core value of respect opens our eyes to the fact we are all made in the image and likeness of God, and as such we all have the right to be respected and loved. Students are encouraged to feel safe, to grow and develop as positive individuals in a supportive and encouraging environment which recognises successes and accepts disappointments as part of the
journey to success.
Kaihautū
The kaihautū at Sancta Maria College are focussed on enabling students to develop and succeed.
Kaihautū ensure that students and their families are aware of any concerns regarding academic achievement, and work with students, their families and teachers to maximise opportunities for student success. Maintaining open communication lines demonstrates a commitment to excellence and student success, so valued by our school.
Student rights and responsibilities are at the core of a positive learning environment. The kaihautū has primary oversight for the system that addresses behavioural issues and also works with students who are having academic challenges and attendance issues.
Pastoral programmes
Supporting our young people to be the best that they can be, Sancta Maria College delivers a range of pastoral programmes to assist our students to successfully navigate the challenges of modern life.
Year 7 – Friends for Life programme (endorsed by World Health Organisation)
Years 7 and 8 – Peer Support programme
Years 7 and 8 – Life Education Trust programme
Year 10 – Bodysafe (Tiaki Tinana)
Year 12 – NZ Police Loves Me Not programme
Year 12 – ACC Mates and Dates
Additionally, visiting speakers address appropriate year groups on topics such as being safe online and other social issues. Click on the following link for a recent presentation from Sheridan Eketone Sancta Maria College – Understanding Your Teenager Talk (17/5) – YouTube
Peer Support
The Peer Support programme, Te Aka Tautoko Akonga, continues to flourish at Sancta Maria College. The programme develops a range of life skills that include communication, relationship and leadership skills, which enable the Peer Support Student Leaders to provide emotional and moral support to younger peers.
It operates at three levels: Year 11 students working with Year 7s, Year 12 students working with Year 8s and Year 13 students individually mentoring selected Year 9s and 10s.
The successful programme builds strong relationships between senior and junior school students, and gives younger students someone other than an adult to turn to if they have a problem. The Peer Support leader’s role is not to necessarily solve the problem but to guide the younger student to finding a solution i.e. refer to Guidance Counsellor or Homeroom teacher.
In addition to building strong relationships between senior and junior school students, the programme also creates opportunity for both mentors and mentees to become aware of the needs and feelings of others, and helps them to develop a sense of responsibility for each other that embraces our school’s Special Character and values.
Parent and Student Handbook
The 2024 Parents and Students Handbook can be viewed and downloaded here. It contains important information on life at the College, including sections on uniform, behavioural expectations and protocols for absence.
Guidance Counselling
Sancta Maria College has at its heart the well-being of every student. We aim to provide an environment in which every single person feels valued, loved, respected and affirmed; an environment in which each student develops a ‘can do’ approach to life in the knowledge that ideas will be encouraged and diversity embraced.
Sancta Maria College’s Counsellors, who are members of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors, offer a confidential and professional service to students. Students can be seen individually or in small groups through an appointment system.
Small groups that focus on particular issues such as resilience, anger management, loss or managing feeling down are offered as needed.
We aim to support students as learners by brief, skilful interventions that problem-solve or identify mental health issues that require ongoing attention or referral. Our goal is a happy, settled student who can maximise their potential and go on to a fulfilling life.
If there is risk to a young person, a counsellor will always take action of some sort to minimise that risk. Please ask our counsellors about this.
Our Counsellors
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- Colin Didier’Serre: Monday-Friday C.DidierSerre@sanctamaria.school.nz
- Eleanor Purchase: Monday-Friday e.purchase@sanctamaria.school.nz
To make an appointment or refer someone:
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- Fill out a slip in the Waiting Room in BG1 and post it into the Post-box
- Phone 274 4081 Ext 286
- The student email for guidance support is connect@sanctamaria.school.nz
However, this will not be monitored whilst school is closed but any contact via this email will be prioritised at the beginning of the new school year.
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Some helpful contacts
Emergency Dial 111
You can get support through your Doctor/General Practitioner
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
Lifeline– 0800 543 354 {0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 {HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 {0508 TAUTOKO}
Healthline– 0800 611 116
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Catholic Social Service – 09 378 9650
http://www.thelowdown.co.nz 0800 111 757
http://www.whatsup.co.nz 0800 942 8787
www.kidsline.org.nz 0800 54 37 54
www.youthline.co.nz 0800 37 66 33
https://depression.org.nz/ 0800 111 757
Parish Contacts
Our Lady Star of the Sea – 09 534 8710
St Mark’s – 09 5769759
St Luke’s – 09 359 4750
2024 Junior School Special Character Award Winners
December 10, 2024
Congratulations and thank you to the following junior students who have been recognised for their contributions towards the Special Character of our school: Kevin Chen
2024 Junior Trophy Award Winners
December 10, 2024
We would like to congratulate the following Junior school Trophy Award winners for 2024: Ali Afakasi Award winner Nicholas Jackson-Potter Outstanding Scholar in Literacy Award
