Monday, August 27, 2012

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends of St Mary’s School,

Last week I had the absolute privilege of going ‘on camp’ with our senior pupils.  The programme that Mrs Baines designed was excellent, it was a perfect balance between: outdoor education, social

sciences, science and life skills.

 

The highlight for  many would have been the skiing and as one pupil expressed to me. “When I first

arrived I was scared to go on the learners slope and now I can ski anywhere”! encapsulates the

development in confidence and motivation that the group went through during the week.

My personal highlight was the trip to the Arrowtown museum, when the pupils went to 1880’s school.

“Miss Grey” scared me and I was only watching, but the programme highlighted now education has changed and how lucky we are to have now the New Zealand National Curriculum.

 

I would like to thank all of the parents who helped out on camp, with out you all we would never have achieved all that we did and once again acknowledge the huge effort put in by Mrs Baines.  The

success of the camp was down to the hard work that she put in with regards planning and designing the camp over the preceding months.

Our Year Seven and Eight camp has become something of an institution and when I see the positive

effects that it has for our pupils then I am more than ever determined to ensure that it continues.

 

Have a great week

Mike Brosnahan




Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends of St Mary’s School,

Here we are in Week Six and as usual we have a busy week planned.  The senior children are away at camp in Queenstown.

School camps are a tradition in New Zealand and all of us would fondly remember them from when we were children.  I went to a small country school so our school camps tended to be in Dunedin which was a real eye opener to kids from the ‘Styx’.  But most children would have learned to kayak and climb rocks, abseil and generally challenge themselves in a range of stimulating outdoor experiences.

School camps and the opportunities that they present to our pupils cannot be over estimated.  We don’t know what we are capable of until we try.

On Sunday night I watched a documentary about Palmerston North Boys High and the ethos that they had, one of tradition and challenging your self to be better.  I think that we can learn a lot from that.I am always keen for St Mary’s pupils to present a good first impression, by ensuring that their grooming is neat, dress appropriately, and that they use good manners.

To make a good first impression puts you on the front foot when dealing with a potential employer, or someone who can offer you a place in a course or school or select you in a team.  First impressions really do count.

 I will be at the Senior school camp in Queenstown this week—Mrs Kenneally and Mrs Stevens will be Acting Principal.

 Have a great week

Mike Brosnahan


Sunday, August 12, 2012


Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends of St Mary’s School,

Week Four already and what an exciting week this looks like being.

The Kapahaka group is presenting a performance at the Hui Ako festival at Fairfield school on Wednesday, various classes have visitors to them during the week and Room 3 and Room 5 have Mass on Friday.

 I do notice a lot of tired eyes around at the moment as most people have spent a little more time watching the Olympic Games then we should.  I am always very happy to see new Zealand doing well but I was especially pleased to see Mahe Drysdale win his Gold medal.  He was so close four years ago and his victory just underlines his amazing dedication, skill and tenacity.

I think another point to remember is that more and more of the athletes taking part are aged in their late 20’s or early 30’s because with more funding and support athletes are staying active for much longer. We need to relay this information to our pupils that life isn’t a sprint race but rather a marathon and that they need to be prepared like Mahe to learn from defeats.

 

I will be away at the Catholic School Convention from Wednesday to Friday, Mrs Kenneally will be Acting Principal so have a great week!

 Have a great week.

Mike Brosnahan