Campion College Newsletter

Loving God,

In the month of August, we celebrate the Assumption of Mary,

a special feast in our Catholic faith.

We give thanks for Mary, for her deep faith, her courage,

and her willingness to say yes to you, even when the path ahead was uncertain.

Through her example, help us to trust you more deeply

and to recognise how we too are called to use our gifts in the service of others.

May Mary inspire us to live with compassion, commitment and hope.

Help us to notice those who need our support,

to treat each person with dignity, and to have the courage to stand up for what is right.

Bless our rangatahi, our staff and our whānau.

May our College continue to be a place where each person knows they belong,

where their gifts are recognised, and where we work together for the good of all.

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

Amen.

Tēnā koutou parents, students, staff, and whānau,

This week I returned from Wellington after having the privilege of joining a delegation of Tairāwhiti principals for three days of meetings and conversations about education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

During our time there, we met with senior Ministry of Education leaders, including Deputy Secretary Curriculum Pauline Cleaver, Minister of Education Erica Stanford, Labour MPs Jo Luxton and Ginny Andersen, and National MPs Dana Kirkpatrick and Katie Nimon. We also had the opportunity to attend Parliamentary Question Time.

It was a privilege to sit around the table with people who are helping to shape education in our country, to ask questions, challenge thinking, share the realities we are experiencing in our schools and, most importantly, advocate for our rangatahi.

There is a great deal happening in education at present. We are navigating significant curriculum change, increasing expectations of schools, questions around resourcing and support, and ongoing discussion about what we ultimately want education in Aotearoa to achieve. While many of these decisions are made in Wellington, their impact is ultimately felt in our classrooms, by our teachers, our whānau and, most importantly, our young people. That is why having our voice heard matters.

As a group of Tairāwhiti principals, we were able to speak about the particular realities of educating young people in our region. We could share what is working, identify where challenges exist, ask difficult questions and ensure that the experiences of our schools and communities were part of the national conversation.

I was also very conscious of my responsibility to bring the perspective of secondary education and Catholic education to the table. I spoke about the increasing pressure on curriculum time in secondary schools and the challenge of balancing an increasingly full curriculum while still providing genuine depth of learning. For Catholic schools there is an additional responsibility: Religious Education and faith formation are not extras to be fitted in if time allows. They are fundamental to who we are and to our commitment to educating the total person.

I also spoke about the importance of ensuring that, as our national curriculum becomes increasingly explicit about the knowledge young people should acquire, we don't lose sight of what we ultimately want education to develop. Of course, we want our rangatahi to leave Campion with knowledge, qualifications and strong academic foundations. But we also want them to be critical thinkers, to be creative and curious, to build strong relationships, make good decisions, recognise their gifts and use those gifts in service of others.

One of the things I valued most about our time in Wellington was that these were genuine conversations. We weren't simply there to listen. We had opportunities to question, challenge and contribute, and there were also times when what we heard challenged our own thinking. We certainly won't agree with every decision made in Wellington, but I returned home feeling that our voices had been heard.

There was one other part of our visit that deserves a mention. We spent an hour in the public gallery for Parliamentary Question Time. That was certainly eye-opening! As I watched some of our country's leaders interact with one another, I couldn't help thinking that there were behaviours on display that we simply wouldn't accept in our classrooms, or, for that matter, in a staff meeting.

Perhaps unexpectedly, it left me feeling even more grateful for the kaupapa we share at Campion College. We don't always agree with one another, and nor should we. But we expect people to listen, to disagree respectfully and to recognise the dignity of the person in front of them. Our values of Commitment, Community and Compassion should be most visible not when everything is easy, but in how we treat one another when we see things differently.

I returned home grateful for the opportunity to represent Campion College, proud to stand alongside my fellow principals advocating for Tairāwhiti, and particularly grateful that the voices and experiences of our rangatahi had a place in conversations occurring at the highest levels of our education system.

And after spending an hour at Parliamentary Question Time, I can also confidently confirm that I am very happy being a principal and am not planning a career change anytime soon!

Yours in Christ

Karyn Sadler

Principal

We welcome all our rangatahi and their whānau to our last Youth Mass for 2026. Youth Group will run for Campion College students at the College until 8.30 pm.

Our Sports and Cultural Photos will take place on Tuesday, 25 August (Week 6).

Students wishing to purchase a copy of their sports and/or cultural photos can collect an order form from the College Office from next week. Completed forms and payment can be returned to the Office. Order forms will also be available on photo day. Please note that individually named order forms will not be issued.

Students need to be in the correct school uniform or playing kit for their photo. For some teams, playing kit will be organised by the Sports Coordinator. If students are unsure about what they need to wear, they should check with the Sports Coordinator or their team coach/manager.

Students should make a note of their photo time and ensure they are ready and appropriately dressed before their scheduled photo so that we can keep the day running to time.

We look forward to capturing and celebrating the many sporting, cultural and leadership groups our students have been involved in this year.

Nominations are now open for the position of Student Representative on the Board of Trustees.

Are you keen to represent the student voice within the Board? Can you confidently share the views and perspectives of students during Board discussions?

Nomination forms are available from the College Office. This opportunity is open to students in Years 9–13. Students may nominate themselves or be nominated by another student. The nomination deadline is Tuesday, 25 August 2026, at 12.00 noon.

For more information, please visit: https://www.schoolboardelections.org.nz/

As nominations are received, an updated list of candidates will be displayed at the College Office. This list will be available for students to view before election day. Voting will take place on Thursday, 10 September 2026.

Your participation is important in helping choose the student representative on the Board of Trustees. Have your say!

We are incredibly proud of our Year 7 & 8 FutureFERNS who represented Campion so well at the Fast 5 Festival this week. Despite the freezing conditions, the girls brought plenty of energy, enthusiasm and positivity to the courts. It was fantastic to hear that they supported one another throughout the day, displayed great sportsmanship and were even keen to stay behind and help with the pack-up at the end. A wonderful reflection of the values we hope to see in our rangatahi.

Their positive attitude certainly didn't go unnoticed either! The team was recognised with prizes for Best Positive Vibes and Best Dressed, both very well deserved!

A huge thank you to Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti, Gisborne Netball Centre and everyone involved in creating such a positive experience for our young netballers. Ka mau te wehi, girls! We are very proud of the way you represented Campion — not just through your netball, but through your teamwork, attitude and willingness to help others.

Whether through brush, lens, or sculpted form, students are encouraged to explore what “presence” means - yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Reflect on the Brothers’ mission and values, their influence in schools and towns, and the sense of belonging and compassion they have fostered throughout the generations.

Artworks may take any visual form -

• painting

• sculpture,

• photography, or

• mixed media - offering endless possibilities to bring this story to life.

The competition features two divisions:

Junior (Years 7–9)

Senior (Years 10–13)

Schools may submit up to six entries across both divisions. Artworks will be collected via courier by 28 August and brought to Auckland for judging by a panel of Marist Brothers and a Catholic artist. Please submit your entries to Mr King.

Selected pieces will be exhibited and auctioned during the 150-year celebrations to support the Marist Alternative Education Centre.

The prize to go the artist.

• First Prize $500.00

• Second $250.00

• Third $125.00

So, pick up your pencil, camera, or brush - and join in this celebration of the Marist presence through 150 years of education. Your art could tell the next chapter of this extraordinary story.

For more information, email us at nzmarist@fmspacific.com

One of the highlights of our annual faith calendar is the Caritas Challenge, where students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones while gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by others around the world.

Through a range of interactive activities and challenges, students experience, in a small way, some of the realities faced by vulnerable communities, while reflecting on our call to serve others with compassion, justice and hope.

The challenge also raises funds for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, supporting projects that improve the lives of people experiencing hardship both here and overseas.

We encourage all students to get involved in this meaningful day. It is a wonderful opportunity to put our faith into action, learn about global justice, and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

The countdown is on to one of the highlights of the school year – the Campion College Ball 2026! We are looking forward to welcoming our senior students for what promises to be a memorable evening of celebration, friendship and fun.

This year's Ball will be held on Saturday, 29 August 2026, at Bushmere Arms, 673 Matawai Road, Gisborne. The evening will begin at 7.00 pm and conclude at 11.00 pm.

The theme for this year's event is Starlight Gala, and we can't wait to see everyone dressed for the occasion. Tickets are $80 per person and are available via KINDO.

As the event draws closer, we encourage students and whānau to keep an eye on school communications for important information and reminders to help ensure the Ball is a safe, enjoyable and successful evening for everyone.

We look forward to sharing a wonderful night together! ✨💚💛

Thank you to Megan Steyn for our poster.

Our dates for when the College is open for instruction in 2026 are:

Term 3

Term 4

Keep up to date with all the wonderful things we are doing on our new Campion College Facebook Page. Head over to Facebook to check it out here.

Instagram page is another place you can keep up to date. Find us here,

If you haven't yet downloaded our College App, please do so. It's an easy way to stay on top of school admin.

We love to hear about and celebrate our students' achievements.

Please share info and/or photos with karyn.sadler@campioncollege.school.nz

Our church is St Mary, Star of the Sea. We are fortunate to have our church onsite. Our parish Mass times are:

Tuesday 5.30 pm

Wednesday and Thursday 9.00 am

Friday 12.10 pm,

Saturday 9 am and Vigil Mass 6.00 pm

Sunday 9.00 am

Children’s liturgy at every Sunday 9.00 am