Campion College Newsletter

Loving God,

As we come to the end of the month of May,

we give thanks for the example of Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

Throughout this month, we have reflected on her faith, her trust in Your plan,

and her willingness to serve others with humility and love.

Help us to carry Mary's example with us beyond this month.

May we continue to say "yes" to the opportunities You place before us,

show compassion to those in need, and live as people of faith, hope, and service.

We thank You for the many blessings You have given our school community,

for our families, friends, teachers, and all who support us.

As we move into a new month, guide us in our learning,

strengthen us in times of challenge, and help us to always seek what is good and right.

Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.

Amen.

Tēnā koutou parents, students, staff, and whānau,

Last weekend and the first part of this week, I had the privilege of attending the Secondary Principals' Association of New Zealand (SPANZ) Conference in Queenstown alongside secondary school leaders from across Aotearoa. It was an opportunity to learn, reflect, connect with colleagues, and consider the challenges and opportunities facing education in New Zealand.

As a new principal, one of the most valuable parts of the conference was a full-day workshop specifically designed for those in their first years of principalship. It was both encouraging and sobering. One statistic shared during the day was that one in five New Zealand principals do not remain in the role beyond three years. While the role certainly brings challenges, that statistic strengthened my resolve rather than diminished it. I have every intention of not being part of that group, and I know that will be possible because of the incredible people who make up our Campion College community. The support, positivity, and commitment shown by our students, staff, whānau, and Board provide a strong foundation for both me and our school.

The conference featured a range of outstanding keynote speakers who challenged our thinking and encouraged us to look ahead to the future of education. We also had the opportunity to hear directly from Minister of Education Erica Stanford, who spoke about the Government's ongoing curriculum reforms and the significant changes schools will continue to navigate over the coming years. Discussions around curriculum, assessment, reporting, artificial intelligence, school leadership, student wellbeing, and educational equity reinforced that while the educational landscape continues to evolve, our purpose remains unchanged: ensuring every young person is known, supported, challenged, and given opportunities to thrive.

One of the most reassuring aspects of the conference was the reminder that schools across New Zealand are facing many of the same opportunities and challenges. Whether it be curriculum change, attendance, wellbeing, staffing, or supporting increasingly complex student needs, there is tremendous value in learning from one another and sharing ideas that make a positive difference for young people.

While professional learning is important, conferences like this also provide an opportunity to step back and reflect on what makes your own school special. Throughout the week, I found myself continually thinking about Campion College and how fortunate we are to have such a strong sense of community, a commitment to faith and service, and young people who bring energy, talent, and hope to our classrooms each day.

As we head into the King's Birthday long weekend, I hope all members of our community have the opportunity to enjoy some well-deserved time with family and friends, and that the weekend is both safe and refreshing. While the break provides a welcome pause, there is still plenty to look forward to this term. We have several weeks ahead filled with learning, sporting, cultural, faith-based, and co-curricular opportunities, and I look forward to seeing our students continue to embrace all that Campion College has to offer.

This Sunday, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. As Christians, we believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Every time we make the Sign of the Cross, we are reminded that we belong to this loving relationship at the heart of our faith. The Trinity teaches us that community, love, and connection are central to who God is and who we are called to be. As a Catholic learning community, may we continue to reflect these values in the way we learn, serve, and care for one another.

Yours in Christ

Karyn Sadler

Principal

We congratulate Mr Jack Adams on his outstanding achievement representing New Zealand in Para Athletics at the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships earlier this month.

Mr Adams travelled to Darwin, Australia, after being selected to represent New Zealand in March, competing in the F46 Para Athletics category in Shot Put, Javelin, and Discus. Athletes from across the Oceania region, including Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Samoa, Australia, and New Zealand, competed over six days of competition.

Mr Adams achieved exceptional results:

Competing in temperatures averaging 35 degrees was a new challenge, and Mr Adams described the experience of being part of a national team environment as unforgettable. We are incredibly proud of his achievements and the dedication, resilience, and excellence he demonstrated on the international stage.

Congratulations to this week's Kāinga Celebration of Learning Award recipients: Xiane Egipto, Jaz Walker, Anica Hancock, and Gracie Beard.

These students have demonstrated a positive attitude towards their learning and have made the most of the opportunities provided through our Kāinga programme. Their effort, engagement, and commitment to personal growth have made them worthy recipients of this week's award. Well done, Xiane, Jaz, Anica, and Gracie.

We were delighted to see another fantastic turnout at this month's Youth Mass and Youth Group, with approximately 120 students coming together in faith, fellowship, and fun. A special thank you to our prefects, who once again did an outstanding job leading and supporting the evening. Their enthusiasm, organisation, and willingness to serve helped create a welcoming and engaging experience for everyone involved.

Following Mass, students enjoyed three different activities, providing opportunities to connect with one another, build friendships, and strengthen our sense of community. It was wonderful to see so many young people actively participating and enjoying the evening together. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to another successful Youth Mass and Youth Group gathering.

Last week, students Evan Samaraweera and Jovannah John joined members of the Catholic Women's League for their Birthday Month Afternoon Tea. Evan and Jovannah were recipients of Catholic Women's League Scholarships in 2025 and were invited to share a little about themselves, their future aspirations, and the positive impact these scholarships have had on their educational journeys.

It was a wonderful opportunity for both students to connect with members of the Catholic Women's League and personally express their gratitude for the support they have received. We thank the Catholic Women's League for their ongoing generosity and commitment to supporting the young people of our community.

Evan, Mrs Sue Baker, and Jovannah.

A huge thank you to the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) for their incredible support of $10,000 towards our tournament teams travelling to competitions across the North Island.

This generous contribution will help reduce the financial burden on whānau and ensure more of our students are able to represent Campion College and experience the many benefits that come through sport, teamwork, and competition.

We are extremely grateful for NZCT’s ongoing support of our students and wider school community.

This year, eight Campion College teams took part in the local Secondary School Smashes Badminton Tournament. The competition provided valuable opportunities for students of all skill levels to develop their game, gain competitive experience, and enjoy the social aspects of representing their school.

Throughout the tournament, our players demonstrated resilience, determination, and a positive attitude, even when facing strong opposition. It was particularly encouraging to see the enthusiasm of our newer players, whose energy and commitment had a positive influence across all Campion teams.

Over the four-week competition, students consistently applied the skills and strategies they had developed during training. Supported by teammates, coaches, and whānau, they continued to grow in confidence and capability each week. We are proud of the way our students represented Campion College and the progress they made throughout the tournament.

Campion College is continuing to review and strengthen our Years 7–10 curriculum in response to ongoing national changes in education, including the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum and the increasing focus on Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.

We warmly invite parents and caregivers of students in Years 7–10 to attend an Information Evening on Wednesday, 3 June at 5.30pm in Marcellin 1 focused on these important changes and what they will look like at Campion College moving forward.

The session will focus on:

• The key changes occurring within the New Zealand Curriculum
• How these changes will be implemented within the Campion College Years 7–10 programme
• The learning progressions, knowledge, and skills students will be developing and working towards

This will be an opportunity for families to gain a clearer understanding of the direction of education in Years 7–10, the increasing expectations around Reading, Writing, and Mathematics, and how we are working to ensure students are well supported for future learning pathways. There will also be an opportunity for questions and discussion. We look forward to seeing you there.

Students are invited to wear either mufti or pyjamas to school on Wednesday, 3 June as part of our Jammies for June fundraiser.

We ask students to please bring either a gold coin donation or a new pair of pyjamas to donate.

All donations will go towards supporting children in our community who may be in need of warm pyjamas this winter. Thank you for helping us support others during the colder months.

At Campion College, we believe sport plays an important role in developing confidence, resilience, teamwork, and a strong sense of belonging. Our students continue to represent the College with pride, commitment, and sportsmanship, both locally and further afield. Campion College is seeking sponsorship support for our Tournament Sports Teams and the Year 8 Ski Trip as they prepare to compete at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Tournament this year and head to the mountain.

These events provide an exciting opportunity for our students to represent both the College and the wider Gisborne community on a national stage. To help make this possible, we are seeking sponsorship assistance to support costs associated with:

• Transport
• Accommodation
• Equipment
• Tournament uniforms and hoodies
• Other team-related expenses

We are proud of the values our students display through sport, including commitment, teamwork, resilience, and community spirit. We would value the opportunity to partner with local businesses and organisations who share these values and who are passionate about supporting young people to succeed.

Sponsorship Tiers

Gold Sponsorship – $1,000+

• Naming recognition associated with the team
• Acknowledgement in newsletters, on the Campion College website, and at sports awards
• Business name featured on tournament hoodies
• Priority sponsorship opportunity for future years

Silver Sponsorship – $500–$1,000

• Acknowledgement in newsletters, website, and sports awards
• Business name featured on tournament hoodies
• Recognition in team communications and results where possible

Bronze Sponsorship – $250

• Business name featured on tournament hoodies
• Acknowledgement in newsletters

We sincerely appreciate the support of our community and local businesses in helping provide opportunities for our students to participate, grow, and represent Campion College with pride.

🏀 Basketball

Friday, 29 May at 5:30 pm - Campion College Junior Boys vs Manutuke

Tuesday, 3 June at 4:30 pm - Campion Senior Boys vs GBHS Black

🏐 Netball

No netball this weekend due to the King's Birthday long weekend. Enjoy the break!

⚽Football

Saturday, 30 May - Awapuni Stadium

12:30 pm - Campion Marist Shockers vs Thistle Thunder

🏑 Hockey

Monday, 1 June - No Secondary Hockey due to the King's Birthday long weekend. Enjoy the break.

Tuesday, 2 June - Harry Barker Reserve

Campion Marcellin vs Manutuke-Toa at 4:40 pm

Campion MacKillop vs Ilminster Blue at 4:40 pm

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

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4

Teacher Only Days: Please note that there are two further teacher only days. Dates are yet to be finalised.

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