Campion College Newsletter

E te Atua,

As we enter the winter season,

we thank You for the changing rhythms of creation

and the beauty that can be found in every time of the year.

As the days become shorter and the weather grows colder,

help us to be mindful of those who may be struggling, feeling lonely, or facing hardship.

Inspire us to be people of compassion,

offering warmth through our words, our actions, and our care for others.

Bless our students, staff, and whānau during the months ahead.

Keep us safe in our travels, healthy in body and spirit, and strong in our commitment to one another.

May this season remind us that even in times that seem dark or challenging,

Your light continues to shine.

Help us to trust in Your presence, find hope in Your promises,

and share Your love with all those we meet.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Tēnā koutou parents, students, staff, and whānau,

A sincere thank you to the parents and whānau who joined us last week for our Year 7–10 Curriculum Parent Hui. We know that time is precious, and we greatly appreciate your willingness to spend an evening learning alongside us and taking an active interest in your child's education.

The New Zealand Curriculum changes represent an exciting opportunity to strengthen learning pathways for our young people. As a school, we are committed to ensuring that every student is challenged, supported, and equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to flourish. Strong partnerships between home and school are a vital part of this journey, and we thank those who attended for their engagement, thoughtful questions, and ongoing support.

One of the greatest influences on a young person's success is the strength of the partnership between home and school. With this in mind, I encourage our Year 7 and 8 parents and caregivers to take advantage of next week's parent-teacher meetings. These conversations provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate learning, discuss progress, and continue working together to help our young people thrive.

This coming Monday, we gather as a school community to celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Marcellin Champagnat with Mass at 11.30am. Parents and whānau are warmly invited to join us for this special occasion.

Marcellin Champagnat founded the Marist Brothers with a vision that all young people, particularly those most in need, would know that they are loved by God and worthy of a quality education. More than 200 years later, his vision continues to shape schools like Campion College. His example reminds us of the importance of presence, simplicity, family spirit, love of work, and following the way of Mary. In a world that can often feel busy and complex, Marcellin's call to know each young person, care for them deeply, and help them discover their God-given potential remains as relevant today as ever.

Marcellin believed in educating the total person, and it has been wonderful to see this reflected in the many achievements of our students over recent weeks. Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, on the stage, through service to others, or in the wider community, our young people continue to represent Campion College with pride. From Shakespeare performances and musical success to sporting achievements and community service, our students are embracing opportunities to grow, contribute, and develop their gifts. We thank the staff, coaches, parents, and supporters who make these experiences possible.

As we move through the winter season, I encourage us all to look for opportunities to show kindness, compassion, and service to those around us. Small acts of generosity can make a significant difference in the lives of others and help strengthen the sense of community that makes Campion College such a special place.

Thank you, as always, for your support of our students, staff, and school. May God's blessings be with you and your whānau in the week ahead.

Yours in Christ

Karyn Sadler

Principal

Students in Years 7–13 are invited to attend the Hamilton Diocese Youth Day on Sunday 14 June at St Mary's Catholic School Hall, Rotorua.

This promises to be an inspiring and faith-filled day, bringing together young people from across the Diocese of Hamilton. The programme includes games, activities, praise and worship, inspiring speakers, opportunities for Reconciliation, and time to connect with other Catholic young people.

A special highlight of the day will be the presence of a first-class relic of Saint Carlo Acutis, offering a unique opportunity for prayer, reflection, and veneration.

Food will be provided, and students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing suitable for activities.

This is a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith, build friendships, and be part of the wider diocesan Catholic community.

Date: Sunday 14 June
Time: 12.00pm – 7.00pm
Venue: St Mary's Catholic School Hall, Rotorua

Registrations are now open. This is an event not to be missed!

We welcome all whānau to Miha Māori Mass this Sunday.

Each year, thousands of students across New Zealand work towards earning credits in NCEA. But what you may not realise is that students have the opportunity to achieve their NCEA certificate with either a Merit or Excellence endorsement.

To earn an endorsement, students must achieve at least 50 credits at the required level. If a student gains 50 or more credits at Merit level, they receive an NCEA certificate with Merit. Likewise, if they earn 50 or more credits at Excellence level, they receive an Excellence endorsement.

These endorsements recognise not just academic success, but also perseverance, dedication, and a commitment to achieving at a high level.

We acknowledge and congratulate the students who have achieved certificate endorsements for 2025. Their hard work and determination deserve to be celebrated.

We warmly invite parents and caregivers of our Year 7 and 8 students to meet with their child’s teachers on Monday, 8 June between 3.00pm and 4.15pm. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s learning, progress, and engagement at school.

To book an appointment, please contact Christine at the College Office on 06 867 9309 or email office@campioncollege.school.nz.

Congratulations to Sebastien Ulan, Rafaele Rivera, and Santino Camero, who recently travelled to Tauranga to compete in the NZUTA Open Taekwondo Championship. The boys represented Campion College with pride, demonstrating outstanding respect, sportsmanship, and determination throughout the competition.

Sebastien earned a silver medal in Kyorugi (sparring), while Rafael secured a bronze medal in the same discipline. Santino enjoyed an exceptional tournament, winning gold in Poomsae (patterns) and adding a silver medal in Kyorugi to his achievements.

We are incredibly proud of the way these young men conducted themselves both on and off the mat and congratulate them on their success at a national level. Well done, Sebastien, Rafael, and Santino!

Rafaele Rivera, Santino Camero and Sebastien Ulan

Congratulations to Kylah Loftus, who spent the King's Birthday weekend competing in tap dancing and successfully earned a nomination for the PACANZ National Young Performer Awards (NYPA).

PACANZ (Performing Arts Competitions Association of New Zealand) provides the national pathway for young performers in dance, music, and speech and drama. Competitors perform at qualifying events throughout the country, where judges can nominate outstanding performers to progress to the National Young Performer Awards.

Receiving a nomination is a significant achievement, as competitors are not automatically entered into the national finals. Instead, they must be selected by a judge who believes they are performing at a level worthy of national competition. Kylah's nomination is a reflection of her talent, dedication, and hard work. We congratulate her on this outstanding accomplishment and wish her every success as she prepares for the national finals.

Well done, Kylah!

A special congratulations to Year 9 student Lowenna Haskell, who achieved second place in the Creative Writing category of the national essay competition in the SGCNZ VUW National Shakespeare Festival. Lowenna's short story successfully incorporated at least 20 phrases from the works of Shakespeare—an impressive achievement in a highly competitive field.

READ LOWENNA'S STORY HERE.

This King's Birthday weekend, 19 Campion College Drama students travelled to Wellington to attend the SGCNZ VUW National Shakespeare Festival. During the festival, students participated in theatre workshops led by industry professionals, watched performances from schools around New Zealand, and had the opportunity to perform on the iconic St James Theatre stage.

Campion students presented a 15-minute scene from Romeo and Juliet, directed by Jol Sparks, and a five-minute scene from Hamlet, directed by Year 11 student Emma Ruelens. They performed their innovative interpretations with confidence and flair, returning home inspired and full of ideas for next year.

🏀 Basketball

Friday 5 June at 6:30 pm Campion College Junior Boys vs GBHS Emeralds

Monday 6 June - Campion Senior Boys, draw unavailable, please refer to Gisborne Basketball

Association Website

Tuesday 7 June - Campion College Girls, draw unavailable, please refer to Gisborne Basketball

Association Website

🏐 Netball

9:00am Campion Gregory vs Whangara Tuamotu - Court 6

9:00am Campion Green vs GGHS Snr Manawa - Court 12

9:00am Campion Senior B vs Turanga Pirates Manaaki - Court 11

10:00am Campion Marcellin vs Claydens Waikohu Intermediate - Court 7

1:00pm Campion Gerard vs Sonrise Lightning - Court 6

1:00pm Campion Senior A vs Pioneer Earthwork Solutions 1 - Court 10

BYE - Campion MacKillop

⚽Football

Saturday, 6 June - Awapuni Stadium

12:30 pm - Campion Marist Shockers vs Wainui

🏑 Hockey

Monday 8 June 2026 - Campion Gold vs GBHS Red at 4:00pm

Campion Green vs GHBS Black at 5:00pm

Tuesday 9 June 2026 - Campion MacKillop vs Campion Marcellin at 4:40pm

🏐Girls' Volleyball

Gisborne Boys High School Gym, Wednesday 10 June 2026

Campion College Green vs Gisborne Pinoy Spikers at 6:10pm - Court 1

Campion College Green vs Survivors at 6:50pm - Court 2

Campion College Gold vs Sonrise Superstars at 7:30 pm - Court 2

The Campion College Ball is one of the highlights of the senior school calendar, and we are pleased to confirm the details for 2026.

Date: Saturday 29 August
Time: 7.00 pm – 11.00 pm
Venue: Bushmere Arms

The Ball is open to all Year 12 and 13 Campion College students and their partners. We encourage students to save the date now and look forward to an enjoyable evening celebrating with friends and classmates.

Further information regarding tickets, partners, and expectations will be communicated in the coming months.

Support our Campion College 1st XI Hockey Team as they raise funds for Tournament Week!

The team is currently selling tickets in a firewood raffle, with one lucky winner taking home 2 cubic metres of quality mānuka firewood, valued at $440.

Tickets are just $5 each, with all proceeds going towards supporting the team's travel and participation in Tournament Week. Thank you for supporting our players as they represent Campion College.

BUY TICKETS HERE

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.

Kia haumaru, kia kaha, kia kotahi hoki ngā hapori. Creating safe, resilient, and connected communities.

Neighbourhood Support is a nationwide, community-led movement that brings people together to improve safety, resilience, and wellbeing for everyone. As we launch this new initiative in the Gisborne region, we want to hear from you!

Please help us shape our local support network by sharing your thoughts in our quick survey.

Complete the quick survey here: https://forms.gle/KGN7TmsNYsrGCsiB8

Thank you so much for your time and for helping us foster a safer, more connected Gisborne.

Ngā mihi nui,

Tony Scragg

Committee Member, Gisborne Neighbourhood Support

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