Responsible for continuing the history and traditions of Catherine McAuley, Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy.
St Mary's College's Alumni's purpose is to reconnect with both current and old students, parents, caregivers, current and past staff, and the wider Catholic college community. We welcome anyone who has an interest in supporting and engaging with the College.
St Mary's College Alumni 'Star' Newsletter
September 2022
Kia Orana kotou katoatoa,
We hope and trust you have kept warm and well through these wet winter days. Make sure, where possible, that you are getting some much-needed rest and spending this time with your families.
The month of September is all about you being part of the college community! Do you know why community is so important? Strong communities are critical because they're often an important source of social connection and a sense of belonging in what can sometimes be a lonely world. Participating in a community bonded by attitudes, values, and goals is essential to enjoying a fulfilling life. So, on that note, I personally invite you to join the college community and come to the Inaugural Alumni breakfast on Thursday, 29 September 2022.
This event is an important symbol of community, where we can proudly celebrate our current and past sisterhood coming together, and we want you to be a part of this.
There are so many reasons to come to the event, the celebration of our Alumni college community coming together, the delayed celebration of our 170th Anniversary in 2020, and even better, our Alumni Breakfast is also the 244th Birthday of Catherine McAuley.
At this event, we will also honour and thank our Year 13 students with a leavers presentation led by Andrew Murray, Principal, and Maria Fouhy, Director of Religious Studies / Head of Learning Religious Studies.
We will celebrate our uniqueness, faith, and unwavering commitment to what we hold dear to our heart, St Mary's College – 172 years of leading education for young women.
Register today and attend the Alumni breakfast,
>> CLICK HERE <<
Tickets close off on Friday 9 September, or until sold out. Don't miss out. Buy your ticket/s today.
While registering online for the Alumni breakfast, please consider our Buy-A-Brick and Leave a Legacy campaign. This has been established to raise funds for our current major works project of building an Accessibility bridge between the McAuley and Carlow buildings and reroofing/reglazing Carlow Block to ensure that great education continues to be available for future generations. We are very grateful to those college families and past students who have already supported this initiative by buying a brick. Purchase a brick today and leave your or your family's legacy for future generations. Brick donations start at $149.00 + GST. CLICK HERE to order your brick today.
Lastly, if you are considering enrolling your daughter in 2023, please ring in the first instance the College office to make a time. We would love to welcome you and your family to the College. Ph: 04 473-5554.
Should you visit the College, with COVID and winter illness continuing to impact our college community, we ask that you wear a face mask.
Connect and keep updated with the latest news through online Alumni college community channels.
Term 3 finishes on Friday 30 September therefore, this is our last newsletter for Term 3. We wish you all a fabulous break and look forward to reconnecting with you in Term 4. Our next newsletter will be released on 1 November.
Meitaki,
Sally Dunbar.
Community Director
St Mary's College
It's a very exciting time for the college as we have many reasons to celebrate with our Alumni college community. The delayed celebration of our 170th Anniversary in 2020, the opportunity to come together, and it is also the 244th Birthday of Catherine McAuley.
We invite current and past students, families, teaching staff, and anyone who strongly connects with the college to the Inaugural St Mary's College Alumni Breakfast.
Thursday 29 September 2022
7.30 - 9.30 am
Banquet Hall, Parliament Buildings
Host: Paul Eagle, MP for Rongotai
Speaker: Dame Fran Wilde
Speaker: Sr Anna Nicholls
Seize the opportunity, let us come together, let us connect, and celebrate what our sisterhood has achieved over these last 172 years.
The ticket price includes a hearty breakfast, juice, coffee, and tea, renowned speakers, and event management.
Ticket price: $49.00 per person
Refund policy: a full refund will be given before ticket sales close on Friday, 9 September 2022, or until sold out. After this date, we cannot provide you with a refund due to confirmed catering numbers and the requirement of advising Parliament of the confirmed guest list. In the event of constraints caused due to COVID, you will be notified of a postponement, and funds will be held with the college until we can confirm a new date.
St Mary's College Alumni ask that if you cannot attend the Alumni breakfast would you consider buying a ticket for a student or parent who is not in a financial position to buy a ticket?
Please email the Alumni office, if you can pay it forward and make someone's day by buying a ticket.
Look who's coming to the Alumni Breakfast....Anna du Flou and Rachel Steel (1983-1987) are travelling from Auckland to Wellington for the Alumni breakfast.
Anna and Rachel have been best friends since they met at St Mary's and have kept in touch ever since. After leaving school, Rachel obtained an LLB from Victoria University and then practiced as a lawyer in Wellington and London before settling in Auckland with her husband and three children. Anna worked in banking in Wellington and then London. More recently, she has lived in Qatar and Kenya with her husband and two daughters before moving back to Auckland, where she now lives.
Anna and Rachel look forward to reconnecting with old classmates and teachers at the Alumni breakfast on Thursday, 29 September.
Like Anna and Rachel, seize the opportunity to reconnect and celebrate our sisterhood. Book your ticket today!
Image: Rachel and Anna in "The Quad" on their last day of school in 1987, one of the only days Sr De Porres allowed mufti!
Now is the perfect time to purchase a named engraved brick and be part of the College’s Buy-A-Brick campaign!
You can both support the College and also create a very special momento on the College grounds on behalf of you, your child(ren) and/or their families, Old Girls, current students, families, current and past parents, staff, supporters and organisations are all invited to help us with this campaign as we build this wonderful walkway between our two main tower blocks and update Carlow block for the next generation.
Background
This special fund has been established for the purpose of raising funds for the major works project that we are working on to build an accessibility bridge between the McAuley and Carlow buildings and to reroof and re-glaze the adjoining Carlow Tower. The funds raised will be in the name of St Mary’s College Wellington Ltd, the proprietor/owner of the College. All income generated will be used exclusively to fund these major works projects.
These works will enable students to move from one building to another at every level and provide lift access for those with access needs to our two major buildings. They will also ensure that our four-storey Carlow Block is weather-proof and that the windows have modern double-glazing with consequential heating and cooling benefits. We are using our accumulated Policy One funds, the generous gift from the Sisters of Mercy and a facility provided through the NZ Catholic Education Finance debt-servicing scheme to fund these two major projects. The total cost is currently estimated to be in excess of $5.5million but costs and standards are continuing to increase.
We need your help to cover $500,000 (half a million dollars), to enable this project to go ahead. The Accessibility Bridge project build is scheduled to start in late 2023 or early 2024, allowing us time to raise funds before we begin this project.
We welcome donations from all members of the College community. Every donation will be honoured and your contribution will literally change the lives of young women today, and for years to come.
Maria's Present Reality of St Mary’s College, Wellington (2021 - current)
It is a real privilege to be a teacher at St Mary’s College. My Mum, the original Director of Religious Studies of our family, has spoken lovingly of her time at this College. It is a wonderful daily experience for me to walk the footsteps of her journey, in my own role as Director of Religious Studies at St Mary’s College. The Mercy charism is a family favourite of ours! My twin, Veronica Fouhy-Mullin was Director of Religious Studies at St Mary’s College, Auckland and my sister Rosanna Fouhy, is the Deputy Principal, Director of Learning for Mission, at Carmel College in Auckland.
Dianna’s Memories of St Mary’s College, Wellington (nee Simmons) 1965-1969
A rigour of education and an emphasis on discussion, on all areas of learning were a key aspect of my educational life at St Mary’s College. I loved Music as both a subject and a personal passion and I was given opportunities to experience them practically at school. We had a very fine choir, which I was a part of and I was also given the opportunity to tutor the younger students. I had very experienced teachers and who encouraged me to focus on getting good grade results for piano.
The teaching of Religious Education was exciting, as Vatican II was just unfolding. A big emphasis of Vatican Two was of engaging the laity in a deeper understanding of their faith and a more active participation in the liturgies. This was carried out in every class and at every year level. The opportunities that were given to us, from Form 3 to Upper 6th, was to grow in a knowing and loving relationship with Jesus Christ; To actually encounter Christ, in the sacraments, in our classroom prayer and in the personal research that we were doing in all areas of the study and practice of our faith.
The connection of Sisterhood runs deep Jacqueline Anne Cripps (she's in the back row of the above photo) Dianna Fouhy's best friend and Maria and Veronica Fouhy Godmother
She was my Mothers best friend and Godmother to my twin and me. She had two children, Sophie and Christopher. She had a passion for entering into Medicine and was the sole student who went across to St Patrick's Town to do her Physics studies there. It was a struggle for her to get into Medicine, so she first did a Bachelor of Science and was then accepted into Medicine from there. Jacqueline and her husband, Paul Egden, ran their own practice in Palmerston North. She was a strong advocate for women's health. A fabulous, feisty, welcoming, supportive woman who we lost to breast cancer in 2010.
May she rest in peace.
Maria Fouhy
ON THE GROUND
ST MARYS COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTIONS
Our returning officer for the election (CES) hereby declares the following duly elected Chris Elliott, Gail Saipani, Tasi Cammock, Gavin Mark Cairns, Phillip Onesemo and Julia Clausen.
Along with our 6 parent representatives, our Board of Trustees also has 3 Board of Proprietor representatives who are Natasha Watson, Melanie Smith and Sister Natalie Murphy. Our current student representative is Hannah Sema, and we are looking to confirm our staff representative to the board shortly.
We congratulate our 6 parent representatives on their election to the board and thank them for their willingness to contribute to our school in such a vital and important way.
ST MARYS COLLEGE AUGUST 2022 NEWSLETTER
SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS
We are very proud of our sporting successes at St Mary's College. Last week our St Mary's College top sports teams played in what was a very competitive environment. Here are our results;
Monday 22nd August: Senior Netball Regional Division 1 Final.
St Mary's vs Qn Margaret: ASB Sports Centre, Kilbirnie, Court 10.. SMC won 39-27
Tuesday 23rd August: Junior Basketball: Championship Premier Final, Mayer & Toye Cup.
St Mary's Jnr A vs Sacred Heart Jnr A: Walter Nash Centre, Taita, Court 1. SMC won 83-38
Wednesday 24th August: U18 Hurricanes Tournament Final.
St Mary's U18 vs Manukura U18: Palmerston North Arena. SMC lost 24-17
Friday 26th August: Senior basketball: Girls Premiership - Sharp Cup Final.
St Mary's vs QMC: ASB Centre, Kilbirnie. SMC lost 83-76
I understand that all games were challenging, this is noted in the above results.
A WORD FROM THE FOSM CHAIR
Hope you have managed to keep your feet dry in July!
For one, I have become very well acquainted with my Wellies, wading around Wellington in all this rain.
At least our reservoirs are now well placed for summer ahead, and is it not wonderful to see the sun and have the feel of spring in the air after a tough winter?
So why not carry on the happy sensation and become a helper to the FOSM? We are planning two events for Term 4 to see the year out and end St Marys 2022 on a positive note.
We would love helpers for our Mad Hatters Day, and our Christmas Thank you morning tea for the staff.
If you feel you can contribute, we need donations for Mad Hatters Day and plates of food donated for our Christmas Thank you morning tea. More on exact dates later.
I look forward to hearing from you - please get in touch with us via the FOSM email.
Come to our next FOSM online meeting on Monday, 5th September at 5.30 pm or contact us above to get involved.
With kind regards,
Mona Kruse Hurnen
FOSM Chair
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
FOSM SECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP UPDATE
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WONDERFUL UNIFORM DONATIONS! They are already being put to good use!
Our next shop opening is on the 1st Monday of each month, during term time. See you on Monday 5 September between 1.30 - 2.30 pm.
Between now and then, we are asking you to consider donating your no-longer-needed St Mary’s College uniform items. Friends of St Mary’s (FOSM) is a not-for-profit group, and all proceeds from the Second-Hand Uniform Shop are channelled back into the College. Your donations will help us continue to offer scholarships and support to St Mary’s College.
Should you wish to donate any items, we ask that they are in very good condition. Drop your uniform item into the College office before Term 3 ends on Friday, 30 September.
To learn more about where the shop is located in the College, pricing, donating uniform items, etc. CLICK HERE
On behalf of the Friends of St Mary’s College, THANK YOU for supporting our service and your College.
Since those humble beginnings, St Mary's College has grown into one of the oldest existing schools in New Zealand with an enrolment of approximately 600 students.
St Mary's College's Alumni's purpose is to reconnect with both current and old students, parents, caregivers, current and past staff, and the wider Catholic college community. We welcome anyone who has an interest in supporting and engaging with the College.
We are very proud of our many former students who have gone on to be successful in both their private and business lives. The new STMC Alumni past students are making their mark on the world! In all areas of Arts, Community, Culture, Sport, Science, Business and the Environment they contribute to and enhance our lives.
We love to hear of your endeavours and one way is by keeping in touch with us. Join us through the St Mary's College website, our social media channels, or send us an email.
How can you be involved?
Get in touch, we would love it if you reconnected with us,
Spread the word, we want to make sure that all old girls, families, and faculty are aware of this new initiative,
Pay it Forward, and give back to the college community in kind, or through donation.
The St Mary’s Old Girls’ Association (SMOGA) is focused on enjoying the friendship of those who have been past pupils of St Mary’s College Wellington and their friends. We normally have a variety of social events during the year but the last 18 months have been different because of the COVID restrictions. Past pupils and friends of the College of all ages are encouraged to attend. We do have a lot of fun and enjoy sharing our lives, past and present, with each other. While we are having fun we also try to raise a little money to help the current group of students at the College who are in need.
If you would like more information about these events or would like to join our association then please contact Judy Houlahan, via the SMOGA webpage.
SISTERS OF MERCY: LASTING REFLECTIONS
Sister of Mercy member, Sr Anna Nicholls shares with us her reflections and spiritual nourishment tips.
Let us embrace "kaiako" (feeder of knowledge), and embrace leadership that is reciprocal (ie, the teacher and child have opportunities to learn from each other). The spirit of St Mary’s college represents this, we are truly unique, we are all part of one thread, the sharing of knowledge,and we are a community that has experiences and memories that span over 170 years.
Today it is so important to network, interact and stay in touch — the alumni network offers current and past students, families,and the wider college team a host of benefits. One thing that will always remain in our Sisterhood. It is solid, it is constant, it is a community of women, a family, we are all linked by a common interest. Let us remember that we are all one, embracing all.
Our next newsletter will be released on Tuesday 1 November 2022. Newsletter submissions close mid-October 2022.
Nga Mihi,
Sally Dunbar
Community Director
P: +64 4 473 5554,
E: alumni@stmw.school.nz
St Marys College Term Dates 2022
Term 3: Monday 25th July - Friday - 30th September
Term 4: Monday 17th October - Friday 9th December
Disclaimer
While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this correspondence is complete and accurate, St Mary's College does not represent or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, or that this information is suitable for use in every situation. The College, and its directors and officers, do not accept any responsibility or liability arising directly or indirectly from or in connection with your use or reliance on this information, or from any omission in the information.
