Built in a style reminiscent of an open-sided whare (house), the new entrance structure helps welcome people into Garin College's wairua (soul).

It also protects the school's "story and curriculum", principal John Maguire says.

Bicultural story

That story began with the powhiri when the school opened in 2002.

The powhiri was held in exactly the same place where the new entranceway has been sited.

Today, the newly-opened entranceway serves a number of purposes, Maguire says.

It's a shelter for students who like gathering there each morning.

But it also represents "an exciting step" in the school's bi-cultural journey. Garin College's communities are two-fold: educational and Catholic, Maguire explains.

Whakairo - Carving

The whakaaro (concepts) represented on the building's facade are the fruit of bi-cultural research and consultation.

The school's Maori protocols leader, Matua Simon Pimm, undertook some of this while the school consulted with the Catholic parish community on the design.

The result "spoke to" the Maori who first arrived in Aotearoa and to local Maori's whakapapa and journey, Maguire says.

The symbolism continues within the structure, where four pou represent the Maori health model's four cornerstones, Te Whare Tapa Wha'.

In the centre, imagery of "an Atua or God, Christ at the centre, and the Trinity - or the mystery if you like - for both Maori and Christian, in terms of the mystery of faith" Maguire says.

Inside the structure there are four panels, each named after the school's house patrons.

That was a move to help students "reflect on the influence of those inspirational persons ... in Catholic education," Maguire says.

Garin College's founding patron Father Antoine Garin, and Bishop Pompallier, the first Catholic missionary to arrive in New Zealand, are named on the panels.

The church Garin established in Nelson some 150 years ago, St Mary's parish church, also features as a cut-out in the whare, Maguire says.

Other symbolism is encapsulated in the five boulders around the whare.

These represent the school's five current values. Maguire says these are generosity, aroha (love), rangimarie (peace), integrity and new life.

They were designed to show the values are "rock solid", Maguire says.

Funding

Funding for the new entranceway came from the Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington.

The Archdiocese in turn received the funds by way of a property-upgrade package provided to state-ontegrated schools four years ago by the government.

Plans

Between now and 2025, Garin College's building plans include four new classrooms and a multi-purpose area.

The $5.6m project is needed since the College is already nearing its capacity (670 students).

Next year's roll of 635 is far larger than the roll of about 500 five years ago.

Source

• Stuff

Moriarty was part of Garin College from the start in 2002, after a 19-year long stint at Nelson College.

In addition to being the deputy principal, he also taught geography.

He said working with teenagers made his work so enjoyable.

"You can't help but join them in their level of enthusiasm for everything."

Moriarty said he admired the students' ability to come up with solutions.

He said he had been talking about retirement for a while, so the news didn't come as a shock to most, although many were sad to see him leave. Continue reading

Mr Maguire said it was his first principalship and he was excited about the new leadership role.

"I see it as a real challenge and an opportunity for me to get my feet under the desk of school leadership." Continue reading

Last night the sold-out Theatre Royal was rocking with 12 acts who made it through to the Nelson Rockquest final, with teens, younger siblings and even grandparents along for support.

Taking home top band for the second year running was Garin College band Oh Blok. The band is made up of Garin students Louie Persico, Paddy Sanders, Kieran O'Connor and Sam Butler as well as Robbie Day of Nelson College.

Band keyboardist Paddy Sanders, year 13, said the band was "pretty surprised" by the win.

"The competition was quite high, we are super proud of all the other bands. We were more confident coming this year [than last year], we were more familiar with the structure and how it all works."

He said they had Garin College music teacher Kyle Proffit to thank as he had done "wonderful things for the school". Continue reading

The number of Marlborough boys attending St Bede's College in Christchurch peaked in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when boys slept 60 to a room, but parents now demanded privacy says Rector Justin Boyle.

Boyle says Marlborough boys continue to be a small proportion of the Christchurch Catholic college's boarding roll, capped at 130. About six were enrolled in years 9 to 13.

He says family connections with the church had grown more tenuous but demand for boarding places at St Bede's exceeded supply due to the Catholic school's reputation for achievement and its values.

Garin College boarding manager Robert Booth said 20 Marlborough boys and girls lived at the college. They included three year 9 boarders.

Mr Booth, at Garin since the school opened 11 years ago, said Marlborough enrolments fluctuated, with a noticeable drop-off during the wine industry downturn.

Demand for places surpassed availability, he said. Many non-Catholic parents wanted to enrol children at Garin because of its small size and emphasis on moral values, but "non-preferential" places were limited to 10 per cent of the roll.

The ministry figures for Marlborough also included 12 pupils who transferred to day schools around the country and two who enrolled at Catholic college St Peter's in Palmerston North.

Laura Moriarty, who is a member of the five-person business team from Garin College, received the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology YES Award for Outstanding Enterprise Skills for her participation, persistence and work ethic. She was presented with the award on Thursday at the College prize giving.

The company the students set up was called Halan, using the initials of the five members of the team. It made and sold moisturizing bars at the Nelson Market.

The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) is business programme in which secondary students set up a company, create real products or services, and make real profit or loss. The NMIT YES Award recipient is selected by the YES Coordinator. The winner receives $2500 towards their study fees.

Source

• Nelson Mail
• Image: Garin College