Meet Our Student Leaders 4: Academic Prefects
March 21, 2020
In this series of articles, we get an inside look at our 2020 prefects – their backgrounds, roles and ambitions. For our fourth feature, we
Faith
Stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. God indeed is my salvation, I am confident and unafraid.
– Isaiah 12:2
At Sancta Maria College it is our privilege to celebrate God, Christ and Mary, following the Catholic tradition, in our classrooms and around our campus.
Sancta Maria provides students with an NCEA-supported education in Religious Studies to promote their knowledge about the Cathocism and encourage them to further their faith. Religious Education is a compulsory course from Year 7 to Year 13 and is taught by specifically trained teachers.
Heavenly Father,
we thank you for gathering us
together in faith.
We pray that Mary’s integrity and humility
will continue to guide us on our journey
through Sancta Maria College.
May we always open our hearts to Christ,
supporting and encouraging each other
in our pursuit of excellence.
Help us to see the face of Christ
in one another.
Ake Ake Ake
Amene.
Prayer
All students participate in a morning prayer at the beginning of every day. Throughout the year every student will be given the responsibility to run and organise the morning prayer.
Sometimes this might mean they share scripture readings and common prayers to encourage fellow students to have a successful and happy day. The morning prayers are always finished with an open prayer session where any student can voice a specific issue or person they would like the class to pray for. These sessions are excellent for building both faith and student friendships.
We have a chapel at Sancta Maria College which is open at all times for students to visit if they want some peace and quiet to pray. The chapel also hosts Mass every Wednesday for students to come during lunch time to partake in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Throughout the College campus we have several icons, artworks and features which remind students of the Special Character of our school and the importance of the Catholic faith. For example, there is a huge compass in the courtyard to support our school motto, ‘Faith is our Compass’.
Retreats
At Sancta Maria College we believe that retreats play an important part in the social, emotional and spiritual development of each and every child. We hold retreats at each year level encompassing a variety of structured experiences which aim to promote the students’ personal development and spiritual nurture through growing understanding and empathy. Each retreat experience provides every student with opportunities to develop into responsible young adults equipped with the skills to handle any of life’s challenges.
Our retreats focus on relationships, community and understanding oneself, helping develop bonds with peers and develop future College Leaders.
Our retreats aim to deepen the exploration into the student’s own spirituality and provide time for self-reflection and personal growth.
For all students, retreats are a time of development as they start to explore their own lives, relationships and spirituality. Teachers and our College Chaplain work closely with all students during these retreats to provide the support and guidance they need in order to gain the most out of every experience.
Chapel
Our chapel is situated beside the main driveway that leads into the college. All who enter the school become aware that this is a place of Special Character and Charism. The architects were inspired to design a building that prompts us to raise our minds and hearts to God ever present and central to our lives.
Within the Chapel, the altar, lectern, tabernacle, crucifix and brass candle-stand were donated to Sancta Maria by the Sisters of Mercy. The Priest’s chair is a gift to the College from St. Patrick’s Parish, Pukekohe, and the secondary altar is a gift from the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers).
Sacraments
At Sancta Maria, a Sacramental Programme is offered to students who wish to be initiated into the Catholic Church.
Students will be able to work towards their Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist through this programme.
Read More
Meet our Student Leaders 3: Deputy Head Prefects – School Community
March 16, 2020
In this series of articles, we get an inside look at our 2020 prefects- their background, roles and ambitions. Today we are featuring out Deputy
Peer Support Building Bonds
March 14, 2020
A chilly Friday morning marked the first session for Year 11 and 12 Peer Support. Peer Support Leaders act as big brothers and sisters to
