On Thursday 1 May 2025, the annual Pompallier Shield competition commenced as soon as a flame flickered on the Pompallier Candle’s wick. Students from Sancta Maria College were selected to compete and represent our school’s Catholic identity through diverse categories. This year, we gathered with fifteen other Catholic schools in the heart of Auckland, at Sacred Heart College.
These students represented us in the following categories:
- Junior Māori Scripture – Khloe Wakefield
- Junior Scripture – Adam Lynch
- Junior Oratory – Shaylee Fonua
- Senior Māori Scripture – Isabella Alipate-Roberts
- Senior Scripture – Zoe Martis
- Senior Oratory – Ruiqi Jiang
- Waiata/Himene– Kayla Jones, Sinah-Lei Lauaki, Stacey Palusa, Eliyana Eliki-Jones, Raeana Flanagan, Aniseto Paselio, Junior Siketi, Devin Mah-Kwan, Joshua de Guzman, and Tyrese Tupai.
Our students departed from Sancta Maria College and arrived at Sacred Heart College at 1 pm. We were escorted into the chapel after our arrival while the hosting school performed a kapa haka. We congregated for a Pōwhiri, followed by the tradition of lighting the Pompallier Candle. Students then had the opportunity to prepare themselves and replenish their energy with refreshments before dispersing to their allocated buildings. Subsequently, our students proudly represented our school and God – everyone eagerly harnessed their talents and demonstrated incredible sportsmanship/support towards their peers. Anticipation heightened when we met in the auditorium for the results.
Despite not claiming the Pompallier Shield itself, we did not return home empty-handed, as the Pompallier Shield candle was passed onto Sancta Maria College – we will be privileged to host the Pompallier Shield Competition in 2026!
Overall, the Pompallier Shield was an invaluable experience for students. Our students learnt various lessons from their peers and the competition; the trip was filled with newfound connections, experiences, pride in honoring Christ and our school. This excursion would not have been possible without our teachers’ unconditional support. Thank you to Mr Tamayo, Ms Oliver, Ms Hiddleston, Mr Rimamate, and Ms Du-Blom.
We hope next year’s Pompallier Shield will be as incredible as this year. Good luck to the students participating in the Pompallier Shield Competition for 2026 at Sancta Maria College.
