Kia Ora and welcome.  St. Mary’s Catholic School is a very special place.  We are a state-integrated Catholic school of 232 students (and growing) in Gisborne, the first city in the world to see the sun each day. We enjoy a fantastic relationship with Campion College and the St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish.

Our vibrant school is founded on the Josephite charism of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods.  The four values we embrace are:

1. Have an attitude of gratitude

2. Do your bit

3. Listen for God’s call

4. Make room in your hearts for all

We are also a PB4L, positive behaviour for learning, school.  We have three simple school rules that underpin behaviour choices:

• Respect myself

• Respect others

• Respect the environment

St. Mary’s Catholic School is a great place to learn.  Our school is a member of the Gisborne Turanganui-a-Kiwa Kāhui Ako and a member of the Manaiakalani Outreach programme.  Our Year 3-6 classes are all operating on 1:1 digital devices (Ipads or Chromebooks) and embrace a ‘Learn, Create, Share’ programme of teaching and learning.  Our students are learning to work within a cybersmart curriculum and developing all-important digital citizenship skills. 

At St. Mary’s Catholic School we want all of our students to achieve their very best and to genuinely encounter Christ in their learning and the prayer life of our school.  We offer a wide range of additional learning experiences and opportunities - in special character, leadership, enviro schools, gifted and talented programmes (Aurora), culture, music, sport and education outside the classroom pursuits.  

Please come and visit us.  We’re a busy and happy Catholic school community and you’ll be made very welcome.  I’d be very happy to show you around our fantastic school.

Ngā mihi nui,

Helen McGuigan