ABOUT US
'The school purposefully works to build whānau participation in the education of their tamariki ...'
New Brighton Catholic School is a welcoming environment where all are treated with hospitality, aroha and courtesy.
Inter-relationships between student and student, student and staff, staff and staff, principal and board, principal and staff all contribute immeasurably to the Catholic special character. Every group interviewed, whether student, staff, board or parent representatives, spoke of the mutual respect and devotion of care widely experienced and ‘lived’ by those in this supportive community.
Displays and symbols provide witness to the Catholic identity of the school. The staffroom featured content relating to the school’s Catholic special character and a prayer table with appropriate Catholic symbols and resources for staff prayer. The Sign of the Cross featured in eight different languages presented in the shape of a cross formed part of an attractive religious display in the foyer of the library. A “Caught Being Good’ box promotes and celebrates the names of students displaying the school’s virtues alongside “House Footsteps’ thanking students for ‘Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus.’
The school recognises the importance of te Tiriti o Waitangi and the status of Māori as Tangata Whenua. It is growing in its understanding of bi-culturalism. Bicultural elements such as Māori tikanga, wairua, te reo, karakia, customs and spirituality are part of the daily life of the school.
The school purposefully works to build whānau participation in the education of their tamariki. Parents spoken to feel very welcome within the school setting. They appreciate the work of staff and how they live and believe in the Catholic special character of the school. Whānau have a number of opportunities to participate in and contribute to the life of the school that include open invitations to class prayers, liturgies, the Virtues Assembly and being able to provide voluntary help at school.
The school’s Mission Statement – Through our Catholic faith, and together with family and whānau, we educate, encourage and empower the whole child towards excellence. The school’s Catholic Virtues Programme, Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus, permeates the holistic education delivered at New Brighton Catholic School. Growing rich relationships with God, themselves and each other are categories where the virtues are classified.
Students have a meaningful range of spiritual formation opportunities that encourage a personal relationship with Christ through regular school and class prayer and liturgies. Nearly all of these spiritual experiences are led by student leaders and staff. The school has been the church for this community due to the Canterbury Earthquakes and a semi-retired priest living closer to the neighbouring Catholic parish school of St James.
Prayer is an integral part of the daily routine of the school. Individual classroom prayer includes a variety of traditional and contemporary forms that encourage a personal relationship with Jesus. Opportunities for regular prayer occur at the beginning of the school day, grace before lunch, at the end of the day, at assemblies and liturgies. Christian Meditation is a daily focus in all rooms after lunch. Teachers find this has a calming influence on the students. Each Wednesday, students gather for ‘Buddy’ Prayers where the older students lead the younger ones in prayer.
Allocated to each class is a Prayer Bag containing a range of resources that students take turns to share at home for a week. This provides an opportunity for whānau to congregate together in family prayer.
Excerpts from 2019 Special Character Review of North Brighton Catholic School. Full Review here.