Home

Canterbury Earthquake - Villa Maria College Closed

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students. Updated 12:00 Thursday 9 September

At this stage the College will be open for all students on Monday 13 September. Students are to report at the normal time [8.30am] and go to Vertical Group rooms for an extended Vertical Group. This includes the Year 13 students.

If students need to collect books from their lockers they can come to the College from 9:30 to 10:00am on Friday 10th to do so. They must sign in at the main office and sign out when they leave. I ask them only to collect their books and leave as soon as possible as we have a great deal to do in preparing for Monday.

• Every person has had a different experience in this earthquake and there is a need for understanding and good listening. If any student is unable to come to school for their examinations next week or the retreat because of this trauma they need to formally let the college and the Head of House know. It is important that we focus on the long term rather than try to meet short term requirements they may be too difficult for some. Our Pastoral Care team suggests that you access the following links that offer tips for parents to help their children through this time.
Helping children after trauma by John Cowan
Supporting children through traumatic events by Steve Taylor

Again note the following;
• Year 13 retreat is still on and the students will leave for retreat after Vertical Group.
• The Year 11 and 12 examinations will start on Tuesday 14 September
• Year 12 Leadership Day September 16 is cancelled
• Mercy Day's Chorale Festival is postponed till term four
• The Fashion show is postponed till Term 4 and will be reviewed at a later date
• The ‘Praise Be' recording for Con Brio and all choirs has been cancelled.
• The Thursday timetable will revert back to 3.20pm finish until Show Weekend

The School has already been certified safe by a structural engineer and there has been no more significant damage. However, it will be inspected again on Friday to confirm this. The water is now safe to drink.

I ask again if you need any assistance from the College or if you know of anyone who needs our support, please contact us so we can do so. This can be done at mca@villa.school.nz or Mrs Cassidy's direct dial Ph 341 1497.

If you would like to help others in the community at this time, volunteers are asked to contact the Council's call centre on (03) 941 8999.  

Updated information will be e-mailed and placed on the web site. www.villa.school.nz

God bless you all and comfort you through this time.

John Schreurs
Acting principal

Students will be seated in specific rows for the exams.  The lists for each exam will be outside R11.  Arrive early, check which row you are in, and assemble in that row in alphabetical order.  Wear school uniform.  Bring only pens etc in a clear plastic bag, a bottle of water, no sweets. You are expected to remain in the exam room for the full duration of the exam and to aim to achieve the best results you can.

This prayer for earthquakes has been sent to the College by Sr. Raylene Dwyer

Earthquake Prayer
From: Mass and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, Roman Missal

God our Father, you set the earth on its foundation.
Keep us safe from the danger of earthquakes
and let us always feel the presence of your love.
May we be secure in your protection and serve you with grateful hearts.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
Amen.
 

***************************************************************************

Tënä Koutou Katoa, Cead Mile Failte, Welcome to Villa Maria College!

As you tune into our website you get in touch with over 90 years of Mercy education. For 90 years the vision of Catherine McAuley (founder of the Sisters of Mercy) has been implemented, tested and challenged. 

Why Villa Maria, the House of Mary?  If you are seeking quality education, academic achievement and wide co-curricular programmes - then Villa Maria College has to be on your shortlist.  The College annually achieves academic results which are among the best in New Zealand.

It is the special character, the Mercy Character, which makes Villa different.  We expect respect - student to student, teacher to teacher, students to support staff and so on.  In the words of the prophet Hosea:

Hear then what the prophet Micah asks of you: 

• To live justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God

Justice is mercy/love distributed.  Quality relationships are necessary for all learning and teaching and humility is knowing that one needs God - that the individual is not the be all of creation.

It is hard to believe that girls who enter Year 7 at Villa Maria College in 2012 will be the senior class for the Centennial.

We hope you will choose not only to be part of Villa's community, but to help write a new chapter in College history.

We welcome new, intending and prospective students and their families, as well as other visitors on Open Day to see our College community in action - to talk to our staff and students and to celebrate our cultural performances.

Mrs. Mary Lynch
Principal