WelCom November 2024
St Theresa’s School celebrates 75 years, 1949–2024
Annette Scullion
Past and present students, parish priests, whanau, members of the parish community and guests, including Archbishop Paul Martin sm and representatives from the Archdiocese of Wellington, gathered at St Theresa’s Catholic School in Plimmerton on Thursday 12 September to celebrate the 75th Jubilee of their kura.
The celebrations included the blessing of a newly commissioned artwork added to the decorative murals and paintings on the school’s outside walls.
The morning began at 9.30am, gathered by the big pohutukawa tree for a welcome, karakia, waiata and the blessing of the artwork. Mass at St Theresa’s Church next to the school, and morning tea in the church hall followed.
The sound of a conch signalled the start of proceedings.
Welcoming everyone, Principal Donna McDonald said, ‘It is a great honour to have you join us today. Your presence adds immense value to this special occasion, as we reflect on the rich history, achievements, and community spirit that have shaped our school over the decades. We are deeply grateful for your support and spiritual guidance, which continue to inspire and uplift our school community.
‘Today we honour those that have come before us, their memory and we value the lessons we have been taught. At every stage of our journey we are reminded to live as Mary MacKillop did and “never see a need without doing something about it”. We endeavour to stay true to our vision, to live, learn and love with Jesus, being the best we can be.
‘As we gather to bless this artwork, which illustrates St Therese looking out to Mana Island, and depicting the past, present and future, let us reflect on how beautifully it captures the essence of who we are. Together, as a school community, we will continue to be a beacon of faith and learning, nurturing future generations to carry this legacy forward with pride and purpose. May God bless us as we celebrate the past, embrace the present, and look forward to a future filled with hope and growth.’
Archbishop Paul spoke to everyone gathered then blessed the new artwork.
Local artists Deidree Hutchins, whose family have been involved in the school for nearly 20 years, and Alan Wehipeihana, from Holtams Studios, created the work, entitled Our History, Our Voice, Our Spirit, using wood from original floorboards from the junior block as the base, with the image painted in acrylics then printed onto aluminium to be displayed outside.
The students formed a ‘guard of honour’ to lead everyone into Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Paul, along with Frs Andrew Kim, Bill Warwick and Ravi Kumar. Students read the Prayers for the Faithful and took up the Offerings. The school’s choir and musicians led the music.
Speaking to the children Archbishop Paul reminded them about St Mary MacKillop and the Australian Sisters whose charism live on with the school today. ‘The school began 75 years ago in what was then a very different small rural Plimmerton setting’, he said. Archbishops Paul asked everyone to reflect on the day’s reading of St Paul and to remember ‘it is really important to be kind to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.’
The celebrations concluded over morning tea with much reminiscing and at which founding pupil Basil McManaway and St Theresa’s newest pupil of just three days, Jacob Grant, jointly cut the celebration cake.
