Mission Statement
"With Christ as our Centre We Strive for Excellence"
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Rotorua, is an integrated Catholic School that caters for Years 1-6 students drawn from Rotorua City and surrounding districts. It is a Decile 5 school with approximately 400 students.
The School is well resourced, with highly qualified teachers, supportive parents and clear expectations and goals for our children. Children attending our school come from a number of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Vision
St Mary’s School, Rotorua, is a community of learners who are striving to develop confident, connected, life-long learners.
Children
· Are conscious of what the Special Character of our School is and what it means to be a member of a Catholic Community
· Model the values taught by Jesus Christ
· Are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning
· Want to learn
· Learn how to learn
· Have high literacy and numeracy skills
· Are encouraged and supported by staff and peers
· Accept the strengths and weaknesses of themselves and others
· Participate willingly in a wide range of extra curricular activities
· Have access to information technology
· Are provided with opportunities for leadership, team work and the development of Life Skills
Staff
· Promote the teachings of the Catholic Church through Religious Education
· Have high expectations of themselves, their colleagues and their students
· Support each other
· Work to address the needs of our pupils
· Develop positive relationships with children, parents/caregivers to enhance each child’s learning
· Participate in ongoing and relevant professional development programmes
· Regularly reflect on their own practice
· Are role models
· Provide quality learning environments
The Board of Trustees
· Provides the school vision and its strategic direction
· Provides quality governance
· Supports the children, principal and teaching staff
· Fosters open communication
· Participates in professional development
Parents/Caregivers
· Show support for, and a commitment to, the Special Character of the School
· Actively support their child’s/children’s education
· Share in the responsibility of their child’s learning
· Develop positive relationships with teachers to enhance each child’s learning
· Attend parent meetings and support school events
· Are involved with and support the ongoing development of the school
St Mary’s Catholic School Community
Recognise the School is part of a local, regional and national Catholic Community.
Values and Skills
We want our Children and Teachers to :
Display and Develop –
Independence
Charity
Justice
Respect
Self-Esteem
A Thirst for Learning
And to be –
Problem Solvers
Risk Takers (in a learning sense)
Reflective
Aware of their strengths and next learning steps
Critical, Creative and Caring Thinkers
Self Motivated
Individual Life Long Learners
Cultural Diversity
St Mary’s Catholic School caters for cultural diversity by –
· Providing a supportive environment where children are encouraged to have pride in themselves and their culture
· Acknowledging and valuing different cultures
· Integrating Te Reo and Tikanga Maori within the classroom programmes
· Providing cultural opportunities for students
· Utilising community resources and resource personnel
· If a request is made for instruction in and through Tikanga Maori and Te Reo Maori by a parent, the Board and Principal of St Mary’s School will assist the parent to locate a suitable local alternative school to meet their needs.
· Currently, St Mary’s School is unable to offer an immersion programme for Maori instruction.