DONATION: $250,000 / New playground

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Our current adventure playground has served us well over the years, but it now requires frequent repairs and part replacements to keep it safe for our tamariki. That’s why we’re absolutely thrilled the Hugo Charitable Trust has generously pledged a $250,000 donation towards a brand-new Adventure Playground!

This generous donation has been gifted solely for the purpose of creating a new Adventure Playground, ensuring these funds are dedicated entirely to providing a safe, engaging, and imaginative play space for our tamariki.

This gift comes thanks to Maryanne Owens, a former Marist School and Marist College student. During her recent visit, Maryanne was amazed to see how much our school has grown and changed since her time here. She was joined by Hugo CEO, Aoibheann Monaghan and Chair, Mark Owens who met with Carolynn Phillips during their visit.

We will now begin the exciting process of planning our new playground and of course, our tamariki will play a key role in shaping their future play space! Carolynn will be meeting with the Student Council, who will help gather ideas and run a “Design Your Dream Adventure Playground” competition.

The donation funds will be received in 2026, and while the timeline for design, consultation, and installation is still being developed, we’re thrilled to have this project underway.

A heartfelt thank you to Maryanne and the Hugo Charitable Trust for helping us create a safe, inspiring, and joy-filled place for our children to play and grow.

History of Marist School

Father Gondringer, the parish priest of the newly formed Mt Albert parish (1924) made a request to the Marist Sisters to establish a primary school in his growing parish. The parishioners, though not very wealthy and small in number, raised money to build the school and worked on it voluntarily during weekends. The parishioners greeted Mother Bernard and Sister Austin on their arrival on the “Tofua” on the 24th January 1927. The Sisters of Mercy hosted them until their cottage was ready and also helped them to understand the New Zealand school curriculum.

School began on 7 February 1927 when 90 students arrived. Those from other parishes were asked to return to their former schools as there was only seating for 80 students. A lay teacher, Miss Jessie Nicholl taught Standard 1 and 2, Sr Austin the Primers, and Mother Bernard Standards 3 to 6.

The grounds were not fully completed, so the children could not go out to play as the men were blasting rocks to level it. The students helped the sisters by putting on the vegetables for their meal and helping with washing the dishes.

Sr Dominic arrived from Sydney in May 1927, helping with both schoolwork and the needs of the community. As a private school, Marist had to be registered. This was achieved in October 1927, the inspector rating was equal to the best school in the district – Gladstone School.

The sisters did not have a lot of money. Bishop Cleary had promised $100 per year, but the weekly school fees barely brought in $2. They gave a few music lessons and took in some sewing to support them and the school. The parishioners were generous in their donation of food to the sisters.

Early in 1944, with help from the Mt Albert Borough Council a swimming pool was constructed in the presbytery grounds adjoining the primary. (This is now the garden for the school’s Garden to Table programme).

From 1978, due to an increasing roll, Forms One and Two from the primary school were taken into the College as an attached Intermediate and new buildings were built. The school was integrated into the State system in 1975 under the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act. The Marist Sisters held the principalship until the resignation of Sr Teresa Moran. The first lay principal was Mrs Ann Saunokonoko.

Much has changed environmentally with the school grounds and buildings but the heart of what it means to be Marist and the mission of the Marist Sisters is still alive and well. In 2020 the school opened the two storey block and in 2024 refurbished the original school building, which is now the school hall.

Marist School is proud of its tūrangawaewae, its history and traditions. Marist School embraces the Marist Way and walks with Christ and Mary.

DONATION: $63,000
New school van

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We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Hugo Charitable Trust for their generous donation, which has enabled us to purchase a van for our school. This van will greatly enhance our students’ ability to participate in school trips, camps, sporting events, swimming lessons, and more, providing them with valuable learning experiences beyond the classroom.

It will also enable us to help children make the transition from early learning to school by providing additional access to school visits for families that would otherwise be unable to come. We will even be able to support families with transport difficulties by providing a school pick up and drop off service.

Thanks again to Hugo Charitable Trust, your support will make a tangible and lasting difference in the lives of our children, and we are deeply grateful for your contribution to our community. We cannot wait for our new van to be delivered!

Kā mihi nui,
Debbie Waldron, Principal