Thank you to everyone who joined our Open Day. It was a joy to welcome prospective families, students, staff and our wider community to share what makes St Thomas’ a special place to learn and grow. If you missed the event, here are the key messages.
A WORD FROM OUR PRINCIPAL STEVE –
After 22 years at St Thomas’ (nine as Principal), I reflected on the school’s mission and what those five formative years (ages 13–18) mean for young men today. While choosing a school feels momentous, you know your son best and will make the right decision.
We are proudly a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition. Faith is the bedrock of what we do – guiding values, relationships and how we serve the wider community. We welcome boys on varied faith journeys and focus on educating the heart first and the mind second. The school encourages practical faith in action; students are “doers” who respond to calls to serve and make a difference.
Educating Hearts and Minds:
Learning at St Thomas’ starts with connection. Research and our experience show that students learn best when they feel safe, connected and able to regulate emotions, so we prioritise belonging and wellbeing as foundations for academic success. Our approach combines strong relationships with high academic expectations: last year 87% of our students gained university entrance; the highest rate for boys in the South Island. That outcome reflects dedicated teachers who build trust and perseverance with their students.
Restorative practices and learning from mistakes:
Mistakes and setbacks are a normal, valuable part of growing up. We use restorative practices; relationship-based approaches that teach students how to build, maintain and repair relationships. These skills are core to our mission and help prepare students for life beyond school.
The Whare Rama Pod – Wellbeing Innovation:
We are partnering with the Lighthouse Trust to build the Whare Rama Pod; a calm, sensory-informed space where students can learn emotional regulation skills. Staffed by trained coaches, the Pod supports students who feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed and will be an important addition to our wellbeing provision. We are excited about this innovative approach to student mental health.
Co-curricular life:
Co-curricular activities are central to life at St Thomas’. They energise students and strengthen relationships with staff who enthusiastically participate. From sports to cultural activities, our programmes are delivered to high standards and are a major reason students look forward to coming to school.
Enrolment Information:
If you’re considering St Thomas’ for your son, please get in touch early. Jo (our enrolment coordinator) is your point of contact for questions, application steps and preference criteria. We encourage prospective families to complete enrolment paperwork as soon as possible; Jo is available to guide you through the process step-by-step.
Practical Contact:
– Enrolment enquiries: Jo (contact details available on the school website)
– General information and preference criteria: see the school website or contact Jo for guidance
A Proud Farewell:
I closed by describing the emotional farewell each year at the Year 13 haka and reflection ceremony; a powerful reminder that our students leave ready to take on the world and contribute positively to it. We are proud of our students and confident they will make a difference.
Thank You:
Thank you again for attending Open Day and for your interest in St Thomas’. We look forward to seeing many of you back in February and to supporting your son’s journey, wherever it leads.
