Three St Patrick's boys running across the school field in the afternoon sun

Beyond the Classroom

Some of the best learning at St Patrick’s happens outside the classroom, on the court, on stage, at camp and alongside our friends at Chanel College.

From sport and performance to culture, camps and travel, these experiences help tamariki try new things, grow in confidence and discover strengths they might not find at a desk.

A smiling St Patrick's kaiako and students in red team tops lining up for the school cross country

Sport

Sport is a big part of school life at St Patrick’s. Students play touch, netball and mini-ball for the school, building skills, teamwork and a love of being active along the way.

Every year the school comes together for our annual cross country competition, water safety lessons help tamariki build confidence in and around the water, and Wheels Day is always a favourite, with students bringing along their bikes, scooters and skateboards.

Tamariki are also encouraged and supported to play other sports through local clubs, so every child has the chance to find something they enjoy and keep growing in it outside school hours.

St Patrick’s students in animal costumes performing on stage in the school production

Arts & Performance

Each year students take to the stage in our annual school production, a highlight of the school calendar for tamariki and whānau alike.

From rehearsals and costumes through to opening night, students learn to work together, take creative risks and stand up in front of an audience with confidence, often surprising themselves with what they can do.

St Patrick’s boys performing a haka on stage in kapa haka costume and face paint

Culture & Celebration

Kapa haka, Matariki, pōwhiri, Diwali, Filipino Independence Day and our Fiafia night are just some of the celebrations through the year that give tamariki the chance to share and learn about the many cultures that make up our school community.

Whether they’re performing kapa haka, welcoming visitors with a pōwhiri, sharing food and performances at Fiafia night or marking Matariki, Diwali and Filipino Independence Day together, students grow in their understanding of language, identity and belonging, and in their respect for one another.

School camp photo to come

Camps

Camp is a highlight of the senior years. Year 5 students head to Pūkaha Mount Bruce, and Year 6 students spend time at Kaitoke.

Time away from home builds independence, resilience and friendships, with plenty of outdoor learning and adventure along the way, and memories that stay with students long after they leave St Patrick’s.

St Patrick's and Chanel College students and staff together in a group photo for the Rarotonga trip

Rarotonga Trip

In a first for both schools, Year 6 students from St Patrick’s joined Year 7 and 8 students from Chanel College on our inaugural trip to Rarotonga.

The trip gave students the chance to connect with the local community and experience everyday life, culture and faith in a very different setting. They came home with a wider view of the world and new friendships across both schools that will carry on into their secondary years.

The front entrance of Chanel College in Masterton, with the New Zealand flag flying

Our Connection with Chanel College

As our local Catholic secondary school, Chanel College is a natural next step for many St Patrick’s students, and our two schools work closely together long before that move happens.

Students take part in a 12-week food technology programme at Chanel, Chanel students visit as peer mentors, St Patrick's and Chanel students come together in a combined Polygroup, and the two schools run the Rarotonga trip together.

Getting to know Chanel’s teachers, classrooms and students along the way helps the step up to secondary school feel familiar and exciting.

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