ST ANNE'S Catholic School in Wanganui East teems with bright, confident kids.
In the recently refurbished junior block small pupils are immersed in their day's learning, and in the senior classes students are all on a serious academic track.
Principal Karl Zimmerman said the school's mission statement ``Where excellence is
valued and the spirit of Jesus lives'' _ drives the school's culture and is its strength. It was understood by every child and adhered to, he said.
Encouragement, support and understanding are qualities teachers at St Anne's have in abundance. And for him knowing what is going in every classroom every day is a prime focus.
``I need to know what my kids are about every day ... I can't stay in my office dealing with mountains of paperwork. The children here are far more important to me,'' he said.
The Children at St Anne's also enjoy sports. The playground at break times is filled with children running, playing ball games and ducking and diving through an adventure playground. It's alive with energy.
``Our kids really build up their stamina and endurance. I love hearing their laughter in the playground ... the sound of happy kids, you can't beat it,''Mr Zimmerman said.
Last week the St Anne's boys running in the annual Aranui Primary School Interschool Cross-Country Run gave a stellar performance. In the 10-and-over race those boys came home off the 2.5km course taking 1st, 3rd, 4th and 7th places.
Sports co-ordinator Mark Keelty said he was standing at the finish line feeling proud as Oliver O'Leary came in first but then he saw Flynn Hogan running in third followed by Lochie Sundman racing in fourth and Connor Thomas flying behind in seventh place. ``It was such a special moment ... I was so proud. It's a moment I'll never ever forget. I thought I was seeing things. Watching those boys come in was so special. Great for St Anne's, just marvellous.''
Mr Keelty said sport was a huge part of St Anne's in that all children were encouraged to join in, do their best and to always have a good time. ``Enjoyment is everything.''
Children who receive additional funding and support are also nurtured at St Anne's. Those are students who are not only welcomed into the school, everything that is necessary to their well-being is important to everyone in the school community.
At breaks senior students take turns, wheeling , minding and playing with the special kids with an adult always watching from a distance. These kids have their own room furnished with special equipment including a hammock, a small bed, computers, books and educational toys.
And as well as taking time out in their special den they are mainstreamed in the classrooms.
We popped into their special room and Mr Zimmerman was greeted with huge smiles and every child wanting his undivided attention which he gave as if there was all the time in the world to play and chat.
Every child in the school was part of one of four Mission Houses from the day they started school, Mr Zimmerman said. ``Each house has students from throughout the school and they stay in the same house during all their years at St Anne's. Junior students know that one day they will be the senior students in their mission house and that one day they will be helping the younger children in the school.'' One of the houses is named after a priest, Father Francis Douglas, who was tortured, beaten and killed by Japanese soldiers in World War II. Fr Douglas, who was born in 1910 and brought up in Johnsonville, Wellington, was a missionary posted to the Philippines from 1938.
The work was always difficult as he had struggled to combat religious indifference but it became increasingly tough after the Japanese occupied Manila in 1942.
In 1943 Fr Douglas had answered a call to visit American guerrillas in nearby mountains who said they need his priestly services. His trip aroused suspicions with the Japanese who were convinced he was spying for the resistance forces.
Fr Douglas' story is written in the books of New Zealand Catholicism.
Catholicism is a revered and integral quality of St Anne's with every child involved in a religious education programme from attending Masses at St Anne's Church across the tree-lined playing field, and other liturgical services that mark important occasions in the Church year.
Prayer three times a day is practised in every classroom.
Comments from parents and principals of Wanganui secondary schools are featured in a pamphlet describing St Anne's.
Parents Merilea and Shayne Wainhouse say the quality of education is second to none.
``The commitment and positive influence of St Anne's School goes well beyond the six hours a day our children spend at school,'' they say.
And Wanganui Girls' College principal Vivianne Murphy says: ``Our St Anne's students are wonderful ambassadors for their school. They are well prepared and ready for secondary school.''
Mr Zimmerman said even though he had been principal only since mid-2010, he was thrilled with his school.
``It is a school to be proud of. The staff are all wonderful and the children ... well they are extraordinary every one of them.''
ST ANNE'S Catholic School in Wanganui East teems with bright, confident kids.
In the recently refurbished junior block small pupils are immersed in their day's learning, and in the senior classes students are all on a serious academic track.
Principal Karl Zimmerman said the school's mission statement ``Where excellence is
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