On 25 February 2023, Our New Home – The Campaign for Marian College was officially
launched.
Members of the Marian College community including past staff and students, current staff, and representatives of the campaign committee, the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch, and the Marian Foundation came together to reflect on the 12-year journey for a new school and the “brave and insightful” decision to purchase the old Foodstuffs warehouse in Papanui and turn it into a sustainably crafted school.
“We are blessed to have such a wonderful new school, which is a unique and sustainable design. We retain the heart of Marian College and our values, and now have the opportunity to provide our students with the security of a home, in which to work and learn,” Marian College principal Mary-Lou Davidson said.
Our New Home – The Campaign for Marian College – is a community-based fundraising campaign which seeks to raise $4 million towards the $50 million cost of the new school. Over the past year, work has been happening behind the scenes towards this goal and the project kicked off with a $1 million donation by the Marian Foundation and was followed by a $200,000 grant from the Lottery Grants Board.
Now the school community and general public have the opportunity to support the school to reach its $4 million target by contributing towards six projects within the new school.
“Our ākonga, staff and whānau are very excited and we appreciate the support of our own past pupils and families, and that of the wider community,” Mary-Lou said.
Among the projects people can donate to are: the Sports Precinct; the Performing Arts facility; the Art, Textiles and Technology Centre; the Science Block; the Library, and a whare which will be built at the entrance of the school.
"Our New Home will be for Marian College, our whānau and will be shared with the local and wider communities. As a school, our students will have excellent facilities and in our tradition of social justice, we will also be able to share these.
"There are many opportunities in this remarkable new design for others to use, such as meetings, functions, performance spaces and sporting facilities. We are fully supportive of the campaign to support the fundraising target which will allow these facilities for present and future use," Mary-Lou said.
At the heart of the school will be the Chapel of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop to allow students to grow their faith and provide sanctuary when the days are tough. It will be a place of celebration, of contemplation, and of fulfilment.
As well as welcoming general donations towards this sacred place, Bishop Michael has given his blessing for the appointment of 100 Patrons of the Chapel. Patrons will be part of a community that is supportive of the Catholic faith, Marian College, and the wider Marian family and have a seat named on a pew in the Chapel in recognition of their commitment to the Marian College community.
The new chapel is dear to the heart of Bishop Michael.
“The new Marian College Chapel will be at the heart of our new home. It will be the cherished place where our faith is given pride of place, reminding everyone, students, staff and visitors what is most important to us - we are loved children of God, who desires to be in relationship with us through prayer, the sacraments and especially in the celebration of Mass,” Bishop Michael said.
“I invite you to support this important project. I invite you to help bring about this place of encounter, a place where students and teachers are brought into life-changing contact with Jesus and Mary.”
If you would like to learn more or make a contribution to the Marian College Campaign, please
visit our website www.ournewhome.nz
Article added: Thursday 09 March 2023
