Founded in 2002, Kāreti o Garin - Garin College, inspired by the faith and visionary leadership of Father Antoine Marie Garin, embodies the unwavering commitment of the Catholic Community in restoring Catholic Secondary Education in Te Tau Ihu - Top of the South.
As a state-integrated co-ed Catholic College, Kāreti o Garin stands as a beacon of excellence, nurturing both education and faith development for learners. It's remarkable growth and enduring presence illuminate a bright future for all.
Celebrating 21 years of educating, supporting and nurturing its learners, the founders believe that the college epitomises the significant work that Father Garin had started all those years ago. Known as the ‘Apostle of Education’, Father Garin was a French Catholic Marist Priest, a missionary who established Catholic education, churches and faith community in Te Tau Ihu from 1850 and on through the following 40 years.
Father Garin strongly believed that education was the key that allowed young people to make their way into the world. In 1999, Cardinal Thomas Williams recognised a growing need for a Secondary Catholic College in the region and received the full support of the then Minister of Education, Nick Smith. Garin was the first state or state integrated College to open in New Zealand for 27 years and within a very short space of time the site was blessed, and the first soil turned in January of 2001.
With the Catholic community mission to grow Garin College as a centre of excellence for Education and Faith development, the architecturally designed college was opened on January 28, 2002.
Principal, John Maguire says the college’s values are founded on the teachings of Christ within the Gospels and underpin the relationships they aspire to where the dignity of all is upheld. Generosity through service and community, Aroha through manaakitanga and compassion, Rangimarie through whanaungatanga and dignity, Integrity through pono, truth and justice, and New Life through hope and forgiveness lie at the core of the college.
“Our Catholic Special Character and lived Values guide the positive culture and learning environment we evidence in the College.”
When asked to reflect on his role as the Principal, John responded, “I recognise within my role, alongside our board, staff, learners and community a significant responsibility for guardianship within the college, if we are to succeed in our mission, we must take time to connect, to learn and to know our heritage and our Garin story, it is rich in faith, tikanga māori and wairua.
This is the privilege we share with our learners each day at Garin, it is through sharing in our mission and vision as a College that we can overcome challenges, enlighten the lives of others and lay the foundation for growth, success and achievement within our learners.”
Garin College places active emphasis on inspired student leadership alongside a comprehensive pastoral care network that includes a vertical Whānau class format that fosters growth and inclusive relationships between the students, their teachers and support staff. Student wellbeing and learning is supported by a broad and comprehensive curriculum.
Alongside classroom based learning the college celebrates rich and diverse learning opportunities outside the classroom including the well-established Journey Programme for each year level 9 to 13 each year. Learners enjoy opportunities and outstanding success within the extensive co-curricular programme in sport, performing arts and culture.
John states that, “Our learners are our inspiration, their engagement in our college life and wider community is outstanding, their unique participation, talent and creativity within performing arts, academia, sport and culture is heartening. The environment we strive to create and maintain at Garin is one of inclusion and self-expression, it is within this climate we see our learners at their best, functioning well, growing and flourishing.
As a college now 21 years established, we are actively engaged in exploring and developing initiatives to enhance our existing learning and assessment framework. Embracing this change is essential, we look forward to tomorrow and the future to ensure we maximise opportunities for our Rangatahi.”
With a roll of 600 students, and growing, Garin provides a safe space for learners to feel welcome and supported. “The College is on track to reach our maximum roll of 670 students enrolled by 2025. With approved property development to the value of $5.6 million, the Garin Board is in the process of designing four new classrooms, a multipurpose centre and additional resource space to be built and ready to meet the expected roll growth.”
Building completion of Te Wharemaru o Garin - place of shelter and protection, is almost complete and soon to be opened. “The vision for the whare started with looking at the school's needs, and a limited covered space was a key driver. This is a new and exciting development that will provide increased shade and shelter for learners. The architecture is sympathetic to that of the college and constructed in the form of traditional Māori whare, the decorative panels, facade and four pou recognise and speak to the localised Kāreti o Garin curriculum.”
Established at the same time as the College, the Garin hostel also opened its doors in 2002 to provide boarding for boys and girls from across the top of the South Island and as far away as the Chatham Islands. The vision of the Garin College Hostel is for all students seeking a Catholic secondary education in Te Tau Ihu are able attend the College as a boarder in the Hostel.
Commonly the Hostel accommodates boarders from as far afield as Kaikoura, Blenheim, Westport, Golden Bay and everywhere in between. Garin Boarding Hostels consist of Mother Teresa House for female students and Francis Douglas House for male students. The hostels are modern, and vibrant places, overseen by hostel parents, and designed to be like large family homes, creating a living in a family environment for 28 boarders in each house.
Long-time supporter of Garin College, Bob Powick has been involved with the school since before its inception. He has had a multitude of family members attend the college and was a member of the establishment committee of the school’s two hostels. “Garin is a great little college that provides above all an extremely safe and caring environment for its families. They are passionate about making a difference and provide a phenomenal remedial system to help those who are struggling. They help to educate and support those who wouldn’t pass otherwise.”
In today's environment especially, it is important for students to have a solid platform from which to learn, says Bob, and Garin College provide that setting the students up well for the future. “The people at the top make the difference and set the standard. They have made a difference for a lot of families, and the school has produced some great students. I believe people learn better in a caring environment.”
“The main idea behind the hostel was to create a safe home-away-from-home environment for students from the Top of South, with people the students can talk to. It is run separately from the college, but we work under the same values as the school to help get the best result for the students.”
The Garin College hostel and the boarders bring a vibrancy to the college community, learners meet and interact with their peers who bring a range of life experiences from their communities across this vast region. Boarding at Garin offers great experiences and the chance to meet new people, experience new cultures and make new friends. Being in Nelson and at Garin College offers great opportunities to be involved in school-based, after-school and weekend activities.
