Marist Events
At times, the Young Marists team is also involved in a variety of other activities and events. Some of these are single events which respond to a specific and immediate need, and some are done on a regular basis, responding to a unique situation. Some of these are described below.
Head students Forum
This is an annual event held in the middle of the year in which the Head Students, Deputy Head Students & Principals from the Network schools come together to reflect on the year so far and learn from their successes and failures. It provides an opportunity for Head Students across the Network to share their experiences and gain support as they continue their year as Prefects.
Late in the year, at Hato Pāora College, we also meet the Head Students for a weekend of reflection and closure. They are helped to look back on the year to place their learning firmly in the context of a foundation for later leadership experiences. We seek their insight into what might have better prepared them, so that we can make necessary adjustments for the next cohort of leaders. We then guide the young leaders through the process of leaving a high-profile position at the top of the school and going out into the world, in whatever capacity they have chosen, and beginning at the bottom again.
The Fourviere Commemoration - Hokianga
On 23 July 1816, Fr Jean Claude Colin, and eleven companions, on the day after his ordination to the priesthood, climbed the hill of Fourviere in the old city of Lyon, France, and visited the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary that overlooks the city. There Fr Colin and his companions signed the Pledge of Fourviere, a promise to found a Religious Society that bore the name of Mary.
In New Zealand, the Young Marists team is host an event in Hokianga to similarly commemorate the signing of the Pledge of Fourviere. The direct result of the founding of the Society of Mary was the bringing of the Catholic faith to New Zealand by Bishop Pompallier and the first Marists. They made landfall in Hokianga harbour, celebrated the first Mass on New Zealand soil at Totara Point, and established the first Catholic mission at Purakau. Bishop Pompallier’s remains rest in the Chapel at Motuti, and this is now a signi cant place of pilgrimage for New Zealanders.
Ten Year 11 students from each of the schools in the Network, and a teacher from each school, are invited to a four-day event led by the Young Marist team. This becomes a time of gathering for the young people, an opportunity to reflect on the beginnings of the Catholic faith in New Zealand, a chance to grow in understanding of the contribution of the Marists, and a day of pilgrimage from Totara Point, where Eucharist will be celebrated at dawn, to Motuti, the final resting place of Bishop Pompallier.
The Awa Run
Across three days, approximately 60 students from our nine network schools, run from Raetihi to Whanganui following the Whanganui river road in an effort to raise funds for the Young Neighbours trust. Each student is required to run 20km a day. Throughout the run the students are invited to stay at various Marae and are able to learn of and experience the rich culture and history of the Awa and the communities that surround it.
