Palmerston North
Gwen Mardle
2 August 2012
Senior students at St Joseph’s School in Hastings were presented with Mary McKillop awards at a school Mass on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, June 15.
The badges which can be sewn on to their school uniforms are awarded in silver and gold standards for achievements in the four categories – academic, sports, pastoral, and service: culture and arts.
School principal Sandra Connor says it is a visible way of acknowledging involvement in wider school events and communities. ‘We believe these awards encourage the children to serve as part of the Catholic character of the school.’
The badges which are presented twice a year were formerly known as the Blues Awards but were renamed after Mary McKillop’s canonisation last year to recognise the saint’s connection to the Sisters of St Joseph of Whanganui who established the school.
Former pupil and staff member Sr Marlene Dunn rsj herself a Josephite presented the awards. Sr Marlene was in Rome last year for the canonisation.
Year 8 pupil Bridget Sullivan received three gold badges.
‘I am very proud of myself and happy that I have done so many things for the school,’ she said.
Bridget especially enjoys her involvement with Young Vinnies, the Friday Breakfast Club and giving concerts for the elderly at Brittan House. ‘I love helping,’ she says.
Image: Sr Marlene Dunn presents badges to Bridget Sullivan while staff member Theresa Kinney looks on.