WelCom December 2021
Annette Scullion
After leading Sacred Heart Girl’s College, New Plymouth as Tumuaki (principal) for seven years, Paula Wells has been appointed principal at Samuel Marsden Collegiate School in Karori, Wellington. She takes up her new role in 2022.
Paula is a highly respected principal, noted for her leadership talents. She began her professional life in the financial sector, but after raising her three children she re-trained and she completed a Diploma Secondary Teaching. Paula went on to become an English teacher, dean, and deputy principal over a 15-year period at Inglewood High School, then principal at Sacred Heart Girls’ College, New Plymouth, in 2015.
‘Being principal of Sacred Heart has been the pinnacle of my career to date and I have loved it. It has been a privilege to have been immersed in the school’s special character and heritage and to be personally nourished by the Mission charism whilst growing in leadership.’
Paula says the ethos of the Mission Sisters provides strong alignment with her personal values and philosophy, encouraging every individual to do everything they do to the best of their abilities. ‘Across my tenure we refreshed values to embrace the intent of the Mission Sisters and our commitment to Te Tiriti: We Live the Mission through Ako, Manaakitanga and Wāhine Toa.’
Paula says she is looking forward to her next challenge at Samuel Marsden Collegiate School. ‘As a life-long learner, I am excited at the prospect of undertaking a second principalship within a new educational context. While it will be hard to leave Sacred Heart, I am delighted to be joining another special-character environment and I will be eternally grateful for the gift that has been my time at Manawa Tapu.
‘I have enjoyed working with my colleagues across the Diocese of Palmerston North immensely, along with the wider national Catholic Secondary Principal network. It is heartening and uplifting to be witness to the commitment and capability of Catholic education leaders who are doing wonderful work with and for their communities. Catholic education is in good heart.’
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 8 December
‘As has been the custom for many years an archdiocesan Mass will be celebrated on our diocesan feast day, 7pm, Thursday 8 December, at St Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, Karori. The archdiocese will again be entrusted to the care of Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception at this Mass. Parishes are asked to renew that Consecration on the following Sunday, 11 December, at All parish Masses.’ – Cardinal John Dew
Dates and events – what’s on
December 2022
If you would like your event listed on this page, please send an outline to welcom@wn.catholic.org.nz including name of event, date, time, location and contact.
Pope Francis registers for the next World Youth Day in Lisbon
At the conclusion of the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis registered for the next World Youth Day to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, in August 2023. Assisted and accompanied by Portuguese university students studying in Rome, the Pope tapped his way to becoming the first officially registered pilgrim for World Youth Day.