Mission, Values and Vision.

Education in Faith
We are Catholic and Christian in our beliefs and faith. The Word of the God is central to our decision making and teaching practices.
We incorporate the values of respect, honesty and helping; and these are displayed in our classrooms.
The concept of dignity is something we also promote. We express the view that all people need to be treated with dignity regardless of their individualism.
The school has regular school masses and liturgies. Prayer begins and ends the day. Senior students are given many opportunities for leadership both within the classroom and within the parish.
We support the Parish preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

Mission, Values and Vision.

St Mary’s is proud of its’ Dominican heritage and recognises the “four pillars” as the foundation of learning at school. Learning through the lens of “Veritas – Truth” students see how these pillars relate to their own learning journeys.

Prayer (Using the truth) At the heart of Dominican Life is prayer. While we are called to share the fruits of our contemplation, private prayer has traditionally found its counterpart in common prayer, especially the Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharist. It is from our prayer that all life and ministry flow. Dominican spirituality recognizes that each person is unique and has a special relationship with God. Shaped by our own personality and giftedness, meditation and contemplation will take different forms for each person.

Study (Searching for truth) Dominic said, “Always study!” Dominicans believe that God’s revelation takes place in all of life. To study is to find God. Dominicans especially study the Word of God. In the search for truth, we try to listen deeply to the ideas of those with whom we disagree. Deep listening requires that we take time to allow the earth and all the happenings around us to teach us our place on this planet.

Community (Living for truth) We do not learn to walk alone, we do not learn to pray alone, we cannot fully know the mystery of God in isolation. We need one another. Community challenges us with interdependence and diversity. The Order of Preachers began in 1206. Dominican life has not been about uniformity but about a celebration of unity in diversity. It raises the questions: What is the common good? How do we make room for others and their needs?

Service (Sharing the truth) Prayer, Study, Mission and Community give us the confidence and direction necessary to give service to the world. St. Dominic recognized that we show God to others by how we are and how we act as persons. Dominicans call that preaching. The preaching is profoundly who we are as persons and who we become by the way we serve others.

Young Vinnies.
St Mary’s in in partnership with St Vincent de Paul Youth Organisation, this means that all students in year 3 to 6 participate in our outreach to the community projects. Our projects include making a difference for people from our local parish and with communities within the greater Dunedin area.