Our Whānau

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Voices of Our Kura

At St Anthony’s, our greatest champions are our ākonga and their whānau. This page brings together real stories, heartfelt reflections, and joyful moments that highlight what makes our kura so special.

From parents sharing their journey to students speaking from the heart, we invite you to explore the voices that help shape our vibrant school community.

What our Whānau say

When we pulled up outside St Anthony’s, Fred said, ‘I’m not going to this school. It’s too small!’ I encouraged him to keep an open mind, and we met with Principal Denise Johnson.  We both found Denise to be incredibly welcoming, genuine, and passionate about what St Anthony’s could offer. Although we visited another school that day, Denise had won us over (particularly Fred, who was sold on the idea of a week-long camp that included skiing!). It really felt that Denise made a connection with Fred, and he told me he really liked her and was keen to enrol at St Anthony’s.

We are so pleased he made this move. The year and term he spent at St Anthony’s has been incredibly formative for him, especially during a difficult time when he was diagnosed with ADHD and began medication.  We couldn’t be happier with the support and wrap-around care he has had not only from Denise, as Principal, but also from all staff and students.  Because St Anthony’s is a small school, Fred has had the opportunity to create friendships with a diverse range and age of children and has made some really special friends. At the end of his final year, I expected Fred to be thrilled to see the end of the school year, but he was actually very sad to be leaving such were the friendships he’d made. The Year 8 leavers' dinner was an especially memorable occasion, and it was very emotional reading all the comments the Year 7’s had made about him. It only reiterated to me the special spirit and sense of community created at St Anthony’s. Denise and staff had obviously put a lot of thought and effort into making this a unique send-off for the Year 8s and it was an excellent opportunity to celebrate the students' time there. In his leaver’s speech, Fred said, “Earlier this year I was diagnosed with ADHD and CPITC…if you’re wondering what CPITC is – it’s coolest person in the class”.  It felt like an apt summary of what St Anthony’s had given Fred - the confidence and acceptance to talk about this condition openly and with humour in front of the whole school.

We are so happy Freddie moved to St Anthony's and I would unreservedly recommend Denise as Principal and St Anthony's as an excellent school.

Shelley Venning

 

St. Anthony's School, Seatoun, is a small yet vibrant Catholic primary school that prides itself on providing a nurturing environment where students can flourish academically, spiritually, and emotionally. With a strong commitment to Christian values and a dedicated teaching staff, this school is committed to shaping well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient but also compassionate and responsible members of society.

The school fosters an inclusive environment where students of all faiths are respected and encouraged to grow in their spirituality.

The school instills values such as respect, honesty, responsibility, and compassion in its students. Through various programs and activities, students learn the importance of empathy, social justice, and serving others. The school's commitment to character education ensures that students develop into well-rounded individuals with strong moral values.

St. Anthony's School recognizes the importance of strong partnerships between the school and parents. The school actively encourages parental involvement through regular communication, parent-teacher meetings, and various volunteering opportunities and events the school runs. This collaborative approach ensures that parents are actively engaged in their child's educational journey and creates a supportive community that nurtures the growth and development of each student.

Three of my children have been at St Anthony's from years 1 to 8, over a span of 13 years. Over that time St Anthony's has seen many changes, but there has always been a constant spirit to the school that has remained unwavering, nurturing and strong. St. Anthony's School continues to foster its nurturing environment through dedicated staff,  which provides a solid foundation for children to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually. Choosing St. Anthony's School for your child, means choosing a close-knit community where each student is valued and supported, fostering a strong spirit that will guide them throughout their lives.

Small school, strong spirit.

St Just Whānau