Welcome to the St Peter Chanel Motueka Primary School website. St Peter Chanel is a small Catholic school for Year 1-8 students. We are situated in Motueka in attractive and well-maintained grounds.The Catholic faith and values are important to the school community as we share very close links, and grounds, with St Peter Chanel Catholic Church. Feel free to explore our site, and learn more about our school community.
As part of a community focused school we pride ourselves in maintaining a collective vision toward the development of each student and assisting them in the roles they undertake as part of our community. Key aspects within our school that help this growth are areas of planning, faith and parental participation.
Feast Day: April 28
Born: 1803 ::Died: 1841
Peter Louis Mary Chanel was born at Cluet, Belley in France. From the time he was seven, he took care of his father's sheep. He was poor but intelligent and loved God and his Catholic faith.
One day, a good parish priest met him and was so impressed by Peter that he asked Peter's parents if he could educate the boy. They gratefully agreed and in this priest's little school, and later in the seminary, Peter studied hard.
At the age of twenty-four Peter Chanel became a priest and he was sent to a parish at Corzet where just a few Catholics still practiced their faith. Father Chanel spent hours in prayer each day and was kind and patient with everyone. Within three years there was a big improvement in that parish. Many people became full of love for Jesus and his Church again.
Father Chanel had a great wish to become a missionary. When he was twenty-eight, he joined a religious order called the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers). He hoped he would be sent to bring the Good News of Jesus to people who did not yet believe in God. After a few years, his wish came true.
He and a group of Marist missionaries were sent to the islands of the South Pacific, Oceania. Father Chanel and one brother were assigned to the island of Futuna in New Hebrides. There the people happily listened to Father Chanel preach. "This man loves us," one man said. "And he himself practices what he teaches us to do."
Sadly though, the chief of this tribe became jealous because the priest had so many followers. When the chief's own son was baptized and became a Christian, he was furious. He sent a band of his warriors to kill the missionary.
As Peter Chanel lay dying, all he said was, "It is well with me." He was killed on April 28, 1841 for his faith. A short while after he died a martyr, the whole island became Christian.
90% of our students identify as Catholic which means that they have met one of 5 possible criteria for enrolment. As we are a Catholic State integrated school the Ministry of Education grants us the right to have 10% of our student roll as students who are not Catholic.
We currently have positions available for students who are not Catholic. These places are for those who do not have an affiliation with the Catholic Faith and places are given on a first come first served basis each year.
The Bishop’s council has published guidelines to assist parish priests and schools in deciding which families should be regarded as having a connection with the Special Character of a Catholic School. These are:
Please be sure to talk to us about any of the above if you need clarification.
St Peter Chanel Enrolment Form
St Peter Chanel Preference Certificate
St Peter Chanel 2022 Attendance Dues Information
St Peter Chanel Attendance Dues Agreement
The Board Of Trustees conducts a formal self review annually and from this a strategic plan is prepared for the following year. There is community consultation prior to developing the strategic plan.This helps in setting goals and curriculum emphasis based on development requirements. In this way the School will continue to meet the national curriculum and education requirements.
We foster an atmosphere of family where children are encouraged to show compassion and care for one another using our CLEAR values. We have an excellent relationship with our parish family/ whanau. Our parent body and Board of Trustees are extremely supportive and encouraging. Together we want the best for all our students and offer them every opportunity to live life to the full.
In a community such as ours, leadership opportunities are frequently on offer from the moment the child starts school.Students learn to lead in:
Our school has a strong relationship with our community. Our students are concerned and caring and this is evident in the activities they participate within our community.
The school is well resourced and takes pride in our facilities. We offer :
Our students growth and learning is a centre of everything we do. Students are provided with a variety of opportunities to develop and extend their learning. Teachers work closely with families and external agencies to ensure students are reaching their full potential.
In our school working together is central to everything we do. From class school groupings and parents providing support, to big buddy activities and school parish projects, the support we receive from each other is central to our achievement.
Principal
Room Whakapono
Years 3, 4 and 5
principal@spcmotueka.school.nz
Deputy Principal
Room Rangimarie
Years 6, 7 and 8
Director of Religious Studies
Room Aroha
Years 1 & 2
megan.strong@spcmotueka.school.nz
Release Teacher
Room Whakapono
Years 3, 4 & 5
jill.price@spcmotueka.school.nz
Classroom Support
Office Manager
St Peter Chanel School has a close relationship with our parish. We have regular liturgies and school masses. We are blessed to have a close working relationship with our Parish Priests. You can find information about Our Lady of the Bays Parish by checking out their website https://www.ourladyofthebays.org
