At the end of last term (Sept. 16), Aquinas students and staff gathered to bless and open the school’s new Mary Prayer Garden — a beautiful space dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.
Designed as a place of peace, beauty, and reflection, the garden offers students, staff, and whānau a quiet spot to pause, pray, and find strength in God’s presence.
Father Arnold led the Rite of Blessing during the dedication ceremony, officially opening the garden, which sits between the Chapel and the quad. At its heart stands the statue of Mary, reminding us of her loving presence and her example of faith, courage, and trust in God. Nearby, a handcrafted Rosary sculpture invites us to pray as generations of Catholics have done, holding Mary close as we draw nearer to her Son, Jesus. Surrounding plantings, chosen for their traditional association with Mary, will bloom in time to further enrich the space.
In his address, Mr Dalton praised the “vision, dedication and hard work” of Deputy Principal (Middle School) Ms van Zyl and Property Manager Mr Yorke, who brought the long-dreamed-of project to life. Beyond commissioning the statue and organising specialist services, the pair also added their own craftsmanship — Mr Yorke built the planter-box seating, and Ms van Zyl created the Rosary sculpture.
The vision behind the garden:
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A place of peace: Like a garden that shelters a seed, this space shelters our hearts, giving us room to be still and listen to God.
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A reminder of Mary’s love: Flowers have long symbolised Mary’s purity and tenderness; surrounding her statue with blossoms reflects her caring presence. Students have placed hand-painted stones around the base of the statue.
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A call to prayer: The Rosary sculpture invites us to pray together, trusting Mary to intercede for us, as the Church has always taught.
This new prayer garden is a true taonga for our community — a gift that will nurture faith for years to come.
