On the 1st of May, students had the privilege of representing Carmel at the annual Pompallier Shield Competition. The event brought together Catholic schools from across the region to compete in a range of speech and performance disciplines, which were all grounded in Catholic values and community spirit.

The day started at 12:30pm with a Mihi Whakatau at St Luke’s Church to welcome all the schools. The warm and respectful welcome set the tone for the day by acknowledging the importance of culture, unity, and competition.

By 1:30pm, the competition was underway across various venues around Sancta Maria. Students participated in a range of events, including Senior and Junior Oratory and Senior and Junior Scripture reading in either English or Te Reo. Each speaker demonstrated strong speaking skills but also a deep understanding of faith and scripture. The use of Te Reo highlights the importance of bicultural identity and respect in our community. The Oratory group developed ideas on Catholic Ethical Principles and presented their insights to engaged audiences.

Waiata performances were another highlight of the day, bringing energy, pride, and cultural expression to the competition. These performances strengthened connection and tradition between schools.

The competition concluded around 3:45pm, followed by dinner at the Compass Cafe, giving students a well-deserved break to reflect on their efforts. The day wrapped up with a prizegiving and closing ceremony in the school auditorium at 4:45pm, where students were recognised for their hard work and dedication to their respective performances. The ceremony ended with a performance from the winning Waiata group, which was from St Paul’s.

Overall, the Pompallier Shield Competition was a meaningful experience for all involved, offering students the opportunity to grow in confidence, deepen their faith, and represent our school with pride.

 – Bernie, Scarlett, Isabella (Year12)

2026 Pompallier Shield Competition Team