Sunday, March 15th, 2020 in News.
Dear John Paul College community
Sadly the 1 st XV rugby trip to Hawaii was cancelled last night. There has been a number of meetings over the last few days as we have all tried to understand the constantly changing situation around covid-19.
In light of the national emergency declaration in the United States and our Prime Minister’s announcement on mandatory self-isolation the trip became untenable. The 14-day quarantine period would have been problematic for senior students and a struggle for the staff and parents going on the trip.
This is a bitter disappointment for the 1 st XV who have been training 4 days a week for what was to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. The team has been incredibly well supported by their coach and manager, and the network of families who have supported them with a huge fundraising effort and planning.
The team have accepted the cancellation and have already begun discussing a local trip instead. The school can be very proud of the maturity, resilience and team spirit shown by the team and their supporters. Through this challenging time they have reflected the Catholic Character and values we hold as so important in the school.
The Board will look to support the NZ trip and look at options to reduce the financial impact of the late cancellation to the families involved.
Ngā mihi
Jean-Paul Gaston
Board of Trustees Chairman
