Características de los pacientes atendidos por el Equipo de Soporte de

Although all schools would claim to have a strong school spirit, the spirit of Champagnat College is perceived by members of the school community as a strength of the college culture. Respondents in the Student Survey repeatedly mentioned school spirit as a special feature and closely linked it with the quality of the relationships they experienced. Students, staff, parents and Board members refer to "the Spirit of Champagnat" with

confidence that its meaning and relevance is apparent to all. It is perceived to be one of the school's most outstanding features; one which makes it unique and distinguishes it from other schools. It enhances the school 's public reputation:

Throughout the city, Champagnat college is known for its strength of spirit, and new students often comment that the spirit of Champagnat is the first they hear of our school (CCD#3 : 1 ).

There is a finn belief that it is the strength of that school spirit which attracts students from other areas of the city and motivates them to enrol at the school.

The Spirit of Champagnat College is a dynamic transfonning force within the school culture. Integrated with every aspect of the culture, it sustains its members and motivates them to work together for what is perceived as the common good, for example, on the sportsfield where it is seen as fostering a sense of fair play:

Let's face it, we've got a history of good sportsmanship. People can 't really take that away, can they? That's embedded into the spirit (CCIS# I : 1 0).

However, the influence of the college spirit goes further than competition. It embodies and represents the values of the school, particularly in terms of how its members relate to each other, such as _{sharing, caring, and respect. Fundamentally, it is seen} as _{a key factor in} establishing and maintaining the 'family' identity of the group. It evokes a sense of pride in the school, in ethnic culture and in personal image. The following comments reflect its impact:

Every time you mention the Champagnat Spirit to students, they feel this togetherness in terms of sports or something, you know. Proud that they are becoming part of that, so that has got a very strong influence on the students here (CCISF# 1 3 :7).

The spirit of the boys, it's still there and once you' re a Champagnat boy you're going to be loyal to it until you go to your grave ... when they talk about their sports and when they go out into the public, they' re so proud to be 'I'm from Champagnat' sort of thing (CCISF# 1 5 :9).

It has a strong hold on you, like a strong spirit has entered your life (CC#5 5).

It's almost l ike you have to have that spirit to survive everything. If you're at Champagnat, you're safe because your with Pacific Island people here. Outside of that, you really need

to get back into that spirit because it's fami liar; it's loving, warm and you can relate to it (CCJB#3 :4).

The school spirit has a bonding influence on members. It is most poignantly experienced in highly symbolic occasions, such as worship in the college chapel, in the singing of the school song and particularly in the proclamation of the school motto at public gatherings and in school publications. It is in fact like a unique legacy of the school culture, to be nurtured by each generation and eventually handed on to the next. The college's student leadership adopts this task as an element of their responsibility to and service of the college. Senior student leaders reflect this in their farewell speeches:

The Champagnat spirit is unique, for it means different things to different people and right now, it is clear with me; right now that is clear with our seventh form, and on your last day at Champagnat college, it will be clear with you - if you let it (CCD#S :22).

And with this, I say to you all, this uniqueness that our spirit has should always be cherished and should always be remembered; as special moments in your lives; as special moments we shared at Champagnat college (CCD# 1 4:6).

New students are taught about the Champagnat Spirit; its nature and the expectations it makes on members. In a sense, not knowing and understanding the meaning and significance of the school spirit is something which distinguishes those who fully belong to the culture and those who are in process of becoming full members. However, Champagnat Spirit is not determined or shaped by any one group or individual. Each member of the college community contributes to the school spirit through his or her actions, attitudes, beliefs and life experience. New members at every level of the school are welcomed into and quickly accepted by the culture, making their own contribution to the spirit that embodies the unique identity and nature of the Champagnat College culture.