Newsletter 30 August Term 3 - 2022
St Brendan's Catholic School
Welcome, nau mai, afio mai, namaste, konnichiwa, nĭ hăo, talofa, komosta, vanakkam, auybowan,
Dear Whānau & Parishioners,
St Brendan’s still needs your help . . . Our by-election process has begun, nomination forms for our board elections were sent out on Friday by our returning officer, CES. Thank you to everyone who has shown an interest in joining our St Brendan’s Board. We now need you to complete a nomination form by 12pm Wednesday, 14 September. Our current board members are very happy to be contacted to talk through the process, what being a Board member involves and any other questions you may have.
Please feel free to make contact with our Proprietors:
Doug Fauchelle: d.fauchelle@stbrendans.school.nz
Julie Stewart: julie.stewart@stbrendans.school.nz
Fr Tony: parishpriest@stbrendans.school.nz
Or our current elected Board members:
Philippa Freeman: philippa.freeman@stbrendans.school.nz
Norm Tufue: norman.tufue@stbrendans.school.nz
Ryan McLean: ryan.mclean@stbrendans.school.nz
Nick Banks: nick.banks@stbrendans.school.nz
The board has the overall responsibility and accountability for the school or kura. School boards’ primary objectives are determined by the Education and Training Act 2020, to ensure:
- every student at the school can reach their highest possible standard in educational achievement.
- the school is a physically and emotionally safe place for all students and staff.
- the school is inclusive of students of differing needs.
- the school gives effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
These primary objectives flow through all of the board’s work, starting with the strategic plan, which is the board’s key guiding document.
Thank you for supporting our recent St Brendan’s non-uniform Daffodil Day, $420.70 was raised. A further $389.79 was raised via the fundraising page we set up with the Cancer Society. You may be able to help us reach our goal of raising $400, you can donate via our page at: https://daffodilday.org.nz/stbrendansschool. 25,000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cancer each year. Every dollar raised for Daffodil Day will go towards cancer care for patients and their whānau, education and awareness programmes, and life-saving cancer research.
St Brendan’s Book Week was a huge success, everyone enjoyed connecting with the visiting author, all classes participated in a daily reading rotation and on Wednesday we were impressed by the amazingly creative book character costumes that were made, worn and shared schoolwide. We thank our Librarian, Mrs Sandra Keane and the Hauora team for organising this annual school event.
This week we will acknowledge the Day of Prayer for Care of Creation and we wish our Year 7-8 best of luck at the LHPSSA Zone Swimming competition.
Log into Hero next week
Each term we continue to share learning posts with you three times. Please email your child/ren’s class teacher if you have not been able to access your Hero account to read learning posts. The next Literacy post will be shared Monday, 5 September.
Welcome On behalf of our whole school community we extend a warm welcome to Bobbi-Rose and her family. Bobbi-Rose recently joined Room 3.
COVID-19
He nui maunga e kore e taea te whakaneke, he nui ngaru moana mā te ihu o te waka e wāhi.
A great mountain cannot be moved,
a giant wave can be broken by the canoes prow.
Mask Wearing
Thank you, mask wearing when indoors continues to play an important role in minimising transmission of COVID-19 and winter illnesses, coupled with all our other layers of protection.
Under the framework, when at Orange traffic light setting, masks must be worn by ākonga aged 12 and above on school and public transport. It is also strongly recommended by public health officials that face masks are worn by students and staff in Year 4 to 13 when indoors, including combined classes when learning and during indoor assemblies.
Winter Wellness Guide for Tamariki
With a rise in COVID-19, seasonal colds, flu and other respiratory infections in our communities, this guidance is to help you manage your child/ren’s illness.
KEY WELLNESS INDICATORS
- Healthy young children can have up to 8 to 12 colds or upper respiratory tract infections each year. These are a normal part of childhood.
- A child must stay at home if they appear unwell or if they develop any of these symptoms: new runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, they are off their food and drink or show signs of feeling miserable.
- If a child becomes increasingly unwell and/or you are concerned about them, call your GP or Healthline on 0800 611 116. A child who is refusing to drink anything is likely to be very unwell.
- If an in-person appointment is required, follow your GP’s processes, which will include everyone wearing a mask if they can safely and practically do so.
- If you or a child you are caring for develops difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, fainting or becomes unconscious, call 111 immediately.
Find reliable information on how to manage colds and flus on KidsHealth and Health Navigator.
Information about health and wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi – KidsHealth
Health information for New Zealanders – Health Navigator
Returning to School Following Illness
The Ministry of Health has updated the winter wellness guidance for parents, caregivers and whānau:
- If a child has been unwell with a respiratory illness other than COVID-19, they can return to school 24 hours after they have significantly improved and are behaving/eating normally.
- Following vomiting or diarrhoea, a child should be symptom free for 48 hours before they can return.
HERO ABSENCES
Thank you to our parents who are using Hero to report absences for their child/ren. Just a reminder that when you are selecting 'Sick' as the absence in Hero we do require a brief description of your child's illness/injury. This helps us to identify any pattern of illness that we can then report to our community if necessary.
COVID-19 GUIDANCE
- If your child has COVID-19 symptoms, the child and anyone in their household with similar symptoms should be tested for COVID-19.
- If any household members are COVID-19 positive, other household members are at high risk of becoming infected. Everyone must isolate for at least seven days from the day that the first person receives their positive test result or becomes symptomatic (whichever is earliest).
- All household contacts, including children, need to take a rapid antigen test (RAT) on day three and day seven, or sooner if they develop symptoms. A person who has had COVID-19 in the past 90 days, does not need to isolate again as a household contact.
- Anyone who experiences symptoms 29 days or longer after previous COVID-19 infection should test and will need to isolate if they test positive.
Further information is available from the Covid-19 website. https://covid19.govt.nz/
God Bless,
Veronica Sawers,
Principal
VERBAL BOUQUETS AND THANK YOU'S
To Everyone who helped students to brainstorm/create/prepare/purchase book character outfits for our annual Book Character Dress-up Day and Parade.
The PTF and their helpers who picked up pizzas and helped distribute pizza slices for the pizza lunch last week.
WALKING HAND IN HAND WITH CHRIST
THE ROSARY
The Adventurers team have been reflecting on The Rosary, the history, what it means, how it is prayed and why it is important to our Catholic Faith. We have been learning how to use the Rosary beads correctly and the traditional prayers we use when praying it. Room 9 made a decade of the rosary using pipe cleaners.
Reflections from students:
The Rosary has more than just Joyful Mysteries, it also has Sorrowful, Luminous and Glorious Mysteries. I brought my own rosary beads to school to show my class. You can also close your eyes as you pray.
Emerson Rm 11
The Rosary is something that everyone can do, not just adults. Why we do it is because it reminds us of Jesus and Mary.
When you say The Rosary you say the prayers for important events that Jesus did to save us and what Mary did for us.
I say it at Easter and other normal days.
Lily Rm 11
ADVENTURERS ARTWORK ON DISPLAY AT OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH
CWL
The Catholic Women’s League of the Wellington Archdiocese celebrated the Feast Day of its Patron Saint, St Margaret Clitherow at St Joseph's Upper Hutt with Mass on Friday, 26th August.
WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH CHILDREN’S LITURGY!
Our Parish is seeking parents to assist in running a children's liturgy programme during term time. All resources and easy-to-follow lesson outlines are supplied. If you are willing to be added to the roster, or if you have questions, please contact the Parish Office office@olov.org.nz or Louise Pierce louise.peirce@xtra.co.nz. You do not need to be a teacher, and you will be supported by an experienced buddy. It is also a great way for college students to earn their Duke of Edinburgh volunteer credits. We need your help so that we can keep this running for the children of our parish.
DAY OF PRAYER FOR CARE OF CREATION 2022
Thursday, 1 September
SOCIAL JUSTICE WEEK
Social Justice Week 2022 runs from September 4-10 and focuses on the topic of racism. The title of the Caritas resources is WHAKAKĀHORETIA TE KAIKIRI. KOTAHI ANŌ TĀTOU I ROTO I TE KARAITI / SAY NO TO RACISM. WE ARE ONE IN CHRIST. As we journey through this Social Justice Week the key question for each of us to reflect on is: “how are we becoming one in Christ?”
NATIONAL SYNOD SYNTHESIS DOCUMENT SENT TO ROME FOR SYNOD 2023
Parishes and dioceses around the country took part in the local phase of Pope Francis's synodal path to the Church’s future, which will culminate in an Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in October next year. The NZ bishops have just published the National Synod synthesis document that emerged from the diocesan phase of the process and the national hui held in Wellington in June. The national document has been sent to Rome as one of the many such documents from around the Catholic world as part of the Synod process.
The document, a summary of its contents, and an outline of the Synod process are online here: https://www.catholic.org.nz/news/media-releases/nz-synod-synthesis/
BOARD NEWS
Kia ora koutou whānau
As you will have read in recent communications we were unable to secure enough nominations to form a board to govern St Brendan's and are now holding a by election.
As a Board member I've come to understand the passion of our teaching and support staff and their true dedication to our children. I've gained insights into the choices and challenges they face each day. and been educated on what it is to run a school in a way that has dispelled many myths and misunderstandings I once held.
As a parent, being a Board member has offered me the opportunity to be deeply involved in my children's education, an opportunity for which I am very grateful and an opportunity I would encourage everyone who is able to take up.
Ryan McLean
On Behalf of the St Brendan's Board
SCHOOL NEWS
STEMM CHALLENGE 2022 YEAR 7 - 8
Oops! Last newsletter we acknowledged a team from the Navigators Syndicate who represented St Brendan's at the recent Year 7-8 Hutt Science STEMM Challenge. We actually had two teams participate. The second team, Evadine, Lola, Flynn and Tom, also did a great job, representing St Brendan's with pride. Well done.
YEAR 4-6 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Nico, Logan: On Tuesday 32 students Year 4, 5 and 6 students went to Walter Nash Stadium to compete in a tournament. We made it to the semi-finals and we came 3rd out of 12 schools. We are very proud of how everyone played and everyone showed the GRACE values.
ROOM 10 - SPACE
TERM 3 UNIFORM REMINDERS
- During Term 3 students need to wear long sleeved shirts and long socks.
- Students need their PE uniform daily.
2023
If your family circumstances have changed and you will not be returning to St Brendan’s for the 2023 school year, please let us know via email at your earliest convenience. As per the Integration Agreement, we have a maximum roll and we have to carefully manage applications for enrolment.
ICAS
Despite our best efforts engaging with the ICAS team, this year St Brendan's students will be unable to sit the ICAS Assessments. We apologise to those families who were hoping to have their child/ren participate. We will offer ICAS in 2023.
COFFEE TABLES
We have 4 coffee tables surplus to our requirements since moving to our new Administration block. They are looking for a new home for a small koha. Please email the Office if you are interested.
HERO COMMENT - TERM 2 DRAW
We announced the draw winners in our last newsletter. Here are the happy winners with their Warehouse vouchers.
ENVIRO NEWS UPDATE
We now have a new team of keen gardeners who are called the Green Fingers Club. They meet every Tuesday at lunchtime with the support of Mrs Pullan and Katy Evans and are beginning to learn the basics of gardening.
If you have any spare 'New World Little Gardens' please consider donating these to our Enviro Group Green Fingers Club.
We also have five keen and capable Enviro leaders who are in the Navigators team who are driving these new projects. They are enthusiastic about building a simple Pātaka Kai.
What is the meaning of Pātaka Kai?
Pātaka Kai, means storehouse or pantry in te reo Māori, is a place where people can leave food for other people to take for free.
They would like to build a simple structure with three shelves e.g like a book shelf that has wheels. This group is flexible with days and times but preferably a Tuesday and a Friday afternoon. All materials will be supplied. We just need one or two people to build the structure with this group.
If you would be interested in this Pātaka Kai project please contact Chris Pullan class teacher Room 7 or email c.pullan@stbrendans.school.nz
COMMUNITY CALENDAR ART COMPETITION
The UHCC Community Calendar Competition for 2022 is closing soon. This art and statement competition is run annually to celebrate ‘What we love about living in Upper Hutt!’ and it is open for all Year 1-8 students. The winner of this competition will earn $750 dollars of art equipment for their school and have their artwork on the front cover of the Community Calendar! St Brendan’s has a rich tradition of participation and achievement in this competition.
All entries must be at school by this Friday, 2nd September. If you have any queries please email Yvonne McElwain, Room 1, y.mcelwain@stbrendans.school.nz.
BOOK CHARACTER DRESS UP DAY & PARADE 2022
SECOND HAND UNIFORM SALE
St Brendan's School will be running a second hand uniform sale on Wednesday, 14 September. The school will be selling good condition spare second hand uniform and we also invite anyone who wishes to sell uniform items to contact the Office to book a table. Proceeds from the sale by the school will be used to support families in need, with uniform items in appropriate sizes that are not available second hand. Thank you to all families who have donated uniforms to the school, it is very much appreciated. Any further donations of school uniform items will be gratefully received.
NAVIGATORS NOTICEBOARD
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) and Restorative Practice
Our School Values - GRACE
St Brendan’s is a PB4L school. PB4L School-Wide looks at behaviour and learning from a whole-of-school as well as an individual child perspective. The framework is based on international evidence and helps New Zealand schools build a culture where positive behaviour and learning is a way of life.
The purpose of PB4L is to create a safe and positive environment for all students, where our GRACE values of Gospel, Respect, Aspire, Compassion and Explore are embedded and celebrated in all our school-wide practices.
The focus of PB4L is on changing the environment, systems and practices to support students to make positive behaviour choices. Whole-school positive acknowledgments that are currently being used are:
- House cards/points
- GRACE in Action cards during break times
- Explorers use tick charts
- Whole school GRACE celebrations
- GRACE awards during whole school assembly
- GRACE morning tea
- Leadership awards
PB4L Restorative Practice
Our behaviour management system places accountability on our students and assists them in identifying positive steps for moving forward. PB4L Restorative Practice supports our school to build positive, respectful relationships across our whole school community using a relational approach. We have a system which records repeated minor and major behaviours schoolwide and invite students to engage in a restorative reflection and/ or action as appropriate.
HOW TO LOG IN TO HERO
If you're new to St Brendan's and need to download and log in to HERO please follow the link below for a step by step guide.
http://www.stbrendans.school.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ParentFlyerPremier.pdf
TERM DATES
PTF NEWS
- We invite you to join our next PTF meeting at 7.30pm on Monday, 12 September via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79857445805?pwd=Bi9zTFlF9PHixfJO07j0pXMl8SCsUH.1
Meeting ID: 798 5744 5805
Passcode: C4QLRe
- ·We are running our popular Centra Bakery family pie fundraiser again. To order these delicious pies, please follow the link below. Please place your orders by 3pm Friday, 9 September. All pies are $11 each. The flavours available to order are: Mince, Mince and Cheese, Steak and Onion, Steak and Kidney, Cracked Pepper Steak, Steak and Cheese, Country Chicken, Mediterranean Lamb, Potato Top with mince, Apple, Apricot, Caramel, Lemon Flan. Your pie order will be available for pick up from the school hall on Thursday, 22 September (time to be confirmed).
- A big thank you to all those that helped distribute pizzas last week. We appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to help. We couldn't have made this happen without your support.
Last pizza lunch will be on Wednesday, 21 September
COMMUNITY NEWS
DO YOU HAVE INTERNET CONNECTIVITY AT HOME?
Please let our St Brendan’s Office know if your family does not have internet connectivity at home. The Ministry of Education, through the Equitable Digital Access team, may be able to provide access to families who do not currently have internet access. Please contact the Office as soon as possible by tomorrow, Wednesday, 31 August. This access to free connectivity is not available after August.
PROJECT UPLIFT
Project uplift - bring in your pre loved bras, swimwear, reusable nappies (second hand or new) and underwear (NEW!)
https://www.projectuplift.org.nz/
Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley District are running a collection for Project Uplift until tomorrow 31 August to collect bras and other items for donation to people in need across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Bras are important items of clothing, not just for comfort and practicality, but also for health reasons. It is difficult to access bras in some of the pacific islands and many cannot afford to purchase them. This causes complications with fungal infections and abscesses, as well as impacting on personal dignity and discretion.
If you have any of the following, please bring them to the school office by TOMORROW Wednesday, 31st August (last day for collection).
- BRAS - Any cup size – the bigger the better! In any condition (we can remove protruding wires or cut off hook and eye fasteners to turn into bra extenders
- SPORTS BRAS & CROPS
- NURSING BRAS and REUSABLE BREAST PADS – If it will catch a leak it is better than nothing. Reusable nursing pads are also appreciated
- MASTECTOMY BRAS and BREAST FORMS (prostheses) – If possible please send the box with the breast form/prosthesis, and put the relevant bras under the plastic mould, in the bottom of the box. These will be given to hospitals for distribution. If sending bras only, without breast forms/prostheses, please include a note so we don't miss-sort them
- SWIMWEAR – Any size – a lot of women fish or dive for their livelihoods
- NEW UNDERPANTS – In some places a girl without underpants does not go to school during her period
- REUSABLE NAPPIES (i.e. fabric) – Second hand or new.
UPPER HUTT FRUIT AND VEGE CO-OP
If you're interested in finding out more about the Upper Hutt Fruit and Vege Co-op please follow the link below:
http://www.stbrendans.school.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Flyer-1.pdf
Location: 56 Palmer Crescent Heretaunga Upper Hutt 5019
Phone: (04) 939 1909