SJS Newsletter Term 4 Week 4
Newsletter 9 November 2022
Our Vision: To grow Catholic, Christian young people,
who are confident, connected lifelong learners, inspired by the teachings of Jesus,
and who make a positive difference in their community.
Tēnā tātou
Dear Family/Whānau
Kia ora koutou
To grow Catholic, Christian young people who are CONFIDENT, CONNECTED LIFELONG LEARNERS, inspired by the teachings of Jesus, and who make a positive difference in their community.
We are a family/whānau school. Best learning happens when strong, respectful partnerships are formed and nurtured within our community.
Learning experiences are purposeful and take place through meaningful, learner led and learner centred, real life contexts.
We are blessed to have 26 Indian learners at St James’. This week we are celebrating their Malayalam culture with classroom visits and activities by Shawn and parents which is proving to be a great learning. On Friday we have invited our learners of another culture to wear their national dress if they wish and some of the Malayalam families are providing Indian snacks for our learners. I would like to thank Shawn and all these wonderful parents for their willingness to share another culture, which is part of our community, with our learners.
At St James’ Catholic School, Jesus and His teachings are at the heart of everything we do.
We are encouraged and inspired to grow in faith and to learn more about being Catholic.
On Sunday I was blessed to support one of our learners as she was baptised at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. I was proud of our 4 learners who were baptised and welcomed within our Church community.
Playground - Our playground is very settled at the moment with learners demonstrating our SAINTS values. I have asked everyone to keep their Pokemon cards at home, now the weather is sunny and learners can enjoy running around.
I want to thank the Learning Space 5 learners who are showing Tuakana Teina in the playground by the way they organise games and are buddies to others.
Te Reo Maori - As a staff, we are looking at participating in the Te Ahu o te Reo Māori ki te Taiuru programme. This is a Government initiative to develop te Reo Māori in schools and the wider community. We would like to invite anyone who is interested in this course to join us at 10.30am Thursday for further information or to contact me.
I encourage you all to please keep checking the Events Calendar on the school website or school App to stay up to date with events.
E te Atua e manaaki ki a koutou katoa
May God Bless you all
Christine Cosgrove
Catholic Special Character
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers - Each year during Advent we donate food to St Vincent de Paul to share with less fortunate families prior to Christmas. Our school Young Vinnies group prepare hampers for the St Vincent de Paul organisers to deliver.
Next week, from Monday November 13, boxes will be in each classroom to receive donations and then be collected daily by the Young Vinnies.
The last day for contributions will be Wednesday 24th November at which time the Hampers will be prepared.
We would appreciate donations of any of the following items:
Canned fruit and/or vegetables
Cans of spaghetti and/or baked beans
Canned fish
Bottle/can of pasta sauce
Dry pasta and/or rice
Packet of crackers
Packet of biscuits
Packet of lollies
Block of chocolate
Packet jelly/dessert
Packet of popcorn/chippies
Box/bag of tea/coffee/hot chocolate
Raro/drink sachets
Packet dry soups
Thank you in advance for your support.
God bless.
End of Year Mass - This year we return to our tradition of finishing our school year at our church, The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, as a school community on Tuesday 13 December. This Mass begins at 10:15am, and our learners will be bused there with their school bags.
Please join us to celebrate Mass, and to bless and thank our Year 6 learners and our leaving families.
Learners are taken home by their whānau from The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit at the end of Mass, approximately 11:15/11:30am.
School-wide SAINTS awards and End of Year service, special character and leadership awards - These will be given out at our End of Year Assembly in our school hall on Monday 12th December at 1:45pm. Whanau of those receiving these awards will be contacted by their classroom teacher shortly, so whanau can be present for this occasion.
All welcome.
Celebrations - Celebrating Success
And to Sophie Autagavaia who was welcomed into the Catholic Church.
Thomas George Macarthy Trust - We wish to acknowledge a $2,000 Grant we have received from the Thomas George Macarthy Trust for the purchase of books or computers (hardware and software) to be used in the school library.
The school kindly received a donation from Ace Electrics. With this donation we have been able to purchase a portable bluetooth sound system with microphones and a stand along with a smaller bluetooth speaker. This new sound system will be invaluable for our outside events and gatherings. Thank you Ace Electrics for supporting your local community.
Ace Electrics is large enough to provide any electrical requirements, but pride themselves on the friendly, personable approach. Where possible they repair or advise if replacement is better value or required and provide and end-to-end service. Ace Electrics is Palmerston North based, but covers the entire Manawatu/Wairarapa/Horowhenua region.
News
We are excited to announce that Mrs Naomi Scott and her family are expecting a baby next year. This is a special connection with our learners who are learning about Advent and Mary preparing for baby Jesus birth.
Farewell - Next Week we farewell Andre one of our cleaners who has been with us since May 2021. We thank Andre for his service to St James' and maintaining the high standards that we have become accustom to. Andre has now completed his university studies and wish him all the very best for his future endeavors.
St James' School Community Pool, Pool Keys -The school pool is available for community use on school days between 3:15 pm and 7.55 pm, and during the holidays and weekends between 10 am and 7.55 pm. From next week families can purchase pool keys from the School Office and sign the agreements from now until Friday 9 December for $50 per key. A fee of $20 will be incurred for any lost keys. Payments can be made online: 12-3442-0052178-00. Children will not be issued keys, as an adult is required to sign the agreements. The School pool is currently undergoing some maintenance including being painted and we anticipate it will be open from 1 December 2022. We will pop a post on our School Facebook page to inform you all when the pool opens.
Term 1 Tuesday 31st January – Thursday 6th April
Term 2 Monday 24th April – Friday 30th June
Term 3 Monday 17th July – Friday 22nd September
Term 4 Monday 9th October – Friday 15th December
Great Shakeout - We participated in the Great ShakeOut which takes place across the world to remind people of the right action to take during an earthquake. Drop, Cover and Hold. These drills prepare learners for emergency preparedness.
Old Furniture - We have some chairs and desks available for purchase - cash donation only.
4 x Chairs with built in writing table
$10 each (1 has damaged trim on table and is free)
5 x Large desks can seat six children $25 each
(3 older tables with wooden legs
2 with metal legs)
10 x single old style school desks
FREE
If you are interested please contact Glenn our Caretaker 027 565 6036.
Reminders
2023 Camp Parent Meeting - Tonight 5.30pm in the staffroom 2022 Year 4 and 5 Family/Whānau are invited to a 2023 Camp Parent meeting. The 2023 Year 5 and 6 school camp will be at YMCA Kaitoke. We will be sharing information about the Camp.
We encourage all LS1 and LS2 parents to attend.This Friday we have invited our learners of another culture to wear their national dress if they wish and some of the Malayalam families are providing Indian snacks for our learners.
Before and After School Expectations - We encourage children to arrive at school around 8.30am - 8.45am as the school day begins at 8.50am. Should you need to drop your child off before 8.30am, we ask that you contact Nippers Before and After School service 06-356 7926. After school we ask that children be picked up promptly. These routines establish patterns for your child and will support them to have a successful day at school. If they are late, they are walking into their class in front of their peers and may have missed notices and instruction for the morning activities.
Hair ties - unobtrusive white, green or black hair ties.
Jewellery - Necklaces with cultural or religious significance are permitted to be worn tucked underneath the shirt. Only small, round plain gold/silver or coloured studs maybe worn.
Hydration - Just a reminder that every learner should be coming to school with a drink bottle. For the Health and Safety of our school community our drinking fountains remain out of use during at this time. Please support your child/ren in their wellbeing.
Carpark & Disability Carparks - The carpark is closed between 8.30am-9.00am and 2.30pm-3.00pm. Please ensure you do not park in the Tui Daycare Centre car parks or block the driveway. Exit from tour carpark can only be made via the main carpark exit (it is a one way system). This is to keep our school community safe.
The Mobility car parks are for use of Mobility Permit holders only. Please save these parks for members of our school community who require access to these.
Sports
We finish athletics with our School Athletics Day at Massey on Wednesday 23rd November and need your help! We will begin our day at 9am and be finished by 2pm.
If this is something you can help with please email t.gunn@stjamescatholic.school.nz
School Issued Sports Uniform - If you have any school issued winter sports uniform, please return these to the school office after your photos.
Summer Sports fees are now due. Your attention to these is appreciated.
Any questions, please contact the Sports Coordinator Tracey Gunn t.gunn@stjamescatholic.school.nz.
St James' School PTFA - Parent and Teachers and Friends Association
The next PTFA (Parent, Teacher and Friends Association) meeting will be held Wednesday 9 November 2022 in Staffroom, 6.30-8.00 pm.
Do you wish to get involved and assist with fundraising initiates? Together we make a difference and we invite you to come along to this meeting with ideas, new families welcome. It would be great to see some families from each learning space.
St James' Catholic School Board Update
The next BOT meeting will be held in the staffroom on Monday 14 November 2022 at 6.00 pm. All welcome.
Principal Appointment Update
Tēnā koutou katoa St James community,
I hope you are all well.
In partnership with Palmerston North Catholic Education Office, Nadia Ballantine from edLead Consulting Ltd and Matt Balm, your Board have been working diligently to appoint a new Principal at the same time making sure the presence of support of expert lens is present in the process. Unfortunately at this time, your Board have not been able to progress further with any applicants and will readvertise.
We will reconvene over the next week and review the process and our position of how we will readvertise the Tumuaki position for our kura.
Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. We are confident that our school is in very good and capable hand. We would like to extend our profound appreciation to acting Principal Christine Cosgrove and her dedicated team of knowledge professionals as they have been very supportive.
Malo and many blessings
Analena Siu
Presiding Member (boardpm@stjamescatholic.school.nz)
Dates for Your Diary
Please keep checking the Events Calendar on the school website or school App as we are updating this should events be cancelled/postponed. All coming events will continue to be updated here. Add to my Calendar.
2022 Term Dates & Holidays. 2023 Term Dates & Holidays. Please add these to your diary, in particular the Staff Only Days.
TERM 4
Week 4
Malayalam Language Week
Wednesday 9 November - 5.30pm Year 4 and 5 parent camp parent meeting
Wednesday 9 November - PTFA Meeting 6.30 pm, Staffroom
Thursday 10 November - 10.30am in Staffroom information meeting re Te Ahu o te Reo Māori ki te Taiuru programme 2023.
Friday 11 November - Learners of another culture to wear their national dress if they wish. Malayalam families are providing Indian snacks for our learners.
Friday 11 November - LS5 and LS10 to join 12.05pm Mass at the Cathedral
Saturday 12 November - Scrimmage 8 at St James’
Week 5
Monday 14 November - School Board Meeting, 6pm, Staffroom
Friday 18 November - LS5 and LS8 to join 12.05pm Mass at the Cathedral
Week 6
Wednesday 23 November - Whole School Athletics Day at Massey University
Thursday 24 November - Last day for St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers donations
Friday 25 November - LS2 and LS7 to join 12.05pm Mass at the Cathedral
Sunday 27 November - Advent begins
Week 7
CANCELLED Monday 28 November - 2pm Outside Liturgy to celebrate the beginning of Advent
Wednesday 30 November - 2023 Road Patrol Training
Thursday 1 December - Interschool Athletics
Friday 2 December - 2022 Road Patrol Celebration movie day.
Friday 2 December - LS1 and LS2 Trip to Foxton Wildlife Centre
Friday 2 December - LS5 and LS8 to join 12.05pm Mass at the Cathedral
Week 8
Monday 5 December - Year 6 Celebration Day at the Lido
Tuesday 6 December - Athletics Assembly, 2:15pm
Friday 9 December - LS1, LS6 and LS10 to join 12.05pm Mass at the Cathedral
Friday 9 December - PTFA Lunch
Friday 9 December - Year 6 End of Year Celebration, 6pm
Week 9
Monday 12 December - 1.45pm Whole School Assembly for End of Year Awards, School Hall
Tuesday 13 December - End of Year Mass at the Cathedral of Holy Spirit 10.15am
Tuesday 13 December - Last day of Term 4 2022
Getting Involved
Summer Reading Programme 2022-2023 - 21 November - 26 January 2023
Kidney Kids - One small way we can make life easier for others which costs us nothing, is to collect stamps, can tabs, and wine bottle tops!
You will find collection boxes for these in the School Office foyer. If, as a family you don't already set these items aside for Kidney Kids at Starship and the Missions, you may like to start, as a very visible witness to demonstrating Jesus' example of LOVE. Encourage neighbours and family to do the same. There is no deadline.
School App Advertising - If you are interested in advertising on our School App please make an enquiry to office@stjamescatholic.school.nz.
Newsletter Proudly Sponsored By
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Ace Electrics
Ace Electrics is large enough to provide any electrical requirements, but pride ourselves on the friendly, personable approach. Where possible we repair or advise if replacement is better value or required and provide and end-to-end service. Ace Electrics is Palmerston North based, but covers the entire Manawatu/Wairarapa/Horowhenua region.