Newsletter 6 December Term 4 2022
St Brendan's Catholic School
Welcome, nau mai, afio mai, namaste, konnichiwa, nĭ hăo, talofa, komosta, vanakkam, auybowan,
Dear Whānau & Parishioners,
He whakataukī: titiro whakamuri, kōkiri whakamua.
Look back and reflect in order to move forward.
Less than two weeks of Term 4 remain. It is a very busy time of the year, but it is also a time to reflect and celebrate. We hope you can join us at our upcoming events:
Thursday, 8 December Christmas Cushion Concert from 5pm Explorers, Adventurers, Navigators, ArtSplash Choir, and Kapa Haka will perform. We will also be inviting you to join us singing some Christmas carols. We are hoping to have a sausage sizzle, our PTF will be selling juices and raffle tickets. Bring a picnic, family and friends, and cushions to make yourself comfortable in the quad. We will be collecting non-perishable items for St Vincent de Paul. This is an opportunity for you to collect your child/ren’s Christmas decorations and for us to gather as a school community.
We are now in the season of Advent. We filled the school with the festive season with our PTF Christmas non-uniform day last week. Thank you for joining us at our Open Afternoon. If you were unable to join us, please do not hesitate to connect with any member of our teaching team to learn more about our local curriculum and things that are unique to each of our teams.
We are proud of the group of Adventurers who were selected to represent Upper Valley Schools at Regional Athletics this year. Congratulations to Joseph B - Sprints and relay team, Barnaby - Quoits, Tom L - vortex throw, Lily C - 800m and relay team, Matthew M - 800m, vortex and relay, and Charlie S - long jump and high jump. And, we are also proud of the group of Navigators who were selected for the 2022 Wellington Primary and Intermediate Schools Regional Athletic Championships held in Masterton. Congratulations to Madi W - 1500m, Conor - Shot put & Discus, Oli R - Long Jump & Vortex and Flynn - High jump.
Log onto Hero on Friday
End of year learning posts, overall teacher judgements, teacher and student evaluations will be shared on Friday. Please read and acknowledge/comment on these posts. Please email your child/ren’s class teacher if you have not been able to access your Hero account to read learning posts.
School Transition We have begun the process of supporting students with transition across the school. The aims of transition include students developing tuakana/teina and having the opportunity to collaborate with other students and teachers. Last week we coordinated team transitions, this week class transitions. Yesterday your child/ren will have brought a stationery list home which will also confirm their 2023 class placement.
2023 School Organisation Next year we will have a similar structure of three teams: Explorers: Years 0-3, Adventurers: Years 4-6 and Navigators: Years 7-8. St Brendan’s is a ‘Bring Your Own Device’ (BYOD) school, we strongly recommend that all students have a Chromebook (any make/model) from Year 4.
Year 0-3: Explorers
- Room 2 Heather Campbell, Years 0-1, Team Leader
- Room 1 Ursula Rehr Years 1-2
- Room 6 Yvonne McElwain Years 2-3
- Room 7 Chris Pullan Years 2-3
- Room 9 Kathy Cutler Year 2-3
Year 4-6: Adventurers
- Room 12 Ange Puki Years 5-6, Assistant Principal and Team Leader
- Room 11 Sara Williams Years 5-6
- Room 10 Teresa Millar Years 4-5
- Room 8 Frances Reilly Year 4
Year 7-8: Navigators
- Room 4 Vanessa Smith-Graham Years 7-8, Team Leader
- Room 5 Sarah Chard Years 7-8, Director of Religious Studies (DRS)
Jo Hunter, our Deputy Principal, will not have a class of her own next year. Instead, she will work across our school providing release for classroom teachers.
Staffing Update I write to inform you of another change that will impact our school community part way through Term 1 when we will be farewelling Mrs Niki Berensden. Niki is our school super hero, everyone will be appreciative of all that she has done and continues to do for our community. You will find our advertisement for an Office Administrator on Seek, or you can contact the school for information if you, or someone you know may be interested in joining our St Brendan’s team. We hope you will be able to join us when we gather to thank and farewell Niki next year.
Welcome On behalf of our whole school community we extend a warm welcome to Adin and family who recently joined our Room 2 learning team.
He waka eke noa. We rise together, fall together, work together, keep going together.
God Bless,
Veronica Sawers,
Principal
2023 Term Dates - Updated
Term 1 Wednesday, 1 February 2023 - 6 April 2023
Term 2 Wednesday, 26 April 2023 - 30 June 2023
Term 3 17 July 2023 - 22 September 2023
Term 4 9 October 2023 - 15 December 2023
Teacher Only Day - Monday, 24 April 2023
Teacher Only Day - Friday, 20 October 2023 tbc
VERBAL BOUQUETS AND THANK YOU'S
All our recent EOTC and Athletics helpers.
Our St Brendan's Board and PTF members for their hard work and support during 2022.
WALKING HAND IN HAND WITH CHRIST
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION PROGRAMME 2023
Enrolments for the 2023 Sacramental Preparation Program are now open for those candidates who would like to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Eucharist.
Enrolments can also be submitted on-line at www.olov.org.nz/sacraments/. Enrolment forms are also available in the foyer of both churches and the School.
Though enrolments close on 3rd February 2023 please endeavour to enrol before the 18th December as this allows time over the January period to undertake preparation work. The Programme starts on February 12th as the Reconciliation portion happens over Lent. Any enquiries please contact Fr Tony or Jenny Mahony, the Sacramental Programme Co-ordinator.
WelCom December/January edition was distributed last week. Please take time to engage with the content. Did you see St Brendan’s on page 13? ‘Solidarity Toy and Book Sale for Foodbank’ - Years 2-3 Explorers.
Content also includes:
- Pope Francis’ letter to Ukraine people.
- Cardinal John Dew message: ‘A blessed, peaceful and happy Christmas to all’.
- Sacred Heart Cathedral Wellington – work underway as restoration gets closer to completion.
- Compassion Soup Kitchen – profile interview with manager.
- Synod on synodality – updates.
- Te Hīkoi Whakapono – Journey of Faith visits The Catholic Parish of Wellington South.
- ‘Mary’s Joseph and the strength of silence’ – reflection by Fr James Lyons in the lead up to Christmas
- Plus, more features, local and international news and views, Young Church.
CHRISTMAS NOVENA MASS TIMETABLE
BOARD NEWS
Kia ora St Brendan’s whānau,
It is finally the end of the year! We look forward to the last week of term and opportunities for gratitude, and celebrating all that our children and staff have achieved this school year.
For some of you, this will be the end of your time at St Brendan’s School. You have made us very proud of your accomplishments, and it has been a privilege to watch you grow. Thank you for all that you have taught us along the way. The Board wishes you all the best.
Following elections, our new board has come together to make a positive difference in our children’s education and to support our staff. We are off to a great start.
Nick Banks, our long-standing fellow board member, will be stepping down at the end of this year after over twelve years on our board. Nick brings humour, skill, and a critical perspective to board meetings. He contributes in so many ways to support our children and staff and demonstrates our values in his approach. We would like to express our gratitude for all that you have given us, Nick. You will be missed.
Thank you to all St Brendan’s staff who have navigated this challenging year and provided our children with a safe and engaging environment. We are so fortunate and grateful.
Hopefully, each of us will enjoy a bit of a break this Christmas season with a moment to enjoy the long evenings with loved ones or something else nice.
Enjoy this Christmas season.
Many thanks on behalf of the Board
Ngā mihi
Julie Stewart
SCHOOL NEWS
GIRLS MAKING RANGOLI PATTERNS
Harper, Anna Rose and Georgina had fun making Rangoli patterns during break time.
OUTSTANDING SPORTS FEES
There are a number of families with unpaid sports fees. If your child has played after school sports this year for St Brendan's, please check your account on Hero to ensure sports fees have been paid. A reminder that these are not voluntary. Any unpaid fees will be carried over to next year and enrolment in future sports will be dependent on payment of outstanding fees. Should you have any queries, please contact Clare Owen on accounts@stbrendans.school.nz.
SINGLET RETURN
LIBRARY BOOKS
All student library books are now due for return. Please ensure your child returns their library book/s to school as soon as possible. Thank you.
SPORTS EXCHANGE
On Wednesday, 23 November St Brendan's Year 7 and 8 participated in a Sports Exchange with St Joseph's, Upper Hutt. Their Year 8 leaders organised the event for us - inviting us, sorting the logistics, setting up the equipment needed and hosting on the day. We had students participate in the following events: touch rugby, netball, basketball and Epro8. On the way back many Year 7's were talking about ‘When we have them at St Brendan’s next year’ so it has obviously sparked an opportunity for our students as well!
NAVIGATORS NOTICEBOARD
WEET-BIX TRYATHLON
St Brendan’s is keen for a school team to compete in the Weet-Bix Tryathlon 2023. We are still looking for an adult volunteer to coordinate participation from St Brendan's. If you or someone you know is interested please email Teresa at t.millar@stbrendans.school.nz.
PTF NEWS
Thank you to the student council for running two successful Juicies sales this term, we look forward to helping you run these again in Term 1.
Orders for the Christmas pantry fundraiser will be available to collect on Thursday this week (8 December) at 3pm from the staff room.
Any donations for the Christmas raffle (Christmas themed items such as chocolates, decorations, toys, stationery, unwanted elves etc) can be delivered to the school office by Monday, 12 December. The raffle winners will be announced on the last day of term.
We will be having a stall at the cushion concert where you can purchase raffle tickets and Juicies ($1 each), and also have a chat with us about your ideas for PTF fundraising for 2023.
A big thank you to Tia-Maree for her time supporting the PTF as our Treasurer, we really appreciate all that you have done.
We are now looking for a new treasurer and secretary to help us in 2023, if you would like to know more, please email ptf@stbrendans.school.nz or talk to us on Thursday!
Once again, thank you to all the school community for your support this year. We look forward to fundraising to support the students in their learning journeys in 2023.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
from the PTF committee.
COMMUNITY NEWS
HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT THE NETSAFE TOOLKIT YET?
The Netsafe Online Safety Parent Toolkit provides a structured framework for parents to begin a conversation with their young people about the behaviour they expect from them online and the impact their actions can have. It includes practical tools for setting expectations, making an agreement as to what is expected from their behaviour online, teaching online safety concepts, modelling responsible behaviour, and making a plan for when things go wrong. This toolkit is available here.
SANTA AND NZ POST
Visit https://writetosanta.nzpost.co.nz/ if you would like to write your own personal letters to Santa. On Santa’s Ho Ho Homepage, you can play Santa’s favourite games, listen to his top elf DJ and so much more!.
Merry Christmas,
Alex and the team at New Zealand Post
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FUN NIGHT
Do you have some last-minute shopping that you need to get done... without the kids... or you just haven't started? We have you covered! leave the kids with us, we will entertain them with games, movie, and a pizza dinner. There will be lollies and glow toys for sale on the night so send them with some cash :)
This will be on Tuesday the 20th 5-10 pm
(FYI Queensgate has a late night that night)
Book your spot quickly as there are limited numbers!
BYO beanbag/cushion for movies and even their PJs if you want!
Make your booking through the link below
Make sure students don’t regress and forget maths. Fun physically active maths videos to use at home for free over the summer.
Free access over the summer break.
Location: 56 Palmer Crescent Heretaunga Upper Hutt 5019
Phone: (04) 939 1909