PRINCIPAL'S VIEW
Kia ora koutou, kumusta, talofa lava
The recent weather events in New Zealand have certainly reminded us that as much as we have developed as a society in terms of sophistication and advances in technology we are still vulnerable to mother nature. Cyclone Gabrielle has caused an immense amount of damage to people's homes and the infrastructure across large areas of the North Island. Several lives have been lost and the cleanup will take months. Throughout the devastation, I have been encouraged and full of admiration for the many professionals and volunteers who have often risked their lives to help others. This spirit of loving your neighbour as Jesus asked us to do is alive and well in Aotearoa. I often speak to our students about how they can show their love for others through acts of respect, generosity and kindness.
It is so good to see this being demonstrated by so many people in times of hardship. You may like to talk to your child/ren about some great role models of this and further explain that this is what being a Christian is all about.
Mā te Atua koe e manaaki, e tiaki
May God bless you and protect you
David O’Neill
Principal/Tumuaki
We welcome the following students to St Mary's School:
Dylan- Room 1
Oisin- Room 1
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS
16/02 Thursday
ZEYA PADUA Rm3
19/02 Sunday
RACHEL Rm4
22/02 Wednesday
RON Rm5
25/02 Saturday
JOSEPH Rm4
27/02 Monday
JAIRUS Rm5
IVANA Rm3
28/02 Tuesday
KAHU Rm2
PAID UNION MEETING FOR TEACHERS- THURSDAY 2 MARCH
The school has been advised by the NZEI Te Riu Roa that it is holding a Paid Union Meeting at 2pm on Thursday 2 March at the Town Hall. Accordingly, the majority of the school’s teaching staff will be unavailable after 1.30pm on that date.
NZEI is the union that represents primary teachers, primary principals and support staff. Under the Employment Relations Act, paid union meetings are a legal entitlement to discuss union business. In this case, NZEI has advised that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the current teachers’ collective contract.
In light of the fact that the majority of teaching staff will be attending this meeting, I encourage you to pick up your child/ren anytime after 12.35 pm (start of lunchtime) on this date. There will be limited supervision available after 1.30pm. We apologise for any potential disruption to you and your child's routine on the day of the meeting.
Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.
TEACHER ONLY DAY TERM 2- MONDAY 24TH APRIL- NO SCHOOL
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Takeaway Night- To Be Rescheduled
This event was postponed due to the weather.
First Holy Communion June 25th 2023
Please click the link below to enrol. Your child must be baptised before they can receive their First Holy Communion.
Registration closes 3 March and lessons begin on 7 March.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctxccZzePu7gj9CtC_WsIHsPAvlcyZju3NySO2N8_Tlae-NA/viewform
Our Catholic Faith Fact
Next Wednesday 22nd February is Ash Wednesday. This is a very important day of the year for Catholics. It marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 day preparation for Easter. Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence. This means the church asks us to refrain from eating meat on this day and to eat less than we otherwise might. Lent is a time of penance when we try to make a little sacrifice and put God first in our daily lives. There are four ways the Church says we can do penance:
- Give something up
- Give money to the poor
- Sacrifice our time for others e.g. helping whanau or other members of the community
- Pray for a set purpose or at a regular time each day/week
As a school we will attend Mass at 9.15am in the morning to receive the ashes. Each of us will have an ash cross traced on our forehead which is a practice dating back a thousand years in the catholic church.
Free School Swimming Lessons: 6th - 17th March
Graham Condon Pool, Papanui
Swimming will begin on Monday 6th March for two weeks. This is a compulsory component of our school curriculum. Students will travel to and from the pool each day by bus. If your child is unable to swim for any reason can you please inform us by emailing the school via our school app.
Please make sure your child has their togs, towel and goggles each day during the two weeks of swimming. Lessons last for 25 minutes per group.
Upcoming Events
FEBRUARY
- Ash Wednesday- 22 February - 9.15 am
- Arataki Team Mass- 23 February - 9.15am
MARCH
- Swimming lessons- 6th -17th March
- Kotahitanga Team Mass- 2 March - 9.15am
- Arataki Team Mass- 23 March - 9.15am
- Benediction- 23 March - 2.30pm
- Kotahitanga Team Mass- 30 March - 9.15am
APRIL
- End of Term One- 6th April - 3pm
- Teacher Only Day- Monday 24 April
- ANZAC Day Public Holiday- No School - Tuesday 25 April
- Term 2 Classes Begin- Wednesday 26 April - 9am
