Newsletter 18 May, 2022
Marian Catholic School
Tena koutou katoa e te whānau
Ehara tāku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini
My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective
As I approach writing this newsletter I am so grateful for the amazing team we have here at Marian. We have started this term so determined to make every day a quality learning day as each day at school is so precious. We have much to celebrate with excellent learning in all areas of the school. I am particularly impressed with the range of cultural groups and activities our students are able to participate in which started immediately we hit Orange. Outstanding team of staff supporting our caring supportive school community. We are indeed blessed.
Rising Numbers of Covid
We are noticing our numbers of COVID positive cases and absences rising steadily. This is not unexpected and we need to stay vigilant in monitoring for symptoms, and staying home if unwell. We are following the recommended guidelines in particular the hygiene practices with shared surfaces being cleaned daily, regular hand washing and sanitising and ensure adequate ventilation. Face masks are recommended and we support and encourage their use. We have re introduced our regular school routines and activities; team assemblies, whole school mass, buddy classes, cultural groups meeting at lunchtimes to name a few and will make any adjustments if needed.
Farewell to Patricia (Tricia) Robinson - Family Support Worker
This week we are farewelling Tricia Robinson. Tricia has been part of our school whānau for the past three and a half years. Tricia bought a wealth of experience from her Chaplaincy days and quickly became a key support to many families. I would like to acknowledge Tricia’s deep caring concern to empower and build confidence in students and their families to deal with their everyday life struggles. Tricia is leaving us to return to her home town Invercargill. She has a lovely new home she has been building and will be close to family.
A message from Tricia…
“Hi there. It is my last week at Marian School.. I am sad to be saying goodbye to a remarkable group of people to work with, but the family pull is calling me south to my birth place. So I am off to the green pastures of Southland
I have loved my time at Marian and just wanted to thank those families that I did manage to work with, for their trust. It is always a privilege to share in people’s lives and their struggles.
One last plea would be to encourage those of you who may find they have a little extra to think of a donation to our welfare fund to help others with their Camp Fees, or providing uniforms for their children and sometimes just to put food on their tables.
He mihi nui ki a koutou, kia ora koutou katoa
Tricia “
May God bless you Tricia and keep you safe as you travel to be with your family.
Introducing our new School Caretaker
I would like to welcome Mr Mike Mulhern - our new School Caretaker. Mike comes from a Horse Stud Farming background and is enjoying the adjustment to children and playgrounds. He is married with 4 children and 7 grandchildren. He is fit and active and enjoys running in his spare time. Mike is a wonderful addition to our Marian school family and we wish him all the best in this new role.
Celebrating Art work
The next time you are at school pop into our Office Administration area and have a look at the quality art from classes across our school. At the moment we have a RE display by Room 7a of BubbleArt Rosary Beads, Kowhaiwhai Patterns by Room 19 and Growth Mindset display by Buddy Classes Room 9 and Room 20. Stunning work the students can feel very proud of.
After School Care Programme
We are very proud of our after school care programme and I receive a lot of positive feedback from both children and parents using this service. We are committed to offering this service and to providing a safe and secure environment for our children. To help us with this we rely on parents registering their children and communicating any changes to plans.
Please ensure you register your children for the sessions and inform us of any changes.
Use asc@marian.school.nz or text: 0273757890
Principal Sabbatical
I am fortunate to be awarded a TeachNZ Principal Sabbatical for this year. I will be absent from school from the 6th June through to the 29th August to work on my report. I am focussing on the role middle leaders play in sustaining and embedding cultural capabilities across the school. This is the work we are doing here at Marian and it is a privilege to visit other schools and delve into current research in this area.
In my absence, Mrs Louise Graafhuis will be Acting Principal and will be ably supported by Mrs Toni Walters-Freke.
Mathematics Development
This week we have had the privilege of hosting Bruce Moody, a Mathematics Consultant. Bruce is a former Secondary Maths teacher and has been involved in Primary School advisory work since 2001. He has the ability to combine research findings with practical classroom ideas. He teaches students as part of the professional learning programme which helps demonstrate pedagogical principles to teachers. Bruce is working with LC3 staff and students. I enjoyed visiting a couple of classes he worked in on Monday.
Board of Trustees Elections
This year the triennial Board of Trustees elections will be held in September.
We will call for nominations from 15 July. The elections will take place on 7 September.
There will more information coming out this term. If you are interested in being a trustee you are welcome to contact our Board of Trustees Chair person Wayne Bates to seek more information.
Mark in your Calendar
We have two Teacher Only Days scheduled for this year. Please mark these dates in your calendar. Please note: The school will be closed on these days. Term 3: 29 August and Term 4: 21 November.
Ma te Atua koutou e manaaki
God’s blessings on you all,
Arohanui,
Debra
Gospel Reflection
5th Sunday of Easter John 13: 33-35
Jesus tells his disciples that he will not be with them for much longer and he tells them how he’d like them to behave.
Jesus told the disciples to love one another, just as he had loved them. He spent time with people, especially those who were sick, lonely, frightened or poor. Jesus listened to them and ate with them. He healed them and he helped them to change their lives for the better.
People see Jesus in us and know that we are his followers when we love and care for others as he taught us to.
“This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Charism Focus
Our Charism focus for this term is LIVE COMMUNITY. This week we will focus on showing love and concern for others. Being part of a community means we need to think of others.
Thinking and acting as Jesus would -doing what is good for all of us - not just thinking of ourselves. Is an important part of being in community. When you're thinking of other people you think less about yourself, and more about others — you're generous and kind.
This includes how we welcome new students and visitors. Do we welcome them positively and think of how we can make their stay or visit a positive one? How can we show our love and concern for those who are visiting or new to our school?
To Live Community at Marian Catholic School means for us to be aware of those around us - to show love, concern and respect for those we spend our day with. To think like Jesus and to do what is good for us all, not just thinking of ourselves. To Be the hands, face and voice of Jesus.
DRS News
SCHOOL MASSES: Term 2
Thursday 2nd June Pasifika Mass: PENTECOST
Thursday 7th July End of Term Mass : HERITAGE
MONTH OF MAY: MARY
In the Catholic Church the month of May is Mary’s month. It’s the month we honour Blessed Mary as the Mother of Jesus and our Heavenly Mother.
As our school is named after Mary- Marian Catholic School, this month is a special one for us all to pray to her.
God Bless
Nicki Whyte DRS
Welcome
We warmly welcome into our school community the following children and their families; Basil Evy Rm 18, Kishimae Manabat Rm 4, AJ Kautoa Rm 5 and Elaina Jijo Rm 1.
Heritage Context for Term 2
Ka mua ka muri - Looking to the past to inform the future
Our heritage is shaped by the stories, objects and actions of the past and together will inform the way we build a faith based community for the future.
Thank you to everyone who has sent in information to help us with our heritage planning. It is not too late to send the letter back to school.
Update from the Sports Coordinator
When I accepted the Sports coordinator position, I brought many memories from my experience when I arrived to NZ which now became ideas to support our children and families to get involved in any sport or extra curricular activity.
On Term 1, every student had the opportunity to learn about all the sports Marian school has to offer through a “Sports Rotation”. I would like to acknowledge the presence of representatives from the hockey, flippaball, waterpolo and cricket associations which came along to do activities related to their sport. Also, the involvement of an ex Marian school pupil and the year 8 students leaders who helped out with futsal, basketball and netball sessions as part of their leadership programme.
And all the support provided by all the teachers and admin staff for embracing this idea.
The result has been fantastic. Despite all the restrictions of the red light system, especially no spectators and no registrations for years 1-2s during term 1, I was able to register a really good number of teams for our summer sports (cricket, hockey, waterpolo, flippaball and futsal).
Thanks to the change to orange in the traffic light system, Term 2 has become busier. I have had quite a bigger number of team registrations for the years 1-6 in Netball, basketball and Winter hockey which came with the challenges to find coaches, managers and gear bags for each team.
A MASSIVE thank you to all the parents who have put their hand up, persuading an older sibling or family member to take a role in a team and allowing the children to play.
Adriana Cubillos
sportscoordinator@marian.school.nz
Dates to Remember
LC4 Day trips 19 and 20 May
Sacred Heart Girls College Yr 8 Info evening 18 and 19 May
St John’s College Info evening Yr 8 Boys - 19 May
Pentecost Mass - 2 June
Queen's Birthday Holiday - school closed - 6 June
Before School and After School Care
Before School Care: bsc@marian.school.nz If you are wishing to enrol your child at Before School Care please use the email above.
After school Care : asc@marian.school.nz For casual bookings please email the Friday before the following week. This is essential for our planning.
Second Hand Uniform Shop
Our Second-Hand Uniform shop is open Fridays from 2pm to 2:45pm. The shop is located in the Whare (situated on the edge of the church car-park)
All articles are from $2.00 to $10.00, the proceeds of which go to the Welfare Fund
AIMS games are on again this year: 3-9 September in Tauranga for Year 7 & 8 students.
Marian has sent along individual sports persons and various sports teams for many years. If you have a child who excels at their individual sport and would like to compete at this tournament please head along to the AIMS webpage: www.nzaimsgames.co.nz and see what they have to offer. Please note that all costs/transport/accommodation will have to be self-funded by the individuals attending.
We have confirmed a Futsal team is attending - the trials for this were held at the start of term 1.
Mrs Higby is considering if she will take a netball team and will be having some games this week to decide - your children should already be aware of this.
If you would like to send your child along to compete in an individual event then please contact me and register your child: jmcintyre@marian.school.nz All registrations have to be done through the school office.
School Banking
School Banking has re-started.
Applications to start your School Banking are available in the School office.
All deposits need to be dropped off the School office before school on Wednesday mornings.
