This afternoon the Government announced that New Zealand will move to Orange from 11:59pm tonight Wednesday 13 April.

The decision to move to Orange has been made based on public health advice and reflects that New Zealand is showing clear signs that Omicron has peaked.

Although the change to Orange is taking place tonight, the Ministry of Education has stated we should retain our current settings at school tomorrow so that we have time to plan for any changes. For example, we should maintain the expectation that students in Years 4 and up (and staff) continue to wear masks until the end of the term.

Further information about school at Orange will be shared before Term 2 starts.

Tena koutou katoa e te whānau

Me mahi tahi tātou mo te oranga o te katoa

We work together for the well being of all

This whakatauki captures how we have worked this term. COVID has presented many challenges for all schools this term managing high staff and student absences, distance learning, face to face learning, pastoral welfare of staff, students and families, while maintaining our high quality teaching and learning. I can honestly admit there were a couple of times this term I needed to draw from the depths of my leadership experience to face the next day. As we faced the many challenges of this term we were united in our commitment to ensure we supported each other, our students and their families.

I want to acknowledge our outstanding teaching team and support staff. We are indeed blessed with their care, hard work and the resilience they have shown this term. Thank you to our parent community. Thank you for your kind appreciative messages and your understanding. As a school community we can feel very proud of the support we have and show for each other.

Yesterday we celebrated Holy Week with a beautiful moving liturgy. The liturgy was held in the Cathedral and live streamed to the classrooms. There were videos showing Palm Sunday enacted by the students in LC1-2, and the Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper enacted by students in LC3. Our Special Character leaders completed the liturgy with Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Congratulations to all the students and their teachers for their work enacting our most important week in our Catholic Liturgical year. May I wish all our families a blessed Easter filled with love and joy.

Thank you all for your ongoing support. May you have a refreshing holiday break, keep safe and well and I look forward to working with you all next term.

Ma te Atua koutou e manaaki

God’s blessings on you all,

Arohanui,

Debra

Our Charism focus for this term has been LIVE LOVE. This week we are looking back over the term and all the learning that we have done about LIVE LOVE.

We have learnt what it means to be a good friend: to be kind, trustworthy and to include others. To think about how we can live our lives in Love. Using both our words and actions

Following in the tradition of Marcellin Champagnat and Euphrasie Barbier, our two founders, we have learnt about the importance of showing respect for the dignity of each person - helping us to make our world a happier place by sharing that love and peace with each other.

We have followed the model that Jesus has given us -To Love One Another. We need to spread that joy and love with all those we meet so that we are able to LIVE LOVE - both at Marian School and everywhere we go. To LIVE CHRIST by being the hands, face and voice of Jesus.

We warmly welcome into our school community the following children and their families; Leah Rasmussen Shawyer (Rm4), Molly Gaines (Rm1), Joshua Joy (Rm4), John Varkey (Rm4), Airin Rejith (Rm8) and Senitha Kularatne (Rm5)

This week you will receive a post on Hero of learning your child has done around our concept of ‘Tūrangawaewae’. This sharing of learning across the school includes students sharing their pepeha, their reflection around their Tūrangawaewae and writing about a special place they feel connected to.

Room 2 parents please note as Mrs Bullen has been away sick, Mrs McKoy has posted a comment for the students in this class.

Ka mua ka muri - Looking to the past to inform the future is the overarching idea for our learning this year. Building on from the wonderful learning around Tūrangawaewae in Term 2 our schoolwide concept is ‘Heritage’.

We want our students to understand; 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.

We want to know what is important about the idea of ‘Heritage’ to your whānau / family. This will help shape the learning for the students and help us learning about the Heritage stories of Māori, as first settlers, and other settlers in our community.

We will be encouraging students to find out about their Heritage stories. At the start of the term we will send a letter home. Please send the note back to school letting us know your thoughts or how you could help the students with their learning.

PTFA Fundraiser

Thank you to the many parents who supported our fundraiser.

The children will be coming home today with your orders.

Please check their bags

• 13 April - Hot Cross Buns delivered

• 14 April - Last Day of Term 1 (3pm)

• 2 May - Term 2 begins

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.

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

Years 1-6 Online registrations still open for Netball, Basketball and Hockey.

Go to Marian School Website, Sports Registrations

If you are interested email me: sportscoordinator@marian.school.nz

Adriana Cubillos

Marian School Sports Coordinator

Kia ora Koutou,

We look forward to meeting new families seeking enrolment at our College next year. We have delayed finalisation of our Opening Evenings to ensure that we will be able to progress this important event without potential postponement.

Open Evenings:

Dates: Wednesday 18th May and Thursday 19th May.

Time: 4.30pm until 7.00pm (last booking).

Format: Small group tours. Registration will be required.

Duration: 70-80 minutes.

The tours will ensure that we are able to maintain Covid protocols, whilst creating a positive and personalised experience. Staff and students will show families our learning spaces and share with them why Sacred Heart Girls’ College is the best choice for their next step in education.

We look forward to welcoming future students and families to our College in May.

Kind regards,

Catherine Gunn

Principal/Tumuaki