Newsletter
St Mary's Catholic School 10th March 2021 - Term 1 Week 6
Third Sunday of Lent, Cycle B
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Gospel Reading
John 2:13-25
Jesus drives out the moneychangers from the Temple and says that he will destroy the temple and raise it up again.
Background on the Gospel Reading
In today’s Gospel, we read about how Jesus overturned the tables of the merchants and the moneychangers in the Temple at Jerusalem. In order to understand the relevance of Jesus’ action, we must learn more about the activities that were going on in the temple area. Worship at the Temple in Jerusalem included animal sacrifice, and merchants sold animals to worshipers. Moneychangers exchanged Roman coins, which bore the image of the Roman emperor, for the temple coins that were needed to pay the temple tax.
Jesus’ action at the Temple in Jerusalem is recorded in all four Gospels and is often understood to be among the events that led to Jesus’ arrest and Crucifixion. The Gospel of John, however, places this event much earlier in Jesus’ public ministry than do the Synoptic Gospels. In John’s Gospel, this event occurs at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry, after his first miracle at the wedding feast at Cana.
We must read the Gospel of John carefully, especially in its presentation of Jesus’ relationship to Judaism. The Gospel of John tends to reflect greater tension and animosity between Jesus and the Jewish authorities than the Synoptic Gospels. The Gospel of John was the last of the four Gospels to be written, and its narrative reflects the growing divide between the Jewish community and the early Christian community. Thus, greater emphasis on the distinction between Christianity and Judaism is found in John’s Gospel.
Reflecting upon the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem (A.D. 70), John recalls Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple and uses that story to interpret this later event. John explains to his audience, an early Christian community, that temple worship would no longer be necessary because it was surpassed in the passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus. With greater frequency than the other Evangelists, John intersperses post-Resurrection reflections of this Christian community in his narrative.
After clearing the Temple of the merchants and the moneychangers, John’s Gospel tells us that the people asked for a sign of Jesus’ authority to do such an audacious act. In response, Jesus predicted his death and Resurrection. Throughout John’s Gospel, the language of signs is distinctive. Jesus’ miracles are called signs, and the people look to these signs for proof of his authority. Here we learn that the sign par excellence will be Jesus’ passion, death, and Resurrection.
During Lent, we reflect upon the meaning of this sign for us and for our world. We might take this opportunity to consider the quality of our prayer and worship. In our prayers, we seek to deepen our relationship with the person of Christ. In our worship with the community, we gather to experience anew the passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus and its significance in our lives. Christ promises to be present with us when we gather for prayer.
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tihei mauri ora, nau mai, haere mai, tena koutou katoa, E nga whanau, e nga kaiako, e nga tamariki, e nga manuhiri, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa
Once again I am very grateful and thankful for our community and the support shown not only through COVID19 but from Friday around our Tsunami evacuation practice. The children were excellent during the drill and throughout the whole process. We have completed a REVIEW of this with staff and we will put those into practice for next time.
Outdoor Adventure Day
Thank-you to the PTA and their fantastic group of helpers who made Outdoor Adventure Day a huge success. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing our beautiful children succeed and enjoy completing the course.
School start time
A reminder that school starts at 8.50 am and it is imperative that children are here on time. If for any reason your child will be late could you please let the office know.
Lost Property
The lost property continues to be a frustration for all concerned. Could we please ask you to make sure everything is named so we can return it to its owner. Each Team has a container for lost property to go into and some items do turn up elsewhere. The teachers and staff are working hard to return all named items regularly.
Catch-ups
Parent catch-ups. Every Tuesday from 9 am-9.30 am I will be in the staffroom for parents to catch up, ask questions, challenge us and discuss any items relating to the school. This is an opportunity to grow strong open relationships.
Learning sharing for Term 1:
Parent meetings - Kanohi ki te kanohi
At the end of Term 1 parents will view information regarding goals achieved and a point on the graph to show where your child is at. There will be a learning story in relation to spelling that has been learned. We will also have face to Face - Kanohi ki te kanohi meeting with parents - Term 1 Week 11 Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th April to discuss the HERO report and the spelling assessment. Information on how to book times will come home shortly.
Ngā mihi nui
James Murray
Seeking Missing Library Books
Last year classes were issued books for children to read. Unfortunately a lot has gone missing, presumingly taken home to be read but not brought back. Can you please check your child/ren’s collection of books for any St Mary’s Books and return to the library or office.
Thanks, Debbie Nowell, Librarian
PTA OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DAY
See heaps more photos on our Facebook page
SPECIAL CHARACTER
It is very inspiring this week to follow the historic visit to Iraq by Pope Francis. The four-day trip, which began on Friday, was the pontiff's first international excursion since the start of the pandemic more than a year ago, and the first-ever papal visit to the country. He flew home on Monday morning. On Saturday, in a highly symbolic meeting with the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the holy city of Najaf, the Pope echoed this message, saying that Christians should be able to live in peace and security like all other Iraqis.
St Joseph’s Day
Feast of St Joseph. 19th March
St Joseph facts: A few verses in Matthew and Luke tell us all we know about St. Joseph. They provide just enough information to demonstrate why he was the divine choice to become the husband of Mary and the foster-father of Jesus. Joseph was genealogically perfect for these roles. A distant descendant of King David, he gave Christ the King his royal lineage. Joseph also came from the right hometown. He was from Bethlehem, the city that Scripture predicted would produce the Messiah (see Micah 5:1). And as a carpenter (see Matthew 13:55), Joseph was poor—Christ’s condition of preference. For further information see this Loyola Press link
With the Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from today, 8 December 2020, to 8 December 2021.
St Joseph is very important to our school. Our Cluny Sisters, are in full name The Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny. The life of a Cluny sister is one that is centered in God, with whom we enter into an ever-deepening relationship, nourished by daily prayer and a life-time of responding to God's call within our lives.
Therefore we wish our Sisters a very happy Feast Day.
We will celebrate St Joseph’s Day School Mass on Friday 19th March at St Mary Immaculate Church, 9:30 am. Followed by some fun activities at school.
New Families Liturgy
Unfortunately we had to postpone our New Families Liturgy due to Covid Level restrictions. The new date for this is Week 8 - Tuesday 23rd March at 10am.
Parish School Mass- On Saturday 13th March at 5 pm
We will have our first Parish School Mass for the year at St Mary Immaculate Church. This year we thought we would try something a bit different, so, after Mass, we invite the parish and school community to join us for a picnic - 6:30 pm - 8 pm on the school grounds. Bring your picnic dinner, blanket, chairs etc and spend time together.
Sacramantal programme
Please keep in your prayers the 62 St Mary’s students who have started their journey this year to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist. On Monday they started their lessons to prepare for Reconciliation.
God Bless
Teresa Rush
DRS
FROM THE PARISH
The Way of the Cross
St Mary's Syro-Malabar Community / The way of the cross (in Malayalam) with the Syro -Malabar Community, Friday’s, 7 pm at St Mary Immaculate Church.
Singers for Easter Liturgies (Adults)
We are hoping to get together a group of people who would like to help lead the singing at our Easter Liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. All ages are very welcome, we encourage you to come! There will be 2 practices only on Tuesdays; March 11th, 18th, 7 pm, St Mary Immaculate Church, lasting approximately one hour. Led by Sally Washer
ST MARY'S TERM 2 SPORT
The time has come for Winter Sports Registrations.
Netball
Year 1- 6
Season begins Saturday 22nd May and finishes the end of August.
Years 1 & 2 games will be played between 10:00am – 11:00am
Years 3 & 4 games will be played between 11:30am – 12:30pm
Years 5 & 6 games will be played between 12:30pm – 1:30pm
*Grading for Year 6 team on Saturday 15th May (Years 1-5 don’t grade).
Trials for Year 5-6 teams will take place at lunchtime over the next few weeks.
Cost - $50 pp for Year 1-5
$65 pp for Year 6
Register for Year 5 & 6 Netball here
Last day for Registration is 31st March.
Basketball
Year 1-6
Season begins week of 10th May for Year 3-6 and then the week of 17th May for Year 1-3 (Little League). The season runs until the end of September.
Year 1 & 2 will play on Monday
Year 3 & 4 will play on Tuesday
Year 5 & 6 will play on Friday
Locations – Trustpower Arena, QEYC
Referees will be supplied and are included in fees
Trials for Year 5-6 teams will take place at lunchtime over the next few weeks.
MOUTH GUARDS ARE COMPULSORY FOR YEARS 3-6
Cost - $45 pp for Year 1&2
$95pp for Year 3-6
Register for Year 1 - 6 Basketball here
Last day for Registration is 31st March.
Hockey
Year 3-6
Season begins Saturday 15 May and ends last week of August – NB may be subject to change.
Games will be played between 8:30am – 1:30pm at Blake Park. Occasionally satellite turfs around Tauranga are used.
· Funsticks (Year 1&2) is a separate competition which each child registers individually with the Hockey Association. More information will be available in the next week or so.
Cost - $50 pp
Trials for Year 5-6 teams will take place at lunchtime over the next few weeks. More information will go out to families closer to the time.
Register for Year 3 - 6 Hockey here
Last day for Registration is 31st March.
Gymnastics
Years 1-6
This takes place at school, on a Tuesday morning. For all registrations please contact, Marie on 0211705426 or marie@gymnasticacademy.co.nz
Jump Jam
Ms Mayall will be taking ‘fun’ Jump Jam classes on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes during Term 2.
There will also be Competitive Jump Jam taking place. Registrations are now open, and a form is available on Hero for you to fill in. You can also register your child using this link.
The Tauranga based Competition will take place on 3rd June. Venue TBA
Hip Hop
Hip Hop with Val is a fun introduction to dance for Year 0 – 8’s with a focus on building self-confidence for the children.
Choreography is kept simple so that children of all levels can have a go.
This term fees are $50 per child, per term 1 and invoiced directly to the parents. Classes run for 10 weeks this term which includes 9 classes plus a performance.
Classes will be held Mondays lunch times beginning Week 2.
Full information and invoices will be send in next 7 days after registration.
Simply click on this link & fill out the online enrolment form to enrol.
Enrolments close 2nd May
Jump Jam Workshop
"Brett Fairweather will be running a Student Development Workshop at St Marys' School on Monday 22 March 10-11:30am. The children will be taught a brand new routine, which can be used in any of the competitions. The song is "Dynamite' by BTS.
The cost per student will be $11.50. Please register asap be emailing Rachel Parry on sports@stmarystga.school.nz"
Rachel Parry Sport Coordinator
Any sporting queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on:
Whole School & Team Upcoming Events
- Whakapono camp - Thursday 11 March to Friday 12 March
- Parish School Mass & Picnic at St Mary's School - Saturday 13th March 5pm
Te Wa O Whakapono Retreat - Thursday 18th March
New Entrant Meeting - Thursday 18th March 3.15pm
Whole School Mass (St Joseph) - Friday 19th March 9.30am
PTA Movie Night - Friday 19th March 5.30pm
- Newsletters - Every 2nd Wednesday starting from 10th February
Term Dates
Friday 2 April, Monday 5 April, Tuesday 6 April - Easter holidays
Term 2 - Monday 3 May - Thursday 8 July
Monday 7 June - Queens Birthday
Friday 9 July - Kahui Ako Teacher Only Day
Term 3 - Monday 26 July - Friday 1 October
Term 4 - Monday 18 October - Friday 17 December (12 noon)
Monday 25 October - Labour Day
Please support our Gold Group Sponsors
Contact Us
Email: office@stmarystga.school.nz
Website: https://www.stmarystga.school.nz/
Location: 11 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 578 8066
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmarystga/