St Mary's School Term 1 Week 5 2023

Te Kura O Hato Mere

Pānui/Newsletter - Thursday 2 March 2023

PRINCIPAL'S VIEW

Kia ora koutou, kumusta, talofa lava


At St Mary's School, we strive to instill values in our students that will help them become well-rounded individuals who can make positive contributions to society. We have four values which we focus on: Service, Teamwork, Acceptance and Respect.


Service is an integral part of our school's identity. We encourage our students to be of service to others in their community and to be compassionate and empathetic towards those in need. Our students engage in various service throughout the year, including helping to keep the school tidy, supporting charities, and participating in fundraising events that benefit those in need.


Teamwork is another value that we emphasise at our school. We believe that learning how to work collaboratively is an essential life skill that will benefit our students in their future endeavors. Our students are encouraged to work together in class, participate in team-building activities, and engage in group projects that foster communication and collaboration.


Acceptance is a value that is fundamental to our school's culture. We believe that every person has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background or circumstances. Our students learn to celebrate diversity and embrace differences, recognising that everyone has unique gifts and talents that contribute to our school community.


Finally, we emphasise the importance of respect at our school. We encourage our students to treat others as they would like to be treated, to be polite, courteous and respectful towards their peers and teachers, and to uphold the catholic Gospel values of our school community.


As parents, we invite you to join us in promoting these values at home. We encourage you to discuss these values with your children and model them in your daily interactions. Together, we can help our students become compassionate, empathetic, and responsible members of society who live their Catholic faith everyday.


Mā te Atua koe e manaaki, e tiaki

May God bless you and protect you

David O’Neill


Principal/Tumuaki

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS

29 February

PASCUALA Rm2


14 March
SARIA Rm2

Free School Swimming Lessons: MONDAY 6th - FRIDAY 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.

Dental Van Visit

The dental van is visiting at the moment. All students who are due will have their teeth checked.

First Holy Communion June 25th 2023

First parents' meeting is on the 7th March 7pm at St Francis School.

TEACHER ONLY DAY TERM 2- MONDAY 24TH APRIL- NO SCHOOL

Our staff will be working with teachers from another school on Monday 24th April as part of the Ministry of Education's NZ Curriculum refresh. Please note there is no school on this day.

Our Catholic Faith Fact

Pope Francis emphasises in the Apostolic letter Desiderio Desideravi, the fact that not only Peter and John [apostles] but all creation, all history we are invited to join the Lord and be present at the table of the Last Supper. “Through the mercy of the Lord, the gift is entrusted to the Apostles so that it might be carried to every man and woman” (DD,3). It is pure gift that we are invited to the table of the Lord in the one and only “last supper” unrepeatable. It is not by our own merits “no one has earned a place at the supper” (DD, 4). Accept Jesus’ invitation to participate in the weekly Mass where we remember Jesus’ actions at Last Supper?

Year 8 2023 School Based Vaccination Programme

The School Based Vaccination programme will offer the two dose HPV vaccinations to

protect against genital warts, cervical cancer, throat and mouth cancers, and other types

of cancers later in life. The programme also includes a one dose Boostrix vaccination to

provide protection against Tetanus, Diphtheria and Whooping Cough.


To enable students to receive the vaccinations at school a vaccination pack will be

provided to students who have not completed their vaccinations in General Practice in

term one 2023 to take home for the parent/caregivers to complete and return the

consent form to school. Consent to the school based programme can be withdrawn at

any time during the programme by contacting the vaccinating team directly

HPV@cdhb.health.nz


Upcoming Events

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

Term Dates For 2023

Term 1: Tuesday 31 Jan 2023 - Thurs 6 April


Term 2: Mon 24 April – Fri 30 June


Term 3: Mon 17 July – Fri 22 Sept


Term 4: Mon 9 October – Friday 15 December

Teacher Professional Development

Our teachers are learners too. They are undertaking a variety of professional development opportunities this year to increase their learning so as to increase our students' learning.


  • UC Early Writing Success: Focus for Teaching and Assessment for Years 1-2
  • Religious Education- New curriculum workshop- Year 1-2

School Polar Fleece

Our school polar fleece can be purchased from the school office at a cost of $50.00. Payment can be made with cash or via internet banking (Use your child's name and polar fleece as reference).

School Bank Account number is: 03 0855 0436803 00

ENROL YOUR PRE SCHOOLERS NOW - URGENT

The number of spaces remaining on our school roll in the upcoming years is limited. If you have a child that you would like to attend St Mary’s that you haven’t already advised us about can you please make sure you talk to Mr O’Neill or Mrs Odams otherwise there may be no space for your child.

Closing of School Gate

Please ensure that when you enter and leave the school grounds you shut the school gate properly after you. This is to ensure the safety of all of our students.

Carpark Safety

A reminder to all parents/caregivers to reduce speed in our driveway and carpark areas to ensure the safety of our students as they walk down the drive or across the carpark.

Student Absence

Please remember to send the office a notification via the school app if your child is away from school. If your child is going to be away for a planned reason such as an appointment or holiday during term time you can advise us in advance with the dates and reason for their absence.

Lunchonline - Sushi (Wednesdays) and Subway (Fridays)

If you would like to order your child’s lunch for delivery on Wednesday or Friday this can be done via Lunchonline. You can click on the lunchonline image or link below to take you directly to their website or login to www.lunchonline.co.nz . Follow the instructions to create an account if you don’t already have one. Food must be ordered before 8.30am on the day of delivery. If you already have an account you can update your child’s classroom by logging on and clicking on Members.
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Attendance Dues Increase for 2023- See Below

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Attendance Dues Debt Recovery

Please be advised that at the May 2022 Cathedral Parish Finance Committee, the committee signed off on a new Attendance Dues Debt Recovery Policy. This enables the parish to engage an external debt recovery company (Under Control Collections). This will always be used as a last resort, when we have been unable to get a family to engage with us in relation to their outstanding Attendance Dues.

Any queries should be directed to Kirsten Tester – Attendance Dues Administrator - Ph (03) 595 1053 or ktester@cathedralparish.nz

Sports Club Opportunities

Financial Assistance for Club Netball Fees

If your child is looking at playing netball for a club this year we have been advised that ANZ are offering grants to assist families with their netball fees. This is not in relation to school but is perhaps something that you might like to take note of if your child is intending to play club netball this season...


ANZ is proud to support grassroots netball and this year, to ensure our tamariki can keep playing netball, we have a $100k fund to subsidise netball fees for the season. Team managers – whether that’s a parent, coach or teacher – are invited to apply for a team fee subsidy that will cover the cost of all its players. Tell us how the grant will make a difference to your team and include your netball club or school name, number of players and the total amount required to cover the subs.


Click here to find out more information.

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School App

If you haven’t downloaded our school app it is very important you do so as this is our primary means of communication with our school community and you may miss out on important information.


Please email the school office to obtain a secure link to download the app.