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

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
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
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
- UC Early Writing Success: Focus for Teaching and Assessment for Years 1-2
- Religious Education- New curriculum workshop- Year 1-2
School Polar Fleece
School Bank Account number is: 03 0855 0436803 00
ENROL YOUR PRE SCHOOLERS NOW - URGENT
Closing of School Gate
Carpark Safety
Student Absence
Lunchonline - Sushi (Wednesdays) and Subway (Fridays)

Attendance Dues Increase for 2023- See Below

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
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.



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