Newsletter Week 1 Term 4
Newsletter 30 - Week 1, Term 4, 20 October 2021.
Principal's Message
Kia ora tatou,
It was lovely to have everyone back for the start of term. The weather was typically spring weather and fine enough for children to get outdoors and also start their swimming programme in our school pool. Fingers crossed we will see the temperatures rising over the coming weeks.
Welcome to our new students and their families. We hope your time with us is happy and that you enjoy all the opportunities for learning that you encounter during your years at St Mary’s.
Our roll is very full at the moment so if you have pre-schoolers that you intend to enrol at St Mary’s for next year, please pick up an enrolment form from the office. Spaces are limited.
We also extend a warm welcome to the Special Character Review Team from the Catholic Schools’ Office. The Lead Reviewer is Terry Cosedine and he is being assisted by Wendy Consedine. We were supposed to have other Reviewers but they live in Hamilton and are unable to be with us because that part of the Waikato is in Level 3.
Congratulations to Bernie Hall, our DRS, who has been appointed Principal of Bishop Edward Gaines School in Tokoroa. This is exciting news and we wish her all the best as she prepares to take up this position at the beginning of the new year.
Our awesome PTA has once again organised our annual raffle and requires all raffle books back by next Tuesday please. Please return the books sold or unsold. It is a real hassle for the PTA to have to chase up books not returned.
We intend to have a working bee on the third Saturday after the holidays, November 6th. There are a number of jobs that need to be done. If you are willing to help, can you please let the office know. The projects include painting, spreading playground chip, building two more picnic tables. I’ve been amazed at the support we receive for our working bees and I would really appreciate your support with this one too please. Come along and meet other parents, enjoy a morning tea and a delicious lunch. Children are welcome also. For catering purposes please let the office know if you can assist, even if it is just for an hour or two.
The pool is open and in perfect condition for swimming. The water temperature is around 32 degrees, so it is warm. The pool is a great facility and we expect that children will have their swimming togs with them when their class is timetabled for swimming. Look at your child’s class educa post to see if your child’s class is swimming for the week.
Please note that we are scheduled to finish school at 2.15 pm on Tuesday 2nd November as our staff, along with teachers from St Michael’s Rotorua, St Mary’s Putararu and Bishop Edward Gaines in Tokoroa are involved in Titiro Whakamuri kia haere whakamua Professional Development. If you require after school care you can ring Maryanne Roling from Glenholme Afterschool Care. Mary Anne’ s contact number is : 347 0709 or 0211 215599
We also have a Teacher Only Day on Friday November 12th. There will be no school for children on this day.
This month is the month of the Rosary. On Thursdays during October we would normally come together as a school for Rosary. Because of COVID children will be praying the Rosary in their own classrooms.
Our annual Athletics Day will take place on Monday, November 8th. We need help, and ask that every parent who has a child in Year 3 to 6 to fill in the form. Athletics Day Form
Thank you all for sending your children in summer uniforms this week. If you need more uniform you can purchase it from our shop or through our school website. You can order and pay online and pick up your order from the school office. Children must wear a blue school sunhat at school. This is compulsory, so for those children who do not wear a school sunhat they will need to sit in the shade by their classroom.
Congratulations to our Totara Speech final winners from Term 3 -
1st Carl Delos Santos Rm 12, 2nd Ella Jarmey Rm 4, 3rd Mark Alosio Rm 5Ngā mihi
David Macmillan, Principal.
Upcoming School Events
Monday 25th October: Labour Day. Public Holiday.
Tuesday 26 October : Tough Guy & Gal challenge
Tuesday 26 October : PTA raffle books due back - sold or unsold
Tuesday 2nd November: All Saints/All Souls Day Liturgy/ School finishes at 2.15pm for Staff PD
Monday 8th November: Totara and Kahikatea Teams Athletic Sports
Thursday 4th November: CBOP Fun Day for Year 2 and 3s
Friday 5th November: Raffle draw Saturday 6 November : School Working Bee
Monday 8th to 19th November: ‘Making difference swimming programme for Yr 3-6 students.
Monday 8th November: Totara and Kahikatea Teams Athletic Sports
Friday 12th November : Teacher Only Day and Gym Comp MIGS Gym
Sunday 14th November: Aquabots Comp
Tuesday 23rd November Interschool Athletics Meet
Thursday 25th November: Yr 6 Retreat
Friday 26th November: JPC Orientation
Friday 10th December: End of Year Mass 9.00am
Monday 13th December : School Tryathlon
Tuesday 14th December: School Prizegiving
Thursday 16 December: Missioning and last day of term. School year finishes at12 noon.
Message from DRS Bernie Hall
Pastoral Care: An important aspect of our Catholic school is pastoral care. Please do not hesitate to contact our Principal or DRS or our Parish Priests if you would like to chat, seek clarification, need assistance or spiritual support or any other type of support you or your whanau may need.
Philippians 2:4 “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”.
Fr Julian Tenison Woods: The 7th October was the anniversary of the death of Fr Julian Tenison Woods, co-founder of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. The Sisters shared this prayer as one way to remember him. Recognising ourselves in the presence of the Creator Spirit we still ourselves reflecting on these words:
We, like St Joseph and Fr Julian Woods, are called to listen to and heed the voice of God speaking to the depths of our hearts, to be open to the signs of God’s presence each day and to be committed to God’s purpose for humankind and for creation. We are impelled to engage in inner listening as we nurture God’s gifts and God’s life in, among and around us.
(Excerpt from Mary Mackillop eNews edition 118 8.3.21 - Therese McGarry)
PTA Fundraising Raffle
Ticket stubs and money, or any unsold tickets, are due back to school by next Tuesday 26 October. Raffle to be drawn Friday 5th November. Our prizes this year have something for everyone! Fancy zip lining with Canopy Tours? A shopping spree at EVO cycles? Or $200 groceries from Pak n Save?
Thank you for your support.
School Banking Term 4
If anyone would like to consider banking options for their child/children please call at the school office to get a banking pack.
Congratulations
Chess Club News update
As part of the BBQ we ran a raffle. Winners were -
1st prize: Stained lead glass hanging. (donated by Henk Buissink)
Winner - Hieni Dewel
2nd prize: Basket of Goodies
Winner: Mr G
3rd to 7th prizes : $20 Bunnings voucher plus a rugby ball & frisbee (Donated by Bunnings)
Louw van Wyk, Emma Teddy, Shanelle McCashin, Josie, Georgina Konyves.
Thanks for your support!!
Support Group for Under 25's living with Crohn's, Colitis & IBD
Living with Crohn’s, Colitis and other forms of IBD can be difficult, with many people not understanding the day to day struggles that each warrior faces.
This support group will be for those aged 5-25, who have a diagnosis of one of the above. To make friends, talk about challenges or to have a few hours to forget about the daily challenges.
The group will often divide into smaller groups to offer age influenced activities, for example bowling, movies, lake days, games nights or family picnics to offer parents the chance to meet others who understand what their child is going through.
If this is something you yourself are interested in or know someone with Crohn’s Colitis or other form of IBD, we would love to hear from them, a provide them a safe place to be themselves without the worries that come with a diagnosis of IBD.
Please contact Jess a fellow IBD warrior, for more information:
Email – rotoruacrohnsandcolitis.youth@gmail.com
Cell phone – 022 172 0289
Sports News
Sports Events Update
Junior Tough Guy & Gal Challenge - Tuesday 26th October
St Mary's Athletics Day - Monday 8th November
MIGS Primary School Gymnastics Competition - Friday 12th November
CBOP Athletics - Tuesday 23rd November
SPORTS FEES
If you have outstanding sports fees from Terms 1, 2 or 3 - You should have received an email from our Sports Coordinator, Whaea Leanne. Please ensure these are paid or arrangements have been made by Friday 29th October.
A reminder that all Term 4 sports fees must be paid by now to enable your child to participate in their chosen sport/s.
If you need assistance with fees, please contact Mr Macmillan or Whaea Leanne.
SUMMER SPORTS UPDATE:
TOUCH RUGBY
Teams are being finalised and will be emailed out by the end of this week.
An email has been sent with important information for the season, please make sure you read this information.
CRICKET & FUTSAL
Teams have been finalised and an email has been sent to registered players with team information.
Please check your emails/spam if you haven’t received an email, otherwise contact Whaea Leanne.
CBOP TENNIS CHAMPS
Date: Friday, 5th November 2021
Time: 8.30am - 2.30pm
Venue: Rotorua Tennis Club Courts, Manuka Crescent
Cost: $12.00 per player
Entries Close: Wednesday 27th October, 3.15pm.
Primary Division Yr 5 & 6:
Boys and Girls Singles – social or competitive
Boys and Girls Doubles
Players will require their own racket, non-marking shoes, practice balls, hat, water bottle, sun block, suitable playing clothes, lunch, snacks etc.
PLEASE NOTE: that this event won't have a school staff member present, it requires parents/caregivers to take your child to and from the event and be responsible or make supervision arrangements for them during the day.
Register HERE to enter.
ST MARY’S ATHLETICS DAY
Reminder, we need the form below to be completed for ALL Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 students.
Athletics Day Transport & Help Form
Whaea Leanne
School Sports Coordinator
sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz
027 285 7579 or 348 1701
Special Mentions
Orange Swim School
Join our friendly and professional team for Water Safety and Learn to Swim sessions with Orange Swim School. We also offer sessions with UAS/Te Arawa Swimming for advanced swimming, fitness, and more.
Term 4 bookings are open now for lessons at All Seasons Holiday Park from Monday-Friday or
at St Mary’s Primary School Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning. Advanced sessions are held at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre with UAS/Te Arawa Swimming.
For swim School contact orange.swimschool@gmail.com
For UAS/Te Arawa Swimming uas.swimming@gmail.com
Text 027-2203470 for further inquiries and information
Contact Us
Email: schooloffice@stmarysrotorua.school.nz
Website: https://www.stmarysrotorua.school.nz
Location: 37 Carnot Street, Glenholme, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
Phone: +64 07 3481701
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St-Marys-Catholic-School-Rotorua-870642283022074