Newsletter Week 3 Term 4
Sacred Heart School Christchurch - 4 November 2022
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Kia ora, Talofa lava, Malo e lei lei, Jou sahn, Aubowan, Chao, Hola, Fakalofa atu, Kumusta, Namaste, Salam
On Wednesday night it was awesome to see our children performing at the Christchurch Town Hall at the Christchurch Primary Schools’ Music Festival. Our children performed beautifully. Ryan, who is part of the Junior Representative Choir and performing on all 4 nights of the festival, lead a Samoan Sasa which was very well received by the audience. It was exciting to see the art work created by Yanna displayed all over the Town Hall, in the programmes and across the city. We really do have some talented children that we can all be proud of. A big thank you to Mrs Jory for preparing the choir and all the organising that went on to make the event a success.
This newsletter is bringing us to the end of week three of the term and the momentum has not stopped. Last week we received the pick of the days, weather wise, for our Whole School Athletics Day. Staff were delighted with the level of competition among all the children while also living the Sacred Heart Values in supporting each other to make it a really fun day.
Next week we look forward to a shortened week with Canterbury Anniversary Day on Friday where school will be closed. We do, however, look forward to seeing you in the classrooms on Thursday afternoon to celebrate the recent Science work all classes have been working on.
The following week (16th November at 5.00 pm) we hope to see as many of you as possible down at West Spreydon school (Lyttelton Street) for a combined Kahukura Schools picnic and the opportunity to celebrate in the Arts across the cluster. Our Kapa Haka group and our Choir will be performing on the big outdoor stages.
One key event that I would like to draw your attention to and hope that you can make arrangements to attend is our final school Mass of the year. We had been hoping to have this on the Saturday evening with the Parish before we finished, but our large numbers in the church along with the Parish makes this not possible. Instead we will be celebrating Mass on 15 December at 10.30am, the final morning of the school year so we can all farewell the Year 8 children prior to our prizegiving.
Tomorrow is Parihaka Day. We remember the injustices that happened at Parihaka on November 5 each year. We commemorate the 19th century invasion of this peaceful settlement and the non-violent resistance undertaken by the ploughmen of Parihaka, under the leadership of Tohu Kākahi and Te Whiti o Rongomai. Parihaka today continues to live with the ongoing consequences of confiscation, and to draw on the legacy of Tohu and Te Whiti to discuss and consider how to respond to injustice.
Have an awesome weekend.
Sport
It has been great to see students getting to school and joining the early morning fitness sessions. These will continue to run each morning this term.
We had a fabulous day for our school athletics last week. Students gave their very best effort and were very encouraging of each other. Huge thanks to Jemma, Patricia, Amelia, Emily, Phoebe and Abbey who gave up their time to support events on the day. Good luck to the 41 athletes that will represent our school at the South West Zone Athletics competition on Tuesday 8 November at Nga Puna Wai.
Religious Education
All Saints Day - 1 November
To most Catholic countries, All Saints Day serves as a day to commemorate the martyrdom of the saints in Heaven. Aside from its religious roots, All Saints Day also serves as an important part of culture with the way it brings people together. While the tradition of All Saints Day goes back to the 4th century, it continues to be practised today.
E te Atua
You have given the saints in heaven eternal happiness and they now live in the fullness of your glory. Because of their holy love for you, they also care about me and my family, my friends, my church, and my neighbours. Thank you for the gift of their friendship and the witness of their holy lives. I ask our patron saints and every saint who has become especially dear to me to intercede for us. I ask them to help us journey safely on the path to heaven.
Amen.
All Souls Day - 2 November
Catholics also celebrate All Souls Day, which occurs the day after All Saints Day. It commemorates those who have died that haven't yet reached heaven, referring to the Catholic belief in purgatory. Purgatory is a state after death in which those destined for heaven are purified.
E te Atua Remember Lord, those who have died and gone before us Marked with the sign of faith Especially those for whom we now pray. May these, and all who sleep in Christ Find in Your presence Light, happiness and peace. Through Christ Our Lord Amen
Internet Safety
Every fortnight I add something to the newsletter about keeping our children safe online. Recently in the media we have read about many incidents in our city and our local suburb about young children being assaulted and abused by groups of young teens, groups of teens up to no good around shops and in peoples properties. I am adding a link from the New Zealand Police that you might want to read about keeping safe, you might want to discuss some of the information and key points with your children.
If you do come across any incident please call the police.
https://www.police.govt.nz/advice/personal-community/keeping-safe/children-safe
Upcoming Events
Thursday 10 November - Science Sharing Day at School - 1.30 pm Friday 11 November - Canterbury Show Day (Public Holiday - School Closed) Wednesday 16 November - Kahukura Celebration of Performing Arts 6-8 pm West Spreydon School. Friday 18 November - NZEI Teacher Only Day (School Closed) Friday 2 December - DISCO at School - 12.45-2.00pm Summer Theme Wednesday 7 December - Picnic Concert at School - 5.00-7.30 pm Tuesday 13 December - Water Fun day - More information to come. Thursday 15 December - Last Day of the Year. 10.30 am Mass followed by Prizegiving. School will finish at 12.00pm
2023 Dates
PARISH ATTENDANCE DUES
Term 4 invoices have been sent to parents. As the end of year nears, the parish would appreciate families making payments to bring their account up to date. Payments have been slow coming in and we have not yet been able to pay Term 3 in full to the Diocese. For any queries about your account, please contact Judy administration@christchurchsouth.org.nz. Thank you.
NZEI - Teachers Union - Paid Union Meetings
Teachers in our school will be attending paid union meetings in the weeks of 14-25 November to discuss the progress of negotiations for their collective employment agreements, the proposed unified public service pay offer and their Wāwāhi Tahā | Time 4 Tamariki campaign.
This campaign aims to win smaller class sizes, more support for high needs students, better recognition of cultural skills, greater job security for our essential relievers and to fairly value and recognise the work of teachers.
There will be multiple options for meetings in the period of 14-25 November in order to minimise disruption to teaching and learning. Our school will aim to ensure the least disruption to children's learning while upholding the right of teachers to participate in their union meeting.
Our Facebook Page
Our Facebook page is Sacred Heart School Te Kura o Te Ngākau Tapu, Addington
Click here to check it out.
Make sure you keep up with all communications from school and have the latest update of our School App. Download SchoolAppsNZ from the App Store or Google Play and search Sacred
Please visit https://www.lunchonline.co.nz/ to join up and order for your children.
Breakfast at School
All children are welcome to come and have breakfast together each morning. If your child is eating breakfast at school they can enter the school grounds at 8.20 am.
Policy Review
We have all our policies and procedures on School Docs. At present we have Safety On and Off School Grounds along with Health, Safety and Welfare Policies that we would appreciate your feedback on. Please follow the link below and review these policies.
1. Visit the website
http://sacredheartchch.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm (note that there is no “www”!)
2. Enter the user name (sacred) and password (heart).
3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
4. Read the policy.
5. Click the Policy Review button at the right-hand top corner of the page.
6. Select the reviewer type "Parent".
7. Enter your name (optional).
8. Submit your ratings and comments.
Parish News
For Church Notices Please view the Catholic Parish of Christchurch South website. https://christchurchsouth.org.nz or the New App
Here are the details of how to download our excellent new Parish App. Keep updated on mass times, news and what is happening in the Parish.
Go to the App Store on your Apple or Android device and Search 'Church AppsNZ' to download the app onto your device.
Then search "The Catholic Parish of Christchurch South' to find your church app.