SJS Newsletter Term 3 Week 9
Newsletter 22 September 2021
Our Vision: To grow Catholic, Christian young people,
who are confident, connected lifelong learners, inspired by the teachings of Jesus,
and who make a positive difference in their community.
Tēnā tātou
Heuea ngā rangi tuatinitini
Heuea ngā rangi pōkaikaha
Kia maiangi ake te hautupua
Tau tonu , mau tonu, ākina!
Remove self-doubt and anxiety.
That your talent may shine,
Settled, ready, to be challenged.
I have been taking part in a Māori Language for School Leaders 5-week course over September. It has been a delightful time of learning and for me to remember what we ask of our learners every day - to take on a beginners mind, take risks, accept feedback and feedforward. The karakia above is something I can use as a prayer to begin a gathering or meeting.
I repeat my thanks to all families/whānau for your ongoing support at this time. The staff and learners have been magnificent as we resumed school and learning here at St James'. We are all looking forward to a break in the coming holidays and hope for some lovely spring weather to bolster our immune systems.
We regret that at this time that the MOE advises schools to avoid large gatherings at school. Hopefully, regular school community get-togethers will be available again sometime in the future. However we have a good term four planned and we are looking forward to athletics, Year 5 and 6 camp, starting swimming after Labour Weekend and our end of year celebrations.
Please note - tomorrow Friday 24 September - PTFA Non-Uniform/Whacky Hair Day is postponed. Children to wear PE uniform as per a normal Friday.
Ngā Manaakitanga
Tom Sheehan
Catholic Special Character
Catholic Schools Day 2021 - Next Wednesday the 29th of September, we celebrate Catholic Schools Day - each classroom will recognise this in their own way, using the resources provided by the New Zealand Catholic Education Office.
Below is a link to a letter from Archbishop Paul Martin to teachers in Catholic school, about Catholic Schools Day.
Andrea Cawood
Director of Religious Studies
Celebrations - Celebrating Success
Welcome - We extend a warm welcome to Elijah, David and Therese, who have recently started their faith and learning journey at Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi. We also extend a warm welcome to their families and whānau. We also welcome Becs Reid onto our staff as our new cleaner.
Congratulations to Grayson S-J who before lockdown competed in a two-day New Zealand Gymnastics championships in Auckland. Grayson won the floor event and came second on vault for the level four men’s division. Men’s coach Kylan Taylor said: “Being the pinnacle event of the season, each gymnast was going up against the absolute best of the best.
As well as those results, Grayson and one other gymnast were selected to trial for the men’s 360 squad. This programme seeks to develop gymnasts to the international level and is highly competitive.
News
2021 and 2022 Term Dates & Holidays
Non-uniform day/Whacky Hair Day PTFA 3 - Planned for Friday 24 September has been Postponed. All learners are to wear their PE uniform as usual on Fridays.
New Entrant Enrolments 2021/2022 - If you have siblings joining us at St James’ in 2021/2022, please ensure that you have requested an Enrolment Pack and have the Enrolment and Preference Form returned to the Office. This will assist us with our 2022 planning and class sizes.
Camp Ruakawa - The Ministry of Education has recently released its advice for school trips during Level 2. We have reviewed this and are confident that the Year 5/6 School Camp can proceed. Information was sent home yesterday 22/8 regarding camp.
Issue 5 Scholastic Lucky Book Club Magazine - here is an update for those of you awaiting your orders. Please allow some time for these to arrive at our kura, I will get them to your children as soon as they do.
Scholastic New Zealand's Auckland warehouse is currently closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
We have received a number of queries from schools and parents enquiring as to the status of their orders. Due to the lockdown, we have a number of unfulfilled orders stuck in our warehouse. As books are deemed non-essential items, we are not able to operate and ship any of these orders to schools or homes.
I'm sure that you will understand that this situation is beyond our control, as it is for many New Zealand organsiations and we thank you for your patience and understanding.
Rest assured, we will be prioritisng these orders as soon as Auckland reaches level 3 and our fantastic team gets back to our warehouse. Auckland orders will be dispatched to schools as soon as Auckland reaches level 2 and students return to in-person learning.
In the meantime, if you have any questions related to your order please email bookclub@scholastic.co.nz. Our Customer Service's Team are working from home and will reply to your email with an update as soon as they are able to.
Reminders
Attendance Dues Information – September 2021 - from Mark, Marcy and the Dues Team
- Thank you to all families who have made payment or made contact and organised payment arrangements for Attendance Dues this year.
- The 4 th and final statement for Attendance Dues 2021 and any arrears for this year and previous years will be emailed or posted by the end of this week. Emails will be sent from Diocese of Palmerston North Attendance Dues Team dues@pndiocese.org.nz and may appear in your junk/spam folder.
- One-off payments by credit card or debit card (Visa or Mastercard only) can be made using our website: www.pndiocese.org.nz/education/dues.
- We have extended the due date from late September to 15th October 2021 to allow families additional time to make payment. Any questions, please get in touch. We are only a call away.
- The Attendance Dues team are happy to advise payment options that will help your family to pay your Attendance Dues. Please contact the Dues team before 15 th October to discuss this with you.
Our contact details are as follows: 0800 200 208; or dues@pndiocese.org.nz
DanceNZ Made - We have had an update! Our new day for performance and Year 5 and 6 workshops (if COVID 19 levels allow) is Wednesday the 27th October. More details to follow as we receive them. Thank you for your support.
Andrea Cawood and Naomi Scott.
Nippers Before/After School and Holiday Programme - October Programme Calendar. For more details or an enrolment pack please contact 06 356 7926 (Nippers Office) or 021 645 806 (on-site) or nippers@inspire.net.nz.
Sport
A huge thank you to our winter sports coaches. We were very lucky to have our ex-pupil Abby return to coach our Year 5 Netball team and Mrs Cawood to coach the Year 6 team.
Our winter hockey teams were supported by Sarah and Richard Pedersen who coached the Year 1 and 2 team, Tania and Jeremy Barnett who coached the Year 3 and 4 team
and Kelly Hoskins who coached the Year 5 and 6 team.
We had a total of 27 children involved in hockey this season.
St James' School PTFA - Parent and Teachers and Friends Association
Pastoral Care - Thank you to our current pastoral care providers who have baked and prepared meals for those families in our school community who occasionally need a little bit of extra support. If this sounds like something you would like to assist with could you please email me so I can put your name on our list of helpers. Thanks, Tracey Gunn t.gunn@stjamescatholic.school.nz.
Please Join us - The PTFA is keen to have new members join them this year. Many of the current organisers are nearing the end of their primary school involvement, and it is time to add more members. If you are interested, please contact Kelly Hoskins (ptfachairperson@stjamescatholic.school.nz
Kelly Hoskins
PTFA Chairperson
ptfachairperson@stjamescatholic.school.nz
Serving Our Saints with Faith and Enthusiasm
St James' Catholic School Board Update
The next School Board meeting will be held in the staffroom on Monday 27 September 2021 at 6.00 pm. All Welcome.
An engineer has advised us to close the bike shed and shelter shed due to earthquake risk. We will no longer use either of these spaces, with entrances being taped off. The Board is working with the Catholic Schools' Property Team to look at solutions.
Michael Fennessy
Chairperson
Dates for Your Diary
Please keep checking the Events Calendar on the school website or school App as we are updating this should events be cancelled/postponed. All coming events will continue to be updated here. Add to my Calendar.
2021 Term 3
Week 9
POSTPONED - Friday 24 September - PTFA Non-Uniform/Whacky Hair Day. Gold Coin Donation
Week 10
Wednesday 29 September - Catholic Schools Day
Friday 1 October - LS6 Trip to Focal Point Cinema
Friday 1 October - Last Day of Term 3
2021 Term 4
Week 1
Monday 18 October - First Day of Term 4
Week 2
Niuean Language Week
Monday 25 October - Labour Day - No School
Tuesday 26 October - Staff Only Day - No School (Nippers will be open)
Wednesday 27 October - DanceNZ Made
Thursday 28 October - Great New Zealand Shakeout (Earthquake Drill)
Week 3
Tokelauan Language Week
Wednesday 3 November - Diwali
Thursday 4 November - School Sports and Additional Photos
Week 4
Wednesday 10 November - Whole school Athletics at the Massey Athletics Track
Friday 12 November - PTFA Lunch
Sunday 14 November - School Mass, 9.30am. Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Getting Involved
Shining Stars – Preschool Music Group Thursday 9:30am Cathedral lounge. Contact Basia bmcintosh@pndiocese.org.nz.
Stamps, Can Tabs, Wine Bottle Tops - One small way we can make life easier for others which costs us nothing, is to collect Stamps, Can Tabs and Wine Bottle Tops. You will find boxes for these in the Office foyer. If, as a family you don’t already set these items aside for Kidney Kids at Starship and the Missions you might like to start as a very visible witness to demonstrating Jesus example of LOVE. Encourage neighbours and family to do the same. There is no deadline.