SJS Newsletter Term 1 Week 6
Newsletter 9 March 2022
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
What beautiful weather we are experiencing and how blest we are to have the school pool to cool off in. The sunny days have given us lots of opportunities for outside learning. Thank you to our caretaker, Glenn Maskill, for his care and enthusiasm in keeping our environment so inviting.
This term with the theme of Belonging learners are learning their Pepeha, please support your children and teachers with this. Some learners already have learnt theirs and I encourage you to support your child and practice this with them. For many this will be a refresher as we prepare for our Marae visit in Term 2 at Te Rangimaire Marae.
We are continuing to be Covid-19 free, however as previously explained, we are well planned and will alert you when we are notified of any cases. We have had several teachers and learners sick this week for other reasons and there are tummy bugs in classes.
Blessings on your week
Christine Cosgrove
Catholic Special Character
Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Liturgical Season of Lent.
Last week we took part in some important liturgical times. The first was Shrove Tuesday, the day before the beginning of Lent. We took part in this in our class groups, adding palms to the already burning palms in our Sacred Space, to create the ashes that we would use on Ash Wednesday. The second of our important liturgical times was on Ash Wednesday. We received the ashes on our foreheads in our classrooms while we heard the words “turn away from sin and turn back to God”. We then quietly reflected in our classrooms on what our Lent might look like.
Wonderfully Made in God’s Image - Human Sexuality Education
The Ministry of Education requires that Relationships and Sexuality Education is a part of Health and Physical Education learning and teaching.
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops also require that our children and young people have a rich and authentic understanding of Human Sexuality. They believe that quality education in this vital area will enable children and young people to deeply understand what it is to be a human being in the world, from a Catholic Perspective, and be better equipped to challenge some of society’s negative pressures regarding sexual behaviour and to embrace what it means to ‘have life to the full’.
With this guidance and these requirements in mind, we have begun the process of integrating the teaching and learning around Human Sexuality Education - being Wonderfully Made in God’s Image.
We have discovered some overlap with our already existing Religious Education teaching and learning, Physical Education teaching and learning, and our SAINTS values and Mercy values teaching and learning.
The programme encompasses a wide range of learning areas including; belonging to family and community, friendships, feelings and emotions, personal health, safety and hygiene, valuing themselves and others as made in the image and likeness of God, knowing our bodies, and pubertal change.
We hope to have a community meeting to inform you in more detail about what will be covered, and when, as soon as our Covid Levels allow. In the meantime, if you have any questions, queries or concerns around any of this, please feel free to contact me, Andrea Cawood, DRS, a.cawood@stjamescatholic.school.nz or Christine Cosgrove, Acting Principal, c.cosgrove@stjamescatholic.school.nz.
Caritas Challenge 2022
This will be held on Friday 18th March, week 7.
Learners will come to school in red and white non-uniform, the colours on the Tongan flag, and will bring a gold coin donation.
From our Parish Office
Link to Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Website
Celebrations - Celebrating Success
Welcome - We extend a warm welcome to Olive and Haru who have recently started their faith and learning journey at Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi. We also extend a warm welcome to their family and whānau.
Thank You - Cecelia for the way you have stepped in and supported us with our cleaning and welcome back Andre. We wish you every success with your University studies this year.
Thanks Cloud 9 - They have donated $106.00 for Term 1 to St James’ from their donation scheme. Thank you to our community for supporting this initiative. This donation will be used for the purchase of garden plants to brighten our environment and vegetable gardens.
News
Accessit Library Management System - Our library is a great online tool with access to our cataloging system that you can also access from home! Accessit is cloud-based and enables us to access our library database from outside of school! You can see if we have a particular book or series. If it shows a green circle under the book it should be in our library, if it shows red then someone has it issued. EVERYONE has access to the main dashboard along with various others under that tab that can be looked at too. Any questions please feel free to email me library@stjamescatholic.school.nz
Click this link, and save it to your desktop!
Science Kits - 'Simple Machines'
Learning Space 1 currently have the Simple Machines Science Kit - Simple machines are tools that make work easier. There are 6 simple machines: lever, inclined plane, screw, wedge, wheel and axle and pulley. These all need someone or something to apply effort (force) to make them work.
Here we are measuring the mechanical advantage of these simple machines to see what makes it easier to do work (apply less force).
Reminders
New Entrant Enrolments 2023 - We are now taking enrolments for 2023. A reminder that if you have siblings joining us at St James’ in 2022, please ensure that you have requested an Enrolment Pack and have the Enrolment and Preference Forms returned to the Office.
Before and After School Expectations - We encourage children to arrive at school around 8.30am - 8.45am as the school day begins at 8.50am. Should you need to drop your child off before 8.30am, we ask that you contact Nippers Before and After School service 06-356 7926. After school we ask that children be picked up promptly. These routines establish patterns for your child and will support them to have a successful day at school. If they are late, they are walking into their class in front of their peers and may have missed notices and instruction for the morning activities.
School Uniform - several learners are wearing non-policy black shoes. The policy statement is clear - All children must wear Black vinyl or leather school shoes, plain brown or black sandals. Children may wear sneakers/sport or skate shoes on a Friday with their PE uniform. We think this gives some good flexibility throughout the week.
Hair ties - unobtrusive white, green or black hair ties.
Jewellery - Necklaces with cultural or religious significance are permitted to be worn tucked underneath the shirt. Only small, round plain gold/silver or coloured studs maybe worn.
Hydration - Just a reminder that every learner should be coming to school with a drink bottle. For the Health and Safety of our school community our drinking fountains remain out of use during at this time. Please support your child/ren in their wellbeing.
Payment of 2022 School Donation - You should now have received these by email. If you did not please contact the school office office@stjamescatholic.school.nz. We welcome automatic payments throughout the year. Your donations assist us in offering extracurricular opportunities for your children. The donation includes Science, Technology, Education Outside the classroom experiences (except for the Year 5 and 6 Senior Camp), visiting performers transport to sporting fixtures and Masses. Payments can be paid to ASB Bank account 12-3442-0052178-00. Please Reference your ‘child’s Surname’ and ‘Invoice Number’. Online payment is preferred as there are no EFTPOS facilities available at the Office. You are welcome to set up automatic or part payments throughout the School Year. School Donations are Tax deductible. You can claim back 33% of your school donations through IRD.
Yummy Apple stickers - Wow $162.00 was raised from the Yummy Apple stickers collected in 2021. We have been able to purchase 6 sets of Elastics and 6 Velcro ball sets for the students to play with at break times!
Thank you to those of you who have been collecting!
Please continue to do so!
Cut out Label Collection Sheet
New Variety Sticker Collection
Sticker Collection Sheet
Marist Rugby
Marist Junior Rugby has its final walk in Registration day on Sunday 13th March 2-4.30pm
Marist Clubrooms (19 Pascal St PN)
Come down to
· Register
· Try on and order a hoodie/Tee
· Pay fees (eftpos available)
· Ask any questions
You can also jump online and register at https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/142487
Any questions please contact them or check out their Facebook page
· www.facebook.com/pages/Marist-JuniorRugby/138907912854434
Due to ‘Red level’ we have decided to postpone our School Swimming Sports until Term 2 or 3. We will keep you informed about the date for this.
Wheels on the Track - Please remember the fitness track is available at break times for the children to use scooters, bikes and roller skates/blades. When using the path, children need to wear a helmet and shoes. All scooters and bikes are to be wheeled to and from the school gate and ridden on the back track only.
St James' School PTFA - Parent and Teachers and Friends Association
Pastoral Care - We are so lucky to be part of loving a caring community here at St James'.
As part of caring for our new mothers, those who have experienced bereavement, those who have a sick loved one at home to name a few, we offer pastoral care in the form of a meal or baking. If this sounds like something you might be interested in supporting please contact t.gunn@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 BOT meeting will be held in the staffroom on Monday 11 April 2022 at 6.00 pm. All welcome.
Policies for Community Consultation
The following Policies are out for community consultation.
Comments are due back to the School Office before 22 April 2022 to office@stjamescatholic.school.nz.
DRAFT Children’s Act 2014 Police Vetting
DRAFT Sponsorship and Marketing
The next BOT meeting will be held in the staffroom on Monday 11 April 2022 at 6.00 pm. All welcome.
Michael Fennessy
Chairperson (boardchairperson@stjamescatholic.school.nz)
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.
2022 Term Dates & Holidays. Please add these to your diary, in particular the Staff Only Days.
TERM 1
Week 7
Tuesday 15 March - LS1 Trip to the Cathedral
Thursday 17 March - LS10 Trip to the Cathedral
Friday 18 Marchy - Caritas Fundraiser for Tonga - School Wide Non Uniform day
Week 8
Monday 21 March - World Down Syndrome Day and World Poetry Day
Tuesday 22 March - LS6 Trip to the Cathedral
Week 9
Friday 1 April - World Autism Day
Saturday 2 April - Children’s Book Day
Week 10
Tuesday 5 April - School Photos
Sunday 10 April - Palm Sunday
Week 11
Thursday 14 April - Holy Thursday
Last day of Term 1
Getting Involved
Vacancy - Chief Executive wanted: Te Kupenga-Catholic Leadership Institute
Te Kupenga-Catholic Leadership Institute combines academic, leadership, faith formation and bio-ethical research and advocacy responsibilities for the Catholic church in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Board is looking for a Chief Executive with relevant leadership experience, possibly gained in a faith-based, non-profit or secondary/tertiary education setting. The role will probably be based in Auckland.
Full details and how to apply, go here: https://www.tekupenga.ac.nz/uncategorized/seeking-for-tumuaki-chief-executive/
Applications close on Monday 28 March.
Find out more about Triple P and register for programmes. There are three free Triple P online programmes available to help positively support children to reduce anxiety, build emotional resilience and life skills and cope with challenges:
Fear-Less Triple P Online – for parents and caregivers of children and teenagers (aged six to 14 years) who have significant anxiety
Triple P Online – for parents with toddlers to 12-year-olds
Teen Triple P Online – for parents with ‘tweens’ or teenagers aged 10 to 16 years.
These programmes will also provide whānau a toolkit to help them to guide behaviour positively and encourage children’s learning.
Nippers Out of School Care and Holiday Programme - Need care during the school holidays? Nippers operates out of our St James’ Catholic School Hall, contact 356 7926, 021 645 806 or nippers@inspire.net.nz for more information.
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 collection boxes for these in the School Office foyer. If, as a family you don't already set these items aside for Kidney Kids at Starship and the Missions, you may 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.
School App Advertising - If you are interested in advertising on our School App please make an enquiry to office@stjamescatholic.school.nz.