Panui-Newsletter Term 2, Week 2
Bishop Edward Gaines Catholic School
Principal's Message
Talofa, Kia ora, Malo e lelei, Habari, Hello, Sawadee, Kia orana, Dia duit, Ma muka chini,
I have been very impressed with the students these first two weeks back at school.They have all returned school ready and very settled.
Last week we welcomed Paul Stucki from the Education Review Office-ERO. ERO is the governments external evaluation agency who report on the education and care of learners in schools, and kura. Paul had some very positive comments about our school, and commented on our lovely children and the school's positive vibe. He also complimented our rich curriculum and the opportunities we are providing for our tamariki. He enjoyed the time to meet students, staff and some Board members. Our students who he interviewed, did an outstanding job answering questions with honesty and spontaneity, well done children.
I would also like to welcome Eugene Sefo our new part time caretaker and Jaymee Papara our new part time Teacher Aide. We welcome you both and thank you for choosing to be part of our fantastic school!
We welcome students Jazmin and Amber to Pacelli, what a great start to the term you both have made.
Our year 6, 7 & 8 students had the opportunity to go to the Young Leaders Day in Hamilton today. This is an annual event that seeks to promote leadership skills in our young people and the opportunity to meet many other students their age from different schools in the Waikato. Thanks to Ms Susan Nelson and Marion Matthews for transporting, supervising and who chaperoned our students for this.
The Sacramental Programme began this week. For those who wish their child to undergo their Sacraments please do let the office know so we can include your child for this. I strongly encourage you to consider using this opportunity for your child to be making their Sacraments.
Parents wanting their child Baptised please do let the office know. This will consist of 2 parent sessions. I strongly encourage you to have your child Baptised, as this seals their spiritual membership into Gods family, and as a Sacrament, Baptism does provide special graces and protection. It is a duty of Catholic Schools to help enable the provision of Baptism for our students in our care. If your child needs a sponsor I am happy to be their sponsor, just let me know -principal@beg.school.nz. We want all our students to have this opportunity.
We will be are hosting a variety of lunchtime activities to help raise funds for camp this year. Next Thursday we will be hosting a lunchtime Disco, we will sell pizza. The cost is $5 per child, for those students who wish to participate.
End of year School Camp - The Blue Mountain Outdoor Adventure Centre https://bluemountainadventure.org.nz/
14th - 18th of November
For camp we will need parent support with transport, food preparation, student supervision and active involvement in camp activities. All attending adults staying overnight must also be police vetted prior to attending. Thank you for your support.
Our Year 7 & 8 students may take home another box of chocolates to sell to help with camp costs. These are $2 per bar. Try to sell these over the next couple of weeks and return the money to the school office.
The opportunity to go on this school camp is well worth it and a massive opportunity for our tamariki. Miss Mckibbon will be attending then camp with the seniors. Below are some photos from the centre of some of the activities the students will get to do.
We will be hosting some fundraising events in school over the term-so keep an eye out for these.
We pray for those families in our community who may be unwell at this time. If you know of families that may need assistance in any way please do let myself know or Caroline at the office.
Mark your diaries! June 7th is also a teacher only day for teacher professional development.
"Being at school is learning mileage and learning mileage is what makes all the difference".
Ma te Atua koutou e manaaki—God’s blessings,
Bernadette Hall
National Young Leaders Day-Ka pai to our seniors who went today.
Catholic Character
Who are the Sisters of Joseph?
The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart are a religious order of women, originally founded in South Australia in 1866, by Sister Mary MacKillop.They ran a number of children's homes in New South Wales as well as Catholic schools, throughout New South Wales. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart are women who continue God's mission by immersing themselves in the midst of life to empower others for life and bring hope.Mary Helen MacKillop RSJ was an Australian religious sister who has been declared a saint by the Catholic Church, as St Mary of the Cross. Of Scottish descent, she was born in Melbourne but is best known for her activities in South Australia.Together, Mary and Father Woods opened the first free Catholic school in Penola in 1866, at first in a converted stable and later in this more substantial stone building. A year later the pair formed a new religious order of nuns - the Sisters of St Joseph - devoted to teaching the poor.Today the Sisters of St Joseph actively teach, pray and educate children all over the world. We thank them for all they do and for being guided by Mary Mackillop all those years ago, which has helped schools like ours to be the amazing places of learning that they are.
RE Focus
Our students begin their focus on the Sacraments this week. This focus coincides with our students who will be starting their journey of making their sacraments. Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, through which Divine life is given. There are seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.Why are there 7 sacraments in the Catholic Church?
Christ instituted all seven sacraments as ways in which He could be present to His people even after His Ascension into Heaven. The sacraments are also entrusted to the Church. Christ gave the sacraments to the Church so that the Church could dispense them to the faithful.
https://www.stvincentparish.org/sacraments
COVID -19 Update
What does ORANGE mean for our school?
FOR STUDENTS:
Masks are no longer required at school. There will be no requirement for students Year 4 + to be routinely masked at Bishop Edward Gaines School, when in their own learning environments, at assemblies or outside. Students may use masks inside if the parents would like them to. Students Year 4 + will continue to use masks when attending Mass until such time as the Diocese changes their guidelines. Students aged 12 and above are still required to wear a face mask on school buses. All students entering the sick bay will be required to wear a face mask. All students Year 4+ need to continue to bring their preferred mask to school every day or use a school provided mask. There may be times when we will ask students to wear a mask indoors - for example large gatherings or if there are a high number of cases at school or in the community.
FOR PARENTS and CAREGIVERS:
Welcome back to our school grounds and classrooms! Parents and Caregivers can now enter the school grounds and classrooms freely. Parents/Caregivers and Visitors need to continue to report to the school office during classroom teaching hours. Parents and Caregivers are asked to continue to support all the other health measures in place at school that we know slow the spread of COVID -19. These include maintaining good hand hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquette, appropriate physical distancing whenever we can, and most importantly staying home if we are sick. Students who are displaying symptoms of COVID -19 at school will be asked to wear a mask and Parents/Caregivers will be contacted to come and pick them up from the sick bay.
Reminder: All students need to be in correct school uniform. Please see the office if you require help with this for your child.
Why do we celebrate Pink Shirt Day?
Celebrated annually around the globe, Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. We've been celebrating Pink Shirt Day in Aotearoa since 2009 and the campaign grows stronger and larger every year.
Bishop Edward Gaines School App
Our Super Stars
Well done to our certificate winners this week. Your teachers have noticed your diligence and kindness to others.
Mrs Hall has noticed how well you follow the school rules, self manage and always show respect to your friends. Also for having a fantastic BISHOP attitude!
Ka Pai!
Fun Friday's
This week students have voted again for chill time! So they will be choosing between activities of reading, chess games, an outdoor walk, gardening or drawing.
Important Dates
Important dates left this term:
Term Dates
Term One: 1 February-14 April
Term Two: 2 May-8 July
Term Three: 25 July-30 September
Term Four: 17 October-14 December (TBC)
School Mass
Each Friday at 9:30 whole school
Senior Technology Classes
Tuesday at 9:00-10:30am.
School Assembly
Each Monday morning
Kapa Haka
Weekly with Matua James & Annie Asiata
Sacramental Programme
Wednesday 3:30pm beginning 11 May
Preschool Visits
Will run each Thursday and Friday from 9:00am -12:30 for the few weeks leading up to the child's 5th birthday. Please let the office know if you are wanting your child to have preschool visits. Also please let others know who may be interested.
Kindy Visitors
18 May
Lunchtime Disco for Camp
19 May ($5)
Pink Shirt Day
20 May
Ascension of the Lord Liturgy
26 May
Jumping June Event
14 June
Matariki
21 June
Class Photos
4 July
Lunchtime Fun Sports for our Tamariki
Tuesday and Friday
Friday Fun
After lunch for those who have followed all the school rules! Decided by student votes.
Teacher Only Days
12th May and the 7th June
Contact us:
Email: office@beg.school.nz
Website: http://www.beg.school.nz
Location: 1 Mossop Rd P.O Box 167 Tokoroa
Phone: 07 886 8021
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bishop-Edward-Gaines-Catholic-School-Tokoroa-310873056309874/