Kia Ora Ano

We had the most wonderful kura cross country day on Friday. Our learners and staff had such fun and it was wonderful to not only see their drive to succeed but also the way they encourage and support each other.

Our house leaders and Ranginui learners really stepped up and showed great school spirit helping our Tangaroa learners.

Thanks to our PSL and those whanau who supported with the sausage sizzle and coffee – fantastic. In our kura office we have some wonderful photos from the day…pop in and have a look!

Just to let you know that the NZEI (teacher union) have called for paid union meetings for teachers will take place between Monday 21 June – Wednesday 7 July and principal paid union meetings will take place between Tuesday 15 June – Tuesday 1 July.

The purpose of these meetings is to confirm the focus and direction for their renegotiation. As such, the meetings are a critical component of the negotiation process and it is extremely important that all members have the opportunity to attend a meeting and have their say. Our kura will remain open while these meeting take place and we will keep you updated.

We are excited that Megan Gill in Harakeke will be staying on for the remainder of our school year. Sandra Buless is currently back from maternity leave working 3 days per week covering release and she will be opening the new entrant class in term 3. We feel very blessed to have such wonderful dedicated teachers here at St Francis.

On Sunday 13 June at 10:30am we are having our Kura/Parish Mass. Learners from our school will be given roles to engage in for this Mass. We ask that you support our kura and our Parish at this Mass.

Nga Mihi Nui

Tracy Gundesen – Principal

Poipoia te Kakano Kia Puawai - Nurture the seed and it will blossom

FRIDAY 21 MAY Pink shirt day!

MONDAY 24 MAY Southern Zone Cross Country Houghton Valley School

MONDAY 24 May - THURSDAY 27 MAY - St Johns First aid training course all week with all classes

MONDAY 31 MAY Southern Zone Cross Country Postponement day
TUESDAY 15 JUNE St Patricks open day

WEDNESDAY 23 JUNE School Swimming Sports

FRIDAY 9 JULY Teachers Only Day - School is Closed

Last week was the Primary DRS conference in Masterton. A highlight was listening to the beautiful words from author Joy Cowley. It was an honour to read some of her poetry in front of her!

As part of this conference, we were led in Mass by Cardinal John Dew as well as listening to speakers from NZCEO, NZCR, Caritas and more, and being introduced to the brand new Religious Education Curriculum which is due to begin being rolled out in schools from next year.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14

Parish/school combined Sunday Mass 10.30 13th June. We need your support with this! If your child or whanau are interested in having an active role in this through a ministry such as reading, singing, procession of the gifts etc please get in touch with vanessa.mccormack@sfds.school.nz

What’s coming up this term? - May is the Month of Mary

SUNDAY 23 MAY - Pentecost Sunday

SUNDAY 13 JUNE - Parish/School Combined Sunday Mass 10.30am SFDS Church

SATURDAY 19 JUNE - Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

SATURDAY 19 JUNE - Venerable Suzanne Aubert’s 185th birthday

THURSDAY 8 JULY - Mufti Mania Caritas Mufti Day

SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY

We had such a great time at this event on Friday! We were really impressed with all the kids giving it their best and living our school values by supporting and encouraging each other.

A huge thank you to the parents who came along and helped as course marshalls - we couldn't have run the event without you.

Thank you also to the parents who ran the coffee stand and sausage sizzle - thank you to everyone who supported this fundraising (we made $617).

The top 6 runners for boys and girls in years 4 - 8 qualify to participate in the Southern Zone Cross Country which is being held back at Houghton Valley School next Monday 24 May. Those runners will receive more information separately.

Boys Year 1 1st Mason P, 2nd, Raffaele D, 3rd, Carter T, 4th, Frank W, 5th, Liam W, 6th, Kit SG

Girls Year 1 1st Liv R, 2nd - Rosie M, 3rd - Sofia B, 4th - Irene J, 5th - Madison F, 6th - Ilaria D

Boys Year 2 1Michael P, 2 Roscoe J, 3 Declan W, 4 Cameron S, 5 Brooklyn T, 6 Jasper L

Girls Year 2 1st Indy AT, 2nd Ekam S, 3rd Saoirse HK, 4th Amanda P, 5th Millie M, 6 Harriet M

Boys Year 3 1st Noah W, 2nd Fletcher K, 3rd Jack C, 4th Nunzio U, 5th Lucas L, 6th Israan G

Girls Year 3 1st Harper M, 2nd Miriam P, 3rd Helen M, 4th Olivia M, 5th Victoria M, 6th Sofia P

Boys Year 4 1st Johnny W, 2nd Cian H, 3rd Harlan AT, 4th Harvey L, 5th Jackson B, 6 Liam N

Girls Year 4 1st Willow A, 2nd Pippa R, 3rd Lilly M, 4th Sophia L, 5th Sylvie-Mae SG, 6th Eva S

Boys Year 5 1st Enzo H, 2nd Charlie W, 3rd Jacob F, 4th Zane H, 5th Jacob P, 6th Cody DT

Girls Year 5 1st Ella L, 2nd Hazel L, 3rd Isla K, 4th Cora D, 5th Ella W, 6th Mali J

Boys Year 6 1st Luca H, 2nd Benjamin P, 3rd Daniel N, 4th Jamie K, 5th Sam C, 6 Liberato MW

Girls Year 6 1st Charlie K, 2nd Cielo Q, 3rd Mahlee HB, 4th Isabel P, 5, Isabelle M, 6 Gabriella D

Boys Year 7 1st Harry D, 2nd Isaac L, 3rd Otto A, 4th Adam F, 5th Dawit T, 6th - Sam R

Girls Year 7 1st Lola D, 2nd Darcey S, 3rd Maia K, 4th Emily W, 5th Maeva W

Boys Year 8 1st Theo M, 2nd, Cooper W, 3rd Jakob R, 4th Marcine I, 5th Archie J, 6 Joshua R

Girls Year 8 1st Mollie CD, 2nd Indya OL, 3rd Lilly-Anne M, 4th Nina D, 5th, Anwyn P, 6 Molly R

YUMMY STICKERS

We are still collecting Yummy Stickers - the more stickers we collect, the more free sports gear we receive.There are lots of yummy new season apples in the supermarkets at the moment so make sure you make the most of those and collect the stickers off Yummy apples and the cut outs from the bags of apples. We will collect the stickers towards the end of term 3.

ICAS ASSESSMENTS

These are optional assessments for students in years 5 - 8 that parents/caregivers pay for and the students complete during school time online using a device. They weren't offered last year due to COVID but we have offered these in past years. We would like to gauge interest to see how many students might take up this opportunity. There is an assessment for English, Mathematics, Science, Digital Technologies, Writing and Spelling. The students do not receive any specific teaching at school for these assessments. You can find more information here:

https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas/

Please email Sarah on sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz by this Friday 21 May if you would pay for your child/ren to complete any of these assessments if they were offered.

TEACHING ASSISTANT: CASUAL PART TIME VACANCY

Are you passionate about supporting learners to reach their potential? And do you want to join a supportive school team? Then apply to office@sfds.school.nz by 3pm Thursday 3 June 2021.

If you would like to talk about what this position looks like, call or pop into the office and make an appointment for a chat.

SCHOLASTIC LUCKY BOOK CLUB

Last call for lucky book orders! Please follow the payment instructions on the back of the brochure. Orders must be submitted online before Friday 28 May. We are unable to accept CASH or CHEQUE payments as these cannot be sent through the mail. You can order online by visiting https://scholastic.co.nz/parents/lucky-book-club/ , when ordering online. Please DO NOT return any forms or payment to the school. If you have any questions please see Chris in room 7.

UNIFORM SHOP

The uniform shop is open during term time on Tuesday mornings 8.45-9.15am and Thursday afternoons 2.45-3.15pm. Order forms are available from the office or from the school website. Orders received will be made up and left in the office for collection and payment. Please note payment is expected before you take any uniform items. We are finding it hard to chase up payment from people.

PINK SHIRT DAY - MUFTI DAY

This Friday 21 May we will be holding a Mufti day for Pink shirt day (to find out more please click the link below)

Please send your child to school in something pink/mufti to show their support. This is a gold coin donation mufti day – to make life easier (as we are no longer able to accept cash at school) we have added this to KINDO.

Once you have logged in you will see PINK SHIRT MUFTI DAY - click on that and follow the instructions for payment. There are even options to donate if you would like to donate more.

PSL AGM - WEDNESDAY 16 JUNE 2021 AT 7:00PM IN SFDS STAFFROOM

We would love as many families as possible to attend the PSL AGM. If you’re new to SFDS please come along to see what goes on. If you’ve been at the school for a while we would really appreciate you coming along to be part of our AGM.

The AGM is a great time to join our fantastic Committee. We welcome nominations to all positions of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Grants Coordinator.

Please let us know if there are any items that you would like included in the AGM agenda, and any notices of motion.

If you have any questions about the AGM, or what the being on the Committee involves, take a look on the SFDS website or contact Fran Peters, PSL Secretary on psl.sfds@gmail.com

The AGM will be followed immediately by the PSL June meeting.

SAUSAGE SIZZLE FUNDRAISERS

These were hugely successful last year - we raised close to $6000! Our sausage sizzle last week at cross country raised nearly $600. Thank you to everyone who supports these fundraisers. We have decided to continue with these this year. We are going to have two classes responsible for a sausage sizzle at a time, which will be 6 sausage sizzles. Next Tuesday 25 May will be Room 14 and Room 3's sausage sizzle. As usual, sausages will be $2 each with gluten free and vegetarian available.

FRIDAY COFFEE CLUB

If you are at school pick up early on Friday 21 May from 2.15pm - pop into the school staff room, keep out of the cold and warm up with a cup of coffee/tea on us! Great way to pass the time while waiting for the bell to ring! There may even be a free bikkie!!!

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