Newsletter Week 6, Term 4 2021

Principal's Message

Nau Mai Haere Mai,

We would like to welcome Philamena Barnes to our school. Philamena has just turned five and is the newest person in Akonga Hub. Philamena is very excited to be at school and has her big brother Samuel here already. Welcome Philamena!

We are so very proud of our children and their hard work and efforts on Athletics Day. It certainly wasn't the same without parents on site. We want to thank you as we know how difficult it would have been for parents not being able to attend. All of our teaching and support staff were involved in the day and took great care of our students! Check out the photos on our Facebook page.

We are really excited to be able to have parents/caregivers attend our School Prizegiving. To make this work so that you are able to come, we are splitting Prizegiving into three different ceremonies. Year 1 - 6 will be on Monday 6 December 2 pm for Room 4 and Whakatipu Hub and 2.30 pm for Akonga Hub, Room 5 and Room 6. Our seniors Year 7 and 8 will be holding a special Mass followed by Prizegiving on Wednesday 8 December at 11: 15 am. Please scroll through our newsletter for more details. Yay!

As you know, we have two Mufti Fridays starting this week. We know how much Community House and Ezekiel Trust need our support so thank you for bringing Christmas items or food in exchange for wearing mufti.

Have a great week everyone. Take care and look after yourselves.

God Bless you and your whānau.

Andrea Colebourn, Principal

Our Staff

We would like to share with you that Kelly Rowlingson, one of our fantastic support staff will not be returning to St Joes next year. Kelly has been with our school for the past nine years. She has an amazing set of skills and now that her youngest has left high school, she is going to take work in a different direction. We know that Kelly will shine in what ever she does. We would like to thank Kelly for her support, efforts and learning programmes that she has brought into our school.

Our staff for 2022 will continue to be the same familiar faces who are:

Teaching staff: Jeff Bennett, Courtney Thomson, Emma Hyde, Kerry Horan, Lee White, Jemma Van Eijk, Kirstin Marsh, Maree Nicholson, Chris Follett and Jeanette Lalich

Support Staff: Toyah Irwin, Meredith Vowles, Renee Teague and Cathie Peddie

Administration Staff: Robyn Wooller and Carolyn Findson

Andrea Colebourn Principal and Simone Campbell Deputy Principal

Caretaker: to be announced

Words of Farewell

At the end of 2021 we farewell a staff icon - Peter Flynn our Caretaker. Peter first started at St Josephs Morrinsville as a pupil and returned to take up the position of part time caretaker.

For the past 26 years Peter has rescued endless balls off roofs, gardened, mowed, constructed, glued, trimmed, wired, built scenery, put bins out and has worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

If any past or current pupils, parents, staff, BOT or more would like to send a word of farewell to Peter to be added to a card please send it to admin@stjoes.school.nz Thank You

2022 School Information

The last day of the school year for 2021 is Tuesday 14 December at 12:15 pm.

Our school year opens a little differently next year. Our staff are involved in a number of Teacher Only Days towards the end of January and the start of February. Some of these days are call back days and some are Accord Days.

Our school year for 2022 begins on Thursday 3 February. This day is scheduled to be a Learning Partnership Day. This is where parents/caregivers make a time to meet with the class teacher to discuss their child and share any information that you feel will benefit your child. It is also a chance to see the classroom space. You are encouraged to bring your child with you to the meeting. Please note that school will not be open for learning on that day. Bookings will open on 25 January 2022.

On Friday 4 February, our staff will be involved in professional development and learning.

School officially starts for students on Tuesday 8 February 2021. Our school year will finish on Friday 16 December 2022.

Christmas Donations Mufti Days - November 26th & December 3rd

We know that many families in our local community are struggling and we are aware that Christmas time is a really hard time of year for some. St Joes would like to show our support.

First Morrrinsvile Community House Christmas Donation

MUFTI DAY - Friday 26 November

In exchange for wearing mufti, please bring either a food item,

Christmas item or supply item.

Below is a list of Food Bank ideas. Kia kaha!

Covid 19 Vaccination Information for volunteers

Our School is obliged to meet the Public Health Order Requirement regarding Mandatory Covid -19 Vaccinations.

As of Monday 15 November 2021, all persons who volunteer to assist with any school activities both inside and outside of the classroom (reading with children, school trips, school camps, sausage sizzle helpers, class helpers, sports coaches etc) are required to have their first Covid-19 vaccination. As of 1 January 2022, all school volunteers are to be fully vaccinated.

Evidence of your vaccination status can be provided to the school at any time.

A copy of such evidence can be uploaded to this google form https://forms.gle/FhZxEMGv87FvJoeM8, emailed to admin@stjoes.school.nz, cited at the school office, or a copy placed in a sealed envelope sent to the school office. This must be provided prior to school activities taking place.

If you wish, you can request the school keep a copy of the record so that you can maintain ongoing access to volunteer for school activities.

All information is treated as confidential and retained according to the Privacy Act 2020 and the School's Information and Privacy Policy.

If a parent/caregiver is awaiting a result from a Covid-19 test, they must inform the school prior to participating in any school activity.

If you have been granted an exemption, please provide proof of the same.

Nga mihi

Andrea Colebourn, Principal

Library Books Return

Time to Return Library Books please.... as we get closer to the end of term the library is preparing for an end of year stock take.

This is the time to check under the bed, in the wardrobe, on your book shelves and any other hiding places for library books belonging to St Josephs.

Can all Library Books please be returned by Wednesday, December 1st. Thank you

School Pool Key

School Pool Key for 2021/22 Swimming Season …

School Pool is Now Open for Use

Pool Keys are available for issue from the school office for our school families only and can be obtained by Parent/Caregivers only at a cost $40.00 for the season.

Strict rules and conditions apply with the added restrictions of use under COVID Levels.

Reflection - Advent

What does the word Advent mean?

Advent comes from the Latin ad+venire, which means, essentially “To come to,” or “to come toward.” Ad+venire is the root of the Latin “Adventus” which means “arrival.”

So Advent is the season of arrival: The arrival of Christ in our hearts, in the world, and into God’s extraordinary plan for our salvation.

So, it’s like four weeks long?

Advent is a slightly different length each year. It starts four Sundays before Christmas. But because Christmas is on a fixed date, and could fall on different days of the week, Advent can be as short as three weeks and a day, or as long as four weeks.

Is Advent the “new year”? Advent is before Christmas. What’s the deal?

The Church’s feasts and celebrations run on a year-long cycle, which we call the “liturgical year.” The “liturgical year” starts on the first Sunday of Advent. So it’s a new liturgical year when Advent starts. But the Church also uses the ordinary calendar, so it would probably be a bit weird to have a “New Year’s Eve” party the night before Advent starts.

And, Advent wreaths. Where do they come from? Is it true that they’re just pagan wreaths borrowed by the Church?

The Catholic Church has been using advent wreaths since the Middle Ages. Lighting candles as we prepare for Christmas reminds us that Christ is the light of the world. And the evergreen boughs remind us of new and eternal life in Christ, the eternal son of the Father.