Newsletter 16 August Term 3 - 2022
St Brendan's Catholic School
Welcome, nau mai, afio mai, namaste, konnichiwa, nĭ hăo, talofa, komosta, vanakkam, auybowan,
Dear Whānau & Parishioners,
We congratulate Norm Tufue and Philippa Freeman on being duly elected to our Board. With no other nominations we now have to move to a by-election. We encourage any members of our community to nominate themselves or someone they know (with their consent) to join our Board. There will be more information in tomorrow’s Board newsletter.
Our current Board members are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
Please feel free to make contact with our Proprietors:
Doug Fauchelle: d.fauchelle@stbrendans.school.nz
Julie Stewart: julie.stewart@stbrendans.school.nz
Fr Tony: parishpriest@stbrendans.school.nz
Or our current elected Board members:
Philippa Freeman: philippa.freeman@stbrendans.school.nz
Norm Tufue: norman.tufue@stbrendans.school.nz
Ryan McLean: ryan.mclean@stbrendans.school.nz
Nick Banks: nick.banks@stbrendans.school.nz
School board members are active leaders in our schools. They have an important role of supporting strong professional leadership and ensuring effective teaching for all students through informed governance. Parents/caregivers and people in the wider community can be parent representatives. School boards need to represent the diversity of their school communities to ensure a bright future for all our children. The school board elections are the opportunity to vote for candidates who will make a positive difference for children’s education. We need more people willing to use their skills and experiences for the benefit of students!
It continues to be a very positive and busy term! We acknowledged Cook Island Language Week, our Adventurers travelled to Wellington city to explore the Space Place Carter Observatory, and teams of students proudly represented St Brendan's at the Hutt Science STEMM Challenge. Our students enjoyed the opportunity to connect with their House groups, everyone refamiliarised themselves with our House chants. Last week was the 25th anniversary of New Zealand Maths Week, classes engaged across the school with the fun challenges. Sacred Heart’s College Music Roadshow visited on Friday, this was a concert of diverse items from musicians, to choir, dance, and drama. We are grateful that they shared their talents, all performances were highly entertaining, it was enjoyed by everyone. Their visit is likely to have sparked student interest in music!
This week began with a beautiful whole school Mass at Our Lady of Grace for the Assumption of Mary. Today teams of Adventurers represented St Brendan’s at UVPSSA Basketball tournament. Tomorrow is St Brendan’s Non Uniform Day raising funds for Daffodil Day. Daffodil Day symbolises hope for all New Zealanders impacted by cancer. Every day 71 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cancer. For over 30 years New Zealanders have supported the work of the Cancer Society on Daffodil Day and we need your help again this year. Every dollar raised for Daffodil Day will go towards cancer care for patients and their whānau, education and awareness programmes, and life-saving cancer research. On Thursday we welcome a visiting author, Helen Fletcher ahead of St Brendan’s Book Week next week . . . do you have your book character costume in progress?
The 6th of August was the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. Given the turmoil around the globe, it is appropriate to reflect on Sadako Sasaki’s quote: “I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world”.
Did you log into Hero yesterday?
Each term we continue to share learning posts with you three times. Please email your child/ren’s class teacher if you were not able to access your Hero account to read this week’s learning post.
COVID-19
He peka titoki e kore e whati.
A branch of the titoki tree will not break.
(It will endure because it is tough.)
We want to reassure you that we have health measures in place and continue to be responsive to all information from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. Covid-19 and winter illness is continuing to have an impact on our school community.
When an infected person breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes, they may spread particles containing the virus. COVID-19 mostly spreads by aerosols — small virus particles that can stay in the air for minutes to hours. Good ventilation helps remove virus particles in the air. Fresh or filtered air can reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19. Opening windows helps protect you, your whānau and others. Information is available from the Covid-19 website. https://covid19.govt.nz/
Please stay home if unwell, test when symptomatic and ring Healthline for advice.
At school:
- we contact families when children become symptomatic
- we have RAT tests available for staff and families
- we support students with their personal hygiene
- we both heat and ventilate all spaces
- we encourage mask wearing, staff and students from Year 4 continue to be expected to wear masks
- high-touch surfaces are cleaned and disinfected regularly
- we encourage having a highly vaccinated community (and not just for COVID-19).
Welcome On behalf of our whole school community we extend a warm welcome to Lyra, Harper, Alfie, Kaavin, Ryan, Asher and their families. Lyra, Harper, Alfie, Kaavin, Ryan and Asher recently joined Room 3.
God Bless,
Veronica Sawers,
Principal
VERBAL BOUQUETS AND THANK YOU'S
The PTF for organising our winter Pizza lunches.
Everyone who has provided support for the many school trips, supported our St Brendan's sports teams and our recent Book Fair.
The Parishioners supporting music and reading at St Brendan's.
Gemma Lorenc-Lafou for teaching the recorder to our year 2 and 3 students.
WALKING HAND IN HAND WITH CHRIST
ST VINCENT DE PAUL
Thank you for your continued support and generosity. The non-perishable items are gratefully received and distributed to local families in need. We regularly struggle to find families willing to take our baskets to one of our Parish Masses, we encourage you to check the Term 3 overview to plan ahead to help us help others. You are welcome to make contributions at any time, there is always a third basket in our school office.
YCC 2022
At the end of Term 2 St Brendan's supported YCC Day, the day when thousands of young people across New Zealand gather together in solidarity for a good cause and have fun by wearing non-uniform for the small cost of a gold coin. We came together to bring about lasting change for a school who would not be able to enjoy the same privileges as ourselves.
For YCC Day in 2022, we supported Laura Vicuna School in Bethlehem. Laura Vicuna School is a small school situated in the Holy Land. The school began in 1988 and is in dire need of support to fix and repair toilets, purchase a new laptop and projector as well as round tables for small group learning activities. St Brendan’s raised $286.80, thank you for your generosity.
WATERCOLOUR ARTWORKS OF MOTHER MARY BY ROOM 2
KO HĀTA MARIA, TE MATUA WAHINE O TE ATUA
St Brendan’s School welcomed Ko Hāta Maria, te Matua Wahine o te Atua (Holy Mary, Mother of God). Each class spent time with the artwork. The Navigators explored the art in depth, paying particular attention to the meaning behind all the details. Students chose their favourite part of the art and recreated it. They also wrote to describe their image and explain its significance. Here you can see some samples of the art they created.
BOARD NEWS
Kia ora St Brendan’s whānau
It's with great pleasure that I am able to write on behalf of the Board to recognise and celebrate this term.
It has been great to see St Brendan’s students out competing in various winter sports, be it Netball, Basketball or the like. I feel so very proud of all the St Brendan's students, wearing the uniform proudly, as they smile, have fun and generally love mixing with their mates - despite it being cold and wet. A big thanks to the parents and staff that make this happen.
As we are all aware, Covid and winter bugs continue to challenge us all this term, however, the students are continuing to learn, be it in other classrooms or at home. Masks are being worn in classrooms and other safety measures are being taken. These all align with the Ministry’s guidance. Thanks to our wonderful staff, supporting the students during this time.
The Board continues to welcome anyone in the community to attend our meetings or to even join our team. There are no specific skills needed, only a desire to give back to the school.
On behalf of the Board I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Term 3.
Ngā mihi
Philippa Freeman
On Behalf of the St Brendan's Board
SCHOOL NEWS
STEMM CHALLENGE 2022 YEAR 5 - 6
On 2nd August eight people from the Adventurers syndicate represented St Brendan's in the Hutt Science STEMM Challenge. We competed in the year 5 & 6 category.
The contestants were Augustine, Tom, Thesan, Barnaby, Lucinda, Manvi, Samantha and Amelia C.
"It was so much fun. Even though we didn't win, we still tried very hard." (Samantha)
"It was a good effort, but personally I think we won, not on the scoreboard but in our hearts and that's what matters." (Manvi)
We all did really well.
STEMM CHALLENGE 2022 YEAR 7 - 8
A team from the Navigators Syndicate represented St Brendan's at the Year 7-8 Hutt Science STEMM Challenge. The team did a great job achieving 6th place. Well done Jacob, Anna, James Z and Rehan.
ST BRENDAN’S UNIFORM GUIDELINES
Families must ensure these uniform guidelines are observed.
- All students must be in full school uniform every day.
- Plain black school shoes are required for winter (no canvas or ballet shoes).
- Plain black sandals or plain black school shoes can be worn in summer.
- Year 7-8 students are required to wear covered shoes for health and safety at Technicraft.
- Students must wear wide brimmed school hats outside during Terms 1 and 4.
- Hair longer than the shoulders must be tied back. Permitted hair accessories must be plain navy, black, or bottle green hair ties, clips, or headbands. No fashion accessories are to be worn (e.g. oversized bows).
- Coloured hair and extreme hairstyles are not permitted.
- Only plain, small stud earrings may be worn with our school uniform.
- Necklaces of religious or cultural significance such as crosses, bone carvings, or greenstones may only be worn under uniform clothing, and must be removed for PE.
- Make-up and nail polish is not permitted.
School staff will make contact with families if the uniform is not being worn appropriately.
TERM 3 UNIFORM REMINDERS
- During Term 3 students need to wear long sleeved shirts and long socks.
- Students need their PE uniform daily.
UKULELES AT ST BRENDAN’S
St Brendan’s was successfully selected by the NZ Ukulele Trust for their Ukes in Schools initiative. Last week we received 12 free Kala brand Ukadelic soprano ukuleles and an electronic ukulele tuner. The donation of these instruments was made possible through funding the NZUT has received from Kala Brand Music and their NZ Agents, Lyn McAllister Music Ltd. The sponsors have agreed to continue partnering with the NZUT for a further two years, after providing 504 ukuleles for the Ukes in Schools initiative in 2020/2021 and now again in 2022/2023. By participating in the Kiwileles' programme we help to fulfil their vision of enriching children's lives with music.
GREEN FINGERS CLUB
This term we are starting a new exciting, gardening club called the Green Fingers Club! Every Tuesday at lunchtime they will meet and learn how to care for the school garden beds. This will involve weeding, planting and learning about seeds. The club will be held from 1:10pm to 1:50pm and it will consist of 10 - 15 Year 3 and 4 students who are interested in learning about gardening. I am in need of volunteers to support me with running this group. If you are interested please email me c.pullan@stbrendans.school.nz or pop into Room 7. The club will be starting in Week 5.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Chris Pullan
LITTLE FINGERS AND SCREECHY SOUNDS
Last week a group of Year 2 and 3 children met to learn a new instrument. Gemma Lorenc-Lafou has kindly offered to teach a group of students each week this term. The students were excited, curious and very focused as they learnt a lot about the different parts of a recorder and how to play different notes and read music. Little fingers were busy on the recorders and many screechy sounds could be heard waffling from the room. Each week the students will learn new notes and learn to read music.
ENVIRO GROUP - Butterfly Enclosure
St Brendan’s Enviro Group are very keen to get the large butterfly enclosure that was purchased a little while back ready for the Monarch Butterfly season. The enclosure is in need of some stitching and needs to be secured into the ground. If you would be interested in helping with this project could you email c.pullan@stbrendans.school.nz or call into Room 7. The area around the enclosure requires weeding and we would like to plant some plants that would attract the butterflies to the area. We would be looking at starting in Week 5 on Friday afternoons, being weather-dependent, it could take a few Fridays to complete.
Chris Pullan
Enviro Lead Teacher
CONSIDERATE PARKING AND ROAD USE AROUND SCHOOL
We have had a number of complaints from the school's neighbours regarding inconsiderate, and often illegal parking when dropping off and collecting students from school. Please ensure you are not obstructing driveways, garages or access to roads and are parking legally with consideration for local residents and other road users when dropping off and collecting students. Please show respect to our neighbours by doing the right thing.
LEAVERS 2022
If for some reason your circumstances have changed and your child/ren will not be returning to St Brendan's to start the 2023 school year, we ask that you advise us as soon as possible please. This supports our planning for 2023 as we have to carefully manage our maximum roll.
DAFFODIL DAY 2022
The Cancer Society provides free support and information, funds lifesaving cancer research and advocates health promotion initiatives to reduce the risk of cancer for future generations. Cancer Society relies on the support from schools like ours to continue to provide free accommodation, nursing and psychology services for patients and their families.
St Brendan's School is pleased to be supporting Daffodil Day again this year.
- We will be holding a Non Uniform Day on Wednesday, 17 August. Please support with a gold coin donation.
- You can also donate to our Fundraising page at https://daffodilday.org.nz/stbrendansschool
We appreciate and thank you for your support.
BOOK FAIR
St Brendan's Book Fair has wrapped up for another year. A BIG thank you to everyone who came along, helping to make it another very successful Book Fair. This year, sales earned 50 free new books for our school library collection.
An extra special thank you to the families who purchased a "Red Dot" book for donation to the library - keep a look out for them on the library “New Books Display” during this term, they'll all have special Book Fair 2022 Donation bookplates inside!
Students who were waiting for books on order from the Scholastic Book Fair warehouse should have received these on Thursday, 4 August.
MEDICAL ROOM VISITS
Currently when your child visits the Medical Room during the day they receive a paper form with details of their visit to take home. Details of the injury/illness are also recorded in our Student Management System, Hero. From Thursday we are phasing out the paper copy form and you will receive a Hero notification for all Medical Room visits. As is our Policy, you will still receive a phone call if your child has suffered a head injury, a moderate injury, significant illness or has Covid symptoms.
SECOND HAND UNIFORM SALE
St Brendan's School will be running a second hand uniform sale on Wednesday, 14 September. The school will be selling good condition spare second hand clothing and we also invite anyone who wishes to sell uniform items to contact the Office to book a table. Proceeds from the sale by the school will be used to support families in need, with uniform items in appropriate sizes that are not available second hand. Thank you to all families who have donated uniforms to the school, it is very much appreciated. Any further donations of school uniform items will be gratefully received.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR ART COMPETITION
The UHCC Community Calendar Competition for 2022 is now open. This art and statement competition is run annually to celebrate ‘What we love about living in Upper Hutt!’ and it is open for all Year 1-8 students. The winner of this competition will earn $750 dollars of art equipment for their school and have their artwork on the front cover of the Community Calendar! St Brendan’s has a rich tradition of participation and achievement in this competition.
Last year, Conor from Room 4 had his artwork published as a finalist and Isla-Rose, Room 4, Sylvie, Room 11 and Amison, Room 10 had their statements included as well. Students can get entry forms from their class teacher. All entries must be at school by Friday, 26th August. If you have any queries please email Yvonne McElwain, Room 1, y.mcelwain@stbrendans.school.nz.
PTF NEWS
PIZZA ORDERS
A reminder that orders
for next week's pizza lunch (on 24 August)
are due by 3pm this Friday, 19 August.
FAMILY PIES FUNDRAISER
Look out for our next fundraiser - we will be taking orders for yummy Family Pies (both sweet and savoury flavours) made by Centa Bakery. The order form will be coming out this week.
COMMUNITY NEWS
ATTENDANCE DUES
The Attendance Dues Team is very aware that the ripple effect of COVID-19 is far reaching and they are aware some families may now find themselves in harder financial circumstances and may need assistance with paying Attendance Dues. It is possible for families to be supported with a rebate, there are two simple forms to complete and a small regular payment needs to be in place to be eligible. Please contact our principal, Veronica Sawers, in confidence, to complete the rebate forms. The team has some options for payment plans and rebate assistance. You can contact the Attendance Dues Team directly on 0800 462725 or dues@wn.catholic.org.nz. The team wants to be of assistance to all families during this difficult time.
RESPONDING TO ONLINE CHALLENGES
Tips from Linewise for parents and whānau - a guide to help deal with online safety challenges at home.
Location: 56 Palmer Crescent Heretaunga Upper Hutt 5019
Phone: (04) 939 1909