We really appreciate how understanding you all are with all the guidelines in place to keep our community as safe as possible. It is a good reminder after the Christchurch Covid cases over the last few weeks. We encourage you all to get vaccinated and follow the simple tasks of washing or sanitising your hands regularly, coughing into your elbow, wearing a mask and using the Covid QR tracing App as often as you can.

Each day we are changing plans as we head into the end of the year. We have had good news that classes will be able to start attending mass on a Friday. We thank our neighbouring Priests for being so accommodating and meeting the needs of our children and staff.

It is looking unlikely that we will be able to safely hold our whole school production with a live audience but we are working on a way to be able to share this special event with you all.

You will be receiving the final school reports on Seesaw indicating where your children are achieving in Reading, Writing, Maths, their successes and next steps in their learning. You will have already received Religious Education in week 2. If you have any questions regarding these please make contact with your child’s teacher.

Please remember that the 19th November is a Teacher Only Day and school will be closed for instruction.

On November 5th many celebrate Guy Fawkes Night. Perhaps this year, here in Aotearoa New Zealand we can remember the people of Parihaka and their non-violent resistance to invasion. This happened on November 5th 1881. Tohu, Te Whiti and all of Parihaka’s men were arrested, houses and cultivations destroyed and livestock

slaughtered or confiscated. Remembering Parihaka is a great resource to read and find out more.

An Introduction to the Synod 2021-2023 and more on the Mass

Synod 2021-2023 - For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission.

In this synodal process three dimensions are profoundly interrelated. They are:

Communion - diverse people gathered together in one faith. It is Christ who reconciles us to the Father and unites us with each other in the Holy Spirit.

Participation - All of us belong to the People of God; laity, consecrated and ordained, all are qualified and called to participate together to pray, listen, analyse, dialogue and discern on making pastoral decisions that serve God’s will.

Last week I met with our priests and Directors of Religious Studies from St Peters and OLA. We discussed Mass times for the children and are excited to be able to start attending mass again.

Father Peter has suggested the following times for Baptisms:

12:30pm Saturday, 27th November Sacred Heart church

12:30pm Sunday, 28th November Sacred Heart church

• Please contact our parish secretary, Janice, secretary@christchurchsouth.org.nz, and give her your preferred date

• Please let Janice know if the Godparents you have listed on your application form are still the same

• Please inform Janice how many people will be attending

• The above information will be required before Friday, 19th November

Congratulations to all students who competed in the school athletics. Students gave their best efforts. We really missed our parents watching this year. Unfortunately the zone competition was cancelled this week.

Production - Rehearsals are in full swing at school now and we are currently working out how this will look for families. Please keep an eye on Seesaw for more information.

We have all our policies and procedures on School Docs. At present we have a policy on Maori Educational Success and Religious Education that we would appreciate your feedback on. Please follow the link below and review this policy.

1. Visit the website

http://sacredheartchch.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm (note that there is no “www”!)

2. Enter the user name (sacred) and password (heart).

3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.

4. Read the policy.

5. Click the Policy Review button at the right-hand top corner of the page.

6. Select the reviewer type "Parent".

7. Enter your name (optional).

8. Submit your ratings and comments.

• Friday 12 November - Canterbury Anniversary Day - School Closed

• Thursday 18 November - School Disco!!!! (to be confirmed - only a maybe for now)

• Friday 19 November - Teacher Only Day

• Tuesday 23 November - Kahukura Kapa Haka Festival

• Friday 26 November - Production - La Vida Centre (evening)

• Friday 10 November - Possible Year 8 Leavers Mass - more details to come

• Thursday 16 December - Last Day of the year

• Wednesday 2 February 2022 - First Day Back
  

Mass registrations are open.

• You must register online on the Diocesan website

https://www.cognitoforms.com/CatholicDioceseOfChristchurch/SundayMassRegistration2

or phone the parish office 338 8395 to register a place.

Registrations must be done before 3pm the day before.