Talofa, Kia ora, Malo e lelei, Habari, Hello, Sawadee, Kia orana, Dia duit, Ma muka chini,

This week our senior students had time to work with JPC science teacher Paul Billing. The students worked on E-Pro 8 activities which involves working with tools and materials to design a technology brief. The children enjoy these opportunities to be challenged an dwork collabortively on tasks.

Mark your diaries! June 7th is a Teacher Only Day (TOD) for teacher professional development. Our staff will be joining other schools at JPC to unpack Matariki.

From the Parish:

Pope Francis appoints Bishop Michael Gielen as Bishop of Christchurch

May 21, 2022

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Michael Gielen as Christchurch new Bishop. He now succeeds Archbishop Paul who has been our Apostolic Administrator since January 2021 and the appointment of Bishop Michael will allow Archbishop Paul to take up his role as Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington in the coming weeks.

Bishop Michael hails from Tokoroa and was a priest of the Diocese of Hamilton, before being appointed to Auxiliary Bishop of Auckland in March 2020.

“I am humbled and honoured to have been appointed by Pope Francis as the Bishop of the Diocese of Christchurch. I have always had a deep respect for the people of Christchurch borne from their displays of resilience and generosity in the face of great adversity,” Bishop Michael says. “I am grateful for Archbishop Paul Martin’s leadership and vision. He leaves behind a courageous legacy. I am also very indebted to the people of Auckland and Hamilton, for all they have given me over the last 25 years of ministry. I look forward to the new challenge that my appointment brings and meeting the people of Christchurch over the coming months.”

Bishop Gielen is the son of Henk and Maureen Gielen of Mount Maunganui and is the eldest of six children. An ardent Waikato supporter and keen sportsman, Bishop Michael, 50, is looking forward to enjoying the sporting fabric of Christchurch and becoming a Canterbury fan over the next few years.

Bishop Michael is also excited to be joining the Christchurch Diocese at this time of significant development.
“I wish to acknowledge the work Archbishop Paul has done in his time here in Christchurch. Archbishop Paul has responded courageously to the challenges faced by the diocese and laid the foundations for a strong future. The work he has done in paving the way for the consolidation and strengthening of our parishes and schools stands the Diocese in fantastic stead going forward. It is an exciting time to lead the Diocese through this next growth phase of the Catholic Church in Christchurch.”

Bishop Michael takes up the role with immediate effect and will be officially installed as Bishop of Christchurch in July.

A reminder to send your child to school in correct uniform. If you need help with the uniform requirements please see the office. Only school approved shoes and jackets will be worn at school. School uniforms provide a collective identity and also limit pressure for students feeling they need a certain brand of clothing.

Also reminder that school starts at 8:50am. Students may arrive at 8:30am, but if they arrive before 8:30am students are not supervised. Teachers are busy with morning meetings or preparing their classes. Thanks for your understanding.

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 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.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are:"

Ma te Atua koutou e manaaki—God’s blessings,

Bernadette Hall

Ascension Of Jesus:

We had our Ascension Liturgy this week. The Ascension is the ascent of Jesus into heaven on the 40th day after the Resurrection. Jesus ascension was to remind us he had prepared a place for us after we have had our time here.

Ascension

Let us pray (in silence) [that we may consciously live in the presence of the Risen Christ]

pause

Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that we, who believe your only-begotten Son, [only-begotten One]
our redeemer,
ascended this day to heaven,
may also in heart and mind there continually dwell;
through Jesus Christ
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Some reflections:

WHERE DO I NEED TO LISTEN MORE?

Our world has become so loud, listening is becoming a lost art. If you’re a person who is quick to speak, maybe your verse this year needs to be James 1:19, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

WHERE DO I NEED TO SPEAK UP MORE?

Maybe God wants you to cultivate boldness this year as you speak up against injustice and for God’s love for the world. Ask him to show you where he wants you to speak up and for him to provide the words when the time comes.

WHERE DO I NEED TO TRUST GOD MORE?

Do you have a hard time trusting God with your finances? What about your kids? Do you trust God to lead them and take care of them? Hold on to the truth of Matthew 6:25-34 to fight worry and cultivate trust in God this year.

WHERE DO I NEED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION?

As time goes on, the essential things can fall by the wayside as the most urgent things beckon for our attention. Maybe you need to pay more attention to intentional time with your kids or your spouse. What about your time with God? Ask him where he wants you to refocus your attention this year.

WHERE DO I NEED TO EXPRESS MORE PATIENCE?

Especially as we set goals, patience is important. Maybe your goal for the past few years has been to get a new job. How can you pursue this goal and express patience this year? No matter what the goal is, your patient pursuit of it will express trust and hope in God.

Term Two and the Minister of Education Chris Hipkins has announced the move to ORANGE setting of the COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK (CPF) As guided by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) we will provide education under the ORANGE setting. The decision to move to ORANGE reflects that we are moving past the peak of cases and our health system is able to cope. We are seeing that cases are declining due to high levels of vaccination and natural immunity after infection. Schools remain open in the ORANGE setting. We know children learn best at school and the expectation is that all children will return to school, unless they have been required to isolate. Under ORANGE we are looking forward to a few less restrictions and returning to school life that is a bit closer to normal.

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 to get the Skool Loop App. This allows you to receive up to date notifications and also to logde any school absences. If your child is away for any reason please do let the school office know, via the app or phone the office: 07 886 8021

Well done ....Viola, Kaitlyn, Nada, Malcolm, Setu and Hunny.

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!

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