Talofa, Kia ora, Malo e lelei,

Roncalli began their tennis lessons this week. The enthusiasm for this, from our tamariki is fantastic. If you have a spare tennis racquet that you are happy to donate, we would definitely make use of them! Regarding the Sacramental Programme we need to get numbers, so we can plan for the programme. If you would like your child to do this programme please let the school office know or Jill at the Parish office. I strongly encourage families to take the opportunity to complete the Sacramental programme, this is the next step to helping your child with their commitment to God and to help them continue on their spiritual journey. The programme on completion means your child will have received their Holy Communion, Confirmation and Penance Sacraments. It also prepares students for continuing their faith based education at JPC college, Rotorua, if they so choose. OurTeddy Bears Picnic for preschoolers and their families to come see what our school environment and special character is all about and explain our early literacy programmes is scheduled for 10th March. Our older students will be encouraged to help host this and run some outdoor games for our visitors. Please let your friends know! Our Student Led Conferences are coming up on the 24th February, and these will start at 1:30pm. Thanks to all the caregivers who have already made an appointment for these. We encourage our whanau to attend these with their child and discuss student learning goals for term 1. Our Swimming Sports with St Mary's Putaruru is 3rd March. This is for 7 year olds and older, a notice for all eligible students will be out soon. We encourage our students to 'have a go'. Our senior technology classes began at Forest View High, this week and our students had a great first session.

A reminder, we are fortunate that, our class sizes continue to provide a safe, nurturing and consistent environment, and this is even more special given todays’ uncertain times. Our numbers mean we can continue most set activities and events with minimum disruption to children's learning. In the event of a school closure, our teachers have prepared resources for at home learning for all our year levels and tamariki. Thank you for following our Covid-19 protocols when entering our school grounds.

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

Bernadette Hall

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

God is our comforter and protection, He has always been and this is even more important to remember in these times of Covid. Every generation has been tested on some level, with things out of their personal control, including wars, droughts and famine and displacement. God has always been there for them, God knows it is through human-made struggles, that we can grow closer to Him and define and strengthen our faith. Hardships faced does grow resilience and adaptation. Students learning about prayer and how to pray are equipping themselves to be able to have the conversations with God, to ask for peace and protection. God hears all prayers.

Reminder..

We hope to begin the Sacramental Programme. I strongly encourage all those students at our school who have not received their Sacraments to consider doing so.

Are you up for fun, friends and adventure, then Girl Guiding could be for you?

We have units for girls aged between 5-17. We also are on the lookout for leaders to support these girls.

We have spaces available in our units both in Putaruru and Tokoroa, if you are interested then email Michelle on michellegirlguide@gmail.com to find out more.

We are currently looking for helpers to build some bench seats for around our beautiful tree by the car park, and help with our garden beds.

This is a normal childhood occurance, and most children will get head lice at one point or another. We do have a case of head lice in school. Below is a link on how to treat head lice.

Important Dates:

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)

Welcome Liturgy

1 February 9:30am on turf courts

School Mass

11 February 9:30am on school grounds

Swimming Days @ Aquatic Centre:

W 1: 2 February & 3 February 12-1pm

W 2: 8 February & 10 February 12-1pm

W 3: 14 February 12-1pm

W 4: No swimming

W 5: 28 February & 1 March 1:30-2:30pm

W 6: 7 March 1:30pm

W7: No swimming

W 8: No swimming

W 9: 29 March & 1 April 10:00am

W 10: 5 April & 8 April 10:00am

Swimming Sports

3rd March @ Putaruu 7 years and older

Senior Technology Classes

Tuesday at 9:00-10:30am.

Student Led Conferences

24 February 1:30-5:30pm

Preschool Visits

Note changes: 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.

Lunchtime Fun Sports for our Tamariki

Every Tuesday and Thursday

Tennis

Monday afternoons (courts opposite our school and bring a racquet if you have one)

Health Nurse Educational Talks to Senior Students

16 February-Talk

16 March-Immunisations HPV/Boostrix for our yr 7s and Yr 8s

Shrove Tuesday & Ash Wednesday

1 March and 2 March

Preschool & Kindy Picnic @ Bishop-Teddy Bears Picnic

10th March 11:30-1:00pm (note change as swimming sports is now 3rd March)

For preschoolers and their families to come find out more about our special character and early literacy programmes.

St Joseph Feast Day Liturgy

18 March 9:30am

3rd March 11:30-1:00pm

Whanau Hui

24 March 6:00pm staffroom-all welcome. Come share ideas for upcoming school projects and meet others in our school community.

Holy Week

10-15 April

• Key Points:

• Children do not need to be vaccinated to attend a licensed early learning service, kōhanga reo, school or kura.

• All early learning centres, schools and kura can open.

• Student accommodation, such as boarding schools, can open.

• Playgroups can only open with My Vaccine Pass requirements.

• All staff at education services must be vaccinated.

• All parents/caregivers and other visitors must wear a face mask indoors.

• All students aged 8 years or over, or in Year 4 and up, must wear face masks indoors, on public and school transport, and when in close contact with others.

• Children in Years 1 to 3 do not have to wear face masks.

• All school staff and teachers teaching and supporting children in Years 4 and up must wear a face mask.

For all education services

Face masks

Staff and students in Years 4 to 13 must wear face masks indoors at school.

All parents/caregivers and visitors must wear a face mask indoors.

Physical distancing

All parents/caregivers and other visitors are encouraged to maintain 1-metre distancing from other adults while indoors, for example to settle your child, or to view a service.

Scan in or keep a record of where you go

Scan the QR code or keep a record of where you go. This will help with contact tracing for any cases in your community.

Keep up healthy habits

Even though we are a highly vaccinated country, COVID-19 can still spread in our communities. Slow the spread of the virus by keeping up healthy habits.

Face masks

Unless a mask exemption, all ākonga (students) aged 8 years or over, or in Year 4 or above, must wear face masks at schools and kura when:

• indoors

• in close contact with others

• on public transport at all times

• on school transport.

All ākonga aged 12 and up do not need to wear a face mask when:

• at special interest education, such as music lessons, art groups and girl guides

• playing sport or engaging in recreational activities outdoors.

Face masks for students must be an actual mask, secured with ear loops or a head loop.

Staff and teachers must wear medical grade face masks when teaching and supporting children in Years 4 and up.

This includes:

• indoors

• in classrooms and assemblies

• when accessing public venues

• at student health services

• on school transport.

All parents/caregivers and other visitors are encouraged to wear face masks on site.

If a case of COVID-19 is identified at an education service

If there is a positive case of COVID-19 identified at an education service, they will work with the Ministry of Education and public health authorities to seek advice.

Education when self-isolating

Anyone waiting for COVID-19 test results or required to self-isolate should stay home. Do not go to any educational service.

Schools and kura should provide distance learning options if a student needs to stay home.