PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,
Mānawatia a Matariki!
I hope you all enjoyed our very first Matariki long weekend and managed to gather with whanau (family) and reflect on the past. Matariki provides an opportunity for families to remember their whakapapa (genealogy) and those ancestors who have passed away to the heavens.
Due to so much illness in our school last week, we decided to cancel our planned Matariki Celebrations. This week the children and teachers are busy preparing for our school Speech Competition.
It is a relief to see many of our children back at school this week after a week of illness.
Last week we had on average 40 children present at school each day due to the nasty Influenza A strand that hit our community.
This week we have been notified that we have two cases of Covid - 19 in our school. Please be vigilant and test your child if they are displaying cold or flu-like symptoms. It is important that your child stays home if they are unwell. This year the flu is particularly nasty and many of our children and staff have been very unwell.
Next Monday our senior children and staff have been invited to the opening of the new Kāinga Ora homes that back onto our school grounds. They have been asked to perform a waiata to welcome the distinguished guest, including the Mayor and Government Ministers.
I am sure Whaea Kelly and the children from Galilee will do us proud on such an important occasion.
Next Wednesday, July 6, we will be participating in Crazy Hair Day. Crazy Hair Day is a fun day with an important message. The intention is to teach kids about blood cancer, the impact treatment has on a patient's hair, and why it is so important to show solidarity for these Kiwis. Children are asked to come to school with a crazy hairdo and bring a donation to support Shave for a Cure.
On Friday 8 July, we will be participating in the Caritas Mufti Mania fundraiser. Children will come to school in mufti and bring a gold coin donation. For 15 years the New Zealand Catholic Primary Principals Association (NZCPPA) and Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand have partnered with Catholic schools across New Zealand to raise almost $300,000 to support small schools in need across the Pacific. This year we are supporting Laura Vicuna School in Bethlehem, a small school in the Holy Land.
Have a great week whanau,
Ma te Atua koutou e manaaki,
Rachael McLanachan
Te tumuaki o te kura Hato Mikaere
Board of Trustees
Next board meeting Date: Thursday 7th of July
At each BOT meeting - twice a term - policies are reviewed. If you would like to communicate with the BOT, you are welcome to email our independent e-mail address; botstmichaels@gmail.com or alternatively, send letters to the school in an envelope marked "Board of Trustees."
Board Elections
Triennial Board Elections will be held on 7 September. Our current Board wishes to invite anyone in the community who may be interested in joining our Board to come along to the next few meetings.
Why join a school board?
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!
"Board members are entrusted by the community to ensure the success of our schools and a bright future for our children. We need an education system where all children are expected to succeed and one where we all take shared responsibility in ensuring this happens. As a member of a school board you can make things happen - you can make a difference."
- Lorraine Kerr, NZSTA President
You are welcome to attend any meeting, however, if you would like to have speaking rights, you need to request this from the chair using the email address. This email address can be accessed by Alistair Burns (Acting Chair)
7 SEPTEMBER ELECTION TIMELINE
Main Roll Closes 13 July
Nominations Called by 15 July
Supplementary Roll Closes 1 August
Nominations Close 3 August
Invitation to Vote 10 August
Election Day 7 September
Declaration of Result 13 September
New board in place 14 September
Upcoming Events For Term 2
- Ark Mass - Thursday 30 June at 9am, St Michael's Church
- Crazy Hair Day - Wednesday 6 July (Gold coin donation)
- School Speech Competition - Thursday 7 July
- Mufti Mania - Friday 8 July (Gold coin donation)
- End of Term 2 - Friday 8 July
Friday Sausage Sizzle
All orders will be taken in the classroom at 9am.
