Newsletter Week 1 Term 3
Sacred Heart School Christchurch - 29 July 2022
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
A bit of a soggy start to Term 3 but we are very fortunate that the water drained very quickly after the rains stopped. We were delighted with the number of children that made it to school on Tuesday in the torrents to have their school photos taken. These will be available for ordering soon.
We are looking forward to having some covered outdoor learning spaces installed early this term. We are developing the area between the garage and the staffroom. Prior to the earthquakes this was our toilet block which needed to be taken down due to the materials it was built with. It was then developed as our gardening area with raised gardens and fruit trees. The area is soon to be a large covered Archgola with artificial grass which can be utilised in summer and winter. A garden area is being re-established behind the new block which will include raised garden beds, a whare, bird houses, bug hotels, rain water collection system, composting, worms farms, bee and insect houses, all part of the learning in the Yer 4-8 area of the school. They have done some fantastic work towards this project.
Already this term Covid has raised it’s head at Sacred Heart with a number of families being affected. We have 7 children isolating at home with family members who are positive cases and also 5 other children who have tested positive for Covid. This is a strong reminder that once we drop our guard the spread can happen. A big thank you to all of you that are adhering to the mask wearing protocols in place. And a big thank you to those that are keeping children at home and testing if they show any signs of illness.
You will all have received information about the upcoming Board of Trustees elections. I would really like you to think about putting your name forward to being part of a great team that helps set the direction of the school.
Children are already excited about the two weeks at Pioneers Pool coming up. The Water Skills for Life programme is so important in preparing children to be water confident and know what to do if they get into trouble in the water. Please ensure your child participates in this very important two week programme. Unlike other schools it comes at no cost to you as the Board of Trustees budgets carefully each year to cover the cost of the lessons and the buses.
We look forward to having a number of our children make their first holy communion this Sunday, we keep them all in our prayers on their journey of faith.
Seesaw Communications
Sport
Students in Mata Hī have begun Thursday PE again this week and are reminded to bring a change of footwear each week. Junior PE will continue to take place each Friday and students are also asked to bring a change of shoes for this.
Basketball began again on Wednesday night with the year 5/6 team playing well as a team. We were unable to get the win against a strong St Marks team but put up a good fight. Good luck to both teams for the rest of the season.
Swimming begins on 8 August and will be daily for two weeks. All students brought home a notice this week with information about this. If you are coming to watch your child swim please ensure you wear a mask inside the pioneer building. If you have any questions about this please speak to your classroom teacher.
Religious Education
This term all students are learning about imaginative prayers during the first week which is then followed by learning about the Church. The subject matter covered for each of the levels are:
Years 0/1: Belonging, gathering, celebrating, living God’s presence
Years 2/3: God is Love and God is Present in the World
Years 4/5: The Church Celebrates The Church as Pilgrim People
Years 6, 7 and 8: The Teaching Church The Living Church
Children will resume attending Friday Masses at 9am next week.
Date Classes attending Mass Friday 5th August Muriwai and Aumoana - Years 0 and 1 Friday 12th August Teretere and Paretai - Years 2 and 3 Friday 19th August Te Rōpū Waenga - Years 4 and 5 Friday 26th August Te Rōpū Tāuhu - Years 6, 7 and 8 Friday 2nd September Muriwai and Aumoana - Years 0 and 1 Friday 9th September Teretere and Paretai - Years 2 and 3 Friday 16th September Te Rōpū Waenga - Years 4 and 5 Friday 23rd September Te Rōpū Tāuhu - Years 6, 7 and 8
Please remember that the students need to be at school by 8.45am on the day they attend Mass. This is so classes are seated in the church by 8.55am.
Focus on Bishop Michael Gielen:
Did you know?
Bishop Michael Gielen was born in 1971 in Cambridge, Waikato and was raised in Tokoroa.
Bishop Michael is the eldest of six children of Henk and Maureen Gielen.
Liturgical Year
Monday 25 July is the Feast of St James the Apostle. Saint James, son of Zebedee (death 44 AD) was one of the disciples (learners) of Jesus. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of John the Evangelist. He is called Saint James the Greater to distinguish (mark as different) him from the other apostle named James (James, son of Alphaeus). James is described as one of the first disciples who joined Jesus. The Synoptic Gospels tell that James and John were with their father by the seashore when Jesus called them to begin travelling (Mt.4:21–22, Mk.1:19–20). According to Mark, James and John were called Boanerges, or the "Sons of Thunder" (3:17). Acts of the Apostles 12:1–2 records that King Herod had James executed by sword (Ac.12:1–2). He was likely the first of the apostles martyred for his faith.
Confirmation Programme starting - information from the Parish website.
The parish will be offering a Sacrament of Confirmation programme from Sept-Nov 2022. Please use the link below to register your child for this programme.
We welcome all new children and their families to Sacred Heart School
Muriwai - New Entrants
Gabriel
Dane
Denilyse
Bethel
Carson
Zxian
Aumoana - Year 1
Oakleiy
Te Ropu Waenga
Alatini
Internet Safety - online safety week
New Zealand’s second ever online safety week is here and is a chance for us all to work together to understand different community online safety perspectives.
To celebrate #NetsafetyWeek2022 Netsafe has put together resources to help protect yourself online www.netsafe.org.nz/netsafety-week-virtual-event-bag/
If you’re experiencing something challenging online, Netsafe is there to help. You can contact them on 0508 NETSAFE, email help@netsafe.org.nz, text ‘Netsafe’ to 4282 or visit netsafe.org.nz
Upcoming road works and the closure of Spencer Street and Lincoln Road intersection
We have been advised that the intersection at the end of Spencer St at Lincoln Road will be closed for work.
- The closure of Spencer Street at Lincoln Road from 22nd August for approximately one Month. It will reopen as a left turn into Lincoln Road only.
- Resurfacing work along Lincoln road, excluding the Whiteleigh Intersection, on nightshift from the middle of September
- Resurfacing work for the Whiteleigh intersection under three-day full intersection closure – proposed dates Friday 30th September 6pm through to Monday 3rd October 6am
Sacred Heart School Board of Trustees Elections
Sacred Heart School Board of Trustee elections come up every 3 years. This year we will have some members leaving the Board after a number of years service. If you are thinking about what the Board does and would like to put yourself forward for election please contact Frank or speak to one of the current board members.
More information regarding the timeline for this process will come out soon.
Breakfast at School
We are ready to Launch our Daily Breakfasts again. The milkman has delivered a heap of milk and the weetbix are stocked.
All children are welcome to come and have breakfast together each morning. From Monday if your child is eating breakfast at school they can enter the school grounds at 8.20 am.
Upcoming Events
Monday 8 August - Water Safety Lessons for 2 weeks at Pioneer Pool
Monday 22 August - 2 September - Sexuality/Keeping Ourselves Safe Lessons
Friday 30 September - Last day of Term 3
Monday 17 October - Start of Term 4
Monday 24 October - Labour Day (Public Holiday - School Closed)
Friday 11 November - Canterbury Show Day (Public Holiday - School Closed)
Friday 18 November - NZEI Teacher Only Day (School Closed)
Thursday 15 December - Last Day of the Year.
Our Facebook Page
Our Facebook page is Sacred Heart School Te Kura o Te Ngākau Tapu, Addington
Click here to check it out.
Make sure you keep up with all communications from school and have the latest update of our School App. Download SchoolAppsNZ from the App Store or Google Play and search Sacred
Please visit https://www.lunchonline.co.nz/ to join up and order for your children.
Policy Review
We have all our policies and procedures on School Docs. At present we have policies that we would appreciate your feedback on. Please follow the link below and review these policies.
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.
Parish News
For Church Notices Please view the Catholic Parish of Christchurch South website. https://christchurchsouth.org.nz or the New App
Here are the details of how to download our excellent new Parish App. Keep updated on mass times, news and what is happening in the Parish.
Go to the App Store on your Apple or Android device and Search 'Church AppsNZ' to download the app onto your device.
Then search "The Catholic Parish of Christchurch South' to find your church app.