Dear Parents,

We certainly made the right decision in postponing the Totara Team Camp to Taupo this week. A number of senior children are away and would have missed the camp. The camp will now be held in late November.

In the last couple of days we have had around 85% of our children at school and at this stage over a third of children have had COVID. Generally, children who have had COVID have had only a mild dose.

From tomorrow onwards, we will not be delivering home learning packs. Instead, learning will be delivered online. Our home learning team will be in contact with you once they are aware your child is isolating at home. We don’t expect children to engage with learning if they are unwell.

If your child gets sick at school we ask you to take your child home as soon as you are able to collect them. We will also give you some RAT tests to take home so you can check your child for COVID. A reminder too, please don’t send your child to school if they are at all unwell.

In a couple of weeks, we will be into Holy Week. To prepare for this, children who have made their First Holy Communion have been invited to attend Reconciliation with Father Thomas or Father Prakash. Reconciliation will take place next week during school time.

Have a great week,

David Macmillan,

Principal.

3 Apr 2022 - Daylight Saving Time Ends

When local daylight time is about to reach
Sunday, 3 April 2022, 3:00:00 a.m. clocks are turned backward 1 hour to
Sunday, 3 April 2022, 2:00:00 a.m. local standard time instead.

Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour earlier on 3 Apr 2022 than the day before. There will be more light in the morning.

Also called Fall Back and Winter Time.

Message from our DRS'

This week sees the arrival of the 4th week of Lent and it feels as if we are racing towards Easter. In all the “busy-ness” it is very easy to forget the Lenten promises we made at the start of the Lenten season. It is important to take time to ask your child how they are going with their promise and to remind them that during Lent we take time to pray more and to give.

A great way to help us prepare for Easter is to dedicate time each day to prayer. I know how hard it can be at the end of a day to take time to pray, so have found the “NZpray2day” app very helpful. This app can be downloaded on both Apple and Android devices and shares daily scripture and reflections. You can also view videos about Catholic education in our schools as well as find out interesting facts linked back to the Liturgical Calendar.

It has been pleasing to see so many of our St Mary’s children preparing for their First Holy Communion. Mrs Dobson, Mrs Dunkley and myself feel privileged to be sharing in this special time with our children. We thank Father Prakash for all his hard work developing an informative and engaging programme for our learners. We also would like to thank the other volunteers who have taken the time to teach the Sacramental programme this year. Please keep these children and the teachers in your prayers.

God bless and keep well,

Sara Mines and Lorna Dobson (co - DRS)

PTA - Our meeting is this evening, Wednesday 30 March at 7pm in the school staffroom.

Please join us - in person - or on zoom.

St Mary's PTA Caring Committee (facilitated by the PTA and made up of St Mary's whanau) are here to help with meals all year round, but especially in these challenging times of illness and isolation. If you, or someone you know, wants our team to organise a cooked meal for drop off or collection from the School Office, then please email our Caring Committee at .... stmaryspta@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

If you would like a job description for this position please email Dorothy. Applications close on 6 April.

dorothyj@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

You may have noticed that there has been a change in style of girls' summer uniforms. Previously the uniforms were manufactured in Rotorua, but fabric is no longer available. The new uniforms are supplied ready made, and we hope to keep the cost as is. Boys are now able to wear the long sleeved polo shirts, available on line or via the uniform shop.

THIS IS AN ONLINE PROCESS and applications close on 27 May 2022.

All Year 6 students were issued with a notice last Friday outlining the processes required.

If you did not receive this communication, or have any queries, please ring the School Office.If you are requiring a Preference Card please ring the Church Office 3480 289 ext 2.

SPORTS REGISTRATIONS

Registrations are now open for the following sports:

Hockey

Miniball (Basketball)

Football (Soccer)

Registrations & Payments must be received by 3.15pm Friday 1st April.

Teams MUST have a Coach or Manager BEFORE they will be entered.

All relevant information and Registration Form/s for each sport can be found on our School Website under the ‘Our Sports’ tab. View HERE

We understand that rising costs may be an issue for some, if you need support with paying Sports fees or purchasing PE uniforms please let me know ASAP.

Whaea Leanne sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

027 285 7579 or 348 1701

Whaea Leanne

School Sports Coordinator

sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz