Newsletter 5 April Term 1 - 2022
St Brendan's Catholic School
Welcome, nau mai, afio mai, namaste,
Dear Parents, Caregivers & Parishioners,
You would be hard-pressed to find someone in Aotearoa who has not been impacted by COVID, either they have had it, have it, are in isolation because of it, are supporting people directly affected by it, or have had changes at work because of it. According to the World Health Organisation, the continuing impacts of Covid, including the loss of regular activities, social connection, roles, identity and the need to constantly adapt to change - can result in strong emotional responses which WHO has named ‘Covid fatigue’. Please prioritise the wellbeing of you and your family. Continue to draw strength from your faith, hold onto hope and keep connected with our community. We keep all students, staff and families impacted by Covid-19 in our thoughts and prayers.
There has been and continues to be a lot of disappointment with events and activities that have been cancelled, postponed or changed. However, there is so much to look forward to in these last days of this term:
- We are delighted that we have accumulated enough House points across the school to have our first Positive Behaviour for Learning GRACE celebration - your child/ren’s class will celebrate one day this week.
- Blue, green, yellow and red were the colours of the day, our Hauora Team planned fun House activities for all!
- The Adventurers are looking forward to their Wheels Day and our Navigators will be challenged with an Adventure Race.
- Next week we will hold an Anzac Liturgy, Stations of the Cross and draw the Easter raffle! We will also be raising awareness and money for Ukraine with our sunflower seeds and plants sale.
Log into Hero this Thursday
On Thursday we will share a Maths post with you, we hope you are able to log into Hero? These are an opportunity for students, teachers and whānau to acknowledge and celebrate learning progress and achievement. Posts are linked to at least one goal being achieved and may also include key competencies and other personalised information. Learning posts combined with curriculum information and goal-setting will form part of our 2022 Reporting to Families. Please email your child/ren’s class teacher if you have not been able to access your Hero account yet.
Building works in progress . . .
As mentioned in our last newsletter, building works are underway in our Administration block. We are not closed, we have just relocated! Our amazing Administration team has moved to Room 3, and I have moved to the Potu a Tamaiti Room where other members of our team are also working/meeting. The Ministry of Education has funded property improvements for all schools which host Learning Support Coordinators, and the Archdiocese of Wellington has recognised a need to improve the location/access to our first aid room.
Distance Learning
We continue to share sets of Distance Learning boards on Sunday afternoons, via Seesaw. However, we are delighted that the majority of our students are now back at school learning at St Brendan’s. If you are at home, we encourage all children to engage with our Distance Learning provision. Please do not hesitate to email your child’s teacher if you have any questions.
You are welcome to make contact with any of our St Brendan’s team via email, our team will endeavour to get back to you in a reasonable timeframe. Despite the restrictions of Red setting, time can be arranged to phone or Zoom.
God Bless,
Veronica Sawers
Principal
REMINDERS
Red Setting Protocols
Our Red setting protocols remain in place for everyone's safety and wellbeing. We ask for your continued cooperation, only essential visitors on our school site. Where possible, please ring, email or set up a Zoom. We have St Brendan’s staff at the gate daily in the mornings and afternoons.
Contact Details
It is essential that we have your correct contact details, please email office@stbrendans.school.nz if you need to make updates.
Absences
When advising the Office of absences please give details of the reason your child/children are absent. If no explanation is given (e.g. unwell, appointment) as per the MOE, the absence will be marked as unjustified.
COVID Absences
If you are advising a COVID household contact or a positive COVID case please include the date of first symptoms or positive RAT test.
VERBAL BOUQUETS AND THANK YOUS
Community member for providing staff morning tea.
Our community for their generous support of our recent Non-uniform day. We raised funds and collected boxes of donations for St Vincent de Paul. The toiletries will be appreciated by patients at the Hutt Hospital.
WALKING HAND IN HAND WITH CHRIST
This prayer was shared in a recent New Zealand Catholic Primary Principals Association newsletter - take a moment to reflect:
May we, who are experiencing the effects of the COVID-19, remember
the words of Scripture: “Be still and know that I am God”.
May we, who as adults struggling to process what is happening, remember
children who are fearful of a reality they cannot comprehend.
May we, who complain about the scarcity of commodities, remember those
who are working to maintain the supply chain.
May we, who observe the long queues of those seeking support, remember
those for whom there is no government assistance or financial aid.
May we, who work to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity,
remember those living and working in vulnerable communities.
May we, who are working from home, remember those who have no
employment or home from which to work.
May we, who have access to medical facilities and services, remember
those who do not have basic health care.
May we, who are experiencing border restrictions, remember refugees
who cannot return home.
May we give thanks for those who are working to help or bring some kindness,
joy or humour to others, showing us that the light of Christ shines.
During this time, and if we must close our school doors, may we continue to keep
our hearts open to our families, friends, local and global communities.
We asked this in the name of Jesus.
Amen
PASCHAL CANDLE DESIGN
Each year Father Tony invites students from St Brendan's to design the Paschal Candle. Father Tony then chooses one of the designs and it is placed onto the candles in both Our Lady of Grace and St Francis Xavier.
EASTER CARDS
Students have been making cards for the parishioners of Our Lady of the Valleys. These cards will be taken to both churches in time for the Easter services and parishioners will be invited to take a card as they leave.
Have you seen the Adventurer team crosses on display on Sutherland Avenue?
THE LENT APPEAL
SYNOD 2023 - INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE
We encourage all parishioners to provide comments that will be collected anonymously and forwarded to the Synod Office in Wellington.
Parish Council will also reflect on your responses and look to implement change locally in our Parish to further enrich our faith community. Answers can be submitted via the online form at: OLOV Synod 2023
The deadline for Synod responses is 30th April 2022.
BOARD NEWS
Kia ora koutou e hoa mā
It's with great pleasure that I am able to write on behalf of the Board this term to recognise and thank all the work that Veronica, teachers, the learning support team and administration staff have done this term. I would also like to thank the community, whānau and in particular Fr Tony for his guidance and commitment to the school.
Covid has challenged us all this term, however, the students are continuing to learn, be it in other classrooms or at home. Thanks to our wonderful staff.
I would also like to take the opportunity to recognise the amazing mahi Eliana Van Velzen has contributed over her 4 years at St Brendan's. Her enthusiasm and leadership with the outdoor education programme is one of the many contributions she has made to St Brendan’s. Eliana is to be formally farewelled early next term.
Easter is nearly upon us, it is a time to spend catching up with whānau and rest. We have made it!
Many thanks and have a safe and Blessed Easter.
Ngā mihi
Philippa Freeman
SCHOOL NEWS
WELLINGTON JUNIOR ATHLETICS CHAMPS
Congratulations to our students for their achievements at the Wellington Junior Athletics Championships.
Madison W - 12 Year Old Girls: Gold in Steeplechase and 1500m, Silver High Jump (unfortunately missed day 2)
Conor S - 11 Year Old Boys: Gold in Discus and Shotput
Matthew M - 10 Year Old Boys: Bronze 800m, Silver in 1500m, and Race Walk
Leven T - 7 Year Old Boys: Silver Discus
SUNFLOWER SEEDS FUNDRAISER
Room 7 Explorer class has been busy harvesting seeds from the stunning cluster of sunflowers grown this year. The Navigator Team has been busy making recycled envelopes for the seeds to be packaged in. The children with the support of Mrs Pullan came up with the great idea to sell the seeds and all the proceeds will be donated to Caritas for use in supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Each packet of seeds equals one gold coin. Room 7 has been praying for the people in Ukraine every day in their daily prayers. Thank you to all the school community for getting behind this project and being so supportive.
CERINTHE - (HONEY WORT) PLANTS FOR SALE
Week 11, Monday and Tuesday
In my garden I have a mass of Cerinthe (Honeywort) plants that need to be replanted. To purchase a plant they are $2.50 each or a donation. The proceeds will be donated to Caritas for use in supporting Humanitarian efforts in the Ukraine.
Please send money to school in a clearly marked envelope to Room 7 with name, classroom number and number of plants by Monday 11th April. Plants will be delivered to classrooms on Tuesday. We may have some sales at the gate on Wednesday 13th.
MONARCH BUTTERFLIES
Room 7 have been very busy with watching the life cycle of a Monarch butterfly evolve in their classroom. They were fortunate enough to have two butterflies hatch and then responsibly set them free in our school gardens. Much learning has been done in all areas of the curriculum and Room 7 has displayed much kindness and caring towards our newly formed winged creatures.
NAVIGATOR'S NOTICEBOARD
PB4L
The focus for the last two weeks of term is Safe Choices.
Students will be learning about and will be encouraged to make safe choices for themselves and others while at school.
PTF NEWS
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The St Brendan's PTF AGM will be held on Wednesday, 20 April 2022 at 7.30pm - 8.30pm via Zoom. All welcome via the Zoom link below:
https://zoom.us/j/95328245707?pwd=eXBVQlBVbEF0bHpNTDYzaExXc1hGUT09
EASTER RAFFLE
We invite you to participate in our annual St Brendan's Easter raffle by sending exact cash (no change provided) in a named envelope/snaplock bag to school with your child's/ren's name, room number/s and number of tickets ordered included. Every $1 will enter your child into the draw which will take place on Monday, 11 April.
We are grateful for all the support we have received from the school, which means we can continue with the raffle, and for all the support from the school community to date this week - donations of Easter goodies will continue to be collected in the mornings at the school gate until Friday, 8 April and entries will close at 10am Monday, 11 April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
H2O XTREME HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
H2O Xtream offer a fun, inclusive and safe school holiday programme tamariki. They operate out of the Wesley Centre and frequently access the pool, which the children really enjoy. They offer exciting trips across the Wellington Region as well as active, creative and educational experiences based at the centre. The programme is split in to two age groups 5-8yrs and 9-13yrs. This enables them to provide experiences tailored to children better suited to their needs and interests.
They are currently running an early bird campaign. Book at least one day on the H2O Holiday Programme by Monday 11 April and go in the draw to win an amazing prize pack! 1x entry per day booked. The more days booked, the more chance to win! Prizes include:
- 3 month family pass to H2O Xtream (2x adults 2x children)
- Pair of swimming googles at H2O Xtream (value up to $35)
- Bike helmet
- Activation merchandise (drink bottle, pop it, hacky, frisbee, sunglasses)
PLANT A SEED
Plant a Seed is a magical theatre show of how things grow. It's taking place at Whirinaki Whare Taonga (Expressions) on Tuesday, 19 April - 10am. Bookings are essential.
Find out more at:
https://www.expressions.org.nz/events/current-events/plant-a-seed/
SCHOOL HOLIDAY POP UP ACTIVE PLAY EVENTS
Event 1:
All Ability Sports and Play for Children & Young People
APRIL 20 AT 10:30 AM
Join us at Whirinaki for an accessible and inclusive active play, sports and recreation session. We have providers to assist our event including the YMCA, Rainbow Circus, Floorball, Cricket, Netball and Football. All family members are most welcome to attend.
Any questions, contact melissa.pepler@uhcc.govt.nz
Event 2:
Pop up Play at Whirinaki
APRIL 21 AT 10:30 AM
Looking for something to do with your tamariki in the school holidays? Join us at Whirinaki for a fun, recreation and active play, including a bouncy castle and Rainbow Circus with face painting and balloon twisting.
There is no cost for this activity.
APRIL HOLIDAY COMPUTER CLASSES
Grand Training runs educational and fun computer classes over the holidays Wellington City location on Lambton Quay for ages 5 to 15.
· Roblox
· Minecraft from Introduction to Mods and Servers
· Learn to Code; Scratch, Python or Java & Create 3D Games.
· Web Design, HTML and CSS
· Build a PC
· Film and Video Editing
· Discovery Course in Computing - suitable for younger children
For information & bookings 499-2211 or grandtraining.co.nz
NGĀ MANU NATURE RESERVE EASTER CELEBRATION
Location: 56 Palmer Crescent Heretaunga Upper Hutt 5019
Phone: (04) 939 1909