Newsletter Week 1 Term 1
Sacred Heart School Christchurch - 3 February 2023
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Kia ora, Talofa lava, Malo e lei lei, Jou sahn, Aubowan, Chao, Hola, Fakalofa atu, Kumusta, Namaste, Salam
Welcome back to school for the 2023 year. A very warm welcome to any new families to the Sacred Heart community. It has been great to see all the children back engaging with friends and getting back into the learning environments they are so used to and enjoying some of our new additions to the school grounds.
We are delighted to welcome our new Teachers and Teacher Aides into our school. I know they have enjoyed their first week working with your children and I’m sure you will make them all very welcome.
We look forward and encourage you back into the school this year, feel free to bring your children to class and meet them outside the classroom at the end of the day. Although the gates may be closed, they are always open. We look forward to a year of school events which we would love for you to be a part of.
From the Board
On behalf of the Board of Trustees a warm Nau Mai Haere Mai - welcome to our new families, especially your children and our new team members joining our staff. Nau mai hoki mai – welcome back to our returning families. Our community of Te Kura o Te Ngākau Tapu – Sacred Heart School, are so very pleased to have you all here and we look forward to the year ahead.
I hope you have all had a restful time over the summer break, relaxing and spending time connecting, reconnecting and in some cases disconnecting!
Ngā mihi nui, a huge thanks to all our staff, who have spent many hours preparing for the start of the year. As usual you have provided a learning environment where our children feel excited and safe - from a parent perspective these two factors are key to encouraging great learning.
Sport
We are looking forward to miniball starting next week on Wednesday and have two teams playing this term.
This term classes will be working on developing ball skills using invasion games.
The Mata Hī team will have PE every Thursday afternoon and the Junior team every Friday.
Daily fitness will begin again next week and run from 8:40-8:50 each morning. We encourage all students to be at school by then so they can take part in these fun activities.
There will be more information during the term about our ‘Colour Run’
EOTC - Education Outside the Classroom
Living Springs Camp -
Year 5 and 6 students will attend this camp from 8-10 March.
Wainui Camp -
Year 7 and 8 students will attend this camp from 22-24 March.
Please ensure all forms for both camps are completed and returned to school by 13 March. If you have any questions about these camps please see Mrs Williams.
Religious Education
Kia ora and welcome
The term is quite busy regarding Religious Education. On Friday, 17th February, the school celebrates the beginning of the year Mass at 9 am. We encourage all parents, whānau and friends to attend this as staff, students, and whānau commit themselves to learning and supporting each other in our Catholic community. The school will attend the Ash Wednesday Mass at 9 am. We are thrilled to be able to celebrate these Masses in the church after not having done so for the past two years due to Covid.
Each week a different school syndicate will attend Friday morning Masses at 9 am in the church. Once again, parents and whānau are more than welcome to join us.
Week 2, Friday 10th February - Muriwai and Aumoana - Year 0 and Year 1
Week 4, Friday 24th February - Teretere and Paretai - Year 2 and Year 3
Week 5, Friday 3rd March - Te Rōpū Waenga - Middle syndicate
Week 6, Friday 10th March - Te Rōpū Tāuhu - Senior syndicate
Week 7, Friday 17th March - Muriwai and Aumoana - Year 0 and Year 1
Week 8, Friday 24th March - Teretere and Paretai - Year 2 and Year 3
Week 9, Friday 31st March - Te Rōpū Waenga - Middle syndicate
Please ensure that children are at school by 8.45 am so classes can be seated and ready in the church by 8.55 am.
Birthday Cakes
Curriculum Update
This year our curriculum theme is “The World Around Us.” Across the school we will be looking at the World around us through the lens of The Past, The Present and The Future. This guides us nicely into our first dip into the new New Zealand Histories Aotearoa Curriculum with your children.
Davin who has joined Teretere; Triston who has joined Paretai; Margarette who has joined the Middles and Marvin, Miechy and Scott who have joined the Seniors
Internet Safety
This week we sent home to all families an ICT (Information Communication Technology) user agreement. Thank you to those who have already returned these. We teach all children the importance of being safe online and often pass on information to parents regarding ‘safety online at home’.
If you have any concerns about internet safety check in on Netsafe’s website. https://www.netsafe.org.nz/
Upcoming Events
Monday 6 February - Waitangi Day - School Closed
Thursday 16 February - BoT Meeting 5.30 pm Senior Classroom
Friday 17 February - Opening School Mass - All welcome to attend at 9.00 am
Wednesday 22 February - Ash Wednesday all welcome at 9.00 am Mass
Monday 27 February - Community gathering/Picnic 4.30-6.30 pm
Thursday 2 March - NZEI Paid Union Meeting - School closes 1.30 pm
Monday 6 - 10 March - Walk n Wheels Week
Wednesday 8 - 10 March - Year 5&6 Camp at Living Springs
Wednesday 22 - 24 March - Year 7&8 Camp at Wainui YMCA
Thursday 6 April - End of Term 1 - Holy Thursday Liturgy 2.15 pm
Monday 24 April - MOE Teacher Only Day - School Closed
Tuesday 25 April - ANZAC Day - School Closed
Wednesday 26 April - Start of Term 2
No Donation
Hats
Hats are available from the office and are $5 each. Children must wear a hat when outside. We have a policy of ‘No Hat, No Play’. Can you also make sure all uniform is clearly named.
Update of information
Thank you to everyone who has returned the forms sent home with your updated information, we look forward to receiving the rest in next week.
School Times
A reminder that the school is open from 8.30 am with classes starting at 8.55 am. School finishes at 3.00 pm. Children need to be collected by 3.10 pm. Teachers often have other commitments after school and are often off-site by 3.30 pm.
Medication kept at school
2023 Dates
Parish News
First Reconciliation/First Holy Communion - Registration for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion is now open. Register online via the Parish website or at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/3x2wbc35
An information night for parents will be held on Tuesday 21st February, 7.30pm-8.15pm, at OLA church (170 Hoon Hay rd.) Please note: the final date to register for the 2023 FHC programme is the 1st March.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.
Breakfast at School
All children are welcome to come and have breakfast together each morning. If your child is eating breakfast at school they can enter the school grounds at 8.20 am.
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.