Newsletter Week 9 Term 1
Newsletter 09 - 31 March 2021
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
I was saddened to hear the news that Ange Thrupp passed away on Monday morning. She was a courageous battler who remained positive through her treatments. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Thrupp Family, as Ange was a mother of 6 children, past and present pupils at St Mary's. St Mary's School community would like to support the Thrupp whanau in some small way. We have set up a collection at the School Office for school families to give a koha. If you are wishing to go to the tangi on Thursday, it's at 10am in Whakatane and we can travel in convoy - leaving St Mary's Church car park at 8.30am.
Holy Week in the Catholic Church is a very important time on the Catholic calendar. Our students have been preparing for this week with Palm Sunday, Stations of the Cross and the Washing of Feet Liturgy which is on Thursday at 11.15am in the school hall. You are welcome to join us.
Easter is a very important time in our Church Calendar. Please note the Holy Week schedule for St Mary's and St Michael's Easter Services below. It is always wonderful to see parents supporting their children to attend these services.
Last weekend we had seven of our nine teams playing in the Touch Semifinals. Four of these teams were winners in their finals. That is an awesome result. Thanks to our Sports Co-ordinator Leanne for doing a great job co-ordinating the sports. Our children looked great in their uniforms too. Lots of parents came down to cheer our teams on. Congratulations to all our players and thank you to the coaches and managers who have done a magnificent job with our children.
Thanks to Sany-Joy and Pasifika parents for preparing our Pasifika group of students for their performance at the Village Green on Saturday. The event is really big now with the day stretching well into the afternoon. The children were very brave getting up and performing on a large stage, I was very proud of them. The children looked awesome in their new lavalava.
Thanks Bernie for organising the Rice Day last week. It was fantastic to have all our rice donated and cooked for us and over $500 was raised for Caritas.
Winter Sports registrations close on Thursday - please remind parents to register interested children. If you know of any families that might need a helping hand with sports fees in order for a child to play sports, please let Leanne know.
The start of Term 2 is not too far away, so at the start of Term 2 children need to change to Winter Uniform. It's a good time now to check that you have the uniform items your child/ren need ready for the new Term. Remember you can purchase uniforms via our website and school app. Don't leave it until the last minute if you need to collect items this term. We hope you will encourage your child to wear the correct school uniform, with pride. Please name all uniform items.
We hope you all have a great Easter break; it is a little unusual having the Easter Holidays outside of the normal Autumn Holidays. When Easter is outside of the Autumn Holidays children are on holiday until Wednesday when they need to return to school. Remember the reason for the holiday. We hope you also get the chance for some quality family time. Take care and if you are on the road this weekend, safe travels.
Ngā mihi
David Macmillan
Situations Vacant
ASSISTANT CARETAKER
We have a vacancy for a part-time assistant to our Caretaker. This role would suit a person with an interest in gardening and ability to provide assistance to our Caretaker.
Ten hours per week (term time). Flexible work schedule considered.
Letters of application to the Principal, Mr David Macmillan, by 4pm Thursday 1 April.
HELP NEEDED
Thank you.
Invitation to Washing of the Feet Liturgy - Thursday 1 April, 10.15pm School Hall
You are invited to join us tomorrow if you are able to.
Have a Happy and Holy Easter everyone.
Message from Bernie Hall - DRS
How Holy Week Leads to Easter Sunday:
Though Jesus didn’t walk the earth incarnate until he was born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph, he exists and works throughout the entirety of the Bible. Scripture assures us that He was present at Creation with the Father, that He is the Word. Many prophesy were specifically fulfilled during the final, Holy Week of Jesus’ life on earth. Each gospel has a narrative of the last week of Jesus’ life (Matthew 21-28; Mark 11-16; Luke 19-24; John 12-21).
What Is Holy Week?
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday. Jesus came to earth to save humanity by dying on the cross on Good Friday and being resurrected on Easter Sunday. By enduring and defeating death sacrificially for us, he swung open the gates of heaven, making a way for our sin to be forgiven and usher us into the presence of God (Romans 5:8).
On Thursday we will host our Washing of the Feet Liturgy. This reminds us of how Christ washed the feet of others, an act of humility and care.
Information Evening
On May 10 in The Edmund Rice Centre, John Paul College will host an event from 6.30-8.30pm. Dave McCalman (The Halberg Trust) and Marcus Powell (Ministry of Education) will present an evening of learning.
@ 6.30 Dave McCalman (Paralympic gold medalist and Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) will provide a session on modifying sport and physical activity to include all New Zealanders. Dave works for The Halberg Trust which has been supporting our community since 1963 - They have great ideas on supporting our young people.
@ 7.30 Marcus Powell (Physiotherapist) will discuss Developmental Co-ordination disorder (DCD) often referred to as Dyspraxia. He will cover what it is and assessment and treatment options.
This is an event not to be missed. Bring your friends and family with you. It is for young and old. Gold coin donation.
Monday, May 10, 2021, 06:30 PM
John Paul College Whitworth Road, Utuhina, Rotorua, New Zealand
WINTER SPORTS REGISTRATIONS
REMINDER - Winter Sports Registrations Close TOMORROW - THURSDAY 1st April
Please click HERE to go to our school website for registration forms.
St Mary’s School Ski Team
Those who want to race in the St Mary’s School Ski Team on the 29th August for 2 days in the North Island Ski Champs (NIPS) with a training day on the 28th August please contact Fee Teat ASAP on 0212405334
Mini Marathon - Friday 7th May (Yrs 0 - 6)
Registrations are now open for the Rotorua Mini Marathon.
Please click HERE to register your child for this event.
Entries close Wednesday 14th April - no late entries can be accepted.
Rip, Grip & Whip Mountain Biking Event - Tuesday 11th May (Yrs 4- 6)
This is a new event for our students to participate in, please read through all the information in the registration form before entering.
Please click HERE to register your child for this event.
Entries close Wednesday 14th April - no late entries can be accepted.
St Mary's Mountain Bike Club
We are looking for parents/adults who are keen mountain bikers who would be interested in starting up a ‘St Marys Mountain Biking Club’ for our tamariki. This will be open for all ages if possible. The initial step would be to gauge interest. The goal would be to get children out in the forest riding, gaining skills & confidence, learning about bike care & maintenance and hopefully entering future events. If that is you or you know someone who could help us out, please contact Whaea Leanne at sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz or 027 285 7579.
Upcoming Sports Events:
Wednesday 14th April - CBOP Swimming Sports
Friday 7th May - Mini Marathon (Yrs 0-6)
Tuesday 11th May - Rip, Grip & Whip Mountain Biking Event (Yrs 4- 6)
Special Mention:
On Sunday we had a number of St Mary's students take part in the Little Devils fun run at the Off Road Half Marathon. Children aged 3 - 6 can run/walk 1.5km and those aged 7 - 10 can run/walk 2.5km, the event takes place in the stunning Whakarewarewa Forest.
This group of tamariki were very proud to receive their finishers medals. Well done to everyone who took part.
Upcoming Sports Events
Wednesday 14th April - CBOP Swimming Sports
Friday 7th May - Mini Marathon (Registrations will be available soon)
Upcoming School Events
Deadline for Newsletter
Special Mentions
JPC Enrolments
To register your interest in enrolling a student for JPC please note that 2022 enrolments are now open. You start the enrolment process online by going to the JPC KAMAR Parent Portal - see the link here. The enrolment officer, Sue Rowles, will then email paperwork for parents to complete and submit. Any queries to the Enrolments Secretary, sue.rowles@jpc.school.nz
Hoopstars holiday event
Contact Us
Email: schooloffice@stmarysrotorua.school.nz
Website: https://www.stmarysrotorua.school.nz
Location: 37 Carnot Street, Glenholme, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
Phone: +64 07 3481701
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St-Marys-Catholic-School-Rotorua-870642283022074