SJS Newsletter Term 3 Week 4
Newsletter 17 August 2022
Our Vision: To grow Catholic, Christian young people,
who are confident, connected lifelong learners, inspired by the teachings of Jesus,
and who make a positive difference in their community.
Tēnā tātou
Dear Family/Whānau
Congratulations to all our learners who participated in the Parish Sacramental Celebration of First Reconciliation last week this is an important step in your sacramental journeys.
Monday we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption with a beautiful liturgy in our school hall. Our learners were respectful and prayerful. It was a joy to see them responding to the learning they have been doing in class around Mary.
Congratulations to the four parents who agreed to be nominated to join the St James’ School Board. I would like to thank them for their commitment to this service for the next 3 years. As a Principal I work closely with the Board to ensure our special character and school vision remains at the forefront of all we do. I look forward to your support.
Our Vision: To grow Catholic, Christian young people who are CONFIDENT, CONNECTED LIFELONG LEARNERS, inspired by the teachings of Jesus, and who make a positive difference in their community.
My thanks go to the previous School Board for the way you have supported and encouraged me over the last 3 terms. I have appreciated your advice and the confidence you have shown in me.
School Uniform: Please look at this link to check that your child is wearing the correct uniform. Especially regarding hair styles, socks and shoes.
E te Atua e manaaki ki a koutou katoa
May God Bless you all
Christine Cosgrove
Catholic Special Character
From our Parish Office
Link to Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Website
Link to the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit mass times
Latest Kotahi Ano Parish Newsletter
The Feast of the Assumption
Honouring Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in her ‘Assumption’ affirms our belief that, in death, her body did not decay but was fully united with God, the source of Life.
This teaching follows from the great dignity and privilege of Mary as the ‘temple of the living God’ – chosen to be the mother of the Saviour, the Son of God.
It is also important to affirm that we do not worship Mary. She is a woman, a human person, one of us. Our Catholic tradition strongly supports the practice of praying to Mary, seeking her guidance and help, but that is not worship. Like us, Mary was made in the image and likeness of God, but she is not in herself divine.
This approach reflects our human way of relating to one another.
Friendships work through contact and conversations. Communities are built through social connections, companionship, trust and faithfulness. Our faith would be meaningless if it didn’t relate to our everyday life. Mary helps to keep us anchored in reality; her own life encouraging us along the path of Jesus.
James Lyons, Priest of the Archdiocese of Wellington
First Reconciliation - On Wednesday 10th of August some of our learners participated in the Parish Sacramental Celebration of First Reconciliation. Congratulations team!
Celebrations - Celebrating Success
Welcome - We extend a warm welcome to Henry, Juan, Leona and Ciyona who have started their faith and learning journey at Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi. We also extend a warm welcome to their family and whānau.
We welcome Madison to our kura. Madison joins our staff as our new cleaner. We are delighted to have Madison on our team.
Mathex - On Friday 12th August four of our talented and courageous year 6 learners represented St James’ at the annual Mathex competition.
Ka pai to these learners.
News
In Week 3 we celebrated Maths Week. Classes had fun exploring maths through all that we do. Shapes, Measurements, Numbers, etc. We were set Maths challenges each day and enjoyed working on our own, in small groups or as a whole class to explore different strategies to solve the problem. Here is an example of a challenge.
If you were given $2 on the first day and double that on the next day ($4), and double the $4 on the third day ($8) and so on, on which day would the amount of money you are given first be more than one million dollars?
Learning Space 6 Mid Year Parent / Teacher Interviews - On Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 August you will have the opportunity to meet with your child's teacher Mrs Lewis for 10 minutes to talk about their progress. Bookings are available between 3.15 pm - 5.25 pm.
Bookings are NOW OPEN.
Log onto: www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code
CODE if required: wma3q
If you require assistance please phone the School Office. Tracey will be happy to book an appointment for you.
2022 St James' Scholastic Book Fair - We have a date!! We are booked in and are set to celebrate a wonderful week of our annual Scholastic Book Fair from Thursday 8th September through to Wednesday 14th September. With only 21 weeks left until Christmas what a fabulous way to start that Christmas Shopping!! Keep a lookout for more details to come.
Reminders
Staff Only Day - Monday 5 September (Week 7 Term 3). We have a Staff Only Day on Monday 5 September, learners are not required to be at school this day. Nippers Out of School Care and Holiday Programme will be open for the day and they operate out of our school hall. If you require their services please contact them on 021 645 806 or nippers@inspire.net.nz to make arrangements.
Water only at school - A reminder that your child needs to bring their own named water bottle to school everyday. We ask that children only bring water to school our drinking fountains remain closed while we are in Orange Alert Level. Learners can however refill their drink bottles.
Assembly Friday 26 August - please be seated in the school hall by 2pm. All family/whānau are welcome to attend. Learners look forward to celebrating their learning and sharing this with you.
Whānau Wellbeing Kete Activities - Great to hear that you are enjoying the wellbeing activities at home. Getting active as a family does not have to involve relentless workouts or mountain climbing; a trip to the park or a little boogie to your favourite playlist is still getting active and can be a lot more fun! Getting active as a family can be fun and is a great way to get little ones outdoors.
Here is a photo of Ariya S (LS1) with her Gratitude Jar.
Jasper W (LS1) created a challenge course and competed with his Dad!
Amelia (LS1) and Jackson B (LS7) have completed ALL the activities and especially enjoyed creating something from recyclable materials. Amelia made a bed for her toy koalas and Jackson made a toy car!
Layla V (LS2), younger sister Shiloh and Mum have enjoyed filling in gratitudes for their jar. Layla said it made them feel happy!
Sophie A (LS6) has especially enjoyed playing and reading with her whole family! They’ve played ‘Happy Hippo’ and a Matariki Game.
Ka pai tō mahi, ngā whānau.
We would love to see photos of you and your whānau using the resources from the wellbeing kete and doing some of the activities together.
Save the Date - Wednesday 28 September - Whānau Wellbeing Hui 3-5pm.
Please send photos of activities to Amy Cousins a.cousins@stjamescatholic.school.nz.
St James' School PTFA - Parent and Teachers and Friends Association
The next PTFA (Parent, Teacher and Friends Association) meeting will be held in the staffroom this evening Wednesday 17 August 2022 at 6.30-8.00 pm. Do you wish to get involved and assist with fundraising initiates? Together we make a difference and we invite you to come along to this meeting with ideas, new families welcome. It would be great to see some families from each learning space.
PTFA Pizza Lunch Friday 19 August - $2 per slice for Hawaiian, Meat Lovers or Simply Cheese. Orders taken outside the front office before school on Friday Morning.
Pastoral Care Baking - We are continuing to support our school community when required through this pandemic by way of pastoral care, this may be meal or baking. If this sounds like something you might be interested in supporting please contact t.gunn@stjamescatholic.school.nz.
St James' Catholic School Board Update
The next BOT meeting will be held in the staffroom on Monday 22 August 2022 at 6.00 pm. All welcome.
Tumuaki/Principal Appointment: We thank our stakeholders for taking the time to participate in the community voice. This staff/community/parish community voice is valuable to the School Board when working through this appointment process.
Michael Fennessy
Chairperson (boardchairperson@stjamescatholic.school.nz)
Dates for Your Diary
Please keep checking the Events Calendar on the school website or school App as we are updating this should events be cancelled/postponed. All coming events will continue to be updated here. Add to my Calendar.
2022 Term Dates & Holidays. Please add these to your diary, in particular the Staff Only Days.
TERM 3
Week 4
Wednesday 17 August - Learning Space 2 Mid Year Teacher Interviews
Wednesday 17 August - POSTPONED Catholic Schools Sports Tournament (Rippa and Netball) Yr5 and 6 at St Mary's School
Wednesday 17 August - PTFA Meeting, 6.30pm in the Staffroom
Friday 19 August - PTFA Pizza Lunch
Week 5
Monday 22 August - School Board Meeting 6pm Staffroom
Wednesday 24 August - Catholic Schools Sports Tournament (Rippa and Netball) Yr5 and 6 at St Mary's School
Friday 26 August - Assembly please be seated in the hall by 2pm.
Saturday 27 August - Jump Jam
Week 6
Tuesday 30 August - Learning Space 6 Mid Year Teacher Interviews
Wednesday 31 August - Learning Space 1 & 2 trip to Te Manawa
Wednesday 31 August - Learning Space 6 Mid Year Teacher Interviews
Thursday 1 September - Learning Space 8 Trip to Te Manawa
Week 7
Social Justice and Conversation Week
Monday 5 September - Staff Only Day
Monday 5 September - Kids Lit
Thursday 8-13 September - Book Fair
Friday 16 September - PTFA Lunch
Week 8
Te wiki o Te Reo Maori Week
13-15 September - PNCEO Catholic Special Character Evaluation
Friday 16 September - PTFA Lunch
Week 9
Te wiki o Te Reo Maori Week
Monday 19 September - International Talk Like a Pirate Day
20 & 21 September - NMSSA Year 4 Testing
Week 10
Mental Health Awareness Week
Monday 26 September - School Board Meeting 6pm
Wednesday 28 September - Whānau Wellbeing Hui 3-5pm
Friday 30 September - Assembly
Friday 30 September - Last Day of Term 3
Term 3 - Staff Only Day - Monday 5 September 2022
Getting Involved
Yummy Apple stickers - Please continue to collect these throughout the year. Collection sheets are also available from the school office.
Cut out Label Collection Sheet
New Variety Sticker Collection
Sticker Collection Sheet
Kidney Kids - One small way we can make life easier for others which costs us nothing, is to collect stamps, can tabs, and wine bottle tops!
You will find collection boxes for these in the School Office foyer. If, as a family you don't already set these items aside for Kidney Kids at Starship and the Missions, you may like to start, as a very visible witness to demonstrating Jesus' example of LOVE. Encourage neighbours and family to do the same. There is no deadline.
School App Advertising - If you are interested in advertising on our School App please make an enquiry to office@stjamescatholic.school.nz.
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