SJS Online Learning
Newsletter 21 August 2021
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
Lockdown level 4 again - at least we have some experience of lockdowns and know the general run of things - good luck and blessings to all. I encourage you all to do what you need, to stay and be healthy. I am trying to stick to a routine, keep active, get outside, and pray daily. As I love listening to music, my Spotify account is getting a good workout. I have a list of jobs around the house to attempt - cleaning windows, anyone? - and a couple of books waiting to be read.
This communication concerns starting our online learning for the lockdown Level 4. After last year we learnt a great deal and have made a few changes. We have tried to simplify and reduce the activities. Below are some guidelines:
- SJS online learning during this 2021 lockdown will use the SeeSaw platform as our primary tool and will commence Monday, August 23.
- Where possible, we aim to create integrated activities which will be easy to understand. By integrated, we mean several curriculum areas may be present in an activity.
- There is no pressure on learners and whanau to take part - everything is optional. Everything!
- We will not be distributing any hard copy learning materials at this time. Those families who cannot connect to Seesaw, or choose not to, are encouraged to do what they can at home.
Due to the unpredictability of the lockdown, we will make a start next week and see what evolves. You will hear from teachers early next week as they re-configure SeeSaw for home learning. Most staff will be available online each day from 9.30 - 11.00 am.
If all else fails, please look after one another - that is our key message. I have posted some links below for available support.
Contact me at tom@stjamescatholic.school.nz.
I came across the graphic below posted by the Tertiary Education Union and thought it worth sharing.
Ngā Manaakitanga
Tom Sheehan
Useful links
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit - https://pncathedral.org.nz/newsletter/
Pastoral Telephone Trees operating from Monday and you’re welcome to ask for a call or to become a caller. This is our pastoral priority: keeping in touch. We will stay in contact with those who would normally have communion brought to them at home. Communion to these people has been suspended. If you can help in this ministry, please contact: office@pncathedral.org.nz or email one of the contacts below.
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Kate Bell k.bell@pncathedral.org.nz
All Church gatherings and events are postponed until further notice.
- Please continue to Pray the Rosary at Home
- Sunday Mass can be viewed online and on Television:
- Online 9:00am Mass celebrated by Fr Vui – Catholic Parish of New Plymouth YouTube Link
- Television: Shine TV, Sunday 2:00pm, Free-to-air TV Channel 25 SKY TV Channel 201
- Online Liturgy of the Word – Sunday at 4pm. Everyone welcome. Please click this link to join Teams “Zoom” Gathering. To follow the Liturgy, you can download the PDF – 22 Aug 21 – Personal Liturgy
- Family Liturgy Resource 22 Aug 21 – Family Liturgy
- Children’s Sunday Mass Resource: https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Children-s-liturgy
- Catholic NZ PDF Copy
As the Mental Health Foundation of NZ says, “it’s all right to feel a range of emotions right now. Going into a Level 4 lockdown is a big deal and it brings all sorts of different feelings to the surface, including frustration, worry and even gratitude. However you are feeling, know that you’re not alone – we’re all going through this together.”
If you need to talk, check-in with a friend or whānau member, or free call/text 1737 to chat with a trained counsellor. It's free and confidential. There are also a lot of other supports available to you, your whānau and your community if needed.
You will also understand the importance of routine for your family. If your routine has been shaken up, it’s good to structure your time. Routines are reassuring and promote health and physical wellbeing.
For our Pacific families, if you are not aware the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ has been working to ensure useful information is available to Pacific peoples in nine different languages.
Dates for Your Diary
Please keep checking the Events Calendar on the school website. All coming events will continue to be updated here. Add to my Calendar.
2021 Term 3
Week 4
Level 4 Lockdown
Week 5
Monday 23 August - School Board Meeting, 6pm, Staffroom - postponed
Week 6
Wednesday 1 September - Family Twilight Fun Evening Meeting, Staffroom, 6.30pm
Friday 3 September - Non-uniform day PTFA 2 - Gold coin please - funds raised to buy ingredients for cooking for Family Twilight Fun Evening Dec 3
Week 7
Tongan Language Week
Tuesday 7 September - Dance NZ Made, Regent Theatre
Thursday 9 September - 2,20pm Blessing of the Library Te Whakaruruhau
Thursday 9 September - Book Fair starts
Sunday 12 September - School Mass, Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Week 8
Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week
Book Fair (Ends Wednesday 15 September)
Friday 17 September - Yummy Sticker Promotion ends - Labels due to Office
Friday 17 September - PTFA Lunch
Friday 17 September - Te Totara Assembly
Getting Involved
The Yummy Sticker promotion has kicked off again for this year, so its a good time to remind everyone to collect Yummy stickers and bag cut-outs. Shop at your local New World, Pak’n Save and participating Four Square stores. $200,000 of sports gear is available for schools.
Stickers are due in by Friday 17 September.
Click on the links below for your Collection Sheets, or grab one from the School Office foyer.
Cut out Label Collection Sheet
New Variety Sticker Collection
Sticker Collection Sheet
Shining Stars – Preschool Music Group Thursday 9:30am Cathedral lounge. Contact Basia bmcintosh@pndiocese.org.nz.
Unfortunately Just Zilch will no longer be able to take pens etc very shortly as the process is being stopped. We have now handed in our bucket. Thank you to all our community who supported this initiative.