Newsletter 13 September Term 3 2022
St Brendan's Catholic School
Welcome, nau mai, afio mai, namaste, konnichiwa, nĭ hăo, talofa, komosta, vanakkam, auybowan,
Dear Whānau & Parishioners,
Last week we planned learning and activities to support Social Justice Week, Conservation Week and Tongan Language Week. Our Adventurers enjoyed their first week of swimming. On Friday we celebrated the many cultures represented in our school community.
St Brendan’s has signed up to Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, 2022. This year is extra special as 14 September marks the 50th anniversary of the Māori Language Petition, an event that led to many of the kaupapa we have today, including Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Some highlights of the week include waiata being played and sung in classrooms, growth mindset slips will be given to students, we will be working on a collaborative piece of art, everyone will gather in the quad (or hall) to take part in ’Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori’ (Māori language moment), classes will participate in the Hua Rākau game. Thank you to Vanessa Smith-Graham and the Kaitiaki group of teachers for supporting the organisation of what will be a successful week.
Michael Stebbings has been working with an enthusiastic group of Year 4 to 8 students who have chosen to be part of our St Brendan’s choir. Last night they had the opportunity to join together with choirs from many other Wellington schools to participate in ArtSplash at the Michael Fowler Centre. This event will be one to be treasured, a unique opportunity to be part of a massed choir. A wonderful evening of beautiful music celebrating the arts. We are grateful to Kathy Cutler and Jo Hunter for coordinating our St Brendan’s Choir.
When you visit school this week you will find teams of Year 4 to 8 students busy with STEAM challenges as Sara Williams has organised an EPro8 week at St Brendan’s. The EPro8 Challenge starts with an internal event that teacher's run at school. We have hired extra kits of EPro8 construction equipment so that all classes can take part in the EPro8 Challenge. This will be a chance to discover which students have a hidden talent for engineering.
New long-term strategy for COVID-19
Aotearoa New Zealand has moved to a new, long-term approach to COVID-19. These changes have been made based on public health advice and reflect high levels of immunity and declining case numbers across New Zealand. This new approach will only result in minor changes to the way we operate at St Brendan’s.
Household contacts of a person with COVID-19 do not need to isolate. Instead, they are asked to complete a RAT test each day, for five days. Therefore, ākonga (students) who are household contacts but test negative and do not have COVID-19 symptoms, should continue to attend. School is the best place for them to be so they can be engaged in their learning, and connected with their teachers, classmates and friends. Information on how to get RAT kits can be found here: Request a RAT– Ministry of Health
Mask wearing is no longer required, but we will support ākonga, staff and visitors to St Brendan’s who choose to continue to wear masks.
All the other recommended public health measures will stay in place as we know they reduce the spread of infectious illnesses including COVID-19. These include ensuring our indoor spaces are well-ventilated, maintaining good hand hygiene, encouraging everyone to cough or sneeze into elbows and, most importantly, staying home and getting tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms.
Thank you for your ongoing support in protecting our community.
Please support tomorrow’s non-uniform day. Our Student Councillors will use the funds raised to purchase new items of sports equipment for use at morning tea and lunch times.
Our by-election process has begun, nominations can be received up to 12pm tomorrow, Wednesday, 14 September. Our current board members are very happy to be contacted to talk through the process, what being a Board member involves and any other questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact current members directly.
Did you log into Hero last week?
Each term we continue to share learning posts with you three times. Please email your child/ren’s class teacher if you have not been able to access your Hero account to read learning posts. Literacy posts were shared Monday, 5 September.
Congratulations!
Madi represented St Brendan’s at the 2022 Zespri AIMS games. We congratulate her on placing 3rd out of a field of 143 runners!
Welcome On behalf of our whole school community we extend a warm welcome to Maanav and his family. Maanav recently joined Room 2.
‘Every School Day is a Big Day’
‘Every School Day is a Big Day’ is a part of ‘kia kotahi te ū ki te ako – all in for learning’, a nationwide attendance and engagement strategy. In June 2022 the Attendance and Engagement Strategy was launched which focuses on a collective effort to increase the number of our tamariki regularly attending school, participating and progressing in education. Covid, winter illness and travelling to visit family overseas are all genuine reasons which have collectively had, and continue to have an impact on student attendance at St Brendan’s.
Arriving late at school also has a significant impact on student engagement with learning. Arriving at school with enough time to unpack school bags, check the day’s timetable and connect with both teachers and peers sets students up for a positive day. It is important to be at school for the full school day through until 2.55pm as this is equally disruptive to students and teachers. Our afternoon session is only 65 minutes in total after lunch, every minute is valuable!
Winter wellness guide for tamariki
Most healthy young tamariki have at least eight viral infections, like coughs or colds, each year and these are a normal part of childhood.
Sometimes you may feel unsure of when to keep your child home to get well and when it’s OK for them to return to preschool or school. Here are some tips:
If their symptoms have just started e.g., a cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat or a rash, keep them home until they are feeling better.
If your child has vomiting and/or diarrhoea keep them home until 48hours after the last episode.
Do a RAT if your child or someone at home has COVID-19 symptoms.
Call your GP or ring Healthline free on 0800 611 116 for advice if your child has ongoing fever, is getting worse or won't eat and drink – even if they have already been assessed by a health professional.
If the illness was not COVID-19, vomiting or diarrhoea and your child has felt well for the past 24 hours and is eating and drinking normally, they can go back to school or preschool.
If they still have a slight dry cough or runny nose after having an illness, but they are otherwise feeling well, they are unlikely to be contagious and can be with others again.
Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW)
This year's focus is about reconnection. The past couple of years have been tough and it’s easy to feel disconnected from the people and places that are important to us. Whether it’s reaching out to someone you have lost contact with, visiting a place that’s special to you, or getting outside in nature, it is hoped everyone will take some time this MHAW to reconnect with the people and places that lift you up - hei pikinga waiora.
Mā te whakarongo, ka mōhio
through listening, comes knowledge
Mā te mōhio, ka mārama,
through knowledge, comes understanding
Mā te mārama, ka matau,
through understanding, comes wisdom
Mā te matau, ka ora
through wisdom, comes wellbeing
God Bless,
Veronica Sawers,
Principal
VERBAL BOUQUETS AND THANK YOU'S
To Everyone who has helped with our Adventurers swimming and the Artsplash rehearsal.
To Desiré Morris and Annalise Mokalei-Smith our netball co-ordinators, and also to the Netball Team Coaches and Managers. St Brendan's is incredibly grateful for the time and mahi you have all put in with our tamariki.
WALKING HAND IN HAND WITH CHRIST
SEASON OF CREATION - PRAYER WALK FOR TE AWAKAIRANGI /HUTT RIVER
On Sunday, representatives from St Brendan's participated in the Life of the River Prayer Walk. The walk was an opportunity in the Season of Creation to give thanks for the Awa that flows through our Valley, and express our hopes, dreams and prayers for the river and her people.
Next year we hope to coordinate a larger representation of our St Brendan’s School community to join in this beautiful annual September event.
Thank you to Jacob, Amelia and Molly for carrying the walking pole from Whakatiki Park. Each ribbon represented different parts of our Catholic community. Our Lady of Grace and St Brendan’s ribbons were blessed at Friday’s Mass, attended by Rooms 6 to 12.
Evadine in Room 5 wrote a beautiful prayer which was shared at the start of our leg:
Dear God,
Please bless all of the lush bush life,
The joyful choir of birds,
And the parades of animals.
Please protect the cold and crisp currents of the river,
The wet rocks perfect for skimming,
And all of the wonderful river life.
Please watch over all of the beautiful people who visit this wonderful river,
The people responsible for the hum of the busy traffic on the roads,
And the sun for smiling down during people's days.
We say this prayer in God's name,
Amen
2022 SEASON OF CREATION PRAYER
Creator of All,
From your communion of love your Word went forth to create a symphony of life that sings your praise.
By your Holy Wisdom you made the Earth to bring forth a diversity of creatures who praise you in their being. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
You called human beings to till and keep your garden. You placed us into right relationships with each creature so that we could listen to their voices, and learn how to safeguard the conditions for life. But we turn in on ourselves and away from our co-creatures.
We close our ears to the counsel of our fellow creatures. We fail to listen to the cries of the poor and the needs of the most vulnerable. We silence the voices of those who hold the traditions that teach us to care for the Earth. We close our ears to your creative, reconciling and sustaining Word that calls to us through the Scriptures.
We lament the loss of our fellow species and their habitats that will never speak again. We grieve the loss of human cultures, along with the lives and livelihoods that have been displaced or perished. Creation cries out as forests crackle, and animals alike flee the fires of injustice that we have lit by our unwillingness to listen.
In this Season of Creation, we pray that you would call to us, as from the burning bush, with the sustaining fire of your Spirit. Breathe upon us. Open our ears and move our hearts. Turn us from our inward gaze. Teach us to contemplate your creation, and listen for the voice of each creature declaring your glory. For “faith comes from hearing.”
Give us hearts to listen for the good news of your promise to renew the face of the Earth.
Enlighten us with the grace to follow the Way of Christ as we learn to walk lightly upon this holy ground. Fill us with the hope to quench the fires of injustice with the light of your healing love that sustains our common home.
In the name of the One who came to proclaim good news to all creation, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH CHILDREN’S LITURGY!
Our Parish is seeking parents to assist in running a children's liturgy programme during term time. All resources and easy-to-follow lesson outlines are supplied. If you are willing to be added to the roster, or if you have questions, please contact the Parish Office office@olov.org.nz or Louise Pierce louise.peirce@xtra.co.nz.
CATHOLICS URGED TO SUPPORT HOSPICES AND PALLIATIVE CARE BY DIRECT ACTION
NZ Catholics are being urged to support the under-funded hospice and palliative care services by donating, volunteering in hospice shops and asking their members of Parliament and the Government to make palliative care a priority. Bishop of Auckland Steve Lowe, Secretary of the NZCBC, says hospices provide a free service to 20,000 palliative care patients and their whānau each year, but have to fundraise almost half the $176 million cost. Bishop Steve says: “When the public was asked at the 2020 election to support the euthanasia legislation – dubbed the End of Life Choice law – they were led to believe palliative care would be a priority choice. Instead, hospice funding has been virtually capped at a time of high inflation”
Full details online here: https://www.catholic.org.nz/news/media-releases/support-palliative-care/
BOARD NEWS
Talofa lava.
I would like to thank everyone that has responded and showed interest in the upcoming by-election and submitted their nomination. Our community has shown a remarkable interest after we reached out for your support to complete our school board. I’ve had the opportunity to answer some questions from a couple of keen parents about the process and what’s involved being on the board. Our amazing members are happy to answer any questions and share their experience with you. Last day to complete and submit a nomination form is by 12pm, TOMORROW, 14 September.
Some school events have passed and some are coming up as we get closer to the end of the term. My family and I had the opportunity to watch our Artsplash performers shine on stage last night at the Michael Fowler Centre. A great experience for our students to take part and enjoy singing collectively with other schools from around Wellington. Thank you to the teachers that helped make this experience possible for our tamariki. Plenty of school events are coming up so make sure you look out for these in our weekly reminder notices.
Our HERO app is well up and running. If you haven’t yet downloaded the app, below is the link that can take you through on how to get it on your phone. Our teachers share students' learning posts throughout the term using HERO so don’t miss out on how your child is doing at school.
Wishing our children, principal, teachers, support staff and wider community all the best for the remainder of Term 3.
Faafetai lava
Norman Tufue
On Behalf of the St Brendan's Board
SCHOOL NEWS
ROOM 9 "HELLO, GOODBYE" POEMS
TERM 3 UNIFORM REMINDERS
- During Term 3 students need to wear long sleeved shirts and long socks.
- Students need their PE uniform daily.
2023
If your family circumstances have changed and you will not be returning to St Brendan’s for the 2023 school year, please let us know via email at your earliest convenience. As per the Integration Agreement, we have a maximum roll and we have to carefully manage applications for enrolment.
COFFEE TABLES
We still have some coffee tables surplus to our requirements since moving to our new Administration block. They are looking for a new home for a small koha. Please email the Office if you are interested.
TE WIKI O TE REO MĀORI at St Brendan's
ST BRENDAN'S NETBALL 2022 PRIZEGIVING
On Friday the 2nd of September we held the St Brendan’s Netball Prizegiving, celebrating the 2022 Netball Season and our teams successes.
A special mention to the Coaches and Managers of each team, an amazing commitment and contribution from this group
Year 3 Taimana - Coach: Kylah Rountree, Managers: Daz Wilkes and Tia-Maree Needham
Year 4 Tapawhā - Coach: Tracy Barnes, Manager: Sarah Chard
Year 5 Porowhita - Coach: Bex Maathuis, Manager: Robyn Maathuis
Year 6 Tapatoru - Coach: Jo Finlay, Manager: Katy Evans
Year 7 & 8 Rua - Coach: Karen Battock and Santell Pickett, Manager: Sarah Smith
Year 7 & 8 Tahi - Coach: Jen Mahony, Managers: Tilau Tufue and Nicki Watterson
We would also like to acknowledge the generosity and support from our wider St Brendan’s whānau through sponsoring a brand new kit for Netball – Thank you
Tracy Barnes and Hamish Blundell from The Professionals
Tia-Maree and Jeremy Needham from Collab Flooring
Bex Maathuis and Robyn Maathuis from the Totara Lodge
Each player received a Team Certificate acknowledging their 2022 season.
Two team awards were also presented for:
- Sportsmanship – Showing the GRACE Values towards their team members and opposition
- Most Promising - For Outstanding development throughout their Netball Season
The recipients for each team:
Year 3 Taimana
Sportsmanship Award - Cordelia K
Most Promising Award - Skylar G
Year 4 Tapawhā
Sportsmanship Award - Lucy L
Most Promising Award - Fotu H
Year 5 Porowhita
Sportsmanship Award - Ava C
Most Promising Award - Maisy T
Year 6 Tapatoru
Sportsmanship Award - Rose B
Most Promising Award - Amelia C
Year 7 & 8 Tahi
Sportsmanship Award - Amy W
Most Promising Award - Madison W
Year 7 & 8 Rua
Sportsmanship Award - Amelia D
Most Promising Award - Aleska S
Congratulations also to Desiré Morris, our 2022 St Brendan's Netball coordinator, who was awarded the Administrator of the Year for Netball Hutt Valley.
SECOND HAND UNIFORM SALE - NOTE CHANGE OF DATE
St Brendan's School will be running a second hand uniform sale on Thursday, 15 September. The school will be selling good condition spare second hand uniform and we also invite anyone who wishes to sell uniform items to contact the Office to book a table. Proceeds from the sale by the school will be used to support families in need, with uniform items in appropriate sizes that are not available second hand. Thank you to all families who have donated uniforms to the school, it is very much appreciated. Any further donations of school uniform items will be gratefully received.
HOW TO LOG IN TO HERO
If you're new to St Brendan's and need to download and log in to HERO please follow the link below for a step by step guide.
http://www.stbrendans.school.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ParentFlyerPremier.pdf
PTF NEWS
Pizza lunch orders close this Friday, 16 September at 3pm (pizza lunch will be on Wednesday, 21 September). If you are available to help distribute pizzas on 21 September, please contact us on ptf@stbrendans.school.nz
- If you have ordered Centa Bakery Family pies, these will be available for collection on Thursday, 22 September from 2.30pm in the Hall. If you will be unable to collect your order that day, please contact us on ptf@stbrendans.school.nz to make alternative arrangements.
Thank you for supporting these fundraisers.
COMMUNITY NEWS
ONLINE SAFETY
TikTok is one of the fastest growing social media apps. It is a platform for creating, sharing and discovering short videos. As young people enjoy being on it, TikTok and Netsafe have partnered on the TikTok Family Safety Toolkit to help you and your child safely navigate some of the online challenges and have fun. https://netsafe.org.nz/tiktokfamilysafetytoolkit/
Online bullying is a concern for all schools and their communities. Each case of bullying is different and each person will respond differently. There is no fool-proof way to tell if ākonga are being bullied but there are ways adults around them can be supportive. Netsafe has lots of supportive resources (including this one) that can help to inform and support whānau to navigate a situation if it arises.
As always, if you are concerned about content that you or someone you know has seen online, report it to Netsafe at netsafe.org.nz, or contact 0508 NETSAFE to talk with one of our specialist online safety team.
SACRED HEART UNIFORM FOR SALE
Sacred Heart College School Blazer in very good condition.
x2 Summer blouses - Size 10
x5 Winter blouses - Sizes 10 and 12
x2 Senior ties
(all blouses in very good condition)
Please contact Dara on 021 886 907 to arrange a time to view these items.
Location: 56 Palmer Crescent Heretaunga Upper Hutt 5019
Phone: (04) 939 1909