Newsletter
St Mary's Catholic School 10 August 2022 - Term 3 Week 3
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Sunday, August 7, 2022
Gospel Reading
Luke 12:32-48
You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Jesus' instructions on how to be ready for the coming judgement continue in the stories and sayings found in today's Gospel. We are not to be like the greedy rich man in last Sunday's Gospel who planned to store his great harvest in barns rather than share it. We are, rather, to share our wealth with those in need. The antidote for the anxiety brought on by the coming judgement is to relinquish our possessions and provide for the needs of others. Our treasure will be in heaven where it will not wear out or be destroyed.
The other major way to be ready for the coming judgement is to be watchful. In Luke's Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about watchfulness to begin making this point. We must be like servants waiting for the master's return from a wedding banquet, which, even now, can last for a few days in the Middle East. We must be watchful so that even if the master comes after midnight, we will be ready for him. This is what the coming of the Son of Man will be like.
Peter asks if this parable is meant for the apostles or for the large crowd that has gathered to listen to Jesus. Without answering Peter's question, Jesus responds with another parable about servants awaiting the return of their master. It begins with a question: “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?” This parable adds to the theme of watchfulness; it explains how to wait and reminds us of the reward for the faithful follower at the heavenly banquet after the judgement. If it is addressed to the apostles, then it could also be addressed to leadership in the early Church. Either way, the parables reminds us that we should be found doing our jobs when the master arrives. If we are doing our jobs, our reward will be great. But if we relax, neglect our duties, and begin to act like the greedy rich man—eating, drinking, and making merry—we will not have a place in the kingdom. Watchfulness means living in such a consistently moral and obedient way that we are always ready to give an account to God of how we have lived.
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,
Tihei mauri ora, nau mai, haere mai, tena koutou katoa, E nga whanau, e nga kaiako, e nga tamariki, e nga manuhiri, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa
Parent Conferences
Thank-you to all the families that were able to attend the parent conferences. We are grateful families were able to attend and share in their children's learning journey. We also want to thank families for their flexibility as some classrooms had to move their conferences from the original dates due to illness. We appreciate the support. You will have another opportunity during Term 4 to share the end of year report and the learning progress from the start of the year. This is so we can celebrate every child and their progress throughout the year.
Raising concerns
A reminder if you have concerns, it is imperative that you speak with your child's teacher in the first instance. After that if you feel you need to go to the team leader then please do so. Mrs Akkerman is the leader for Years 4-6 makkerman@stmarystga.school.nz and Ms Oates is the leader for Yrs 0-3 eoates@stmarystga.school.nz.
Mrs Broadmore and I will support the school and families once they have been through these channels. We must role model good behaviours to our children and follow the correct processes.
Communication
Our newsletter is published every second Wednesday. It usually has a significant amount of information, alongside our website, so please make yourself familiar with it. Our website looks great and can be translated into many different languages as can the newsletter. Please make sure you check this regularly.
Board Elections
Thank you to the nine candidates who have put themselves forward for the upcoming Board Elections.
Before and After School Care
With the increasing number of children attending the Before and After School Care Programme it is important we have good systems, policies and procedures in place to keep our children safe.
Although we are not an OSCAR School (Out of School Care and Recreation Programme), we align closely with the standards and guidelines set by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). This requires that the programme complies with relevant NZ legislation - minimum standards for programme supervision (ratios), staff screening, health & safety, privacy, child protection etc.
Increasing our staff numbers to meet the guideline ratios has a direct impact on the cost of operating the service.
For this reason we made the hard decision to 'not refund or credit due to cancellations or sickness'. The service would simply not be viable if we had to issue refunds or credits.
We appreciate your kind understanding regarding this decision.
The following information is on the first page of the ENROLMY booking system.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. At times we may not be able to provide a service due to sickness, COVID-19 restrictions, Teacher Only Days or as advised by the Principal. (No charges will be made on these occasions).
PAYMENT IN ADVANCE
2. All bookings must be paid in advance and at the time of booking before your child attends the service. For your convenience you can pay by credit card (a surcharge fee of 1.85% applies for credit cards) or NZ Bank deposit by internet banking.
REFUNDS
3. To ensure the viability of the service we are unable to issue refunds or credits for sickness or cancellations.
WAITING LIST (updated)
4. Because of staff to child ratios we may be required to operate a waiting list. Your child will go on a waiting list until such time as a place becomes available. We are currently not running a waiting list.
For more information please call 0273102090, or email afterschoolcare@stmarystga.school.nz.
Ngā mihi nui
James Murray
Principal
Board Elections - time to vote
Eligible voters should be receiving voting papers via post any day now. You will receive a cover letter, voting paper, candidate statements and a return envelope.
Candidate Statement
Candidate statements can be found here.
How to vote
The voting paper lets you choose a maximum of five (5) candidates you can vote for - be careful not to vote for more candidates than there are positions, otherwise your vote will be invalid.
You can either return your voting paper by hand, or post to The Returning Officer, St Mary's School, 11 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga 3112.
How to post your vote and other information can also be found in the cover letter.
Election Date
Voting closes on 7th September at 4pm.
Once the election is over
You can find out about the newly elected school board members in the school newsletter and/or website. This information is usually made available within two weeks of the election day.
Returning Officer
Theresa Dunston
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND SPECIAL CHARACTER
You are invited to join us!
All parents are warmly welcome to join your child’s class for morning prayer at 9am in our school Cluny Chapel when they have their special prayer time.
Your child’s teacher will let you know when they have their allocated time and we encourage you to join us if you are able to do so.
This will be your child’s usual prayer time but will take place in our chapel . Prayers will start at approximately 9am and last for between 15 and 20 minutes.
By having class prayers in our beautiful chapel we are aiming to enhance and develop our students' understanding of reverence and for them to gain a knowledge of the sacred space and the sacred furniture and objects in the chapel.
We do hope that if you are able you will take up the opportunity to join us for these very special prayer times.
Prayer
“I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us, and we change things.”
Mother Teresa
School Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption
Next Thursday the 18th August at 9.30am we are having a school Mass in our Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey Centre to celebrate the beautiful feast day of the Assumption of Mary into heaven. The Assumption of Mary into heaven is a holy day of obligation for Catholics. The feast of the Assumption places Mary among the Blessed, and indeed the model of the Blessed.
We will be teaching the students the qualities of Mary that make her special and why we know she is in heaven. Mary is a human being, a woman of great faith to be imitated by all believers. And we too, when we live that way, will be in heaven.
Mary, Mother of God pray for us.
Because of the road closure of first avenue next week and for safety reasons we are having this Mass at school. All parents and friends are very welcome to join us for this very important feast day, just know we have limited space compared to the church.
With kind regards and God bless
Sally Washer
Thank You Mrs Hamill
ePro8 equipment, electronics, and simulators
'Learning about Toys and Inventions from the Past'.
Aroha House Captains facilitating learning with Year One Tika students.
2022 Term 3 & 4 Student Leaders
SPORTS NEWS
Taekwondo
What is Poomsae? Poomsae or Patterns are a set sequence of movements that consists of the various fundamental stances, blocks, punches and kicks logically arranged in a meaningful order in response to attacks from multiple imaginary assailants.
Luke Chang - Whānau Tanner
Gymnastics
- Holly has had an amazing gym season this year and has placed at all of the 5 competitions she has done. Last Saturday Holly attended the midland champs in Hamilton with a big contingent of gymnasts. (58 in Holly’s division - step 4). She placed 1st overall on beam and fifth on floor and she got her best overall score of the season - 54.500 out of a possible 60 points. Connor and Briar competed in a gymnastics competition at the weekend.
- Connor placed 1st in floor, 2nd in parallel bars and 3rd in pommel horse. He also came 3rd overall.
- Briar came 3rd in beam and 5th overall. Congratulations on your achievements!
- Katara is proud that she recently reached her personal best in the latest Gymnastics Competition in Hamilton recently.
Netball St Mary’s Diamonds
Netball St Mary's Sting
The St Marys Year 3 Sting had a great day out at a tournament held over the weekend.
Some tough games against Year 4 teams but they played hard and fair.
Netball St Mary's Ferns
Congratulations to our St Mary's Ferns for winning the Year 1/2 netball competition yesterday!
Thank you to coach Alison Dunlop for all your time and effort with the girls.
The future is bright
Netball St Mary's Flames
Hockey St Mary's Spitfire
St Mary's Spitfire had a fantastic win against Oropi this weekend.
This team is getting better and better each week!
Thanks to our amazing Tauranga Girls' College Coaches, Sara, Georgia and Gracie.
TERM DATES 2022
Monday 7 February - Waitangi Day
Term 2 - Monday 2 May - Friday 8 July
Monday 6 June - Queen's Birthday
Tuesday 7 June- TEACHER ONLY DAY, Kahui Ako
Friday 24 June - Matariki
Term 3 - Monday 25 July - Friday 30 September
Friday 2nd September-TEACHER ONLY DAY
Term 4 - Monday 17 October - Friday 16 December
Monday 24 October - Labour Day
Friday 18th November - TEACHER ONLY DAY
PARENT CONFERENCES IN 2022
Term 4- Wednesday 7th December, 3 pm-6 pm, Thursday 8th December 12.30 pm-6 pm. SCHOOL CLOSES AT 12PM Thursday 8th December.
There will also be NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE THIS DAY.
Please support our Gold Group Sponsors
Contact Us
Email: office@stmarystga.school.nz
Website: https://www.stmarystga.school.nz/
Location: 11 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 578 8066
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmarystga/