Buon pommerigio

We have been blessed with the continued fine weather in the Bay - which helps us to keep a balance of inside time and outside time at school.

Mangia Bene, Ridi spesso, Ama molto.

(Eat well, Laugh often, Love much)

This has also been a week of trauma for many across the Motu, and indeed across the world. We keep in our prayers the people who are suffering from the effects of war and disharmony across our own community, and in other communities. It was a wonderful example of compassion and healing when descendants of Taranaki Whanui and its leaders in Wellington gathered at Pipitea Marae to lay te Kahu o te Raukura on its whenua as a symbol of a ‘cloak of peace’. We have much to learn from our tangata whenua.

What's on top?

Over the past week we have spent time discussing / planning in a few key areas that keep your children at the heart of what we do, so I thought I would bring you into the loop. We’ve been planning:

• How our student leaders can participate in some way in welcoming new families - I am meeting with these students soon to plan their involvement.
• How we manage our upcoming Year 7&8 Camp Kaitoke. We are hoping to still go ahead with this, but obviously there are a few Covid-related considerations to ensure full participation from as many children as possible, in a safe environment.
• How we protect the privacy of individual children and adults at our school within the covid context.
• How we can support our tamariki who are learning from home at the moment.
• How we can pick up some form of school assembly with the children - using an online platform (we are really missing our school get-togethers, and especially singing!!).
• How we can support our staff who are isolated at present.
• What our annual plan will focus on this year, to move us further ahead towards our 3 long-term strategic goals that are all about our children.
• How we can improve our learning conferences to support our children’s learning - taking into account your feedback (thank you) and the feedback from staff. We'll let you know the changes for next time before the next planned conferences.

Covid update

Thank you for your ongoing support with keeping your child home if they are unwell. This is helping us manage cases of Covid very effectively.

Now that our numbers of Covid-positive staff and children are on the increase, I have made a few updates to our school’s Business Continuity Plan - to keep you more informed about Covid cases and planning. Please also be aware that we have a duty to abide by the Privacy Act in relation to sharing any information that could identify individuals. You can take a quick look at the yellow cells in our plan, which is updated whenever there are marked changes in our numbers.

I want to finish by thanking our staff. All staff members have been impacted by Covid in some way. Everyone has been very cooperative to make sure we keep our tamariki safe, and to keep our school operating day to day. This puts a greater load on our team, and I am truly grateful.

Ngā mihi nui kia koutou

Tanti saluti!

Mary-Angela Tombs

Kāore he mutunga o te Aroha. The measure of love is love without measure.

Last week we marked Ash Wednesday in our own classes. Some of our Soul House Captains, Darcey and Isaac, led small liturgies and were able to sprinkle ashes over the heads of students (to limit contact).

As we prepare to celebrate God’s love for us,

let us remember those times when we have failed to live the way God wants us to

and ask for forgiveness.

Lord Jesus, you came into this world so that we might know

God’s everlasting love for us.

Christ Jesus, you died on a cross,

so that we could be close to God.

Lord Jesus, you rose again

so that we might live forever in love.

Loving God, be with us throughout our Lenten journey.

Help us to be of caring service to those around us,

help us to be faithful to you and to live simply,

so that others may know your love.

Through Jesus Christ, your Son, we pray.

Below are some photos of Toroa and Kōura as they celebrated a buddy mass in our church along with some some fingerprint art created by ākonga in Kōtare to honour the beginning of Lent.

Vanessa McCormack

DRS

WELCOME

To the following students who have started school:

Frederick Mc P and Benjamin C

We hope that you have a successful and happy time at St Francis de Sales.

SCHOOL DONATIONS AND CHARGES

Thank you to all the families that have paid or are making payments towards their school donations and charges for activities. These have been added to your KINDO account under FEES and DONATIONS. Requests for payment to those with outstanding amounts will be sent out shortly and we would appreciate your payment of these as soon as possible.

While we acknowledge payment of the donations are voluntary; we rely on these donations to provide facilities for the children.

If you have any queries, or if payment at this time causes difficulty, please speak to Suzanne in the office to arrange payment options.

Please see below information about the School Donations and Payments, plus the ADW Attendance Dues Flyer for 2022. Invoices for the Attendance Dues were emailed this week.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

Please click on the attached PDF to view our emergency procedures and take the time to familiarise yourself with our plans.

We will be sending out an email in the next few weeks asking you to check over and update your child’s contact information as well as be asking you to update your emergency reunification list. Please contact the office if you have any questions.

World Down Syndrome Day is coming up on the Monday 21 March (the date signifies the 3 copies of the 21st chromosome that are present in DS)

The Wellington Down Syndrome Association are raising funds by having a 'rock your socks' day where you wear colourful or crazy socks to school on Monday and by donation a gold coin via KINDO!

So please go to KINDO and DONATE to this amazing cause and wear the craziest funkiest sock on Monday 21 March!!!!

For information on how to get to KINDO Click here to view. From there you are able to pay your school donations, (there is an option to make part payments) uniform and any other school charges or sign ups for sports and extra actvities.

Do You Want to be Fit, Resilient and Know How to Defend Yourself? Book your free trial BEGINNERS' KARATE class available on Sundays at 5pm or Wednesdays at 5.30pm. Bring a mate and you both get a 20% discount on your first term fee. Your term time too busy? Book your 2-DAY FUN KARATE HOLIDAY PROGRAMME. Contact Sensei Patricia at www.familyfitkarate.co.nz/contact

Cardio&Core 30-mins Strength Class for Busy People like You! We focus on building your strength and toning your tummy and arms - it's the perfect match to your walking regime. Book your FREE trial class, contact Patricia at: www.familyfitkarate.co.nz/contact

Our passion is to help build a kind and resilient community, locally and nationally. If we can help your school community in any way with gift vouchers for fundraisers etc please contact me via email or on 027 297 6049.