Reignier Catholic School Newsletter
21st September 2022 - Issue # 9
WELCOME
We warmly welcome Felix Mee (Room 7), Lenny Mee (Room 5) and Lottie Jarvis (Room 5) and their families to Reignier Catholic School.
CONGRATULATIONS
Warmest congratulations to the 18 children who made their First Holy Communion on Sunday 4th September. We would also like to congratulate Aroha Mitchell and Jack Coombe who have also recently made their First Holy Communion. May God's blessing be with you always.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Kia ora whānau,
Here we are approaching the end of another term and at the same time now embracing what is our new norm. The last couple of years has seen a lot of change for many people, including our kura. Thankfully we are now on the other side and rediscovering who we are as a result of what we have faced. Firstly, we need to acknowledge that this journey has not been easy for everyone and many have faced challenges that they may have never thought would arise. For many this change in our lives has brought a sense of loss created a disconnect from what we thought was our norm. This is not isolated to our kura, but also to the wider community and to us as a nation.
Our biggest challenge now is how do we move forward and embrace our new norms. It is now ever more important to come together in faith, love and community. It is time to reconnect with those who we may not have seen over the last couple of years. This is not something that will happen overnight, but one day at a time. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”. (James 1:2-4)
This is the time to show our strength as a kura and to be role-models to our tamariki to how we face adversity and change. It is reminding ourselves that the Holy Spirit is present in our daily lives and working through us and not to be afraid of changes that come our way. In Isaiah, we are reminded that God takes hold of our right hand, reminding us not to fear as he will help us. Let us take faith in knowing as we walk together to find our new norm, God is always present.
Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to all those parents/caregivers who have helped with our winter codes and with the numerous activities that we have had this term. Without your support these extracurricular activities could not happen.
We look forward to seeing you all next Thursday (29th) for our singing competition. I know the students are excited to be able to preform for the community and to show you what they have been working on this term.
God Bless.
Mrs Shanks
LEARNING SUPPORT
As a school we want the opportunity for all our learners to have access to education and to be able to fully participate and engage in their learning. For some of our tamariki, this means that we have to engage in support using outside agencies and funding. Over time this has become an increasing difficult progress and even harder to obtain, not just for our own kura, but others across the nation. The government has acknowledged that the current system is not fit for purpose and things need to change. We would like to extend the invitation for people to show their support for the Ngā Aukaha All in for Tamariki is a campaign to address the underfunding in the education system, so that all tamariki can access the support they need to thrive.
INTROUDCING DAVE LIM - NEWLY ELECTED BOT PARENT REPRESENTATIVE
My name is Dave Lim and I am standing for a parent representative to the Reignier School board. I am a father of a boy and a girl, current and future Reignier students, and am also a physiotherapist in Hastings Public Hospital. Previously, I was an investment banker in JPMorgan, a global bank. I chose to be a physiotherapist, leaving over-a-decade’s international banking career behind, because I wished myself to help people around my family and community. Therefore, I am more than happy that now I can help my patients as a physiotherapist as I wished before. Physiotherapists, many people believe we treat patients for their health and safety but rather without much talk. Yes, my specialty is to care about my patients’ health and safety. However, we have to have good communication skills too. I listen to each of my patients delicately to find the causes of pain. I have multiple cultural backgrounds, having lived in Korea, US, Hong Kong and New Zealand. I enjoy making new friends from different worlds. However, after traveling many countries, we decided to settle our family here as Hawke’s Bay is one of the best places to raise and educate our children. Especially Taradale with our Reignier school. We may be all different but I believe we have an empathy that we are here in Reignier to raise our children better. In this light, I am putting myself in this position as I wish to share my experience, knowledge, and last but not least passion to contribute myself to our school community. I am committed; as a former banker, I can share my knowledge to manage the finances of our good school. As a current physiotherapist, I will listen to you and add my expertise to improve our children’s health and safety in the school. As a father with multiple cultural backgrounds, I will get along with all other parents to build our better school community. I am looking forward to serving on the the school board.
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE BOT INTRODUCTIONS IN OUR NEXT NEWSLETTER(S)
INTER-SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS
Yesterday our school cross country champions competed in the Inter-schools cross country. We would especially like to acknowledge the following students who placed in the top 30 of their year group and who will go on to compete in the Hawke's Bay Primary Cross Country Championships next week:
Year 3 Girls: Olive Schicker (22nd)
Year 4 Boys: Jack Coombe (5th) and Riley Jackson (30th
Year 4 Girls: Olivia Sebileau (12th) and Amy McDowell (21st)
Year 5 Boys: Hunter Reilly (3rd) and Talon Lawton (15th)
Year 6 Girls: Rhainnon Jones (11th), Emma Nairn (19th), Gabrysia van Asch (27th) and Ula Chan (30th)
Special thanks to Mr Nairn and Miss Baddeley for all their mahi in organising and supporting our children at these events.
SINGING FESTIVAL
Next Thursday 29th September at 6pm we will be hosting a school wide singing festival at 6pm at St Mary's Church. It will be an evening of pure entertainment to be enjoyed by young and old alike. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.
ALTAR SERVERS
The Catholic Parish of Napier is calling out for Altar Servers. If your child has received the Sacrament of 1st Communion, they are able to undertake this ministry. Please fill in the attached form and return to the parish.
SCHOOL REPORTS
School reports were emailed home on the 9th September. If you have not received your child's report, we ask that you get in touch with your child's classroom teacher. Thank you for your support.
VISITORS - SIGNING IN & OUT
If you enter the school grounds during the day, please enter via the school office, sign in and speak to Mrs Gouder who will direct you. Please ensure on exiting the grounds, you sign out. This is a Health and Safety requirement. Thank you for your support.
ENROLMENTS FOR 2023, 2024 & BEYOND & STUDENTS LEAVING
If you have a child who will be turning 5 in 2023 or in 2024 and beyond, it is not too early to get them enrolled or indicate that you are intending to enrol your child at Reignier Catholic School.
Please call into the school office to get a preference form, make an appointment with Fr Barry to have this signed and drop back to school. Without this form, we cannot accept your child's enrolment.
Equally, if you are leaving Reignier at the end of the year (other than our Year 6's) to another school in the area or out of town, please let Mrs Shanks know, as this will impact our class sizes and staffing levels for 2023 and beyond.
This enables the school management team to forecast staffing for next year and the year after.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Shanks on 844 2144.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
You will be aware that this has been in the news a lot recently. As a kura, our number one priority is for your child to be at school. It is known that when a child is present at school and participating in their learning that this leads to progress. If your child is absent, you need to inform the school as to why by either phoning the office or using the app. We ask that you DO NOT Seesaw message your child's teacher as they are busy prepping for the school day and often don't see their messages till much later in the day.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
START OF DAY
Our school day begins at 8.55am. We encourage all our students to please be at school before then, so they are able to prepare for the day ahead. If you know that for some reason you are going to be late, please give the office a call.
SCHOOL FINISH TIME
Our school day concludes at 2.55pm.
ROAD PATROL TIMES
Morning Road Patrol is from 8.30am to 8.50am.
Afternoon Road Patrol is from 2.50pm to 3.10pm.
UNIFORM SHOP ORDERING
We continue to ask families requiring uniform to send an email (admin@reignier.school.nz) stating what items you wish to purchase and to deposit the money into the school account, referencing your surname and uniform. Once the money has been deposited into the account we can release the uniform items you have ordered. This is done by way of the student in the classroom. Thank you for your continued support of this request.
School Account Details:
Account Name: Reignier School Board of Trustees
Account Number: 02-0766-0106693-00
Uniform Items Available for Purchase:
Sweatshirts - $50
PE Shirt - $33
PE Shorts - $27
Sunhats - $13
TERM 3 - UPCOMING EVENTS
School Assembly - Friday 23rd September
Public Holiday - NO SCHOOL - Monday 26th September
Music Festival - Thursday 29th September - 6pm at St Mary's Church
Performance Kapahaka - Every Wednesday at 11.15am
TERM 4 - SAVE THE DATES
Gala - Saturday 29th October
Parent/Teacher Conferences - Tuesday 1st & Wednesday 2nd November - 3.30pm - 6.00pm
School Assembly - Middle Team Leading - Friday 4th November
Year 6 Fun Day - Friday 4th November
Pīwakawaka Athletics - Friday 11th November
Kapahaka Festival - Wednesday 16th November - Time TBC
Year 3-6 School Athletics - Friday 18th November
School Assembly - Junior Team Leading - Friday 25th November
Year 6 Graduation Dinner - Monday 12th December
End of Year Mass/Prizegiving - Thursday 15th December - 6pm
2022 DATES
Term 2 - 2nd May – 8th July
Term 3 - 25th July – 30th September
Term 4 - 17th October – 16th December
Teacher Only Days: 14th April and 26th August (Term 3) for staff to attend special character retreat.
2023 DATES
Term 2 - Wednesday 26th April - Friday 30th June
Term 3 - Monday 17th July - Friday 22nd September
Term 4 - Monday 9th October - Friday 15th December
Teacher Only Days: TBC
FRIENDS OF REIGNIER
GALA UPDATE
As we near the end of term we would like to send some reminders and information out. Next term, we will be GO GO GO with Gala and would love your support. You will see regular updates from us to keep everyone in the loop.
Helpers
Thank you to those that have returned their letters of help needed leading up to Gala day and on the day. We are still needing help on the day in various stalls. Whether you can help for an hour or more, it is welcomed, as the day cannot run without our families giving their time. Please send these in ASAP and we will be in contact with you.
Brown Paper Bags
These came home two weeks ago to each family to kindly donate and bring in over the next six weeks. We have received a few of these generous donations already so feel free to bring them into the school office at anytime!
Donations & School Hall
Our trolleys have been around school for families to drop their donations into. Keep them coming! White elephant items, toys, books, clothing, linen...we want it! From this Monday 26th September we have use of the school hall until Gala day. We use the hall as a 'factory' to sort these donations. You can drop off donations into the hall, or trolleys during school hours. As this Monday is a public holiday, you are welcome to drop off donations into the school hall from 11am-4pm. We will still open up the hall for big drop offs on Labour weekend. We will update you on this closer to the time. Enjoy your spring cleaning this weekend! Any queries regarding drop offs to hall please contact Kristi on 027 427 5007.
Thank you for your support. Please get in touch with how you can help. We can't wait to show our new families how great our Gala is! Join our 'Friends of Reignier' Facebook group to hear more updates and help spread the word about this awesome event.
Thank you
Friends of Reignier Gala Committee
OUT OF SCHOOL HAPPENINGS
We currently have several of our children involved in the Napier Operatic Society Production of Elf. If you get the opportunity to go along and see this, we're sure you will not be disappointed. Congratulations to all our current and past students involved. Ka pai!
OFFICE DESKS FOR SALE
If you are interested in purchasing an office desk please see Mrs Gouder or Mrs Shanks for further information. We have two desks left for sale. Note: Photo doesn't depict what is for sale.
Contact Us
Email: admin@reignier.school.nz
Website: https://www.reignier.school.nz/
Location: 99 Guppy Road, Taradale, Napier 4112, New Zealand
Phone: 06 844 2144
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reignier-Catholic-School-115115200209335