Kia ora koutou

Holy Week

The children have all been learning about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection as we move through this Holy Week as a catholic school. We are all reminded of the rich and holy traditions that have been passed down for centuries - in fact millennia! Jesus gathered with His Apostles to share with them His last meal. But this was no ordinary meal. We now recognise this meal as our Mass - celebrated together as a community. Jesus was preparing his friends, and now us, for His death on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Uniform

I’m pleased to let you know that after a long consultation and investigation phase, the Board made its final decision about the uniform last evening. Following is a report from the Board with additional detail about the uniform changes.

Some key points in the Board report are:

• The decision has been made to change many pieces in the uniform - but not all.
• These changes will be phased in over two years - so your child(ren) can continue wearing what they have throughout this time.
• There is no need to order all the new items at once - you can mix and match for the next two years.
• The new uniform will be ordered as soon as possible but will take some weeks to be available - please be patient with this.
• We will let you know when orders can be made.
• If your child needs a winter uniform now, there are a few current items still available for purchase - we can also support some families with second-hand items if needed.

Lest we Forget

Our blessings go out to all who commemorate Anzac day which takes place during the school holidays this year. Our prayers and gratitude for family members who are in Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa - Defence Force at this time also - serving at home and abroad.

Thank you

Yesterday, the Patté family visited our Junior assembly for Beau to farewell the classes and to donate a maquette of Solace in the Wind to the school before they move their family overseas. We were thrilled to receive this - I’m sure you are all familiar with the full sized original statue on the waterfront. Thank you very much to Max and Amy.

School finishes for the term at 3.00pm on Thursday (tomorrow). Please stay safe over the school holidays. We look forward to welcoming you all back to school on Monday 2 May.

Take care and God bless everyone

E te Atua kia kora

Mary-Angela Tombs

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

St Francis De Sales Uniform Change

BOARD DECISION

At the last Board Meeting, it was agreed to go ahead with the proposed uniform changes. There were several amendments, detailed below.

Thank you to all who participated in the uniform consultation. We believe we have come up with a uniform that can be worn by our tamariki with pride.

Feedback on proposed new uniform items was positive, with the exception of the trackpants. Positive or neutral scores on each item ranged from 94% to 79%. In the student survey, reactions were also positive with 90% of students liking the new jacket, down to 66% liking the trackpants.

Old uniform items that remained popular were PE gear, polar fleece, cardigan and summer dress.

The Board believes that the new uniform will be affordable, comfortable, made from easy care fabrics and appropriate for general school activities. We believe it covers any current religious and cultural requirements within our school and can be ordered in sizes not currently available, making it more inclusive. This uniform also eliminates the wide cost gap between the current girls and boys uniforms and the need to seasonally change the uniform. The new uniform also reflects our goal to be gender inclusive at SFDS.

CONSULTATION & SURVEY SUMMARY

Key themes emerged from multiple comments, and these are summarised below - in order from most common themes (10-15 comments) down to those with a few comments (3+)

Most common:

• Many comments related to the lack of comfort of various existing uniform items for girls and boys - with items restricting movement, being poorly designed, not fit for purpose and causing inequities between girls and boys (15 comments).

• Several girls commented that the white blouse is see-through.

• Expense of current uniform was also noted by many, with inequity of cost for the girls' uniform.

• The expense of introducing a new uniform was also a concern (14 comments).

• Some comments differentiated between the practicalities of the Year 1-6 summer uniform in comparison to the winter uniform, and the need for simplicity (12 comments)

• There was some feedback about a desire to retain formality (especially for Year 7&8 students) and a difference between girls and boys' uniforms (4 comments)

Least common:

There were many other comments and suggestions related to other aspects, including environmental packaging, second-hand options, the current need to wear shorts under the girls' skirts/dresses for modesty, being old fashioned, and the ability to purchase some of the current items from other retailers. Suggestions were made to explore a long-sleeved polo / winter top to add warmth.

SUMMER DRESS

There was support for keeping the current summer dress. However we have been advised that the fabric will no longer be available. We would therefore need to change to a different fabric and still face a substantial rise in cost. The Board has therefore decided not to retain the summer dress.

SENIOR SUNHAT/CAP

We would like to continue the uniform change with a discussion on the senior cap. We understand that it was brought in to encourage the senior students, where hat wearing compliance is low, to at least wear some form of head covering. We know that the senior cap does not provide enough protection and would like to reintroduce the sunhat to seniors. We understand this may not be a popular suggestion however every year over 82,000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with skin cancer. A lot of this cancer is around the face, top of the head, ears and back of the neck. Later on in the year we will invite a few experts to talk to the children to help bring a better understanding of this concern. Please feel free to email the board if you have any feedback on the cap topic.

WARMTH IN WINTER

We have acknowledged that some children will feel the cold more than others and as suggested by a number of parents, looked into adding navy leggings to be worn under shorts or skorts when needed. However we have been unable to source leggings acceptable for heavy uniform wear and so have agreed that the fleece pants available from the uniform shop may be worn by any children that particularly feel the cold.

SCHOOL SHOES

We would like to simplify our requirement for school shoes. In summer navy, black or brown sandals may be worn. Sandals must have a back strap. If not wearing sandals, school shoes in black, brown or navy may be worn. These no longer need to be leather however shoes must be in one colour or tones of a colour with no contrasting logos. We hope this adds to the children's comfort while at school.

PHASE-IN PERIOD

78% of parents chose phase-in periods of one year, two years or indicated that the phase-in period was not important. Therefore the Board has decided on a phase out period for the old uniform lasting two years. It is not expected that families will need to purchase the entire new uniform immediately, the new uniform has been as much as possible designed to be bought as garments wear out and be mixed in with the current uniform until the two years is up. For example if you have a winter tunic that still fits, only purchase the new long or short sleeve polo to go underneath.

We expect the new uniform will be available from early next term. We ask that families are patient with order times, as the new items are ordered and we await the arrival of these items. There are a few of the current items still available in the uniform shop if you wish to purchase for wear during the phase out period, otherwise the children are welcome to continue wearing their summer uniform or winter uniform until the new stock arrives.

OPTIONAL DONATION SCHEME

St Francis de Sales currently offers pastoral care assistance towards uniforms and other items for those in our community who need it. We acknowledge that current times are trying for many. We have had feedback from many that they would appreciate the option to make a donation towards the cost of uniforms for families who need this. Therefore we will add a donation button to Kindo so that an optional $10.00 donation can be made at the time of purchase. Donations will go to our pastoral care fund. Alternatively you can let the uniform shop know if you would like to add a pastoral care donation of $5.00 or more to your purchase. This will go towards helping those in our community who need our help.

The Board will revisit the uniform policy in 6 years. Minor changes may happen within this period due to changing circumstances or unforeseen issues arising.

St Francis de Sales Uniform - phased in by the end of term 2, 2024

Year 1-6 uniform for all boys and girls, all year - purchased through the uniform shop:

• Polo shirt - light blue and navy with school logo (new)

• Long sleeved polo shirt - light blue with school logo with no trim at this stage (new)

• Shorts – navy (new)

• Skort – navy (new)

• Fleece pants - navy (new)

• Ankle sock – navy (no change)

• PE t-shirt – navy and pale blue – with school name (no change)

• PE shorts – navy (no change)

• Polar fleece – navy with school logo (no change)

• Current uniform items not mentioned above are optional for the next two years (no change)

• Sunhat (compulsory in Terms 1 and 4) – navy (no change)

Year 7&8 uniform for all boys and girls, all year - purchased through the uniform shop:

• Polo shirt - navy and light blue with school logo (new)

• Long sleeved polo shirt - navy with school logo with no trim at this stage (new)

• Shorts – navy (new)

• Skort – navy (new)

• Fleece pants - navy (new)

• Ankle sock – navy (no change)

• PE t-shirt – navy and pale blue – with school name navy (no change)

• PE shorts – navy (no change)

• Polar fleece – navy with school logo (no change) … OR:

• Soft shell jacket – navy with light blue – with school logo (new)

• Current uniform items not mentioned above are optional for the next two years (no change)

• Cap navy - with school logo OR Hat (compulsory in Terms 1 and 4) – (planned change)

Year 1-8 uniform for all boys and girls, all year - purchased elsewhere:

• Tidy school shoe – plain navy, black or brown (no contrasting patterns or logos)

• Summer school sandals – navy, black or brown

• Sports shoes with PE uniform

Optional Items:

• Optional SFDS sports hoodie available through the uniform shop at bulk ordering times

Purchased elsewhere:

• Optional leggings plain navy only - under shorts / skorts (no patterns or logos)

• Optional tights plain navy only - under shorts / skorts (no patterns or logos)

CONGRATULATIONS…

…to the following students who received a certificate at Papatuanuku assembly on Friday:

Elijah S, Harper M, Daksha AJ, Jack C, Israel G, Tabitha G, Taya B, Jayden S, Aris T, Isla S, Harlan AT, Isla K, Sana CB, Lucas L, Frankie HB, Sofia M and Ella W.

FUTURE FERNS

Our year 3/4 team really enjoyed their season of Future Ferns Netball learning new skills and having fun each week. Check out the photos below.

All of our term 1 sport has finished for the term - we hope all the players have enjoyed themselves. A huge thank you to those parents and caregivers who helped coach manage our teams - we really appreciate it!

TEACHER ONLY DAY

We will be having a Teacher only day at the end of term 2 on Friday 8 July. School will be closed so you will need to make other arrangements for this day.

LUCKY BOOK

Lucky books have been sent out today. Unfortunately, due to freight issues out of Lucky Books control, a large number of books were not available to send out this term and have been placed on backorder. These will now not be sent as soon as possible at the start of Term 2.

Thanks for ordering through Lucky Books- every order earns the school 10% to spend on new books for our school library

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.

FREE Junior Nature Days & The City Nature Challenge

Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington is the most species rich city in New Zealand, and we are proud to be hosting 5 free community events ‘Junior Nature Days’ these school holidays as part of the 2022 City Nature Challenge. The WCC Play crew have teamed up with local nature experts who will guide families through bush, streams, coastlines, and wilderness, on the hunt for interesting wildlife! More details here [link] wgtn.cc/CNC2022 .

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ANZAC day is Monday 25 April. If you are around please join the procession that will leave from St Hilda’s church lawn, at 12.30pm. Meet at 311 The Parade if you wish to parade to the school before the service. There will be a service held at Island Bay School, 1pm. Please check the flyer for more details

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CAPITAL TROUT CENTRE

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS SPECIAL

The Centre will be open for bookings during the school holidays.

Ring Strato on 04 3863740 or email strato.cotsilinis@gmail.com to make a booking

Also Capital Trout Centre Open Day Sunday 1st May March 2022

Children must have a licence to fish for trout and free licences/tickets are available from Thursday 14th April 2022 at the following stores.:

Capital Fishing , 49 Ghuznee Street (off Cuba Mall)

Hutt Valley Hunting & Fishing, 8 Te Puni Street, Petone

ADULTS MUST WEAR A MASK

The Centre is located behind the WCC Administration buildings on the way to the Wellington City Council Southern Landfill, on Landfill Road, Happy Valley, Wellington and is open to the public on specific days.

Children do not have to bring any gear as Club members will assist children to catch a trout on fly fishing tackle.

As the Centre is manned and maintained by volunteers we rely on donations to cover our expenses of purchasing the fish from the hatcheries, fish food and general maintenance.

We are also available for private family bookings (e g Birthdays) or other social groups

Contact: Strato 387 7878 (wk) 386 3740 (hm)

email: strato.cotsilinis@gmail.com

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Springboard Diving at Kilbirnie Pool

Wellington Diving Club offer diving lessons for kids aged 6yrs+ to Adult sessions!

Try something new - visit our website and register for a FREE 30min Trial Lesson in the school holidays or during Term.

After-school sessions available on Wed/Thurs and Saturdays - All levels welcome from beginners to competitive.

FREE Community Diving sessions one Sunday per month during Term. T&C’s apply.

For more information, please visit our website www.wellingtondiving.org.nz or call/text Barbara on 027 485 8888.

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Wellington Harrier Athletic Club offers cross country training for primary and intermediate school children.

Our club days are Saturdays and we meet at the Wellington Harrier Club rooms on Alexandre Road Mount Victoria at 2 pm.

For more information please contact Julie Richards - juliemaerdy@yahoo.co.uk 0212959026