Week 5 Term 3 SFDS Newsletter
St Francis de Sales - Wednesday 24 August 2022
MARY-ANGELA'S MESSAGE
Tēnā Koutou SFDS families
Thank you for your continued support to keep transmission of COVID-19 and winter illnesses to a minimum. Most of the time staff and Year 4-8 students have been wearing masks when inside at school this term. This is proving challenging for many, and some have obtained mask-exemptions as a result of these challenges.
Schools can continue to include measures beyond those required under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
The St Francis de Sales decision about the level of mask wearing going forward will be informed by the following (as advised by the Ministry of Education):
- Covid case numbers in our community
- Winter illness absences
- Any vulnerability within our school community
COVID-19 Protection Framework for schools and kura – Te Mahau
Under the framework, when at Orange traffic light setting, masks must be worn by ākonga aged 12 and above on school and public transport. It is also strongly recommended by public health officials that face masks are worn by students and staff in Year 4 to 13 when indoors, including combined classes when learning and during indoor assemblies.
1. COVID CASE NUMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY
Throughout Term 2 and term 3 the percentage of children with Covid-related absence has been between 1.7% and 1.8% on average at SFDS. This is much-reduced from Term 1, when the average was 9% of children.
2. OTHER ILLNESS ABSENCES
Absences due to non covid-related sickness and other medical reasons have ranged between 4% in Term 1 to 8% of our children in Term 2. We are sitting at an average of 6.9% of children away with other illnesses so far this term.
Note: Our annual average rate of absence due to illnesses is slightly raised at 6.6%, in contrast to 5.3% 2021, 5.1% in 2020 and 4.8% in 2019 for the same time in the year.
3. ANY VULNERABILITY WITHIN OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY
We would like to know more about the vulnerabilities in our community before making any changes to our current measures.
Please complete this survey - to let us know if you or your household members are more vulnerable to contracting Covid-19. https://forms.gle/mnxY4t63a5N5dR4V6
Once we bring all of this information together, we can make an informed choice going forward. Thank you.
KIA MANAWAROA
Kia Manawaroa is the Ministry of Education’s pānu. It is written by Māori for parents and whanau of ākonga Māori. It includes information about opportunities and milestones in education, Māori success as Māori, Te Reo Māori, and COVID-19 updates relevant to whānau as and when appropriate.
You can read the latest issue of Kia Manawaroa here Kia Manawaroa August 2022. This latest issue is out now with updates about:
- Te Wiki o te Reo Māori dates
- New resource to support tamariki transition into kura
- Whānau wellbeing and support
- And so much more!
You can also subscribe to receive the latest issue directly to your inbox.
PERSUASION!
Today I visited Ruma Kōura to listen to the tamariki sharing their persuasive writing! Each of the children were trying to persuade their audience that either:
- Children should be able to choose their own bedtime….or
- Children should NOT be allowed to choose their own bedtime
They each came up with some interesting arguments for and against - and shared their writing with confidence. It was lovely to see the ways they supported one another too. Parents, I would look out if I were you as you may have a few arguments about bedtime :)
Kind regards and God bless
Mary-Angela Tombs
Principal
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Parent Election Declaration
At the close of nominations we had received 7 valid nominations for the 5 vacancies required to be filled and a voting election was required. However 2 of the candidates have now withdrawn and as the number of nominations is now equal to the number of vacancies, we are no longer required to continue with the voting election.
I hereby declare the following duly elected:
Haley Hakaraia
Deanna Mallon
Megan Teusse
Jo-Anne White
Ameha Wondirad
Ngā mihi nui
Suzanne Lek
Returning Officer
Newsletter proudly sponsored by
SARAH'S MESSAGE
THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER - it'll be a great evening!
Hopefully you took note of the 'save the date' from our learning conferences last term and have this date in your diary. Come along as we get together again as a school community, we can't wait to see you all!
It will be a fun evening of performances from our tamariki and a chance to learn about and engage with the wellbeing programme we have started this year.
We will have a FREE sausage sizzle in the courtyard at school from 4.30 - 5.15pm and then have the performances in the church from 5.30 - 7pm.
If anyone has a BBQ we could borrow for this (we are looking for two) then please email Sarah on sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz
If anyone is able to come in and help cook the sausages, then please also email Sarah on sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz
The seating in the church will be by house group. So, make sure you know what house (and colour!) your child/ren is in. Everyone in your family (adults and other siblings included) is encouraged to come dressed in their house colour, be as colourful and creative with your attire as you like!
SOUTHERN ZONE SWIMMING
This was a fun event last Tuesday for our 40 swimmers who were representing SFDS. We were proud of the effort put in by all. A huge thank you to Jayne M and Michael H who came along and helped out for the morning.
The first 3 swimmers in each event and the first placed relay teams will go on and participate in the Inter Zone Swimming Sports being held on Thursday 22 September back at Kilbirnie Pool. Those swimmers will receive more information closer to the time.
Well done to the following swimmers who gained a placing! You can view them in the following PDF
DRS MESSAGE
GENEROSITY | NGĀKAUNUI
This week we have moved to our weekly value of Ngākaunui - Generosity. Ngākaunui as SFDS is giving and sharing with others, not expecting anything in return, being generous with your time.
“For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give -- large or small -- will be used to measure what is given back to you.” Luke 6:38.
WIG WEDNESDAY
Wig Wednesday will be held on Wednesday 7 September this year. Wig Wednesday raises money for the Child Cancer Foundation to support tamariki with cancer and their whānau. You can donate through KINDO or the link
(https://wigwednesday.org.nz/stfrancisdesalesschoolislandbay).
Madeline Smith
DRS
RANGINUI NEWS
Our sports house captains are running a weekly lunchtime sports club. Here are a few photos from yesterday's event.
PSL
We are excited to be holding the PSL AGM Thursday 25 August 7pm in the school staff room.
For more information about the PSL please click here or email us on psl.sfds@gmail.com
Old and new members please come along so we can breathe some new life back into this amazing little group.
WIthout the PSL we would not have the most amazing turfs, slide and equipment for your wonderful children to enjoy! So come along! Don't make us pull out the BBQ....
GARDEN TO TABLE
The cooking group cut the broccoli from the garden and used this in a tomato and broccoli pasta sauce. They also practiced their peeling and chopping skills to prepare root vegetables (including carrots from the garden!) to roast which were flavoured with rosemary from the garden.
The gardening group pulled up the carrots - some were interesting shapes and sizes! They also prepared the ground and planted potatoes. It was great to have a dry morning in the garden!
Both groups fed the worms in the worm farm with peelings and garden scraps.
THANK YOU!
PRINCIPAL’S CUP AWARDED TO...
This cup is awarded weekly to a St Francis de Sales student who demonstrates exemplary service to our kura and our community.
A huge congratulations to the wonderful Giuliana De G who is this week's recipient of our ‘Principal ‘s Cup’!
Every morning Giuliana arrives at school with a happy and friendly smile, she is always really supportive of our younger children and she is a great buddy to one of our children that needs extra help.
The following products are available though your school KINDO account
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.
Supporting other children through Kindo
Kindo is adding a new feature to your myKindo portal enabling you to gift to others... starting with KidsCan. You will be able to buy lunch, shop and pay for our school items as normal, and you will now see some KidsCan donation offers on the checkout page.
Kindo will provide the donation receipts so you can claim back the 33% tax rebate – or sign up to TaxGift or Supergenerous to gift the rebate too.
If you have any questions or feedback, please email hello@mykindo.co.nz
Click here to download term 2 menu.
Whether it's a Dad, Uncle, Grandad or Poppa in your life, make them feel extra special this Father's Day with our ezlunch giveaway. Every lunch order gets you a chance to win one of two $50 'Not Socks' vouchers.
Order ezlunch for delivery from Monday 22 August - Friday 2 September to be in the draw to WIN!
Two vouchers, two winners!
The winners will be drawn on Friday 2 September and notified by email.
Go to www.mykindo.co.nz to start ordering.
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Buy a Munch product and feel good about using it. We are making it easier for you to be more sustainable. All our products are eco friendly in some way from being reusable, organic to biodegradable. Everyday products making a difference. Useful, beautiful and green. All our ingredients and products are sourced from ethical communities.
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Term 3 Policies and Procedures due for review
In term three, the focus is on the Student Wellbeing and Safety sections.
Student Wellbeing and Safety
Staff Wellbeing and Safety
Please feel free to have a look at this on the Schooldocs site and give us your feedback.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Island Bay Tennis and Squash Club is an inclusive and vibrant community sports facility that caters for players of all ages and abilities. We would love to share our club with new members. Love Tennis is an opportunity for us to do that with a free event. The day will be packed with lots of great activities and we are offering a 25% off membership deal for new members.
We hope to see you there! You can find us at 2, The Parade in Island Bay.
Charlotte Bell, IBTSC, Tennis Club Captain
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CAPITAL TROUT CENTRE
has now reopened.
The Next Open Day is Sunday 4th September 2022
Restricted to children aged 11yrs and under
Children must have a registration form/licence to fish for trout and free licences are available from Monday 22nd August 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)
KIDS CROSSFIT
It's time we teach the next generation of CrossFit the benefits of constantly varied, functional movement and also have so fun! - Kids CrossFit is now at Loúka!
For ages 5 to 11 years old. (please let us know if you have kids outside this age and we can assess)
Starts 30th August - Every Tuesday and Thursday from 4pm to 4:45pm.
$20 per week covers both classes per week.
Registration link below:
https://forms.gle/mW3SkaXNpB87ek7H7 Or Please email : admin@crossfitfrf.com
Click below to download our school app or please use the following QR code which will take you to the right place
Contact Us
Email: office@sfds.school.nz
Website: http://www.sfds.school.nz
Location: St Francis De Sales School 11 Mersey Street, Island Bay, Wellington, New Zealand
Phone: 04 939 7370