St Mary's School Term 1 Week 2
Te Kura O Hato Mere
Newsletter 10 February 2022
PRINCIPAL'S VIEW
Kia ora koutou, kumusta, talofa lava
Welcome back! It has been so good to see all our wonderful students back after a long holiday. Many have grown in the holidays and it has been awesome to see how they are so excited to see their friends again. We always look forward to seeing all our students back as we view them as our second family. Our new year 8 students are already stepping up into new leadership roles and many like helping our younger students around the school.
It's been an interesting start to the year with all schools having to have all students and staff wear masks from year 4 and above. This has taken some getting used to by the adults and students alike. Whilst it can be uncomfortable and annoying to wear a mask we all understand that it is necessary to try and slow the spread of Covid should it rear its ugly head in our community. I thank you all for supporting us by providing surgical-style masks for your children. Your support during these unprecedented times has been greatly appreciated by the staff. We are a very special community and have always had a proud history of pulling together in adversity during our long history.
Thank you for helping us stay protected and thank you for making our job easier by your support of our health and safety procedures.
Mā te Atua koe e manaaki, e tiaki
May God bless you and protect you
David O’Neill
Principal/Tumuaki
Welcome to St Mary's
Jasmine - Room 1
Terrence - Room 1
Shenuka - Room 1
Remii - Room 1
Devan - Room 2
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS
09/02 Wednesday
DAVID Rm5
10/02 Thursday
HAN Rm4
13/02 Sunday
SANTIAGO Rm4
14/02 Monday
EDITH Rm3
16/02 Wednesday
ZEYA Rm2
19/02 Saturday
RACHEL Rm5
Free School Swimming Lessons Mon 7th- Fri 18th March
Graham Condon Pool, Papanui
Swimming will begin on Monday 7th March for two weeks. This is a compulsory component of our school curriculum. If your child is unable to swim for any reason can you please inform us by emailing the school via our school app. A swimming timetable will be published in the next two weeks.
Please note students aged 12 years and 3mths and over must have a Vaccine Pass to enter the pool.
TERM DATES and TEACHER ONLY DAYS -2022
Term 1: Wed 2 February - Thurs 14 April
Term 2: Mon 2 May – Fri 8 July
Term 3: Mon 25 July – Fri 30 Sept
Term 4: Mon 17 October – Friday 16 December
Teacher Only Days
Friday 25th March 2022
Thursday 23rd June 2022
Monday 14th November 2022
Do you or your child want to be baptised?
Our Catholic Faith Fact
Stop Judging Others
Judging and gossiping about those around us is, as Pope Francis said in his audience on Nov. 3, so easy to do that we often fall into it without thinking.
The pope offered a challenging alternative, to instead “take a look at yourself.” With this shift in perspective, Pope Francis suggests we might discover something important: “It is good to ask ourselves what drives us to correct a brother or a sister, and if we are not in some way co-responsible for their mistake.” Instead of nitpicking our neighbours, we can be honest with ourselves about our own shortcomings, making space for compassion instead of criticism.
From:
https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/12/29/new-years-resolution-pope-francis-242050
First Holy Communion 2022- Year 4 and above enrol ASAP!
Dear Parents,
As we approach the end of the year we are even now preparing for the new year. At the beginning of next year, we will launch our First Communion programme in the Parish.
Children who are in year 4 in 2022 and are baptized in the Catholic Church are eligible to sign up to make their First Communion.
The programme will be run by the Parish team with some differences to the way it has been in the past.
The children will be required to attend 3 to 4 lessons with the Parish team and complete an online programme at home with you. (To that point, if you have any problems accessing the internet, please let us know.)
Parents will be required to attend 3 Parents meetings. The dates for these meetings will be advised to you early in the new year so you can put them in your calendar. The programme will begin in February.
As part of the programme children and their parents are expected to attend Mass each Sunday.
If you are wanting First Communion for your child obviously faith is important to you. As you prepare your child for First Communion, I really encourage you to take steps to grow and nurture your own faith. That is the best way to support and encourage your children in their faith development.
I want to ask you to think about doing the Alpha programme which we will be running in the Parish in the new year. This really allows you to explore your questions about life and faith. Keep your eyes open for the registration as this will be starting in March. This is an accessible and fun programme which has been life-changing for many of our parishioners. I think you will enjoy it.
To register your child for First communion please click on this link to fill out the registration form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSft-yYB0OLO5DwFGv6mT8UPyVwBvHjzka8ULrOk4KPWabqRJw/viewform
Thank you for taking seriously your responsibility to form your child in the ways of faith. We are
delighted to be supporting you in this important work.
May God bless you and your family as the festive season approaches.
Sincerely in the Lord,
Catholic Cathedral Parish
Fr Simon Eccleton
Cathedral Administrator
Click here to register for First Holy Communion (Year 4 students and above only)
COVID-19 -Please wear masks for pickup and drop off
Please remember that if you are entering the school grounds you need to scan the COVID tracer QR code at the entrance gate or on the office window. If you are staying in the school for more than a few minutes you must also sign in at the school office.
School Polar Fleece
Sunhats must be worn Term 1
School Sun hats are compulsory during Terms 1 and 4 and are available from the school office at a cost of $12.00.
Royal blue, Aussie style wide brimmed hat.
Please note payment may only be made by cash or internet banking. Our bank account number is:
03 0855 0436803 00
Pre Enrolment of Siblings
Closing of School Gate
Carpark Safety
Student Absence
Attendance Dues increase for 2022
Upcoming Events
FEBRUARY 2022
- Year 7 and 8 Technology lessons begin at CHCH East School- Friday 4th February
MARCH 2022
- Swimming Lessons begin - Monday 7th March
- Swimming Lessons conclude - Friday 18th March
APRIL 2022
- Last Day of Term 1 - Thursday 14th April
MAY 2022
- Term 2 Begins - Monday 2nd May
Lunchonline - Subway or Sushi on Fridays
School App
Please email the school office to obtain a secure link to download the app.