Dear Parents,

Thank you to the parents who put their hands up to serve on our Board of Trustees for the next three years. We had five parents nominated for the five positions, so there is no need for an election. Because we are a Catholic State Integrated School, our Board is also made up of four Proprietor’s Representatives who represent the Bishop. Our Board is as follows :

PROPRIETOR'S REPRESENTATIVES

• Dirk Stahlhut

• Elmer Ersando

• Father Thomas

• Rachel Schuster (TBC)

PARENTS’ REPRESENTATIVES

• Heidi Symon

• Edward Judd

• Mathew Doidge

• Tammy-Lee Holmes

• Jayne Marsh

STAFF REPRESENTATIVE

• Bevan James

PRINCIPAL

• David Macmillan

I am looking forward to working with this Board of Trustees.

A very big thank you to our two out-going Board members, Chris Parnell and Bryce Smart. Chris and Bryce did not stand for re-election as their children have now moved on to John Paul College. I have very much appreciated having you both on the Board and thank you for your hard work and dedication to the governance of St Mary’s School over the past three years.

We had a large number of students involved in the Tough Guy and Gal Challenge today. Our students love being involved in this event, lots of mud, water and fun, Thanks to Brigitte Holmes for accompanying the group and parents for their support with transport.

Members of our Chess Club compete in Tauranga on Friday. I wish them all the best with this. Thanks to Mr G and parents who are accompanying our students.

Our school production is really taking shape. Classes are practising every week with Jane Trask, the show director and dance teacher. The dates for the production are now Wednesday 28 September and Thursday 29 September. There will be a 1.00 pm matinee and a 6.30 pm evening show. I’ll let you know when the tickets go on sale. Thanks to the parents who have been helping with the costuming.

I think I have mentioned several times in this newsletter the support we get from parents. We are indeed a fortunate school with the fantastic help we get from our parent community. Our PTA has its AGM tonight and would love to see you there. The PTA is a group of parents who help with fundraising activities in the school and they also support families who might need help with meals etc. We rely on this group so it would be awesome to see a large number of parents at the meeting. The meeting starts at 7.00 pm in the school staffroom.

School Attendance is a concern in New Zealand with low rates of attendance in a number of schools There is a national campaign about to start encouraging parents to make sure that their children are at school. I am very pleased to say that the attendance rate at St Mary’s is well ahead of the national average. Thank you parents for making sure that you get your children to school every day.

Have an enjoyable week.

David Macmillan,

Principal.

This week the Junior team have been learning that as Catholics we are a part of God’s big family. The students have been thinking how they belong and are loved. The Senior team have had a focus on kindness. Some classes are trying to pay compliments to one another, others are catching their peers being kind and praising them for their kind acts.

Pope Francis has a lovely quote on kindness. “Let us learn to live with kindness, to love everyone, even when they do not love us.”

We are taking part in Operation Shoe Box once again. This is where each class is given a shoebox to fill with some little gift ideas - for a boy or girl - who could do with an extra smile on Christmas Day. If you are able to provide a donation that would be amazing. Donations can include - toys, school supplies, hygiene products, clothing, hair accessories etc.

Items NOT to include are: Toothpaste, sweets, lotions and liquids; used or damaged items; war-related items; seeds, gum, chocolate or food items; religious or political literature; medicines, aerosol cans, sharp or fragile items.

God bless you and your family this week.

Sara Mines and Lorna Dobson DRS.

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The PTA AGM will take place this evening at 7pm

in the school staff room.

A small supper will be provided.

We welcome everyone!!

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SCHOOL PRODUCTION UPDATE ...

WOW! I am so impressed at how hard the children have been working to learn, practice and perfect their class dances. It truly is special to have our entire school perform onstage!! If you haven't got one of the songs stuck in your head by now, I would be most surprised!

Main Characters are working hard alongside Mrs Trask and Mrs Tiedt to learn and perfect their lines ready for drama blocking in the next few weeks.

The Rock N Roll Dancers and Jazz Dancers have been chosen and are also working hard.

Please remember to check the costume requirements below for your own child. Main Characters will have outfits sourced for them.

Thank you to all my lovely sewers who have helped hem scarves and ties for the entire middle and senior school!

The show is in Week 10:

Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th September 2022.

There will be a matinee and evening performance each day. Times to be confirmed.

Class schedule for performances and ticket information will be available soon.

A huge thanks to Brooklyn Johns for helping me with the backdrop for Granny's Diner and Rico Trask for his helpful suggestions.

Class Costume Requirements (Parents to supply from home)

Room 1, Room 2, Room 3, Room 4, Room 5

Plain white T-shirt/shirt or top

GIRLS: Any coloured knee length skirt (No tight mini skirts)

BOYS: Any plain BLACK OR NAVY BLUE pants, jeans or track pants

No socks /shoes

Costume pieces supplied by school -

SCARVES (Girls) TIES (boys) in a different colour for each class to unite them.

Blue Suede Shoes Dance - we may provide blue socks for this dance. TBC

Room 12, Room 14, Room 15, Room 16, Room 17

Plain White T-shirt/shirt or top

GIRLS: Any coloured knee length skirt (No tight mini skirts)

BOYS: Any plain BLACK OR NAVY BLUE pants, jeans or track pants

No socks/shoes

SCARVES (Girls) TIES (boys) in a different colour for each class to unite them.

Blue Suede Shoes Dance - we may provide blue socks for this dance TBC

All Kakano Students

Plain BLACK T-shirt/Shirt or top

Plain BLACK Pants/Tights/Jeans or Track pants

No socks / shoes

Purple fabric and Head Bands will be supplied for your child.

Nga Mihi

Mrs Jane Trask

Thanks to parents and students who were involved with our cake stall today. We raised $291.00. Mr G is also still keen to relieve you of any metal bits & pieces you have lying around.

So far we have made $400 from these items. Thanks for your support.

ST MARY'S SCHOOL - FOOTBALL CLUB DUTY

Next duty day is Saturday 3 September. Please contact the school office if you are available to help. Phone 3481 701 or schooloffice@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

TOUCH RUGBY REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN!

Touch rugby continues to be a popular sport with our tamariki. Because of this we are asking everyone to please register as early as possible so that we can start to confirm teams and coaches/managers.

Season details:

• Yrs 5-6 play Tuesday’s starting 18th October 2022
• Yrs 0-4 play Wednesday’s starting 19th October 2022
• Note: There are grading games on Saturday 24th of September
• The fee for Term 4 is $35 per player.

Online registrations MUST be completed by 3.15pm Thursday 15th September to ensure your child’s place in a team.

If there is anything you would like us to consider when we are assigning teams, we ask that you include this in the notes section of the registration form. We will endeavour to meet these requests but please do understand that it is not always possible.

We also require parents/whanau/friends to volunteer as coaches and/or managers. If you are available to help this year (or have not yet had a turn at helping out) please consider volunteering. Without coaches the teams will not be able to play.

Rotorua Schools Mini-Marathon

This will be held 16 September at the Rotorua Events Centre. A notice has gone home to all students who wish to participate. Closing date for entries and payment of registration fee is 23 August.

If you are attending your child/childrens' sporting events and have some good photos to share, please send to sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz with a notation about the occasion.

Please regularly check our school website for information about the sport/s your child is playing. If you have any sports queries please do not ring the office. Contact for the Sports

Co-ordinator is : sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz. or mobile 0272857579