SJS Newsletter Term 3 Week 8
Newsletter 14 September 2022
Our Vision: To grow Catholic, Christian young people,
who are confident, connected lifelong learners, inspired by the teachings of Jesus,
and who make a positive difference in their community.
Tēnā tātou
Dear Family/Whānau
Opening of School Library - Te Whakaruruhau - On Monday we were at last able to open our beautiful library - Te Whakaruruhau/The sheltering Place. Opened by myself, our eldest (Jahziel) and youngest (Samuel) learners pulled the ribbon and blessed by Fr Brian. This is a wonderful asset for our learners and community. Here is the speech I shared at that opening.
Covid-19 Response Framework - from the Secretary of Education - You’ll be aware that New Zealand will move to a new, long-term approach to COVID-19. These changes have been made based on public health advice and reflect high levels of immunity and declining case numbers across New Zealand.
This new approach will only result in minor changes to the way we operate.
The very positive news is that household contacts of a person with COVID-19 do not need to isolate, but instead are asked to complete a RAT test each day, for five days. Therefore, ākonga who are household contacts but test negative and do not have COVID-19 symptoms, should continue to attend. It is the best place for them to be so they can be engaged in their learning, and connected with their teachers, classmates and friends.
Information on how to get RAT kits can be found here: Request a RAT– Ministry of Health
Mask wearing is no longer required.
All the other recommended public health measures will stay in place as we know they reduce the spread of infectious illnesses including COVID-19. These include ensuring our indoor spaces are well-ventilated, maintaining good hand hygiene, encouraging everyone to cough or sneeze into elbows and, most importantly, staying home and getting tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms.
We sincerely appreciate the support and efforts of our school community over the past two and a half years, as together we have navigated our way through this pandemic in what was unprecedented times. To our staff, thank you for your dynamic approach to evolving and adapting to online learning, supporting one another and your learners, maintaining the hygiene and cleaning practices with our school, regular checks on our school property and grounds, for keeping our community technologically connected and the School Board for your unwavering support.
He aha te mea nui o te ao, he tangata he tangata he tangata. What is the most important thing in the world, it is the people, the people, the people.
Building Plans - The Palmerston North Catholic Diocese is supporting us to upgrade our outdoor buildings. These include the caretaker, shelter, storage and sports sheds. Linked are the upgrade plans. Please contact the school office if you wish to comment on these plans.
Staff Only Day - On September 5 we had a very informative staff only day continuing our professional development about maths and children's mental health and anxiety.
Honouring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - This week it was announced that New Zealand/Aotearoa will have a one off public holiday on Monday 26 September to acknowledge the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
E te Atua e manaaki ki a koutou katoa
May God Bless you all
Christine Cosgrove
Catholic Special Character
From our Parish Office
Link to Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Website
Link to the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit mass times
Latest Kotahi Ano Parish Newsletter
Young Vinnies - 16 of our year 6 learners have begun our Young Vinnies service group for 2022. We are extremely lucky to have Emma Whitson from St Vincent de Paul leading these learners. They have just held a ‘book drive’ asking for quality second hand books to be donated, and these have just been given to St Vincent de Paul for their shop.
Religious Education and Prayer learning - We continue to unpack a piece of scripture supporting our theme of ‘Change’ each week. This unpacking begins with a schoolwide Gathering on a Monday morning, and is continued in class prayer each day.
We began the term’s Religious Education learning looking at the Holy Spirit and how this creates and inspires change. Then we moved into looking at the changes Jesus’ inspired, and how life has changed so much from Jesus’ time to ours.
We look ahead with anticipation to our term four theme of 'Celebration’.
Special Character Evaluation - We continue to host our friends from the Catholic Education Office this week. They are enjoying their time here at St James’, and are loving learning about how our place works, and looking at all things Special Character.
Celebrations - Celebrating Success
Te wiki o Te Reo Maori Week
Tēnā koutou e te whānau o Hato Hemi
This week we have been celebrating Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori.
We have taken up the wero of Mahuru Maori, trying to korero Maori with one another on a daily basis, our kai ako and tamariki. This will be extended to a Te Reo Club for those who would like to extend their korero with new kupu and ways of saying things, starting next week.
'Kia kaha te reo Māori’ — ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong'.
Ngā manaakitanga
Welcome - We extend a warm welcome to Samuel who has started his faith and learning journey at Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi. We also extend a warm welcome to his family and whānau.
Kids Lit - On Monday the 5th of September six talented Year 6 learners took part in the annual year 5-8 Kids Lit competition in Feilding.
Their knowledge of all things “book” was outstanding!
Book Fair - Wow! Thank you so much for all your support with our book fair!!! We are so blessed to have such a supportive community who actively encourage our tamariki with their literacy, and use of our library and it resourcing. The unofficial sales at the book fair (still some money to come in) is $3947.00!!! What an amazing effort for our kura! 20% of that will come back to our school library budget for resourcing which is so very awesome. Kei runga noa atu!
News
Malayalam Morning Tea Catch up
Namaskkaram, The next scheduled morning tea catch up is Tuesday 27 September at 9am in the staffroom. Please come along and join us.
Yellavarkkum Swagatham
Term 1 Monday 30th January – Thursday 6th April
Term 2 Monday 24th April – Friday 30th June
Term 3 Monday 17th July – Friday 22nd September
Term 4 Monday 9th October – Friday 15th December
Reminders
Whānau Wellbeing
Thank you to everyone who has shared photos of your whānau engaging in the wellbeing activities together at home. There are SO many entries in the Prize Kete! But don’t worry - we have plenty of prizes to give away! There are still two weeks left to complete your activities together as a family and get the entries into the draw.
The prize draw will be held at our upcoming Whānau Wellbeing Hui - Wednesday September 28 (Week 10).
The hui will be held in the school hall from 3-5pm. Please bring a small plate to share for afternoon tea. We look forward to seeing everyone at the hui!
Ngā mihi, Amy Cousins
Nippers Out of School Care and Holiday Programme - Need care during the school holidays?
Nippers operates out of our St James’ Catholic School Hall, contact 356 7926, 021 645 806 or nippers@inspire.net.nz for more information.
Yummy Apple Stickers - Collection sheets are also available from the school office. Please have these to the school office by Friday 23 September.
Cut out Label Collection Sheet
New Variety Sticker Collection
Sticker Collection Sheet
Sports
Year 3-6 Swimming Sports will be held on Wednesday 28 September starting at 12pm at the Lido Aquatic Centre. Learners will be bussed to and from the venue. We will require parent help with time keeping on the day, if you are able to support us with this please contact Tracey Gunn, t.gunn@stjamescatholic.school.nz. This will follow onto our Whānau Wellbeing Hui commencing at 3pm.
2022 Summer Hockey - Registrations close 30 September 2022.
St James' School PTFA - Parent and Teachers and Friends Association
PTFA Pizza Lunch Friday 16 September - $2 per slice for Hawaiian, Meat Lovers or Simply Cheese. Orders taken outside the front office before school on Friday morning.
The next PTFA (Parent, Teacher and Friends Association) meeting will be held in the staffroom on Thursday 29 September 2022 at 6.30-8.00 pm. Do you wish to get involved and assist with fundraising initiates? Together we make a difference and we invite you to come along to this meeting with ideas, new families welcome. It would be great to see some families from each learning space.
Kelly Hoskins
PTFA Chairperson
ptfachairperson@stjamescatholic.school.nz
Serving Our Saints with Faith and Enthusiasm
St James' Catholic School Board Update
The next BOT meeting will be held in the staffroom on Monday 26 September 2022 at 6.00 pm. All welcome.
School Board Membership: it was moved that the School Board start the process under Section 121 Education and Training Act 2020 to reduce the size of the board membership to reflect the size of the school to: 4 Parent Representatives, 3 Proprietor Appointees, 1 Staff Member and the Principal. If the school community has any feedback around this recommendation I invite you to contact me and/or attend the next school board meeting on Monday 26 September at 6pm in the staffroom where this will be discussed.
St James' Catholic School Board Elections - Staff Election Results Declaration.
I hereby declare the following Staff Representative duly Elected - Hilary Autagavaia
Tracey Jenkins, Returning Officer
Principal Appointment Update: The School Board have now worked through and finalised the Principal Appointment Advertisement. The approved version of the Principal Advert has been booked for the September print edition of the Education Gazette. Closing date 1 November.
Analena Siu
Presiding Member (boardpm@stjamescatholic.school.nz)
Board Introduction
It is a privilege to be on St James’ School Board. I have 2 sons, both of whom are now at St James; Lachlan who is in year 3, and Magnus has just joined in new entrants. Both of my boys thoroughly enjoy St James’ and are thriving at St James, and I wish to see this continue for all.
Having spent the majority of my career overseas, running Software and Technology businesses in Australia, US and the UK, I have returned to raise my children in Palmerston North where I am now retrained as an Electrician and a local business owner, running a local Electrical Contracting business. I am looking forward to being more involved in St James and using my experience to assist St James.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with the family, especially watching my boys enjoy their football, gymnastics and Ju-jitsu. I am an avid reader and keen All Blacks supporter.
Dates for Your Diary
Please keep checking the Events Calendar on the school website or school App as we are updating this should events be cancelled/postponed. All coming events will continue to be updated here. Add to my Calendar.
2022 Term Dates & Holidays. 2023 Term Dates & Holidays. Please add these to your diary, in particular the Staff Only Days.
TERM 3
Week 8
Te wiki o Te Reo Maori Week
13-15 September - PNCEO Catholic Special Character Evaluation
Friday 16 September - PTFA Pizza Lunch
Week 9
Te wiki o Te Reo Maori Week
International Talk Like a Pirate Day
20 & 21 September - NMSSA Year 4 Testing
Friday 23 September - Yummy Apple Stickers due to School Office
Week 10
Mental Health Awareness Week
Monday 26 September - Public Holiday to Honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Monday 26 September - School Board Meeting 6pm
Wednesday 28 September - Year 3-6 Swimming Sports, Lido Aquatic Centre 12 noon
Wednesday 28 September - Whānau Wellbeing Hui 3-5pm
Friday 30 September - Assembly
Friday 30 September - Last Day of Term 3
Getting Involved
Kidney Kids - One small way we can make life easier for others which costs us nothing, is to collect stamps, can tabs, and wine bottle tops!
You will find collection boxes for these in the School Office foyer. If, as a family you don't already set these items aside for Kidney Kids at Starship and the Missions, you may like to start, as a very visible witness to demonstrating Jesus' example of LOVE. Encourage neighbours and family to do the same. There is no deadline.
School App Advertising - If you are interested in advertising on our School App please make an enquiry to office@stjamescatholic.school.nz.
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