Newsletter Week 8 Term 3
Sacred Heart School Petone Wednesday 15th September, 2021
PRINCIPAL'S PEN
Tena koutou katoa
It is nice to be at Alert Level 2 and it was great to see the smiling faces coming in the gate last Thursday and the obvious delight our children showed when they saw their friends. Thank you for supporting our processes at this level. We urge you to consider getting vaccinated and this is available now to everyone over 12. We remind you that if you do need to come into school you MUST scan in and sign in at the office. We also need to remember people in Auckland who are still at Alert Level 4 and remember them in our prayers. We hope they soon join the rest of us in a lower alert level.
Due to the uncertainty of Alert levels and lower numbers in public places Petone Library Visits are on hold and we have postponed a couple of school activities until Term 4.
This week is Maori Language Week and Social Justice Week. We are going to celebrate Maori Language Week next week because due to lockdown our students have not had a chance to prepare activities. We are also going to celebrate Tongan Language Week in Week 10 of the term as we did not have a chance to do this properly last week.
The theme for Social Justice Week this year is: A Culture of Encounter: Be the Church. The focus is on The Beatitudes and how we put them into action when we encounter people in our daily lives.
We are in the process of appointing a permanent teacher for Kea Class to start in 2022. As soon as this process is complete we will let you know the outcome.
Catholic Schools Day: We will be celebrating Catholic Schools Day on Wednesday 29th September. We will begin with a Liturgy at 9am. On that day the students will have their Silver/ Gold Values reward which will be a Disco during the day. There will be no cost for the Disco but Year 7/ 8 will be doing some Camp fundraising on the day. More information about the Disco is coming home today in a separate notice.
HERO Comments: The next HERO comment will be at the end of Week 9, 24th September
Classes 2022: This process has begun and to help us with getting classes ready we need you to let us know as soon as possible if your children will not be returning to Sacred Heart next year. This does not include Year 8's.
In a school this size, sometimes children have to spend two years in the same classroom but not at the same Year level. We will be contacting any families whose children may be in this situation. If you would like to talk about the placement of your child next year then please speak to Jacqui, Katy or myself. School organisation is a Management decision and one which a lot of time goes into and is a decision which is affected by many factors including numbers in classes and year levels.
Sports Term 4: Next week notices will come home regarding Touch Rugby and Future Ferns Netball for Term 4. Please ensure you send the reply back on time if your child/ children wish to play in Term 4.
School Uniform: Term 4 is summer uniform term and we advise you to think about what you need and organise it before the end of this term. All students will require a school sunhat for Term 4.
Teacher Only Day: Friday 22nd October we are having a Teacher Only Day and school will be closed. Please make sure you have made arrangements for your children on that day. The staff will be working on the new Religious Education curriculum.
Term 3 ends at 3pm on Friday 1st October and reopens for Term 4 at 9am on Monday 18th October.
Daylight Saving begins at 2am on Saturday 26th September. Don't forget to put your clocks forward an hour when you go to bed on September 25th.
Thought for the Week
Taking a Closer Look Te Āta Tirotiro
Aotearoa New Zealand is a beautiful country with caring people as we’ve been reminded during the pandemic. However, like any place, it is not perfect. Injustice and inequality still exist throughout society. From discrimination to housing issues, there are many challenges that exist for so many New Zealanders. Our challenge is to keep our eyes open to injustice, wherever it may be – at home, school or in our local community – and act!
Ma Atua e manaaki
God bless
Liz
Our Special Character
Please continue to keep all our candidates and their families in your prayers as they continue their Sacramental Journey. We have postponed First Communion until the 28th November due to the uncertainty of Alert Levels and because Mass will not be celebrated in the Archdiocese until we return to Level 1. We have also decided to celebrate a First Communion Mass in Eastbourne on Saturday 27th November at 5.30pm.
Rescheduled Dates:
- Thursday 11th November 7pm - Parent meeting First Communion
- Friday 19th November 9am-1pm- Retreat Day for Students
- Thursday 25th November- Practice for Sacred Heart Petone Community
- Sunday 28th November- First Communion Petone 9.30am
Tui and Ruru hosted their rescheduled class liturgy today. Below are the rescheduled class liturgies which will now be next term.
- Wednesday 27th October- Pukeko
- Wednesday 3rd November - Kakapo
- Wednesday 10th November- Kea
You are most welcome to come and join with your children for these Liturgies.
RE in Kotuku
To celebrate Social Justice Week, Kotuku are doing a variety of activities with the hope that they will be challenged and inspired through this week to care for others. Caritas has provided great activities as examples of ways for students to respond.
They are encouraged initially to reflect on what seems unjust in the world around them and ultimately work through to an action that will make our world a better place.
Some of the activities they have been engaged in so far are below and hopefully some more before the week is over.
In groups they were constructing cardboard shelters with a focus on the Merciful beatitude and Righteousness.
Mataki: Watched an animated version of the Good Samaritan and the students worked in pairs to identify which Beatitudes connect to the action and discussed how the moral of the story applies to their daily life.
Kowhiri: The students are already using the Social Justice prayers to help focus on a particular Beatitude before starting the school day in classroom prayers.
Panui: Scripture Reading : Matthew 5:3-10- Teacher read and the students find a particular beatitude verse that resonates with them. Then watch the video.
Celebrating our students
Welcome back to school! Alert Levels mean many of our events and activites have been put on pause or cancelled but that doesn't stop our lovely students enjoying each other and their learning. Liturgies, art, Maori Language moments, Rise Up... check out the photos below.
Tui and Ruru class celebrated their Liturgy this morning, with a theme of belonging to one family; God's family. It was lovely to see so many parents and caregivers in attendance and the rendition of 'These hands' (by Andrew Chinn) was a wonderful way to start the morning. Kai pai to our fabulous tamariki and Kaiako.
Term 3 is when we highlight our Sense of Community RISE value, which was warmly reflected by our students welcoming our two new Tui's Georgia and Grace. Ka pai! Mihi mahana - warm greetings to Grace and Georgia.
On Tuesday 14th September at 12pm, we took part in the Maori Language Moment, celebrating Te Reo our way. Check out the photos of Kakapo students below. How many times can you use Te Reo today? Ka Rawe Kakapo!
Yummy Stickers - please continue to bring these in as Term 3 is the last term for collecting these and earning sports equipment for our school. Please see Anna in the office if you require a new sticker sheet.
Lost Property
We have several items in our lost property, including puffer jackets. Can you please check your child is not missing any uniform or coats?
Updated Contact details
If you have moved house or have a new phone number or email address, can you please email Anna in reception so we can update these on our system.
Artsplash - cancelled.
If you have already paid for a ticket, please return it to the office for a refund.

Junior Syndicate Art - Hei Tikis Our beautiful Tikis are on display outside Ruru Class. | Junior Syndicate Art - Hei Tikis Our beautiful Tikis are on display outside Ruru Class. | Junior Syndicate Art - Hei Tikis Our beautiful Tikis are on display outside Ruru Class. |
Kereru Rise Up Bronson-Mose enjoying the sandpit. | Kereru Rise Up Mila having time out after a vigourous round of basketball. | Kereru Rise-Up Alehio with his hand-made secret potion. |
Banana Split game Rock, Paper, Scissors...splits! | Tree Climbing Madeleine, Mea and Hendrix-Ana showing off thier climbing skills. | Tree Climbing Laycee-Maria just chilling! |
Enrolments for 2022
Enrolments for 2022 are now closed. Any enrolments (both Preference and Non- Preference) received from now on will be placed on the waiting list.
Parking safely at school.
There has been a rise in parents/caregivers parking illegally while dropping off or picking up students. We have had several complaints from neighbours and other concerned parents and staff.
Parking on broken yellow lines by the school crossing, double-parking and blocking driveways is not only inconsiderate and illegal but putting our children at risk. It does not reinforce the road safety rules we learn at school and makes it very difficult for our school patrollers to help our tamariki cross the road safely.
Due to the rise in complaints, Senior Community Constable Tony Shearer and the Parking Wardens will be making regular visits to our school during these busy times to monitor the situation. Any vehicle seen in violation of the road rules will be photographed and will receive a personal phone call from the police and a fine.

Upcoming Events (Subject to Alert Levels)
- Thursday 16th September - Cricket Yr 1-3
- Monday 20th September - School Prayer and Whakatau 9am
- Friday 24th September - Assembly 2pm
- Saturday 25th September - Frock Swap (FOSH Fundraiser) 7.30pm in Pohutakawa
- Wednesday 29th September - Early Risers Session 2.
- Wednesday 29th September - School Disco/Sausage Sizzle/Bake Sale
FOSH news
Holiday Programme
We are hoping to hold the School Holiday programme again in the first week of the next school holidays (4th October - 8th October). This is number-dependant, so if you are interested please contact Kate Wasson on 021374335 or Madeline on madsandjared@gmail.com as soon as possible.
Frock Swap
The Frock Swap is on! Saturday 25th September. ($15 per person.) Tickets are available from the school office. Clothes drop-off will be on Friday 24th September. If you have any questions, please call Kate or email Madeline.
Online payments can be made into the school account with Frock Swap as reference. Cash payments must be exact as we don't have change.
Reporting an Absence
- HERO app
- School App
- email admin@sacredheartpetone.school.nz
- Telephone - 04 568 6711.
- Text message our school cell phone - 022 511 5419.
Summer Uniform Term 4 - Monday 18th October
Please see our uniform shop hours below.
Please email or contact Anna in the office if you cannot make it to the uniform shop within the opening hours.
Uniform Shop
Tuesday 2.45pm - 3.15pm
Wednesday 8.45am - 9.15am
If you have an urgent uniform query outside of these times, please email Mrs Wilson in the office.
School bank account details
Please put your child's name and what the payment is for, as the reference
Sick of making school lunches? Try Lunch Online!
Choose from Chicken, Ham, Salami and Vegetarian rolls with up to 4 fillings and a sauce. Ginger Bread Man and Chocolate Brownies can be added.
NEW - Sausage rolls and pies for Term 3!
Fridays - Ara Sushi
Sushi 6 packs
Sushi 8 packs
Sushi Minipacks
Dumplings
Teriyaki Chicken on Rice
Last Wednesday of the Month - SUBWAY
Food is made locally, made fresh and delivered to the school. Click the link below to create an account and see our full menu. Make lunchtimes easier today!

Blind Low Vision Week - Volunteers needed


