Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,

The staff and I would like to extend a huge thank you to our whanau for the support you gave us last week during our Covid outbreak. We had staff members who were quite unwell and many children who were displaying flu like symptoms. By keeping your children home, we were able to get our staff well and halt a full on outbreak amongst our children. We are acutely aware of the stress this kind of request puts on working parents and understand that some of you were not in a position to keep your children at home during this time. By having less children at school, it was more manageable for the staff who were still onsite. Not a great start to our year but our children and staff are all back at school ready to get on with another busy year of learning.

Some regions within our Hamilton Diocese have been hit very hard by Cyclone Gabrielle. The Hamilton Diocese and Principals Association would like to offer help to our contributing schools in particular our Catholic Schools in Gisborne. We at St Michael's Catholic School have decided to have a mufti day on Thursday 23 February to raise funds to support the families and staff of St Mary's Catholic School in Gisborne. We will also be donating the money we raise at our annual St Patrick's Day Cake Stall.

It was lovely to see so many family members attending our Pancake Breakfast on Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday marks the day before the beginning of the long fast of Lent. The custom of making pancakes arose through the need to use up food items, which were forbidden during Lent!

Our Ash Wednesday liturgy was celebrated by Father Prakash. This is usually a time when we invite our parish community to pray with us but this year our hall was out of action due to the kitchen and bathroom refurbish so we all gathered in Galilee.

On Friday our senior children have been invited to participate in swimming sports and water activities at the Aquatic Centre with St Mary's. We would like to thank Mr MacMillan for inviting us to this fun day, I am sure our tamariki will have a great day.

Next Monday the 27 February our teachers will be attending a Paid Union Meeting. If you are able, we ask that parents pick up their children at 1pm so all our teachers can attend this meeting. If you are unable to collect your child at this time, the teacher aides and myself will remain onsite to supervise any children who are unable to be collected early.

Have a wonderful week everyone,

Rachael McLanachan

Te tumuaki o te kura Hato Mikaere

St Michael's Church Holy Mass Timetable

Holy Mass

Saturday Vigil 5pm

Sunday 8am

Tuesday 5:30pm

Thursday 9am

St Mary's Church Holy Mass Timetable

Holy Mass

Sunday 10am & 5pm

Monday 9am

Wednesday 12:05pm

Friday 9am

Saturday 9am

COMMUNITY MASSES

MIHA MAORI - First Saturday of the month, 5pm Vigil Mass at St Michael’s. All are welcome.

TOKELAUAN COMMUNITY - Third Saturday of the month, 5pm Vigil Mass at St Michael’s. All are welcome.

FILIPINO COMMUNITY - Third Friday of the month, 6pm at St Michael’s. All are welcome. INDIAN COMMUNITY - Fourth Friday of the month, 6pm at St Michael’s. All are welcome

Parish Priest: Fr. Thomas Thanniyanickal cmf

Email: kunjcmf1986@gmail.com Phone: 022 565 9017

Assistant Priest: Fr. Prakash Somu cmf

Email: prakashreddycmf@gmail.com

Secretary: Andrea Tuki

Office Hours: Monday: Closed - Tues. - Friday.: 8am - 2.30pm

Phone: (07) 348 0289 ext. 2

Email: catholicrotorua@xtra.co.nz

Face Book: Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop, Rotorua

Postal Address: 40-44 Seddon St, Glenholme, Rotorua 3010

A very warm welcome to the following new family. We hope you will enjoy your time with us at St Michael's School.

Next board meeting Date: Thursday 23rd March

At each BOT meeting - twice a term - policies are reviewed. If you would like to communicate with the BOT, you are welcome to email our independent e-mail address; botstmichaels@gmail.com or alternatively, send letters to the school in an envelope marked "Board of Trustees."

You are also welcome to attend any meeting, however, if you would like to have speaking rights, you need to request this from the chair using the email address. This email address can be accessed by Alistair Burns (Chair)