Newsletter
St Mary's Catholic School 11 August 2021 - Term 3 Week 3
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Sunday, August 8, 2021
Gospel Reading
John 6:41-51
Jesus responds to the murmurs of the crowd, who wonders what he means when he says that he came down from heaven.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Last Sunday, we continued to read from the “Bread of Life discourse” found in the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel. Recall that we have been reading from this chapter for the past two weeks and will continue to read from it for another two. Last week, the crowd asked for a sign that would show that Jesus came from God. Jesus replied by saying that he is the sign and the bread of life sent by God. At this point, our Lectionary omits six verses in which Jesus predicts the unbelief of the crowd and further develops his connection with God the Father. In these verses, Jesus says that he was sent by God to do the Father’s will. Jesus promises that those who look upon the Son with faith will find eternal life. Some of these themes are repeated in today’s Gospel reading.
Sunday’s Gospel begins with a report that the Jews complained about Jesus’ claims regarding his identity. They knew his family, and they knew he was the son of Joseph. They could not comprehend what Jesus meant when he said that he came down from heaven. Jesus responds to the complaints by saying that only those who are chosen by God will recognize him as the one that God sent. This is a recurring theme in John’s Gospel, that God has chosen those who will have faith in Jesus.
In the verses that follow, Jesus talks more about his unity with the Father. He is the one who has seen the Father and, therefore, knows the Father. Those who listen to God will recognise that Jesus is the one sent from God. Those who believe will have eternal life. Jesus concludes with the central element of our eucharistic theology. He promises that the bread of life will bring eternal life to those who partake of it, and he tells us that the bread of life will be his own flesh, given for the life of the world.
In the reading, we hear Jesus say again, as he did in last week's Gospel, that he is the bread of life. We also hear Jesus add that he is the living bread. Both of these statements help us understand better the gift that Jesus gives us in the Eucharist. We celebrate this gift of Jesus each time we gather for Mass. We believe that receiving Jesus in the Eucharist will lead us to eternal life.
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,
Tihei mauri ora, nau mai, haere mai, tena koutou katoa, E nga whanau, e nga kaiako, e nga tamariki, e nga manuhiri, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa
Parent Teacher Conferences
Thank-you very much to our community for your participation in our parent conferences today. It is great to see the turnout and the partnerships forming between home and school.
HERO Reporting
As I have mentioned before our HERO system can cause us all a few headaches so we appreciate your patience and time when discussing your child's learning. Our Level 1 HERO goals are changing and this will alter a few graphs, this is because of the need to input some structured literacy goals. The main purpose of the reporting is to show progress and achievement over-time for our children. The graphs can sometimes go across as we know not everyone's graph will shoot up. Each curriculum Level takes 2 years of schooling so good solid foundations are the key.
Communication
A reminder if you have concerns, it is imperative that you speak with your child's teacher first. After that if you feel you need to go to the team leader then please do so. Mrs Broadmore and I will support the school and families once they have been through these channels. We must role model good behaviours to our children and follow the processes.
Newsletter and website
Our newsletter will come out on a Wednesday every second week. It has a significant amount of information, alongside our website, so please make yourself familiar with it. Our new website looks great and can be translated into many different languages as can the newsletter. Please make sure you check this regularly.
Financial concerns
If you have any financial concerns or worries with payments please make sure you contact Karen Mulhern, Theresa Dunston or myself in the office. We can support the Diocesan fees by helping you complete the forms to support payments as well.
Grandparents/Grandfriends
On behalf of St Mary's School we would like to thank all those grandparents/grandfriends that were able to make it last week to celebrate the day. It is always a pleasure to host our community and for the children to share many aspects of school-life. We also appreciated the community's understanding around the late change to the day and the special relationships our children have with their grandparents.
Assumption Mass
Our Assumption Mass this Friday is in the BAMJC from 9.30am. Families are more than welcome to join us, just know we have limited space compared to the church.
Ngā mihi nui
James Murray
Grandparents/Grandfriends morning tea and concert
CATHOLIC CHARACTER
Assumption of Mary
This coming Sunday is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Aotearoa’s National Patronal Feast Day. It is a holy day of obligation when the Church celebrates Mary being taken to Heaven, body and soul to share in the Resurrection of her Son and anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians.
Read this reflection on the Assumption by Father John O’Connor on Food for Faith.
Te Ara a Maria: Mary’s Way
The Catholic Bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand have chosen Te Ara a Maria: Mary’s Way as the name of the proposal to renew the country’s dedication to Our Lady Assumed into Heaven. The bishops also confirmed that the historic St Mary of the Angels church in central Wellington will become a national shrine to Mary. Find out more here.
Religious Education Term 3
This term our value focus is: Mercy/ Aroha
Sewing seeds of mercury and compassion
Week 3: We show compassion in our words and actions
Week 4: God made us all unique
Week 5: Jesus teaches me how to say sorry
Prayers
Last week Merv Stephenson passed away. Merv generously gave much of his time to St Mary’s school. He volunteered to assist reading with those who needed a little bit of a boost in reading. He was a great friend to the staff and we all enjoyed his wonderful stories. Please keep his family in your prayers at this time.
Eternal rest grant unto Merv O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
~Amen~
Gratitude Reflection
I am grateful for…
Early wakeups = children to love
House to clear = safe place to live
Laundry to do = clothes to wear
Dirty dishes = food to eat
Crumbs under the table = family meals
Grocery shopping to do = money to use
Toilets to clean = indoor plumbing
Lots of noise = kids having fun
Endless questions = a child who is learning
Getting into bed tired + sore = I’m still alive
Chelsea Lee Smith / Momentsaday.com
Teresa Rush
DRS
SCHOOL NEWS
Hairini Marae
We are blessed to have connected with our local marae at Hairini - Ngāi te Ahi of Ngāti Ranginui. On Monday the 30th of August our Kapa Haka roopu, Hato Maria, will travel to Hairini marae to be welcomed before staying the night.
Due to a limit of 60 people being able to attend the pōwhiri, if you have a connection to Hairini marae and would like to join us at 9:30am on this day, please let me know.
Ngā mihi
Lisa Broadmore
Community Potluck Dinner - Save the Date! Thursday 9 September 5:30 - 7pm
St Mary’s is hosting a Community Potluck Dinner to celebrate our school’s rich cultural diversity. All parents, caregivers and students are invited to the shared dinner from 5.30pm to 7.00pm in the Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey Centre on Thursday 9 September. The dinner will coincide with our ‘Around the World’ Art Open Day, when our classrooms will be open from 1pm to 2.30pm for families to come and view finished artwork and pieces being created.
So dust off your culture’s favourite recipe and join us for a fun evening. Additional details to come.
Art Around the World
International travel cancelled? Then take a trip around the world through the artistic talents of your children. This year we are celebrating ‘art week’ by inquiring into different art from around the world, including visual art, music, drama and dance. From 1pm to 2.30pm on Thursday 9 September, families can come and view the incredible artwork created throughout the term and watch the children complete a new piece of art.
Each team will have a different focus/continent so families can move around the school and view the art from ‘Around The World’:
Tika: Africa
Maramatanga: Oceania
Whakapono:
Year 3 - The Americas
Year 4 - Europe
Aroha: Asia
Dress Up Day Wednesday 15 September 2021
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of “James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl, we are having a Dress Up Day where children (and staff) can dress up as their favourite character from any
Roald Dahl story and there are many to choose from.
Celebration in the BAMJC at 9.15am. Parents welcome.
Reading Books
If you have any library or reading books at home we would appreciate them being returned to school as soon as possible. We will be completing a stocktake of all reading material in the school shortly. Thank you for your support with this.
WHAKAPONO TEAM
Can you guess?
My favourite animal is not found here
It’s an interesting breed
There very cute, sort of rare
And not known for their speed
They hang out way up in the trees
And live a peaceful life
They’re brown and grey and swing around
Keeping out of strife
Their motto is SLOW
They do not rush
So don’t be in a hurry
And if you find one here at school
Please don’t hand it in to Mr Murray
Just call me quick and I’ll be there
To claim my favourite pet
Tell me now everyone, have you guessed it yet?
A poem written by Clover Palairet
PARISH NEWS
Family Weekend 2021
5-7th November, Hamilton SAVE THE DATE! Registrations are open! For more information and to register please visit: familyweekend.cdh.nz
OTHER NEWS
Sacred Heart College Hostel Auckland Open Day – Saturday, 14 August, 12.30pm
Would you like to know more about the opportunities your son can gain from boarding at Sacred Heart College Hostel? Come along to our Open Day, Saturday 14 August. The purpose of this event is for boys and their families to learn more about boarding at Sacred Heart. It has been designed for boys who are attending next year, have applied for next year, or just interested in knowing more. It will be a great opportunity to hear from our Hostel staff, meet some of our current boarders and learn more about what boarding life is all about.
If you are interested, please register via our website, www.sacredheart.school.nz/hostel-open-day/.
If you have any questions, or require further information please do not hesitate to contact our Enrolments Officer, Mrs Nicola Thomas on enrolments@sacredheart.school.nz.
TERM DATES 2021
Term 2 - Monday 3 May - Thursday 8 July
Monday 7 June - Queens Birthday
Friday 9 July - Kahui Ako Teacher Only Day
Term 3 - Monday 26 July - Friday 1 October
Wednesday 11 August - Accord Day Teacher Only Day
Term 4 - Monday 18 October - Friday 17 December (12 noon)
Monday 25 October - Labour Day
Friday 12th November - Accord Day Teacher Only Day
TERM DATES 2022
Monday 7 February - Waitangi Day
Term 2 - Monday 2 May - Friday 8 July
Monday 6 June - Queen's Birthday
Friday 24 June - Matariki
Term 3 - Monday 25 July - Friday 30 September
Term 4 - Monday 17 October - Tuesday 20 December
Monday 24 October - Labour Day
There is provision for two Teacher only days and two Accord days to be added to the 2022 calendar year.
Please support our Gold Group Sponsors
Contact Us
Email: office@stmarystga.school.nz
Website: https://www.stmarystga.school.nz/
Location: 11 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 578 8066
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmarystga/