MARY-ANGELA'S MESSAGE
Kia tau te rangimārie ki a koutou
THANK YOU MISSON FAIR
A special thank you to all of the families of our Year 7&8 ākonga - your generosity in supporting our Mission fair through kind donations of goods for the stalls is humbling. The year 7&8 students have worked well together to plan and carry out a number of fun activities for the tamariki.
Thank you also to all families for supporting this Caritas fundraiser today. We had a wonderful afternoon together - and all for a very good cause. Feel free to visit the Caritas website to find out more about their aid work.
Through your generosity, the children raised $2680.00 - a fabulous effort!
I hope you all have a warm home to keep you safe in these cold winter days we have been experiencing. Looking out toward the south island it is clear to see why things have chilled somewhat, with the beautiful snow on Tapuae-o-Uenuku in the Kaikoura ranges.
Mānawatia a Matariki: Celebrating Matariki
Matariki te tipua - Matariki the sacred
Matariki te tawhito - Matariki the old
Tau mai te wairua - Welcome the spirit
welcome the life force
Mai ngā ira atua - from the essence of atua
Ki te ira tangata - to us of the human kind
Tihei mauriora !!! Let there be life....!!
(Thank you to: Ngahihi for sharing this karakia)
This year, we will celebrate the first Matariki public holiday on Friday 24 June (This means that school will be closed that day). Matariki has been known across the world for thousands of years as Pleiades or Messier 45. In Samoa, Pleiades is known as Li’i or Mataali, and in Tonga it is ‘Matali’i. There are actually several hundred stars in Pleiades but only a handful are visible with the naked eye.
For early Māori and across the Pacific, astronomy was interwoven into all facets of life. Careful observation of the movement of the stars and the planets, the changing position of the sun, the phases of the moon and the appearance of comets and meteors were recorded and handed down from generation to generation.
The Māori lunar calendar divides time into seasons - determined by the phases of the moon, position of our sun, the rising and setting of other stars and ecological changes in the environment. We celebrate Matariki as the Māori New Year - and the actual date changes each year - making it a ‘moving feast’ because of these changing factors.
The different names of the visible stars in the Matariki group are significant for Māori, and unique roles can be seen in each name. For example:
One of the stars - called Pōhutukawa, connects Matariki to the deceased, so we commemorate and pray for those who have passed throughout the year at this time of Matariki.
Ko Matariki te kaitō i te hunga pakeke ki te pō - Matriki draws the frail into the endless night.
Another star, Tupuānuku, is connected to food grown in the ground - cultivated foods such as kumara, which is harvested around this time.
Hauhake tū, ka tū Matariki - The harvest ends when Matariki sets.
(Thank you to Dr Rangi Matamua for sharing this knowledge)
There are many different ways your family can acknowledge the Māori New Year and observe the rising of Matariki. Here are a list of suggestions:
Take time to remember loved ones who are no longer with us
Give thanks for the year that has passed
Cook a meal and say a karakia mo te Kai / Grace - giving thanks
Plan for the next year
Spend time with family and friends
Have a matariki feast
Plan to grow a garden
Write down your wishes for the year
Celebrate
You and your whānau may want to do something special to celebrate Matariki
like calling out the names of those who have passed, or even sitting around a fire sharing memories of the people who are no longer here. For you it might be a time of solitude and a chance to contemplate the world. It might be an opportunity to offer an acknowledgement to Matariki and the environment.
(Thank you to: Te Wananga o Aotearoa for sharing this knowledge)
This Matariki is a really significant one for our country. I really encourage you all to take part in the Matariki events taking place in our capital city - there will be a live broadcast from 6.00am - just before breakfast time - maybe make that breakfast a special one for your family.
Āhea | When? 6-10am Friday 24 June
Ki hea | Where? Live broadcast available on matariki.net.nz, TVNZ 1 and OnDemand,
Whakaata Māori, RNZ, THREE, Prime, Stuff and Iwi Radio via Whare
Kōrero
Te utu | Cost? Free
Take care and God bless
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
Principal
Kāore he mutunga o te Aroha.
The measure of love is love without measure.
This cup is awarded weekly to a St Francis de Sales student who demonstrates exemplary service to our kura and our community.
A huge congratulations to the amazing Lola D who is this week's recipient of our ‘Principal ‘s Cup’!
Lola has been spotted by various staff members this past week absolutely living the school spirit! Taking care of our students and being so helpful with staff, fulfilling all her extra duties with kindness care and efficiency.
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St Patrick’s College Open Day Tours – June 2022
Tēnā koutou katoa.
It is with pleasure that I invite you to register to attend one of our Open Day Tours which are to be held on Tuesday 14 June between 10.00am to 11.30am and from 12.30pm to 2.00pm, and again on Thursday 16 June at the same times.
To make a booking please either email admin@stpats.school.nz with your request or to make a booking yourself visit the St Patrick's College website:
On the front page of our website you will see a drop down menu labelled 'Enrol' and if you click on that and scroll down you will see a tab for Open Day.
Open this section and click on the Blue button – book here.
Enter your details and make your selection regarding day/time.
A reminder email will be sent closer to your booked day.
Open Day is a chance for parents to visit our College and learn about the opportunities and experiences that we offer across Years 9 to 13.
Mike Savali
TUMUAKI |RECTOR
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Click here to download term 2 menu. | http://www.sfds.school.nz/Site/online-shop/ Ethical + eco + essentials Munch is about empowering families to change the world. Every day, every way you can make a difference with Munch. Buy a Munch product and feel good about using it. We are making it easier for you to be more sustainable. All our products are eco friendly in some way from being reusable, organic to biodegradable. Everyday products making a difference. Useful, beautiful and green. All our ingredients and products are sourced from ethical communities. | http://www.sfds.school.nz/Site/online-shop/ Name Labels For Just $6.99! Name Your Child's Boxes, Bottles, Stationery etc For Just $6.99!! Name Your Child's Uniform For Just $6.99!! Name Your Face Mask/Clothes For Just $11.50!!Checkout Our Other Products Here |
Click here to download term 2 menu.
Ethical + eco + essentials Munch is about empowering families to change the world. Every day, every way you can make a difference with Munch.
Buy a Munch product and feel good about using it. We are making it easier for you to be more sustainable. All our products are eco friendly in some way from being reusable, organic to biodegradable. Everyday products making a difference. Useful, beautiful and green. All our ingredients and products are sourced from ethical communities.
Name Labels For Just $6.99! Name Your Child's Boxes, Bottles, Stationery etc For Just $6.99!! Name Your Child's Uniform For Just $6.99!! Name Your Face Mask/Clothes For Just $11.50!!Checkout Our Other Products Here
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