It is also time where we give thanks for all our blessings throughout the year - to the fabulous support of the Diocese as we near our building completion, to our resilient and kind hearted children/tamariki, to our wonderful families/whanau who have be strong in such uncertain times.

A big thank you to those who have been able to bring along an item of non perishable food for the Advent Box - this is truly appreciated. St Vincent de Paul will be able to help many in our community.

To our Year 6 class of 2021 who are in their final days:

Sophie A, Keira, Jayde, Kynan, Andrew, Imogen, Alex, Isla

Kiwipaarie, Petra, Matthew, Gwyneth, Sana, Aron, Pio

Neve, Samuel, Maiva, Connor, Nita

John, Chloe, Corbin, Sophie W

We give thanks to the following families:

As this is our final newsletter, we also need to acknowledge one very special teacher in our school who is moving sideways to work in our parish. To Donna Brown who has worked tirelessly in our school as a teacher and a Director of Religious Studies (DRS), and has shared her faith and her passion of living and learning the Mercy way with us all. We are truly grateful for everything you have done for our school, for the kindness you have shown to those in your care, to the compassion to our school and parish community. We look forward to working with you in your new role as the Parish Coordinator.

Advent Blessings to you and your families. May this season of Advent bring you Hope, Peace Joy and Love. Until we meet in 2022 - 'May God bless you and keep you all well, and safe'

The team at Our Lady of Lourdes.

• Room 1/2 - Mrs O'Connor/Mrs Cheetham (Year 0-2)
• Room 3 - Mr Clark (Year 2-3)
• Room 4 - Mrs Moor (Year 3-4)
• Room 5 - Mrs Pedley (Year 3-4)
• Room 6 - Mrs O'Callaghan (Year 5/6)
• Room 8 - Mr Anderson (Year 5/6)

In 2022 priorities

1. We look forward starting the new year in the new areas in our school. There will be an official opening on Sunday February 13th.
2. To compliment the Writing curriculum tools and the amazing progress in this, we will working through the Reading progression framework.
3. Our Palmerston North Catholic Kāhui Ako has also been awarded 400 hours to work across our schools as we build connections with Rangitane to build our cultural knowledge and understanding. This will be a two year journey for all Catholic schools.
4. Our Kāhui Ako will also focus on family/whanau Well being for 2022 working with CORE Education.

The items currently available for purchase are:

• short sleeved polo shirts
• Skorts
• PE shorts
• PE tops
• Sun hats (navy)
• Socks (navy/white)

We are now 'phasing in' our new gender neutral school uniform over the next 2 years. This means for the next 2 years your child can wear the current school uniform or the new school uniform.

We do ask that by the start of the school year 2024 all students be dressed in the full new school uniform.

Blessings from OLOL Staff

• TERM 4 DATES

• 9th - Year 6 Graduation mass

• 14th - Final day of the year - school closes at 1pm. We will have a final prize giving assembly on this day.

DATES FOR 2022

Term 1

School will be open from Tuesday January 25th from 9-1pm for all inquiries

• Wednesday February 2nd - School begins @ 9am for all children
• Monday February 7th - Waitangi Day recognised - school will be closed
• SUNDAY FEBRUARY 13th - BLESSING OF OUR NEW JUNIOR AREA
• MONDAY FEBRUARY 21st - Kāhui Ako Staff Only day - all Catholic schools closed
• Tuesday February 22nd - Life Education is here for the week
• Thursday February 24th - Year 1/2 Catholic School Tabloids @ St Josephs, Feilding
• Wednesday March 2nd - Ash Wednesday
• Thursday March 3rd - Year 3/4 Catholic School Tabloids @ St James
• Thursday March 10th - Year 5/6 Catholic School Tabloids @ OLOL
• Thursday April 14th - HOLY THURSDAY
• THURSDAY APRIL 14th - END OF TERM ONE
• Friday April 15th - Good Friday

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Ngā manaaki o te wā! – Greetings of this day!

To celebrate and acknowledge the contribution of your children into the various ministries of the church in 2021, there will be a Children’s Ministry Appreciation Party hosted by the Citywide Young Families Ministry.

Your child/ren are invited.

When: 16th December 2021

Where: Bowlarama, 94 Cuba Street, Palmerston North

Time: 5:30pm -8pm

What to bring:

1. Clean socks for bowling shoes
2. Water bottle

In order to satisfy our strict Health and Safety protocols, your registration for this event is mandatory.

Please click this link to register.

If you have any questions about this event, please be in contact with Basia McIntosh, Young Families Minister bmcintosh@pndiocese.org.nz or 021 0820 3750.

Basia McIntosh

Young Families Minister

Diocese of Palmerston North

Term 2 - Monday 2nd May - Friday 8th July

Term 3 - Monday 25th July - Friday 30th September

Term 4 - Monday 17th October - 14th December (to be confirmed)

Are you looking for an awesome Holiday Program for your kids?

Then we have the program for you! Epic Music Academy is running an OSCAR approved EPIC holiday program these school holidays.

To check out all the info, our highlights video and to sign up, head along to our website : epicma.nz/holiday-program

Please avoid the Te Awe Awe/Albert St intersection in the morning, and find a different way to school.

Council is urgently fixing a manhole near the roundabout. While the intersection will be open it will be operating under stop/go and this will cause considerable delays.

They’ve asked us to share this message with you and encourage you to find another route to school in the morning.

They’ll be posting updates on the council facebook page.

Thanks for your patience.

Madi McNeur
Marketing and Communications Administrator

Palmerston North City Council
Te Marae o Hine − 32 The Square
Private Bag 11034, Palmerston North 4442