Newsletter 30th March 2022
Marian Catholic School
Principal's Reflection
He pōkeke uenuku i tū ai
Against a dark cloud the rainbow stands out brightly
Our COVID response continues to be a big focus for us. This week we are experiencing higher staff numbers being affected. This is not surprising with the timing and the term we have had. This seems to be a trend shared with many other local schools. Despite these challenges we are determined to remain open for all classes and our students. We are working creatively to cover classes and playground duties. It is times like this when you appreciate a strong team behind you. I would like to acknowledge our staff for their flexibility and resourcefulness at this challenging time.
We have now had 30% of our students and staff as positive cases and many more family related cases. Our worst day of absentees was Friday 11th March with 192 students at home. This was 33% of our students absent - this week these numbers have dropped to our lowest numbers of 97 (16%) absent. We are looking expectedly towards Term Two and having this wave behind us. I would like to thank our parent community for your continued support, appreciation and words of encouragement. They are much appreciated.
Professional Development is a vital component of our job. Ongoing professional development is a key area of our profession. To this end we set key focus areas for development each year. This year we have literacy and numeracy as our curriculum focus areas. Alongside this we have taken on a Middle Leadership development opportunity through Auckland University. This programme is called ‘Growing Great Leaders” and encapsulates the work we are doing in literacy, numeracy and cultural responsiveness.
Teacher Only Day - Friday 1st April
Reminder all students are to stay at home this Friday as it is teachers only day (TOD)
The teacher's focus for development this Friday (TOD) is Numeracy. An inspiring day is planned for looking at mathematics skills and knowledge. The day will be facilitated by the prestigious Bruce Moody. Bruce is a former Secondary Maths teacher and has been involved in Primary School advisory work since 2001. He is an Educational Consultant and maths guru. We will be continuing to work with Bruce Moody throughout the year. Mr Moody will also be teaching some maths groups in the LC3 team this year. We look forward to Mr Moody joining us and being part of the Marian team.
I thank you for your continued support
Ma te Atua koutou e manaaki
Arohanui, Debra
Gospel Reflection
Fourth Sunday in Lent God’s Love and Compassion
We are at the halfway mark in the Lenten season – a time for recalling God’s continuing care.
It is this message of God’s continuing care and forgiveness that is highlighted in the memorable and beautiful parable of the Gospel reading of the Prodigal Son. It is the story of a loving and compassionate father, a clear image of God. Each son represents a segment of the people of God. One son is like those who are self-sufficient and proud, but who eventually realise their predicament and return to the father to be forgiven and welcomed. Then there are those of us who stay at home, loyal and perhaps self-righteous.
Further we witness the most wondrous love of this father, who has waited for, longed for, the return of his lost son. We also see the father reaching out to his loyal older son even though the son is angry and resentful of his younger brother.
This is a truly powerful story. Do we understand the measure of God’s deep and constant love for each of us, no matter who we are or what we have done with our lives up to this point? Regardless of our past, we all need assurance of God’s mercy, love and continuing presence within us.
Charism Focus
Our Charism focus for this term is LIVE LOVE. This week we are focusing on sharing our time and talents freely. Giving of ourselves to help and support others and allowing peace to grow. Showing God’s love and compassion.
God of love, You created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace. Enable us to see everyone, in our classrooms and in the playground, as our brother and sister.
Giving of our time means to offer our help and our skills when it is asked for. ‘Never see a need without doing something about it - how are we called to help this week? Who needs our help and support?
It might be showing encouragement, giving a smile to someone as we walk past them. We have the gift of love - how are we going to show God’s love and compassion to others this week?
How are we going to be the hands, face and voice of Jesus this week?
DRS News
Whole School Mass: Tūrangawaewae 7th April
Next Thursday 7th April, we will celebrate our end of term Mass. Being in the Orange light setting we are able to have 200 students in the Cathedral for Mass- the other students will participate via a link in their classrooms.
During this term, our Connected Curriculum focus is Tūrangawaewae.
Tūrangawaewae is the place where we feel empowered and connected to our past, present and future. It is our foundation that helps to shape us as God’s disciples.
We will be celebrating our learning as part of this Mass with each class creating a Flag including symbols/ icons/ words showing connection to Tūrangawaewae as a class- our class culture. Students are asked to dress up to show how they ‘belong’ to a group or club, e.g. Marian Catholic School, church, cultural group, sporting group
A reminder that we will be collecting non- perishable grocery items for the Combined Christian Food bank as a part of the Mass too.
Feast of the Annunciation March 25th
Last week our Special Character Leaders led the school in our Morning prayer Liturgy - retelling the story of Mary saying ‘yes’ to God to be the Mother of God. It was a prayerful liturgy.
This Feast day of Mary is a special one for us at Marian Catholic School to reflect on and celebrate as our school is named after Mary.
God Bless,
Nicki Whyte DRS
Welcome
We warmly welcome into our school community the following children and their families; Aniska Anand (Rm5), Esme Edmondson, (Rm5), Chris Njaliyath (Rm1), and Ava Hulena (Rm21).
Teacher Only Day
School will be closed this Friday for all students as teachers will be involved with a Maths course.
There will be no BSC or ASC on Teacher Only Day - Friday 1 April
Whānau Hui Term 1
Tēnā koutou katoa! We’d like to invite our Marian Māori and Pasifika families together for an evening of connecting and sharing online. Hearing how Term 1 has gone for everyone is an important conversation plus implementing actions for the year within our school community.
When: 6pm, Wednesday 6th April
Where: Online, Zoom ID 923 1840 2097
Hot Cross Buns - Bakers Delight
PTFA Fundraiser
Order forms and information has been sent home with your child. Payments must be made online as per instructions. Cash will not be accepted.
Three flavours of Hot cross buns are available to order; Traditional, Apple and Cinnamon, or Choc Chip.
The Cost is $10.00 per pack with $2.00 being donated back to the school from each packet.
Orders close 8 April and delivery is 13 April.
PB4L
Kia ora e te whānau. Positive Behaviour for Learning is our programme at school by which we teach and recognise the great behaviours we see at our school.
We use the ways in which we bring Christ into our world, by being the hands, face, and voice of Jesus in order to understand how to be a positive influence in the world.
All teachers give out charism cards throughout the day to children who are exhibiting the behaviours that we want to see. In all Learning Communities there is a weekly celebration of these things, with certificates and acknowledgements given.
From LC3 and up we are rewarding 30 Charism cards with a certificate, 50 with a special school pen, and 100 with a badge. We are looking at getting special badges made for each 100 cards received so students in LC3 and up can wear them and it is clear how many they have gotten throughout their time in the Learning Community.
Please remember to support our programme at home by noticing when your child is bringing Christ into the world by their behaviour.
God Bless,
The PB4L Team
LC1 & 2 Constable Tom
LC1 and 2 enjoyed meeting Constable Tom recently. He spoke to us about his job and he showed us all his cool gadgets! We had a look at his police car and he showed us the sirens and the lights.
Constable Tom talked to us about how we can keep ourselves safe when we are out and about. He told us that it is very important that we know our street name and number so that we can get help if we are ever lost. Do you know your street name and number?
LC5 - Day Camps
Our Camp permission and health forms have gone out on HERO. Please fill these in ASAP so that we can make our final camp bookings.
Year 7s attend camp on Wednesday the 13th and Year 8s on Thursday the 14th.
All students will experience two days of camp based team building activities. One of these days will be at school and the other at Ngaruawahia Christian Camp. Please email nhigby@marian.school if you have any queries or concerns re payment. If for any reason your child will not be attending camp, please also email in to let us know. A notice outlining camp activities will be out to LC5 next week.
Absentees
Please remember to advise the school office before 9am if your child is going to be absent from school. You can contact us by leaving a voice message on the phone or through our School App.
Due to the current covid situation we do have Teachers absent from school too. So if you are emailing your absence to the Class Teacher, please also send copy to info@marian.school.nz Thanks.
Dates to Remember
1 April - Teacher Only Day
6 April - Whanau Hui
7 April - School Mass
8 April - Hot Cross Buns - Orders close
13 April - Hot Cross Buns delivered
14 April - Last Day of Term 1 (3pm)
2 May - Term 2 begins
Before School and After School Care
Please take note - there will be no BSC or ASC on Teacher Only Day - Friday 1 April
Before School Care: bsc@marian.school.nz If you are wishing to enrol your child at Before School Care please use the email above.
After school Care : asc@marian.school.nz For casual bookings please email the Friday before the following week. This is essential for our planning.
Advance Notice: ASC Holiday programme will run in the
second week of the holidays : Tuesday 26 April - Friday 29 April
Second Hand Uniform Shop
Our Second-Hand Uniform shop is open Fridays from 2pm to 2:45pm. The shop is located in the Whare (situated on the edge of the church car-park)
All articles are from $2.00 to $10.00, the proceeds of which go to the Welfare Fund
Pastoral Care Team
If you are isolating and don’t have any Family connections or friends living close by and you need some assistance e.g Pharmacy items or food, please contact Tricia on 0275170671.
We will either arrange for a delivery or provide information to assist you.
Nga mihi nui
Tricia
Saints United
Saints United Netball Trials 2022
Venue: Minogue Park
Moore Street, Hamilton
Date: Saturday 2nd April 2022
Time: Y7 @ 8am (Year 7’s will trial in 6 aside format)
Y8 @ 10am (Year 8’s will trial in 7 aside format)
Saints United Hockey Muster 2022
Date: Tonight, Wednesday 30th March & Wednesday 6th April 2022.
Time: 4.00 – 5.30pm
Venue: St John’s College Hockey Turf.
You must register to attend beforehand. Registration forms are in the Atrium and they were emailed to you last week through Hero. Any queries please email: jmcintyre@marian.school.nz
Please contact me if you register to play basketball in Term 2 (Year 7/8 only)
jmcintyre@marian.school.nz
Marian Sport News
Years 1-6 Online registrations still open for Netball, Basketball and Hockey.
Go to Marian School Website, Sports Registrations
FREE Waterpolo Skills Workshop U-14
If you are new to waterpolo and wish to learn the basics
If you love waterpolo and wish to learn some new skills
If you want to learn new survival skills in the water
If you love having fun in the water and would like to try something new
St Peters School Pool (Cambridge) 3rd and 10th April 10:30-12:00 for girls, 11:30-1:00 for boys
If you are interested email me: sportscoordinator@marian.school.nz
Adriana Cubillos
Marian School Sports Coordinator
St John's Information Evening
First Credit Union - Easter colouring competition
The First Credit Union are celebrating Easter by giving you the change to WIN 1 of 3 Easter Baskets.
Simply complete the colouring competition, down load the entry form https://bit.ly/3DkeKSz and send them a photo of the entry to the First Credit Union Facebook messenger to be in the draw.
