Newsletter Week 7, Term 4
St Michael's School Rotorua 1st December, 2022
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,
Welcome to the season of Advent. At school, the children are learning about Advent and are preparing to celebrate Christmas.
The Advent Season is all about reflecting on how we can prepare our hearts and homes for Christ's birth in the world as it is today. It is a time for faith communities and families to remember, through prayer, reflections, special music, and good deeds what the true meaning of Jesus' birth is.
The four Sundays preceding Christmas, which is when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, are recognised for four virtues. The candles on the Advent wreath symbolize hope, love, joy and peace.
Today the Year 6 children enjoyed a retreat with Mrs Keaney at St Michael's Church. They spent time reflecting on their time at St Michael's Catholic School and wrote gratitude prayers which they will share at our Leavers Mass at St Michael's Church on Wednesday the 14th December at 5:30pm. This is a whole school Mass and we expect all children to attend as it is a chance to farewell our leavers and hand the mantle of leadership to the Year 5 students. The candle ceremony will take place at the Mass this year and the seniors will receive their bible commemorating their time at St Michael's.
This year our prizegiving is on Wednesday the 7th of December at 1pm. Teachers will be letting families know if their child is receiving an award at the prizegiving.
We had planned on having a Carols evening at school but unfortunately, this event has had to be cancelled due to clashes with other events. The items planned for this evening will take place during the prizegiving.
Have a blessed week whanau,
Rachael McLanachan
Te tumuaki o te kura Hato Mikaere
Poetry Competition Results
Juniors School:
Commended: Charlie Corbett, Kylan Knight, Jean Whiteside Hewitt, Milan Geyer
Highly commended: Tom Mcwilliams- Conlon, Bethany Assen
3rd: Finau Stokes-Kaukau
2nd: Sukhnoor Kaur
1st: Gavesh Jayawickrama Vithanage
Middle School:
Commended: Sonia Wilson, Abigail Horton
Highly commended: Alida Assen, Esmee Brooks, Gia Geyer, Jerome Assen
3rd: Pamodya Jayawickrama Vithanage
2nd: Emma Hislop
1st equal: Luckyna Sang and Ella Burton
Senior School:
Commended: Caiden Hislop, Jessica Todd, Michaella Benham, Noah Knight,
Highly commended: Kaylee Brake, Xanda Steed, Madison Rahurahu
3rd: Khloey Benham
2nd: Nyjah Chu-Youde
1st: Avani Bourne
Special Character
Advent Wreaths
Advent wreaths are made from leaves which are formed into a circle. The circular shape is a symbol that there is no beginning or end to God’s love.
In week 1 a purple candle is lit. This is a symbol of Hope that Jesus is coming.
Week 2 another purple candle is lit. This is to symbolise Faith and remembers Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
In week 3 a pink candle is lit. This is known as the candle of Joy. It is the joy the world experiences at the coming birth of Jesus.
In week 4 another purple candle is lit and this symbolises Peace. It reminds us of the message from the angels, ‘Peace on Earth and goodwill to all men’.
On Christmas Day a white candle in the middle is lit. This is known as the Christ Candle and celebrates the birth of Jesus.
Maybe your whanau could make an Advent wreath to celebrate and remember the coming of Jesus.
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 Mass
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
Enrolment for the Sacramental Programme 2023
(Confirmation, Reconciliation and First Holy Communion) only for Children who are Baptised Catholics.
The enrolment forms are now available at the Parish Office, 8am until 2.30pm Tuesdays
through to Fridays. If your child / children are not baptised in Rotorua, please, bring along
your baptismal certificates at the time of enrolment. The children are required to be
7 years old by May 25, 2023, to qualify to enter this program. The Sacramental Programme
will be starting February 5 th , 2023. If you have any queries, please phone the Parish Office 07
348 0289.
Health and Safety
Juicies on Friday
All orders will be taken in the classroom at 9am.
Wednesday School Lunches
Sport News
Sports Uniforms:
Many thanks to those families who have returned their sports uniforms, it has been most appreciated. There are still a few who have not returned their uniforms, parents please have a good look at home and return these as soon as possible. For any outstanding uniforms that have not been returned, families will be invoiced the cost to replace these.
Player Of The Day:
16/11/2022
Touch Midgets: Henry Hall
Touch Juniors: Jaylyn Uerata
28/11/2022
Netball Junior: Kayden Petersen
Netball Middle: Eden Tucker , Cefiro Biddle
Netball Senior: Lacey Chu Youde, Tamia Petersen, Eshani Narotam
If you are attending your child/children's sporting events and have some good photos to share, please send to office@stmichaelsrotorua.school.nz with a short description.
Board of Trustees
Next board meeting Date: Thursday 8th of December
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."
Upcoming Events For Term 4
- Whole School Prizegiving - 7 December@1pm
- Year 6 Leavers Lunch - Thursday 8 December
- BOT Meeting - 8 December
- Blue Lake Picnic - 12 December
- Big Day Out - Year 6 @ St Mary's School 13 December
- Whole School Leavers Mass - 14 December@5:30pm
- Last Day of 2022 - 15 December@12pm
Start Date for 2023
- Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd February school will be open for Whanau Meetings -A link will be sent out by the end of the term for meeting times.
- First Day for all children - Tuesday 7th February
Back to School Stationary 2023
Your child’s back to school class list is ready to go at https://www.myschool.co.nz/stmichaelsrotorua. Plus get a free magnetic whiteboard family organiser when you shop online with OfficeMax MySchool in December.
PTA News
Thank you
The PTA would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to the community for their amazing support with fundraising this year, none of it would be possible without your support. We are working with the school to decide on the best options for all our tamariki to benefit from the new bike track. If you would like to get involved or have any fundraising ideas for next year please email us or come along to one of our meetings. There is no pressure and commitment, but rather a community of parents supporting each other to be able to help support the school and the tamariki we love so much.
Christmas Stall - 5th, 6th & 7th December
Stall will be in the library at lunch times ($3 a gift)
The Christmas stall will be open after prize giving on 07/12/22
Sponsors:
A big thank you to all our sponsors for this year, without you a lot of our fundraising would not be possible.
Redwoods Tree walk, Capers / Pig N Whistle, Te Puia, Black Diamond Tahoo lTd, Skylin Skyrides, Western Heights Pharmacy, Ranolf Pharmacy, Central Pharmacy, The fainting Goat / Fat Dog, Cobb & Co, Profiles Gym, Mountain Bike Rotorua, Good Eastern, Canopy Tours, Secret Spot, Zorb, Lightbook photo’s, F45 Gym, Hell’s Gate, Mitai, Duck tours, Polnesian Spa, Mcdonalds, Bunnings, Barkers, Paradise Valley, Tender Care, Paradise Valley
PTA Contact Details:
pta@stmichaelsrotorua.schools.nz
Thanks from your PTA Committee