Kia ora e te whanau

Our kura proudly wore our pink shirts on Friday to support the message of Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora - Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

Let’s all commit to our kura being a place where our learners, our staff and our community, feel safe, valued and respected. We have to call out bullying and create safe school environments that celebrate difference.

At our kura all of our learners take part in the KiVA programme which is a research and evidence-based antibullying programme if you want to find out more about this check out their website https://www.kivaprogram.net/parents-guide/

Our schools definition of bullying is:

· Bullying is repeated

· Bullying is deliberate

· There is a power imbalance

If you have concerns about bullying please contact your tamariki classroom teacher in the first instance.

I know all of our St Francis staff care very deeply about this, so let’s keep pushing hard as a community and work for change.

Last week our school welcomed the Catholic Character External Review team. We will be getting a full report soon but initial feedback shared to our staff and BOT was incredibly positive with a special comment that our learners confidently ask intelligent questions and are very curious about their world. They also praised the warm and calm feel of our school. We will share the report with you once it has been published by the Archdiocese.

We live in a world of instant communication and feedback. Our staff really appreciate your open communication and receiving emails. Please note that we aim to reply within 48 hours of getting an email but we do encourage our staff to turn off their work email from 6pm to 8am.

Let’s hope that southerly passes today so our cross country runners get to enjoy competing in the southern zones tomorrow!

Take care and stay warm.

Nga Mihi Nui

Tracy Gundesen – Tumuaki/Principal

Poipoia te Kakano Kia Puawai - Nurture the seed and it will blossom

TEACHER ONLY DAYS CORRECTION

You may have noticed that we had been advertising a teacher only day coming up on Friday 4 June. THIS IS INCORRECT. School WILL be open on that day. The teacher only day is on the last day of this term - Friday 9 July - and school will be closed that day. Apologies for any confusion.

MONDAY 24 May - THURSDAY 27 MAY - St Johns First aid training course all week with all classes

WEDNESDAY 26 MAY Southern Zone Cross Country Houghton Valley School

MONDAY 31 MAY Southern Zone Cross Country Postponement day
TUESDAY 15 JUNE St Patricks open day

WEDNESDAY 23 JUNE School Swimming Sports

THURSDAY 24 JUNE PSL Disco- SAVE THE DATE

FRIDAY 9 JULY Teachers Only Day - School is Closed

We enjoyed having Zita Smith and Celeste Hastings visiting our kura last week from the Catholic Schools Review team. Zita and Celeste visited classrooms, talked with kaiako, akonga, Fr. Doug, board of trustees members and whānau as part of this review.

They gave feedback to us about the positive feeling they experienced so thank you all for welcoming our manuhiri to our school.

We’d like to acknowledge those students who completed their First Reconciliation on Thursday. Congratulations and blessings to you and your whānau as you journey through your sacraments.

Parish/school combined Sunday Mass 10.30 13th June. We need your support with this! If your child or whanau are interested in having an active role in this through a ministry such as reading, singing, procession of the gifts etc., please get in touch with vanessa.mccormack@sfds.school.nz

What’s coming up this term? - May is the Month of Mary

SUNDAY 13 JUNE - Parish/School Combined Sunday Mass 10.30am SFDS Church

SATURDAY 19 JUNE - Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

SATURDAY 19 JUNE - Venerable Suzanne Aubert’s 185th birthday

THURSDAY 8 JULY - Mufti Mania - Caritas Mufti Day

CONGRATULATIONS...

... to the following students who received a certificate at Papatuanuku assembly on Friday

Calvin P, Lorenzo P, Jacob P, Willow SE, MacGyver S, Isla H, Mayzin T, Jackson S, Taya B, Lilly M, Frankie HB, Lulu M, Gabriele C, Harlem TK.

SOUTHERN ZONE CROSS COUNTRY

This is now being held tomorrow - Wednesday 26 May. All those with children attending have been sent an email. All the best to all our runners!

TEACHING ASSISTANT: CASUAL PART TIME VACANCY

Are you passionate about supporting learners to reach their potential? And do you want to join a supportive school team? Then apply to office@sfds.school.nz by 3pm Thursday 3 June 2021.

If you would like to talk about what this position looks like, call or pop into the office and make an appointment for a chat.

SCHOOL DONATIONS AND CHARGES

Thank you to all the families that have paid or are making payments towards their school donations and charges for activities.

Requests for payment to those with outstanding amounts were sent out recently and we would appreciate your payment of these as soon as possible.

While we acknowledge payment of the donations are voluntary; we rely on these donations to provide facilities for the children.

Already this year, out of the trips and visits donations, our learners have visited Government House and snorkelled at the Marine Reserve (Ranginui) Discovered ‘Blue Sky Thinking’ while exploring Te Papa (Papatuanuku ) and travelled the universe at Space place and the Carter Observatory (Tangaroa). Also, this week our learners are all attending a First Aid session run by an educator from St Johns.

We have a number of other exciting activities planned for the remainder of the year, however we do rely on your donations to enable us to offer these experiences.

If you have any queries, or if payment at this time causes difficulty, please speak to Suzanne in the office to arrange payment options

UNIFORM SHOP

The uniform shop is open during term time on Tuesday mornings 8.45-9.15am and Thursday afternoons 2.45-3.15pm. Order forms are available from the office or from the school website. Orders received will be made up and left in the office for collection and payment. Please note payment is expected before you take any uniform items. We are finding it hard to chase up payment from people.

MUFTI DAY ONLINE

A huge thank you to all those who donated for Pink Shirt day via Kindo (now that we are no longer accepting cash). We would love to hear any feedback on how this worked for you and if anyone had any issues in doing this online. Any feedback will be much appreciated as it will help us fine tune how we do mufti days, sausage sizzles, etc going forward.

PSL AGM - WEDNESDAY 16 JUNE 2021 AT 7:00PM IN SFDS STAFFROOM

We would love as many families as possible to attend the PSL AGM. Whether you’re new to SFdS or been at the school for a while - come along to see what goes on and join us for the AGM.

The AGM is a great time to join our fantastic committee. We welcome nominations to all positions of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Grants Coordinator.

Please let us know if there are any items that you would like included in the AGM agenda, and any notices of motion.

If you have any questions about the AGM, or what being on the Committee involves, take a look on the SFDS website or contact Fran Peters, PSL Secretary on psl.sfds@gmail.com

The AGM will be followed immediately by the PSL June meeting.

SAUSAGE SIZZLE FUNDRAISERS

A huge thank you to the Room 3 and 14 families who donated to the sausage sizzle today, and a special thanks to Sam W and Sarah for running the sausage sizzle. We raised $380.00 today.

Our next sausage sizzle will be on Monday 28 June (week 9 of this term). Rooms 10 and 6 will be responsible for this one - if you are able to donate goods or help on the day, please email Sarah on sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz

FRIDAY COFFEE CLUB

Thanks to those who made it to our Friday coffee - we will let you know when the next one is being held!

PSL DISCO SAVE THE DATE - Thursday 24 June!! More information to follow.

Precious Labels – Customised Quality Sticky Labels 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed!

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MUNCH - 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.

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Capital Trout Centre Open Day Sunday 30 May 2021

Children must have a licence to fish for trout and free licences/tickets are available from Saturday 15 May 2021 at the following stores.:

Capital Fishing , 49 Ghuznee Street (off Cuba Mall)

Hutt Valley Hunting & Fishing, 8 Te Puni Street, Petone

The Centre is located behind the WCC Administration buildings on the way to the Wellington City Council Southern Landfill, on Landfill Road, Happy Valley, Wellington and is open to the public on specific days.

Children do not have to bring any gear as Club members will assist children to catch a trout on fly fishing tackle.

As the Centre is manned and maintained by volunteers we rely on donations to cover our expenses of purchasing the fish from the hatcheries, fish food and general maintenance.

Your donations will be appreciated

Contact: Strato 387 7878 (wk) 386 3740 (hm)

email: strato.cotsilinis@gmail.com