Newsletter Term One, Week 5
Bishop Edward Gaines Catholic School
Principal's Message
Talofa, Kia ora, Malo e lelei, Habari, Hello,
Lent has started and we celebrated Ash Wednesday with Father Fernando on Wednesday. I was particularly proud of how our students were able to articulate what Lent is and the significance of the Ashes on the forehead. Lent is a time to prepare, repent and reflect as we lead up to Easter. Our students have been discussing and deciding on the ways they will; help others, give up some things they like and pray this Lent.
Big News! We have secured the Ka Ora, Ka Ako- Healthy School Lunches programme for our school! This has been a huge win for our Catholic School, as unfortunately a lot of schools, and most Catholic Schools do not seem to qualify.
What does this mean for my child?
This means your child will be able to receive a free healthy school lunch everyday at school.
The menu is a two week cycle and our lunches are made fresh each day, at Forest View High School and delivered to us.
What if my child cannot eat the food on offer due to allergies, religious reasons or other reasons?
If your child requires a specialised diet for whatever reason, please fill in this form and send this back to school. This will ensure every student at Bishop Edward Gaines has access to their free lunch.
See below for the lunches menu.
Please mark in your calendars our date for our Whanau Hui 24th March 6:00pm in the staff room. This is an opportunity to form a PTA and brainstorm our community's wish list! We will also have our Strategic Plan available for our community to review and comment on.
Next week our senior students will be working with Mr Billing, a Science teacher from JPC. The students will be doing scientific investigations and building pest traps.
Due to covid restrictions our swimming sports was unable to go ahead with St Mary's. However we have planned a school swimming event for the 1st of April instead. This will include, swimming races followed by fun water games and activities.
Our teachers have been busy finishing their class testing this week. The range of tests we have used this term, will give our teaching staff a clear indication of what our student's strengths and weaknesses are. Using that information, we can plan for teaching that can best meet the needs of our students, by utilising a range of effective strategies to accelerate student progress and support struggling learners. Learning is not about a 'one size fits all' approach, and our staff are dedicated to making sure we use the best methods to enable success in learning for every child at Bishop Edward Gaines.
It remains a challenging time for schools dealing with the omicron variant. Our school is well prepared with systems in place for ensuring continuity for students learning. Please be reassured that we are doing all we can to monitor, inform and act in a way to keep everybody as safe as is possible. It is important that if your child is unwell that they stay home and are monitored for covid symptoms. Our staff continue to take precautions to keep our environment safe, such as; having well ventilated rooms, taking lessons outside when possible, ensuring students sanitise their hands after each break and older students wearing masks indoors as directed by the Ministry of Health.
Thank you to all those families who have indicated their interest in doing the Sacramental Programme. We are looking at doing this later this year, due to the disruption of Covid. We will keep all forms sent in ,on record and inform families of updates.
OurTeddy Bears Picnic for preschoolers and their families is next Thursday March 10th. We are looking forward to this event.
Ma te Atua koutou e manaaki—God’s blessings,
Bernadette Hall
Religious Education Learning
I met with our Student Leaders this week. They are a capable and confident group. We discussed ideas around ways to celebrate our Catholic culture and what that may look like for our leaners in our school. We will keep you posted.
Outdoor Play
Thank you.
Art at Work
Catholic Character
What is Lent?
Lent is the 40 days leading up to and including the death and resurrection of Jesus. As Catholics, we believe that Christ's death is the main purpose of his life. This is because his death was a sacrifice, so we could enjoy eternal life. So Lent is the time to reflect on this and observe some traditional practices like giving up things we like for 40 days, doing good deeds for others, and remembering what sacrifice Christ has made for us. It helps us grow our faith by pausing and recognising what really matters and is important. Christ calls us each Lenten season to welcome him into our hearts.
Your child learn more here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDvf527E8Dg-Teaching about Lent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKjEDrvkHUg-Lent for kids
From the Food for Faith Website: Let’s take up Pope Francis’ invitation to make and act of prayer and fasting today. On Sunday he asked us to join him: “I renew my invitation for everyone to take part on 2 March, Ash Wednesday, in a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in Ukraine, in order to be near to the suffering Ukrainian people, to be aware that we are all brothers and sisters, and to implore God for an end to the war.”
Bishop Edward Gaines School App
Girl Guides
Are you up for fun, friends and adventure, then Girl Guiding could be for you? We have units for girls aged between 5-17. We also are on the lookout for leaders to support these girls. We have spaces available in our units both in Putaruru and Tokoroa, if you are interested then email Michelle on michellegirlguide@gmail.com to find out more.
Whanau Hui & PTA
We are currently looking for helpers to build some bench seats, help with garden building and contribute to our 'wish list' . The schools annual strategic plan will also be available for our community to read over and view.
Our Super Stars
Mrs Hall has noticed and appreciates your acts of kindness towards other students and your good manners. Also for showing initiative and having a fantastic BISHOP attitude!
Sologa lelei
Happy Birthday to: Zoe who turned 5! Javier who turned 7! We hope you had a great day and a chance to celebrate your special day.
Fun Friday for First week in March!
Wheels Day is this Friday-4th March. Your child can bring their scooter, skateboard, or bike to school. They must bring a helmet and wear covered shoes.
Head Lice Treatment
This is a normal childhood occurance, and most children will get head lice at one point or another. We do have a case of head lice in school. Below is a link on how to treat head lice.
Important Dates
Important Dates:
Term Dates
Term One: 1 February-14 April
Term Two: 2 May-8 July
Term Three: 25 July-30 September
Term Four: 17 October-14 December (TBC)
Welcome Liturgy
1 February 9:30am on turf courts
School Mass
11 February 9:30am on school grounds
Swimming Days @ Aquatic Centre:
W 1: 2 February & 3 February 12-1pm
W 2: 8 February & 10 February 12-1pm
W 3: 14 February 12-1pm
W 4: No swimming
W 5: 28 February & 1 March 1:30-2:30pm
W 6: 7 March 1:30pm
W7: No swimming
W 8: No swimming
W 9: 29 March & 1 April 10:00am
W 10: 5 April & 8 April 10:00am
Swimming Sports
3rd March @ Putaruu 7 years and older
Senior Technology Classes
Tuesday at 9:00-10:30am.
Student Led Conferences
24 February 1:30-5:30pm
Preschool Visits
Note changes: Will run each Thursday and Friday from 9:00am -12:30 for the few weeks leading up to the child's 5th birthday. Please let the office know if you are wanting your child to have preschool visits. Also please let others know who may be interested.
Lunchtime Fun Sports for our Tamariki
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Tennis
Monday afternoons (courts opposite our school and bring a racquet if you have one)
Health Nurse Educational Talks to Senior Students
16 February-Talk
16 March-Immunisations HPV/Boostrix for our yr 7s and Yr 8s
Shrove Tuesday & Ash Wednesday
1 March and 2 March
Wheels Day
4 March. Bring a helmet and shoes.
Preschool & Kindy Picnic @ Bishop-Teddy Bears Picnic
10th March 11:30-1:00pm (note change as swimming sports is now 3rd March)
For preschoolers and their families to come find out more about our special character and early literacy programmes.
St Joseph Feast Day Liturgy
18 March 9:30am
3rd March 11:30-1:00pm
Whanau Hui
24 March 6:00pm staffroom-all welcome. Come share ideas for upcoming school projects and meet others in our school community.
Swimming Fun Day
1st April 10:00-12:00pm
Holy Week
10-15 April
Contact us:
Email: office@beg.school.nz
Website: http://www.beg.school.nz
Location: 1 Mossop Rd P.O Box 167 Tokoroa
Phone: 07 886 8021
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bishop-Edward-Gaines-Catholic-School-Tokoroa-310873056309874/