St James' School Term 2 Week 2
Newsletter 12 May 2021
Our Vision: To grow Catholic, Christian young people,
who are confident, connected lifelong learners, inspired by the teachings of Jesus, and who make a positive difference in their community.
Kia ora Koutou
Thanks, everyone for making the start of term so enjoyable. We are up and running - winter sports, cross-country, Dance NZ Made, Cultural learning groups, the Ascension, Pentecost Kids Lit comp as well as our normal learning space lessons.
We encourage you to set your children up for success - a good night's sleep, nutritious food, water, arrive at school on time prepared and ready for the day's events. We encourage you to build increasing independence in your children - make them carry their own bag, complete their morning routines/tasks independently, and when they are ready begin encouraging them to walk in from the gate by themselves. Encourage them to listen, risk take and support others as we learn together. Help them grow into confident connected learners. Have conversations with them about their learning and their day at school and allow for some downtime - none of us benefits from working too many hours!
Teacher Only Day - on Friday next week St James' School will be closed for teachers only day. All staff are attending a day at the Manawatu Golf course along with other staff from our Catholic Kāhui Āko schools. A reminder that Nippers will be open on this day should you require child care.
Car Park - For the safety of our children the car park is closed between 8.30 am-9.00 am and 2.30 pm-3.00 pm.
Should you park in the car park we ask that you honour our system and stay until the yellow chain is taken down after the patrol period. From time to time, we notice drivers exiting the car park ignoring the no-exit sign. Please show your integrity - should you need to leave the car park before the chain is removed then the solution is simple - do not drive into the car park in the first place.
Ngā mihi o Te Aranga
Tom Sheehan
Catholic Special Character
Easter - We hope your Easter Season continues to be full of the joy of the Risen Christ. We look forward to the Feast of Pentecost Sunday, May 23.
Baptismal preparation - Congratulations to our families who have undertaken baptism preparation in recent weeks.
Next dates for children’s Baptismal preparation - 16 May 4th Session and the Rite of Baptism to be celebrated at Pentecost.
For more information, please contact Kate Bell k.bell@pncathedral.org.nz.
Caritas Challenge - Caritas have sent us a receipt for $810.10 and thanked us for our fundraising efforts during Term 1. The letter states that every dollar raised is matched by the NZ Aid Programme and becomes $4!
NZ Sign Language Week 2021
Celebrations
Welcome - We extend a warm welcome to Elijah and Finn, who have recently started their faith and learning journey at Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi. We also extend a warm welcome to their family and whānau.
We also welcome Andre and Ricarda to our staff as our new cleaners.
News
Farewell - we farewell Lenix H today - we wish her all the best at her new school.
Library - The library's final touch-ups and alterations are just about complete and we are discussing naming the library. Should you have a suggestion please email me with your thoughts.
Year 5 and 6 Camp Term 4 - invoices will be sent home shortly for camp. We ask you to have these paid by the end of Term 3, 2021.
Nippers Before School and Holiday Programme - Nippers will be open on Friday 21 May for the Teacher Only Day. For bookings contact Nippers 021 645 806 or nippers@inspire.net.nz.
A cheque free future - As ASB and other banks move away from processing cheques, we want to make sure you are prepared. We will also no longer be able to accept cheques from 31 May 2021. Payment of School donations can continue to be paid online ASB Bank Account 12-3442-0052178-00 or by cash.
Scholastic 2021 Issue 3 - should have come home in school bags this week. Some super specials throughout this issue. Check out the back of the flyer for the Reading Rocket 31 Day Reading Challenge, I have heard there is some pretty fabulous family book packs up for grabs!! The closing date for this Issue is Sunday 23 May.
National Simultaneous Storytime - each year we register to take part in this. Such a super cool event to be a part of along with hundreds of others around NZ and Australia. This year's book of choice is ‘Give Me Some Space’ by Philip Bunting. This book will be read from space and live-streamed to all those who have registered!!
Work wanted - We have an offer of babysitting, cleaning or other jobs from a Catholic veterinary student looking to create a little extra income. Has flexible hours. Please contact Steph at the parish office for details.
Some ANZAC writing from LS8
Dear Family,
It is scary in the war. The sound of bombs is deafening. It smells like rotten fish. The smell fills my lungs. My friend got shot in the leg. When I peer out of the trench, I see bombs. I hope the war ends soon. Some of my friends have died. Their legs shot off, their arms too. I can taste the yucky air. Cockroaches crawl around. I hear so much violence. It is really scary. The war is so not nice.
From Tammy
Dear Diary,
I tried to save the people but I couldn't help the people. The soldiers nearly died but went up to the tank. I hopped into the tank. I killed the enemy soldiers and my soldiers cheered for me. I hate the war.
By Luke
Reminders
New Entrant Enrolments 2021 - A reminder that if you have siblings joining us at St James’ in Terms 2, 3 and 4 2021, please ensure that you have returned and Enrolment Form to the School Office as soon as possible, please.
Change of Contact Details - Please remember that if you change your home, work or cell phone number, address or email please let the school office know so that we can update our database
Dogs at School - Our school Health and Safety Policy states that Dogs are prohibited on the school grounds. The exception to this policy is when dogs are brought into the school for educational purposes, and assistive dogs (such as those for the visually impaired).
If you have been allowing your dog onto school grounds we ask that you stop this practice immediately. Thank you for your support in keeping our grounds clean and safe for our learners.
Our Kura is Smokefree and Vapefree - while our Kura has always been Smokefree this is a reminder that after recent law changes our kura is now smoke and vape free.
St James' School PTFA - Parent and Teachers and Friends Association
- Chocolate Fundraiser - Wow - what a great success with selling your chocolates. The last day to return the $72 is this Friday, May 14. A huge thank you to everyone for your support. Should you require any extra boxes to sell please contact Lisa Quinn 027 358 3914. At Gathering on the 24th May we will be handing out spot prizes to our amazing learners.
- The Egg Project - Thank you to our community who have supported this fundraising initiative while enjoying fantastic eggs. If you want to try these please contact the school office. We received $87.00 last term. We thank The Egg Project for supporting their local community.
- Gala - A great turnout last week to our first Gala planning meeting, we aim to run a Gala event this year on Sunday 31st October. Please come to our next meeting on Wednesday 19th May as we move forward with this great community event, many hands make light work and we appreciate new ideas and faces. A survey will be out next week regarding ways in which we can all take part.
- We have two PTFA lunches this term. Pizza lunch on Friday 28th May and 25 June. Alerts will be sent out closer to the time.
Pastoral Care Coordinator - My new role on the PTFA along with some other bits and pieces is the pastoral care organiser. Thank you to our current pastoral care providers who have baked and prepared meals for those families in our school community who occasionally need a little bit of extra support.
If this sounds like something you would like to assist with could you please email me so I can put your name on our list of helpers. Thanks Tracey Gunn
- Please Join us - The PTFA is keen to have new members join them this year. Many of the current organisers are nearing the end of their primary school involvement, and it is time to add more members. If you are interested, please contact Kelly Hoskins (ptfachairperson@stjamescatholic.school.nz)
- Next PTFA meeting will be tonight Wednesday 12 May, 6.30pm in the Staffroom. Please join us.
School Board
Policies for Community Consultation
The following policies were approved for community consultation at the last School Board Meeting. Comments regarding any of these policies can be directed to boardchairperson@stjamescatholic.school.nz or office@stjamescatholic.school.nz before 14 May 2021.
- Unit Allocation
- Professional and Learning Development
- Appointments
- Asset Management
- Financial Management
- Credit Card
- Schedule of Delegations
- School Bus Transport
- Health and Safety
- Fair Play
The next BOT meeting will be held in the staffroom on Monday 31 May 2021 at 6.00 pm. All welcome.
Michael Fennessy
Chairperson
Sports
Hockey and Netball Fees - Just a reminder that all Winter Netball fees are now due. All sports fees are to be paid before games starting.
Cross Country - Thursday 20 May
We are nearly ready for our School Cross Country event which will be held at Hokowhitu Park, week 3 of this term on Thursday 20 May. First races set to go at 1 pm.
This year, just like at swimming sports and athletics we have added a ‘non competitive’ option to the Cross Country for year 3-6 learners. We appreciate not everyone is a runner and this will allow the event to be a positive experience for all learners. We want all learners to have a positive experience and learn the benefits of exercise - in this case running and walking. Year 3-6 learners will all begin their race at the same place but will run a reduced distance. The competitive course distances are as follows:
Year 3 and 4 - 1.5km
Year 5 and 6 - 2.2km
Your child will continue to train regardless of category, with their peers during their class PE sessions.
Your child will automatically be entered into the competitive event UNLESS YOU email their classroom teacher requesting the ‘non competition' option.
If you would like to assist with helping on the day, please email t.gunn@stjamescatholic.school.nz.
Thank you for your support.
Tracey Gunn
Sports Coordinator
A huge thank you to our Summer hockey coaches: Kelly Hoskins, Chantelle van Wyk, Frazer Winskill and Liz Eaton Bray. We have been very fortunate to have our ex pupils Fletcher Hoskins and Samuel Balm umpire these games for us.
Dates for Your Diary
Please keep checking the Events Calendar on the school website. All coming events will continue to be updated here. Add to my Calendar.
Save the date St James' Catholic School Gala 2021 - Sunday 31st October
2021 Term 2
Week 2
Wednesday 12 May - Kids Lit Comp Civic Centre, Feilding, 9.00 am-1.30 pm
Wednesday 12 May - PTFA Meeting, 6.30 pm, Staffroom. All welcome.
Week 3
Thursday 20 May - School Cross Country - Hokowhitu Park - 1 pm start TBC
Friday 21 May - Kahui Ako Teacher Only Day - School closed.
Sunday 23 May - PENTECOST
Week 4
Samoan Language week
Friday 28 May - PTFA lunch
Friday 28 May - Te Mahuri Parent Assembly - LS 7, 8, 9 and 10 will lead and present their learning.
Getting Involved
Shining Stars – Preschool Music Group Thursday 9:30am
Cathedral lounge. Contact Basia bmcintosh@pndiocese.org.nz.
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