Newsletter Term 3 Week 4
St Mary's School Blenheim Friday 19th August 2022
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Kia ora koutou Te Kura O Hato Mere whanau,
I hope this email arrives with you in a nice warm cozzie house or in a place where you are drying out. It has been a rather wet time for us here in Marlborough and across the motu over the past couple of weeks and even months in our case. From dry and no rain to a plentiful supply all at once.
Although difficult for us, I would like us to pray for those across Aoteoroa who have been adversely affected, especially those who have been displaced throughout this time and will not go back to what they left a few days prior.
School has been pumping lately with a lot of anticipation and excitement as all classes have been preparing for the Assumption Mass that was on Thursday this week. Firstly, a huge thank you to the teachers and classes for the wonderful learning and deeper understanding of this celebration and also for the stunning art work that adorned the hall walls. Secondly, thank you to the members of our community who came and took part in the mass as part of our wider school and parish community.
Maurice and Mieke added to the joyful occasion with their stunning tunes as they used their talents for the good of our community. The children left the mass beaming and feeling uplifted after such a wonderful occasion.
Adding to this celebration we are also excited at school to see some colour coming through the soil in the shape of our wonderful daffodils.
I was struck by a daffodil the other day which was standing proudly alone and independent.
I took a photo in the silence of the school grounds after school. It was a lovely moment as time seemed to stand still as I realised the metaphor behind the photo. Here we are as individuals, here is Jesus, Mary, God and the Holy Spirit. All individual parts of a whole.
The assumption reminds us of the utter beauty of Mary Our Mother. The woman who said YES! A mother who had the joys of being a mother to such an incredible son. A boy and young man who stood apart from the rest who did what was right for humanity. Jesus had the guidance and a mothers love from Mary who helped to form the person who was Jesus in the Light of the Holy Spirit and with God's will.
Jesus, like us, although independant and standing alone, was never alone. He had the support and love of his mother in everything he did. Such is this photo which shows only what we choose to see, however perception is not reality in this case.
Right behind supporting Jesus' decisions and in times of need, there was Mary, his mother with unconditional love and support. Just like us, we always have someone there with us, our parents, children, friends, the Holy Spirit. We are never really and truly alone. As we grow and blossom in our lives we become more fulfilled thanks to the experiences and positive influences in our lives.
When we become more aware of this we can grow in partnership, friendship, love and develop into a more whole person.
We always have God in our lives and support from those who love us.
This time of the assumption brings this all back to the forefront of our thinking as we remember her willing and blessed sacrifice. The patron saint of Aotearoa Mary has guided us here at Te Kura O Hato Mere to follow her beauty and radiance by living and breathing ‘In Christ’s Light’ through the Beatitudes.
Take the time starting this weekend to be more like Mary. Think of her qualities and how she has influenced the way we live today.
Let us, one and all, try to be more like Mary.
‘In Christ’s Light’
Paddy Dowling
TE WHETU O TE MOANA l STAR OF THE SEA - MARLBOROUGH CATHOLIC PARISH
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Board of Trustees Meeting - 22 August
- Teacher Only Day - Friday 26th August
- Book Fair Week - 29th August - 2nd September
- St Mary's Disco - 2nd September 2022
- Last Day of School for Term 3 - Thursday 29th September
- Teacher Only Day - Friday 30th September
- 150th Jubilee - 14th - 16th July 2023
COVID UPDATE
Thank you for your support through the first 4 weeks of Term 3. Children wearing masks and attending school has been amazing. We are back to having all of our beautiful children back at school. Reconnecting with friends, enjoying their learning and being a part of our hapori whānui.
We are all part of one whole and support each other staying healthy. In the first half of the school year New Zealand dropped below the 50% mark for regular attendance at schools. This has had a huge impact on children's learning and teaching in classrooms in all kura.
Following the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health guidelines we are now able to move back into the voluntary wearing of face masks starting from Monday 22 August.
That is, children and staff members from Year 3 - 8 can now choose to wear or choose to not wear face masks in class. This may change again at a later date however starting on Monday it is personal choice again.
Thank you all once again from myself and all staff here at Te Kura O Hato Mere.
YOU HAVE BEEN INVITED.......
Kia ora whanau,
As you are aware we have many blessings at this kura. One of the largest blessings at Te Kura O Hato Mere is our cultural diversity. We are blessed with languages, customs, arts, music and traditions. Our tamariki are blessed to be a part of this diversity and true reflection of our world.
Wednesday 7 September 6:30pm
This is the date and time we would like you as parents to come into school and have an open conversation about your specific culture and the important aspects of it so we as a school can deepen our understanding and begin to celebrate this amazing diversity throughout the school year.
As a kura our role is to walk alongside you all and learn how to appreciate your culture and the influence it has on our school. Look into special celebrations, dates and times of the year that have a special meaning to your culture.
Please put this date in your calendars and come and join in the conversation.
Paddy Dowling
WHAT'S BEEN HAPPERNING AT TE KURA O HATO MERE ?
ASSUMPTION MASS
BUILDING WORKS
We have an exciting wee time here at school. The profiles are up, the string lines are run and the marking is complete for the playground to be moved and completed on Maxwell Road. Many thanks to Jake Nurse and his team from Rarangi Building and fabrication Ltd for the great work this week to move us forward in the process.
We have also booked in a fantastic young man Mr David Shoemark to come in and drill 48 holes for the poles to go in for the super structure.
We are waiting with anticipation for the concrete men to come and level the floor in the Little Theatre so we can lay the carpet tiles down and move into this amazing space.
Mr Parson’s has also started the exterior painting of the building between rain showers and you can see what the school will look like once it has the new colour scheme completed.
It certainly is an exciting time for the school and our whole hapori whānui. Watch this space for the updated developments.
BOOK FAIR INFORMATION
Our Book Fair is just around the corner and it is time to start planning and creating your costume for the Best, Brightest, Most Bookalicious Parade of the Year. Our Parade is on Wednesday 31st August at 9:30am.
This year our Book Fair is all about reading and so is our Dress up Parade. So choose a book character you would like to be or one you admire and get creative. Maybe the character is funny, brave, adventurous, kind. Whatever the reason you choose your character we will be delighted that you dress up as them and are part of this special celebration of books and reading. Remember dressing up and being another character is not about buying a costume but about using ordinary things in creative ways. We will be looking for lots of “outside the box thinking” because there are wonderful book prizes to win.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Check out wardrobes of other people in your family and perhaps Grandma’s coat could be good to wear in Narnia, or those slippers are a bit like the ones Grandpa wore in Grandpa’s Slippers.
Don’t forget the kitchen has lots of possibilities. Could I transform that sieve into a mask that would protect me in a duel. Can I add padding to a colander and turn it into a hat? Are those oven gloves a possibility?
I think you get the idea but remember your character is from a book you have read. So make this year’s Dress Up Day and Parade a spectacular event and get that costume underway.
From the Book Fair Team
ST MARY'S SCHOOL DISCO
Friday, 2nd September, 5-8pm, St Mary’s Hall
Preschoolers to Year 8
COST: $2 per person
(Children to be accompanied by an adult)
Tickets will be available from the Quad before school from Monday 29th August
Hot chips, sausages, pizza, drinks, sweets, candy floss & glow products will be on sale (CASH ONLY)
We need helpers for the Disco to happen!
Set up from 12pm - lights, balloons, stage, candy floss
Disco from 4.30pm - 8pm - we need people: at door, to cook hot chips, sell food, drinks, candy floss, glow products
Clean up - from 8pm (many hands make light work!)
If you can help, even an hour would be great!
Please send us a message via our St Mary’s Friends FB Page or text Fiona 0274798131
SPORTS NEWS
DISTRICTS CROSS COUNTRY COMPETITION
(Here are a couple of pic's that parents sent in)
Message from Marlborough Netball
All Saturday Netball for August 20th is cancelled due to road closures, weather warnings and flooding.
As next week is semi finals, we will have all teams playing including for 5th & 6th so that no one's season is cut short.
The last few weeks has been challenging and we have tried to facilitate as many games as we can in the final round.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
If you have any questions in regards to the semi finals draw please let me know.
Lets hope this weather improves next week!
Thanks
TOUCH RUGBY
Junior Touch runs from Thursday 20th October to Thursday 8th December 2022
Finals Day will be held on Thursday, December 8th.
We will be sending out a notice for players to join St Mary's School Teams soon.....!
COMMUNITY NEWS
SUBWAY LUNCHES - WEDNESDAY
ALL SUBWAY ORDERS ARE GOING ONLINE FROM TERM 3
If you would like to order SUBWAY, please order online Wednesday mornings
Orders must be done before 8.45am on Wednesday mornings.
OUR SPONSORS
CONTACT US
Email: office@stmb.school.nz
Website: https://stmb.school.nz
Location: St Mary’s School Blenheim 3 Stephenson St, Blenheim, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 578 9494
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmarysschoolblenheim/