SJS Newsletter Term 4 Week 1
Newsletter 21 October 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.
Tēnā tātou
On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day, two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
Recently the government has made a mandate that all education and health care staff have to have the provisionally approved Pfizer vaccine.
Wherever you sit on this decision, people you know, some of whom are close to you, will hold a different opinion. Some are for the treatment; others against - many are undecided.
No matter your view, I am writing to ask you to tolerate those who have a different perspective from you. Let's not divide ourselves on medical grounds. Instead, let us be respectful and supportive of each other. It makes absolutely no sense to deride or abuse people who do not believe the same things you do.
St James' School will be following privacy rules and will not be sharing any staff medical information with the community. St James' School will comply with the MOE instructions as we have through the pandemic of 2020 and 2021.
As the disciples walked and talked after the resurrection, Jesus walked with them, accompanied them, spoke with them, listened to them. We are all human and part of the body of Christ. If ever there was a time to live your Christianity, this is undoubtedly it.
Brian D McLaren writes - "Jesus doesn't dominate the other, avoid the other, colonize the other, intimidate the other, demonize the other, or marginalize the other. He incarnates into the other, joins the other in solidarity, protects the other, listens to the other, serves the other, even lays down his life for the other."
I encourage you all to show respect and Christian care to all others.
Ngā Manaakitanga
Tom Sheehan
Catholic Special Character
The Rosary - October is the month of the Rosary, so our prayer and RE focus for our first two weeks back at school this term is the Rosary.
We explore what the rosary is, where it came from, how it can be used, the prayers that are a part of the Rosary and of course the mysteries that are focused on when praying the Rosary.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers
Kia ora St James whānau
Each year at Christmas time we support St Vincent de Paul in their support of families in need.
This year our Young Vinnies group will be leading the charge and creating some Christmas Food Hampers.
Please bring donations into your class at school and our Young Vinnies group will collect daily.
Donations can begin to come into school immediately, and the last day for contributions will be Wednesday 24th November.
We would appreciate donations of any of the following items:
Canned fruit and/or vegetables
Cans of spaghetti and/or baked beans
Canned fish
Bottle/can of pasta sauce
Dry pasta and/or rice
Packet of crackers
Packet of biscuits
Packet of lollies
Block of chocolate
Packet jelly/dessert
Packet of popcorn/chippies
Box/bag of tea/coffee/hot chocolate
Raro sachets
Packet dry soups
Thank you in advance for your support.
God bless.
Andrea Cawood
Director of Religious Studies
Celebrations - Celebrating Success
Welcome - We extend a warm welcome to Samuel, Theodore, Dan, AJ, Jakeb, Jianne and Archie, who have recently started their faith and learning journey at Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi. We also extend a warm welcome to their families and whānau.
Hato Heemi SAINTS Postcards
Congratulations to the following learners who received a Hato Heemi SAINTS Postcard at the end of Term 3;
Strive - Theodore C, Ronan de L-H, R, Aubrey K, Zachary T, William G, Isabel A, Harrison C, Aaron S, Alex van W, Pietro E, Lucy G, Jennifer van D, Anjalique M, Xavier L, Darren W, Kingi W, Adeline G, Ava O'B, Finn B, Sarah B, Sylvie B, Elijah W, Eli W, Sophie A, Reyon YK, David H, Lachlan McP, Riley S and Katie D.
Acceptance - Edwina B and Elijah R.
Integrity - Jordan-Rose P, Elisa G, Baxter J and Isabella N.
Nurture - Amelia B and Amelia D.
Talents - Zachary T, William G, Isabel A, Harrison C, Aaron S, Alex van W, Pietro E, Lucy G, Jennifer van D, Anjalique M, Xavier L, Darren W, Kingi W, Liana J, Katie D and Mack Z.
Service - Darren W, Michael G and Fletcher E.
News
2021 and 2022 Term Dates & Holidays
Staff Only Day - Please note that school will be closed on Tuesday, October 26, for our staff only day. School opens as usual on Wednesday, October 27.
School Sports and Additional Photos - Thursday, November 4 2021. Order forms can be downloaded HERE and returned to the school office with payment, or you can collect an order from the school office. These must be returned to the Office by Monday, November 1.
Cleaner Appreciation Day - many thanks to our cleaners Andre and Becs for their hard work and efforts in keeping St James' school clean and tidy!
Staff Update - we are in the process of working out staffing for 2022 and will announce this in the following newsletter. We wish to inform you today that teacher Elle Goodbehere who has been on parental leave since last year, has resigned. We want to wish Elle every best wish and blessing for the future and thank her for her St James' service.
New Entrant Enrolments 2022 - If you have siblings joining us at St James' in 2022, please ensure that you have requested an Enrolment Pack and have the Enrolment and Preference Form returned to the Office. This will assist us with our 2022 planning and class sizes.
School Camp - Camp for the Year 5 and 6 learners can go ahead as planned. YMCA Camp Raukawa has complied with the MOE Level 2 guidelines regarding Education Outside the Classroom requirements. We have confirmed with the bus company that they can get us back home should lockdown levels change.
We have a few outstanding camp fees to come in still. These are now due.
Please make sure your children have the gear as outlined in our previous communications. We want to draw your attention to making sure your child has a waterproof raincoat as activities continue regardless of the weather.
Scholastic Lucky Book Club Issue 7 came home recently in school bags. Please keep an eye out for this! Some great Christmas deals inside. Please make sure you order online through the Scholastic Parents Page or via the LOOP App, which you will find through the same link before Friday, November 5. If you intend this to be a Christmas gift, please email me at library@stjamescatholic.school.nz, and I will let you know when it arrives and leave it in the school office to collect.
Reminders
Labour Day - Monday 25 October no School enjoy your long weekend.
Staff Only day - Tuesday 26 October school will be closed for staff to undertake a planning day for 2022.
DanceNZ Made - Information about this event happening next Wednesday the 27th October has been sent home via text and email alert - please check.
Sport
Swimming - we hope to open the pool as soon as we can after Labour Weekend. We will confirm once we are ready to go. We ask all learners to bring their togs and towel each day and recommend goggles be worn.
Athletics - we are going ahead with athletics but due to the current situation, we will hold all events here at St James' over a series of days. More information to follow.
Interschool Athletics - The Manawatu Principal's Association have cancelled this event.
Marist 'Hot Shots' tennis programme - A Saturday morning programme in Term 4. Tennis is a great sport and we encourage you to consider joining in.
St James' School PTFA - Parent and Teachers and Friends Association
Pastoral Care - 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 t.gunn@stjamescatholic.school.nz.
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
Kelly Hoskins
PTFA Chairperson
ptfachairperson@stjamescatholic.school.nz
Serving Our Saints with Faith and Enthusiasm
St James' Catholic School Board Update
The next School Board meeting will be held in the staffroom on Monday 15 November 2021 at 6.00 pm. All Welcome.
Michael Fennessy
Chairperson
Property Update - as you know, we had some trees removed, and some tidied over the holidays. The giant oak by the bus shelter undermined the concrete and necessitated repairs due to health and safety. We also plan to widen the concrete area just inside the front entrance to reduce congestion, especially at the close of school times. We thank caretaker Glenn for his work in clearing the area over the weekend. The other two trees that were removed were assessed by professional arborists. This work is necessary for health and safety reasons. Over the last two years, we have had almost all the trees on the school grounds assessed for health and safety and work done on the most at risk. It is pleasing to note that we have had no branches broken or windfall in recent spring winds.
In the holidays, we also cleared the garden by the flagpole, which will be replanted. The SAINTS signs out the front have also been removed. We are designing a new set of signs for the front fence.
As we have previously mentioned in a recent newsletter, the bike shed and shelter shed are earthquake-prone. The Diocesan property team are assisting us as we look at alternative arrangements. Eventually, this may involve all of the outbuildings on that boundary being demolished and replaced.
We are delighted to announce that we have new furniture in LS10. The furniture includes four tables, a class set of chairs and a whiteboard table. The board has now installed new furniture in LS7,8 and 10. We plan to upgrade one or two rooms a year as funds allow.
Dates for Your Diary
Please keep checking the Events Calendar on the school website or school App as we are updating this should events be cancelled/postponed. All coming events will continue to be updated here. Add to my Calendar.
2021 Term 4
Week 2
Niuean Language Week
Monday - 25 October - Labour Day - No school
Tuesday 26 October - Staff Only day - No school
Wednesday 27 October - DanceNZ Made
Thursday 28 October - Great New Zealand Shakeout (Earthquake Drill)
Week 3
Tokelauan Language Week
Monday 1 November - School Sports and Additional Photos Orders Due to Office.
Wednesday 3 November - Diwali
Thursday 4 November - School Sports and Additional Photos Day
Week 4
Friday 12 November - PTFA Lunch
Saturday 13 November - World Kindness Day
Week 5
Monday 15 November - Board Meeting 6 pm, All Welcome
Tuesday 16 - Friday 19 November - Year 5/6 Camp Raukawa
Week 6
Friday 26 November - Year 3-6 Sports Trophy Assembly, 2 pm
Getting Involved
Shining Stars – Preschool Music Group Thursday 9:30am Cathedral lounge. Contact Basia bmcintosh@pndiocese.org.nz.
Stamps, Can Tabs, Wine Bottle Tops - One small way we can make life easier for others which costs us nothing, is to collect Stamps, Can Tabs and Wine Bottle Tops. You will find boxes for these in the Office foyer. If, as a family you don’t already set these items aside for Kidney Kids at Starship and the Missions you might like to start as a very visible witness to demonstrating Jesus example of LOVE. Encourage neighbours and family to do the same. There is no deadline.