Newsletter Week 7 Term 4
Newsletter 36 - Week 7 Term 4, 1 December 2021.
Principal's Message
As you will be aware, Rotorua will be at Covid Level Red from 11.59pm on Thursday 2 December 2021.
This is the advice from the Ministry:
Schools will retain their existing COVID-19 settings until the end of the 2021 calendar year, although we recommend that schools in red areas encourage mask-wearing for staff and students in year 4 and above. The COVID-19 Protection Framework settings will come into effect for all schools from 1 January 2022.
The wearing of masks for our students and staff while we are at Red Level is not mandated until next year. Fingers crossed Rotorua will be in Orange by then and we won’t need to wear masks. We will continue to insist every student sanitises when they enter the school gate/classroom and any other teaching space in the school. All parents coming onsite during school time (8.30am-3pm) MUST report to the School Office and wear a mask please.
Now that we know that we are in the Red Zone we can go ahead and organise end of year ceremonies, unfortunately without parents/whanau.
FRIDAY 10th DECEMBER: End of Year Mass: Totara students
TUESDAY 14TH DECEMBER: 9.15am Prizegiving for Totara students
TUESDAY 14TH DECEMBER: 12 Noon Prizegiving for Kahikatea students
TUESDAY 14TH DECEMBER: 11.15 am Prizegiving for Kakano students
THURSDAY 16TH DECEMBER: Missioning of our Year 6 students.
Congratulations to Mr G, Nick Gentle and the Chess team who participated in Chess Nationals on Friday. The team was placed eighth in the tournament which is an excellent result. There weren’t many competition points between eighth and first. The National Tournament for individual players is this Friday. We wish our students well.
This Thursday is the Principal's Luncheon. Students invited from each class have been sent their invitations and I look forward to hosting them.
We are publishing a school magazine again this year, and this will be available during the last week of this term. At this stage there are only to be 100 magazines printed. It will be a great memento of 2021. Orders are being taken now with the cost for the magazine being $10.00. Please pay at the school office.
Have a great week.
Kind Regards,
David Macmillan
Principal.
PTA MEETING TONIGHT - 7PM SCHOOL STAFFROOM - ALL WELCOME!
Upcoming School Events
Friday 10th December: End of Year Mass
Monday 13th December : School Tryathlon
Tuesday 14th December: School Prizegivings
Thursday 16 December: Missioning and last day of term. School year finishes at 12 noon.
2022 Term Dates
each child with their parent(s)has a 20 minute appointment on one of these two days
Term 1 classes 8 February - 14 April
Term 2 classes 2 May - 8 July
Term 3 classes 25 July - 30 September
Term 4 classes 17 October - 19 December ( final day to be confirmed)
Public Holidays during School Terms - 7 Feb, 6 June, 24 June, 24 October
Teacher Only Day confirmed for 7 June
Message from DRS
What Is Advent? History & Meaning
For many Christians we know that the Advent season focuses on expectation, and think that it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. This is part of the story, but there’s more to Advent.
Advent symbolises the present situation of the church in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2), as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. The church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people.
The Advent wreath was created out of evergreens, symbolising everlasting life. The circle reminds us of God’s unending love and the eternal life He makes possible. Advent candles are often nestled in the evergreen wreath. Families begin lighting a candle on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and they light another candle each subsequent Sunday. The four candles traditionally represent hope, faith, joy, and peace.
Calling all keen golfers ...
Calling all keen golfers and parents of keen golfers!!!
Golf NZ has invited us to a Futures Teams Xmas Event/Party at the Springfield Golf Club on Tuesday 14th December 3:30-6pm. It sounds like it is going to be really good fun.
We can put in teams for an Ambrose style event. Mr. G, Ms. H and Mr James will head up a team, we are looking for other adults to help with teams.
Our keen golfers are eager to have a go but we need your help.
If you or your child is interested...let me know ASAP.
There will be other fun putting and chipping comps...with prizes!
There is a Christmas theme dress up for those who are keen but this is not a must!
If you love golf or your child loves golf, mark it on your calendar and come along.
Golf NZ are also doing a coaching session for adults who are keen to learn tips that might help the children. This coaching workshop will be on Tuesday the 7th of December between 4 and 6 pm at Springfield Golf Course. It is free, Mr.G and Ms.H will be going-so come along and get some tips from the pro's that you can pass on to your children.
If you have any questions, contact Brigitte Holmes-0272121206 or email brigitteh@stmarysrotorua.school.nz
St Mary's School Library Books
We would be grateful if you could please keep them coming so we can do our processing before we leave the premises on 16 December.
Foodbank collection
Impetigo study
My name is Nico Lieffering, an intern at the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, based at the Wellington Hospital. I am reaching out to you on behalf of Dr Gabby Shortt, regarding a clinical trial we are running at Ranolf Pharmacy on 59 Ranolf Street, as well as other community pharmacies around the country.
This new study is investigating the use of a mānuka oil-based antiseptic for the treatment of impetigo (school sores) in children aged 2-14 years around New Zealand.
We would like to help raise awareness of this trial in the community so parents and guardians know they can bring their children with uncomplicated impetigo into a participating pharmacy if they would like to take part.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this and if you are interested or would like further information you are able to contact myself at nico.lieffering@mrinz.ac.nz or Dr Gabby Shortt at gabby.shortt@mrinz.ac.nz
Sports News
SUMMER SPORTS UPDATE:
IMPORTANT COVID-19 SPORTS UPDATE
From Friday 3rd December Rotorua will be in RED under the new traffic light system. Most sporting codes will be applying new guidelines to be followed from this date forward. Please check your emails for these important updates.
If you have any queries or concerns please contact Whaea Leanne.
JUNIOR TOUGH GUY & GAL CHALLENGE - CANCELLED
Unfortunately, this event has been cancelled. An email has been sent to parents regarding the refund process.
SPORTS FEES & SCHOOL ISSUED UNIFORM
Fees: Please make sure you have paid your child’s 2021 sports fees. Statements will be sent out from Monday 6th December, payments due by Monday 13th December.
Uniform: All school issued sports uniforms must be returned by Wednesday 9th December, regardless of having a sports bond in place.
Invoices for replacement uniforms will be issued by Friday 10th December.
*uniforms to be returned are netball dresses, ALL singlets, white collared PE tops.
Whaea Leanne
School Sports Coordinator
sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz
027 285 7579 or 348 1701
SPECIAL MENTION
Last Saturday the Lakes Performing Arts Junior Drama held their end of year showcase. We had many students take part in the show, well done to you all.
Congratulations to Charlotte for winning the Top Junior performer.
Swimming lessons
Private Summer Swimming Lessons!
I will be offering private 1 on 1 swimming lessons over the school holidays. Lessons will take place at the Rotorua Commercial Travellers club, 26 Moncur Drive. $25 for 15min lesson $45 for 30min lesson. For more information or to book yours now email: katemillington99@gmail.com
Special Mentions
Contact Us
Email: schooloffice@stmarysrotorua.school.nz
Website: https://www.stmarysrotorua.school.nz
Location: 37 Carnot Street, Glenholme, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
Phone: +64 07 3481701
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St-Marys-Catholic-School-Rotorua-870642283022074