Newsletter Term 2 Week 4
St Patrick's School Masterton 16th May 2023
TUMUAKI/PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa, nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa!
This week is ‘Bullying Free NZ week’ and throughout the week teachers will be making reference to this in their classroom programmes.
Bullying is a part of society that has no place and is something that we work with the children on and try to develop their understanding of why it is wrong and how it can affect others. At times, we do find that there can be different understandings for the term bullying, so to help gain a shared understanding, below is an explanation that we use with the children here at school:
We are very aware that you as parents, carers and whānau have a vital role to play, talking to your children about bullying and supporting our school to be safe, inclusive and respectful places for everyone. To give you some further guidance in this area, there is an excellent free parent’s pack full of information and tips on how to deal with and talk to children about bullying issues. You can find this resource by following this link.
Below is our school ‘WITS’ poster that we encourage children to use if they ever do feel uncomfortable or threatened in a situation. It would be much appreciated if you could also talk through the poster with your child and ensure that they fully understand what to do if they find themselves in this situation.
On Friday afternoon, we enjoyed hosting and celebrating a large group of mothers and other significant females who are part of our children’s lives. Across the school, the children enjoyed showing their appreciation and spending time taking part in a range of different activities.
Finally, I thought it timely to recognise and say thank you to the wonderful Parent Teacher Association (PTA) group that we have here at school. The small group works tirelessly each year in organising fundraising activities to support our children. This year, so far the group have helped fund Footsteps dance lessons for every child, purchasing two bouncy castles for use at school events as well as supporting the Kildare syndicate ‘Garden 2 Table’ programme by purchasing accessories and consumables. The group is always looking for new members and if you are interested to know more about this please leave your name and contact details at the school office.
Listed below are key events that are planned for term 2 of this year:
May 19th - Bully Free NZ Week Pink shirt/ clothing day
May 17th - Board of Trustees meeting 7.00pm (school staffroom)
May 22 - 26 - Term 2 Narrative Blog to be sent home
May 28 - June 1 - Samoan Language Week
May 29th - Tough Guy & Gal
May 30th - Strike Drumming Performance (Hub 2-4 only)
June 5th - King’s Birthday Public Holiday (School closed)
June 6-16 - Mr Four Eyes screening
June 8th - Year 6 Kildare Camp 12 hour Fundraiser
June 12-16 - Zero Waste Education Programme in school
June 13th - Footsteps Dance Sharing Performance (9.00 - 10.30 in the school hall)
June 13th - Masterton Schools Cross Country
June 19-21 - Catholic Special Character External Review
June 21st - Mid-Year data report sent home
June 21st - Board of Trustees meeting 7.00pm (school staffroom)
June 23rd PTA School Disco (5.30 - 7.oopm)
June 28th - Whanau/ Teacher Conferences
June 30th - Matariki Celebration
June 30th - Last day of Term 2 for students
July 17th - First day of Term 3 - powhiri @ 9.00am
Ngā mihi o Te Atua,
Steve Wheeler
Tumuaki/Principal
Message from The Attendance Dues Team
Just a friendly reminder that full payment of the Attendance Dues for 2023 is due by 31st May 2023. If you are paying by regular instalments, payments should be set up to close the balance by 30th November 2023 or by arrangement with the Dues team.
The May invoice/statement was emailed or posted to all families on 5th May. Please check that the invoice has not gone to your Spam/Junk Inbox and that all your children are listed on the statement.
Financial assistance is available to families experiencing financial hardship (loss of income/redundancy, family reasons, etc.). It is a condition of the assistance application that the family has an affordable regular payment in place.
If you have any questions, please contact us:
Phone: 0800 462 725 Email: dues@wn.catholic.org.nz Text: 021 08907902
Enrolments for First Communion 2023
Please put your child's name down at the School office or with Christine Connor DRS: drs@stpatsmstn.school.nz if you are interested in your child making their First Communion this year.
Children need to be in Year 3 or above, and need to be baptised.
If you would like your child to be baptised we will be holding BAPTISM ceremonies in the school hall later this term. Family and friends are welcome. They will be held on a Thursday at 9.30am. Please contact Mrs Connor for details.
Otherwise you can arrange a baptism in the church on the weekend: Saturday 5pm Mass or Sunday 8.30am. Please make a booking to do this on the church website:
www.wairarapacatholicparish.org Look under Menu: Sacraments, for an enrolment form.Catholic Parish of the Wairarapa Weekend Mass Times
Saturday Vigil - 5.00pm Masterton
Sunday Eucharist - 8.30am Masterton & 10.30am Featherston
School Mass timetable
Thursday 11th May - Whole school mass (9.30 St Patrick’s School hall)
Thursday 25th May - Kildare Syndicate (9.30 St Patrick’s School hall)
Thursday 7th June - Brigidine Syndicate (9.30 St Patrick’s School hall)
Thursday 22nd June - Kildare Syndicate (9.30 St Patrick’s School hall)
Term 2 Catholic Social Teaching Theme
Virtue of the Month: Joy/ Koa
Friendship
Keep smiling
Creating & achieving
Those who trust the lord will be joyful - Proverbs 16-20
Getting to know St Patrick’s School Staff
Consideration Cup winners
School assembly & School Singing
Week 5: School singing - Monday 22nd May @ 9am (led by Mr Murray & Mrs Connor)
Week 6: School assembly - Monday 29th May @ 1.55pm (led by Brigidine Syndicate)
Week 7: School singing - School Closed for King's Birthday Public holiday
Week 8: School assembly - Monday 12th June @ 1.55pm (led by Kildare Syndicate)
Week 9: School singing - Monday 19th June @ 9am (led by Mr Murray & Mrs Connor)
Week 10: School assembly - Monday 26th June @ 1.55pm (led by student leaders
A couple of Autumn activities to try at home!
On crisp autumn days, whether the sun manages to find a way to shine, or it is cold and grey, there are many ways for children to interact with the outside world.
Foraging for leaves and twigs
Autumn is the season where leaves change colour and fall, where trees become bare; the ground is constantly covered with an array of beautiful colours.
For some children experiencing this season for the first (or second, or third time!), this will be an entirely new experience. Experiences like foraging and exploring the sensations of the wind and weather are entirely new for them. Simple activities such as going for a walk with children to collect and examine fallen treasures is a gift from Papa-tū-ā-nuku (Mother Earth) that keeps giving.
Children are able to forage for different colours, textures, shapes and sizes. They are able to explore new sensations through shared experiences, and older children can be challenged to explore their developing oral language skills, describing what they have found and telling stories or creating art about their adventures.
Weaving
Using natural materials to explore the finer motor skills of young children is a particularly fun autumn activity. Collected twigs, leaves, and grasses (such as harakeke) can be woven together to explore textures, patterns, and sizes. The dexterity of finger movement required encourages children to better understand how to use their bodies as they gain confidence with different techniques, new movements and skills.
Weaving also has significance culturally in te ao Māori, and this aspect can be explored with children both during and after the activity.
Last year the school moved to using ‘SchoolDocs’ to create a website for our school policies and procedures. As part of this process, throughout each year, as we review our policies we will ask for feedback from staff, board and parent communities.
During Term 2 of 2023 we are reviewing and asking for feedback on the following policies:
Education Outside the Classroom:
EOTC Planning and Review
EOTC Risk Management
EOTC Coordinator
EOTC External Providers
EOTC Staff Competence
EOTC Event Categories
EOTC Communicating with Parents
Please read these policies and give your feedback by following the instructions below:
Visit the website https://stpatsmstn.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
Enter the username (stpatsmstn) and password (kindness).
Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
Read the policy.
Click the Policy Review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
Select the reviewer type "Parent".
Enter your name (optional).
Submit your ratings and comments.
If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.
Good luck to all of our children playing their winter sport codes. Whether you are playing football, rugby, hockey, netball or any other sport, go hard, enjoy yourself and learn from each other and your coaches.
If you have any questions about school sport please contact Chris Day via the school office or email chrisd@stpatsmstn.school.nz
Winter Tennis Coaching
We are offering after-school tennis coaching throughout the winter for all players aged six and over. The coaching uses modified balls to help players develop faster and is run by fully ITF-qualified professional coaches. The schedule will be determined once winter sports are finalised. Please get in touch for more information or to secure a space for your child.
Contact: Jacob Emery
021957455
Sausage Sizzle - Friday
Sausage sizzle this Friday. $2 per sausage. Please order at the office by 9am.
2023 Cohort Entry & Enrolment Information:
2023 Term 2 start dates: Wednesday 26th April & Monday 29th May
2023 Term 3 start dates: Monday 17th July & Monday 21st August
2023 Term 4 start dates: Monday 9th October & Monday 13th November
2023 Term Dates:
Term 2: Monday 24th April - Friday 30th June
Teacher Only Day: Monday 24th April (School closed)
Term 3: Monday 17th July - Friday 22nd September
Teacher Only Day: TBC (School closed)
- Term 4: Monday 9th October - Wednesday 20th December
TUESDAY: Wairarapa Event Fuel - During Term 2 on a Tuesday (starting 2nd May) we are offering a new hot lunch option for children to purchase. This is being organised as part of the fundraising that some of our Year 6 senior students are doing to raise money for their trip to Rarotonga at the end of this year.
Wairarapa Event Fuel (WEF) are offering the following menu which is to be ordered each Tuesday morning at the school office. For every meal purchased for $5, they will give $2 to the fundraising effort.
$5 meal options are:
Nuggets & chips
Fish bites & chips
Mini hot-dogs & chips
All the food options come with sauce and will be served at lunchtime in cardboard food trays.
WEDNESDAY: Subway - This is available every Wednesday. Order through the school office or order online at www.subwayexpress.co.nz. Register - then search for St Patrick's School and place your order. There are also envelopes available at the school office.
THURSDAY: Pita Pit - This is available on Thursdays. Order online at www.lunchonline.co.nz
FRIDAY: PTA sausage sizzle. Please pay at the school office - $2 per sausage
Contact Us
Email: office@stpatsmstn.school.nz
Website: https://stpatsmstn.school.nz
Location: 132 Chapel Street, Masterton 5810, New Zealand
Phone: +64 63 775 043
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stpatsmstn