St Mary's School

'We need social saints, open, normal, friends, cheerful companions' - Pope Francis

Dear whānau,

We've had another action packed week here at St Mary's, I bet your kids will sleep well tonight. On Monday Room Moa braved the cold to go and check out Room 8 from Gore Main School's story walk. We had a letter from a student who was part of the creative team letting us know it was up and running and that we should go and have a look - so we did. If you're looking for something active to do with your kids this weekend, 'Reach for the Stars Jimmy' is for you! It starts at the bird park end of the Gore Gardens, takes you up past Gore Main School and then finishes at the end of Lyne Street.

On Tuesday our year 5 and 6 students attended Clued Up Kids at the Gore T&C (see more below) then on Wednesday morning our super year 6 leaders and their teachers and parent helpers headed off to Camp Columba for their 3 day camp. They're having a crack at ziplining, archery, kayaking, raft building and more. We will have more details of what they got up to in next weeks newsletter.

From our school vision: We are there for each other, supporting staff and families through good and bad times, always showing hope.

On Wednesday and Thursday we ran the first sessions with our new Seasons for Growth groups and the feedback from companions, students and parents has already been overwhelmingly positive. Check out week 1's newsletter if you would like to know more.

On Friday we finished off Maths Week with a super fun scavenger hunt set up by Mrs Butterfield, the kids had an absolute ball working with their partner to figure out the answers and complete the hunt.

From our vision: We have a sense of whanaungatanga - family. At St Mary’s we believe in the concept of tuakana-teina: big people looking after little people.

Monday this week coming (15th August) will start with a hiss and a roar as we all head together to the Eastern Southland Art Gallery and Hokonui Moonshine Museum to kick off this terms learning for our year long topic Tūrangawaewae. Steph Herring and Jim Geddes will each be running a workshop around our history in Eastern Southland, they're both great story tellers so we know the kids will love it! You haven't missed any notes - no permission slips are needed for this as it is covered by the blanket consent you signed earlier in the year.

Our staff also have Bridget Ryan from St Peter's College joining us for a staff meeting to delve into our history as Catholics in New Zealand. Last term our whānau group rotations were a real hit for our students and teachers. It is a fantastic opportunity for our wee guys to get to know the bigger kids and teachers from around the school and for our older students to take a leadership role. It's a win, win! Regular whānau group sessions will start up again around week 5 of this term.

Monday is also the Feast Day of the Assumption of Mary, when she was assumed to heavenly glory. To celebrate this special lady and patroness of our school, we are getting together in the church for a Mass at 2pm. You are all warmly invited to join us.

Have a fantastic weekend with your families.

God bless,

Mallory

Acting Principal

Monday Prayers

Room Pūkeko (well half of them) shared prayers on Monday morning. Their prayers were about the ways that they act like Jesus. They had some great ideas like 'helping Mum with jobs', 'saying hello and smiling at people', 'treating people nicely' and 'showing love'. I think these wee cuties could run their own TED Talks and teach us grown ups a thing or two.

Unfortunately, Room Pūkeko's class Mass that was planned for this Thursday had to be postponed due to half the class being off sick but they'll be combining with Room Moa for Mass in week 7.

Monday Prayers are in the church each week at 8.50am and you are always welcome to join us.

Clued Up Kids 2022

Each year our year 5 and 6 kids are invited to attend Clued Up Kids at the Gore T&C Stadium. It is a fantastic opportunity for kids to meet and learn a thing or two from our local emergency and volunteer services including the police, ambulance, and fire teams as well as Civil Defense, Land Search and Rescue, Cycling Southland, Head Injury Society of Southland, and Community Connections.

We are very grateful for this opportunity. Thank you to Senior Sgt Cynthia Fairley (NZ Police – Gore), Aly Curd (Emergency Management Southland), and Gordon Crombie (Public Health South) for all their hard work.


Brain Boxes Brianna, Missy and Eryn learn about head injuries.	Bivouac Building Ruby, Jackson Daniel, Max and Lee test out their bivouac.	Road Safety Lucie and Mia show off their road safety skills.

Brain Boxes

Brianna, Missy and Eryn learn about head injuries.

Bivouac Building

Ruby, Jackson Daniel, Max and Lee test out their bivouac.

Road Safety

Lucie and Mia show off their road safety skills.


Land SAR Learning all about how to take care of yourself if you get lost in the bush.	Stop, drop and roll Sophie has a go at staying low and finding her way out in the dark.	Goggles Jerome experiences what it would be like to have a head injury.

Land SAR

Learning all about how to take care of yourself if you get lost in the bush.

Stop, drop and roll

Sophie has a go at staying low and finding her way out in the dark.

Goggles

Jerome experiences what it would be like to have a head injury.


St John's The crew learn how to perform CPR.	More Road Rules Jackson, Daniel and Max giving the maze a go.	Cycling Southland This group talked about the importance of safety when it comes to cycling.