St James' School Term 3 Week 2
Newsletter 5 August 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.
Kia Orāna kōtou kātoatoa - Greetings everyone
Term 3 begins - we have another 9 weeks of schooling ahead. Thanks for your support with the recent Staff Only Day in which we looked at our Maths teaching and learning programmes once again.
It was delightful to see so many of our families and grandparents at school last Tuesday to celebrate Grandparent's Day. Thanks to everyone for coming along and we hope you enjoyed your time at St James' with the children. We do this because the 25th of July is the official feast day of St James the Greater, and on the 26th of July, is the feast day of Saints Joachim and Anne, who are Jesus’ Grandparents!!
And thank you to everyone for your support of our parent interview timetable and interviews. Should you wish to discuss your child's progress please contact your teacher.
I really enjoyed our Mihi Whakatau which took place in the hall on Monday. Thank you to the school and everyone for making these events memorable and adding to the richness of our learning.
Ngā Manaakitanga
Tom Sheehan
Catholic Special Character
All are invited to the following event -
Te Hahi Hurihuri | The Evolving Church – Liturgy Hui - 10-12 September 2021.
Please click the link and consider attending.
Saint James Day and Grandparents Day - A huge thank you to any Grandparents and whanau who came and celebrated Saint James Day and Grandparents Day.
Young Vinnies - Warm clothes and blankets collection for St Vincent de Paul. Thank you to all who have donated warm clothes and blankets for St Vincent de Paul so far.
We are packing these up and giving them to St Vincent de Paul this Friday the 6th of August, so there is still time if you would like to contribute.
Classroom prayer - Term 3
This term our learners will be unpacking some of the Psalms during classroom prayer time.
Religious Education Learning - Term 3 - During Term 3 our learners will be focusing on “The Communion of Saints”.
This is a term used to describe the community that Catholics believe exists between those who have died and those who are still alive here on earth.
Below are the year level focus areas:
Year 1 - Mary
Year 2 - Saints and Inspiring People
Year 3 - Life, Death and Christian Hope
Year 4 - Choice
Year 5 - Saints and Inspiring People
Year 6 - Mary
We hope that you are looking forward to receiving some snippets of this fabulous learning via Seesaw!
Andrea Cawood
Director of Religious Studies
Celebrations
Welcome - We extend a warm welcome to Liya and Amanda, who have recently started their faith and learning journey at Te Kura Katorika o Hato Heemi. We also extend a warm welcome to their family and whānau.
Family Twilight Fun Night - 3 December 2021 - There will be activities for children, rides etc., sweets and cake stall, food, silent auction, children made crafts for sale with further ideas to be confirmed.
We ask you to support this venture - the next meeting Term 3 Week 4 Wednesday 18th August at 6.30 pm in the staffroom. Please make an effort to come along and support this meeting so we can have a greater Twilight Family Fun Night in December. Please save the date - Friday December 3!
News
Non-Uniform day - Friday 6 August - Gold Coin Donation.
Funds raised to buy ingredients for cooking for Family Twilight Fun Evening December 3.
Annual Scholastic Book Fair - yes you heard it! Our long awaited Book Fair is coming to school on Thursday 9th September (Week 7) of this term. More details to come!
New Entrant Enrolments 2021/2022 - If you have siblings joining us at St James’ in 2021/2022, 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.
Reminders
Jewellery - Necklaces with cultural or religious significance are permitted to be worn tucked underneath the shirt. Earrings: Only small, round, plain gold/silver or coloured studs may be worn. Up to one in each earlobe. No sleepers to be worn.
Any other requests will be at the Principal’s discretion.
Toys and Sports Equipment - time to remind everyone that we do not wish to see personal toys and sports equipment being brought to school by learners. Often these items cause problems, can be damaged or stolen. We have a huge amount of equipment here at St James' so ask all families to keep personal toys and sports equipment at home in the future.
Updated contact details - please remember to update your details if you have a new address, email address or phone number. Please contact the school office via email office@stjamescatholic.school.nz and these will be updated.
Scholastic Lucky Book Club Issue 5 will be coming home this week! Stacked with great book ideas for all ages. This Issue features six finalists in the 2021 Book Awards. Closing date for this Issue will be Sunday 15th August. Once this has closed please allow 2 weeks for your LOOP order to arrive at school.
Whānau/Fanau
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa - Greetings to you all. Our first hui for term 3 will be held
St James' School PTFA - Parent and Teachers and Friends Association
Family Twilight Fun evening - the organising group next Wednesday 18 August in the staffroom. Please come along and get involved.
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
School Board
The Uniform Policy is on the School Board Policy Triennial Review Schedule for Term 4. Before the School Board reviews this policy we wish to consult with our family/whānau.
Our uniform identifies the wearer with St James' Catholic School and we encourage our students to always look well presented. We are very conscious of the cost of education and endeavour to keep uniform expenditure to a minimum.
The School Board values your feedback and I encourage you to take the time to review the uniform policy and direct any feedback regarding this policy or our current school uniform to Michael Fennessy (Board Chair) boardchairperson@stjamescatholic.school.nz or Tracey Royds (Board Secretary) office@stjamescatholic.school.nz before Friday 20 August 2021.
The next School Board meeting will be held in the staffroom on Monday 23 August 2021 at 6.00 pm. All welcome.
Michael Fennessy
Chairperson
Dates for Your Diary
Please keep checking the Events Calendar on the school website. All coming events will continue to be updated here. Add to my Calendar.
2021 Term 3
Week 2
Friday 6 August - Non-uniform day PTFA 1 - Gold coin please - Funds raised to buy ingredients for cooking for Family Twilight Fun Evening Dec 3
Sunday 8 August - Whānau/Fanau Hui will be held at the Palmerston North Cosmopolitan Club, 22 Linton Street. Starting with some whakawhanaungatanga (connecting with each other) & kai at 5.30pm followed by our hui at 6.30pm.
Week 3
Maths Week
Wednesday 11 August - LS5 trip to Madagascar
Thursday 12 August - Central Football Tournament, Monrad Park
Thursday 12 August - St Peter's College Open Night 6pm
Friday 13 August - Mathex Competition
Sunday 15 August - Feast of the Assumption
Week 4
Monday 16 August - St James' Olympic Afternoon
Wednesday 18 August - Family Twilight Fun Evening Meeting, Staffroom, 6.30pm
Thursday 19 August - Catholic Schools Rippa and Netball Tournament, St Mary's School
Friday 20 August - PTFA Lunch
Friday 20 August - Te Mahuri Assembly 2pm
Week 5
Monday 23 August - School Board Meeting, 6pm, Staffroom
Week 6
Wednesday 1 September - Family Twilight Fun Evening Meeting, Staffroom, 6.30pm
Friday 3 September - Non-uniform day PTFA 2 - Gold coin please - funds raised to buy ingredients for cooking for Family Twilight Fun Evening Dec 3
Getting Involved
The Yummy Sticker promotion has kicked off again for this year, so its a good time to remind everyone to collect Yummy stickers and bag cut-outs. Shop at your local New World, Pak’n Save and participating Four Square stores. $200,000 of sports gear is available for schools.
Stickers are due in by Friday 17 September.
Click on the links below for your Collection Sheets, or grab one from the School Office foyer.
Cut out Label Collection Sheet
New Variety Sticker Collection
Sticker Collection Sheet
Shining Stars – Preschool Music Group Thursday 9:30am Cathedral lounge. Contact Basia bmcintosh@pndiocese.org.nz.
There is a box in the foyer for used pens, felt tips, highlighters, markers, mechanical pencils, correction tape and fluid pots, fountain pens and ink cartridges for Just Zilch.