Newsletter 7 March Term 1 2023

Welcome, nau mai, afio mai, namaste, konnichiwa, nĭ hăo, talofa, komosta, vanakkam, ayubowan,

Dear Whānau & Parishioners,

What a busy week to draw us to the midpoint of Term 1! Thank you for supporting our teaching team to attend last week’s Paid Union Meeting. We greatly appreciate your support and understanding with this matter, and acknowledge the inconvenience. A group of students had the opportunity to attend the GRIP student leadership day, thank you for coordinating this Miss Hunter. Adventurer students proudly represented St Brendan’s at the Netball tournament, thank you Miss Miller for organising our participation. Staff attended several professional learning opportunities including a focus on Maths and Tier 2 Positive Behaviour for Learning.

Yesterday, Challenge 2000 led our Navigators in a day leadership retreat and Miss Reilly took a group of students to TMP for the Kids Connect event linked with Parks Week. Today is New Zealand Census day, our Navigators biked the Hutt river and we are grateful to Ms Mahony for organising our St Brendan’s Top School team participating at Harcourt Park after school. Thank you to everyone for making these opportunities possible, they become memories that our students treasure for life.

St Brendan’s Board At the first Board meeting of the year, Board members were confirmed to positions. Julie Stewart is now the St Brendan’s Presiding Member, Norman Tufue the Deputy Presiding Member, and Philippa Freeman the Board Secretary. Our current Board members can easily be contacted:

• Presiding Member - Proprietor’s Appointee - Julie Stewart: julie.stewart@stbrendans.school.nz
• Deputy Presiding Member - Proprietor’s Appointee - Norman Tufue: norman.tufue@stbrendans.school.nz
• Proprietor’s Appointee Doug Fauchelle: d.fauchelle@stbrendans.school.nz
• Proprietor’s Appointee Fr Tony: parishpriest@stbrendans.school.nz
• Board Secretary - Elected Member - Philippa Freeman: philippa.freeman@stbrendans.school.nz
• Elected Member - Desiré Morris - desire.morris@stbrendans.school.nz
• Elected Member - Megan Diamond - megan.diamond@stbrendans.school.nz
• Elected Member - Jithin Jose - jithin.jose@stbrendans.school.nz
• Elected Member - David Gibson - david.gibson@stbrendans.school.nz
• Sarah Chard is currently our Staff Representative on the Board.

School board members are active leaders at St Brendan’s. They have an important role of supporting strong professional leadership and ensuring effective teaching for all students through informed governance.

Helping Others Our thoughts and prayers continue for everyone affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. A total of $854.60 was collected from our recent non-uniform day. This money will be going to the NZCPPA Welfare Fund. Our Navigators are currently planning other ways to raise awareness, support and funds for those in need - keep an eye out for other ways in which we can help.

Welcome We continue to welcome new students and their families to our school community. In particular Daniel, Maddie, Kiel and Brooklyn to our Room 2 learning team.

Log into Hero on Friday Each term we continue to share learning posts. Please email your child/ren’s class teacher if you have not been able to access your Hero account to read learning posts. Our Curriculum posts are being shared this week, Friday, 10 March. If you read and comment/acknowledge the post/s (by Friday, 17 March) you will go into the draw to win one four prizes - Daytona Raceway, Monterey Cinema, the Fig Tree and the Warehouse. Prizes will be drawn at assembly on Friday, 24 March.

Another Playground Update This remains a work in progress! We have been successful with another grant. But, unfortunately we have also been declined by another grant. We are in the process of two further applications. A playground requires substantial funding and we have been persistent with our efforts despite having faced several roadblocks along the way. Keep this process in your prayers and we hope to have positive news soon.

2023 Whānau Art Please keep the afternoon of Monday, 20 March free. We will have resources available in the hall and welcome you to pop in to complete a piece of art representative of your family.

Staffing Update I am writing to share with you a change that will have an impact on us at the end of this term when we will farewell Miss Ursula Rehr from our St Brendan’s teaching team. For personal reasons, Miss Ursula Rehr has tendered her resignation. We have begun the appointment process. I know you will join me in expressing gratitude to Ursula for her contributions to our school community since the beginning of this year. We will have the opportunity to thank and farewell Ursula at the end of term. We wish her all the very best and God’s blessings.

Property Update We thank the building team for completing the main roof project. The team is now working on the verandah around the Explorer/Navigator quad. The building team took on the additional project of the benches around our trees, they look like new and everyone is enjoying using them daily.

God Bless,

Veronica Sawers,

Principal

Nut Allergy

We have some students in our school who have a severe and life threatening allergy to nuts. We ask that all food sent to school is nut free (including tree nuts).

Emergency Contact Forms

If your contact details have changed, please update these asap.

School Policies: SchoolDocs

SchoolDocs is a website for our policies and procedures. We invite you to visit the site at https://stbrendans.schooldocs.co.nz (note that there's no "www."). Our username is "stbrendans" and password "navigators" to participate in the Term 1 reviews: Student Attendance, Enrolment and Uniform. Our St Brendan’s Board is also reviewing Legislation and Administration Policy, Privacy and Official Information Requests.

1. Visit the website https://stbrendans.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
2. Enter the username (stbrendans) and password (navigators).
3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
4. Read the policy.
5. Click the Policy Review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
6. Select the reviewer type "Parent".
7. Enter your name (optional).
8. Submit your ratings and comments.

"Copyright: Except where stated, the content on this site is the copyright of SchoolDocs Ltd. It may not be reproduced without written permission from SchoolDocs Ltd."

ADULT ROAD PATROL VOLUNTEERS

Can you or someone you know help?

We desperately need adult road patrol supervisors,

especially for Friday mornings

and Thursday afternoons.

ROAD SAFETY

Driving your child to school

Ensure everyone makes their seat belt click before starting the car on any trip long or short. It is the law that: All children under seven must be secured in an approved child restraint appropriate to their age and size. Best practice recommends that children stay in a restraint or booster seat until they are 148cm tall.

Car seats can be tricky to install. Checks have found over 80% of car seats are not installed correctly. The Upper Hutt City Council run free car seat checks on many months throughout the year. To make an inquiry or booking contact: catherine.pulford@uhcc.govt.nz

Let children in and out of the car on the footpath side only.

RAIL SAFETY

There have been reports that students from various schools are crossing the Silverstream level crossing when the barrier arm is down and closed to pedestrians and other vehicles. It is still incredibly dangerous for anyone to try and cross when the barrier arm is down. Please take a moment to discuss with your family how to cross railway lines carefully. When the barrier arm is raised and the pedestrian gate is open, it's safe.

If you're new to St Brendan's and need to download and log in to HERO please follow the link below for a step by step guide.

http://www.stbrendans.school.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ParentFlyerPremier.pdf

Tēnā koutou

The Partnership hui were a success for our kaiako and whānau that attended, and had some fantastic feedback on how they were delivered.

On behalf of the Board

LENT

Our journey through Lent centres on the life of Jesus and his call for us to draw closer to God and look to be love and light to others. Every Gospel story has Jesus as the main driving force overcoming challenges, providing life, and restoring hope. During Lent this year it is our hope that we all are challenged to reconnect with THE Light of the World as we are inspired to bring light in the world at the same time.

Message from Pope Francis

Jesus’ love asks us to let ourselves be touched by the situations of those who are in difficulty. I think especially of Syria and Turkey, of the very many victims of the earthquake, but also of the daily tragedies of the dear Ukrainian people and the many populations who suffer as a result of war or because of poverty, the lack of freedom or environmental devastation: many peoples… In this regard, I am close to the people of New Zealand, struck in recent days by a devastating cyclone. Brothers and sisters, let us not forget those who suffer, and let our charity be attentive, let it be real charity!

From the Angelus Message of Pope Francis, Sunday 19th February

LEARNING ABOUT LENT

Room 11 have learned about Lent and understand that they can use it as a time to renew their relationship with God. The children read Matthew 4:1-11, the temptation of Jesus and realised that doing the Will of God and being obedient to His every word is more important than food or any other material thing. Jesus set an example for all of us.

We look at Jesus as the light of the world and want to follow in his footsteps and become a light for other people.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Please be assured of our thoughts and prayers at this time. We are aware of families in our community who have recently lost loved ones. Some members in our community also need our prayers as they battle with health and step the road to recovery.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL

Thank you for your continued support and generosity. The non-perishable items are gratefully received and distributed to local families in need. We regularly struggle to find families willing to take our baskets to one of our Parish Masses, we encourage you to check the Term 1 overview to plan ahead to help us help others. You are welcome to make contributions at any time, there is always a third basket in our school office.

• The Evans family for the recent donation of books to our school library.

MOVIN'MARCH

Mā raro, mā wīra rānei nā te mea… He Pai! I walk or wheel because it feels good!

This year we will spotlight 5 benefits of active travel: - Good for well-being - Making connections - It’s kinder on the planet - Builds confidence - It’s an adventure.

Last week the students will have been given a WOW Passport which will be marked each time they arrive at school if they have walked, cycled or scooted.

Some whānau live too far away to walk or wheel. However if the car is parked slightly further away the students can walk part of the way and still take part in the WOW Passport Challenge. Travelling by bus is sustainable too. Students who bus can also fill in Walk or Wheel (WOW) passports.

Whānau Photo Competition

Parents and whānau share their walk or wheel experiences and go in to WIN! The competition runs 1 to 31 March 2023 and is about whānau sharing the joy of walking or wheeling to school in the Greater Wellington region. You can find details through the following link Whānau Photo Competition You'll be in to win a Micro Scooter and helmet or a Family pass to a fun destination - 15 prizes to be won!

NETBALL FESTIVAL

Last Tuesday, a group of 22 year 3-6 students travelled to Heretaunga College to take part in a Netball festival. It was a busy day of exercise and learning new skills. They had so much fun with each other and many have signed to play Netball this year. Miss Millar was so impressed with your team work skills and positive attitude. Tino pai!

We are delighted to welcome Alicia Falconer as our new Treasurer and to announce Lindi Arthur's appointment as our Secretary. Please contact us if you are interested in joining the PTF Committee as new members are always welcome.

The PTF is planning to hold a Sustainability Fair at school on Saturday, 1 April 2023 from 11am-2pm.

We need your support to run this fundraiser. Here are some easy ways you can help:

You could have a stall:

• to sell quality second-hand goods, homemade or new items (your child/children may want to have a stall)
• as a cost-effective marketing/sales opportunity for your business.

You can put others who might want to have a stall in touch with the PTF at ptf@stbrendans.school.nz

If you have an hour or more available on the day of the Fair (1 April), you could help with:

• setting up for the Fair and/or packing up after the Fair
• running a stall on behalf of the PTF and school (including a secondhand book stall, bake sale, raffles, sausage sizzle).

In preparation for the Fair, you can:

• donate books and/or items for the Easter raffle (please take these items to the office)
• bake items for the bake sale stall (we will confirm a drop off date)
• spread the word about the Fair to promote interest and attendance at the Fair
• buy Easter raffle tickets (tickets $1 each).
• contribute to organising the Fair itself - you are welcome to join our meeting on Thursday, 9 March at 7.30pm. Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71966391400?pwd=LdBja1I5EHbE7qCrrpas7hwR0cbLld.1

Attending the Fair is another easy way you can show your support for this fundraiser.

We thank you for your continued support. Contact ptf@stbrendans.school.nz with any questions regarding the Sustainability Fair.

CYCLONE GABRIELLE RECOVER AID

'That’s Life' is a small trust fund used to benefit whānau in the Paetūmokai, Featherston, and Waihenga, Martinborough communities. Through benefactors, many of our tamariki have been able to participate in sports, and have been provided with specialist assessments and extra help for whanau when it is most needed. It is now time for us to awhi others in need and show them the whanaungatanga and manaakitanga they need to push through the coming months.

• We ask our whānau to donate $5 toward our fund
• If you know of people who may be able to help with goods to fill our packs please put them in touch with us.

If you are willing to give us a helping hand for this kaupapa please make your much-appreciated donation to :

Backpacks 4 Kids
03 0584 0324649 001 using the reference “Kids”.

Every little bit counts. Who knows, if we raise enough there may be more than 1000!

VOLLEYBALL CAMP

Saturday, March 18th

Beginners or students totally new to the sport are welcome. This is a place to grow and learn the sport of volleyball.

Heads up: We will be having more camps in the April school holidays and club volleyball Saturday sessions starting up again in Term 2...more info to come!

Years* 5-8 Camp: MARCH 18th

• Time: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
• Location: St Oran's College gym
• Cost: $30 per player for camp. PAID IN ADVANCE
• PAYMENT- Prepay BEFORE camp in this account: 01-0530-0515415-00 (Include student's first/last name and Reference Code: NZFIRE-12 in payment) 2nd child is $25. 3rd child is $20
• Signup: https://forms.gle/NFAGiRst8imLj3SDA

*Note years correspond to the year in school