Kia Ora Ano

Cannot believe that this is the last Tuesday of our 2021 school year. We have so much on this week and there are some very excited learners anticipating their summer break.

This week is all about our year 8 leavers – they are an amazing bunch of tamariki and we are keen to celebrate them as much as we can this week. We are having a celebration on Wednesday during school time to present them with their certificates and the annual cups will be presented.

I wanted to take this opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU to Bev, Mandy and Sam who will not be returning to SFDS in 2022.

You have all contributed so much and will leave huge shoes to fill. Thank you for always putting our learners at the center and for your dedication and love for our school. Go well X

School reports are going home this Friday and class lists will be emailed out next Tuesday 21 December. A reminder that school finishes at 12:30pm on Monday 20 December.

Wishing you all a wonderful and safe Christmas break with your loved ones.

Take care and nga mihi nui

Tracy Gundesen

Poipoia te Kakano Kia Puawai - Nurture the seed and it will blossom

Dear Whanau,

As the year draws to a close, the St Francis Board of Trustees would like to acknowledge the school year that was. Sadly, due to current Covid restrictions, we are unable to celebrate this in our usual way. 2021 has been another year with plenty of disturbance and change but, once again, our school has taken all of this in its stride. St Francis continues to make great progress from student achievement to our property plan, culture, and well-being. We are extremely lucky to have such a wonderful school with so many great people, facilities and activities that ensure our children can get the best possible start.

Firstly, we would like to thank our school community including our Parish and everyone who contributes to make our school a very special place. The support from parents, caregivers and the wider community ensures that the school can do just that little bit extra. We are blessed with so many people who contribute to our school and we would like to thank you all for you continued support.

Thank you to our tamariki - particularly the year eight leavers. We thank you for displaying the Saint Francis De Sales values so well and we wish you well on your next steps.

We also would like to thank our teaching and the support staff. Again, they have displayed the highest level of professionalism and support during the year. Our children are very lucky to have you. The staff in 2021 have been fantastic and we are thrilled that they will all continue on next year.

As you are aware, next week marks the end of Tracy’s tenure at Saint Francis De Sales. We, the board, and the wider community would like to dearly thank Tracy and her contribution to our school. Tracy has left our school and in a great place and as a better school than when she started. She has been such a wonderful leader, mentor and guide to our children, staff, and community. Tracy has always put our kids at the centre of all her work. Our tamariki have always been supported and loved on their journeys and we are very grateful for that. We wish Tracy all the very best with her next steps.

We are excited with our new principal Mary Angela starting next year. Mary Angela is a very experienced and respected leader we hope you will join us and giving Mary Angela a warm welcome to our school in 2022.

We look forward to a new year in 2022. No doubt it will bring further challenges, but we are very confident that with our leadership, staff, and community it will be another great year.

We wish you and your family a very Merry and blessed Christmas and a happy and safe 2022.

St Francis De Sales Board of Trustees

MONDAY 20 DECEMBER: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL 2021 - 12.30pm finish

SATURDAY 25 DECEMBER: Christmas Day

SUNDAY 26 DECEMBER: Boxing day

MONDAY 27 DECEMBER: Public Holiday (Christmas Day observed)

TUESDAY 27 DECEMBER : Public Holiday (Boxing Day observed)

THURSDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2022: Uniform shop open 9.30am - 1pm

TUESDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2022: School Office opens 9am - 3pm

TUESDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2022: FIRST DAY OF TERM 1

TOUCH RUGBY

Congratulations to the following players who won awards this season.

MVP - most valuable player, MIP - most impressive player

Year 1/2 Speedsters: MVP - Brooklyn T, MIP - Mason C and Brodie J

Year 1/2 Zippers: MVP - Kit SG, MIP - Wills R

Year 3/4 Chasers: MVP - Noah W, MIP - Jackson B

Year 5/6 Jets: MVP - Zane H, MIP - Angus J

Year 3/4 Flames: MVP - Frankie HB, MIP - Pippa R

Year 5/6 Rockets: MVP - Enzo H, MIP - Caiden S

Year 5/6 Lightning: MVP - Izzy M, MIP - Isabelle M

Year 7/8 Turbo: MVP - Izzy S, MIP - Maeva W

Year 7/8 Swifts: MVP - Lola D, MIP - Emily R

Well done to all players on a great season!

MINI POLO

Congratulations to our year 5/6 team (Benji P, Isabel P, Matthew S, Dan N, Enzo H, Elijah S, Kade T, Luca H, Isla H and Maeve HC) who won the A Grade in their final game on Friday! An amazing achievement! Thank you to Zahra G in year 8 who helped the team out at their games - a great display of service to our school.

YUMMY STICKERS

We earned $893 from our Yummy Sticker collection to spend on sports gear. Thank you to everyone who collected stickers and cut-outs - much appreciated! We have continued to collect for next year, so please keep hold of any Yummy stickers off the fruit you eat over the holidays. We can send home a hard copy collection sheet for anyone who would like one, just email me on sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz if you would like one and I will send it home with your child.

HELP GROW OUR SCHOOL LIBRARY

You can help grow the love of books and encourage SFDS kids to read more by donating a book to the St Francis de Sales School Library.

Last year over 30 books were donated by families or school leavers.

All book donations are marked with a plaque on the inside cover which records who the donor was.

The donation process happens through AllBooksNZ who process the book orders and supply books to the school.

The donation process is simple- go to https://www.alltextbooks.nz/category/Book-Fundraiser-for-St-Francis-de-Sales-School

Browse through our preselected library wishlist and choose a book to donate to our school library.

Select a book, or books, adding items to your cart and follow the short check out payment process.

All books go straight to the library ,with no hidden costs or fees, so you know your donation will directly help to get SFDS kids reading

BACK TO SCHOOL STATIONERY – ORDERS OPEN FROM MONDAY 20 DECEMBER

We’ve teamed up with OfficeMax to make getting school ready faster! Your child’s class list will available from Monday 20 December on the OfficeMax MySchool website – myschool.co.nz.

To order go to myschool.co.nz and search St Francis de Sales school. There you will be able to find your child/rens class and you will be able to order their stationery for 2022.

We encourage you to order early to ensure your child has all their stationery requirements ready to go in plenty of time for the start of Term 1. Don’t wait until mid-January.

Laybuy* is also available, so you can pay in 6 weekly, interest-free payments - and still get your order right away. Or you can pay by internet banking, credit card or debit card.

When you shop on myschool.co.nz you’ll receive free delivery on orders over $46*. You will also help our school earn school rewards* that we use to purchase much needed extra resources for our school.

* Terms & Conditions apply, see myschool.co.nz for details.

For information on how to get to KINDO Click here to view. From there you are able to pay your school donations, (there is an option to make part payments) uniform and any other school charges or sign ups for sports and extra actvities.

Summer Smash - Years 3-6

Summer Smash is a great opportunity for girls to play modified cricket games with their peers in a friendly, accessible environment. Girls can enter in teams of 6 or individually. Entry is free and each player receives a free t-shirt. All equipment and coaching is provided.

Dates: 4 weeks; 7 - 28 March 2022

Times: 4-5pm

Location: Wakefield Park

Register: Individual: https://forms.gle/QxWCCprcAmRhRZkh7

Team (6): https://forms.gle/4iS73fm6F3kzoA5XA

Yeah! Girls - Years 7-10

Yeah! Girls is a great opportunity for young women to learn and develop their cricket skills and play modified cricket games in a friendly and fun environment. Girls enter individually and entry is free. Each player receives a free bucket hat. All equipment and coaching is provided.

Dates: 6 weeks; 21 February - 28 March 2022

Times: 3.30-4.30pm

Location: Wakefield Park

Register: Individual: https://registrations.crichq.com/register/263506

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

St Catherine’s College

Sports Coordinator

We are seeking a motivated person with a passion for engaging teenage girls in

physical activity whilst also striving for excellence. This is a permanent position for

20 hours per week (term time only) commencing 26 January 2022.

Good communication and organisation skills, IT skills and basic financial skills are

important. Support of the Special Character of the College is essential.

For further information and a job description please contact Chris Perry, PA to

Principal on 939-8988.

Please forward covering letter, addressed to Katrina Kerr-Bell, Principal, including

the names of two referees to Chris Perry email chris.perry@scc.school.nz.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rātā Youth Orchestra | Rata Studios

Rātā Youth Orchestra. In Feb 2022 we are starting up a brand new venture for Wellington’s young people. An orchestra to introduce young musicians (under 13 years) to the fun and skills of playing together without having to audition!

ratastudios.co.nz

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IBU Football Holiday Programmes

Our super coaches Leo Villa and Guille Schiltonwolf are excited to bring you two holiday programmes over the summer break, in conjunction with Wellington United and Brooklyn Junior football club.

Both programmes will be held at Wakefield Park rain or shine. Bring lunch and snacks, a drink bottle, a jacket and a change of clothes if the weather is looking wet. We'll move indoors for table tennis, foosball and movies if it's too wet.

Pre-Xmas

Monday 20th December - Wednesday 22nd December

9am - 3pm daily

January

Monday 17th January - Friday 21st January

and

Tuesday 25th January - Friday 28th January

9am - 3pm daily

$40 per day with a 10% discount when booking 5+ days in January

Please contact clubadministrator@islandbayunited.org for enquiries.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wellington Diving Club (WDC) is excited to invite students to try out springboard and platform diving! We are extremely interested to work with schools, and grow a fun and daring environment full of opportunities for the whole community!

WDC Is absolutely thrilled to introduce our Springboard Diving Holiday Program in January 2022!

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to come and have a go at springboard and platform diving, before the school year / terms begin.

There are 3 dates available - Tuesday 11th, 18th and 25th of January. First session is FREE! Every other session is $10.