St Mary's School Term 2 Week 3
TE KURA O HATO MERE
Newsletter 20 May 2021
PRINCIPAL'S VIEW
Tena koutou, kumusta, talofa lava
Next Monday is our school feast day. In the Catholic Church’s calendar the feast day is known as Our Lady Help of Christians (Maria Mapag-ampon sa mga Kristiyano). The origins of this feast date back to the times of Pope Pius the VII. Napoleon Bonaparte had jailed Pius VI who died in jail. When Pope Pius VII was elected he too was jailed by Bonaparte, who kept him prisoner at Fontainbleau. The Holy Father vowed to God that if he were restored to the Roman See, he would institute a special feast in honour of Mary. The military eventually forced Bonaparte to release the Pope and on 24 May 1814, Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome. Twelve months later the Pope decreed that the feast of Mary Help of Christians be kept on 24 May.
We will celebrate on Monday by visiting the Rose Chapel which was originally part of our school and by offering fun activities for the students. Most likely a highlight for many will be a Mr Whippy icecream after lunch!!
See you all at Mass on Sunday at 9.30am.
Mā te Atua koe e manaaki, e tiaki
May God bless you and protect you
David O’Neill
Principal
School/Parish Mass Sunday 23 May 2021 at 9.30am
St John In Schools - Make It Safe
Rooms 1 and 2 (Year 0-3) Recognise the dangers of falls and poisons
Room 3- (Years 4/5) How to prevent falls at home and school
Room 4 -( Year 6)- Preventable injuries at home and school
Room 5 (Year 7/8)- Keeping safe playing sport
School Feast Day - Our Lady Help of Christians (Maria Mapag-ampon sa mga Kristiyano) Monday 24 May - students to wear mufti
Students do not have to wear school uniform and are allowed to wear mufti (casual clothing) for the day.
Rose Chapel- St Mary’s Chapel
The Rose Chapel in Colombo St was originally part of our school. This significant historical building is now maintained by the City Council as a heritage building.
1894 25 July - Sisters led by Mother M. Mechtilde Boland (founder All Saints Convent, Greymouth) came to their convent home at St. Mary’s on the corner of Salisbury and Manchester Sts about 127 years ago.
1899 May - After 5 years as a branch house of Greymouth, St. Mary’s became independent with Mother Mary Mechtilde as the first superior.
1900 Sisters purchased what became the 876 Colombo St. site.
1911 23 February - new chapel under the patronage of Our Lady of Mercy was opened by Bishop Grimes.
St Mary BV (Our Lady of Mercy), and the Christ-Child, with Venerable Rev Mother Mary
Catherine McAuley, and Child Window”
The Mother of Mercy/Catherine McAuley window is one of several windows ordered by Rev Mother Mary Mechtilde for St. Mary’s Convent Chapel from John Hardman & Co, Birmingham. Hardman records preserve her instructions: “Follow portrait for nun’s face & be sure dress is correct.” The face of Catherine is from a supplied portrait. The depiction of Mary and the Child-Christ is based on the painting of Our Lady Help of Christians by Tommaso Di Lorenzo in St. John Bosco’s Basilica, Turin. Our Lady Help of Christians is a patron of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve Trip 14 June- Parent Help Needed
As part of our discovery theme schoolwide the whole school will visit Willowbank Wildlife Reserve (60 Hussey Road, Harewood) on Monday 14 June (postponement 21 June). We require parent helpers to help supervise groups of students as we explore the park. Please click on the link here to complete a Googleform if you are able to assist.
School Polar Fleece
Pre Enrolment of Siblings
Closing of School Gate
Carpark Safety
Student Absence
Attendance Dues
Attendance dues are compulsory for all students who attend catholic schools in NZ. For 2021 attendance dues have been set at $412 per year or $103 per term. For budgeting purposes families are welcome to pay weekly or monthly.
Upcoming Events
MAY
- SCHOOL MASS- Sunday 23 May 9.30am
- ARATAKI TEAM MASS- Thursday 27 May 9.15am
- YR 7/8 THURSDAY SPORT BEGINS- Thursday 27 May
JUNE
- KOTAHITANGA TEAM MASS- Thursday 3 June 9.15am
- QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY- Monday 7 June
- LIBRARY VAN- Wednesday 9 June
- ARATAKI TEAM MASS- Thursday 10 June 9.15am
- FIRST COMMUNION MASS- Sunday 13 June
- WILLOWBANK WILDLIFE RESERVE- WHOLE SCHOOL TRIP- Monday 14 June
- TEACHER ONLY DAY- SCHOOL CLOSED - Friday 18 June
- KOTAHITANGA TEAM MASS- Thursday 24 June 9.15am
- WIZARD OF OZ PERFORMANCE AT CATHEDRAL COLLEGE- ARATAKI TEAM- Tuesday 29 June
JULY
- ARATAKI TEAM MASS- Thursday 1 July 9.15am
- LIBRARY VAN- Wednesday 7 July
- END OF TERM 2- Friday 9 July 3pm