Thank you for supporting the Learning Conferences this week. While the meetings are short, this is a valuable time to discuss how home and school can support the best possible learning outcomes for the children. I would appreciate it if you would complete this short learning conference feedback form, so that we can evaluate the learning conferences and make improvements for next time.

At any time, you can also arrange to meet your child’s teacher by phoning the school or emailing the teacher.

Student Leadership

This week we had the pleasure of listening to the speeches presented by each of our senior students who want to step up into leadership positions. Many of these children demonstrated real skill in public-speaking and entertaining their audience. This is such a good opportunity to grow in self-confidence also. Well done to all of our 2022 House captains!

Staffing

Lucy Williams, who is our wonderful New Entrants teacher, has sadly announced that she will be moving away from SFDS at the end of term 1. Now that it is becoming easier to travel overseas, Lucy and Harry have decided to take this opportunity to have a big ‘OE’ adventure. This is very exciting for them and we wish them well. Lucy will be missed as she is a highly regarded teacher and loved by all. The process for appointing a new teacher to this role has started, with the position being advertised nationally.

Lukas Halikias has recently been appointed as Teaching Assistant. He will be spending time supporting some of our students, and involving children in positive play activities during some lunchtimes. Welcome to the team, Lukas!

Covid

We have been really blessed by still being able to spend a good deal of time outdoors and keeping windows and doors open. This allows us to ensure there is plenty of ventilation, which we are assured helps us to reduce the risk of catching Covid.

With daily announcements of cases reported across the country, and indeed here in Wellington - it is important that we are all taking precautions to keep ourselves safe so that we protect the more vulnerable in our community particularly.

The Ministry of Education has advised all schools to share communications with their school communities only when there is a positive case among the students or staff. At this stage I can still confirm that at the time of print we do not have any confirmed cases in our staff or students. Slowly the number of children staying with their families to self-isolate will increase.

We are happy to support any child who is required to self-isolate at home because they are considered a ‘close-contact’, or because they have health conditions that make them vulnerable. The teachers are ready to provide home-learning opportunities for these children only (if you have any questions or concerns please get in touch).

Ngā mihi nui kia koutou

Mary-Angela Tombs

Kāore he mutunga o te Aroha. The measure of love is love without measure.

In preparation for Lent, Papatūānuku created some ātaahua collaborative art pieces.

Ranginui have been reflecting on some of Saint Francis de Sales’ quotes:

Vanessa McCormack

DRS

TERM 1 SPORTS

These will all be underway by the end of the week - we hope all teams enjoy their games this term. Keep an eye out for information about term 2 sports.

YUMMY STICKERS

Check out the sports gear in the photo! That's the gear we received in exchange for the Yummy Stickers we sent in last year. Thank you to everyone who supported us by collecting stickers. We are collecting again this year, so look out for the stickers on apples and other fruit. We have included the collection sheets which you can print out and have at home. Alternatively, you can let us know you would like a collection sheet and we will send one home with your child.

UNIFORM SHOP

Remains closed during Red level. Please continue to send in your uniform orders via email on office@sfds.school.nz.

If you require a special fitting or are new to the school please contact the school office and we can organize a fitting.

When each student enters St Francis de Sales school they are placed in a House group. Houses provide the opportunity for senior students to take on leadership roles and give all students a sense of belonging as they support their house.

Barbier -Blue house

Named after Adèle Euphrasie Barbier was a New Zealand Roman Catholic nun, teacher and religious founder. She was born in Caen, France, on 4 January 1829. Adèle Euphrasie Barbier was the founder of Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions

Sienna -Yellow house

Named after Catherine of Siena, a lay member of the Dominican Order, was a mystic, activist, and author who had a great influence on Italian literature and on the Catholic Church. Canonized in 1461, she is also a Doctor of the Church.

Aubert- Green house

Named after Suzanne Aubert, better known to many by her cleric name Sister Mary Joseph or Mother Aubert, was a Catholic sister who started a home for orphans and the under-privileged in Jerusalem, New Zealand on the Whanganui River in 1885.

Avila – Red house

Named after Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, was a Spanish noblewoman who was called to convent life in the Catholic Church

House leaders are elected in term 1 of each year. We have just had our elections where students from our Ranginui Syndicate delivered poems, raps and speeches to their houses and each house voted in new leaders for the year ahead. Below are some photos of the day. Congratulation to our new leaders of 2022!

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.

To support, take care of, give hospitality to, protect, look out for - show respect, generosity and care for others.

YES WE ARE OPEN AGAIN

Capital Trout Centre Open Day Sunday 6th March 2022

Children must have a licence to fish for trout and free licences/tickets are available from Monday 21st February 2022 at the following stores.:

Capital Fishing , 49 Ghuznee Street (off Cuba Mall)

Hutt Valley Hunting & Fishing, 8 Te Puni Street, Petone

ADULTS MUST WEAR A MASK

The Centre is located behind the WCC Administration buildings on the way to the Wellington City Council Southern Landfill, on Landfill Road, Happy Valley, Wellington and is open to the public on specific days.

Children do not have to bring any gear as Club members will assist children to catch a trout on fly fishing tackle.

As the Centre is manned and maintained by volunteers we rely on donations to cover our expenses of purchasing the fish from the hatcheries, fish food and general maintenance.

We are also available for private family bookings (e g Birthdays) or other social groups

Contact: Strato 387 7878 (wk) 386 3740 (hm)

email: strato.cotsilinis@gmail.com