Newsletter Week 10 Term 1 2022

Principal's Message

Kia ora Koutou,

This is the last newsletter for Term 1. For those that have been unwell and families that have needed to isolate, we are so glad that you have weathered the storm. The kindness shown by our school families has just been incredible. Thank you so much for the generosity with items and messages for care packages. We currently have eight families isolating and two confirmed cases (from one household). The numbers have definitely dropped over the past two weeks, but we know that covid will be here for much longer. Keep testing if showing any symptoms. This is so important. If cases do arise in your household, please continue to let me know principal@stjoes.school.nz (even if it is in the holidays).

As a short week in school, we are celebrating Holy Week and also have an Anzac Commemorative Service taking place tomorrow. Father Mark took reconciliation for our students and staff today (for those that were able to attend). Thank you Father!

Just a reminder that school is closed on Thursday 14 April for students so TOMORROW is the final day of the term.

Have a restful and relaxing Easter break. May Jesus be in your hearts and your prayers. We look forward to seeing our students and families back at school for Term 2 on Monday 2 May.

God bless you and your families. Arohanui.

Andrea Colebourn

Principal

Holy Week

Holy Week is an important time for Christians throughout the world. Holy Week, the final week of Lent, begins on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. Holy Week is a time when Catholics gather to remember and participate in the Passion of Jesus Christ. The Passion was the final period of Christ’s life in Jerusalem. It spans from when He arrived in Jerusalem to when He was crucified.

Four special ceremonies commemorate the events of Christ’s Passion from His entrance into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in His path, through His arrest on Holy Thursday and Crucifixion on Good Friday, to Holy Saturday, the day that Christ’s body lay in the tomb.

This year for our school it looks a little different. We are currently not meeting as a whole school so the each class are spending time unpacking and reflecting on the events leading up to Jesus' death and ressurrection.

Congratulations

Morrinsville Rotary representative Bruce Dewhurst and Paper Plus sponsor Debra Rodgerson visited us last week and presented this term's three awards for significant progress in reading. Congratulations to Ken Collins, Marie Van Leeuwen and Elliott Corlett for their outstanding efforts. Thank you to Rotary and Paper Plus for this initiative which is gratefully received.

Learning in Room 5

Room 5 (Year 3 and 4) has been looking at the surreal pop art comic work of Lichtenstein. We focused on using captivating compositions through using the primary colours of red, blue, and yellow, and the shades of white and black. We have been focusing on our goal of using onomatopoeia (sound words) in our writing over the last two weeks. Today we integrated our writing goal and art to make some of our own pop art for the classroom wall. The children are extremely proud of their artwork on the wall and achieving their goals in their writing.

School reminders

The school bell for the end of the day is at 2:55 pm. We expect all children to be picked up by 3:15 pm, with the exception of SKIDS and late bus students. Can you please make sure that you can collect your child by this time. It is a bit of a health and safety issue as staff have PLD and other school commitments so supervision is limited. Thank you for your support.

Netball News

Is your child interested in playing netball this year for our school? Registrations are now open. We have netball teams from year 1 - 8. We also require coaches and managers too. Registration closes Friday 15 April 2022.

https://forms.gle/nCMNYuGL7KDjTCwV9

IMPORTANT - Online parent session for internet safety

The Morrinsville Kahui Ako has organised a parent session with John Parsons. John is a cyber safety and risk assessment consultant who has incredible knowledge about what parents can do to keep their children safe online. I have heard attended his sessions and he is brilliant.

It is on TONIGHT (Tuesday 12 April) at 7 pm. Click on the link to view the session. This session is suitable for ALL parents regardless of how old your children are.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84144970932?pwd=QWh5eU9zcHEwVkthUVljNVVzZzJlUT09

passcode 016617

Anzac Day 2022 at School

TOMORROW Wednesday April 13th as a school we will be commemorating

ANZAC Day with Poppy Day.

A coin donation would be appreciated from each pupil please in exchange for a poppy.

These donations will go toward Welfare Funds to look after the needs of Returned Service people in this area. We look forward to your support.

A Senior School Commemorative Ceremony lead by Room 3 will be taking place at school.

"Lest We Forget"

Teacher Only Day

Our staff are attending a professional development day organised by the Morrinsville Kahui Ako. As a cluster of schools, we are going on a hiikoi to visit Taupiri Maunga, the origins of Kiingitanga movement and the history of the Rangiriri invasion.

The last day for students this term is Wednesday 13 April.

Winter Uniform

Term 2 and Term 3 is winter uniform time. Over the holidays get your winter uniform ready. Just remember that we have lots of gear in our second hand uniform section so feel free to take a look.

Students are welcome to wear a school jacket, a school jersey (or both to school).

Everyone must be in full winter uniform by Monday 16 May (two weeks into term 2). You can wear your winter or summer uniform until then, just not a combination of both.