Newsletter Week 10 Term 2

Newsletter 19 - Week 10 Term 2, 7 July 2021

Principal's Message

It is hard to believe that we are halfway through our school year and when we return from the winter holidays we will have passed the halfway mark in the winter season. Roll on the spring months.

We were very fortunate to have Sister Rachel and Sister Ema with us last week, teaching us and our children to meditate. Many schools are already doing mindfulness and teaching children to breathe as part of calming themselves down. Meditation is prayerful and each class will be meditating for 10 minutes each day. I sat in and meditated with classes and my observation was that the children really enjoyed meditation.

Today I hosted a group of 50 students for a Principal’s Luncheon. Children received a letter explaining why they were invited to the luncheon.

I sent home a notice last week inviting children to be involved in the Sacramental programme. This programme is for children who haven’t been baptised and are eight years and over. If you would like your child baptised please fill out the form and return it to school tomorrow. For children who are already baptised, a sacramental programme for them will start in February.

Our awesome PTA is organising a Matariki Disco - “Dress as Your Favourite Star” tomorrow, Thursday 8 July. The PTA wants it to be a great end of term celebration and there is a $2.00 entry charge. The disco starts at 5.30pm and finishes at 7.00pm.Please note there was an error in start time in last week's newsletter.

A reminder that our school is closed on Friday as all our staff are at JPC at a Professional Development Day with nine other Catholic Schools. If you need child care on Friday, please contact Mary-Ann Roling : 347 0709 or 0211215599

As the end of the term draws near it is timely to say thanks to the staff for all they do in providing learning opportunities for our children. Thank you too, to all the volunteers who have generously given time to help teachers and children.

I hope all our children have a relaxing holiday and I look forward to seeing them all on Monday 26th July.

Kind regards,

David Macmillan,

Principal.

PTA AGM

The PTA AGM is scheduled for Wednesday 28 July - first week back Term Three - in the school staffroom. Anybody is welcome to attend. There will be drinks and nibbles provided!!

Please come into the school via the Carnot Street gate and enter the building through the student entrance alongside the school office..

Message from DRS Bernie Hall

Our students have focused on the Church Strand and have been learning how they are the Church as people of God. These holidays, why not try to find the time to attend Mass or visit the Church with your child. Father is more than happy for families to come into the Church to take time to pray on their own, or attend Mass. It helps students to see the connection between home and Church and school and Church.

With Sisters Rachel and Sister Ema, students have been learning how to pray through Christian meditation, prayer of the heart. It would be great if families could encourage their child/children to practice this at home.

Have a safe and blessed holiday and for those travelling on our roads keep safe.

PB4L is a Ministry of Education initiative that was developed to help NZ schools build a culture where positive behaviour and learning is a way of life. A key part of this for our school is having our school values at the very heart of the way we live and learn at St Mary's.

Change and loss are issues that affect us all at some stage in our lives. At St Mary’s, we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce and related circumstances, our students may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively.

We would like to let you all know about a very successful education program called "Seasons for Growth". This program is facilitated in small groups by the wonderful Wendy Leong.It is based on research which highlights the importance of social support and the need to practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on issues such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem solving, decision making, effective communication and support networks.

Seasons for Growth begins in Week 2 of Term 3 and is held on Tuesday afternoons from 3.30-5.00pm at St.Lukes Church. It runs for 8 weeks.

If you are interested in having your child attend, we are collecting names at the school office and we will ask Wendy to get in touch with you.

On Tuesday 3rd August 6pm-6:45pm the PB4L Team are holding a discussion night. The focus will be on the relationships between families, children and school. We will cover topics such as wellbeing, home-school partnerships, bullying and where to go for guidance and support.

Upcoming School Events

Friday 9 July Teacher only Day (last day of Term 2)

Term 3 commences on Monday 26 July 2021.

School Photos

School Photos were taken by Photolife (www.photolife.co.nz) earlier this week. The keycode to use for orders for your child will be issued once photos are ready for purchase.

Special Mentions

We love celebrating your child's successes outside of school, please share them with us. Email a small blurb & photo (optional) to Whaea Leanne at sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz by 12pm Tuesdays for the following days newsletter.

Sports News

Junior Tough Guy & Gal 2021

This is an 'extreme running event' - a chance for kids to get involved in New Zealand’s

biggest mud run series in a version tailored especially for them. There will be lots of mud, obstacles, mud, water crossings and more mud!

When: Wednesday 18th August 8.30am - 12.30pm

Where: Lakes Ranch, 79 Rotokawau Rd, Rotorua

Who: Years 3 - 6 children only

How: Own transport / carpool if possible

Cost: $25 per child

School Registrations & Payment must be made by: 3.15pm Thursday 8th July 2021

Please use the online form below to register your child for this event.

St Marys Jnr Tough Guy & Gal Registration Form

(Paper copies are available on request)

IMPORTANT:

If you miss the school registration close date, you can still enter your child directly through the event organisers.

If you are entering your child yourself please make sure you put St Mary's Catholic School Rotorua as the School and select TEACHER for 'Bib number pick up'.

FOOTBALL DUTY CLUB - Saturday 10th July

We are the Duty Club for Football this Saturday which means we will be doing a BBQ Fundraiser. We still need a few volunteers to help out, if you are available to help either before or after your child's game, please put your details on the Duty Club Roster HERE