Newsletter Term 3 Week 8
St Mary's School Blenheim Friday 16th September 2022
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Kia ora koutou Te Kura O Hato Mere whānau,
As I sit here in the privileged position as the Principal of our kura at the NZPF (New Zealand Principals Federation) Conference I look around the auditorium and am overwhelmed by the mahi that these principals do alongside their staff, students and whānau.
Thank you all for your support, especially in the last three years. Working alongside us navigating the swift changes and restrictions that have been placed upon not only us at our kura but across the entire country.
Although we still need to be very aware of our health and wellbeing, looking after each other we also need to start living and enjoying every aspect of life.
Whānau comes first and this has been identified and exposed in a positive manner during this time. Your children come to school with the love you share with them and then share this with us. Our hapori whānui is coming back together with parents and caregivers now being welcomed back into our kura. As noted during the week with the bulletin our staff and all children welcome you all back on to school grounds.
Although the gates are open again we all still need to be aware of our personal health and the impact that can have on others. If you or your children are unwell, sick please stay at home. We need to keep looking after each other and our community. Masks are no longer required however you are more than welcome to wear a mask on school grounds and we still provide them for those students who would like to wear them. Sanitiser is still in classes for your children to use if they wish.
Through this time the school has continued to move forward with all projects in our landscape. As you are now able to walk and engage with our community on school grounds you will see the changes that have been made. This week 45 trees have been planted around the Maxwell, Stephenson Street and Boys College Boundary on the rugby field. There are 4 varieties of apples, 5 peacherine trees and 21 flowering cherry trees.
We are still to plant another 20 plus trees in this space. However we are well underway. The daffodils that all children at school planted have grown and are beautifying the Maxwell Street boundary. The Cancer Society who provided the daffodils have come to school to take photos of this stunning site.
The school landscape continues to be developed as the playground is moved and the old playground demolished and re-imagined.
The Little Theatre is close to being finished. The makeover will provide a fantastic space for our hapori whānui in so many different ways.
We have many building projects on the go behind the scenes as well. Re roofing the Library/Room 9 and the Junior block Rooms 3 - 6 is being worked on at the moment and will come to fruition in 2023. The junior block makeover will also kick in to gear in 2023 following on from the re roof. New carpets, painting throughout and installation of new doors in two areas, relining the hallway, and girls bathroom as well as a repaint will help to create a more positive and uplifting learning environment for all children and staff members. The senior block will have the clearlight replaced and the start of the school repaint will also be underway next year.
We are always looking to the future to create and provide exciting modern learning spaces for all tamariki. Although we have been living in a tumultuous time the wheels have continued to turn . It is going to be a very exciting time over the next 12 - 18 months as these plans leave the design pages and become a reality for us all at Te Kura O Hato Mere.
Please take care, keep washing your hands and looking after your own personal health and that of others in your whānau. We know that at some stage we will have another wave of COVID and will need to continue to support all in our community.
Have a great weekend with your whānau
May God bless you all
Paddy Dowling
TE WHETU O TE MOANA l STAR OF THE SEA - MARLBOROUGH CATHOLIC PARISH
UPCOMING EVENTS
- St Mary's Youth Group - Nostalgia Quiz - Saturday 17th September
- Last Day of School for Term 3 - Thursday 29th September
- Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day (Public Holiday) - Monday 26 September
- Teacher Only Day - Friday 30th September
- Term 4 Starts - Monday 17th October
- 150th Jubilee - 30th June - 2nd July 2023
WHAT'S BEEN HAPPERNING AT TE KURA O HATO MERE ?
SPORTS NEWS
TENNIS - PLAY FOR ST MARY'S SCHOOL
Are you interested in tennis but haven't played before?
Then come along and join into this summer school tennis competition, It is all about learning and enjoying a fun sport......give it a go and see if it's for you!
TOUCH RUGBY
Junior Touch runs from Thursday 20th October to Thursday 8th December 2022
Finals Day will be held on Thursday, December 8th.
We will be sending out a notice for players to join St Mary's School Teams soon.....!
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES
COMMUNITY NEWS
SUBWAY LUNCHES - WEDNESDAY
ALL SUBWAY ORDERS ARE GOING ONLINE FROM TERM 3
If you would like to order SUBWAY, please order online Wednesday mornings
Orders must be done before 8.45am on Wednesday mornings.
OUR SPONSORS
CONTACT US
Email: office@stmb.school.nz
Website: https://stmb.school.nz
Location: St Mary’s School Blenheim 3 Stephenson St, Blenheim, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 578 9494
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmarysschoolblenheim/