Newsletter Week 5 Term 2

This weekend is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is a Christian holy day which is celebrated on the eighth Sunday after Easter, it commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem, after which, they went out and proclaimed Jesus Christ in all languages. This day is particularly appropriate for our school where more than 70% of our families speak a second language at home, symbolising how the good work is spread across the world.

We wish Fr Phil farewell on his journey to Ireland knowing that we will be seeing him again sometime in the future. We have appreciated his input into the school in many ways. We look forward to receiving a photo of him in Ireland wearing All Blacks jersey presented to him from the staff.

It is very pleasing news to hear that Pope Francis has appointed a new Bishop for Christchurch, we look forward to welcoming Bishop Michael Gielen into the diocese and I’m sure he will be visiting our school in the near future.

A reminder that tomorrow, Friday, is a Teacher Only Day. This is one of the 8 Teacher Only days which is part of the Primary Teachers Collective Agreement. Teachers will listen to an inspirational guest speaker on the topic, “We experience the greatest sense of meaning and fulfilment when we’re able to contribute to people’s lives and the world. We contribute to the greatest extent when we know who we are, feel connected, and pair knowledge with competency.” This is in keeping with the Deep Learning journey our Kahukura Cluster has been on for the last 7 years.

Have a great long weekend.

Colder weather this winter will bring along a nasty passenger – the flu. Influenza infection rates are generally highest in children, and healthy children are the major cause of the spread of the virus in the community. You can spread the flu bug without knowing you have it – and the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions are particularly vulnerable. Canterbury District Health Board is urging you to protect your whānau and the wider community by getting your flu shot as soon as possible. Getting your flu shot every year offers the best protection against the flu. Flu shots are available for anyone for a fee from a doctor, nurse or some pharmacists or you or your whānau may qualify for a free shot – check out www.flufree.co.nz for more information and flu facts.

As the weather gets colder and the streets get more congested with cars, we remind parents to allow for this in the mornings and leave a few minutes earlier to get children to school. Lateness and absences disrupt class routines and children’s learning. We do report to the Ministry of Education our attendance data so make sure you get your children to school. Please let the office know via phone or App if they are going to be late or absent. This saves Ange in the office extra work chasing up children who are not present.

Both the year 5-6 team and the year 7-8 basketball teams have started the season well with two good wins for each team.

On Tuesday Donald, Dominic and Charlize competed in the zone cross country for our school. They did really well and should be proud of their efforts.

On Tuesday two players from the Canterbury Rams basketball team and two from the Pouākai basketball team came to share their skills with the school teams.

Last Friday the school celebrated Mass during which we farewelled Fr Phil before he leaves us and travels to Ireland. We were very impressed with the exemplary behaviour of our students. They were respectful and prayerful during the Mass, sang songs and spoke the responses beautifully.

This week classes are learning about Pentecost. As we approach Pentecost Sunday, students will know the significance of this day in our Catholic calendar.

Quotes from various sources on current topics

A week of Prayer for Christian Unity

On January 25, 1959, in the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, Pope John XXIII announced his intention to convoke an ecumenical council. It was at the closing ceremony for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity…The Week of Prayer takes place in Aotearoa New Zealand between Ascension Sunday and Pentecost Sunday (29 May-5 June). The theme this year is “We saw his star in the east, and we came to worship him”, from Matthew’s account of the Magi visiting the infant Jesus. The star of Bethlehem has meaning beyond Christmas. It is a sign that God calls his people to unity, walks with them, feels their pain, hears their cries, and shows them compassion. It reassures us that though circumstances change and terrible disasters may happen, God’s faithfulness is unfailing.

(Cardinal John A Dew

President, New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference)

Liturgical Year

Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost is the Feast where we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide and sustain the Church after the death, resurrection and ascension to Heaven of Jesus.

Pentecost is hugely significant to us as members of the Church because:

• Without the presence of the Spirit Jesus’ mission could not have continued and the Church would not have been born.

• The Spirit poured out gifts on people that enabled them to live as Jesus lived and build his kingdom here on earth.

• The coming of the Spirit fulfilled Jesus’ promise to be with his followers always.

• Pentecost enables the Spirit to live in the world, in the Church and in our hearts guiding and prompting us to make Jesus alive in the world.

The latest Diocesan Newsletter, Inform is available to read online

Latest Inform now available – Catholic Diocese of Christchurch (chchcatholic.nz)

In this Inform, read a message from our new bishop, Michael Gielen and a departing message from Archbishop Paul

We continue to pray for the children preparing for their first communion, the next step in their journey of faith.

Zoe in Year 1 - Muriwai (Room 6)

Digital Technology is a big part of everyone's lives and Internet safety should be a big priority at home. Your children are taught about how to keep safe while at school and sign agreements on acceptable use. Below is a link to a parent guide to Instagram from ‘Netsafe’. It talks about the use of this application and gives Netsafe’s top tips about online safety for Parents.

https://www.netsafe.org.nz/instagram-guide/

Sacred Heart School Board of Trustee elections come up every 3 years. This year we will have some members leaving the Board after a number of years service. If you are thinking about what the Board does and would like to put yourself forward for election please contact Frank or speak to one of the current board members.

More information regarding the timeline for this process will come out soon.

We are ready to Launch our Daily Breakfasts again. The milkman has delivered a heap of milk and the weetbix are stocked.

All children are welcome to come and have breakfast together each morning. From Monday if your child is eating breakfast at school they can enter the school grounds at 8.20 am.

• Friday 3 June - Teacher Only Day, Kahukura Conference - School closed

• Monday 6 June - Queen’s Birthday - School Closed

• Thursday 23 June - Matariki Whanau Fun day at school

• Friday 24 June - Matariki - School Closed

• Monday 4 July and Tuesday 5 July - Parent - Teacher Interviews

• Monday 27 June - 8 July - Keeping Ourselves Safe Lessons

• Friday 8 July - Last day of Term 2

Our Facebook page is Sacred Heart School Te Kura o Te Ngākau Tapu, Addington

Click here to check it out.

Make sure you keep up with all communications from school and have the latest update of our School App. Download SchoolAppsNZ from the App Store or Google Play and search Sacred

Parents are encouraged to make healthy choices from the Sushi Factory as well as Subway. Check out the menu.

Please visit https://www.lunchonline.co.nz/ to join up and order for your children.

A reminder that the school is open from 8.30 am. School finishes at 3.00 pm. Children need to be collected by 3.10 pm. Teachers often have other commitments after school and are often off-site by 3.30 pm.

We have all our policies and procedures on School Docs. At present we have policies that we would appreciate your feedback on. Please follow the link below and review these policies.

1. Visit the website

http://sacredheartchch.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm (note that there is no “www”!)

2. Enter the user name (sacred) and password (heart).

3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.

4. Read the policy.

5. Click the Policy Review button at the right-hand top corner of the page.

6. Select the reviewer type "Parent".

7. Enter your name (optional).

8. Submit your ratings and comments.

For Church Notices Please view the Catholic Parish of Christchurch South website. https://christchurchsouth.org.nz or the New App

Here are the details of how to download our excellent new Parish App. Keep updated on mass times, news and what is happening in the Parish.

Go to the App Store on your Apple or Android device and Search 'Church AppsNZ' to download the app onto your device.

Then search "The Catholic Parish of Christchurch South' to find your church app.

Email: office@sacredheartchch.school.nz
Website: http://sacredheartchch.school.nz/
Location: 40 Spencer St, Addington, Christchurch 8024, Canterbury, New Zealand
Phone: 03 3383247
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sacred-Heart-School-Te-Kura-o-Te-Ng%C4%81kau-Tapu-Addington-111798517833047