Newsletter
St Mary's Catholic School 21 September 2022 - Term 3 Week 9
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Gospel Reading
Luke 16:1-13 (shorter form, Luke 16:10-13)
Jesus tells a parable about a dishonest steward who is commended for his prudence; one cannot serve both God and money.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today's Gospel sounds puzzling to contemporary readers, but it can be made less so by considering the economic system which stands behind the parable. A steward is dismissed because he is squandering his master's property. He is called dishonest because he is not serving the interests of the rich man, his employer. In response the steward, in an attempt to ensure favour for himself among the rich man's debtors, brokers repayment of the rich man's loans by foregoing the interest and fees that had been levied to line the steward's pockets. It is this action, in which the steward puts aside his greed and takes the longer perspective in order to enhance his security, which is commended by the rich man.
The passage concludes with three morals for the listeners. The first exhorts the listener to be prudent about the use of wealth. Like the steward in the parable, those who would follow Jesus must put transitory affairs in proper perspective. Christians should handle the affairs of temporal life with an eye toward eternal life.
The second concerns trustworthiness. Those who can be trusted in small things can also be trusted in great things. If Christians handle money and other passing things responsibly, then they can also be trusted with the affairs of the Kingdom of God.
Finally, Jesus tells his listeners that no one can serve two masters simultaneously. God must be put ahead of money.
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,
Tihei mauri ora, nau mai, haere mai, tena koutou katoa, E nga whanau, e nga kaiako, e nga tamariki, e nga manuhiri, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa
Celebrating our New Vision
This week at our liturgy we learned more about our new School Vision: Together with Jesus we love, learn and serve in the Cluny spirit
We also celebrated a number of children for following our Vision. Ways we might demonstrate that we are following our School Vision include:
- Being responsible and respectful citizens
- Having a strong sense of identity and belonging
- Being literate and numerate
- Being agentic learner or an effective communicator
Board News
I want to thank our outgoing Board members for their commitment to St Mary's School and for their work in our community. Most of this work goes unnoticed but we are very grateful for their input and wisdom over the last couple of very challenging years. Last night our outgoing board met with our new members, this was a great way for us to get to know our new trustees a little better, and for the new trustees to learn a little more about how the board operates. We will give you an update in Term 4 around our first meeting. The results of 2022 Board Elections can be found further on in this newsletter.
Classrooms open at 8.30am
2023 Planning
This year our class sizes may have been considered a little high in some areas of our school. Depending on 2023 enrolments we are hoping to rectify that next year. While we cannot guarantee that some class sizes won’t be large, we are committed to looking at class sizes differently. With this in mind we will be looking at the makeup of our class year groups for 2023. It could mean that we have a mix of Yr 1 and 2, or Yr 2 and 3 classes in our junior school. It could also mean we have Yr 4 and 5 classrooms, as well as some straight Yr 6 classrooms in our senior school. Again, this will all depend on 2023 numbers and trying to spread the load across our two teams. We will keep our community updated as we move through our thinking.
Raising Concerns
A reminder if you have concerns, it is imperative that you speak with your child's teacher in the first instance. After that if you feel you need to go to the team leader then please do so. Mrs Akkerman is the leader for Years 4-6 makkerman@stmarystga.school.nz and Ms Oates is the leader for Yrs 0-3 eoates@stmarystga.school.nz.
Mrs Broadmore lbroadmore@stmarystga.school.nz and I will support the school and families once they have been through these channels. We must role model good behaviours to our children and follow the correct processes.
Ngā mihi nui
James Murray
Principal
Aroha Camp Information
All consent forms will need to be completed for camp. A Child Consent form was sent in HERO on 21st September. For the parent volunteers attending camp, a Parent Consent form has been sent to your inbox. If you have not received this, please email your child’s whānau teacher.
Camp Meeting Term 4
A camp meeting will be held on Thursday 27th October, Week 2 Term 4 in our Aroha Hub space at 5:00pm to inform parents/whanau of our programme. At the conclusion of this meeting at 5:30 pm there will be a Parent helper meeting for those parents coming to camp only.Waterline in Aroha Hub
Now I want to learn more about the solar system.
by Adam Alasad
SPORTS NEWS
Term 4 Sport registrations close tonight!
Registrations close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 22 September.
Rippa Rugby – Years 1-6
When: Thursday 27 October to 1 December
Where: Greerton Park
Cost: $15 p/p Years 1&2 and $20 p/p Years 3-6
Register here: https://forms.gle/x8BLYa9wbRZGG4WeA
Volleyball – Years 3-6
When: Friday 28 October to 9 December
Where: QEYC
Cost: $25 p/p
Register here: https://forms.gle/paGPsT5GdFhs1SJy6
Mini Polo – Years 3-6
When: Tuesday 1 November to 6 December
Where: Memorial Pool
Cost: $50 p/p
Register here: https://forms.gle/XLeUbcCw6XtgRwKQ8
Water Polo – Year 5-6
When: Friday 28 October to 2 December
Where: Toi Ohomai Pool
Cost: $50 p/p
Child must be able to confidently swim 200m freestyle
Register here: https://forms.gle/Vg1qzf3uSvJeMytC9
Tennis – Years 1 – 6
Limit of 40 children
When: Thursday 27 October to 1 November
Where: 0730 – 0830 at St Mary’s tennis courts
Cost: $80 per child
Register here: https://forms.gle/Nae4d3KrDj2TptoL7
Gymnastics – Year 1-6
When: Tuesdays 18 October to 13 December
Where: 0745am – 0845am St Mary’s BAMJC
Register online at:
Contact Marie on 0211705426 for any information
Summer Football – Years 1-6
When: Wednesday 26 October to 7 December
Where: Waipuna Park
Cost: $15 p/p
Year 1&2 play at 3:30pm
Years 3- 6 play at either 4pm or 4:45pm
Register here: https://forms.gle/M1vFU1TxtuVXUQUo7
Cricket – Year 3 -6
When: Saturday 29 October to 10 December
Where: Venues TBC
Cost: Year 3&4 $25 p/p and Year 5&6 $35 p/p
Register here: https://forms.gle/cYTxkD5GRChDq5H19
The Athlete Factory
Ben from the Athlete Factory will be continuing on with his Wednesday morning sessions in Term 4. To register, please fill in the link below.
https://forms.gle/AEt3J4R9nyk89Bf3A
Summer Basketball – Years 1-6
Tauranga City Basketball are running a Summer League. Please see below for details.
Dates: 17th October to 12th December (MONDAYS)
(No games Labour weekend)
Location: QEYC Courts 1&2 and Trustpower Arena
Cost: $50pp
Ages:
Little League (Year 1-2)
Year 3&4
Year 5&6
Register using this link:
BOARD ELECTION RESULTS
OTHER NEWS
Personalised Photo Sessions
Last month we had class and individual photos of our students in their school uniforms, as well as sports photos.
There are limited spaces for personalized photography sessions with children and family photographer Shaun O’Leary. These lifestyle photography sessions are informal portraits taken in outdoor settings within school grounds with children wearing their own choice of clothing and anything they would like to be photographed with, such as a soccer ball or guitar. The experience aims to capture their genuine expressions and personalities and give you a large gallery of photos to choose from. The results are vibrant, playful images with a fine art quality that will be treasured for years to come.
All the photos are professionally processed and edited and within a few days, you will then be sent a link to a slideshow for you to view the full gallery of photos of your child from the session. After seeing the slideshow of images, you will then have the option to purchase digital image downloads and prints. *Packages have recently been revised for schools. For more information go to solphotography.co.nz/school sessions
Sessions are available next week, and the beginning of Term 4 and involve small groups of up to 3 children for around 45 minutes. The sessions are FREE but you will need to check for your child’s year level and book your space on the website at solphotography.co.nz/bookings.
*Sessions are no cost and there is no obligation to purchase, so be sure to book early to avoid missing out!
PTA NEWS
TERM DATES 2022
Monday 7 February - Waitangi Day
Term 2 - Monday 2 May - Friday 8 July
Monday 6 June - Queen's Birthday
Tuesday 7 June- TEACHER ONLY DAY, Kahui Ako
Friday 24 June - Matariki
Term 3 - Monday 25 July - Friday 30 September
Friday 2nd September-TEACHER ONLY DAY
Monday 26th September- QUEENS REMEBRANCE DAY, NO SCHOOL, PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Term 4 - Monday 17 October - Friday 16 December
Monday 24 October - Labour Day
Friday 18th November - TEACHER ONLY DAY
PARENT CONFERENCES IN 2022
Term 4- Wednesday 7th December, 3 pm-6 pm, Thursday 8th December 12.30 pm-6 pm. SCHOOL CLOSES AT 12PM Thursday 8th December.
There will also be NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE THIS DAY.
Please support our Gold Group Sponsors
Contact Us
Email: office@stmarystga.school.nz
Website: https://www.stmarystga.school.nz/
Location: 11 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 578 8066
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmarystga/