Newsletter

St Mary's Catholic School 18 May - Term 2 Week 3

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Fifth Sunday of Easter, Cycle C

Sunday, May 15, 2022

Gospel Reading

John 13:31-33a, 34-35

Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment: love one another.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Sunday's Gospel again comes from the Gospel of John. Like last week, today we hear words spoken by Jesus before his death and Resurrection. Jesus is teaching at the Last Supper.

John's Gospel does not include an institution of the Eucharist narrative; instead, Jesus washes his disciples' feet. Immediately after, Jesus predicts his betrayal by Judas. Sunday's Gospel follows that prediction. It can be read as a continuing explanation of Jesus' act of washing his disciples' feet. It begins with the announcement that this is the moment when the Son of Man will be glorified. This theme continues throughout John's Passion. Jesus will be glorified in his death on the cross and in his Resurrection, and the disciples will glorify Jesus in the love they show.

John's Gospel does not present a sentimental view of love. This is a type of love that is shown in service and sacrifice. It is difficult to choose to love when faced with hatred and anger. Jesus tells the disciples that all will know that they are his disciples because of the love they show for one another. This description of the early Christian community will be repeated in the Acts of the Apostles: “See how they love one another.” Christian love is the hallmark of Christianity. We see it lived in the witness of the martyrs. We see it in the example of the lives of the saints. We see it in the holy women and men who live and love daily, making small and large sacrifices for others.

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

Well, two weeks into Term 2 and our learning is back into full swing. We are grateful that we have been able to gather for liturgies and some gatherings to share our learning and continue with our school expectations. The children have shown some wonderful reverence in returning back to school liturgies and masses.

Winter Sports

Term 2 has also seen the start of our winter sports. Thank-you to all those that are managing or coaching our teams. We have had an excellent uptake of winter sports and this has meant we currently don’t have enough uniforms for some of our teams. We are working to rectify this. We have ordered basketball uniforms which should arrive in four weeks.

Our new school PE uniform (short & top set), can be used for many of our external sports and competitions. We are offering Hockey Teams a reduced price for our PE uniform, I know our Sports co-ordinator will have made contact with those teams that can purchase the uniform for the reduced price. Come to the office and we can sort this for you. Thank-you for your support and our apologies for any inconvenience so far.

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Lost Property

Lost property is always frustrating for families and the school. Each classroom has a dedicated space to collect classroom lost property and the office usually collects the leftovers. Generally, named items get returned to the rightful owner and this is part of our strategy that we take those items back. Could all families please ensure their items are named, and that uniforms you have at home belong to your child. Sometimes in the busyness of a school day children can mistakenly take another child's named item home. Again, this is a work in progress as we make sure we are all responsible for returning the correct uniform back to the correct owner.

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Second Hand Uniforms

We have a number of second hand uniforms for sale from the school office. Some uniforms will be kept for families in needs and others will be sold to raise funds for pastoral care.

Currently in stock we have the following;

Girls tunic sizes available between 2 - 10. Price $35 / $40

Polar fleece jacket sizes available between 6 to a large mens. Price $20

Soft shell jacket sizes available between 6 - 14. Price $35 / $40

Shorts sizes available between 4 to a small mens. Price $15

Polo tops sizes available between 8 - 16. Price $10

Socks and stockings - free (help yourself from the office foyer)

Some shoes - free (help yourself from the office foyer)

We are currently short of boys shorts and tops. Please do not hesitate to bring them to the school office if you would like to donate them.

St Mary’s Cross-Country

Cross-country this year will again be at Waipuna Park. Last year we were blessed with a beautiful day and our children did themselves proud and gained a good number of house points. Thank you to all those who are helping and have helped to get us ready for another St Mary’s Cross-country.

We have added a non-competitive race for those children that may not be well, or don't enjoy running but would still like to gain valuable House points. We hope this will be well-supported so every child can feel some success. Please make sure if you collect your child that you inform your child's classroom teacher. We also ask that if you collect them early then the children do not hang around playing as this causes confusion for those that are still the schools responsibility.

For more information about Thursday's cross-country click here...

COVID 19

Our COVID cases have increased a little bit this week for our children, families and staff.

Again, it is not mandatory to wear masks inside school but a personal choice. We respect the right of everyone to make decisions that best support their family and our community.

Our staff have continued to wear masks at various times to protect themselves this week because of the increase in cases. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed as we live our lives during the pandemic. We have a number of staff isolating and quite a few children so please continue to be cautious as we carry on into the term.

Let’s Spread Kindness Week (Bullying-Free NZ)

This week (May 16th - 20th) follows the theme He kōtuinga mahi iti, he hua pai-ā rau: Small ripples create big waves.

Let’s Spread Kindness Week is all about focusing on the positive work already happening in our school community that supports our safe, inclusive school culture, where everyone feels happy, listened to, and feels they belong. Our school is a special place where together we ‘do a little good’, to be the difference!

No matter how big or small the action might be, together we can shine a light on people already doing things that make a difference and inspire others to do the same.

This Friday the 20th of May we will end the week of celebrating kindness with a mufti day. The children will not need to wear their uniform on this day, and may like to bring a gold coin donation for St Vincent De Paul.

St Vincent De Paul does incredible work helping people in our community. The Society of St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) is a non-profit organisation whose work primarily involves person-to-person contact with people who have a variety of needs. Your support this Friday will help ensure that they can provide even more support to the many families in the Western Bay of plenty who are struggling to meet their basic needs.

If you would like more information about St Vincent De Paul please visit their website -

http://www.bopvinnies.co.nz/

Thank you for your support, and thank you very much in advance for supporting the wonderful work of St Vincent De Paul.

Communication

Please continue to check out our website and HERO posts, facebook for our latest information and what's happening at school over the Term.

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Use HERO to report an absence

More and more families are using HERO to log an absence... it's easy! The screenshot below is the homepage parents or caregivers see when they are logged into the HERO app. Simply choose 'report an absence' and some quick options come up for you to send through an absence. This goes directly to the classroom teacher and the school office.

Try it the next time your child is absent!

Ngā mihi nui

James Murray

Principal

SPECIAL CHARACTER and RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

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We continue during this month of May, the month our Church particularly honours our Lady, to teach our students the important role Mary has as Mother of Christ, Mother of our Church and Mother of us all.

We had a special liturgy last Monday to celebrate this teaching. Mrs Vincent gave a beautiful reflection about Mary which I’m sure your children will have thoroughly enjoyed and gained a greater understanding about and knowledge of Mary.

We encourage you to pray a Hail Mary each day in your families for each other and for peace in the Ukraine.

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Farewell to Mrs Teresa Rush

Yesterday our school community gathered to farewell and give thanks and praise to God for Mrs Rush’s time and service as Director of Religious Studies for the last five and a half years. We asked for God’s blessing upon her as she takes on her new role as Principal of St Joseph’s School Waihi.

It was a beautiful liturgy and we thank Father Philip, Sister Allison, our Pasifika Group led by Ati Aaifou-Olive, Mr James Murray, our school choir, Mrs Alison FitzPatrick and all those who took part .

Mrs Broadmore organised a really special art work for Mrs Rush. All staff and students put their thumb print in the shape and background of a cross for Mrs Rush to hang in her new office at Waihi.

You can view some highlights of the Liturgy here:

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2022 Sacramental Programme Information

This information is now available from the parish website. The Sacramental programme is for children who are in Year 5 or above. Online enrolments will be open on Monday 13th June 2022

Enrolments are online via the Parish website or direct from the Parish office.

http://taurangamoanacatholic.nz/sacramental-life/sacramental-programme-2022/

Tauranga Moana Catholic :: Sacramental Programme 2022

taurangamoanacatholic.nz

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Baptism Classes

Mrs Vincent will begin Baptism classes next week at school for those children who are preparing to be baptised. This is a very important step in their faith journey and we look forward to welcoming them into the family of God - please pray for our children.

If you would like to know more about this journey or are considering baptism for your child please email Mrs Vincent.

dvincent@stmarystga.school.nz

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New Families Liturgy Tuesday 24th May

The new families liturgy is at 10.30am in the Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey Centre.

Next Tuesday we welcome all new students and their families who have started school at St Mary’s during the last term.

All members of our community are welcome to join us for this very special liturgy.

As always if you have any queries about our Religious Education Programme or Special Character please get in touch with me. swasher@stmarystga.school.nz

With kind regards and God bless

Sally Washer

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Pasifika in the Bay

Cheehooo.

2022 Pasifika Festival in the Bay, so far, has 19 registered groups from ECE, Primary and Colleges, including 4 new groups (this makes us SO happy!) Bring it! Check out more information here...

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Matariki

Next week we will send home a Google Form to gauge if and how whānau might like to support us with our Matariki activities in Week 8. If you have a skill you would like to share please note it on the Google Form.

In the meantime, if you can send along to school any empty clean cans (e.g. used baked bean cans) that would be fantastic. All cans can be dropped off to Mrs Broadmore. Ngā mihi.

Retreat

The Cluny Retreat Centre has TWO silent retreats coming up and there are still spaces available!

These silent Ignatian retreats feature daily Mass, and individual spiritual direction with Fr Richard Shortall SJ each day.

The remainder of the day is available for prayer, spiritual reading, silence, and relaxation in the picturesque setting of the Cluny Retreat Centre situated on the banks of the Tauranga Harbour.

Visit cdh.org.nz/events to register.