Newsletter Week Two - Term Two
8 May 2024
Principal's Message
We're having a busy week. Our three-way conferences are being held : Yesterday, and again today, Wednesday. Thank you for taking the time to catch up with your child’s teacher to discuss their progress. If you haven’t been able to make an interview, your child’s teacher will contact you to make an appointment at a time that suits you.
On Thursday at 12.15 pm in the school hall, we have an Ascension Liturgy, and on Friday of next week, we will be celebrating Pentecost Mass in the church at 9.00 am. You are all welcome to come to these.
A Government priority is school attendance, and our children’s attendance is generally good. For children whose attendance is erratic, we will want to meet with you to discuss how we might be able to help you get your child to school.
Another Government priority is using the structured literacy approach. This is the third year our teachers have been using this approach, and we have seen great progress with our children’s spelling and reading. This year, our focus is on Writing and Maths. I’ll have more in next week’s newsletter about our work with structured literacy.
Our community is a place of support and care, and we have a member who needs some household items: queen-size winter sheets, towels, and a 2-3 seater couch. Another family has moved house and asked if anyone can help them with a fridge, microwave, dinner table, TV and two single beds. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and makes a significant difference in our community. Please let Kerry (in the office) or me know if you can help with any of these things.
Next weekend is Mother’s Day. The PTA is selling presents again this week. The PTA Mothers’ Day Shop will be open on Thursday and Friday at lunchtime. All the gifts are $3.00.
Hot chocolate will be available in the hall kitchen from 8:15 a.m. on Thursday. It will be provided in exchange for a can of food, which will be donated to the St Vincent de Paul Food Bank.
This week, a number of our sports teams start their season. We wish them all the best and a huge thanks to the coaches and managers who are helping with these teams this year.
Have a great weekend.
David Macmillan,
Principal.
Director of Religious Studies
Forty days after Easter, we commemorate the day Jesus ascended into Heaven. On Thursday we have a Liturgy for the feast of the Ascension at 12:15 pm in the hall.
On the Ascension Jesus and his disciples gathered together for the last time. While they were together Jesus was taken up into Heaven. One of the important things to remember about the Ascension is that Jesus is always with us although he is not with us physically. On the Ascension Jesus and his disciples gathered together for the last time. While they were together, Jesus was taken up into Heaven. One of the important things to remember about the Ascension is that Jesus is always with us, although he is not with us physically.
Here is a lovely prayer we can say with our families.
Lord Jesus, we rejoice today in your ascension to the Father’s right hand. Thank you Lord, for offering us a share in your heavenly life. By your Spirit, help us to lay hold of our inheritance in you. The hope, the glory, and the power are the rights of every child of God.
Just a reminder that we have a whole school Mass on Friday 17th May at 9 am to celebrate the feast of Pentecost. Please come along and join us if you are free.
I hope you have a wonderful week.
God bless.
Lorna Dobson DRS
Altar Servers
If you have a child who has been Confirmed and received First Holy Communion and would like
to serve at the Sunday Masses, please contact Andrea at the Church Office : 07 348 0289. Details required are phone numbers and email addresses. James Kilkelly will be in charge of training these children . Training will commence Friday 10 May, 3.30pm
Outstanding Payments Now Due
Camp / Maths /Handwriting Book Accounts
We still have alot of payments outstanding for students' Maths and Handwriting books. Payment can be made online, or at the office.
We would also appreciate more payments for camp please. The cost of our camp is quite substantial, so in order to hold these camps, we need to have your support/contributions.
If you need any details, please contact Margo Mason admin@stmarysrotorua.school.nz - or the office.
Thankyou
Hot Chocolate
Thursday 9 May from 8.15am
Bring a can for the St Vinnies Food Bank
Will be available Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 8 and Week 10.
Uniform Shop
The uniform shop hours are as follows:
Mondays: 8.30am - 9am
Wednesdays: 2.30pm - 3pm
Fridays: 8.30am - 9am
Uniform can also be purchased online: https://www.stmarysrotorua.school.nz/information/uniform/
Sports Notices
Mini Marathon
Well done to all our athletes who gave the Mini Marathon a go last week!
Keen marathoners
Sergeant Sara in charge
119 participants from St Mary's ...Wow
Winter Sports
Football, Miniball and Hockey all start this term. Teams are full. Thank you to all the coaches, referees, managers and other volunteers who make sports happen for our tamariki. If you haven’t heard from your coach manager yet regarding games/practices please let the office know. schooloffice@stmarysrotorua.school.nz
ALL SPORTS FEES ARE NOW DUE, PLEASE PAY ASAP
Miniball is cancelled for this Friday 10th May
Chess
New information has been added to the school website. Please check under Our Sports - Chess.
Cross Country
All students in years 4-6 will be taking part in cross country on Wednesday 22nd May from 12.30pm - 2.30pm. All parents need to fill out the permission and transport form.
Cultural Day
Year 5 & 6 students need to keep Friday 31st May in their calendar for the Kahui Ako Sport and Cultural Day in Tauranga.
Waibop Football
Message from WaiBOP Football
Kainga Ora Tamariki - Football Coordinator Wanted
Together with Ngongotaha AFC we have been bringing football to the Tamariki of Turutu Cresent, a Kainga Ora housing development.
We have enough Tamariki to form a Junior Team who will be playing their first games at Puarenga Park this Saturday.
We are after someone to be their Football Coach/Coordinator – this position is funded!
This means, taking the team for one training per week, and going into Turutu Crescent with our van drivers to collect the Tamariki on Saturday morning, take them to Puarenga Park for their game and deliver them safely with the van drivers back to Turutu Crescent.
Hours: Training – 1hr per week
Saturday Game Days: 1-3 hrs for the junior season
Reimbursement: This is a funded position – please contact Natalie Broadhead & Alida Shanks (WaiBOP Football) for more information.
Ideal Applicant: Must be Police Vetted and have a clean record regarding child safeguarding; is trustworthy, consistent, reliable, friendly, approachable, understanding and great at motivating kids.
Contact: Natalie Broadhead & Alida Shanks (WaiBOP Football) for more information.
Lake City Athletics Success
3 students participated in the Lake City athletics club champs, to finalise the 2024 session, competing in 3 track events, 60m, 100m and 200m and 3 field events, shot put, discus and long jump, and their success where celebrated yesterday at the end of session prize giving.
Charlotte Rowe-Hawkins came 2nd overall for 7 year old girls
Noah James-Burling came 3rd overall for 7 year old boys
Tirama O'Connell was celebrated for participation in the hotly contested 9 year old boys section.
Plunket
Plunket would love your support on 18 May : Shop for bargains, or have your own stall.