Newsletter Week 4 Term 1

• Dental Van Visiting - Tuesday 7 February - Monday 6 March
• Ash Wednesday Team Liturgies - Wednesday 22 February
• Team Toru swimming - Monday 27 February

Kia ora koutou e te whānau te Kura o Hato Pirihiti,

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been impacted by the heartbreaking and devastating effects of Cyclone Gabrielle. We are currently planning our school’s response which will be student-led. You will hear more soon about ways we would like our community to help.

Year 8 Camp

Our Year 8 Camp held at Forest Lakes near Ōtaki last week was a huge success! Over 4 days and 3 nights, the Year 8s were involved in many activities ranging from mountain biking, kayaking, archery, mud swamp, giant water slide, … the list goes on! They even stopped at Adrenalin Forest on the way home. Many of these activities are new learning experiences for our students, therefore, resilience, courage and a positive mindset were needed. The confidence and independence gained, relationships fostered and new friendships made the Year 8 Camp experience invaluable for the students.

Thank you to the parent helpers who attended camp and supported our tamariki and kaiako; Jo Cameron, Grant Nalder, Tesfu Sema, and Miranda and Carl McLaughlin. We are also very grateful to our kaiako, Janet Valentine, Tania Fransen, Chelsea Watson and Bianca Clarke for preparing and delivering the camp experience so well whilst also ensuring our Year 7s had enjoyable learning experiences at school.

Successful Grant Applications

Last week we shared on our School Facebook page our gratitude to The Trusts Community Foundation (TTCF) who has generously granted us $28,000 towards purchasing 48 Chromebooks (to replace our expired Chromebooks) and 2 carrier/charging stations. We are also very grateful to Pub Charity who has granted us $7,800 towards purchasing classroom literacy and library resources.

We look forward to receiving the requested items in the near future to benefit all of our students and enhance their learning experience.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Jennifer Ioannou

Principal/Tumuaki

Kia ora families and whānau,

Parish Church of St Francis of Assisi Ohariu

It was wonderful to see families at the opening of the Parish Church of St Francis of Assisi Ohariu on Sunday - thank you especially to the tamariki who were involved in the ‘Guard of Honour’. It was a lovely gathering and an exciting change in our Parish. We are looking forward to the opportunities of being one Parish Church and, as a school, connecting more with St Benedict’s School in Khandallah. Click here for a link to the photos

We look forward to the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday this week, 22 February. Teams will be joining in an Ash Wednesday Liturgy and will learn about the meaning of Ash Wednesday and receive ashes.

Students will be learning about lent and about how they prepare for Easter through prayer, fasting and giving to others. This may be something you want to discuss and do at home.

God Bless,

Bryony McConnochie

DRS

We are a Movin’March school and counting down to Wednesday 1 March when we’ll start stamping passports at the gate as part of the Walk or Wheel Passport Challenge all through March. Walking or wheeling to school is a great way to get active, know your neighbourhood, kick start learning for the day AND take care of the environment. Remember students don’t have to complete their passports to go in the draw to win a $400 MYRIDE voucher at the end of March!

Fancy going in the draw to win a scooter? Parents who take part in our Whānau photo competition on Facebook or Instagram will be in to win 1 of 5 adult or child Micro Scooters or a Family Pass to Staglands or Zealandia. Check out the Movin’March website for more on these competitions and how you can take part.

Park & Stride

If you live ‘too far away’ why not try a Park and Stride? You can still get your passport stamped at the gate! It helps reduce congestion around the school gate, gives tamariki exercise and whānau get to share precious moments on the way to or from school.

A big thank you to Chelsea Watson, Room 14 teacher who is leading this initiative with the support of our Year 7/8 students. Look out for our senior students next week in the playground before school giving out stickers and spot prizes for those moving to school!

Term One
Wednesday 1 February – Thursday 6 April

(NB: 1&2 February are Whānau Conferences)

Term Two
Monday 24 April (Teacher Only Day – School closed due to Staff Professional Development)

Tuesday 25 April (ANZAC Day)

Wednesday 26 April (classes resume) – Thursday 29 June

Friday 30 June (Teacher Only Day – School closed due to Staff Professional Development)

Term 3
Monday 17 July – Thursday 21 September

Friday 22 September (Teacher Only Day – School closed due to Staff Professional Development)

Term 4
Monday 9 October – Friday 15 December – School finishes at 1.00pm

Email: lynne@stbrigids.school.nz
Website: https://stbrigids.school.nz/
Location: 9 Phillip St, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037, New Zealand
Phone: +64 478 6516
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428952763904874