Newsletter Week 2, Term 1

Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,

Welcome to the 2023 school year. I trust you have all had a wonderfully, restful summer break with your whānau. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the new children and their whanau, we hope you enjoy your time at St Michael's Catholic School.

How Can Parents Be Involved?

Your child will do better in their education if there are strong connections between home and school. As a parent, you can provide that connection by being actively involved in your child's school. Being interested in your child's education and involved in their school shows them that their education is important to you, and it becomes more important to them as well.

Ask what your child is learning at school and what they’re finding easy or hard. Knowing what they’re learning will give you clues about extending their learning beyond school.

You can volunteer to help in the classroom, at events, with sports, or on school trips and camps.

We have a small but active PTA who are always looking for new members. Our PTA is a group of parents just like yourself who want to support the running of our school in practical ways. They co-ordinate parent helpers, organise school events, fundraise and help create a strong school community. If you are interested in joining our PTA, please contact Cristy at the office or email pta@stmichaelsrotorua.school.nz for more information.

Building Projects

Over the summer break we have had several building projects take place. The replacement roof has finally been completed after so many interruptions due to the weather. The main block and the Ark have had a fresh coat of paint. The toilets and the kitchen in the Mercy Hall have been gutted and the builders are currently onsite completing that project. This term the netball courts will be turfed and the Mercy Hall is due to be painted this year.

Please be sure to follow safely guidelines while these projects are completed.

We currently have a small number of non preference spaces available for this year and we always welcome Catholic families to our wonderful little school. If you know of families who wish to enrol their children at St Michael's please send them to the school office for an enrolment pack.

Our teachers have planned a busy term of learning for your children. Make sure to keep an eye on Seesaw and the School App for upcoming events and activities.

Rachael McLanachan

Te tumuaki o te kura Hato Mikaere

Our school uniform identifies us as being part of our special St Michael's community.

All children must come to and from school in the correct uniform.

Boys and Girls both wear: Navy Polar shirt and Polar Fleece with Navy/Gold School logo.

In the summer they both wear black sandals (Velcro straps are a good idea for our younger children) and a Navy cap/bucket/ or Wide Brim hat. In the winter they both wear black leather shoes.

Girls wear Blue/Yellow tartan Skort / skirt (in winter they wear navy stockings or ¾ navy socks)

Boys wear Grey Shorts (in winter wear grey ¾ socks)

Hair is required to be out of the eyes and tied up if it touches the collar

Hair ties or headbands should be in our school colours; blue, gold, black or white

No jewellery is allowed with the exception of a watch and/or religious or cultural pendants

For safety reasons, only stud earrings are allowed at school

No coloured nail-polish is to be worn

Thermal shirts or singlets may be worn under the school uniform shirt but these must be black, white or navy blue.

The sports uniform is compulsory from Years 4 to 6 and children are expected to wear this uniform for PE lessons and sports events.

We have a small number of secondhand uniform items available at the school office.

St Michael's Church Holy Mass Timetable

Holy Mass

Saturday Vigil 5pm

Sunday 8am

Tuesday 5:30pm

Thursday 9am

St Mary's Church Holy Mass Timetable

Holy Mass

Sunday 10am & 5pm

Monday 9am

Wednesday 12:05pm

Friday 9am

Saturday 9am

COMMUNITY MASSES

MIHA MAORI - First Saturday of the month, 5pm Vigil Mass at St Michael’s. All are welcome.

TOKELAUAN COMMUNITY - Third Saturday of the month, 5pm Vigil Mass at St Michael’s. All are welcome.

FILIPINO COMMUNITY - Third Friday of the month, 6pm at St Michael’s. All are welcome. INDIAN COMMUNITY - Fourth Friday of the month, 6pm at St Michael’s. All are welcome

Parish Priest: Fr. Thomas Thanniyanickal cmf

Email: kunjcmf1986@gmail.com Phone: 022 565 9017

Assistant Priest: Fr. Prakash Somu cmf

Email: prakashreddycmf@gmail.com

Secretary: Andrea Tuki

Office Hours: Monday: Closed - Tues. - Friday.: 8am - 2.30pm

Phone: (07) 348 0289 ext. 2

Email: catholicrotorua@xtra.co.nz

Face Book: Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop, Rotorua

Postal Address: 40-44 Seddon St, Glenholme, Rotorua 3010

On Monday 27th February, teaching staff will be attending a Paid Union Meeting to discuss their current Collective Agreement. We will have a skeleton staff during the afternoon so we ask that you collect your child at 1pm if possible. We will have staff available to watch children who are required to stay at school.

Teachers love what they do but lack of funding means that they don’t have the support they need to make sure every child has access to quality education.

The model used to determine staffing levels has been in place for 25 years. The urgent need for fundamental changes was highlighted in the 2021 Pūaotanga report. The Wāwāhi Tahā campaign calls on the Ministry of Education to implement these changes and to take bold action to ensure that all children have the education they deserve.

If you wish to learn more about the current NZEI Campaign, follow the link below:

https://www.nzeiteriuroa.org.nz/campaigns/wawahi-taha-time-for-tamariki

A very warm welcome to the following new families. We hope you will enjoy your time with us at St Michael's School.

Kaela Catena (The Ark)

Aleeza Patel (The Ark)

Tairawhiti Potae (Galilee)

Kaitlyn Seng (Galilee)

Heavenly Seng (The Ark)

Jessica Van Duyn (The Ark)

St Michael's is a Sun Smart School. Please help us to keep your children sun smart by making sure they bring their named school hat everyday. We supply sun screen for the children to use during break times.

Please let your child's teacher know if they have an allergy to sun screen. Children without hats will be asked to play under the trees/ in the shade.

Covid is still about in our community. Please continue to keep your child home if they have flu or cold-like symptoms. The school has covid tests if you require them.

Please click on the link and fill out the form to give your child/children permission to take part in trips outside the classroom for 2023.

https://forms.schoolappsnz.co.nz/form-6357996/st-michaels-rotorua-blanket-consent-form

This term lunch orders are done online through Ka Pai Kai on Wednesday only. Details are set out below. They really look forward to your support. Check out the website and look at all the lunch options. https://www.kapaikairotorua.co.nz/order-school-lunch/

This term the children will be able to purchase a nice cold juicie on Fridays for $2.

All orders will be taken in the classroom at 9am.

Next board meeting Date: Thursday 16th February

At each BOT meeting - twice a term - policies are reviewed. If you would like to communicate with the BOT, you are welcome to email our independent e-mail address; botstmichaels@gmail.com or alternatively, send letters to the school in an envelope marked "Board of Trustees."

You are also welcome to attend any meeting, however, if you would like to have speaking rights, you need to request this from the chair using the email address. This email address can be accessed by Alistair Burns (Chair)

• Thurs 9th Feb - NRL Event @ Rotorua Intermediate (Galilee)
• Wed 15th Feb - Staff Commissioning Mass @ St Mary's Church @ 6pm
• Thurs 16th Feb - Board Meeting
• Mon 27th Feb - Paid Union Meeting @ 1:30pm
• Tues 28th Feb - Grip Student Leadership conference
• Wed 1st March - Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day
• Wed 1st March - Year 2/3 Museum visit - Te Arawa Journeys
• Thurs 2nd March - Ash Wednesday
• Fri 3rd March - Year 1/2 Museum visit - Te Arawa Journeys
• Thurs 17th March - St. Patrick's Day
• Thurs 23rd March - Caritas Rice Day
• Fri 24th March - PTA Colour Run
• Thurs 30th March - Galilee First Aide Training
• Thurs 6th April - Easter Amazing Race and Last Day of Term 1

Booklets will have gone home. All orders must be handed into the school office or done online via the loop app or website by Thursday the 23rd of February.

If you wish to join our small but amazing group of helpful hands please email pta@stmichaelsrotorua.school.nz

Thanks

PTA Committee

Is your youth interested in joining our scout group. Our den is in Pererika Street. Cub section 8-11 years meets Thursdays 6-7.30pm. 1st 4 weeks are free. Contact 0274903124 or 073485853 answerphone for both. All enquiries replied to

Email: admin@stmichaelsrotorua.school.nz
Website: https://www.stmichaelsrotorua.school.nz/
Location: Lisa Crescent, Mangakakahi, Rotorua, New Zealand
Phone: 07 348 1362
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St-Michaels-Catholic-School-Rotorua-104766148002147