Newsletter Week 2, Term 1
St Michael's Catholic School Rotorua, Wednesday 8th February
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
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
School Uniform
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.
Special Character
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
Teachers Paid Union Meeting
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
Welcome to New Families
A very warm welcome to the following new families. We hope you will enjoy your time with us at St Michael's School.
Aleeza Patel (The Ark)
Tairawhiti Potae (Galilee)
Kaitlyn Seng (Galilee)
Heavenly Seng (The Ark)
Jessica Van Duyn (The Ark)
Health and Safety
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.
Electronic Permission For Trips Form 2023 - Action Required
https://forms.schoolappsnz.co.nz/form-6357996/st-michaels-rotorua-blanket-consent-form
Wednesday School Lunches
Juicies on Friday
All orders will be taken in the classroom at 9am.
Board of Trustees
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)
Upcoming Events For Term 1
- 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
Lucky Book Club Orders Issue 1
PTA NEWS
If you wish to join our small but amazing group of helpful hands please email pta@stmichaelsrotorua.school.nz
Thanks
PTA Committee