St Mary's School

Dear whānau,

These past two terms, and previous couple of years have had a tremendous impact on our community. There has been a lot of success such as the production, camps, the end of year celebration and that great turnout for the Matariki celebrations last week. However, the challenges have been immense as we have found ourselves isolated from one another and managing endless sickness and 'bugs' for families and our staff. Well, there is light at the end of the tunnel! A two week break will bring us back refreshed and ready for whatever term 3 has to offer.

This term (and for most of last term) there hasn't been one day where we have been fully staffed. Whilst I know that you believe we are trying our best, I haven't yet thanked you for your understanding as we have worked to manage this staffing crisis. I haven't communicated the struggles as well as I could have because in these times even I have to teach (and no one wants that :) giving me less time to explain our situation.

Next term I am hoping that we will come together and have more opportunities for parents to come into school. There is a wealth of study evidencing the relationship between home and school as one of the most influential factors for student achievement. We know that all parents are doing their best, just as you know we are all doing ours. Our relationship works because we have exactly the same motivation and goal - the best outcomes for our children - he waka eke noa - we are all in the pursuit of this goal together. Class Masses will be one of those opportunities, where Mass will be celebrated in the classrooms, you can have a look at the art work, writing on the walls and see other parents from your child's class. You can't beat a bit of human interaction!

In all this near normality I am blessed to be part of the St Mary's community - we are so very lucky to have each other. If I don't get a newsletter out next week I would like to wish you all some happy family time over the coming weeks.

Ngā manaakitanga (blessings)

Annie

You might see that I have been signing off emails and the newsletter with Ngā manaakitanga meaning blessings to you all. The value of Manaakitanga is the process of showing respect, generosity and care for the people who use services, their whānau and communities. It also means to show respect and care for their information and stories. Mana is the essential lifeforce within a person, place or object and through manakitanga we honour the uniqueness of another person.

At the board meeting last week the date was set for the elections later this year - 7th September. Nomination forms will be posted out before the end of the term, and in the meantime if you are interested in becoming a board member, or would like to find out how it works, please feel free to speak to Annie or Di who can direct you to any one of these current serving board members - Brendan Terry, Vince Sharp, Jeremy McPhail, Lisa Sanson, Hayden Byars, Tim Cruickshank, Catherine Sayer or Aaron Stevenson. Next meeting is 4th August.

Previous approved minutes are available at the school office if you would like to view them.

Looking for a fun Term 3 after school activity for the kids?

Due to demand we have arranged another day of coaching in Gore.

FRIDAYS!!

Winter tennis coaching Term 3 MLT Stadium – registration

Tennis Southland is excited to offer after school coaching for kids, on Fridays in Term 3 - July 29th to September 23th.

9x 45minute sessions for $40.

Session times are 3:30pm or 4:15pm at the MLT Stadium.

Contact Tennis Southland at operations@tennissouthland.co.nz if you have any questions.

To register see the Tennis Southland Facebook page and follow the link to the FRIDAY “Winter tennis coaching Term 3 MLT Stadium – registration”

Schools Out Hokonui Oscar Programme has spaces available for ages 5-14years. Hours will operate are 8am-6pm Monday – Friday Oscar WINZ subsidies are available if needed

If you have any questions fell free to text or call Amy on 0220621936 or Kerri on 0220267223

Check out the fabulous artwork from some children's workshops held at the East Gore Art Centre earlier this term courtesy of Creative NZ. A group of our St Marys students joined West Gore School to work with artists Jacqui Byars and Janet de Wagt making self portraits in a landscape. The works were based on the paintings of Rita Angus currently showing at the Eastern Southland Gallery. Their creations are on display in the window of the Maruawai Centre opposite the Gallery. Exhibition courtesy of Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand.

PIZZA WEDNESDAY

$2.00 a slice, choose from cheese or hawaiian.

Please drop an envelope with the correct money and child's name, classroom and the number of slices into the school office from 8.30am to 8.50am on Tuesday morning. Sorry, we can't take late orders...

Pizza will be outside the library at lunchtime.

Brought to you by the St Mary's Home and School :)

Week 10 starting 4th July

Prayers Room Piwakawaka and Room Ruru

Gospel on Friday, Annie Nelson

School finishes Friday 8th July at the usual time

Parent teacher interviews are in the second week of next term on Wednesday 3rd August from 1-7pm. If you know this date isn't a possibility for you please have a quick word with your child's class teacher. It will be a half day at school, but if this is difficult for you please let me know, Annie Nelson

TEACHER ONLY DAYS CONFIRMED 8th and 9th September 2022.

Next term class Masses return each class will celebrate Mass with Fr Jaime and families are welcome to join us for a shared afternoon tea following the Mass.

Email: admin@stmarys.school.nz
Website: https://stmarys.school.nz/
Location: 14 Ardwick Street, Gore 9710, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3-208 7733
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1407464649522913

Annie isn't very good at bragging, so I'll happily do it for her. Just so you know how massive receiving this award is, I'll tell you this ... Adele and Ed Sheeran have both recently received an MBE from the Queen. An OBE is a whole step up from that. David Beckham has one. I think that's all I need to say about that. 🤩