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- Donna McDonald - Principal's Note
- Gospel Reflection - Sunday, 5th November, 2023
- Sparks of God - Term 4, Week 3
- A very warm welcome to two new students!
- REUNIFICATION DRILL - VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- Class of the Week - Room 1
- Board Talk - Mike Tohill, Presiding Member
- Christmas Family Fun Night - Definitely not to be missed!
- Your Choice Clothing (YCC) Day - Friday, 10th November
- EPro8 Challenge - we have some winners!
- Year 3 & 4 Football Tournament
- Disco 2023
- Christmas Raffle Tickets
- Mystery Jars - Keep everyone guessing!
- Important dates for Term 4, 2023
- Learning Hub Report from Sarah Hunt, our Librarian
- Goodtime Music Academy
- Pizza Fridays in Term 4
- St. T's After School Care - come check it out!
- St. Theresa's Secondhand School Uniform Shop - Bag a bargain!
- Quick Links to our website
- Link to download Schoolzine App
- Yummy Apple stickers
- Named fence pickets
Donna McDonald - Principal's Note
Hello, Kia ora, Talofa lava, Hola, Namaste, Mabuhay, Ciao, Kia Orana, Ahalan, Konnichiwa, Ni hao, Selam, Xin chao, Bonjour, Bula, Dzien/Dobry, Shalom, Dia duit, Mauri, Halo, Bom dia, Gidday, Guten Tag, Hej
Mai i te Kopae ki te Urupa, tatou ako tonu ai - From the cradle to the grave, we are forever learning.
Kia ora koutou e te whānau,
What an exciting few days we have had. It definitely feels like the celebration season is here. Special thanks to the co-ordination committee for organising the Disco on Friday which I hear was a great success.
Today was our annual 'Bring and Buy Day. This event is organised by the children for the children and is an amazing opportunity for collaboration, team work, shopping skills and fundraising. We had a lot of fun playing the games, getting hair and make up done, sharing a treat and looking for a bargain. Many thanks to you all for your generosity which helped us raise over $2000 to go towards camp in 2024.
We will give a day's grace tomorrow to any children who have coloured hair or nails.
Even the 'Bee Healthy' dental nurses saw the funny side of having a lolly stand outside the door to their dental van!
Last week, we had 8 children from Rooms 9 and 10 compete in the EPro8 Interschools Competition. We were so proud of the way they worked together to problem solve and excited that both teams ended up in the top 4. Special mention has to go to one of the teams though, who ended up in 1st place. Well done to Bella, Jacob, Jayden and Sasha.
As our roll for 2024 is full with pre-enrolments, please let us know asap if you are intending on moving away next year.
I am sure you have all heard discussions in the media recently regarding school attendance. There is a well-established relationship between attendance and achievement. Research indicates each day of absence from school predicts a similar drop in attainment. Please be mindful of this when planning trips and holidays during term time. Research also tells us that it is never too late to turn attendance around, so all time spent in the classroom benefits your tamariki (even if this is returning to school after an appointment).
Teacher Only Day: The Ministry of Education (Te Tāhuhu o te Mātaurangi) has granted all primary schools a Teachers Only Day in Term 4 to work on becoming familiar with the Refreshed Curriculum - Te Mātaiaho. The staff will have their Teacher Only Day on Monday, 13 November 2023 to align with the majority of schools in our area. This means there be no school on Monday, 13 November.
Have a great weekend.
Donna McDonald - Principal
Kia pai too raa whakataa
Gospel Reflection - Sunday, 5th November, 2023
Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 23:1-12
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus talks about the qualities of a good leader. He provides a warning to leaders, ”for they preach but they do not practise”. In other words, the common saying of practise what you preach. Jesus reminds us in this Gospel that the true mark of a good leader is someone who serves others with humility and who is a good example. When leading, we are reminded to check that we do not get caught up in the privilege of the position but that we always lead by example and save the glory and honour for God alone.
Sparks of God - Term 4, Week 3
Once again, a super bunch of SPARKlers for Week 3.
Keep setting a good example for everybody.
A very warm welcome to two new students!
Real school has started for Kingsley Song and Zoe Wall and we warmly welcome them. Kingsley is the son of Joe and Josie and brother of Krystal and Olivia and Zoe is the daughter of Andrew and Angela.
Enjoy your time here at St. T's and we hope you have the best time ever!
REUNIFICATION DRILL - VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION
PLAN FOR THIS IMPORTANT EVENT NOW!
Earthquake and Reunification Drill
On Thursday, 16th November, we will be holding an Earthquake Evacuation and Reunification Drill,as part of our school emergency plan.
Following an earthquake drill at school, each class will evacuate the building and walk up Grays Road to Mo Street in Plimmerton Heights. Your child needs to be collected from Mo Street at 2 pm.
Your Role in this Drill:
- Collect your child/ren at 2 pm from Mo Street on the day of the drill. Collection point will be outside the row of containers on the left (see attached map).
- If you are unable to collect your child/children, you need to organise for one of your contacts to do this. This must be someone on your child’s emergency/civil defence contact list that you checked and updated at the start of the year, at our request. Please note: Your child will only be released to adults listed on your emergency contact list.
If your child needs to catch the bus on that day or is attending our After School Care Programme, they will return to school in time with a teacher. All other children not collected will return to school with the staff.
This is also a perfect opportunity for your family to discuss and plan your own family earthquake plan.
Board Talk - Mike Tohill, Presiding Member
We had our second to last Board of Trustees meeting for the year last week. It was a full house and a lot of productive discussions were had. We talked about the strategic plan that will be finalised and put into place from next year. We have previously had a consultation with the community that formed the basis of the strategic plan. We now have our draft plan formulated and will be putting that out for a final consultation to yourselves, so when you see the survey please let us know what you think.
We had our standard discussions around Health and Safety and Finance. We are lucky to have some really talented people on the Board who provide some analysis around those areas for us all so that we can easily recognise and address any issues as they arise. I am pleased to be able to say that everything is on track in those areas and as expected.
Donna talked to her report of activity over the course of last term. It was a really busy term and our students and teachers were involved in a number of activities, both in and outside the school. We were represented so well by our teachers and our children. We will also be working with teachers from other schools and supporting them, as part of the Kahui Ako, so it will be great to learn from the experience and knowledge of others as well as sharing our unique perspective and the extensive knowledge of our teachers with other schools.
The end of the term is racing towards us. Stay safe and look after yourselves as we head towards summer and a well-earned break for all.
Nga mihi
Mike Tohill – Presiding Member – St. Theresa’s BoT
Your Choice Clothing (YCC) Day - Friday, 10th November
Next Friday, (10th November) is a 'Your Choice Clothing Day' and we ask all children for a 'Christmassy' donation for the privilege of not having to wear uniform, instead of the usual gold coin. All donations are for the Christmas Raffle being drawn at our final Assembly and we're asking for sauces, wine, chocolates, biscuits, crackers, nuts, etc. - anything that you're likely to get in a lovely Christmas hamper. Thank you in advance for your ongoing support.
EPro8 Challenge - we have some winners!
The EPro8 Challenge is an Engineering and Technology challenge in which students work in groups of four to solve a challenge. These are complex problems and incorporate pulleys, structures, gears and electronics. This year we had two teams enter the Interschools Competition. Congratulations to Jacob, Jayden, Bella and Sacha who took out first place. They will go through to the semi-finals later on in the term.
Year 3 & 4 Football Tournament
On Tuesday, four teams representing St. Theresa's went to Endeavour Park to participate in a fun Football Tournament with other schools from the Parumoana area. We were extremely lucky to have such beautiful weather. Everyone gave their all and each team came away with a few wins, draws and losses to end a fantastic day of football.
Thank you to Wests for helping to organise and to our parent helpers Miranda Hogan and Brady McMinn for your help and support on the day.
The news in, is that everybody had a great time at this year's DISCO! A big thanks to the co-ordinators and the parents who helped in any and many ways. A huge thank you to New World Paremata for generously donating 200 hot dogs with buns ready to go for our Disco! If you’re popping into their store, please say thanks from the St. T’s whānau!
Each family will have been given a book of 10 raffle tickets to sell. There are lots of prizes to be won and the draw will take place on Friday, 8th December at our final Assembly. Some families have already returned their sold books and taken more - thank you so much!
Just a heads up - raffle tickets can be paid for by cash, Eftpos at the Office or directly into our School bank account (12 3254 0109325 00). If paying by internet banking, please write across the envlope containing the butts, that this is what you have done, please put the date of payment and return them to school.
Extra books are available to anyone who feels they could sell more.
Many thanks in advance for your support.
Mystery Jars - Keep everyone guessing!
What is a Mystery Jar?
The explanation is in the title! It is a jar filled with unknown contents, but always lots of fun, tasty, cool, crafty things!
The process:
- Find a clean, empty jar
- Decide what fun surprises you want to fill it with! Some suggestions / ideas:
- a balloon, a stamp, a few lollies
- stickers, a notebook, a fancy pen
- a small hairbrush, hair ties and a bow
- a toy car, a small water pistol, a packet of water balloons
- uncooked rice with a $5 note tucked into the middle!
- THE OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS!
- Wrap your filled jar in a creative way – let your imagination run wild!
- Drop off to the school office ready for the Christmas Fun Night!
This is a fantastic activity for your children to be part of! Get them in the spirit of giving by creating a jar for some OTHER lucky child to unwrap!
Important dates for Term 4, 2023
Learning Hub Report from Sarah Hunt, our Librarian
Planning is underway for our annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) display. The Hub Leaders are creating artworks and trinkets for the display. You will see a beautiful altar created in the Learning Hub (LH).
Along with with All Souls Day and remembering loved ones who have left us, this festival aligns nicely and is celebrated in place of Halloween.
This beautiful poster has been created by Maya and will be a part of the LH display.
Dia De Los Muertos is a two day holiday that reunites the living and dead. Families create ofrendas (offerings), to honour their departed family members who have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed and the favourite foods and drinks of the one being honoured. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods and join in the celebrations!
If you want to learn more about this colourful Mexican festival you can do so here
Term 4 in the Learning Hub - Dates to remember
A busy term ahead in the LH with many things happening so keep a watch over the coming weeks. Lots of fun to share.
First up some key dates:
- Week 7 - Annual stocktake prep - all overdue books recalled;
- Week 7 - Christmas display begins.
Get ready to ignite your child's musical passion! Goodtime Music Academy teaches at St. Theresa's School and is offering award-winning in-school music lessons. Say goodbye to post-school commutes! Dive into the world of music in a vibrant group setting with the following instrument lesson: Drums, Guitar, Keyboard, Ukulele or our 'Intro to Music' course. The excitement doesn't stop there! Your child will have the chance to shine in our thrilling concerts.
No pizza on the last day of term - 15th December.
The full procedure details for ordering are attached.
St. T's After School Care - come check it out!
After School Care - Permanent or Casual
We offer a fun, innovative program that caters for each individual child, in a safe and relaxing environment. Your child will be supervised by skilled leaders who enjoy creating opportunities for play, in and outdoors. We use the school playground as well as the swimming pool in summer. We are well-resourced and have planned and spontaneous activities that include baking, arts and crafts, quiet areas, science and outdoor physical/sporty activities.
Where? Parish Hall
When? 2.45pm – 5.30pm. Monday
Cost? $20 per day with a discount of 10% for siblings.
Early pick up (4p.m.) - $10 per child
There will be no fee for sickness. Children can be booked in full time, on selected days or on a casual basis as well.
As we need to arrange extra staffing and food when our numbers go over certain ratios, we ask that the following procedure is followed:
- Please let us know by 12.30p.m., via email to ASC asc2021@stp.school.nz or text (021-08563504) Hannah if your child is not attending a session they have been booked in to. If your child is sick on a day they are booked in, please add ASC when you email the office so that they can be removed from the roll for that day. Due to the costs involved with increased numbers, there will be a $10 non-notification fee applied.
Enrolment forms are available from both the School Office or Hannah, the programme manager, in the Hall.
The booking facility is on our website.
https://www.st-theresas.school.nz/1488/forms/45-after-school-care-booking-form-term-4/submissions/new
If you have any questions, please contact Hannah on 021-08563504 or email asc2021@stp.school.nz.
St. Theresa's Secondhand School Uniform Shop - Bag a bargain!
Link to download Schoolzine App
NEWSLETTER APP
Here is the link to download the Schoolzine App. At the end of set up, you are asked for a passcode and this is 3025.
An important update for SZapp has been released to accomodate for iPhones which have been intermittently receiving push notifications.
SZapp is available from the App Store now.
Users with automatic updates enabled on their device will recieve this update automatically.
We're still collecting Yummy stickers which earn us points for sports equipment. A chart is attached for you to use and copies are also available from the Office.
If you would like to order a picket, please complete the attached form and return to the Office. The cost is $35 per picket.