Tēnā koutou katoa, talofa, kumusta, kia orāna, and greetings to you all!
As we come to the end of the term we think about the important week we are in. Holy week is a special week and a somewhat solemn week. Yesterday we were blessed to have our new Faith Team in action. They led us through the Stations of the Cross. Usually this would be done on the Thursday (can’t do on the Friday) but we have a big day today moving classrooms. Rooms 7 and 8 move into their new rooms, Rooms 1 and 2 will move to the Mission Centre temporarily while their class is refurbished.
St Vincent de Paul Lent Appeal
A huge thank you for all of the generous donations we received to support the St Vincent de Paul Society and those in need this Lent. We collected over 300 items! Thank you for your support and generosity.
Stations of the Cross – By Zak Walker and Jeremy Swain
This week on Wednesday, the Faith Team took classes around the church and showed them the Stations of the Cross. We explained each station and reflected on how Jesus and the people in the crowd would have felt through the whole experience.
Here are the Stations of the Cross:
First Station: Jesus was condemned to death.
Second Station: Jesus is made to carry the cross.
Third Station: Jesus falls for the first time.
Fourth Station: Jesus meets his blessed mother.
Fifth Station: Simon helps Jesus carry his cross.
Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
Seventh Station: Jesus falls for the second time.
Eighth Station: Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem.
Ninth Station: Jesus falls for the third time.
Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped of his garments.
Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross.
Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the cross.
Thirteenth Station: Jesus is taken down from the cross.
Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb.
Teacher Only Day – Monday 24 April
Like most schools in Christchurch, we have a teacher only day on Monday 24 April. The Ministry requested one be taken by all schools in the two weeks after the term one break. Most schools picked the Monday so families who wanted to, and could, take a longer weekend as Tuesday 25 is ANZAC day holiday. Unfortunately, Kidsbase will not be available on this day. This is for schools to collaborate together and spend time looking at the Curriculum Refresh. We apologise for missing this in the last newsletter.
ANZAC Day holiday – Tuesday 25 April
A reminder.
Tautai o le Moana
Last week I was in Paihia and Opononi on the Tautai o le Moana residential. I spent time with some amazing leaders. All of the people below are principals from ‘just started’ to 30 years in. The leaders are principals on release for a year to support us. I am grateful to our School Board supporting me to grow in my leadership of Pasifika children. This is a year long programme (sometimes two). I look forward to May as I am headed to Auckland for the New Zealand Pasifika Principals conference on bilingual leadership.
What is Tautai: Tautai o Le Moana is a professional learning and development pathway created by Pasifika principals, for principals of Pasifika learners, and focused on changing educational outcomes for Pasifika/Pacific students.
A key element of this pathway is strengthening leadership capabilities by engaging principals in educational transformation through a process of deep learning, mentoring, coaching, critical conscientisation and collaboration. The emphasis is on change that is sustainable and enduring, with a focus on the goal of Pasifika educational success as Pasifika.
Who is my coach: Taitu’uga Geoff Siave
Geoff’s most recent principalship was Shirley Intermediate School. He is of Sāmoan descent and is not a bad te reo Māori speaker also. I am excited to be working with him.
Can you spot me at ‘The Footsteps of Kupe’? Clue: I’m wearing an ‘Ei Katu (head garland)
Faith Trip
This was the GRIT trip in previous years, however, we need to be reminded of the reason for our school. One student per class is chosen for their stand out efforts in terms of living their faith. To keep it simple, love of God and love of one another. When we love one another, we treat them kindly, we respect them, and we help those that need it. These students have done this over term one and we are super proud of them.
Healthy Active Learning
At school we are participating in Healthy Active Learning. Outside of school, students are staying active, check out these legends at the McDonalds Duathlon.
Staff are also trying to stay healthy. Both Clara Fleming and I (Dallas Wichman) completed the Everest Challenge with a day to spare! 18,000m climbed between us. Around 60 times up and down the Port Hills in the month. If you want to do some almsgiving this Lent, click on our links. $5 is heaps! Also you can see our progress.
https://summitchallenge.org/clara-fleming
https://summitchallenge.org/dallas-wichman
Also, Mr Isherwood was second and third in the Surf Lifesaving National Championships in Christchurch a few weekends ago.
Inside of school time we started a new sports tournament with schools in our Kāhui. Namely St James, St Mary’s, CCC and us. The aim was to see if we could run something better than Hagley Sport. Often we spend the day preparing for Hagley, finding coaches, getting to the venue, finding the teams and then finally getting a 20 minute game for the days effort. Sometimes teams would win by 50-0, sometimes 0-50 and every now and again a close game.
Therefore, we wanted:
– Three different sports played each time.
– Minimum of 1 hour of non stop sport with no (or little amount) of subs.
– At least one indigenous sport.
– Even teams.
– Mixed (gender) teams.
– Celebration of achievements in other areas (teamwork, care for others, te reo Māori use).
– A chance to meet students from other schools and get to know them better.
– Being us!
Upcoming Events in Term 2:
Week 1
Monday 24 April – Teacher Only Day
Tuesday 25 April – ANZAC day
Wednesday 26-28 April – Life Education Bus
Wednesday – Sport coaches working at St Anne’s (ongoing)
Week 2
Monday 1 May – Marian College Open Day
Tuesday 2 May – St Bede’s Open Day
Friday 5 May – Estimated completion date for Rooms 1 and 2 upgrade.
We are organising a Mihi Whakatau and new parents meeting, a talanoa and a few other events, but are just waiting on our work to be complete so we have appropriate venues. These dates will come out soon.
Reminders:
Winter uniform – make sure you order any new items early in the holidays to ensure your children are in the correct uniform after the holiday break. Sweatshirts/tunics should not be replaced by fleeces and outdoor jackets in class. A limited number of beanies are available at the office for $10, or you can purchase them at Mainland Uniforms City, Peterborough Street. A massive thank you for the fixing up of uniform standards, much appreciated!!!
Carpark/Drop off zone – Now, and when the fences are removed, the school carpark is only for staff cars (not a drop off area). The street parking in front of the school is a drop off and pick up zone during 8.15am to 9.15am, and 2.30pm to 3.30pm. It has a 3min limit which is enough to help children get out, give them a kiss, wave and off to work. Please respect this and don’t park here if you need to come into school, it’s not fair on those who are wanting to use it for what it is intended for.
St Anne’s Church is not our school, they continually ask us to tell you not to park there. Please respect them.
Feel free to use St John’s Church carpark on the corner, we have permission and give them a donation once a year but please keep off the grass.
School Opening Hours – 8.30am – 3.10pm
The weather will be much colder next term so please do not drop your children off before 8.30am as they will have to wait outside in the cold.
Absence/Illness- You are obliged to advise the school before 9am if your child is not attending or will be late. You should also advise the teacher in advance of any holidays or appointments during school time. Also if they are to be picked up during the day this should also be advised to the teacher ahead of time. If your child is unwell please keep them at home until you are sure they are well. Let’s keep everyone safe and healthy this winter.
If you haven’t mastered Skool Loop yet then pop into the office and we can help you, as this is used for most of our general home/school communications.
Dental Van – All students will be seen during the teams visit early in Term 2.
Finally, only a few days left. Pray more, give alms, and fast! This is a time to reflect on what is really important. I would like to encourage (for those in Rooms 5,6,7,8) use of Languagenut (especially sentence builder-fridge magnets), Mathletics and our Homework Challenges over the break. If students get bored, what a great chance to learn another language, tick along in their mathematics and complete some cool challenges. Please see your teacher before the break if you have forgotten any passwords. Homework challenges are on our website if that is lost.
Have a blessed Easter!
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(=’.’=)
(“)_(“) Dallas and the team!
