E rere ana tēnei mihi ki te katoa o te whānau whānui me te hāpori o Hato Ani!!!
What a wild week or two we have had. The weather has been so hot I had to test the fire hoses out and then so cold we were having snow on the mountains of Kā Tiritiri o te Moana (The Southern Alps). We had six staff members away with covid at once last week and now we are back to our full contingent. Thank you for being vigilant checking your own children for covid. We were close to having to shut for a day or two but the teachers worked so hard to get through the week and help cover for those away. We also had an opening Mass for all teachers at Catholic schools too. Wild has been an understatement, we are looking forward to a rest this weekend.
At the Commissioning Mass on Tuesday, two of our teachers were amongst a handful of teachers who have completed their Certificate of Religious Studies. This is an accumulation of around 350 hours of study in religious studies. They know their stuff!
A big well done to Caitlin Barnes and Joshua Halkett for this achievement (we are awaiting the photo from the diocese).
Note: We no longer have a DRS section but school, DRS and parish notices are weaved in no particular order so make sure you scroll through to the bottom so you know everything that is happening here and next door! Kā mihi e te whānau!
PUM Union Meeting
A reminder that we shut at 12.30pm on Thursday 2 March. We request your child is picked up (if possible), if you are giving permission for them to walk home, please email or tell their teacher, if you cannot arrange anything else, I will supervise them in the library. Please note all teachers are attending the meeting so supervision will be done by just me and a teacher aid. We apologise for the inconvenience this causes!
Ash Wednesday – By Xum Lampitoc and Kalista Maaya – Rūma Ono (Rm6)
This Wednesday our school went to Mass for Ash Wednesday. This Ash Wednesday was different from the past two years because this was the first time we got to spend Ash Wednesday together with the community. We were lucky because we had Father Ben as our priest for this Mass. Everyone loved his energy and his enthusiasm.
Father Ben taught us about the three main things we need to focus on in lent; prayer, fasting and giving. During the Mass we had ashes put on our foreheads. The reason we put ash on our foreheads is to represent mortality and penance for people’s sins. Thanks to the teachers and Father Ben for organizing this Mass. We hope you have a good Lent!
A Prayer for Lent – By Lorenz Rivada – Rūma Ono (Rm6)
E te Ariki, We pray for your guidance, strength and love during our journey of Lent. Please cleanse us from our sins and deliver us from evil. Please forgive our sins. Thank you Jesus for everything you have done for us, we love you. Amen.
Alpha
What’s my purpose? You’re not the only one with questions. Try Alpha!
Alpha is a place to explore the Christian faith with others. It’s a series of sessions focused on questions of life, faith and meaning. Each session has food, a talk, with space to discuss and ask any questions you have. No pressure, no follow up, no charge. Why am I here? Does God exist?
Join us on Thursdays @ 7pm in our St Anne’s Church Hall for Dessert and Alpha. For more information contact Janette via our parish office or email Janette@christchurcheast.org.nz
Camp
Our Year 7 and 8 students are off on camp starting Monday through Wednesday. We hope they give everything a try and have the best time.
Youth Group
Crowns Jnr Youth Group is for all Year 7-8 students, this is run every Friday from 4:30pm – 6pm at St Anne’s Hall.
For more information email Rebekah at Stay3.16@gmail.com
Altar Servers
If you have received your First Holy Communion and would like to Altar Serve, you will need to register or for those that have served in the past years, you will need to re-register. Please complete the new registration form and email to Janette@christchurcheast.org.nz
Special Character Based Upcoming events:
Parents are welcome to join us. Please note, there is a calendar on your Skool Loop app this is updated daily and contains ALL SCHOOL EVENTS you need to know about.
Wed 1 Mar – Room 5 & 6 Class Mass – 9.15am
Fri 3 Mar – Room 7 Assembly – 2.00pm
Wed 8 Mar – Room 3 & 4 Class Mass – 9.15am
Sun 12 Mar – Room 4 & 7 Class Mass – 10.30am
Wed 15 Mar – Room 1 & 2 Class Mass – 9.15am
Fri 17 Mar – Room 6 Assembly – 2.00pm
Wed 22 Mar – Room 7 & 8 Class Mass – 9.15am
Wed 29 Mar – Room 5 & 6 Class Mass – 9.15am
Fri 31 Mar – Room 5 Assembly – 2.00pm
Wed 5 Apr – Room 3 & 4 Class Mass – 9.15am
Spring Sale – Bucket Hats
We have some new stock of bucket hats. These are great for students who are sporty and struggle with the big wide brims in the wind when playing sport. They also fit in your pocket if you are clever. These are available next week at $5 each from the office while stocks last. Cash only team! The UV levels are still really high so please ensure your children have hats daily until the end of the term.
It’s that time again!
In less than two weeks we’re participating in CCC’s Walk or Wheel to School week!
The event is designed to reduce traffic around schools and encourage children to be more active. It also aims to be fun!
There are daily themes but you don’t have to follow them to participate. All we want to see at St Anne’s is more children walking, cycling, scooting or ‘moving’ to school – safely. We have some prizes and giveaways donated by CCC and these will be handed out randomly to children seen ‘Walking or Wheeling’ to school each day during the week.
If you’re interested in finding out more, check out the Christchurch City Council’s webpage. The Council’s Facebook page also provides the opportunity to win prizes. If you visit the page and click that you’re ‘Going’ to the event, you might win a prize.
Themes for the week:
Mon 06 March – Move it Monday
Start the week by walking or wheeling to school.
Tues 07 March – Travel Together Tuesday
Celebrate by travelling to school with your friends.
Wed 08 March – Whānau Wednesday
Move to school with your family.
Thurs 09 March – Thoughtful Thursday
Help the planet by walking or wheeling to school.
Fri 10 March – Funky Feet Friday
Dress your feet in your funkiest footwear for the trip to school.
Building Update
The work is ticking along.
Please remember not to park in front of the gate as often workers need to get in and out. Also, it is role modelling following the law (a good thing to do in front of children).
Currently Room 7 and 8’s new rooms are close to completion and now the work around the outside is happening. Sitting areas, tar seal, storage etc.
Room 1 and 2 are having their new toilets being close to completed at the moment.
Estimated finish dates are mid to late March.
Parking
On parking, the parish is continuously asking for you all not to use their car park. In the morning, elderly parishioners who can’t walk far aren’t able to attend Mass, nor can the priests drive in or out. It is not our car park and is dangerous to use. Please don’t drive in there. We give a donation each year so we have permission to use St Johns for parking (on the corner) but please don’t park on their grass as it ruins it. Thanks heaps team!
GRIT winners
At St Anne’s we announce at assembly the students who have showed the most perseverance over the fortnight. They come and hang out with me in my office and receive cool prizes. Here are some of our first winners for the year.
Kia pai te wīkene!!! (Have a good weekend)
Dallas and the team