Fakamālo atu kia te koutou uma, (greetings everyone),

Firstly, before the newsletter starts, if you are one of the many parents parking on yellow lines straight outside our entrance, obstructing our road patrol children, forcing bikers into the car lanes, risking their lives or pushing cars to the centre of the road, STOP!!!! We are appalled you would threaten the safety of our community. Please everyone, take photos and send to the police. It’s disgusting!  

Moving on!
This week we finish celebrating the week of Te Gagana Tokelau (the Tokelau Language). We have had a few families of Tokelauan descent in our school for a number of years.

Tokelau finds its strength in four foundational pillars: language, culture, customs, and faith. When these pillars are fortified, not only does community well-being flourish, but the unique Tokelauan identity is also safeguarded for future generations. This year’s theme serves as a rallying cry for all Tokelauans residing in Aotearoa. There is a collective responsibility to ensure the Tokelauan ‘Fakavae’—the community’s spiritual and cultural values and practices—continue to prosper for generations yet unborn.
Some easy words to use today and tomorrow:
Mālo ni (Hi)
Fakafetai (thanks)
Fakamolemole (please)

Below: Big ‘fakafetai’ (thank you) to Blair Forrester from Forrester Electrical Limited (also a parent here) for brightening up our entrance and Tokelau Language Week display with these flash new lights.  Ko te Atua e lelei!
Kai raro: He nui te ‘fakafetai’ ki a Blair Forrester nō Forrester Electrical Limited (waihoki, he matua ki konei) i te pīataata ake o te tomokaka, i te whakaaturaka ‘Te Gagana Tokelau’, mā ēnei raiti hou. Ko te Atua e lelei!

Pilot Class/es
The feedback was a tad overwhelming here. We had so many families apply, we are looking at running two classes (identical to what was written two weeks ago, however, would allow to separate ages a little more, maybe a year 5-6 and a year 7-8 class). We are still firming up everything around this. If you missed the memo and are interested in registering, read last fortnight’s newsletter and then let us know asap (let’s say Monday please!).

Photos are MONDAY
Students need to be at school before 9am, in the correct summer uniform, (NO PE UNIFORM) including socks (ankle length) and black shoes. Hair should be tied up if shoulder length or longer with no bows or embellishments, please.

Mahi Kāika / Senior homework due in two weeks!
Remember not to hand it all in on the last day in case some aren’t up to the standard we expect, as there will be no time to fix them and students will miss out! Get them all in this week coming to ensure it all goes smoothly. 

Special Character Review
Over the last few days we have had Tony Shaw at St Annes. He was the old principal at Catholic Cathedral College, and now reviews schools on behalf of the Bishop. He spent time talking to staff, children, parents, the parish, the Faith Team and observed lessons and prayer services whilst he was here. The report will be put on our website when received, replacing the 2017 review. Reviews were somewhat delayed due to covid, and ours was due earlier in the year, but due to my father’s passing, and our DRS being away in term 3, it was delayed. We thank them for their understanding. Below is  a picture of Tony Shaw participating in a Mihi Whakatau (welcome) that is done to all visitors to the school. Room 6 and the Kapahaka group are performing a ‘Haka Pōwhiri’ or a welcoming haka to him.

Swimming
Swimming is happening in week 5 and 6. First day is 6th of November at Te Pou Toetoe (Linwood Pool). Teachers will be in touch closer to the time to let you know what times they will be swimming and junior classrooms (room 1-4) would appreciate parent help at the pool with getting changed.

Change is coming (not huge, don’t panic!)
Remember this? When I first arrived here eight years ago, I wanted a place that students were proud of, and that was deserving to be a dedication to God (like a Catholic school should be). We painted the school, modernised the logo (didn’t change the idea), and added signs. Our signs have done us well, but every child has left St Annes now. Our signs say our names but don’t represent us. We have some new ones coming. They show uniquely NZ and show our weaving of many cultures. They look super cool. We hope you like them.

Secret Trip
Each term, each teacher chooses a child who has really given it everything for the term. They go on a secret trip with the Principal and they don’t even know where they are going until they arrive at the door. This time is was 10 pin bowling, Laser Strike and video games. Well done to them!

Below:  Better late than never! We held our termly GRIT trip today as the last week of last term was so busy. This is for a student per class who tried really hard all term. I had a blast with these amazing students. I hope you all had a great time! (Mr Wichman)
Kai raro: He pai ake te tōmuri i te kore! I haere mātou i ruka i te tiripi NIWHA i te rā nei, nā te pukumahitaka o te wā i te wiki whakamutuka i tērā wāhaka. Ko tēnei tiripi, mā kā tamariki i whakapau kaha ai i te mahi i kā wā katoa i tērā wāhaka. I rawe ki a au te wā ki te taha o ēnei tamariki mīharo. Ko tōhoku tūmanako ia, i tino pai te wā ki a koutou katoa! (Matua)

All Saints/ All Souls Day Mass
Next Wednesday we will be celebrating the Feast of All Saints and All Souls with a whole school Mass. All Saints’ Day is celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church. All Souls’ Day is a day to remember the souls of all who have died. It is celebrated on November 2nd and is a special day to remember loved ones who are no longer with us.
All are welcome to join us as we celebrate Mass on Wednesday, November 1st, at 9.15am.

Lunchtime fun
Recently at lunchtimes we have had staff organised, pasifika style drumming lessons on a Friday, touch training, touch games, league (held) games, a Tokelau Language Week colouring in competition in the library, construction of a long jump pit, high jump trainings, and dance in the Mission Centre, and that’s just the last week and a half. We try to provide as much as we can. Please note, these are all offered on a whoever turns up and wants to join in, does. And it is also when staff can, often we have meetings at lunchtime. If you are interested in coming in at lunchtimes to offer activities, get in touch.

Athletics
As term 4 is now in full swing, our senior students will begin our athletics focus on running, jumping and throwing. All children have a natural tendency to run jump and throw and the aim of our teaching will be to encourage students to take an interest in athletics. I ask that each Tuesday and Thursday, students wear their correct PE kit to school. The South East Zone will hold the Zone Athletics competition on the 7th of November at Hansen Park. Some students who excel in our PE sessions will be selected to represent St. Anne’s.
Below: Our track, our long jump pit, the making of it, the worms we found and the rain that slowed us down.
Kai raro: Ko tō tātau ara amio, ko tō tātau pārua pekeroa, ko te hakaia, ko kā noke kua kitea, ko kā ua, ā, te hua.

Road Patrol Training
It is the time of the year when some of our fabulous Year 6 students will be selected by Mrs. Fleming and Mr. Isherwood to be Road Patrollers. Training for these students will take place on the 13th of November with Constable Meg.

EOTC Week for Year 7 & 8 Students
During Week 7, senior students will enjoy the thrills and spills of learning outside the classroom. We have booked Top Team in for Monday the 20th of November and a funky session with Simon and his team from KORE on Tuesday the 21st of November. More information for students from Room 7 & 8 will come via Seesaw. However, on both days, students will need to wear their PE kit to school, bring a towel and some dry clothes and plenty of kai.

Policies / Kā Here
A reminder, if you are interested and would like to take part in our termly reviews of policies, or are interested in any, they can be found  here.   Please follow the link and then have a look around! A reminder to check out the absences policy if you are heading away on a holiday during term time. Permission must be granted by the principal and the School Board if over 20 days.

Student achievements (Outside of school)
Charm (Room 8) was selected for a Christchurch Filipino mixed team for a tournament in Auckland last weekend and her team won their grade. Well done! (No photo sorry)

Zak (Room 8) is part of the Celebration Lions basketball team (as well as school) and his team won A grade this year and were undefeated for the season. He has recently been in Auckland with the Eastside Academy, an invite only team, and they also went through their grade undefeated there too! Go the Eastside! Well done Zak!

Te Atua te aro’a!
Kia manuia,
Dallas Wichman
Tumuaki