Kā mihi o te Aweneti (tata ki) ki a koutou katoa,
Advent (almost) greetings to you all,
We are almost at Advent (one week)! Time flies! Advent is a time of preparation in the Church, and we hope this newsletter prepares you well for the last few weeks of school. Please read things carefully and if you have any questions, please contact the school.
First up, celebrations:
Congratulations to Oliver who joined the family of the Church through baptism recently. He never misses Youth Group and is very faithful and knowledgeable in the faith.
Also, our stars of the last week! Prizes in my office for these students who have been showing their faith through their actions! Loving God and loving their neighbours! Legends!
Well done to Issy Wichman for her team winning their division at the National Cheerleading Championships and 4th overall (over 100 teams).
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?
– Rooms 3, 4 and the library have received new carpet due to the wear and tear.
– Rooms 5 and 6 received new cubbies to help store their bags, hats, drink bottles, jackets etc.
Thanks to the Board for these upgrades.
River Safety
Our seniors missed out on swimming but learnt life skills instead. How to be safe around a river, and lots of other survival tasks. Thanks Mr Isherwood for organising this and the parents/grandparents for their help.
Swimming
Swimming is done for another year! Thanks parents for your help drying swim gear and making sure it was there every day. Thanks teachers for not having lunch breaks for two weeks due to the timing of swimming and thanks to Linwood Pool!
Top Team
Lots of team work challenges for the seniors. They had a great time and learned to work together! They also got a little wet!
URGENT INFORMATION (NEXT TWO WEEKS)
First Communion – This Sunday 26 November 10.30am
We are so proud that so many of our students are receiving this sacrament this weekend. Please join us on Sunday for the celebration Mass 10.30am at St Anne’s.
Canterbury Primary School Athletics Championships – Wednesday 29th November
We wish the best of luck to Shammie Batangas, Eric Loto, Zak Walker, and Filimaua Tanoai who will be representing St Anne’s and the South-East Zone at the Canterbury Primary School Athletics Championships next week at Ngā Puna Wai.
All Cultures’ Day – Friday 1 December
We love language weeks here, but this day is celebrating all the wonderful cultures at our school.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in different activities and have a shared lunch with their class. We ask that every student brings some food along to share that showcases a part of their heritage and encourage students to dress up in traditional clothing. You can wear attire that reflects your culture/heritage or one of your cultures/heritages. This is everybody! If you are NZ born, and would like to reflect this, something NZ style. If you want to reflect where your parents, or grandparents come from, go for it. Please don’t treat it as just another non-uniform day.
This is a great opportunity for all students to learn more about their heritage and share it with their classmates. If your culture has not had a ‘week’ and you have some cool ideas we can use, please mention it to your child’s teacher!
We are looking forward to an exciting day celebrating all of our cultures!
Nativity Play-Thursday 7th December – 2pm
Speaking of Advent, the family performance of our junior Nativity is at 2pm in the Mission Centre on Thursday 7 December, all welcome but please avoid bringing preschoolers/young ones who might make it hard for families to hear. Thanks for your consideration of others.
Please talk to Jo or Ateliana if you are unsure about costumes.
jo@stannes.co.nz
ateliana@stannes.co.nz
FYI SO YOU CAN PUT IN THE CALENDAR
End of the Year
We finish at the usual time of 2.50pm on Tuesday 19 December. Many people told us over the last few years 12pm was annoying and not worth the rush in the morning.
On Wednesday, staff will be onsite in the morning tidying up from the classroom movements of the Monday and Tuesday, ensuring all things are completed for 2023 and looking at 2024 and some of the things other schools did in a teacher only day a few weeks back that we didn’t take (we didn’t as we understand the difficulty finding childcare during the school term).
You are welcome to pop in with your child that morning to meet next year’s teacher to save any anxiety that may exist over the holidays, or if you have any questions for them regarding stationery or the 2024 year.
Whilst we have no new teachers starting, there are movements between classrooms so students may be with teachers they weren’t expecting.
Kidsbase will be running that day and the last two days before Christmas from their Spreydon site. (more information about holiday programmes below)
Prizegiving – Thursday 14 December 5.30pm doors open, 6pm sharp start
(including performances by the following groups)
Kapahaka Performance Rōpū
Our Kapahaka group is performing first at 6pm on the dot! Please arrive at 5.30pm if you have students in the Kapahaka group. Their performance uniform will be sent home the day before prizegiving. Please ensure they come dressed and ready to perform (with other clothes to change after performing in a bag). No lipstick due to students being in multiple groups and prizegiving. Hair needs to be in a bun, and boys, a topknot, please.
Please save your child a seat next to you in the hall as they will come to you as soon as they get changed. When you first arrive, decide on a place you will be so they can find you.
Hip Hop group
Please come in your hip hop uniform also. Students need to sit next to their parents and will be called before they are to perform.
Filipino group
Please come in your Filipino dress also. Students need to sit next to their parents and will be called before they are to perform.
Pasifika group
Please come in your Pasifika dress also. Students need to sit next to their parents and will be called before they are to perform.
What if my child is in more than one group?
Practise changing clothes quickly. There are areas for this. No face decorations in any groups.
Prizegiving – Non performers – Thursday 14 December 5.30pm doors open, 6pm sharp start
Each class will have certificate winners, there are homework prizes, and the premium awards (premium are mainly years 8 but there will be years 5-8 as well). Parents aren’t told if students are receiving prizes as we hope, as a small, parish based school, families will be there to support all families in our parish and school.
NOTE: Students sit with families and tidy dress please (school uniform not required).
Why should I go?
– Your child could win a prize/certificate.
– Support other families and friends who get them or are dancing, more people cheering.
– Support our top students who have worked hard for years! Who will be dux?
– Watch the results of some of our dance groups that children could opt into.
Willowbank – Wednesday 13 December – 9.30am-2.30pm
Room 1 & 2 are going to Willowbank on Wednesday the 13th from 9.30 – 2.30pm. Please let Jo or Ateliana know if you can offer parent help.
jo@stannes.co.nz
ateliana@stannes.co.nz
Leavers’ / End of Year Mass – Friday 15 December – 1.30pm
On the final Friday of the term we will be celebrating a whole school Mass for our year 8 students who are moving on to high school next year. We would like to warmly invite all families to be a part of our final Mass, especially the parents and whānau of our year 8 leavers. The Mass will be at 1.30pm in St Anne’s Church.
Sport Canterbury Healthy Active Learning Survey (another one but different questions and for different reasons)
As part of our school’s commitment to the well-being of our students and in collaboration with Sport Canterbury, St Anne’s is thrilled to be continuing with the Healthy Active Learning initiative in 2024. The initiative is a voluntary programme nationwide programme aimed at enhancing the well-being of children and young people.
To ensure that we are continually improving and tailoring our approach to sport, physical education, and physical activity, we are seeking your input through a survey. Your feedback will be instrumental in shaping our direction in 2024
Survey Details:
The survey is completely voluntary and comes at no cost to our school community. It will contribute to the Government’s key priority of improving the well-being of children and young people, aligning with the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. All information gathered will remain anonymous. Completed surveys will be used by Matt and Lynn from Sport Canterbury to provide further support to St Anne’s in enhancing our sport, PE, and physical activity programme. As a token of appreciation for your participation, there’s a wee prize for each child who helps their family complete the survey!
How to Participate:
– Families can access the survey online by scanning the QR code on the flyer which is attached to this newsletter (hard copy)
– Once the survey is completed, kindly ask your child to bring back the A5 sheet to Mr Isherwood in Room 8.
– Your involvement is crucial in making our school an even better place for our children. Let’s work together to create a healthier, more active learning environment.
Week 8
Tuesday 28 November – 3pm Hip Hop Training edstudio2021@gmail.com
Wednesday 29 November – Canterbury Athletics Competition dean@stannes.co.nz
Friday 1 December – All Cultures Day hazel@stannes.co.nz
Saturday 2 December – Hip Hop team rehearsal 3pm-6pm edstudio2021@gmail.com
Sunday 3 December – Hip Hop team – Euphoria Dance Concert 7.30pm edstudio2021@gmail.com
Week 9
Monday 4 December – Science Roadshow years 7 and 8 dean@stannes.co.nz
Tuesday 5 December – Kiwican prizegiving (Well done Charlei and Jack M)
Thursday 7 December – Nativity 2pm jo@stannes.co.nz
Friday 8 December – Rotary prizegiving (Well done Jeremy and Mac) dean@stannes.co.nz
Week 10
Monday 11 December – Mahi Kāika Trip (details TBC)
Wednesday 13 December – Leavers’ Dinner (6.15pm) dean@stannes.co.nz
Wednesday 13 December – Willowbank Trip (Rooms 1/2) jo@stannes.co.nz ateliana@stannes.co.nz
Thursday 14 December – 2023 Prize Giving – Catholic Cathedral College Hall (5.30pm doors open, 6pm start) dean@stannes.co.nz
Friday 15 December – Leavers’ Mass 1.30pm clara@stannes.co.nz
Friday 15 December – End of term Newsletter with classes etc.
Week 11
Tuesday 19 December – Last day 2.50pm finish
Tuesday 19 December – Hip Hop group last day 3pm-4pm edstudio2021@gmail.com
Wednesday 20 December – 9am-12.30pm – If you would like, drop in and meet your new teacher and room with your parents (may not be super tidy at this point though)
Te Atua te aro’a!
Kia manuia,
Dallas Wichman
Tumuaki
