Kā mihi o te Aweneti ki a koutou katoa,
Advent greetings to you all,
We are definitely in Advent now and it is feeling very busy!!! So much to do in so little time.
First up, celebrations:
Congratulations to our group of children who received their First Holy Communion at Mass on Sunday 26 November and Eric Loto who received his a week later during the Samoan Mass. Well done to them, to those involved in the programmes, and to the parents and caregivers for their work as first faith teachers.
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING? (Photos on last page, 100s more on our School Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063793352859
♦ Canterbury Athletics Championships
Well done to these students for their efforts representing our school.
Long Jump Year 7 – Shammie – 27th = she jumped 3.64m
High Jump Year 8 – Jak Walker – 21st= jumped 1.3m
Shot Put Year 7 – Maua Tanoai – 15th= throwing 8.12m
Shot Put Year 7/8 AWD – Eric Loto – 2nd with a throw of 3.63m
Thanks to Dean and Matt for helping these students and to Penny and Cathy for transport, support and photos (see Facebook).
♦ All Cultures’ Day
This was a great day and we had a lot of positive feedback. Many thanks to the parents and caregivers who contributed food for the day. Please see Facebook for our photos.
♦ Touch
The finals were yesterday, and although not our best year in terms of placings, it’s about getting out there and giving it your best. Thanks to all those who turned up each week to do this for their team and to all the parents and coaches for their work.
♦ Hip Hop
Wow, this was a big showcase on the weekend. Well done to our first Hip Hop group. We look forward to them performing again at prizegiving.
♦ Nativity
The link to this video is on Facebook. Big thanks to Jo and Ateliana for their work putting this together. Also to the parents and caregivers for helping out with costumes.
♦ Kiwican Awards
Great job Charlei and Jack for being selected as the top junior and senior students during Kiwican lessons. Congratulations on your awards!
URGENT INFORMATION (COVERING THE LAST WEEK AND A BIT)
Youth Group Christmas Break Up – Tonight
3.15pm Gen 1:1 Years 5/6
4.30pm Crowns Years 7/8
Mahi Kāika Trip – Monday 11 December
Letters have gone out regarding this if your child completed the senior homework challenges. Students will need Grip socks if they have some for trampolining, and warm clothes for ice skating. It has also been requested that students have a helmet (a cycle helmet is fine). If you don’t have one, one will be available there, but they have limited stock. If you can come along and help, let us know.
josh@stannes.co.nz
Last Kapahaka Practice – Tuesday 12 December 2pm-2.50pm
This is on the important list because it is the last practice for the performance group who will be performing at Prize Giving. If any child wants to give a card or gift to Matua Sonny or Whaea Tui, this would be a good time. No pressure.
dean@stannes.co.nz
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’ Dinner – Wednesday 13 December – 6.15pm
Winnie Bagoes Ferrymead, 2 Waterman Place
Information has gone home about this but this is for the Year 8 students and caregivers. If you haven’t confirmed you are going, please contact Dean asap. The school will cover the cost of the students’ dinner from a set menu.
dean@stannes.co.nz
Reports home – Thursday 14 December
We are aiming for this day for reports but could be a day either side of it. Please check your child’s bag for this.
Prizegiving – Thursday 14 December 5.30pm doors open, 6pm sharp start @Catholic Cathedral College (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 prize giving. 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. See Dean if you need to borrow a school Filipino costume.
Pasifika group
Please come in your Pasifika dress also (white t-shirts etc). 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.
dean@stannes.co.nz
Prizegiving – Non performers – Thursday 14 December 5.30pm doors open, 6pm sharp start @Catholic Cathedral College
Each class will have certificate winners, there are homework prizes, and the premium awards (premium are mainly Year 8’s as they have the advantage of being at school longer to show their skills and achievement but there will also be some in Years 5-8 as well). Parents are not 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.
dean@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.
clara@stannes.co.nz
Newsletter – End of Year – Friday 15 December
We hope to have this out on time. It will also be digital on Skool Loop. It will have classes and stationery lists in it.
shelley@stannes.co.nz
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)
Te Atua te aro’a!
Kia manuia,
Dallas Wichman
Tumuaki
