Term 3 Week 9
Principal's Message
Our Condolences
We ask for your prayers at this time for one of our past families, the Moss's. Koru Moss, known to us as Aoife, sadly passed away this week. They had been studying the International Baccalaureate at United World College in the USA. Our memories of them are of an extremely intelligent, passionate student, who was a great support to younger students as our school librarian. We send our love to Ivan, Grainne and their other children Orla, Leo and Anna.
Attendance Dues
As you know, a requirement for attending a Catholic school is the payment of fees to the Diocese, currently $545 per year. As principal, I have some leeway in reducing this amount for families if meeting the cost is difficult. Examples are, loss of a job, parents unable to work because of illness, families who are new refugees, families who are struggling financially for other reasons. Please contact me if you would like some help with a reduction.
Lisa Small,
Principal
Te Reo Māori Words of the Week
This week is Maori Language Week.
Here are some links you might like to explore.
Pronunciation- https://www.reomaori.co.nz/pronunciation
Mihi- https://www.reomaori.co.nz/learn-your-mihi
Maori Myths and Legends: https://eng.mataurangamaori.tki.org.nz/Rauemi-tautoko/Te-Reo-Maori/Nga-Pakiwaitara-Maori-me-nga-Purakau-Onaianei
Faith News
Social Justice Week
Thank you for your donations last Thursday. I am sure the Home of Compassion Soup Kitchen will be thrilled when we arrive.
Wednesday Mass
There will be no Wednesday Mass this week.
Parish Newsletter
This week’s Parish newsletter is available here
Celebration of Learning
Next Thursday 21 September from 2-3pm each class will be sharing their Term 3 learning. Please put this date in your diary and come along and visit your child’s classroom. The children will be happy to show you what has been happening at school this term. Anyone is welcome to join us- mums, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, au pairs, etc.
Congratulations - it's a Girl!
Congtratulations to Mason and his family who welcomed a healthy baby sister into their family last Week.
Calendar Art Fundraiser
The children are currently working on some fantastic artwork which can be made into cards, calendars, diaries, mousepads and sketch books. These make great Christmas presents for family and friends.
Artwork will be on display in the classrooms during the celebration of learning next Thursday.
Order forms will be sent home on the first Monday of next term.
Sun Hats
A reminder we are a sun smart school, so all children must have a school sunhat at school each day in Term 4 regardless of the weather.
School Admin
Lost Balls
A reminder that our neighbour will return any lost balls on a Friday. Please do not enter the property without permission, particularly now that they have a dog, or knock on their door during the day as one of the ladies works nights.
Absences
If your child is sick or unable to attend school for all or part of the day, please either send a notification via the school app (skool loop), email the school office on office@stbernards.school.nz or phone 3899377 by 9.00 a.m. so that your child's absence can be accounted for.
Children who are late need to report to the office in case they have been marked absent by the teacher who takes the roll first thing in the morning.
If an absence is planned for a special reason, a note or telephone call to the school in advance is appreciated. In cases of prolonged absence, e.g. a family trip, a written note is required.
Brooklyn Library Visits
This term we will resume our termly visits to Brooklyn Library. If your child wishes to borrow a book during the visit they need to bring their personal library card with them. We will return books on the next visit if they are brought back in time. Books not brought on the day of the visit will need to be returned by yourselves. If you would like to leave your child's card in the classroom between visits then teachers will find a safe place to keep them.
Room 2: 12 September
Room 1 Learning
As last week was PEACE week, we did many activities around PEACE, including writing our own Peace poems which we are publishing this week on dove shapes, look out for them on Room 1 windows.
Our art focus has been observational drawing using pencil. We have learnt how to shade from light to dark, draw thick and thin lines, and notice shapes, size and lines in nature to help us draw what we can see. We spent some time outside looking at the winter trees and drawing them.
Room 2 Learning
This week's Pūtaiao/Science lesson focused on pulleys. The pulley helps you to move a load or change direction of the force. Some everyday examples of pulleys include cranes, flag poles, and window blinds. The students worked in small groups and enjoyed choosing which type of pulley system they wanted to make.
For Social Justice Week, we began each day with peace prayers and reflections from Caritas. For writing, we used the peace resources to prompt descriptive writing, first writing what peace is, how to be a peacemaker in the classroom and what peace looks like, sounds like and feels like, then finishing with what peace means personally to each of us. Here are some examples:
Peace looks like blue gentle skies and calm wind. Peace sounds like gentle waves and the wind blowing. Peace feels like sitting by myself in silence. Marco
Peace looks like sitting with my family on the beach, hearing the beautiful blue ocean making waves. It feels like the wind blowing through me or lying down on a comfy couch. Peace means to me listening to calm music and watching the clouds go by. Annabel
Peace sounds like tui singing softly in the kowhai tree under the sunlight. Peace looks like the shadows made from the moonlight shining through the leaves. Peace feels like moving your hand in warm sand at the beach. Peace means to me being calm and happy. Quinn
Peace feels like a cuddly cat snuggling up beside me. Peace sounds like animals shuffling through the fallen leaves in autumn. Peace looks like a field with colourful flowers scattered on the ground. To me, peace means lying on the sofa with cats resting on me. Ethan
Room 4 Learning
Last week was Caritas Social Justice Week with the focus on promoting peace-rangimarie. Room 4 completed many activities including drawing their own doves, designing a basketball t-shirt with a peace theme, kahoots, and writing about peace using the human senses. For the last activity, the children described peace - writing about what peace would sound, feel, look, taste and smell like. Room 4 wrote some fantastic peace descriptions - here are a selection:
Alna Peace feels like staying calm and being polite. Peace is not being angry easily. Peace is helping others when they are hurt. Peace feels like stroking your pet. Peace sounds like respecting others' opinions. Peace sounds like you and your friend laughing. Peace tastes like mince pies. Peace smells like crushed coffee beans.
Riley Peace smells like crushed coffee beans, a field of dandelions and a bbq. Peace looks like blossoms falling down from cherry blossom trees and coral reefs where the fish are always moving. It looks like the sea so reflective you can see yourself in the water.
Peace sounds like a flowing river that makes you sleep in just a millisecond. It is the sound of kinetic sand getting sliced in half with a knife. Peace feels like a stress ball twice the size of your palm, it feels like you are dipping your hand in a bucket of sand. Peace tastes like pepperoni pizza from Domino’s and mince pies that are freshly baked.
Sam Peace smells like freshly mowed grass. If you haven't smelled freshly mowed grass before, I'm not sure how to describe it, it's just a nice smell. Peace also smells like a barbeque cooking burgers. Peace feels like soft, cool grass, and peace feels like my cat (and also other cats). Cats are so soft, and their purring reduces stress, also, cats are just so cute.
Peace tastes like halva, which is a crumbly sweet sesame food that is very delicious. Peace looks like a big grass field with a blue sky and lots of animals, but no mosquitoes. Peace sounds like birds chirping, but not too loud. Peace looks like snorkeling in clear water, with tropical fish in a colourful coral reef, and sunlight shining through the water's surface.
Erin Peace smells like fresh spaghetti with bolognese. Spaghetti is one of my favourite foods. The spaghetti reminds me of how long my friendships have been, the bolognese reminds me of a heart. Peace looks like having fun with friends and family. Peace also looks like a calm day meditating. Meditating is very calm and focused on nature.
Peace feels like having a best friend in your life, a best friend can support you, help you and play with you. Peace feels like having a BIG adventure around the world, it makes me feel excited and calm. Peace tastes like a chocolate ice cream sundae with a big Oreo in the middle. I like ice cream sundaes because they have a lot of flavours and taste delicious. Peace sounds like birds chirping on a tree early in the morning. Peace reminds me of a church hymn, a whole community singing to our grateful God.
Birthday Wishes
Birthday wishes to Clara, Natalie and Elijah! Clara turns 11 on Thursday, Natalie turns 12 on Saturday, and Elijah turns 6 on Sunday. We hope you all have wonderful, fun filled birthdays.
Public Notices
St Catherine’s College seeks applications for the position of Finance Administrator
As part of the administration team, you will be responsible for accounting and assisting with
reception and backup payroll (EdPay) support within the College. Predominantly accounts
payable, accounts receivable and daily banking. Knowledge of Xero, and GST would be
preferable. This is a permanent position.
You will have: strong attention to detail, with accurate numeracy skills being
paramount: computer literacy; excellent communication and time management skills; a
positive attitude with a commitment to teamwork and sharing tasks.
Hours are: 18 hours per week in the school term time. A few hours maybe required to be
worked in the school holidays. All days and hours are negotiable.
Written application including CV and the names of two referees should be directed to Katrina
Kerr-Bell, Principal, St Catherine’s College, P. O. Box 14076 Kilbirnie, Wellington 6241 or
emailed to chris.perry@scc.school.nz. To obtain a copy of the job description or if you have
any queries please contact Chris Perry, PA on (04) 939-8988.
Closing date is Friday 22 September 2023 at noon
BigAir Gym
If your child loves doing cartwheels, handstands, trampolining, flips, dancing, or parkour, then they will thrive at Bigair Gym! Bigair Gym classes are excellent for fun, focus and fitness! Children learn new skills and develop personal confidence and self-achievement! Strong focus is given to safety and technique, ranging from fundamentals to advanced skills. The structured classes follow a Bigair Badge Programme, which creates focused learning, and allows children to achieve and feel personal progression! Bigair classes include GYMNASTICS, TRAMPOLINING, TUMBLING, FREE RUNNING(thats parkour with flips) & CHEERLEADING! Inquire about Bigair BIRTHDAY PARTIES too!
GET IN QUICK FOR TERM 4 GYM CLASSES & BIGAIRS POPULAR HOLIDAY PROGRAMME! Bookings are open NOW. Book online at www.bigairgym.co.nz or contact your local Bigair Gym office today.
Bigair Gym Owhiro Bay ph. 383 8779 e. wgtn@bigairgym.co.nz
Children's Athletics
Wellington Harrier Athletic Club is holding a holiday programme to introduce children to Track & Field athletics. It will be provided at 2 levels: 4 to 8 year olds and 9 to 13 year olds.
The programme will run between 10.00 and noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays (26th, 28th, September and 3rd, 5th October) and will be held at Newtown Park.
For further details, or to book places, please e-mail ghenry@actrix.co.nz or phone or text 0274 425 439.
Children’s Club athletics will be held from 9.00 a.m. every Saturday for the next 2 terms, from 14 October.
