Term 3 Week 10
Principal's Message
Cultural Celebration
Last Thursday we participated in a Cultural Celebration with 12 others Catholic schools held at St Patrick'sCollege. It was an amazing morning, watching all the different cultural groups performing and seeing students form diffrent schools cheering each other on. Our children were amazing, I was so proud of them conquering their nerves and putting on a great show. Below is a link to a video of their performance. We will get a better version to share with you from the organisers at a later date.
Intermediate Programme Film
This term our seniors have been learning how to make a film. They took their inspiration from the film Inside Out. We have some budding actors and directors in the group. Enjoy watching it using the link below.
Thank You From Cambodia
An update on the glasses that you so generously donated to go to Cambodia with Suzanne. These have all been set up in a cabinet in the village medical clinic. People come in to be tested and all get shown how to clean their glasses with the proper cloth and to keep them in the provided case. The man with pink towel needed help to walk around etc, now he can see clearly from his one good eye. The dudes in the sunglasses are wearing prescription sunglasses. The elderly man with the walking sticks walked in for medicine yesterday. We offered for him to try on some glasses as he clearly needed them. He found a pair of second hand prescription glasses which suited him perfectly and went away very happy walking up the road.Thank you for so much for your support. Your glasses are being matched up with very happy recipients.
Lisa Small
Principal
Faith News
Wednesday Mass
Please come and join Room 4, along with members of the parish, for Mass this Wednesday morning at 9am,
in Room 3.
Parish Newsletter
This week’s Parish newsletter is available here
Calendar Art Fundraiser
The children have completed some fantastic artwork which can be made into cards, calendars, diaries, mousepads and sketch books. These make great Christmas presents for family and friends.
If you did not see their artwork at the Celebration of Learning last week, it can be viewed in the school office, please see Katrina.
Order forms are being sent home today.
Orders need to be placed by Wednesday 23 October to ensure Delivery for Christmas.
Swimming Lessons Term 4
All children will be taking part in our swimming programme this term. Lessons will be on Fridays. Children will travel by bus to the Kilbirnie Aquatic Centre at 12.15pm. Lessons will be from 12.45 to 1.45pm. Parents and caregivers of younger children are welcome to join us at the pool and assist with changing.
Please ensue all items of your child's clothing and footwear are clearly named. Children must remove all their belongings from the changing rooms during lessons, check that the bag your child will take to swimming is large enough for them to fit all their clothes, footwear and towel into while they are swimming.
Children are to wear their P.E uniform on swimming days.
Sun Hats Term 4
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.
Birthday Wishes
Happy Birthday to Joseph who turns 8 today!
We also send big birthday wishes to all those children who will celebrate their birthdays during the school holidays, Giana, Jesriya and Josaiah.
We hope you all have wonderful, fun filled birthdays.
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.
Room 2 Learning
With structured literacy being a huge focus this year for New Zealand schools, Room 2 have been starting to learn the 'the code' (a structured literacy program). For this new spelling program, we have carefully been going through different sound combinations and spelling rules. To help us with our learning, the class now has a box of laminated cards to choose from, each with different spelling combinations or spelling rules, and a list of words that follow them. As a follow-up activity, the class chooses a new card after each spelling lesson, practises spelling each word and then writes a select few words in a sentence. These cards are just one way Room 2 can continue to practice their spelling and writing skills. Here are a couple of pictures of us practising this activity!
Room 4 Learning
Cultures Research Writing
For our writing focus this term we researched the different cultures of Room 4. The cultures we have researched are Indian, Cambodian, Filipino, Indonesian, Eritrean, Tongan, Scottish, English, Swiss, German and Australian. We found out about the food, religion, traditions and sports of our countries and cultures.
Here is a selection of writing from Room 4’s cultural research:
Alna: Eritrean Culture - Food
There are lots of delicious Eritrean foods like…
Zigni (red sauce stew with meat cut in squares)
key wat, wet, wot or tsebhi (special red stew with chicken, meat and eggs)
Injera (a flat bread made from sourdough and fermented teff flour)
Kitcha fit fit ( crispy flat bread cut into small pieces with a special Eritrean butter called kibbeh and cultural spices called berbere.
Erin: Indonesian Culture: Religion
In Indonesia religion is very important. In Indonesia the top five religions are Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, and Confucian. There are over 242 million Muslims in Indonesia. Muslims worship ‘Allah’ and the Bible is called the Quran. Christianity is very important in Manado (which is a city in Indonesia). 2 million Muslims convert to Christianity every year. Fun Fact: Christianity was brought to Indonesia by the Portuguese maritime trading empire.
Inigo: Filipino Culture: The Arts
The arts in the Philippines are dancing and instruments, a dance I know is called tinikling. Two people hit two bamboo sticks on the ground in rhythm, hitting the sticks together while a person tries to walk inside and not get their feet trapped in the sticks. A traditional instrument from the Philippines is called a diwas. A diwas is made out of bamboo sticks and is a wind instrument. It is similar to a flute.
Vincent: Filipino Culture: Language
The main language spoken in the Philippines is called Filipino or Tagalog (Taa-gaa-log) with 48 million native speakers worldwide. It is based on Spanish, saying hello is “Kumusta” which is derived from “cómo está”. To say thank you respectively is “Salamat Po” and my name is ”Ang pangalan ko ay”. Some other important languages are Bisayah, ILocano, Hiligaynon, Pampango and Waray-Waray.
Joan: Indian Culture: Festivals
India's national dance is Bharatanatyam which is a Tamil nadu dance. There are Indian celebrations as well. Onam on the 6th of September is when Kerala celebrates the harvest festival, Diwali on the 1st of November is the festival of lights and victory. Holi on the 25th of March is the festival of colours and joy. Pongal on the 14th and 15th of January is a southern celebration of spring. The Raksha Bandhan on the 19th of August is the bond between brothers and sisters. Eid al-Fitr on the 30th or 31st of March is breaking the fast of Ramadan. Holika Dahan, on 13th March, is a symbol of the victory of good over evil. Thaipusam on the 26th of January is when the moon is at its brightest!
Community Notices
Looking for a way to get a little bit extra this side of Christmas?
PFI (People For Information) is a research recruitment agency – we recruit people just like you to share your feedback on new products, new ideas, advertising, etc.
Topics can range from shopping to skincare to banking, and each person taking part receives a koha for their time and input (with either a direct credit or vouchers).
The best part? You can fit this around the family – we offer daytime sessions, evening sessions, in person or online via Zoom.
It’s up to you – if you’re keen to find out more please click on one of the links below which will take you to either our website, Facebook page or our LinkedIn page.
We look forward to getting you on board and involved!
Who's ready for an adventure at Staglands these school holidays?
Be the early bird that gets the worm, or in this case, a FREE ADULT TICKET, to return again!
Just purchase your entry tickets at our Ticket Office by 10am, and voila!
Offer runs from 28th September - 13th October 2024.
Conditions apply, see website for details.
We will also be running our ever-popular, free Tractor-Trailer Rides (circumstances permitting).
Get Kids Moving, Learning, and Thriving at Bigair Gym!
Is your child keen to learn cartwheels, handstands, flips, trampolining tricks, or parkour? Bigair Gym is the ultimate place to explore these skills and more! Classes combine fun, focus, and fitness in a supportive environment where kids can build confidence and master new techniques. Catering to all levels, from beginners to advanced, with safety and technique prioritized.
At Bigair Gym, kids participate in structured classes with a 1-10 level program, designed to encourage progress, celebrate milestones, and promote achievement. A variety of classes are offered, including Gymnastics, Trampolining, Tumbling, Free Running (parkour with flips and tricks!), and Cheerleading. Weekend Birthday Parties are also available and highly popular!
Bookings are now open for Bigair Gym’s popular Holiday Programme, with both full and half-day sessions available. Spaces are limited, so book online today to secure a spot. It’s the perfect opportunity for children to stay active and have fun during the holiday break.
Join Bigair Gym and watch your child thrive!
Booking online for Term 4 & the Holiday Programme is quick and easy at www.bigairgym.co.nz
Bigair Gym Owhiro Bay: ph. 383 8779, e. wgtn@bigairgym.co.nz at 14 Landfill Road, Owhiro Bay.
