St Francis Xavier Catholic School To Love, To Learn and To Serve

Kia Aroha, Kia Akona, Kia Aro Atu

No. 20 Thursday 7th December, 2017

Address: 1 Percy Street, Whangarei 0112. Phone: 09-4371039 Cellphone: 027 2784303 Email Office Manager: office@sfx.school.nz Website: sfx.school.nz

Tena koutou katoa.Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends of the school,

It was a warm beautiful evening, vehicles filled the surrounding streets and parents, friends and whanau filled the netball courts for our annual Nativity yesterday. What a fabulous way to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus!

The children, like us all, love this special time of the liturgical year and they embrace the meaning of Christmas through their singing, acting and sharing of the Good News.

A huge thank you to our Junior school teachers for their effort and, at times, perseverance to ensure that our pupils learnt their lines, their songs, brought their uniforms and smiled heaps for their audience! It was a lovely evening.

Thank you also to our fabulous parents who volunteered to cook BBQ sausages and to all of you who brought along cans of food to support the St Vincent de Paul appeal.

As the school year draws to a close, this will be our final newsletter for 2017. It has been an action-packed term that was capped off with a very affirming review by the Education Review Office. The staff, children and I wish to pass on our sincere thanks to all of you for your support and generosity of spirit. We are all looking forward to a well-deserved holiday break and we trust that you will also be able to spend some quality time with your family.Have a very Merry Christmas, be safe and God Bless you all.We look forward to seeing your children back at school on Tuesday 30th January, 2018, rested and ready for another school year.

Craig McKernan Principal

Merry Christmas

RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONYear 6 Leavers Mass

Our Year Six Leavers Mass (which involves the whole school), will be on Monday 11th December in the church, starting at 9:00am.

Final School AssemblyOur Final School Assembly (Year 6 Prize Giving), which the school attends, will be on

Thursday 14th December in the church, commencing at 9:00am.

Festival of Christmas TreesA wonderful display of Christmas Trees, decorated by local

community groups including our school!

WHERE: St John’s Golden Church, 149 Kamo Road, Kensington.

WHEN: 5th to 23rd December. TIME: 10am to 1pm then 6.30-9.30pm.COST: FREE

Bring your family, friends and visitors to enjoy the magical atmosphere of Christmas. We’ve had very favourable

comments on our tree already.

Ash Wednesday 2018Ash Wednesday is on Wednesday 14th February 2018. Please note this date on your calendars.

We will begin our Lenten journey with a school Mass at 9am.

Finally, I would like to thank you all for your support throughout the year. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all Christ’s blessings for the New Year.

Yours in Christ, Mrs Maria Wilson - Director of Religious Studies

Christmas Gift Drive for Foster Hope - NorthlandThank you for all the donations you gave for Foster Hope - Northland. We got so many gifts that we filled four boxes, and because of your generosity many Northland foster kids are going to get presents this Christmas. Please see a note below from Foster Hope - Northland responding to your kindness.

From Emilia, Rm 16

Last week I had the privilege of meeting this very special young lady, Emilia, from St Francis Xavier Catholic School in Whangarei.Emilia had organised a Christmas gift drive at her school and she was overwhelmed at the generosity of everyone. Thank you so much to Emilia and the pupils, parents and staff of St Francis Xavier Catholic School for thinking of children in foster care this Christmas.

Foster Hope - Northland

SPORTS NEWSTwilight HockeyA big thank you to all the parents and our Pompallier student, Lucy, who helped with twilight hockey this term. We had a great season and the children really enjoyed getting out there!Look out for a new season starting early in term 1 for years 4-6.

Year 6 Beach EducationOur year 6 pupils enjoyed the final day of beach ed at Ruakaka beach. Once again, this was only possible because of the generosity of our parents who provided transport and went in the water with the children. The weather was awesome and everyone had a super time. Many thanks.

WPSSA ATHLETICS CHAMPSWe had a fantastic day at the athletics last week. All our children competed with a fabulous attitude and gave it their best. They did us proud.

Here are the final results from the day. We have certificates which will be presented to students in the next week.

600mYear 4 boys - 1st - Luke Brooke-SmithYear 6 boys - 2nd - Boston Himiona

60mYear 4 boys - 2nd - Luke Brooke-Smith

80m Year 4 boys - 3rd - Luke Brooke-Smith

100mYear 6 boys - 3rd - Luke Himiona

Thank you to the parents and whanau who supported our team on the day, it was fantastic to have you there.

THANK YOU FROM THE SPORTS COMMITTEEA huge thank you to all the parents and whanau who have given their time to support our school sports teams this year. Our school has participated in many different local and regional sports events this year including swimming, cross country, athletics, basketball and twilight hockey. We are appreciative of the time and energy many parents and whanau have given to support and manage our sports teams. It is their help and dedication that makes it possible for our children to compete in these sports events.

High JumpYear 5 girls - 1st - Seraena JungYear 5 boys - 1st - William GrossYear 6 boys - 3rd (equal) - Daniel Jones

Shot PutYear 5 girls - 1st - Harata EjioforYear 6 boys - 1st - Blake Beardsell

4 x 100m RelayYear 5 - 3rd (equal) - William Gross, Imisioluwa Falope, Holly Schuster, Seraena Jung

Can you help take down our pool?We#have#had#a#wonderful#time#with#our#pop#up#pool#from#the#

Poolz#in#Schoolz#Trust.#Can#you#spend#an#hour#this#Saturday(9th(December(from(8am(

to#help#bring#it#down#and#pack#it#away?#We#would#be#very#grateful.#WE(REALLY(NEED(HELPERS(PLEASE.

Contact#Mrs#J#glenys@sfx.school.nz#or#call#us#on#4371039#if#you#can#help#out.#Many#thanks.

Mrs#J#and#Mr#Hacker

Student SuccessRecently, Hazel Jennings and

Elizabeth and London-Rose Gould represented our school at the Auckland Primary and Intermediate Schools Karate Championships for Auckland and Northland schools. London-Rose won silver for Kata and silver for Kumite in the Premier 8-9 year-old girls division. Lizzy competed in her first ever Karate tournament and won silver for Kata and won all her fights to receive a gold for Kumite in the development 9-10 year -old girls division. Hazel challenged herself in the Premier division and gained a great deal of experience as she has hopes to represent NZ

next year on an international scale. Well done Team. Great Results.

LIZZY

LONDON-ROSE

HAZEL

ARRIVING AFTER 8.45AMAll children need to report to the school office if they arrive after school starts at 8.45am. Office staff will issue children with a late pass for the class teacher then electronically mark the child as present.

STUDENTS LEAVING DURING CLASS TIMEBEFORE COLLECTING YOUR CHILD: If you are collecting your child early or taking your child out briefly for an appointment ALL parents and caregivers must report to the school office and collect a pass BEFORE you collect yoru child. Please report back in at the office if your child returns after an appointment. If you have arranged for someone else to collect your child, who would NOT normally do so, please contact the school well in advance of their arrival otherwise we will need to call a parent/caregiver to verify this arrangement BEFORE releasing your child.

Ordering School Stationery for 2018Our school stationery is available to purchase from OfficeMax from 15th December. You can order online or purchase instore.

Buying 2018 Stationery Online

• Go to: myschool.co.nz• In the ‘Back to School’ search school name box, type: St Francis - our full school name

will appear (Whangarei), click.• Click ‘start’ in the view requirements list box. • Enter your child’s name and year level details. (Student ID not required.)• Under your child’s year level, select the + sign to reveal teacher and room number details.• Select your class teacher and room number then follow the prompts.

Buying 2018 Stationery Instore

OfficeMax Whangarei have access to our online stationery lists, you just need to know your child’s year level and 2018 teacher name.

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Your child’s school stationery list requirements are uploaded on myschool.co.nz. You can shop online, in-store, by phone or simply download a copy of your child’s list.

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Northland Rescue Helicopter Book - Lima to the RescueIf you missed out on supporting the Northland Rescue helicopter by buying a cool book about the adventures of Lima - the chopper, pop in and see Mrs J as she still has some to sell at $10 per copy.You can purchase this year's book and last year's book together for the special price of $15.00. It's a great way to support the fine people who help keep us safe.

The Great St Francis Xavier Catholic School Book Amnesty

If you have any books, readers and library books etc. belonging to the school, please send them in as soon as possible. We are doing our annual stocktake and need all our resources in to do so. Many Thanks.

SCHOOL EVENTS Dates and times for events are subject to change.

Please check this fortnightly newsletter for any changes.

December

7 9:30am Postponement - Nativity only 9 8am Pool to be disassembled – help needed – please see Mrs J 11 9am Leavers Mass 12 11am Kauri/Puriri Fun Day 12 1:30pm Karaka/Rimu Fun Day 13 11am Kowhai Fun Day 14 9am Final Assembly and Senior Prize-giving 14 Reports Home 15 Christmas Carols 15 School finishes for Term 4

January 2018 30 8.45am Term One starts

School Timetable

8:45 – 10:25am Morning session

10:25 – 10.50am Morning tea

10.50am – 12:30pm Mid-morning session

12:30 – 1:20pm Lunch break

1:20pm – 2:50pm Afternoon session

Term Dates for 2018Term One:

30 Jan to 13 AprilTerm Two:

30 April to 6 JulyTerm Three:

23 July to 28 SeptTerm Four:

15 Oct to 14 Dec

COMMUNITY NOTICES

CANCER SOCIETYThis year, Vitalise Whangarei have generously nominated Cancer Society Northland as their charity of choice and are going to make this as exciting as possible.The Laneway will be shut to the public on the 9th of December, with live music on the stage from 9.30 am – 2.00 pm. There will be an enormous sandpit in front of Orrs Pharmacy and Bumper Cars for the older kids on James Street. Kumarani Circus will be on hand to teach kids some circus acts. However, it wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa. Proceeds to go to helping Cancer patients and their whanau. What a great day to get some of that early Christmas shopping done and the whole family have fun !

FOUNDLast week, on the car park road, an earring of substance was found. Please phone 4340770 for details.

MULTICULTURAL WHANGAREIHas lots of events happening this month, shared lunch, Christmas craft making and pot luck dinner to name a few. Please visit their facebook page or email directly for details: https://www.facebook.com/multiculturalwhangarei/ Email: whangareimc@gmail.com

ONEONESIX COMMUNITY ARTS SPACE IN WHANGAREIThe Boy Who Left His Jabberwock Show  ***Remember to come dressed in pyjamas and to bring your favourite teddy to keep you company if you wish.***SHOW TIMES:Thur 7th-10th Dec then Fri 15th-17th Dec.TICKET PRICES: $8 for kids (18 and under) and also students, 65+, unemployed. $12 for big kids (over 18). Free for under 3s. Discounts available for group/family bookings of 4 or more.Koha entry for those who can't afford. CONTACT: To book email bookings@companyofgiants.co.nz or contact Thomas on 0212141774.

RISING STARZ PRODUCTIONRising Starz production of Beauty and the Beast will be showing between 8th-10th December at Whangarei Theatre Company's Riverbank Theatre on Reyburn House Lane.There are four performances: Friday 8th 6pm; Saturday 9th 1pm & 6pm; Sunday 1pmTickets are $15 Adult and $8 Student and are available through our website: https://risingstarznz.wixsite.com/mysite Facebook: Rising Starz Whangarei. Email: risingstarznz@gmail.com

SEEKING TALENTED WHANGAREI CHILDRENNext year for Children’s Day we are hoping that the entertainment could be provided by children. So we are looking for talented youngsters who would like to perform at Children’s Day in 2018. Individuals, duets, or small groups, would be ideal. If you know of anyone who might be interested please contact: Hayley Browne, Phone 0272120377 or 09 4302242. Email hayley.browne@barnardos.org.nz

!

HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES

FREE HIP HOP HOLIDAY PROGRAMMERegister NOW and book in a free week for your child/ren at the Northland Hip Hop Dance Holiday programme run from the Whangarei Intermediate School Hall. A week full of sports, arts and crafts, hip hop dance, and trips to Whangarei Aquatic Centre. One Week Everything FREEWeek 1: December 18 – 22, Week 2: January 8 - 12Week 3: January 15 – 19, Week 4: January 22 - 26Week 5: January 30 – Feb 2For children aged between 8 and 14 years. To register call 4596909 and leave your details, contact number and the week you would like to register your children for or northhiphopdance@gmail.com, they will confirm your registration. Proudly supported by the Ministry of Social Development.

FREE SUMMER HOLIDAY SURF PROGRAMMESurfing Tutukaka Coast | Free for 11-17 yrs old. FUN, ACTIVE & HEALTHY.18-22 Dec | 1-5 Jan | 8-12 Jan | 15-19 Jan. Limited spaces, please email to booksurf@oneillsurfacademy.co.nzwww.oneillsurfacademy.co.nz

KIDZONES HOLIDAY PROGRAMMEKidzones will be opening 8th January to the 26th January 2018.Kamo Kidzone will be open 18th to 22nd December. All children are welcome to use this programme.Check out what the Kidzones team have planned for the summer on www.kidzones.co.nzContact Sandra North on 021 249 3308 or sandra@kidzones.co.nz

KIWI NORTH SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIESWhen: 8-26 January 2018. Time: 10am to 12pm Where: Kiwi North - Gate 1. 500 SH14 Maunu, Whangarei. Cost: $5 per child. Ages: 5 to 14 years, must be accompanied by an adult (1 free). Bookings please. Contact: reception@kiwinorth.co.nz / 09-4389630 ext.0 Website: www.kiwinorth.co.nz

Please check out the Kiwi North website for so many more activities happening this summer holidays.