Preparing for the future in a Catholic environment Hei whakatakatū mo te wā ka heke mai nei I roto I tea o Katorika

February 14th, 2017 Term 1, Week 3

Kia ora Whanau ma

Last Friday we were delighted to announce the first group of our newly appointed student leaders for 2017. It was a wonderful occasion and great to see so many parents joining us for the announcements. This year we have newly created student leader positions called ‘Pae Arihi’ which translates to spiritual leaders or a good guide to follow. The chosen students are those that we believe best uphold our school values and motto, are role models and relate well to children of all ages as well as being respectful, responsible students. Throughout the year we will be developing their role and we look forward to working with them as leaders.

Congratulations to Lily, Tegan, Tora, Kaige, Kaitlyn, Katelyn, Abe & Rosie who are the school house captains for 2017. I am sure they will do a fantastic job throughout the year.

It was also wonderful to announce our Kapa Haka leaders Karnyae, Kenya & Manea as well as our Enviro leaders Micah, Bede, Max, Peter, Jakob, Jayden, Rhett, Grace, Jacquelyn, Tessa and Caitlyn.

Over the last two days John Murray, Terri-Ann Coltham and Kim Teahan and I have been in Wellington at Accelerated Literacy Learning (ALL) training. This is a Ministry of Education programme in which we will be focusing on raising student achievement levels in writing across the school. John, Terri-Ann & Kim will be the lead teachers in each of our syndicates and they will soon be contacting parents/ caregivers to share further information if your child is to be involved in this initiative.

… continued

Sent home in week 1 was a copy of the contact and medical details we have for your child on our school management system. If you have not yet returned these please check these carefully, make any alterations, sign it at the bottom and return to the school office. PLEASE return the form even if all details are correct as this way we can track who has and has not returned the forms.

Ngā mihi o Te Atua

Steve Wheeler, Principal

We would like your feedback & thoughts!

Opposite, you will find a draft copy of our school ‘Graduate Profile’. The profile is what we would like children to aspire to achieve by the time they leave St. Patrick’s School. The profile itself will form part of our school charter which is submitted to the Ministry of Education on March 1st. Before then, we would like to hear your thoughts on what we have included and whether you think we have missed anything significant. Please add your thoughts on the online form or speak to Mr Wheeler before the end of the week.

Don’t forget to attend!

Tomorrow all families are invited to attend our parent information evening. This is

your opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and learn about specific

information regarding your children’s syndicate and class. Further information

can be found on the flyer opposite.

St. Patrick’s School is on Facebook We have school and syndicate Facebook pages which are used to share information about events and important notices. Please find us by following the links below and ‘Like’ the pages. As always our aim is to keep you informed and up to date with what is happening here at school

St. Patrick’s School Facebook page – click here

Brigidine Syndicate Facebook page – click here

McKenna Syndicate Facebook page – click here

Kildare Syndicate Facebook page – click here

We would like to rekindle the Arts Programme once more at St Patrick's School. This programme requires the support of our school community in terms of sharing their talents or interests in the broad spectrum of art. We have had many wonderful activities that the students were involved in such as digital photography, ukulele, dance (hip-hop), visual arts, musical instruments, environmental art, drama, woodwork, mime, decorative cake making and many more. This Arts Programme would require a commitment of one hour a week for five weeks this term. It is a school wide programme. The programme will run each Friday for five weeks, starting on Friday 3rd March 1:45 – 2:45 and will finish on Friday 31st March. There will be five sessions in all. There will be a sharing time for the whole school on Friday 7th April from 1:45 p.m. onwards. If you are interested and would like to offer your time and talents, please click on this link or fill in the form below and return to the school office. We have a small budget to cover art consumables, so your participation should not come at a cost to you financially. Thank you, John Murray -----------------------------------------------------------

I would like to offer my time as an assistant only. YES / NO

I would like to offer my talent in the form of …

Name _________________________________________ Phone number_______________________

Water bottles

Due to the fencing erected for the building work access to all the school water fountains is not

possible. Due to this situation, we ask that children bring a water bottle to school each day. We will

also be looking at finding a solution so that more of the fountains can be made accessible during this

term.

School swimming trials Soon we are holding our school swimming trials, hopefully at the Wairarapa College pool, in preparation for the Masterton Schools event on Wednesday 8th March. The trials are for children who are aged seven and above and who can swim at least one length of a pool out of their depth. Interested children will soon be spoken to by Mrs Potter and will bring a form home to sign up for events. If you have questions please speak with Mrs Potter

School Uniform Full summer school uniform must be worn to and from school. I draw attention to the following areas where we need particular focus and parent support: Regulation flat school sandals, with supportive

strapping, are worn in the summer terms, with an option of school shoes and socks if the weather is colder. Slip on or canvas shoes are not school uniform.

Green, white or black hair bands are to be worn and no other colours

Long hair needs to be tied back If shorts are worn under school dresses they

need to be school shorts/ or plain black bike pants and should not be showing

Clean and clipped nails with no polish If worn, earrings need to be studs All school uniform items can be purchased from the NZ Uniforms shop which is situated in the McDonald’s car park.

Tee-Ball & Mod-Softball Saturday 18th February – 9am St Pats Paddys vs DPS Hunter – DPS St Pats Green Sox vs DPS Walsh – St Pat’s

Netball & Hockey Gear

Please return all netball and hockey gear to school, in a named bag. This needs to be in by

the end of the week.

We will be having a gathering of any adults wishing to

become Catholic, at 2pm, on a week to be decided shortly. If you are interested please leave your name

with Mrs Connor (DRS) or at the school office.

Road Safety Protocols In helping to keep your child and all our children safe, please support us in our road safety school protocols, particularly keeping the driveways free, parking safely and using the school crossing. As part of this please do not drive up the school driveway to drop off or pick up your child unless it is an emergency. A reminder to everyone that the school and road patrol times are as follows:

Road patrollers go on duty – 8.30am

Road patrollers come off duty – 8.50am

School starts at 8.55am

School ends at 3.00pm

Road Patrollers go on duty – 3.00pm

Road patrollers come off duty – 3.15pm

2017 Times & Dates

School times: - Children can enter the school grounds from 8.30am

- School starts at 8.55am

- School ends at 3.00pm

Term dates: Term 1 - Monday 30th January to Thursday 13th April Term 2 - Monday May 1st to Friday 7th July Term 3 - Monday 24th July to Friday 29th September Term 4 - Monday 16th October to Thursday 14th December

Teacher Only Day: School will be closed on Tuesday 6th June for staff to attend Religious Education PLD along with the staff of the Wairarapa Catholic Schools

Upcoming Events

15th Feb Parent Information Evening – 5.30pm

24th Feb Bring it To Colombo Mufti Day

8th Mar Masterton Schools Swimming Sports

Starting

3rd Mar Whole School Arts Programme

14th Mar Term 1 Radio Show

17th Mar St Patrick’s Celebrations and school biathlon

13th Apr Easter Liturgy – 2.30pm

13th Apr Last Day Term 1

1st May 1st Day Term 2

6th Jun Teacher Only Day – School Closed

Walking Bus: From the corner of Cornwall & Pownall Streets

If we are going to get cold and wet we won’t walk. From 8.20am on there is supervision and at

8.30am sharp we walk. Let your child walk to school

with us. Supervised by a teacher and for many children the only opportunity to walk to school.

Enviro leaders for 2017 are: Tessa Paku, Jacquelyn Murray, Grace Gordon-Wiles, Max Andrew, Bede

McCullough, Pete McGruddy, Jayden Gulillum-Scott, Jakob Gibson, Micah Clark, Caitlyn Norman, Rhett

Dornan.

A big congratulations to all those chosen.

Sports Notices

Catholic Character

2017 Kildare Syndicate Camp

This year it is the biannual Kildare Syndicate camp.

Traditionally this has always taken place at the start of the year, but this year this has been changed to November in

Term 4 – 29th November to 1st December

St. Patrick’s School Music CD

We are excited to announce that theschool music CD is available for sale from the school office. The CD contains songs sung not only by the whole school but also the amazing school choir. Each CD is a bargain at $10. They will sell out, so get in early to

avoid disappointment.

To listen to quick teaser of the wonderful songs follow these links to our Facebook page or go to the Principal’s Blog.

Later in the newsletter you will find a message from Cardinal John Dew who reminds us what we stand for as a Catholic School and the importance of celebrating this.

If you currently have children in the McKenna Syndicate I am sure that you are now all aware that the three classrooms have wonderful new furniture. The updating of the furniture is one part of our journey as we look to implement ‘modern learning practices’ across the school. The furniture is not just more comfortable and colourful but also enables children to have more choice of where to work and learn depending on the task they are doing. Please pop in and have a look when you can and soon we will be upgrading furniture in our two other syndicates.

This week is ‘Bullying Free NZ week’ and teachers will be making reference to this in their classroom programmes. Bullying is a part of society that has no place and is something that we work with the children on and try to develop their understanding of why it is wrong and how it can affect others. Below is our school ‘WITS’ poster that we encourage children to use if they ever do feel uncomfortable or threatened in a situation.

A very valuable resource that you, as parents/ caregivers, may find helpful can be found at www.bullyingfree.nz. Something that I also came across recently was a poster designed by a child which explained their understanding of bullying. It contained the message that:

When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s

RUDE

When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s MEAN

When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they keep doing it – even

when you tell them to stop or show them that you’re upset, that’s BULLYING

Today, syndicate newsletters for Term 2 will be available for all families. These contain useful information for the term ahead and help you to know what learning experiences your child will be taking part in. Please make sure you get the chance to read them.

Finally, it is always great to hear that students who have moved on from St. Patrick’s continue to perform and shine. Congratulations to Taylor, Maia, Kairi, Sian and Boaz who have all been selected in the Wairarapa Year 7 Rep netball team. It was also fantastic to see so many ex-St. Patrick’s students in the Chanel College Cultural Group performing at the Wairarapa Choral Festival held at the end of last week. Ngā mihi o Te Atua Steve Wheeler, Principal

Later in the newsletter you will find a message from Cardinal John Dew who reminds us what we stand for as a Catholic School and the importance of celebrating this.

If you currently have children in the McKenna Syndicate I am sure that you are now all aware that the three classrooms have wonderful new furniture. The updating of the furniture is one part of our journey as we look to implement ‘modern learning practices’ across the school. The furniture is not just more comfortable and colourful but also enables children to have more choice of where to work and learn depending on the task they are doing. Please pop in and have a look when you can and soon we will be upgrading furniture in our two other syndicates.

This week is ‘Bullying Free NZ week’ and teachers will be making reference to this in their classroom programmes. Bullying is a part of society that has no place and is something that we work with the children on and try to develop their understanding of why it is wrong and how it can affect others. Below is our school ‘WITS’ poster that we encourage children to use if they ever do feel uncomfortable or threatened in a situation.

A very valuable resource that you, as parents/ caregivers, may find helpful can be found at www.bullyingfree.nz. Something that I also came across recently was a poster designed by a child which explained their understanding of bullying. It contained the message that:

When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s

RUDE

When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s MEAN

When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they keep doing it – even

when you tell them to stop or show them that you’re upset, that’s BULLYING

Today, syndicate newsletters for Term 2 will be available for all families. These contain useful information for the term ahead and help you to know what learning experiences your child will be taking part in. Please make sure you get the chance to read them.

Finally, it is always great to hear that students who have moved on from St. Patrick’s continue to perform and shine. Congratulations to Taylor, Maia, Kairi, Sian and Boaz who have all been selected in the Wairarapa Year 7 Rep netball team. It was also fantastic to see so many ex-St. Patrick’s students in the Chanel College Cultural Group performing at the Wairarapa Choral Festival held at the end of last week. Ngā mihi o Te Atua Steve Wheeler, Principal

Sushi or Japanese Noodles for lunch - $4 each This term we are offering the children the chance to purchase sushi for lunch on a Tuesday. The sushi will contain chicken, avocado and cucumber. The Japanese noodles have chicken and vegetables. Each pack of sushi contains five small pieces with 50 cents being donated to the school for each order taken. If you would like your child to have this please place your order at the school office before school on Tuesday mornings.

Brass Lessons in School

If your child is interested in

learning a brass instrument please

see Kim in the school office

Guitar Lessons in School

Ross is doing guitar in school again

this year. For more information

please ring him on 378-8802 or

0226915419

Piano Lessons in School

Hilary is teaching piano in school

again this year. For more

information please ring her on

379-9022

Violin Lessons

Violin tuition available for this

year. Mondays at end of school

time. Contact Stephen Butcher –

3727778 after 6pm

Wairarapa Parish Mass Times

St Patricks Church-Masterton:

Vigil Sat 5.00pm & Sun 8.30am & 10.00am

Weekday Masses: Tues 5.00pm Wed-Fri 9.15am, in J Wagg Room during winter

St Anthony of Padua Church -

Martinborough:

Vigil Sat 5.30pm

Weekday Wed 10.30am

St Marys Church - Carterton:

Vigil Sat 5.30pm;

Weekday Mass: Thurs 9.15am

St Teresa of Avila Church - Featherston:

Sun 10.00am,

Mon 9.00am at the School

Tues & Thurs 9.00am at Fr Morrison's

residence, 38 Wakefield Street, Featherston

Friday 9.30am in the Church

Sacred Heart Church - Greytown:

Sun 8.30am

Weekday Mass: Wed 10.00am

Equippers After School Care Equippers Out Of School Care is an approved Oscar Programme and we pick up from all Masterton schools daily. We offer supervised homework, and your children will be entertained with a variety of games, cooking, crafts and lots more! Oscar subsidies are available through WINZ. We are currently taking enrolments, come in and see us at 2 Akura Rd Masterton for an enrolment form or ring 06 378 8789 or email oscar@equipperschurch.com for more information. Check out website www.outofschoolcare.co.nz for more information.

kills.

We are holding an 8 week program

during term 1—so come along and join

in with these FUN, ACTIVE sessions!

We will play games which teach

younger children how to catch, jump,