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

Kia Aroha, Kia Akona, Kia Aro Atu No.16 24th October 2019

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

Tena%koutou%katoa.%Dear%Parents,%Caregivers%and%Friends%of%the%school,Well,%if%you%thought%that%the%All%Black%game%on%Saturday%night%was%exciBng%then%you%obviously%didn’t%come%to%the%St%Francis%Xavier%versus%Whangarei%Primary%School%sport%challenge%on%Friday.%The%games%were%played%with%spirit,%sportsman%and%sportswomanship,%passion%and%fun.At%the%conclusion%of%the%tournament,%a%tally%of%points%gained%by%both%schools%from%the%various%sporBng%codes%was%taken%and%St%Francis%Xavier%Catholic%School%won%back%the%shield.%CongratulaBons%to%all%pupils%who%parBcipated.%It%was%a%lovely%day%that%was%enjoyed%by%everyone%involved.%Our%sincere%thanks%to%the%parents%who%helped%out.2020#CLASSROOM#PLACEMENTS:Each%year,%a%significant%amount%of%Bme%is%given%to%the%placement%of%students%for%the%following%school%year.%Our%Senior%Leadership%team%take%this%responsibility%very%seriously%and%we%try%hard%to%match%a%student’s%learning%needs%with%the%teacher%and%peers%where%they%will%achieve%their%best.Special%consideraBon%is%always%given%to%the%intellectual,%social,%spiritual,%physical,%and%emoBonal%development%of%the%student.Placing%your%child%in%a%class%that%will%help%them%to%learn%and%reach%their%full%potenBal%is%our%priority.%I%ask%that%you%recognise%the%experience%of%the%teachers%and%their%ability%to%place%children%accordingly.If%you%are%aware%of%any%circumstances%that%may%affect%our%decisionNmaking,%please%advise%either%Mrs%Balks%or%Mrs%Jakicevich%as%soon%as%possible,%and%definitely%before%Monday%the%28th%of%October.Please%note%that%the%final%decision%regarding%your%child’s%placement%rests%with%the%school.%Once%the%school%year%starts,%students%will%not%be%moved.If%your%child%is%not%returning%to%St%Francis%Xavier%Catholic%School%in%2020,%please%advise%us%as%soon%as%possible.MINISTRY#OF#EDUCATION#DONATIONS#SCHEME:%The%Board%of%Trustees,%at%their%next%meeBng%on%Tuesday%the%29th%of%October%at%5.45pm,%will%be%discussing%and%making%a%decision%about%the%Ministry%of%EducaBon's%offer%of%free%school%fees%for%children%/%parents.%The%Proprietor’s%Development%Fund%and%the%Special%Character%ContribuBon%are%collected%in%the%name%of%the%Proprietor%so%parents%will%conBnue%to%be%asked%for%these%donaBons.%If%the%school%opts%into%the%scheme,%we%would%no%longer%request%the%Parent%DonaBon%and%the%RE%Resource%costs,%a%total%of%$40.%Furthermore,%parents%would%no%longer%be%asked%for%payment%towards%school%trips%and%"some"%shows.%DonaBons%would%be%requested%for%the%Kawau%Island%Camp.If%you%are%interested%in%learning%more%about%the%scheme%then%please%follow%this%link:%h_p://www.educaBon.govt.nz/assets/Documents/School/donaBons/MOENDonaBonsNSchemeNInfoNA3NFANWebN18NOCT.pdfParents%are%most%welcome%and%are%invited%to%a_end%the%Board%meeBng.%

Craig McKernanPrincipal

Summertime Twilight Masses

With Fr Chris’ support we are having a “Summertime Mass” once a month on a Sunday evening during daylight savings. EXCEPT the first of these Masses is on Monday, this Monday in fact, because it is Labour Weekend. This will be a child and youth orientated Mass for families with an opportunity to catch up with whanau and friends afterwards. Come along this Monday evening at 5pm. Bring your family, bring your friends, bring a picnic and bring your scooter!

RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONWelcome back, it is great to see the children well rested and many obviously

enjoyed their holidays. We have a very busy term ahead.

This Sunday’s Readings: (Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time)Ecclesiasticus 35;12-14, 16-19;2 Timothy 4;6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14

Thought for the day: “The funny thing about advice is that the better it is, the harder it is to take.”Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Proverbs 19;20

October, the Month of the RosaryFor the first three weeks of term 4, we will be praying a decade of the Rosary on Thursday in the church.

The Rosary will also be prayed on a Tuesday as a Whanau. Children may bring their Rosary beads to help them pray. If you are able to come and join us on a Thursday, please feel free to do so.

Rosary beads are available to purchase from the school office for $1.50 - (only a few left)

DATE MYSTERY WHANAU

Thursday 31st October 9am 1st Glorious Mystery - The Resurrection

Rimu

Friday 1st November 1:30pm All Saints Day / All Souls Day Liturgy

Karaka

Mufti DayOur next mufti day is on Friday 1st November. Your gold coin donation will be given to

Shishu Bhavan Orphanage in Mumbai, which is part of the (Mother Teresa’s) Missionary of Charities work (in India). Nidhi Beauchamp (Rm 14) and her sister Nisha (past pupil, now at

Pompallier Catholic College) are fundraising for the purchase of school supplies for the orphanage.

Summer Time Masses Our parish schools of Pompallier Catholic College and St Francis Xavier Catholic School are trying a new initiative to build up the faith life of our families. We will be hosting a series of "Summertime Twilight

Masses". The first of these will be on Labour weekend (Monday 28 October) at 5pm-7pm, in the Church. Come along and get summer off to a great start with Mass followed by a sausage sizzle and games in our

school grounds. Bring your family, bring your friends, bring a picnic, bring your scooter! Other summertime twilight Masses (5pm-7pm) will be held on one

Sunday in November, February and March.

Our Next Focus in Religious Education is on the Communion of SaintsY1 focus is Mary. As a Church, one of the ways we honour Mary, the greatest of Saints, is as the Mother of Jesus. We reflect on how Mary’s holiness was magnified by her encounters with the holiness and power, the Tapu and Mana of God.Y2 focus is Saints and Inspiring People. Those officially declared by the Church to be Saints because of their virtues, the holiness of their lives are now with God. They act as models for the members of the Church on earth, and are linked to them through prayer. The saintliness of ordinary people can also inspire others and lead them to God.Y3&4 focus Life, Death and Christian Hope. Suffering and death are part of life. Catholic beliefs about resurrection of the body and life after death provide meaning and a reason for hope. The rituals of Catholic funerals and tangi provide consolation for the bereaved. The Church encourages people to remember those who have died and to pray for them.Y5 & 6 focus is Saints and Inspiring People. Catholics believe in the Communion of Saints – the unity or community of all members of the Church, those now living, those who are with God in heaven, and those undergoing purification before entering into the fullness of life with God. The living may pray to the saints for their intercession, and for those in Purgatory. The living and the dead are all joined in praise of God.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Continued

Classes Attending a Tuesday Mass at 9:00

If you are able to, you are welcome to come and join your child’s class

when they attend Mass on a Tuesday morning.

Catholics Returning Home For Christmas

Have another look at your Church as it is today!

Programme starts shortlySt Francis Xavier Catholic Church

Register your interest at theParish Office Ph 437-7902 or

Dora Hampton 437-5300,Barry Smyth 437-3005.

WEEK Tuesday Mass9.00am   

Class – Year Level

3 Kowhai       29 OctoberRoom 11Room 08

Yr 3&4 Mrs CashYr 1 Mrs Withers 

4 Kowhai             05 November Room 12Room 10

Yr 5&6 Mrs CleggYr 1 Mrs Civil

5 Kauri                     12 NovemberRoom 01Room 03  Room 05      

Yr 5&6 Mrs GunsonYr 3&4 Whaea SammieYr 1 Mrs Matthews

6 Kauri                19 NovemberRoom 02Room 04

Yr 1 Miss BarberYr 3&4 Mrs Schutte

7 Karaka                  26 NovemberRoom 20Room 17Room 07

Yr 5&6 Mrs WendtYr 3&4 Whaea RoseYr 1 Miss Wellington

8 Karaka                   03 DecemberRoom 18Room 19

Yr 5&6 Mrs BassettYr 2 Ms Malone

9 Rimu                      10 DecemberRoom 22Room 09Room 21Room 23

Yr 5&6 Mrs HepiYr 1 Ms SaundersYr 2 Whaea JacquiYr 3&4 Mr Werder 

PTFA NEWSThank you to those who attended our meeting last night, the final one for 2019.  It was very encouraging to reflect on what we have achieved as a committee and how we have been able to support the students

and teachers in our school community.  If you would like to be part of our friendly, positive team and learn more about the PTFA, you are welcome to come along to our next meeting on

Wednesday 12th February, 2020!

Sincere thanks to Pip Dickson and her group of Sizzlettes and Sizzlads for their fantastic effort with yesterday's sausage sizzle.  We truly appreciate the wonderful job you do!  Special gratitude goes to Michael at Whangarei Gourmet Meats for providing such tasty sausages and accommodating our requests.

Starting in Week 3 (next week), we will be selling two varieties of re-useable produce bags and stainless steel pegs.  Prices are as follows:

• 'Rubbish Whisperer' coloured mesh bags, set of 5 - $22.50• 'Vita Bags' cotton/muslin bags, set of 4 (2 small and 2 large) - $12.00• 'Bento Ninja' stainless steel pegs, set of 20 - $20.00

This stall will run on Mondays and Wednesdays under the shade area from 2.30-3.30pm.  We will accept cash and bank transfers.  These items are perfect for Christmas gifts!

God bless,Serena RossPTFA Chairperson

We welcome these new students into our school this term ........

Mason Anderson, Ava Bourke, Isabella Bourke, Scarlett Currie,

Aroha de Geest, Billy Devlin, Jayden Dong, Holly Erceg-Gray, Matthew Hutton, Anahera Job, Aston Kalis,

Ashleigh Lenssen, Olivia MacPherson, Bree Ogle, Surlong Reewi, Waiariki Rogers-Clement,

Grayson Roughan and Caleb Soole.

Tamatea Davis, Keakealani Seve and Luka Roulston attended the Trans-Tasman Gubbi Gubbi Waka Ama Nationals this year in the Sunshine Coast.Tamatea and Keakealani came 3rd in the under 12 w12 250m mixed. Keakealani also came second in the 2 km long distance nationals.Luka came 3rd in minnow (under 10) w12 250m.

We also have Luke Brooke Smith who trialled for the bmx Mighty 11 Trans-Tasman Team. The best four bmx riders from NZ race the best four Australian riders. Luke will captain the NZ team also. 

Congratulations to Jules Newman who plays centre for the Kiwi Ferns rugby league team. Jules was a team member of the 9's team that recently won the World Cup. This week she will represent NZ in a test against Australia's Jillaroos on Friday night. Jules was a pupil at St Francis Xavier Catholic School in 1999.

Well done to all of you.

Congratulations to our Silver & Bronze medal winners

A big thank you to all the parents who came to help

put up the pool. It was a great job and your time is

much appreciated.

We will need to take down the pool on Saturday 7th

December - so if you are free at 8am, we would love

some help with that.

Years 1-4 will have water safety lessons this term with

Jana and her team.

Years 5 and 6 are able to use the pool too.

We are very grateful for the Poolz in Schools trust for

providing the pool for us to use.

*MUFTI DAYS We have two mufti days planned for this term, the 1st of November for Mother Teresa's Sisters of Charity, and on the 29th of November when we bring a can for charity.Lately, we have noticed a number of children wearing "wheelie" shoes or bringing

skates on mufti days. We are asking children not to do so, as we have had a number of crashes! Skates and wheelies can come to school if we have a wheels day.Thank you so much for supporting our mufti days.

*SCHOOL PHOTOS We are still waiting to receive the proofs from the photographer.

*THANK YOUWe received $500.00 from the ASB bank home loan referral programme.  Thank you to the person/family who has recently taken out a home loan and nominated our school.  We are very grateful for the donation.

*PARISH PLAYGROUPMeet every Tuesday during term time, 9am to 11.30am in the Parish Hall. All Mums, Dads and Caregivers are invited to bring along your preschoolers and join in the fun. Gold coin donation. Any enquires to the Parish Office��

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB Reminder that your order needs to be in at the school office or placed on line, no later than the 29th October 2019.

*SCHOOL ACCOUNTSMany thanks to the many families who have paid their accounts in full or who are making regular payments. Please pay any accounts outstanding before the school year ends. Deborah Rudolph, Office Manager.

*SCHOOL LUNCHES lunchonlineSchool lunches on Friday can be purchased by registering with www.lunchonline.co.nz

Two staff members check the lunches off before they are distributed by our lunch monitors to

your child/children's classrooms.  If there is a problem with an order,  a staff member will ring

the provider to organise a delivery of any short delivered item or a refund, so the matter is dealt

with immediately. If your child thinks his lunch is wrong he/she must come to the office

immediately.  Please ensure your child knows what you actually ordered so there is no

confusion.�

Gala Day 2020We are DESPERATELY seeking volunteers to help with our annual Gala on Saturday 21st March next year. As well as people to help run stalls and activities on the day, we need co-ordinators for the AUCTION plus RIDES AND ACTIVITIES. We also require someone to take over theGALA CO-ORDINATOR role from Karen in 2021, which would involve shadowing her in 2020 to learn the ropes. All of these positions are suited to two people, so why not share the role with a friend?! One of the best things about being involved in our Gala is the camaraderie you experience with other parents. It's also a fantastic way to show our kids what community service is all about! And of course, the funds we raise directly benefit every single child in our school, through camp subsidies, library books, ICT equipment, ukuleles, EOTC trips, bike and scooter track, STEAM resources and much, much more!!! If you can assist us with our school Gala Day in 2020 please contact Karen Canning on 021 054 2172. Thank you in advance for your support!

Summer UniformHopefully we have seen the last of the rain and we can start dusting off our summer gear!The children must be in full summer uniform by the start of week 3.Hats are a must this term - no hat, no play.Last year, we made a change to the sandals the children wear. Roman sandals are no longer compulsory, but the sandals the children wear must be flat, black and have a back strap. If you have any uniform queries, please contact Mrs J.

Please, please, please, name ALL

items of uniform!

October24th% % 9am% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%Kauri%Whanau%praying%the%Rosary28th%% % % %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%LABOUR%DAY%>%SCHOOL%CLOSED28th%% % 5pm% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%First%Summer%Time%Mass29th% % 5.45pm% %%%%BoT%Meeting%31st%%% % 9am% % %%%%Rimu%Whanau%praying%the%Rosary

November1st% % 1.30pm% %%%%All%Saints/All%Souls%day%Liturgy%>%Karaka%Whanau%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%praying%the%Rosary1st% % % % %%%%MUFTI&DAY&*&Gold&coin&dontation%going&to&Mother&Teresa’s&& & & & &&&&Missionary&of&Charities*Shishu&Bhavan&Orphanage&in&Mumbai5th% %%%%9>11.30am% %% %%%%Rms%3%and%11%>%Field%trip%to%Hodges%Park,%Kamo5th% %%%%12>2.30pm% %%% %%%%Rms%13%and%16%>%Field%trip%to%Hodges%Park,%Kamo6th% %%%%9>11.30am% %%% %%%%Rms%4%and%23%>%Field%trip%to%Hodges%Park,%Kamo6th% %%%%12>2.30pm% %%% %%%%Rm%17%>%Field%trip%to%Hodges%Park,%Kamo13th% % % % %%%%SAUSAGE&SIZZLE&$2&(please&place&your&order& & & & &&&&with&the&class&teacher&at&the&start&of&the&day).13th% % % % %%%%He%Kakano%Programme%>%First%Session14th% % % % %%%%Nuke%Show%>%ukelele%show15th% % 1.30pm%% %%%%School%Assembly%led%by%Kowhai%Whanau20th% % % % %%%%He%Kakano%Programme%>%Second%Session20th% % % % %%%%Reconciliation%for%Yera%4%to%625th% % % % %%%%Year%6%Beach%Ed26th% % % % %%%%Pompallier%Catholic%College%Orientation%Day27th% % % % %%%%He%Kakano%Programme%>%Third%Session27th%% %%9am>2.45pm%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%EOTC%Year%3&428th% %%9am>2.45pm%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%EOTC%Year%3&429th%%%%9am>2.45pm% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%EOTC%Year%3&429th%%% % % % %%MUFTI&DAY&*&Bring&a&can&Soul&Food&&&St&Vincent&de&Paul

December2nd% % % % %%Year%6%Beach%Ed3rd%% % % % %%St%Francis%Xavier%Feast%Day3rd% % 5.45pm% %%BoT%Meeting4th%% % % % %%Athletic%Champs4th% % % % %%He%Kakano%Programme%>%Fourth%Session5th%% 11am>12.30pm% %%Kamo%Intermediate%Orientation%Day5th% % % % %%Choir%singing%at%the%Loop%Run%6th% % 9am% % %%Leavers%Mass11th% % 9.30am% %%Nativity%Performance%for%parents/community11th%% % % % %%SAUSAGE&SIZZLE&$2&(please&place&your&order& & & & &&with&the&class&teacher&at&the&start&of&the&day).13th% % 1.30pm% %%Final%School%Assembly%>%Reports%go%home%today17th% % 11am% % %%Carol%singing17th% % % % %%Term%four%ends

February03rd%% % 8.45am% %%Term%one%starts%for%2020

SCHOOL EVENTSDates and times for events are subject to change.

Please check this fortnightly newsletter for any changes.