Weekly Notices, Week 9, Term 4, 2017

Room 16, Weekly Notices, Term 4, Week 9 (11th - 15th December 2017)
Message from Mr Bach:

School magazines are available for $5 at the office.

Schools starts for Term 2018: Wednesday 7th February.

All  books, sports uniforms and gear need to be returned this week.

9.30-10.00 am Wednesday Students visit 2018 classrooms.  Students to promptly go and line up  outside the classroom they will be in for 2018.

Thank you to the Bradley's who supplied lunch last Thursday for the whole class!
Yummy!!!

You would have received your child's report if they were at school on Friday. 
All the best for next year and well done children! It has been a fantastic year and I have loved getting to know all your children as interesting individuals.

Monday:

• Christmas on the Field!
  

At 11:00am all classes will be singing Christmas carols on the field. Please join us if you have time. Ruma Weta are singing 2nd, concert starts at 11:15am.

• Principal Morning Tea for those students who have been invited from each class. Room 17 students are: Sophie, Dominic, and...

Well done kids!

• 
  
  
   

Tuesday:

• School prize giving is at 9-10:30 in the hall.

Wednesday:

• Ruma Weta are on the move. All gear has to be moved out of our rooms and the gear from junior classes put in. So we will have our class helping to move part of the day.
• Junior Athletics Day on the field at 11:00am.

Thursday:

• School Tryathalon. All students to participate and have a go at swimming, biking and running around the school grounds. All a bit of fun. Students to bring bikes, scooters.
  

Friday:

• The Year 6 Missioning at 11:00 in the hall.
• School finishes at 12:00 so you will need to arrange to have your child collected then.

Weekly Notices, Week 8, Term 4, 2017

Room 16, Weekly Notices, Term 4, Week 8 (4th - 8th December 2017)

No sausage sizzle on the last 2 Fridays of the year - finished for the year.

The whole Middle School (rooms 12, 14, 15, 16 & 17) are having an end of year picnic on Wednesday. Children to bring a plate of food to share. Children to also bring their togs, towel and a water gun if they have one. Parents are welcome to join us - picnic will start at 1.15pm on the field.
Wear mufti!!-apologies for late addition!

SWIMMING ALL WEEK!!!
PLEASE SEND YOUR CHILD'S TOGS TO SCHOOL.

On Thursday we will have the poetry recital finals for the Middle School - Team Kahikatea. The children will be reading their poems in class early this week and a lucky few will go through to the finals. The children have not had long to learn them this year but it is good they get a little practice reading in front of an audience, with some expression.

We are looking for help from parents for the school’s tryathlon on Thursday 14th December. All children will be involved. Lets us know please.

The Young Vinnies are collecting for the foodbank. We will donate the goods at our Mass on Friday. Children will get House Points.

The building programme is in full swing and the concrete foundations for the new block will hopefully be completed before Christmas. Please help us by reminding children to stay away from the construction area and its many hazards. The main back driveway gate can no longer be used to enter the school, only the small side gate and through the astroturf.

Ruma Weta has been given a stack of stars or Christmas tree cutouts for children to write a prayer to Jesus on. They have been hung on the Christmas Tree in the foyer.

A reminder that children are writing letters to Santa and can even finish these at home. The children who write will get a reply from him. The red Santa letterboxes are in the student foyer.

The Christmas Parade was a great success on Saturday. We had a huge number of children who joined in the fun. It is a huge undertaking preparing for the day and I want to thank Michelle for running around collecting bales of hay, organising the building of the stable, picking up the palms, making another star for the stable and coming in on Saturday to help prepare the float for the parade and the dismantling of it. Thanks to Tom too. Thanks to Mary who stencilled and painted the Christmas designs on the hessian which went around the truck. Thanks also to Bernie who coordinated the costumes on the day and accompanied the float. And of course Shannelle who popped on her wedding dress and was on the float supervising children, dressed as an angel. THANK YOU  ALL FOR THE WORK YOU DID OVER THE WEEK.

Next Week - St Mary’s Christmas on the Field!

To get into the spirit of Christmas we are going to have a school edition of Christmas in the Park.

This will take place on Monday 11th December (week 9) during the middle block. Each syndicate is going to prepare two or three Christmas songs to perform

We will finish the show/concert with the whole school singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.

Weekly Notices, Week 7, Term 4, 2017

Room 16, Weekly Notices, Term 4, Week 7 (26th - 30th November 2017)

Today a few from the guitar group played for us!

REMINDER:

Monday is a Teacher Only Day-NO school
( see you on Tuesday!)

Monday 27 November is a Teacher Only Day. There will be NO school for our children. If you need care for your children on Monday you can contact Mary-Ann Rolling on 347 0709 or 0211 215599

AHUREI KIDS........WELL DONE TO ALL OF YOU!!
You made St Mary's proud!


Heat-It is getting very hot from now on. Remind your child to apply sunscreen every day and to have lots of water at school. We have sunscreen at school they can re-apply at lunchtime. 

ADVENT LITURGY is Tuesday-Ruma Weta will be hosting it with Room 15.
Advent is the preparation time before Christ's coming!

ADVENT VIDEO-watch with your child.

Week 7 is book week. We have a lot of exciting activities planned for this week. We have spot prizes to give away also.

THE CHRISTMAS PARADE IS NEARLY HERE!!!!!

Christmas Parade Saturday 2 December 2017

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Christmas Parade – 2 December

The Christmas Parade is only a week away and here are some details for you. This year St Mary’s and St Michael’s are sharing the float. It will be great to have a Catholic presence in the parade.

We will have a donkey with Mary on it leading our float, with Joseph, Wise Men and shepherds. It would be quite nice to have a drummer boy too. If you have an appropriate costume for any of these characters please email me davidm@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

The rest of the children will be on the float which will be decorated as a stable. Children can come dressed as angels, shepherds and any clothes that might resemble people in Jesus’ era.

I will need a small group to help set up the float at school on Saturday. Once we are set up the float will be driven to Rangiuru Street and children can meet us there. I will also need people to help at the actual parade – six parents walking alongside the float and a few on board the float, dressed up of course.

The parade starts at 4.00pm so children need to be at the float by 3.15 pm. The parade will happen – wet or fine, but fortunately Saturday’s forecast is okay. Children will need lots of sunblock and a bottle of water. The parade itself should last under an hour, so children can be picked up on the Village Green from the float. All children will stay on the float until a parent collects them.

The Parade Committee is encouraging families to stay on after the parade for a family picnic. There will be an outdoor movie and other special things for children to do.

IN BRIEF:

3.30pm Children need to be at the float on Rangiuru Street

3.45pm Our donkey arrives

4.00pm Parade starts

5.00pm Approximate finish for parade on Village Green.

5.15 pm Prizegiving

6.00pm Movie

NEED TO BRING :

Children in costume; angel, shepherd, wise man, sheep etc.

Water bottle, Sunscreen already applied on child.

THINGS I STILL NEED :

Any spare costumes we might be able to borrow. Lots of ivy for the float.

If you need to contact me on Saturday my cellphone is 022 061 2071. I look forward to seeing you all.

Kind regards,

David Macmillan.

........................................................................................................................................................................

Please return to school office

My child/ren will be on the float. Name(s) of child/children : .....................................................................

□ My children will need some Jesus’ clothing

□ I can supply some appropriate clothing for children

□ I can assist at school setting up the float

□ I am available to walk alongside the float

□ I am available to be on float appropriately dressed

Name of Parent : ............................................................................ Phone Contact: .................................

Weekly Notices, Week 6, Term 4, 2017

Room 16, Weekly Notices, Term 4, Week 6 (20th - 24th November 2017)

Swimming we have swimming this week-please bring your togs.

To St Mary’s parents, caregivers and community,

Last year our church community supported ‘Angel Tree’ which is a branch of the ‘Prison Fellowship of New Zealand’ (PFNZ), a Christian charitable organisation that was founded over 40 years ago.  For  18 years PFNZ and angel tree have been making a difference at Christmas for children with a parent or grandparent in prison.  Last year nearly 4000 children benefitted nationwide, and our church community supported 42 of those children.  This year through our school community we are hoping to support 50 local Rotorua children.

This is how it works and how you can help.  By the end of this week a Christmas tree will be in the office foyer with 50 gift tags on it. On each tag is written a child’s name, age and a present suggestion from their caregivers.  Gifts are $25 each, please support angel tree by taking a tag and buying a present.  When you have bought the present bring it back to school UNWRAPPED and with the tag attached by Friday 8th December.

If you can’t get to the school office to pick up a tag, please text or phone me and a tag will be sent home in an envelope with your child. Angel tree would prefer that children didn’t select the tags to take them home.

Your support helps local Rotorua children receive a gift from their loved one at Christmas.

For any questions or to organise a tag to be sent home please phone Rachel Schuster on 0274461351

Thank you for your help and support,

The Rotorua Angel tree team

AHUREI FRIDAY
All the best to all of our Tamariki involved with this. They have been practising for a while now and they sound awesome. Thanks to Sylvia who has been coordinating the group.

Best of Luck to all our performers for Friday Night.

Ahurei Practices this week

Mon 9-10

Tues 9-10

Fri  - Meet in Room 3 at 12.30 pm with shoes on and lunchboxes.

We will travel by bus for our rehearsal at 12.50 pm and return to school by 2.15 pm.

Assembly will be at 9 am to accommodate those children from Rm 14 who are in both Assembly items and Ahurei.

Tickets for the Ahurei will be issued in named envelopes to classrooms on Wednesday.

We are certain all your practice will pay off and you will all shine!

Athletics Inter-School is Tuesday-Good Luck to Tilde and Zach for this!!

Also to all the St Mary’s team who go to represent our school.

Again we know you will do well-we will be thinking of you all.

We really loved the Pasifika Assembly on Friday. Thanks Mrs Wallbank. The children performed beautifully and I was very proud of them.

The building of our Middle School Block for next year starts this week. Our Kaumatua and Father Eamon blessed the building site on Friday. It went very smoothly. Thanks to Mrs Dunkley, our Ahurei group and the RE Leaders who were part of the group and sang beautifully. The builders are arriving this week and basically the area from the Ranolf St Entrance, back of offices between Rooms 8 & 9, back of Rooms 9 & 10, and in front of Room 8 & 9 will be fenced off. This will be the building site. Children in Room 9 will need to access their classroom through Room 10. There will be an access space for that to happen. The builders are planning on getting the foundation down for the space in front of Rooms 8 & 9 and behind Room 9. People who access the Ranolf Entrance will still be able to do this. They will be able to walk between the mesh fence that borders the astro turf and the Ranolf St fence. There is a gate half way along the fence line that leads onto the astrograss and people will be able to walk across the astro turf to the rest of the school.

Reminder:Our annual thank you to our coaches.

Our coaches thank you is Thursday night at school. Again a huge thank you for all the support and help you do for our teams during the year.

Children will be invited to write to Santa Claus again this year and for those children they will get a reply from him. Santa’s letterboxes will be scattered around the school again.

The Young Vinnies are also coordinating a ‘can drive’ and the cans will be given to the Vinnies food bank. It would be great if you could advertise this too.

Mornings and other things

Hello Caregivers,

Yesterday Ruma Weta students have been told that..

For the remainder of this term..'students will not be allowed in the classroom before 8:30am'.

As a school this has been the preferred practice, however it has been up to teachers to allow students in before school if they choose.

Unfortunately some students are not treating the time in class before school respectfully (bey blades inside, running in the classroom, playing with furniture) so we have decided to cease this as an option.

Ruma Weta are expected to be in class and seated for prayer at 8:45am.

Please remind your child about this.

Furthermore if you have a query, question or comment about how and why we do what we do in Ruma Weta please do come and ask us about it. That way teachers can respond effectively from a teacher's perspective. Also if you have an incident that affects the teacher and/or your child and you want us to address it let us know as soon as possible. We cannot address what we don't know about. We have an open door policy as far as parents coming in to discuss things with us, though be aware that mornings are particularly busy and it's best to book an appointment first.

I hope this clarifies some things.

Regards,

David Bach

Weekly Notices, Week 5, Term 4, 2017

Room 16, Weekly Notices, Term 4, Week 5 (13th - 17th November 2017)

Thank you for your support this week!

We enjoyed a great athletics sports day. The kids did really well to attempt all events. Ruma Weta children did particulary well!

Our Grandparents Day went wonderfully!
The singing and the behaviour in Mass on Friday was very good on Friday. The talent show was awesome and the generous morning tea was appreciated.

Check out the photos below!

This week:
Mufti Day Friday - come dressed as your favourite book character! Gold coin donation.

Can all Pasifika Group children please go to the hall after lunch on Monday for a special practice.

Food bank appeal for Christmas. Our young Vinnies are collecting cans of food for the food bank. Children will receive house points for bringing in the cans.


The Ahurei kapa haka event has been transferred from the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre to the Harvest Centre (on Malfroy Rd near the Netball Courts) on Friday the 24th of November at 7.30 pm. Tickets have gone on sale.

Weekly Notices, Week 4, Term 4, 2017

Room 16, Weekly Notices, Term 4, Week 4 (6th - 10th November 2017)

Grandparents Day this Friday. Mass at 9:00 followed by classroom visits and a shared morning tea in classrooms. Our concert will begin at 11:00am outside on the field if fine otherwise in the hall. If you are able to help with the set up on the field of picnic tables before school or before 10:00 that would be wonderful!!
All most welcome.

Ruma Weta will perform their Lyp Sync again for grandparents day so can students please bring their clothes they wore to the assembly.

Swimming for Ruma Weta this week: 9-10:00

Athletics Day Thursday 9th November, weather permitting - any adults able to help on the day would be appreciated. All students to be in PE gear or house colours and arrive at the stadium by 8:45 am. Please see the notice that went home last week for more detailed information or check the newsletter.

Thanks to those parents who turned up for the student led conferences last week. It was great to see so many children able to talk about their learning with parents.

Mrs Pinfold had her morning tea with her PPP children last week. We need to acknowledge the awesome progress the children made. Thanks to Mrs Pinfold and her reading tutor helpers for their work with our children.

Mr Bach will be taking 10 Ruma Weta children to the Hands on Water Expo on Wednesday at Rainbow Farm Paengaroa. I nearly have all of the permission forms back from those children attending.

Regards,

David Bach

Weekly Notices, Week 3, Term 4, 2017

Room 16, Weekly Notices, Term 4, Week 3 (30th October - 3rd November 2017)

Ruma weta Assembly- Youtube Lipsync-click here:

Ruma Weta’s assembly went really well last Friday. Thanks to Mrs Hall for running the practices for the lip sync show and to the children for their excellent performances. Congratulations to Lilly and Markus for very deserving Principal’s awards.

Thank you to all parents, caregivers, grandparents and children that helped out at the Working Bee last Saturday. There was so much community help that lots of jobs were able to be completed.

Important Update:
We have some students experiencing skin rashes and skin infections. Please remind your child to wash their hands and keep their nails short. With so many students in one space it is easy for bugs to pass on!!

Please be vigilent!!

Student Led Conferences:

Student Led Conferences are being held on Tuesday 31 October 3.15pm to 6.00pm.

Please make your booking as all children in Rooms 16 & 17 (Ruma Weta) are expected to participate.

HERE IS HOW PARENTS BOOK:

To book an interview please follow this process -

www.schoolinterviews.co.nz

parent/teacher interview school bookings

event code hmm6n

*Please note that bookings are at 5 minute intervals - expect the Student Led Conference to take approximately 15 minutes. If you wish to discuss any other aspects of your child's performance at length, please make an appointment with the class teacher for another time.

* Please note that if you make a booking and are no longer able to attend, please follow the Reschedule and/or cancel a booking process as outlined on the School Interview website.

School Athletics for Year 3-6:       

Year 3-6 Inter House Athletics is this Friday 3rd November 8:45-2:30pm

We are still looking for parents to assist us on the day. If you are able to help please email Lorna Dobson in Room 6. lornad@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

If your child requires a sausage and juicy lunch they will need to be ordered on Thursday with their teacher.

It would be wonderful to have you spend the day with us.

Click on the link for Religious Education reminders from Mrs Hall for RE:

Grandparents/Friends Mass and Picnic is week 4 Friday 10th November. 

Starts with Mass at 9:00, then refreshments at the school, then a mini concert from our various school groups. Weather permitting it will be outside on the field. Newbies welcomed also-Room 10.

All Souls/Saint Liturgy is this Thursday at 10:00 in the hall. Please can you invite your students to write names of their loved ones who have died. Bring the names to the liturgy and place in the basket as you enter. These names will be taken to the Church where they will continue to be prayed for. Let your kids know this:-)

Emmaus Icon Visits St Mary's Church this Thursday. The icon is travelling around the Diocese as part of Bishop Steve's 'Hearts Burning' focus. Father has invited and urged for classes and families to visit it while it is here and say a short prayer before it. 

Classes only need visit for a 15 minute slot sometime during the day. 

 whb.cdh.nz. 

Encourage families to view it maybe before school at drop off or at pick up time at the end of the day!

Thursday 2nd November at 10:00am All Souls Liturgy in the hall - all welcome.

Thursday 2nd November at 10:00am HPP and PPP reading children’s celebration in the staffroom.

Calendar Art fundraiser and ScentCO fundraising for scented pens - last day for orders was 27th but orders will now be accepted until Monday 30th October.

Weekly Notices, Week 10, Term 3, 2017

Room 16, Weekly Notices, Term 3, Week 10 (25 - 29 September 2017)

This is the last week of term 3 before two weeks school holidays. First day back is Monday 16th October. Thank you for all of the support you have given this term with your child’s learning. This week we will be finishing off portfolio-blog work, doing a little testing and completing of assessments. We are well ahead with this already so should be able to do some extra fun and interesting activities this week.

Holiday reading logs have been given to children. I have sourced some summer themed prizes: boogie boards, skim boards, snorkel and flippers as well as all the other stuff and they are now on display in the hall foyer. Please encourage your children to start the logs as soon as they get them. Children are able to take journals and class library books home if they ask. There is some fantastic stuff going on at the City Library over the holidays too:

http://www.rotorualibrary.govt.nz/what-we-offer/children/whats-on/Pages/School-Holiday-Activities.aspx

There will be a celebration in the staffroom on Thursday at 9:45am for several children nominated from each classroom, who have done particularly well this term. Nominated children will be notified early in the week.

Pasifika practice in the hall 11am on Friday.

Reminder:

Forms for parent input into 2018 class placements were issued the week before last to each student. Parents  - please note these forms need to be returned by Friday 29 September if you wish us to consider your input. The forms need to be returned to the big blue postal box in the student foyer.

Thanks to those parents who have already returned the form for their child/ren.

If you have mislaid or not seen the form you can collect a copy from the School Office or go to this link

Touch Rugby starts this week for those students signed up, so check practice times. Mrs Hall’s Weka's team will be training on Tuesday at 12:30.