Special Character - 26 May 2015

We were delighted to welcome our new Bishop, Bishop Stephen Lowe to our school community last Friday.

We had a special liturgy to welcome him with our Kapa Haka group and Sursum Corda Choir performing.

Bishop  Steve was very keen on this visit to meet “the people” and spend as much time as he could  talking to the children.

During the Liturgy he talked to us about his role of being “our shepherd” and how, like God, he is called through his love of God to love his people and to look after and lead us to God.

He was very interested to learn about the charism of our school and we were able to share with him our gratitude to our beloved Cluny Sisters and their foundress Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey.

He visited all classes and our students responded  very enthusiastically to his friendly and relaxed manner. They had an opportunity to ask him questions and enjoyed his quick sense of humour.

We hope that this is the first of many more visits from Bishop Steve to St Mary’s School.

First Communion and Confirmation

On Sunday 80 young people received the Sacrament of Confirmation and Holy Communion for the first time. 66 of the candidates were from our St Mary’s School.

It was certainly the most beautiful Mass and we were so proud of our children, how they had prepared for the day and how they conducted themselves at this most special celebration. They looked absolutely gorgeous as well!!

We hope and pray that this is the beginning of a lifelong commitment to them meeting and receiving Jesus in the precious gift of the Eucharist.

A huge thank you to all those staff involved with the teaching, administration and running of the programme, for the Mass itself and for the Communion Breakfast – a outstanding  team effort which resulted in the most wonderful and memorable day.

With thanks and God bless

Sally Washer

DRS

St Mary’s Cross Country - Tuesday 19 May

The school cross-country is fast approaching.  All the children are busy training for this event. 

Date:  Tuesday 19 May

Time:  11.00 am to 12.15 pm

What to wear:  School uniform to and from school.  Correct School PE uniform or clothing in house colours for the race.  RYAN (yellow), POMPALLIER (red), VIARD (green), CLUNY (blue).

The courses vary in length for the different age groups, but all start and finish on the school field.  The Saint Mary’s Cup Race will be the grand event of the morning.  This is a very exciting race with a trophy for the winning senior boy and senior girl.  All senior students will compete in this race.

Race Order

11.00am Year 2 Girls, Year 2 Boys 

11.10am   Year 1 Girls, Year 1 Boys

1.15am  All Year 0s

11.20am Girls Cup Race (Year 5/6), Boys Cup Race (Year 5/6

11.40am Year 4 Girls and Year 4 Boys. Year 3 Girls, Year 3 Boys

South Cluster representatives

Years 4, 5 and 6 girls and boys will have the opportunity to represent St. Mary’s School at the South Cluster Cross Country if they are placed in the top 7.  This will be held at Waipuna Park, Welcome Bay, on Tuesday 2nd June (the day after the Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend).

Marshals Required 

To assist in the safe running of this event we require approximately 30 marshals for directional and road safety duties.  All marshals will assemble at the school tennis courts at 10.40 am for a briefing.  If you are able to assist please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

PTA Sausage Sizzle

The PTA are organising a sausage sizzle at lunchtime.   Parents, grandparents and friends are more than welcome to join us for a delicious sausage and juice.

Thank you for your continued support.

Kellie Low

Sports Coordinator

Amazing Race

Congratulations to the St Mary’s team who competed in the Amazing Race on Wednesday.  Antony Death, Jacob Sheridan, Reuben Holden, Molly Thompson, Sarah Fitzpatrick and Paige Gregory had a fantastic time at the Tauranga Historic Village. They were sent on a Quest that included, problem solving, clue and fact finding, team work, mental and physical agility.  While they didn’t win the race, Mr James Sheridan commented on the incredible way these six students worked together and encouraged each other.  Well done team, and a big thank you to Mr Sheridan for supporting the team throughout their morning.

Book Fair

The Scholastic Book Fair proved to be a very successful week.  The Book Fair was well attended with sales totalling $4904.50 of which the library gets 20% commission.  This gives us $980.90 to purchase new books for the library.  

Many thanks to Mrs Prue O’Connell, Mrs Marina Parshikova, Mrs Tracey Nirmalaraj,  Mrs Donna Schrama. and Mrs Jan Best for volunteering their time to help with the Book Fair. 

A great deal of fun was had on the Wednesday, when everyone was given the opportunity to dress up as a character from history.  Even the staff got into the spirit.  A parade was held and certificates and gift vouchers to spend at the Book Fair were given to the best costumes from each class.

Two competitions were held during the week.  One was “Which NZ Author was visiting us during the Book Fair?” and the other was “What 100th anniversary event was the country celebrating this year?”.  

We had two draws for both competitions.  

Marika Porteners (Room 6), Sophie Karl (Room 8), Beatrice Sutherland (Rm13) and Angela Santos (Room 2) all won a book pack.  Congratulations to them all.

Lastly, thank you to all who supported the Fair.

Miss Debbie Nowell, Librarian

Special Character - 11 May 2015

Liturgy to welcome new children and new families

Last week we welcomed our new children and families to St Mary’s School at the ‘Welcome To New Families’ Liturgy. Father Mark talked about the importance of our older children taking responsibility and looking after the newest members of our flock like the Good Shepherd. It was lovely to see the older children rising to the challenge of the Good Shepherd and looking after those entrusted in their care. May all new children and their families feel truly welcomed to our school and we look forward to getting to know you as part of our special St Mary’s family.

Sacramental Programme

The hard work is almost done and there is a buzz of excitement as the children are coming to an end of the lessons for the Sacramental Programme which began last October. On Sunday 24 May at St Mary Immaculate Church, 80 children will receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. This will be a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Stephen Lowe to mark a very important step in the childrens’ faith journey. Please keep all these children from our St Thomas Aquinas parish in your prayers at this time.

Mrs Donna Vincent

Caritas Nepal Emergency Appeal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Tomorrow, Friday 1 May we will be having a mufti day to support the Caritas Nepal Emergency Appeal and we ask all students wearing mufti to make a gold coin donation.

In the wake of the massive 7.9 earthquake that has hit Nepal Caritas Aotearoa has committed an initial NZD$50,000 for immediate recovery efforts.

The global Caritas network will ensure that the money received will be used to meet the immediate needs for shelter, food and water whilst being there for long term rebuilding of lives and livelihoods.

Please see the office if you would like a receipt for donations over $5.00.

Thank you for your support.

Kind regards and God bless

Ben Fuller and Sally Washer

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Congratulation to Kellie Low

Congratulations to our very own ‘Super Coach’, Kellie Low who guided her Aquinas Senior Boy’s Water Polo Team to finish 2nd at the NZ Premier Schoolboys’ Championships in the school holidays.  An amazing feat considering this same team entered the second division last year.  Congratulations Mrs Low we are all so very proud of you!