175 Years of the Catholic Faith in Tauranga Moana

This Saturday, 7 March, marks 175 years since Bishop Pompallier arrived on the Tauranga Harbour foreshore and established the Catholic Mission here in Tauranga Moana under the patronage of St Thomas Aquinas. We need to celebrate!

To mark this special day, we will have 8am Mass at both St Mary Immaculate and Bethlehem (Hangarau Marae, Bethlehem Rd), followed by a hikoi (pilgrimage walk) to the site of the original Mission Station in Beach Rd (below Ranui St). When the two groups have arrived, at about 10.30am, we will have a time of prayer together, and then a BYO picnic morning tea (or brunch).

The two groups, coming from the two Masses, symbolize the two parishes of St Joseph’s (Te Puna and Bethlehem) and St Mary Immaculate (Tauranga) coming together this year, to form our new parish. It’s a good walk from both places:

• 4.9km from St Mary Immaculate (at a brisk pace, about 50 minutes)
• 6.2km from Hangarau Marae (at a brisk pace, at least one hour) If the walk is too much, you might want to park your car at one of the Beach Rd reserves and simply walk along the harbourside path.

AND bring your flags (or T-shirts) – maybe the Tino Rangatiratanga flag, or flag of the country you came from, or from which your ancestors came to this land. I hope that St Mary’s flag will be flying also.

Maps will be provided on the day and there will be marshals to guide us. (If the weather is wet or otherwise inclement, and we need to cancel the hikoi and picnic, we will tell you at the Mass.)

During the course of this year, a “Transitions Group” will be planning other events for us to celebrate the rich inheritance of faith we received from those who have gone before us.

Kia kaha tonu ki nga mahi tapu o te Reneti

Father Mark

Parish Priest

Reporting Schedule 2015

At St Mary’s we place the highest value on students being able to articulate where they are with their learning, where to next and how they will get there. Assessment and Reporting practices ensure the student is both actively involved and benefits from these processes.

Students are ‘making their learning visible’ when they can articulate their progress and achievement. During 2015, St Mary’s students will self report in on line ‘Learning Stories’ to report the Interim National Standards in Reading ( Term 1), Mathematics ( Term 2) , Writing ( Term 3). See  Reporting schedule below.

Critical Conversations’ take place between a student and teacher, when a student reports back to the teacher where their learning is at and where to next or their next learning goal,supported by the St Mary’s Learning Progressions.

Prayer Group every Friday morning at 9.00am

Every Friday morning at 9am a group of our parents pray the Rosary in our school chapel. All parents are welcome to join this group on any Friday. If you have someone  you would like the prayer group to pray for please enter their name in our prayer book which is placed by the statue of Our Lady in the Chapel or let me know. 

New children and new families Liturgy 

There will be a Liturgy on Tuesday 24 February at 10.00 am to welcome all the new students and their families who have joined us this year. ALL members of our school community are invited and very welcome to attend. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the new members of our community and make them feel very welcome.  After the Liturgy you are invited to stay for morning tea kindly served by our hardworking PTA.

Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday 18 February was Ash Wednesday, the day that marks the beginning of Lent.  Father Edwin led a very special Liturgy for us which included the distribution of ashes.

As Father Mark wrote in our Parish newsletter “Pope Francis reminds us in his Lenten message this year that Lent is a time of renewal for the whole Church, for each community and for every believer. Above all it is a “time of grace.”, a time to turn from absorption with self to a deeper listening and responsiveness to God and a greater concern for the other.”

In classes we have been discussing with the children how we can show concern for others  by “doing a little good every day.” Each student has made a Lenten goal  striving to do some small action/deed that will make a difference to others.

Senior School Waimarino

The five senior school classes were lucky enough to spend a fantastic day at Waimarino Adventure park last week.
The students experienced various water activities that challenged many and, in particular, spent time learning how to kayak.
The day was extremely successful allowing students to connect with new classmates and giving real opportunities to encourage and motivate one another.
We had wonderful support from our parents, and would like to thank them all very much for their time in helping us proved quality outdoor education opportunities. 

Bus fare information for Term 2

From Term two, Schoolhopper fares will be:

With a Smartride Card - $1.15

Without a Smartride Card (cash fare) - $1.60

Smartride cards for the Schoolhopper service can be purchased from the bus driver or at the Tauranga i-site on the corner of Wharf Street & Willow Street.

There is no charge for a smartride card. However, you will have to buy a minimum of $10 worth of credit. The card will come loaded with the $10 credit.

You can top up your card by giving the driver the cash amount and ask them to top up your card.  You can also top-up your Smartride card at the Tauranga i-site.

Bay of Plenty Basketball Under 11 Team

 Congratulations to Liam Roberts who has been selected to play for the Tauranga u11 basketball representative team.  Well done, Liam.

Kellie Low

Sports Coordinator