Rippa Rugby
Games begin next Friday 27th February at Greerton Marist Rugby grounds. The year 5/6 teams still requires three players to comfortably field two teams.
Volleyball
We would like one more year 6 girl to play volleyball this term. Games are Friday evenings at the QEYC.
Please email Kellie Low if your child has not registered but would be available for either of these codes.
Kellie Low
Sports Coordinator
Last Friday, 13 February, my husband Peter and I were privileged to attend the episcopal ordination of Bishop Stephen in the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton. It was the most joyous and uplifting occasion as well as being a very significant event in the life of the Hamilton Diocese. Bishop Stephen was being ordained as the third Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton to succeed Bishop Denis Browne who is retiring after 38 years as a Bishop, 20 years of which were as the 2nd Bishop of Hamilton Bishop Denis was the Principal Consecrating Bishop assisted by Bishop Barry Jones from Christchurch and Bishop Charles Drennan from Palmerston North. The Mass was concelebrated with Cardinal Tom Williams and 8 other Bishops in presence, a number of civic dignitaries as well as many priests, religious, members of Bishop Stephen’s family and representation from all the parishes and schools throughout the Diocese.
The Mass contained the sacred and ancient rituals for an episcipal ordination and was magnificent! Following the consecration as Bishop, Bishop Stephen was presented with his symbols of office- the Bishop’s ring, the mitre and crosier. In presenting the crosier Bishop Stephen was asked to accept the staff as a sign of his pastoral office and to keep watch over the whole flock.
During the concluding Rites Bishop Stephen asked everyone to pray for him as he began his role of shepherd of the Hamilton Diocese. It was quite amazing that just as he was reminding all present that Jesus Christ is the light we should all follow the sun at that moment suddenly streamed in through the Cathedral’s large window beaming directly on him. He commented that the Lord’s timing is always impeccable!
We look forward to welcoming Bishop to St Mary’s School in due course. Those families who have students making their first Communion and Confirmation on the 24th May will have the opportunity to meet him then.
With kind regards and God Bless
Sally Washer
DRS
The importance of a second language.
Bonjour,
My name is Anne Boezennec. I am a French native speaker, born in Paris.
Research has unquestionably shown that a second language is best learned at a young age. Research has also shown that even if the second language is not practised or used for many years and may seem to be gone, the fact that children were exposed to it at an early age makes them more academically successful in the future.
It also exposes children to another culture which later makes them more adaptable to different cultural environments and raises their self confidence. Those skills will be more and more essential in our “global cultural” world.
The programme will involve games, songs, and learning of simple words and phrases.
Classes will be held for the duration of the school terms at the school, during lunch time, every Tuesdays.
The cost of the class is $10.00 per session.
For full details and to enrol your child, please contact:
Anne on 544 59 32 or txt on 022 1645 800
As we all grow and increase our understanding around the use of Google Apps for Education and how to access, use and work inside Google Drive we know that there may be some additional support and questions that arise for both students and parents.
Every Wednesday morning (through until the end of Term 1) from 8.15am-9.15am I will be available for you or your children to drop in and ask any questions. This will be based in the Library. I am not sure how heavy the demand will be and if we will need to have more of a schedule and structure to the morning, so this may develop over the term.
Kind Regards,
Jana Benson
Come along for a FREE COFFEE on the PTA!!
As a welcome to 2015, the PTA is shouting mum's and dad's a coffee, tea or hot chocolate on Friday 20 February from the new time of 2.00pm.
Look out for Vicky's Coffee Cart by the Junior Playground!
Regards
PTA
Wednesday 18 February is ASH WEDNESDAY - the beginning of Lent.
We will be having a special Liturgy with the distribution of ashes at 9.30am in the Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey Centre to mark the beginning of Lent.
One of our Priests will be leading the Liturgy.
You are all very welcome and we encourage you to join us if you are able to.
With kind regards and God bless
Sally Washer(DRS)
Parents and caregivers are warmly invited to join us for our ‘Meet the Teacher’ evening on Monday 9 February starting at 5.00pm. Each presentation will set out the team and class room expectations for learning, home learning, behaviour management and assessment and reporting for the year ahead.
We have staggered the starting times, to allow parents with children in different year levels to attend the separate presentations.
5.00pm: Tika/Junior Team will meet in the Modern Learning Environment/Room 16, with a welcome by our Principal, Ben Fuller. Team Leader, Fay Warnock and Junior Team teachers will follow with their presentation.
5.30pm: Whakapono/Middle School will meet in the Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey Centre, with a welcome by Mr Fuller. Team Leader Gerardine Robbie, and Middle Team teachers will follow with their presentation.
6.00pm: Aroha/Senior School will meet in the Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey Centre, with a welcome by Mr Fuller. Team Leader Jacq Price, and Senior Team teachers will follow with their presentation.
On Wednesday 22 October all our year 5 and 6 students took part in the World Vision Kids for Kids Concert at BayCourt .
It was an amazing night! Our students performed and sang so well . We were very proud of them. They had a great time singing songs with guest performer Nathan King.
Nathan King was an outstanding performer, had a beautiful voice and certainly was a great dancer! He really engaged the students and made it a very memorable and fun night for them.
We were especially proud of four of our St Mary’s students who were chosen to sing soloist parts - India Mahy, Sam Taane, Tia Powell and Callum Jeffries. Our congratulations to them.
The end of the term is fast approaching and the school library will be closing on 8 December for stocktaking. It would be a great help if all library books are returned to the library by this date.
