Kia Ora,

Hello Everyone,

The curtain falls on Friday 15th December on an excellent school year. May I sincerely thank you for the fantastic support we have received from you throughout the year. It has been much appreciated.

Thanks to all of the St Mary’s staff for the magnificent job they do in teaching and supporting our wonderful children throughout the year. Their tireless commitment to our school is awesome.

On Friday, we will commission our Year 6 students at a final assembly at 11.00 am in the school hall. Everyone is invited to attend. School finishes at 12 NOON on Friday. Please ensure your child is picked up on time.

Just very recently I received the news that Leon Volschenk has decided to retire from teaching and finish at St Mary’s at the end of the term, which is this week. Leon has been a magnificent servant of the school and has had many roles in his position as Deputy Principal. Leon was appointed midway through 2007 by Sister Julian. Leon has been an awesome support for me as Principal. We are all going to miss him, particularly his dry sense of humour. I wish him well in his retirement.

Today your child will bring home information about reading over the holidays. Children must READ, READ, READ during their time away from school. Some children’s progress can go backwards if they do not continue to read over the holidays ! There will be a lucky draw again when the children return in Term 1. Lots of summer prizes: boogy boards, swimming pool inflatable toys, magazines, torches, sleeping bags, books and many other prizes.

Thank you to Ricoh Copiers who sponsored our school magazine. The magazine is almost sold out and for those who have ordered a magazine they will be available tomorrow.

To those staff members and parents who are departing our school community, go with our thoughts and prayers. Farewell to Courtney Marama and Abby Rayner who have been wonderful teacher aides at St Mary’s. We wish them both well in their future endeavours. Abby is studying to be a teacher. Nicola Riley-Groves and Mary Kusabs also come to the end of their time with us in their present teaching roles but we do hope to see them back in some capacity next year and thank them very much for their work at school this year.

Farewell to our Year 6 students. They have been a wonderful year group and we will miss them in the school. I hope they leave with fond memories of St Mary’s and that they continue to build on the skills and values we have nurtured in their time here at school. God Bless them as they continue their education at John Paul College.

I take this opportunity to congratulate all our students of St. Mary’s Catholic School. I wish them all a very happy, safe and enjoyable summer. Please be sure to take time as a family to talk, play, and pray together. I look forward to seeing you all in February.

Those families who are not returning to our school will continue to be in our prayers as you make your journey on to new places.

May Christ be in your Christmas and with each family in the New Year.

Have a great week.
David Macmillan, Principal.

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St Vincent de Paul Society
The Rotorua society of St Vincent de Paul thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the generous donations of items donated to our food cupboard for us to distribute to families in need throughout the year, and especially to the run up to the festive season

Words cannot say how much We appreciate your kind donations and can
assure you that many families in need will benefit from your generous
donations.

We are a Catholic lay organization inspired by the words of Jesus
Christ, and as Vincentians work to promote human dignity through
personal contact with those in need. Our work can only be achieved
through your generous help over the year.

This year we achieved 150 years service in New Zealand and 60 years in
Rotorua - and seeing the smile we receive when we assist the needy be it
in food , companionship, home visits clothing furniture - and all are
greatly received, makes our work worthwhile.

Again, the conference of the Rotorua society thank you very much for your
overwhelming generosity and wish you a safe a blessed Christmas

God bless, Alan Scicluna, President.

Fundraising for Guide Dogs ...
Gargi ( a Year 6 student) is fundraising money for the guide dog foundation. Last year she raised $200. Gargi has worked hard for the last few months to get everything ready. Please come and support Gargi to raise more money for the foundation.

Where- Saturday market- Kuirau Park
When- 16th December 2017
Time- 8.30 to 11.30 am
Items to sell- handmade bookmarks, bracelets, cookies, cupcakes and yummy mango lassi

Hope to see you there!!

2018 students
Parents, if your child/children are not returning to St Mary's next year (excluding year 6 leavers) could you please advise the office urgently as classes are now being set for 2018. With thanks.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Thursday 14 December School Tryathlon (All students)
Friday 15 December Missioning of Year 6 students : 11am School Hall
Friday 15 December School closes : 12 midday
RE-OPEN WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2018

If any families want to access the latest Chromebook deals suppliers are offering to our Year 3-6 parents, check out the information in the Elearning section of the A-Z Guide under Our School on our School Website

FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES

It was wonderful to see many of you at Mass on Friday.The year 6 student’s final Mass with us is always special. We wish them well on their next steps in their education, and faith. We pray they have great memories of St Mary’s to take with them and remember all their success in their time here. I do believe our senior teachers prepare our students well for intermediate and indeed all the teachers who have taught our year 6 students over the years have played a part in their readiness for their continued learning.

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of you for your support to the school, the students and to the teachers over the year. Please do take your child to Mass over the Christmas season-the Christmas Day mass and the midnight Mass are really special. It is important to nurture their growing faith and commitment to what we do here at St Mary’s.

Take care these holidays, travel safe, look after each other and enjoy the Christmas season.

Seasons Blessings,
Bernadette Hall-Director of Religious Studies

Congratulations to the family of Khalel Alvarado (Room 12) who have a new baby sister in the household. Blessings to you all.

Year 5 & 6 Camp 2018

The Year 5 & 6 camp for 2018 to Auckland is in Term 1 - 26 - 29 March.
We would like to encourage you to start a payment plan for this activity. The cost will be approximately $350.00 and we require the fee to be paid before the students go on camp.
Many thanks to those parents who are already underway with payments. Any queries to Margo Mason - admin@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

ROTORUA LAKES SWIM SCHOOL

United Aquatic Sports - Te Arawa Swimming - Orange Swim School
- delivering the full aquatic package -

uas.swimming@gmail.com or orange.swimschool@gmail.comor 027-2203470 (text)

CATHOLIC DEVELOPMENT FUND
Catholic Diocese Education Savings Account Terms and Conditions brochure and application form may be found in the office foyer. Interest rates for deposits also available.
www.proudtobecatholic.org.nz

SCHOOL ABSENCES If your child is away from school for any reason, please notify our office staff using one of these options :
Phone 3481 701
Link to website:

Change of Address/Contact Phone numbers:
We always appreciate notification if your personal contact details have changed. Please notify the office or email : dorothyj@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

The school newsletter is available on Wednesday afternoons. A hard copy is always available from front reception if required - otherwise you will be emailed a copy.

BABYSITTER AVAILABLE :
Babysitter available over the holidays. A1 references. Phone Molly 0212923459.

Extra activities available at school -

Kapa Haka:
There will be no more Kapa Haka sessions until Term One 2018.

Pasifika Group:
The Pasifika group meet every Friday at 11am in Room 15.

ICT Club:
Fridays in Room 4. 12.30 to 1.15pm. For middle/senior students.

SPORTS NEWS :

ST MARYS APP - Download now

Summer Sports has ended now, please be sure to keep your settings to include the sport/s your child/ren is/are playing. The summer sports will commence next year in February. The sports on offer for term 1 are: Touch Rugby, Flippaball and Cricket. Once you have downloaded, you will receive changes and/or cancellations etc....

Summer Sports

Touch Rugby

will start Term 1, 2018

Flippaball

will start Term 1, 2018

Cricket

will start Term 1, 2018

Topguns Tennis Holiday Programme.

Venue- Lynmore Tennis Club.