St. Mary's Catholic Primary School

Kia ora,

Kia ora,
It was lovely to have everyone back for the start of term. The weather was typically spring weather with some chilly windy days but fine enough for children to get outdoors. Fingers crossed we will see the temperatures rising over the coming weeks.

Welcome to our new students and their families: We hope your time with us is happy and that you enjoy all the opportunities for learning that you encounter during your years at St Mary’s.

Our roll is very full at the moment so if you have pre schoolers that you intend to enrol at St Mary’s for next year, please pick up an enrolment form from the office. Spaces are limited.

On the last day of last term we hosted several Catholic schools from the diocese competing in sports and special character activities. The event went particularly well, the weather was almost perfect, the behaviour of children attending was exemplary. The games were played in such good spirit. We received so much positive feedback on how well the event was organised. I would like to heap praise and thanks on our parent community for helping with the set up, overseeing activities on the day and the tidy up. You were all awesome. Thank you. Thanks to Catherine Elmiger who helped coordinate the sports events and Bernie Hall, the Special Character events. Thanks also to students from JPC who officiated the games, helped with administration and judged the cultural events; they were all amazing. Thanks to the children and parents of the children from the Kahikatea team who ran the food stall. The team made $1800 which is a fantastic achievement. Thanks to Bryce Smart, Gerard Telfer and JPC who lent us mattresses so we could accommodate St Mary’s Gisborne at our school on the Thursday night. Also a big thanks to Patrick Walsh for allowing us to use JPC’s facilities. It was a perfect venue and we were lucky to have Arthur Faulkner (JPC Sports Coordinator) who liaised with us before and during the day. Thanks also to JPC’s caretaker Lockie Beckham, for marking the fields for us. It does take a lot of people working together to run something like this, so thank you all again.

I would like to warmly welcome Leanne Rankin, our new sports co-ordinator. Leanne comes from St Michael’s where she has been a sports coordinator and teacher aide there. Catherine Elmiger has been into school this week to help Leanne with the transition.Thank you Catherine.

As mentioned previously, Jill Dinniss is teaching in Room 12 this term and she is known to many students as she has held many teaching positions in the school.

I would also like to thank our PTA who ran an exciting disco, on the last Thursday night of term. The night went very well.

We intend to have a working bee on the third Saturday after the holidays, November 2nd. There are a number of jobs that need to be done. If you are willing to help, can you please let the office or Michelle Strathern know. The projects include painting, playground maintenance, concreting, cleaning gutters, erecting a metal fence, stripping paint off aluminium doors. This list is getting longer. I was amazed at the support we received for last year’s working bee, so I would really appreciate your support with this one too please. Come along and meet other parents, enjoy a morning tea and a delicious lunch. Children are welcome also. For catering purposes please let the office know if you can assist, even if it is just for an hour or two.

I hope that our children were busy reading over the holiday break and have filled in their holiday reading logs. The weather over the holidays was ideal for reading. Logs need to be returned to school by tomorrow so they can be included in the lucky draw. Lots of great prizes are up for grabs in the lucky draw.

The pool is open for swimming and unfortunately we had an issue with the amount of chlorine in the pool. It has been sorted and is now in perfect condition for swimming. The water temperature is around 30 degrees, so it is warm. The pool is a great facility and we expect that children will have their swimming togs with them when their class is timetabled for swimming. Look at your child’s class educa post to see if your child’s class is swimming for the week.

Please note that we have a Teacher Only Day on Friday November 15th. There will be no school for children on this day.

This month is the month of the Rosary. On Thursdays we come together as a school for Rosary. Rosary is at 9.00am in the school hall if you would like to join us. Children from the Totara Team will lead us this week.

ENROLMENT FOR THE SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME
We encourage all of our students at St Mary’s to continue their Catholic faith journey and to consider being involved in the Sacramental programmes, focusing on Reconciliation, Communion and Confirmation. There are information evenings coming up for you to find out more about the Programme. These are on the 31st October or 7th November at 7pm at St Mary’s Catholic Church. I have sent a letter home to all those children who are eligible to participate.

PLEASE NOTE;
At the briefing, dates will be given and fees of $20.00 are required to be paid.
For children who were not baptised in Rotorua, please bring a baptismal certificate.
The children are required to be 8 years old by the 1st November 2018.
Children who are not baptised or who are baptised in another Christian faith and would like to become Catholic are required to book an appointment with Fr Eamon through the Parish office to discuss options.

Thank you all for sending your children in summer uniform this week. If you need more uniform you can purchase it from our shop or through our school website. You can order and pay online and pick up your order from the school office. Children must wear a blue school sunhat at school. This is compulsory so for those children who do not wear a school sunhat they will need to sit in the shade by their classroom.

Summer Sport has started this week. We have a number of teams participating in the different summer codes. A big thanks to the parents and other whanau members who are coaching and managing our sports teams.

Some important dates for next term:
Thursday 17th October: Shake It Out Day
Friday 18th October: Overseas school band performing at school
Monday 2nd October: Labour Day. Public Holiday.
Thursday 31st October: Sacramental Programme Meeting. 7.00pm (parents do not need to go to both meetings)
Thursday 31st October: Totara and Kahikatea Teams Athletic Sports
Friday 1st November: All Saints/All Souls Day Liturgy
Saturday 2nd November: School Working Bee
Thursday 7th November: Sacramental Programme Meeting. 7.00pm.
Friday 8th November: Grandparents’ Mass
Friday 15th November Teacher Only Day
Monday 18th November: JPC Orientation (afternoon)
Friday 6th December: Yr 6 Retreat
Thursday 12th December: School Tryathlon
Friday 13th December End of Year Mass
Wednesday 18th December: School Prizegiving
Friday 20th December: missioning and last day of term

We have had a great start to the term. Enjoy your week.

Regards
David Macmillan, Principal.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

Reading Logs:
Reading Logs are due back today - they will be accepted Thursday morning (at the latest) if you have forgotten to submit yours.

Uniform shop volunteer:
The Uniform shop is needing a volunteer to manage sales of uniforms on a Monday or Friday from 8.30am till 9am. If you are able to help or even volunteer alternate weeks please see Shanelle in the office.
Your help is much appreciated.!!!

Raffle Tickets (PTA fundraiser)
Raffle Tickets went out on Monday - one book per family. If you haven't received a book, or you would like to sell more, we have more in the office. If you received two you are more than welcome to return one to the office. Thank you for your support.

Unwell students:
Children who have been vomiting need to be kept away from school for at least 24 - 48 hours once vomiting has ceased. We appreciate your support in this.

Rhubarb cooking competition

Our Rhubarb cooking competition will be postponed until Friday 1st November.

Rhubarb can be collected from Monday next week from Room 6.

All entries need to be brought to Room 6 On Friday 1st November

Please write your name and room number under your entry.

WINNERS will be announced in assembly with some prizes up for grabs!!!

Good luck everyone. Enviro Team Leaders.

OUR PRAYERS and condolences are extended to the Saville-Wood family (James Kakano 2) on the death of their maternal grandmother last week.

FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES:

Welcome back everyone!

October is the month of the rosary, and our syndicate teams will be leading rosary each week at school.

What is the rosary?
The Rosary is one of the most cherished prayers of our Catholic Church. Introduced by the Creed, the Our Father, three Hail Mary’s and the Doxology (“Glory Be”), and concluded with the Salve Regina, the Rosary involves the recitation of five decades, each consisting of the Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s, and the Doxology. During this recitation, the individual meditates on the saving mysteries of our Lord’s life and the faithful witness of our Blessed Mother. Journeying through the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious mysteries of the Rosary, the individual brings to mind our Lord’s incarnation, His passion and death, His resurrection from the dead, and His ascension into glory. In so doing, the Rosary assists us in growing in a deeper appreciation of these mysteries, in uniting our life more closely to our Lord, and in imploring His graced assistance to live the faith.
Bernie Hall-DRS

SCHOOL LUNCHES :

PITA PIT : Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
orders online via www.luncheonline.co.nz

FRIDAYS: Sausage Sizzle and Juicies available. $1.50 each item. Order from your classroom teacher.

Online Uniform Sales: Uniforms are available online via our website using paypal.
Parents can also order uniforms from Schooltex (warehouse) direct at this link

For parents who want to order boys' winter shorts with buckle. link here

Change of Address/Contact Phone numbers:
For change of personal contact details : Please notify the office or email : dorothyj@stmarysrotorua.school.nz
The school newsletter is available on Wednesday afternoons via email.

To advise School Absences
Leave a message on the answerphone
Notify us via the school website (see quick links-absences)
Notify us via the School App - see absentee form

GYMNASTICS WEDNESDAYS - lunchtimes in the school hall.
Your child is welcome to come along and join in.

Sports News

Tena koutou katoa,
I am excited to join St Mary's School as Sports Coordinator.
I have a huge passion for sports and have either coached, co-coached and/or managed my children's school sports over the past 6 years in varying sports codes.
I look forward to getting to know you and your tamariki/children. Please feel free to introduce yourself or contact me via email sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz
My hours of work are Monday-Friday 10am-3.30pm
Nga mihi/Thank you,
Leanne Rankin.

WINTER SPORTS INFORMATION

UNIFORMS
All winter sports uniforms are now overdue, please return to the school office asap as they are required for our summer sports teams.

WEETBIX KIDS TRYathlon 2019

Sunday 1st December 2019 -Kuirau Park, Rotorua
You must enter online, entries are now open!
Enter as part of our school group 'St Mary's Catholic Primary School Rotorua' by clicking here

SUMMER SPORT REGISTRATIONS - Term 4 2019

Lots of our sports teams still need Coaches for Term 4. Please contact Leanne asap if you can help.
sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

For all information regarding summer sport including the weekly draw can be found on our school website

Touch Registrations have closed. We do have room in our Yr 4 BOYS team should you have a Yr 3 or 4 that would like to play. We also have room in our Yr 5/6 MIXED team if you have a child that would like to join.
Click here to view TOUCH TEAMS Term 4 2019

Cricket registrations have closed.
Click here to view CRICKET TEAMS TERM 4 2019

Flippaball registrations have closed.
Click here to view FLIPPABALL TEAMS Term 4 2019.

CBOP Primary & Intermediate Tennis Champs

Date: Friday, 1st November 2019
Time: 9am briefing
Venue: Rotorua Tennis Club Courts, Manuka Crescent
Entries Close: Monday 21st October
Please contact Leanne via email asap if your child would like to participate. sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

Primary Division Yr 5 & 6:
- Boys and Girls Singles – social or competitive
- Boys and Girls Doubles
Intermediate Division Yr 7 & 8:
- Boys and Girls Singles – social or competitive
- Boys and Girls Doubles

The top 2 boys and girls in Primary and top 4 boys and girls in the Intermediate competitive grades will qualify for the Waikato/BOP Champs on Thursday 14th November 2019.

Development Hardball Program

In Term 4 2019 the Rotorua Cricket Association will be running a development hardball program for Years 2 – 4 players. The aim of this program is to teach players the basics of hardball cricket.
Sessions will run on a Wednesday afternoon at Ray Boord Park, Devon Street, Rotorua from 3.45pm till 4.45pm for 6 weeks starting the 16th and running through to and including 20th November 2019. There will be a cost of $20 per player for Term 4 but please note that if a player will be playing in either the Superstar Cricket, Super 6 or Incrediball on a Thursday then they will not be charged for the Development Hardball Program.

If you would like to register for this program please email info@rotoruacricket.co.nz

GIRLS CRICKET - FUN FUN FUN!

Calling all Yr 3 to Yr 6 girls interested in having a go at playing cricket. During term 4, Wednesday lunchtimes, Shane Neilson and Bruce Johnson will be taking cricket skill/games on the turf with the goal of sending an all girls team to the cricket carnival in Tauranga in November.

Girls that want to join do NOT have to be playing cricket already. This is to give Girls a chance to learn and see what cricket is all about.

If you would like to have a go (with no pressure!) then head to the turf Wednesday lunchtime starting Term 4.

ROTORUA TENNIS CLUB, Manuka Crescent

Junior tennis starts term 4. Club membership for a year only $70 and includes club days in terms 4 and 1 and all affiliation fees. For more information contact Debra at physiodeb@hotmail.com or 021335492 https://www.sporty.co.nz/rotoruatennis
Club night Friday. Fun games and matches. Primary age Hot Shots from 3.30- 4.15. Intermediate and High School 4.15-5.45.
Coaching with Club professional Justin Megraw and his coaches is available on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Book in through https://www.no1tennis.co.nz Taking bookings for term 4 now. Adult classes for beginner to advanced also available.

SWIM SCHOOLS

Orange Swim School enrolments for term 4 are open, both at St Mary's (Thursday and Saturday) and Holdens Bay (Monday-Friday)
Enquiries orange.swimschool@gmail.com and 027-2203470

Advance swimming at the Aquatic Ctr enrolments are open for term 4. Enquiries uas.swimming@gmail.com and 027- 2203470

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

MARGS LEARN TO SWIM CLASSES

St Mary's Primary School
Recommencing Monday 14th October 2019.
We have classes for all levels from non confident to advanced.
We coach on a Mon, Tues and Wed.
We have smaller classes, provide personal attention and a solid progression based programme.
Please phone Marg 0274599286 or email boiellem@hotmail.com and please provide your phone number

SWIM ROTORUA
Swim Rotorua is a friendly swimming club based at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre offering swim coaching on a daily basis for those who have already learnt to swim, but want to improve their technique and fitness for fun, water safety, flipper ball, waterpolo, triathlons, waka ama or to have a go at swimming competitions. We can take your swimming skills as far as you want – our club ranges from 8 year olds to those who win medals at national and regional competitions, right through to those who have swum for New Zealand. We have a range of squads and coaches and offer a free trial. Bring a friend and give swimming a go. Email swimrotoruaadmin@gmail.com or phone Tara on: 022 332 6922.

SUMMER SOCCER

For all information and registrations please contact Rotorua United directly. See Flyer below.

SPECIAL MENTION

If your child has achieved something special, sporting or otherwise, please email Leanne with a blurb and photo sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

Kymani and Annie competed in the Omataroa 8k run during the school holidays. Awesome costumes girls, fantastic effort.

RIDE THE RUNWAY

Rotorua Airport Sunday November 3rd
This is a FREE community event, giving participants the unique opportunity to enjoy the fun and freedom of riding on the super smooth (and car free) surface of the Rotorua Airport Runway.
For more information please visit their website