Hello Everyone,

Last Friday we had our first school Mass. Thanks to those who joined us for this. We were able to welcome our new students and families during the Mass and also had a chance to meet our new Parish Priest, Father Thomas.

Tomorrow at 2.00pm at St Mary’s Church, our Student Leaders for 2021 are being commissioned and blessed. Anyone is welcome to attend this ceremony.

This weekend we have a number of students being confirmed at the 10.00am Mass at St Mary’s. We wish them God’s blessings as they receive this wonderful sacrament. Congratulations to :

Next Thursday is our GALA DAY. Our PTA are doing an amazing

job bringing the event together. Prayers please that we get a

beautiful fine evening. Our Gala Day is a really awesome

community night, so I encourage you all to come:

invite everyone you possibly can.

The Gala starts at 4.00pm and finishes at 7.00pm.

Thanks to all those families who have contributed so far to our Gala. Please see our Gala Countdown requirements later in this newsletter. Of course we will accept other things up until Gala Day.

Points to note -
No fresh cream items please; cake boxes will be given out to all students for our coffee and cake stall and items will be priced by our PTA.

Baby Elephant includes – children’s toys, sports gear, CD’s, DVD’s, puzzles, games, lego, books.

PLEASE NO damaged or broken second hand goods.

All gala contributions to be taken to your child’s class box in the hall foyer as each item received wins 1 point towards their class; the class that receives the most points (pro-rata on number of children per class) wins a surprise lunch!!! The class that brings in the most cakes also wins a special prize.

It is with regret that our librarian Kay Hall has resigned from her position and is moving to Palmerston North. The Librarian position has been advertised on Trade Me Jobs. A copy of the Job Description is available from the school office or on the Trade Me Website.

Enjoy the busy week ahead, and again, requesting prayers for a fine day for the Gala Day.

We look forward to seeing everyone at our school gala 4pm – 7pm on Thursday 1st March.

Have an awesome week.

David Macmillan, Principal.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR TERM 1:

4th March Thursday Gala Day
24th March Caritas Rice Day
9th March Tuesday Rats Duathlon
8-17th March. Totara classes on camp
19th March Friday St Joseph’s Mass. 9.00am St Mary’s Church
22nd March Swimming Sports
25th March Thurs Annunciation Liturgy
30th March Tuesday Donkey Parade at school
1st April Thursday Washing of the Feet Liturgy
2nd April Good Friday (Holiday)
4th April Easter Sunday
5th April Monday Holiday
6th April Holiday
15th April Thursday Totara Art Exhibition
16th April Last Day of Term 1

David Macmillan, Principal.

FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES:

Kia ora everyone!

Classes have begun their Caritas unit this week. The Caritas Lenten theme for 2021 is "A New Way Forward". In our changing world we all need to work together to find a new way forward to transform our world into one that promotes love, hope and justice for all. It feels very timely that the theme for Lent 2021 is highlighting moving forward as we reflect on the events of 2020 and the continuing impact of the pandemic.

The education resources have been designed to focus on the Gospel readings for each Sunday during Lent and connect to the work of Caritas and the call for justice in our world. So students will visit and unpack the weekly Gospel readings and reflect what they say to us today. We pray for our year 6 students who are soon to be commissioned into their leadership roles for 2021. We also pray for those students undertaking their Sacraments at this time.

Kia noho te Atua ki a koe kia tutaki ra ano tatou.

BERNIE HALL
Director of Religious Education

G A L A. ...... 4TH MARCH 2021 ...... WEEKLY UPDATE

Be in quick to secure a baton for the quick fire draws for $100.00. Email the PTA on stmarysptarotorua@outlook.com to secure a baton, or if you can offer any donations.

DAILY COUNTDOWN TO GALA DAY

Remember to update your child's class for 2021. Log onto www.lunchonline.co.nz and click on 'members'.

SCHOOL LUNCHES :

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

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

Online Uniform Sales: Uniforms are available online via our website using paypal.

__**Uniform Shop volunteers : thanks to our six generous parents who put their hand up to look after our uniform shop. Many thanks.

CHESS CLUB: Fundraising for the Chess Club - still wanted -
all your scrap metal (even any old car/truck batteries) nuts, bolts, electric wiring etc.
Can be dropped at school by the caretaker's shed any time on Tuesdays.

First Credit Union School Banking 2021

First Credit Union provides a school banking service to all pupils at St Mary's School. Getting started is easy - just pick up an application pack from the school office, fill in the application form and return it to the school office. If your children are already doing school banking, remember that the school banking is collected on Thursday each week!
Deposits between 12 February and 12 April will put you in the draw to win 1 of 3 bikes available!!!

SPORTS NEWS

UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS:
Tuesday 9th March - RATS Duathlon

Registrations close: 3.15pm Monday 1st March Registration form below

ROOMS 1 & 4 WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO THIS EVENT AS THEY WILL BE ON CAMP - Please do not enter your child if they are in Room 1 or 4.

DATE: Tuesday 9th March 2021 (No postponement date)
TIME: 8.30am registration opens, first race at 9.30am
VENUE: Waipa MTB Car Park, Whakarewarewa Forest
COST: $10 entry fee
Short Course: 500 m Run – 3 km MTB – 500m Run (Years 3/4, 5/6)
Long Course: 1.5 km Run – 8 km MTB – 500m Run (Years 5/6)
Age Groups:
Year 3 and 4 children must enter the short course.
Year 5 and 6 children can choose which course they would like to enter - short or long.

Please make sure bikes are serviced before the event. Helmets are compulsory.

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to transport your child and their bike to AND from the event.
RATS Kids Registration Form

GO BY BIKE DAY
Well done to everyone that took part in the Go by Bike day today. We had over 80 children & parents travel to school together by bike/scooter this morning. There were lots of smiles & laughs along the way too. A huge thank you to all our helpers, it allowed for a safe & fun event.
Thank you to Sports BOP for organising the event. Hopefully it has encouraged your child to start biking to school.

SCHOOL APP - SPORTS ALERTS
Please make sure you are subscribed to the sports your child is currently playing and would like to play as well as any sports events coming up. Alerts specific to these sports/sports events will be sent to these groups rather than whole school school alerts.

SPORTS/PE UNIFORM FOR 2021
As previously mentioned, we are now using our School PE Uniform instead of school issued uniforms for Touch Rugby, Cricket, Football and Hockey.
All players are to wear the newer PE Uniform, this includes YEAR 6 Students.
The PE Uniform is also used for our school Cross Country, Mini Marathon, Athletics Day and inter-school events (where applicable) and can also be worn when children are doing sports at school.

Uniform can be purchased via the School Uniform Shop open Monday & Friday 8.30 - 9.00am and Wednesday 2.30 - 3.00pm and via our School Website HERE
If you have any queries please contact me asap so we can make necessary arrangements.

Whaea Leanne - School Sports Coordinator
sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz
027 285 7579 or via School Office 07 348 1701
All information about sports can be found on our school website www.stmarysrotorua.school.nz/oursports

Kauria Te Moana – Free Children’s Swim Clinic

When: 13/03/2021
Where: Rotorua Aquatic Centre and Lake Okareka
Cost: Free
Included: Each child will receive:
Entry to the pool & lake swim safety clinic
A free Kauria Te Moana t-shirt
Lunch and snacks on the day of the clinic
Free entry to the Legend of the Lake event taking place on 20/03/2021 https://oceanswim.co.nz/ocean-kids/
Swimming Requirement: Children wanting to attend the clinic must to be able to swim 100m competently in a pool without stopping.
To Register: https://event.registernow.io/KauriaTeMoana Alternatively, you can request a paper application form from the School Office. Paper forms need to be returned to the Rotorua Aquatic Centre by Friday 26 February 5pm and placed in the box at reception.

LIFE EDUCATION TRUST: