Kia Ora,

We all had a fantastic day with Australian songwriter and singer Andrew Chinn yesterday. He workshopped with all the children during the day and concluded with a fun concert in the church in the evening. Many of Andrew’s songs are sung at Mass and liturgies. Thank you to the parents who made sure their child was at the concert last night. The concert was a lot of fun.

Last Friday we had our draw for the Holiday Reading programme, The great news is that we had over 94% of our children participate in this. That is exceptionally good and Rooms 1, 3, 4, 6, 15 and Kakano 1, 2, and 3 had all their children participating. That is outstanding. Even eight of our new students brought in their reading logs. Thank you parents for your support with this.

Join us for our Scholastic Enchanted Forest Book Fair in our school library, which started yesterday and runs through to Monday. It’s a delightful opportunity to enrich your child’s reading journey and to support our school. Browse through a wonderful selection of books and, on our big Family Day, enjoy deliciously enchanted, forest themed cakes and snacks. Every book you purchase will help earn our school valuable educational resources.

- Students who wish can come to school dressed as their favourite book
character THIS FRIDAY 10 MAY.
- The library is open from 8.30am to 4.30am on Friday.

There was a real festival feel to the Mini Marathon event last Friday. There were over 2,000 children participating and over 150 from St Mary’s. There were children running from all year levels, but it was especially wonderful to see so many 5 year old children running. Our children had lots of fun and a few of our children won spot prizes. Thanks to our Sports Coordinator, Catherine, for organising the entries and getting the children to the Events Centre. It was also awesome to see so many parents supporting the children.

Our own cross country is scheduled for the Redwoods on May 27th at 1.00pm. This event is for children in the Kahikatea (Yr 3&4) and Totara teams (Yr 5&6). We will be needing some assistance running this event, so if you can help with marshalling please drop an email to Lorna Dobson (Room6) lornad@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

Next week our Years 3 to 6 children have their Goal Setting Conferences. The conferences are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday (9 / 10 May). Please see details for booking an interview, later in the newsletter.

The OPEN NIGHT AT JPC is on THURSDAY 23rd MAY commencing with tours of the campus between 4.30 and 5.30pm, followed by the 2020 enrolment information presentation in the Edmund Rice Centre. Please put this date in your diary if you or someone you know is considering enrolling a child at JPC next year.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES PARENT TRIENNIAL ELECTIONS 2019 are to be held in June.
We will soon be calling for nominations for vacancies on the Board of Trustees for parent representatives. Being a School Trustee is an important role and we seek a range of skills and experiences within applicants for this role which will suit those who believe in making a positive difference to our children’s learning. Please ensure the school has your current address. Nomination forms and other information will be posted out by the end of the week.

Some important dates for the coming weeks:
Tuesday, Wednesday , May 14th/15th May* Year 3 to 6 children have their Goal Setting Conferences. Please see below for booking an appointment.
Thursday 16th: School Photos. Bring in your orders now.
Monday, May 27: 6.00-8.00pm. Neil MacKay, a speaker with an international reputation and at the cutting edge of research on Dyslexia will be speaking at JPC. All are welcome. Gold coin donation.
Monday 27th May: School Cross Country at the Redwoods. It is only for our Years 3 to 6 students. The event is to start at 1.00pm. More details will be sent home later.

And to all our awesome MUMS, I hope you have a great day on Mothers’ Day this Sunday and you are smothered with hugs and kisses from your children.

Have a great week everyone.

Kind regards,
David Macmillan, Principal.

Totara and Kahikatea Team Three Way Conferences ( Parent/Student/Teacher)

The Three Way Conferences for our Middle and Senior School classes will take place on:
Tuesday 14 May 3.10-6.20pm
Wednesday 15 May 3.10 - 5.20pm
The time allowed for each conference is 10 minutes. Please be considerate of the teacher (who needs to keep to the appointment schedule) and other parents who have made bookings. If you feel you need more time for discussion, please organise another time to meet with the teacher.

To make a booking for your child please go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and enter the event code ynjgd

You can also make a booking by going directly to https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code?code=ynjgd

SCHOOL PHOTOS - PhotoLife packs have been sent home with your child. Please check school bags! Sibling envelopes can be collected at the office if required. If you wish to purchase photos please have forms and payment to the office by this Friday the 10th May. School photo day is Thursday 16 May.

School App for your phone
If you don't have the School App on your phone we would highly recommend you get this for your phone. It is free from the Google Play or Apple App store.

The phone app is used for notifications eg sports updates/cancellations and important reminders. It can also be used for accessing the School Calendar and school contact details, to purchase school uniform or to notify us of an absence. If we need to contact all parts in a hurry, the app is a very useful tool for us to use BUT you need to have it set up to receive notifications. Please read the following if you need instructions on how to set up for notifications.

Please check your School Phone App is up to date
If you have not updated the school app on your phone since the end of Term 1, could you please do an update. Probably a good time to also check the app settings for which notifications you wish to receive.

SHOWQUEST - The Showquest blog has an update on how you may purchase your tickets. Please check today!!

FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES:

Namaste!
Andrew Chinn’s visit was a huge success! Thanks to all those who joined us. Andrew travels the world holding workshops in schools. His songs are used and performed in many countries and Catholic schools. Thank you Andrew!
Please pray for those in our community who who are sick. For those who are taking care of them also, and we are thankful for the many in our community who give of their time and resources to help those in need.
We pray that those making their Sacraments this year and those who have in the last few years, continue to learn about and practice their faith. This helps grow faith.
Congratulations to the Archer family! All 4 became Catholics these holidays!

Blessings,

BERNIE HALL,
DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES.

It's that special time of year again, where we celebrate all awesome Mums, including soon to be mums ... and yes, you teachers!

The wonderful PTA are selling gifts at lunchtime in the hall foyer next Wednesday 8th, Thursday 9th, and Friday 10th, for only $3 per gift.

AUCTION NIGHT - MARIST ST PAT'S

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.

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 has started again for the year. Tuesday, lunchtimes in the school hall.
Your child is welcome to come along and join in.

Sports News

WINTER SPORTS INFORMATION

Sports DRAWS click here

Miniball - Next games are now Mon 20th May, Wed 22nd May & Fri 24th May

Netball - Draws are up on the website

Football - Games start this Saturday 11th May 2019. Draw info and Puarenga Park Map are up on the school website click here.
To view the DRAW go to the WaiBOP website www.waibopfootball.co.nz and select 'Draws', 'Junior's Rotorua', your child's grade.
9th, 10th and 11/12th Grade - your game time can change each week, you can view your game times for the next four weeks.

Hockey - Maxi (Yr5/6) and Mini (Yr3/4) your games start this Sat 11th May. Your games this week will be slightly different to your game times for the season. Please check the school website for more information, still to come from Rotorua Hockey - click here
Funsticks (Yr 1/2) your games will start Saturday 18th May 2019.

RIPPA RUGBY TOURNAMENT

We will be entering a Yr 5/6 and a Yr 3/4 Rippa Rugby team into an upcoming Sport BOP tournament to be held at Ray Board Park Wed 5th June 2019.
Yr 5/6 will have trials on the field Monday playtime with Mrs Dinniss.
Yr 3/4 will be notified when their trials will be, also within the next week.
All parents of children selected to play will be contacted by Catherine.

TEAM PHOTOS

Please send any team photos you have to Catherine - sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

SPORTS UNIFORMS

Please return summer sports uniforms to the office asap. Touch singlets are used for Miniball and Cricket shirts are used for Hockey so it is important these shirts are returned please.

Children can collect their winter sports uniforms from the office.

FOOTBALL Term 2 Skills Centre Registrations
Term 2 Rotorua United Skills Centre Open is starting May 13th and will be held at the Rotorua International Stadium (field2). Registrations in MyComet are now open.

This is a programme of skills sessions for male and female footballers aged 9 to 12 yrs, designed to develop player ability through engaging, fun sessions and high quality coaching.

Questions should be directed to rotoruaunitedskillcentre@gmail.com

WaiBOP Football GK Programme - Term 2, 2019 (7 weeks)
Rotorua, International Stadium, Tuesdays,
9th-12th Grade players 4pm - 5pm and 13th -16th Grade players 5.15pm - 6.15pm, 14th May to 25th June, 2019. Cost: $75. (Seamus)
Please register here: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/96750
Any questions please contact seamus.c@waibop.co.nz or james.b@waibop.co.nz

Contact: hollisacademylimited@gmail.com

SPECIAL MENTION

Congratulations to Sean Keeling who won the Rotorua Tennis Club Boys 8 and under Singles and Doubles Competition.

HUGE thanks to Jo Sims who was our volunteer marshall at the Mini Marathon on Friday. Every school must have someone volunteer and Jo, as always, was more than happy to help out. THANK YOU Jo!