Term 3   Week 7   September  2019

Principal’s Update

Kia ora Koutou 

Bird Feeder and Bird Bath

A huge thank you to Bob Arthurs for the wonderful job he has done upcycling the old baptismal font that was deconsecrated a few years ago. He has created a fabulous bird feeder and birdbath which have been placed outside the office.

 Strum Strike Blow Concert

Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the 'Strum, Strike, Blow' concert last week. The concert, which was held at the Horncastle Arena, featured over 1400 students playing marimbas, ukuleles and recorders. What an amazing event to be part of. A very special thank you to Mrs Gill who did a wonderful job preparing the students for this event.

Air Force Museum Visit

Last Friday our year 7 & 8 students took their learning outside the classroom again. They spent the day at the Air Force museum creating videos about famous air force personal. These videos, which will be accessed via QR codes, will be added to a display. The public will be able to view the videos as they move around the museum.

 Lunchtime Fun

The staff have been really impressed with the way our students have been engaging in some positive playtime activities over the past few weeks.  It has been especially pleasing to see children of all ages playing alongside each other in the sandpit, working together to build a network of roads, bridges and tunnels.

Cyber Safety

Research shows that parents are critical to the success of young people becoming safe, confident and capable in their use of digital technology. It is important to regularly talk to your children about how they are using their devices, what sites they are visiting and what to do if they stumble across inappropriate content. Netsafe NZ has a great website full of helpful information that will assist you in ensuring the online safety of your children. I encourage you to visit this site. https://www.netsafe.org.nz/online-safety-for-parents/

Ngā mihi

Stephanie

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari,  He toa takitini

Success is not the work of one, but the work of many

Upcoming events

Term 3

• Thurs 5 & Fri 6 Sept - Wearable art 'making' days
• Friday 6 Sept -  Year 7 & 8 girls - Let her play rugby - begins for 4 weeks
• Friday 6 Sept at 2.30pm  - coffee and chat in staffroom with Principal -               all welcome to attend
• Thurs 12 Sept - Korfball – Mako  
• Friday 13 Sept - School Disco 5pm
• Wednesday 18 Sept - Catholic schools Lit Quiz - 10am - 2pm
• Thurs 19 Sept - Korfball - Mako
• Thursday 19 Sept - School wearable arts celebration  6-7pm                                                         in the Parish Centre
• Thurs 26 Sept - Korfball - Mako
• Friday 27 Sept - Mission Day - Last day of term 3

• Monday 15 October - Term 4 begins
• Tuesday 29 October - Swimming programme for whole school begins

Term Dates 2019

Term 3 —22 July—27 Sept
Term 4 —14 Oct—17 Dec

Special Character

The school is currently studying the Sacrament strand in Religious studies.

Here is a summary of the theological focus:

SACRAMENT – HAKARAMETA…
•    Basic to an understanding of Catholic faith
•    Visible sign of a hidden reality of salvation
•    Jesus is greatest sign of this – Sacrament of God
•    Church – sign (sacrament) of Christ. Continuing Christ’s work on            earth.
•    Every sacrament is an encounter with Christ through the words, signs and symbols proper to each
•    Signs eg pouring of water, anointing with oil, exchanging of rings and vows, sharing bread and wine, laying on of hands actually make graces present.
•    Each sacrament nourishes, strengthens and expresses Catholic faith    
Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
Lay the foundations for the life of a Christian
Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Anointing of the Sick
Celebrate and reveal to us God’s power to heal body and soul.
Sacraments of Commitment: Marriage and Holy Orders
Celebrate the Christian vocation of service and consecrates people to minister with their own family and within the wider Church community.

•    Seven sacraments are important but not the only signs
•    Awareness of God being revealed in many ways – SACRAMENTALITY

And for those of you that have been enjoying the psalms the teachers are sharing in their weekly prayer sessions, here is this week’s offering.

My Meditation

I sit in stillness,
Until the trials that strive for my attention
Are no more than my footstool;
Like the dew of the morning
They vanish
In the clear light of seeing.

I drink deeply from the stream within me
And rise strengthened
To live victoriously.

Office Update and Reminders

Statistics on you reading our communications 

Here is some feed back from us on the statistics we regularly monitor on our forms of communication with you to check on how we reach you and if you are using them. This is regarding the last newsletter week 5.   (did you read it?)                                          - Newsletter viewed in Skool loop APP  -  141 views                                                         - Newsletter opened in email - goes to 157 emails - was opened only  61.15%.              - Newsletter viewed on facebook -    opened on by 36 people                                         

 Medical

Children can have toilet accidents at school.  We have a supply of underwear that they can change into and we discretely provide them with wet wipes and a plastic bag to clean and change themselves. (assistance provided if they are unable)  Please return the loaned underwear cleaned to the office.

Student accounts sent out

Student accounts have been sent out to keep you advised on where you are up to with your payments.  If you have not made any payments this year, we will be in contact soon but please email the office or Principal if you have any questions or concerns about making these payments - office@saintpeters.school.nz, Principal@saintpeters.school.nz

Playground supervision

 In the morning children must wait outside the library until 8.30am. When the bell goes children can then put their bags away, prepare for their school day and can play on the asphalt area and field until the 8.55 bell.   Teachers have morning and afternoon preparation meetings each day and also are on road patrol and gate duty, so they are not able to supervise students on the playground. We ask that all children stay off the playground in the morning. If your child is wanting to play on the playground equipment after school we  ask that  parents/caregivers please supervise your child to ensure their health and safety.   

Photolife

You should have received via your child,  a printout from Photolife on how to view and order your school photos online. When you place and pay for your order they will be delivered free to school until the Schools free delivery period expires on Sunday 22 September.    You can still order after this but will be charged a delivery fee.

For all direct payments to the school:  123151 0173682 00
Please put your child's name as a reference

Wearable Arts

Wow the excitement is building in the Matau team as we discuss, plan, draw, sort, and imagine what our final designs and costumes are going to be like. We have had fun, challenges and busy times focusing on the upcoming event. Working in our teams there have been great opportunities to share, use our imaginations, negotiation skills, and encouragement of each other as we come closer to achieving our final outcomes. Everyone is really looking forward to our making days this Thursday and Friday. Please join us if you are able. Many hands make light work

Some of the children enjoying sorting through the materials they may use for their costumes

Discovery Fridays

We are in need for more parents and grandparents to come forward to assist us each Friday please.  Discovery runs from 10am to 11am.

You could just pop your name down for once a term, that would be a huge help to us.  If we are to maintain the current rich programe we will require more assistance in term 4 and indeed into 2020.

PE and Sports T3 week 7

Sport events coming up:                                                                                 

Mako Korfball - Thursday 12, 19, 26 September 
Y7/8 Let her play rugby with Canterbury Rugby - Friday 6, 13, 20 Septmeber and Thursday 26 September. 
Tangaroa Athletics Sports day - Thursday 24 October (PP date Friday 25 October) 
Swimming lessons 2019 - Monday 29 October to Friday 8 November at Wharenui Pool (Lesson timetable to be confirmed) 
Tangoroa Swimming Sports - Thursday 12 December at Wharenui Pool between 10:00am - Midday 

St Peter's School Weetbix Kids Tryathlon 2020 School Group

A St Peter's School Weetbix Kids Tryathlon 2020 School Group has been registered for the Christchurch morning event on Sunday 23rd February 2020 at Jellie Park, Burnside. A link for registering students under the school group will be sent out shortly. 

Matau Touch Teams

There will be practice after school on Thursdays for those children registered in the Year 0-2 and Year 3-4 touch teams. Practice will begin once the coaches arrive, approximately 3.10pm. Children can put on running shoes and shorts if they like. It would be great to have parent support as the coaches try to teach them the basics.

Thanks to Liam Smyth, Paul Arthurs and Richard Allen who are the coaches for these teams. 

PTA Update

Playground Equipment

At our last meeting we approved the spending for new playground equipment including a new sandpit. If you are a builder and would like to put a quote in to build this amazing new piece of equipment for our children please see Michaela or email us.

2nd Hand Uniform Sale Thursday 12th September after school        Please send along old uniform items (no rips, tears, plenty of wear left in them) to school this week.

Disco - Friday 13th September  6pm - 7.30pm    Gold Coin (and nice folding stuff) donation                                                                                 Thank you to the parents that have offered to help during the Disco or stay on after to help. It would be great to have two more volunteers for the last shift. We will also need people helping to tidy up at the end.

6.00 - 6.45: Natasha, Ginny, Cathy Tunnicliffe, Rosemaree, Cat Hulse, Rebecca Robinson

6.45 - 7.30  Kirsty, David Orchard, Marilia Mederios, Mary McIntosh, __________?       __________?

Reminder

●     We will be selling snacks, drinks and BLING so please bring extra money for this - there will be no EFTPOS.

●     Children are encouraged to REUSE lights or bling from previous discos, dress-up in solar powered lights, go crazy.

●     Children need to be under the supervision of parents, please don’t drop them off without having a parent ready to supervise them in the hall.

House of Bricks      Friday 18th October        $5 per person

Tickets are on sale now, we think this will sell out so please email us your order  pta@saintpeters.school.nz  as soon as possible before we start promoting it to the wider community. You can purchase tickets from the school office - correct money only please.

●     Please see poster further down for details. There is a lego set for the family that sells the most tickets, please invite your wider family, friends, neighbours etc. We also need a few volunteers that can help with set up, supervision during and the clean up, if you are able to help for an hour or so then please let us know.

●     We are going to have some food available so you can have your dinner there.

●     It’s time to have a sort out of games, books and toys that are in excellent condition, please start sending them to school and we will have a stall at the House of Bricks. Leave them outside the school library.   Money raised will be going towards playground equipment including a sandpit.

New Members Welcome

We welcome anyone who would like to be part of the PTA to come along to the next meeting which is next Monday night at 6.45pm in the staffroom. You only do what you are able to commit to. This is a great way to meet new people and keep up-to-date with what is going on in the school - not to mention making a difference for our families at school.

 Dates for your Diaries:                                                                                     Uniform Sale : 12th September                                                                 School Disco: 13th September, from 6pm. Whole School                       House of Bricks Community: 18th October 4pm - 6pm

Next Meeting: Monday 16th September, 6.45pm, staffroom. All very welcome.

Community Notices