Term 1 - Week 4 - February 2023

Principal's Update

Can you believe we are now over half way through Term One? There has been such a buzz about the place (literally, with bees last Friday!) and we are enjoying seeing the children settled in learning routines.

Lent

Lent is a time of deep reflection and contemplation. To really stop and consider the huge emotion expressed around the Lenten period, as written in the gospels, can be somewhat overwhelming! Jesus, as both human and divine, wanted to share his journey with his closest friends. Why? Because He wanted the experience of grace to be shared, just as the church asks us to do today.

Lent gives us an opportunity to do this each year - to reflect on our challenges, to commit to a path forward, and to walk as a family, school and community towards the mystery of faith. At St Peter’s Church on Sunday we were given the chance to reflect on grace in our everyday life. Do we recognise moments of grace? When we recognise them, do we acknowledge their beauty? Perhaps moments of grace in our life are signposts to stop and be thankful, to reflect on our faith journey, and to step forward bravely through the Lenten period and beyond. Yes, we acknowledge where and when we fail, but we also celebrate paths forwards and the beauty of each moment as well.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:5)

Sports - Heads up - Next term we are having a Football Festival Day with Cashmere Technical Coaches - more information to come!

Netball - huge thanks to Kirsty M (mum of Abigail and Toby) for her dedication in running The Keys netball club for St. Peter’s School. We are still looking for some more players, so please do consider signing your child up, and email Kirsty at kirstyayson@hotmail.com if you’ve got any questions around practice / game times, enrollment etc.

Swimming - Congratulations to all of Tangaroa for their efforts in Swimming at our School Swimming Sports Day in Week 5. Best of luck to our team of 12 competing at Zones this Friday. What a fantastic number of students to meet the zones level. As usual, we overrepresent for the size school we run (super proud teachers and principal here!).

Weetbix Tryathlon - Congratulations to Alex, Eva, George, Isla, Kaspar, Lachlan, Liam, Maisie, Millie, Sophia for completing the Weetbix Tryathlon. Ms Burgess had a wonderful time supporting you all and our school enjoyed hearing about the huge efforts from this courageous group.

Running Club - It’s been so great having parent support with the running club and we are making great progress - some beginner members ran over 3.5km last week! Don’t forget to let me know if your family is participating in the City2Surf, and we would love any photos that you get from the day.

St Clair Half Marathon - There are a few staff considering walking / running the St. Clair Half this year (or the St Clair 5km, 10km). If you’d like to join us, we welcome you (parents this time, rather than children). Accommodation and the entry fee would need to be covered by you, but should you decide to join in, we will try to get some t-shirt sponsorship sorted. Please let me know directly by emailing principal@saintpeters.school.nz

Board Meeting - The next school board meeting is on the 28 March. This is a change of date to the original published date, due to the Catholic Primary Principals’ Conference in Methven.

Upcoming Events

Mon 6 - Fri 10 March. Walk or Wheel to school week

Friday 10 March. South zone swimming at Wharenui Pool 9.30-12

Monday 13 March - PTA Meeting at 6.45pm at school - All Welcome

Wed 15 March HPV Vaccinations for year 8's (form sent home)

Tuesday 28 march - BOT meeting onsite 6.00 - 8.00pm

Friday 31 March - School Fun Run 1.30pm - 3.00pm

Thursday 6 April - Last Day of school term 1.

Friday 7 April. Good Friday - school closed

Term 2

Monday 24 April - Teacher Only Day - School Closed

Tuesday 25 April - Anzac Public Holiday

Wednesday 26 April - First day Term 2

2023 Term Dates

Term 1 2023 - Tuesday 31 January to Thursday 6 April

Term 2 2023 - Wednesday 26 April to Friday 30 June

Teacher Only Day - Monday 24 April 2023

Tuesday 25 April - Anzac Day Holiday

Term 3 2023 - Monday 17 July to Friday 22 September

Term 4 2023 - Monday 9 October to Tuesday 19 December TBC

Our school has registered for Walk or Wheel to School Week 2023. Monday 6 March to Friday 10 March 2023.

Your child will be given a Passport card to be signed each day of the week as they complete the all or some of the daily challenges.

Move It Monday

Travel Together Tuesday

Wacky Wednesday

Thoughtful Thursday

Funky Feet Friday

Passport cards will go into the draw to win one of three cycle helmets and there are a few other prizes.

RE Update

During Lent this year Caritas challenges us all to keep it simple, by choosing small tasks to bring light into the world.

As a family, why not make a commitment to do something each week?

· pray (inoi )perhaps say Grace before a meal

· give (hoatu) do something good for someone

· live -to the best of your ability

Ask your children how their Lenten promise is going? Have they managed to complete it each day?

Pope Francis emphasises in the Apostolic letter Desiderio Desideravi, the fact that not only Peter and John [apostles] but all creation, all history, are invited to join the Lord and be present at the table of the Last Supper.

“Through the mercy of the Lord, this gift is entrusted to the Apostles so that it might be carried to every man and woman”

It is a pure gift that we are invited to the table of the Lord in the one and only “last supper”, unrepeatable.

Accept Jesus’ invitation to participate in the weekly Mass where we remember Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper

Thank you to the families who joined members of our school staff last Sunday for the Inaka and Mako class Mass. It was a joy to have us all celebrate with the Parish together. With so many children and their families present in the church there was a warmth and vibrancy that was truly special.

God bless

Sandra Shamy

Matau Update

Kia ora whānau, Matua tāmariki have been very busy and engaged with their learning. Structured Literacy Spelling has begun in the Matau teams and we have to say, the tāmariki have coped very well with the rotations between the Learning Spaces. It is pleasing to begin to see the ‘connections’ occurring between the tāmariki as they read, rehearse and write down their spelling words and dictation sentences.

Hoka and Tuna were blessed to have a visit from Kat Jer (Clever Little Bees) last Friday. The “wondering” questions from the tāmariki were well thought out and demonstrated the school value of Pākiki (Curious/ Enthusiastic)

Kapa Haka continues to be engaging for the children and it is nice to hear their voices and interest in the Te Reo Lessons.

Discovery went very well last week, and it was so good to see so many of our new parents getting involved. A big thank you as Discovery can not happen without the support and aroha from our whānau community.

Tangaroa Update

Tangaroa students have been enjoying a huge range of activities since the last newsletter!

A couple of things to high light include:

· The marble run competition for Science. This work has had the students learning about forces and will built on to include Newton’s laws when they move into the “Wonder Project” rocket challenge next week.

· While the Matau teachers were at a paid teachers union meeting last week, the Tangaroa students had the opportuntity to work with our junior students. It was lovely to see the leadership and role modelling that they provided.

· Students have also been exploring activities for technology based on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities. This week’s challenge was to build a catapult using seven pencils, 5 rubber bands and a teaspoon. Maybe you would like to encourage them to try this again at home and see what improvements they could make.

Maths in Tangaroa Year 4 to Year 8

In Mathematics, we have been developing multiple methods of working and learning how to justify answers clearly. This learning has included challenges to find and explain answers. Below is a response from Caitlyn in Year 7 to the challenge to find all the equations that can be created from 3 digits.

The digits for this challenge were 6, 5 and 2

E.g., 6 + 5 + 2 or 6 X 5 - 2 etc

Mathematics this term has included an introduction to using a calculator.

Tangaroa working with Matau

On Thursday 2 March, Tangaroa students enjoyed working with the students in Matau.

PB4L Update

What is Positive Behaviour for Learning School Wide (PB4L - School Wide)?

PB4L is helping New Zealand schools build a culture where positive behaviour and learning is a way of life. The framework is tailored to each school’s own environment and cultural needs and is based on international evidence.

It’s not about changing the students; it’s about changing the environment, systems and practices within the school to support them to make positive behaviour choices.

There are over 800 School-Wide schools in New Zealand.

St Peter’s School Purpose Statement

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) will support and enhance our school vision and values; helping to grow and strengthen a positive school culture in which our students can thrive.

What students have been focussing on over the past few weeks:

Board of Trustees Update

Welcome back to the school for 2023. As you will have noticed there is an exciting building extension and improvements well underway. The extension at the rear of the office will not only improve the current office layout but provide a new learning space for all to use. The building work is currently on track and we will be looking forward to its completion later in the year. As the current temporary access layout is different to usual we appreciate everyone's willingness to adapt to the change while the work is underway.

As you will have also noticed there were a few updates to the school buildings over the holidays, with new carpet in some of our learning spaces and staffroom. Also a fresh coat of paint to the Tangaroa block. We are also looking forward to the library having new carpet installed later in the year also.

This year we welcome onto the board Matt Sparrow and Claire Maetzig, who join as proprietors representatives. It is great to have them join and add value throughout the year. This year we have re-elected Paul Arthurs as the Presiding member and Therese Fisher as the deputy Presiding Member.

The board also welcomes all new families to the community this year as well as all returning families. We wish you a happy and successful year.

Regards, Paul Arthurs

Board of Trustees Presiding Member (Chairperson)

Next Board Meeting: Tuesday 28 March 2023 at 6pm in the staffroom.

Office Updates

Ilegal Parking Practices

We have received complaints from our school community parents and also from our neighbours in Beckenham Street that some drivers, at school pickup and drop off times, have been parking across driveways, either leaving their vehicle illegally parked or even sitting in the car parked illegally.

We have had reports of vehicles staying in 'drop off zones' for longer than legal to do so or using the parish front carparks on Fisher Ave as a turning bay and even 3 point turning on Fisher Ave during the busiest of times.

Please be aware of how you park, being respectful of our neighbours and others in our school community. Please put the safety of our children at these times foremost in your minds.

School Uniform Updates

School long pants - last year there were several parents asking if we had an official school long pant for the winter months. After analysing last winter and the array of non-uniform items that were worn, we have a sample in the office of the navy long pant that will be added into our winter uniform.

This pant will be available from Susan Ross this winter by order. She will not keep stock in store until she gauges the volume required. If you would like this pant I would suggest you place an order with Susan Ross uniforms as soon as possible.

Susan ross will come into school to sell uniforms in time for winter before this term ends. date to be advised. she will have a few sizes in the new pant with her.

If you have not completed these forms then please do so now

General information form

Please click on the link below to fill in the general information form. This form is required for all children attending school - it is vital for all our school students to have accurate medical and health and safety contacts on file.

Full school General Information form

Digital Permission Forms - For students in Years 4 – 8 only

For all students at St Peters in year 4 – 8 please click on the link below and complete the digital technologies form. Children in year 4-8 are not able to use a device onsite if this form is not filled in.

Year 4 - 8 Digital Technologies form

PTA Update

The first PTA meeting of the year was a busy one and we have scheduled the event calendar for 2023. We have some fun socials planned including another epic Quiz Night, which will be held in October this year. We are also hosting a Family Games Evening for both parents and children. So watch this space for further information.

Spring Bulb Fundraiser

Final orders to be in by Monday 27th March. Delivery is around mid April, date TBC. Order forms can be returned to the school office or emailed to the pta@saintpeters.school.nz

Payment is to be made to the PTA account by 27th March - 03-0866-0328568-00. Please reference your name & ‘Bulbs’ alongside your payment so we can easily identify it.

It is often easiest if you collect the money from your orders and then make one payment directly into the PTA account.

The school Colour Fun Run is fast approaching on Friday 31st March. The PTA will be supporting the School with this event and we will have a Sausage sizzle on the go and Ice blocks for sale. So please bring some extra change along to enjoy these treats on this fun afternoon, both will be $2 each.

Please let the PTA know if you are able to offer any help on this afternoon. Remember all are welcome, parents, grandparents, wider whanau.

Second hand school uniform - We are currently sorting through the second hand school uniform shed to make way for some of the new school uniform which is now becoming available. We are also updating the pricing for new uniform items that are in excellent condition, to reflect this. Will will share this information once we have it.

We will be donating any excess items of the old uniform, as well as having plans for a fun repurposing project.

Please do reach out to the PTA if you have any questions surrounding school life, support networks or wider school community queries. We hope to have some social events for parents organised soon, so please do come along and introduce yourselves, it is such a good way to meet other families as we appreciate school pick up and drop off can often be a rush.

The next PTA meeting is on Monday 20th March

PTA meetings are held in the school staff room at 6:45pm and are open to anyone to attend. We would love to see some new faces and it is a great way to get to know the St Peter’s School community more.

Any PTA questions or queries, you can always email - pta@saintpeters.school.nz

St Peters Concerns and Complaints Process to follow

It’s important to know that you are able to talk with us if an issue arises at school. We utilise the below concerns and complaints process. Dealing with humans (big and little!) means that life issues do crop up from time to time and we want you to know you will be heard and supported.

School Policies - Click this link to be taken to St Peter’s School Docs website. This website contains all policies surrounding the school. The username is “saintpeters" and the password is ‘saintpeters”