Term 1 - Week 4 - February 2023

Principal's Update

Good afternoon to our full whānau. 

Today our deepest thoughts are with our community as we remember and reflect upon the Christchurch earthquake 22.2.2011. It is an honour to have children singing in the official memorial service today. We pray that we all remain instruments of mercy, that we continue to remember those who suffered, and that we always support the healing process. 

The Lenten Season

Yesterday was Shrove Tuesday - the day before Ash Wednesday and the fasting Lenten season leading up to Easter. We thoroughly enjoyed pancake races yesterday afternoon, perhaps especially the competitiveness in the parents’ race! 

Today is Ash Wednesday, one of the most important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. We met together as a community to reflect on how walking the path with Jesus helps us bring our heart closer to Him. 

We have noticed the increased turn out of parents to our services this year - thank you for being part of these - it is very special when prayer life includes newborn babies right through to grandparents as well. You are always welcome. 

Science

I'm a believer in the power of creativity and allowing space to learn. A creative sparkle is often the beauty that makes a teacher's day, and it is a large part of what makes me who I am! That said, it is also our job to provide core knowledge. One of the National Education Learning Priorities is about creating future pathways. At ‘base camp’ (primary school) this means we need to focus on basics and make sure we are setting up our children so that the doors are wide open for all opportunities when they enter secondary school. 

To support the above, I’m excited to update you with our science programme progress. Mrs Mitchell has now begun the Sir Angus Tait Science Programme and joins seven other teachers each week to delve into both the pedagogy of sound science teaching, and the practical application of this. I attended the Principal's Welcome for this amazing initiative on Friday and together with Mrs Mitchell, learnt about the history of Sir Angus Tait, his vision for education, and how this course is going to enhance learning in our school.

Below are a few pictures that show us getting 'hands on' and experiencing science. Mrs Mitchell is sharing and developing this journey with our Tangaroa students in 2023, and school-wide from 2024.

What are we experimenting with? Hopefully soon your children will be able to tell you! I hope we spark creativity AND grow knowledge, making your children amazing future contributors to NZ. 

“When designing new products, yes, there were sparks of creativity, but often it was applied knowledge and accumulated experience that improved every little detail and generated a great product.” Sir Angus Tait.

Whānau meetings

What a great turn out to whānau meetings last week! Thank you for, again, taking the time to connect and grow our relationships, and learn more about your children. We really valued this. 

Fun Run

A reminder to register your child at https://schoolfundraising.co.nz/ to begin fundraising for our run on the 31 March.

A few things to clarify:

• Even if your child is not fundraising for this event (I understand there are sometimes circumstances where it’s not possible) we are still wanting everyone to participate. Your child doesn’t need to raise money in order to run and have fun in the event

• There are a small number of children who may have allergies or be sensitive to having paint powder on them. That’s ok! We have around ten jobs that require support and the P.T.A. are happy to help us get these children on board in another way. Sausage sizzlers etc! 

Currently, our top fundraisers are: Emily W, Lily M, Charlotte B, Quinn and Cullen L. Well done - this is such a great effort! I’m also enjoying hearing and seeing the great initiatives to support raising $$$. Check out the below from Maisie and Kaspar. 

Have a great week,

Sarah Lowe 

Upcoming Events

Wed 22 Feb.      Earthquake  Memorial Day - St Peters Choir will be singing.

Mon 27 Feb.      Teacher Only day - School closed

Wed 1 March.     Tangaroa swimming sports day

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

Mon 13 March.  South zone swimming at Wharenui Pool 9.30-12

Fri 7 April.           Good Friday - school closed

2023 Term Dates

Term 1 2023 -  Tuesday 31 January to Thursday 6 April

 Teacher Only Days

        -  Monday 27 February

         - Monday 24 April (day before Anzac day holiday)

Term 2 2023 -  Wednesday 26 April to Friday 30 June

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

Prayer for those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle

God our refuge and hope. We pray for all who are suffering because of recent flooding. Give them strength when they’re weak, reason for hope in times of despair and the grace to know you are with them.

Bless the work of emergency and aid workers and keep them safe as they risk their lives for others. Bless too the work of local government and our nation’s leaders. Grant them wisdom in their decision-making, and special concern for the poor and vulnerable.

Fill our hearts with compassion for those who are in great need. Open our hearts to see them as brothers and sisters
and make us generous in our response.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Grace brings the human person to perfection (Thomas Aquinas)

With God’s Grace, we strive to serve others and care for Papatuanuku. 

Focusing on the eternal, unconditional, saving, loving presence of God. It will be considered in a myriad of ways so that young people become familiar with the language, metaphors, symbols and experiences of God’s grace. It incorporates sacramentality so that ‘The Sacraments’ can be seen as resonating with their whole life, rather than only moments in time.

RE 2023 
New strand names (areas of learning) are:
Te Atua-God (God is)
Te Rongopai -Good News (Stories about Jesus)
Ā Tātou Whakapapa Our Story- (I am)-This is our theme for term one 2023.
Kia Noho Hāhi -Being Church-( I belong)

Coverage for the year include:
Term one -Our story
Term 2-Being Church
Term 3-God
Term 4- Good news

RE events to date: 

The year has begun very successfully with an extremely well attended

First school/ Commissioning Mass on Thursday 2 February. The children read and sang beautifully. Father Peter also mentioned how proud he was of them at the conclusion of the Mass. Sincere thanks to those parents who were able to attend.

The following day we shared a respectful Waitangi Day Prayer service (led by Paua) on 3 February. The senior children in Paua read with expertise and capably led the service. Again we had a small number of parents in attendance. 

School Blessing -Friday 17 February 11.45 am, followed by a picnic lunch.

This was beautifully led by our senior student who were responsible for blessing everyone. Thank you also to our newly formed Manaaki team consisting of 18 year 6 children. They took responsibility for welcoming everyone, organising the data projector, bibles, candle and Holy water, as well as designing and giving out welcome cards to all whanau.

I was so proud of each and every one of these akōnga.

This week we have:

Please spread the word that these events are for all families to attend. We would love to see more parents included in these celebrations and have changed our timing of them to see if more of you are able to join us.

 God bless

Sandra

Matau Update

This week we had our Structured Literacy facilitator modelling spelling lessons in our classrooms. This fantastic programme is being run throughout the school.    

Shrove Tuesday and the pancake races were great fun and enjoyed by all. This, of course, leads us into the start of the season of Lent. Each child has made a Lenten promise which they hope to focus on throughout this season. Why don’t you check in with your child and see how they are going.

Tangaroa Update

Tangaroa students have continued to be working well together within three learning spaces. The team work and tuakana teina learning relationships have produced many successful learning experiences. 

Year 7 and 8 students had a delightful three days at YMCA Arthur’s Pass Outdoor Education Centre. Students experienced river crossing, search and rescue, shelter building, orienteering and a sensory trail. The food was also a highlight of camp. 

Students have been working on writing and sharing stories while working in Kahawai. We have focussed on including a character, setting, an object, and some action within each story. The Game of Awesome has helped us put together exciting adventures, and we are now gathering our own ideas to create a detailed story. Could you make a fun story at home using these cards?

Tangaroa Events:

Wednesday 1 March - Tangaroa Year 4 to Year 8 Swimming Sports at Jellie Park Pool. 

Office Updates

School Uniform Updates

Senior Jackets - If you have a jacket already then we are looking at having these taken to the supplier to have the print placed on the back. Please be aware that you could be without a jacket for a week. I will be collecting the sample this week from Susan Ross. There will be a charge for this 'senior' application.

School long pants - last year there were several parents asking if we had an official school pant. I will be collecting the sample from Susan Ross this week.  

School Jackets - Several parents have notified the school office that the zippers have failed on their school jackets. I have spoken to Sue Ross regarding this and have been assured that this is a very isolated problem and in fact with the hundreds of these jackets she has sold she has only returned 1 to the supplier requesting a replacement due to a faulty zipper as the jacket was only 1 week old.   To assist in the wear and tear of the jacket zippers, please remind children that the zippers are not a 'fidget play tool' .  Any concerns can be addressed with Sue Ross and she will examine the zip wear and tear with you.

Digital Permission Forms

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 health and safety details on file.

Full school General Information form

 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 will not be able to use a device onsite if this has not been signed.

Year 4 - 8 Digital Technologies form 

PTA Update

What a great way to start the new term with the Waltham Pool Party get together last weekend, a stunning day and great turn out. 

Please do reach out to the P.T.A. 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.

A reminder that we are again this year doing our popular and beautiful “Spring Bulb Fundraiser”, this fundraiser is live right now, with final orders to be in by Monday 27th March. Delivery is around mid April.

Order forms should have some home with the children, if you would like a digital copy please email pta@saintpeters.school.nz

We are mindful this is alongside the Colour Fun Fundraising, however ultimately all raised will be going towards the same much needed goal of the court area resurfacing, so we truly appreciate your support. The Spring bulbs fundraiser is a great one to pop up at work or your sports club or social place. They are also easy to distribute as they don’t go off. As long as bulbs are planted over winter when they can be subject to a frost, you will have a stunning display come spring. So there is certainly no urgency to distribute to those who have ordered.

Spring Bulb Poster

Spring Bulb Order Form

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”

St Peters Keys Netball 2023

We are looking for players to form teams to play for the St Peters Keys netball teams as part of the Christchurch Netball Centre competition on Friday afternoon's (4pm). This is open to boys and girls in years 3-8. A team uniform will be provided. If you have a child(ren) keen to play, please email Kirsty Macdonald (kirstyayson@hotmail.com) with your child(ren)'s full name, date of birth, school year, and your name and mobile number.

We are also looking for coaches. We will need one coach per team, who can also umpire the game each week. Training workshops are provided for coaches. Coaches can be parents, family members, family friends etc, so please also let Kirsty know if you are keen / available to coach.

Thank you and regards,

Kirsty Macdonald

022 634 8900

Community Notices