St Peter's School Newsletter
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Term 3 Week 9 September 2021
Principal’s Update
Kia ora e te whānau
It is so nice to welcome our children back to school! They all seem happy to be back and have settled really well back into the routines of school life.
Level two looks a little different for us this time compared with earlier in the year. Following the ministries of education and health guidelines, the teachers are wearing masks if they are working close with children. We are wearing masks when we are on duty and when speaking with you at the gate. Even though schools are considered to be their own bubble and people are traceable, the thinking is that we reduce risk where we can. This is because of the virulent nature of this covid strain and the fact that it is so easily transmitted. Thank you for supporting us in this process.
We are looking forward to Level one and inviting you all back on site as soon as possible. (Possibly still with masks). In the meantime we are continuing to follow our plan for Level Two (sent out to you via email). This involves lots of spacing of children inside, wiping down surfaces and door handles twice a day, hand washing and sanitiser. You can help us by reminding your children to be in the habit of flushing the toilet after use and washing their hands properly. You would be amazed at the number of children who do not do this.
There has been a lot going on around here this week. Everyone stopped at 12:00 on Tuesday and in their individual classes, joined the nation in a te wiki o Maori event; rakau, story, song, etc.
On Wednesday, the students were outside getting coaching on cricket and basketball skills. I saw some great skill development going on.
We have been working with Ngai Tahu on our school narrative which links into our school localised curriculum. This will be the focus of our next teacher only day on the 15 November.
It was such a delight to share the wonderful story writing that was done by these Tuaki children this morning. Ka rawe tamariki! Ka pai to mahi!
I have two more weeks as your acting principal after this one. As I prepare for the handover for Sarah, I am feeling very grateful for the opportunity to have been here for the past three terms and grateful for the wonderful reception you have all given me.
Ngā mihi
Maire
The year 7 & 8's have been working on their mask making skills today
Upcoming events
Term 3 2021
Fri 17 Sept Pre-loved clothing shop OPEN
Fri 24 Sept PTA School Disco. TBC
Fri 1 Oct. Last day of term 3
Term 4 2021
Thurs 18 Nov. RUN JUMP THROW. 10am to 12 then certificate presentation
Mon 25 Oct. Labour weekend public holiday - school closed
Fri 10 Nov. Christmas Twilight Fair
Term Dates & Public Holidays
Term 3. 26 July - 1 Oct 2021
Term 4. 18 October - 17 December (TBC)
Labour Weekend 23-25 October 2021
Canterbury Show weekend 12-14 November 2021
Teacher only day 15 November
RE Update
Thank you to all our families who shared prayer, beautiful RE reflections and learning with us online over lockdown and level 3 restrictions.
All teachers greatly appreciated your contributions to our shared Faith life.
As we emerge from some Covid restrictions, let us turn our energies to all creation and how we can truly make this planet a safe and more habitable place to live.
Pope Francis has asked us to celebrate: The Season of Creation 2021. This runs from 1 September 2021 until 4 October 2021. In it, he calls on all of us to
think about what is happening to our planet, urging us to listen to both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. We are invited to join Christians around
the world in celebrating this season in prayer. The Season of Creation offers all of us a unique opportunity to renew our vocation to become stewards of God’s creation.
Our commitment to the care of our common home is not some kind of add-on to our faith or optional extra; instead as Pope Francis continually reminds us : the care of God’s creation should be at the centre of our call as Christians.
Pope Francis in the video link below gives us an insight into how we can become involved even if it is to make a very small difference.
God Bless
Sandra Shamy
Office Update
Photolife photographs
The photos are printed and ready but with Auckland still in level 4 they have not been able to send these to us. Hopefully we will receive before the end of term.
Friday pre ordered Lunch's
All ezlunch orders delivered to school on Friday 17 September will go in the draw to WIN back their lunch money! There will be 10 lucky winners!
Go to ezlunch.co.nz (or direct to our school shop on mykindo.co.nz) to log in and place your order.
Mana Ake Drop-ins
Mana Ake kaimahi (workers) support schools, families and whānau when children are experiencing issues that impact their wellbeing such as managing emotions, friendships and conflict, parental separation and grief and loss as well as big changes in their family life and circumstances.
Kaimahi have a diverse range of skills and include psychologists, social workers, nurses, counsellors, teachers, occupational therapists and youth workers.
You can talk to your local school if you think your child would benefit from support from the Mana Ake team.
We will be organising for drop in times where you can get some ‘Where to now’ type of advice from a Mana Ake worker. Please let Kay know if you would like an appointment and she will book you in.
Bookings available for:
Thursday 30 September - 3 appointment times available
Matau Update
Tui Corridor planting
We have recently been gifted some plants from Meridian and The Christchurch Foundation as part of their Tui Corridor, Stronger Greener Christchurch Initiative.
These have been planted around the school, and around our community, to encourage Tui into Christchurch city.
The students have enjoyed finding great places for the plants in our school environment and taking care of them.
What a brilliant week we have had as we settle into school life again.The
children are delighted to be back and are happily engaged in new learning.
Thankyou to all parents and grandparents for carefully nurturing our youngest
members of the school through some “interesting “weeks.The Matau staff
particularly appreciated your invaluable support with the on-line learning
program. ‘Thankyou’
Sports Update
Parents needed to coach and manage teams for the St Martins Smart Touch Competition
Please contact the school office if you are available to be a coach or manager
Competition Dates
The season will commence on Thursday 28 October 2021 through to 9 December 2020. Note there is no game on show weekend – 12 November 2021
Competition Grades
The module will be held on Thursday evenings from 4.00-7.00pm with grades available as follows:
Kiwi Touch
Years 0-2 4.00-5.00 pm open ratio, 5 on a half field
Years 3-4 4.00-5.30 pm open ratio, 5 on a half field
Intermediate
Years 5-6 5.30-7.00 pm mixed 2:3, 5 on a half field
Senior
Years 7-8 5.30-7.00 pm mixed 3:3
Note: The first 3 weeks of competition are grading and then there will be another draw for the final 4 weeks, which will include play offs for the year 5-8 teams.
Draws will be based on the number of entries per grade. Byes may occur if there are an odd number of teams.
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
Kia kaha te reo Māori - Let’s make the Māori language strong'.
On Rārua the classes took part in the nationwide Māori language moment. We spoke te reo Māori karakia and were singing waiata and learning to introduce ourselves correctly.
PTA Update
We are delighted to have a new date for our Cake & Shop event, although due to Covid-19 restrictions we will no longer be selling food or drinks - just beautiful, quality pre-loved clothing and accessories. To cut down on cash, payment will be via Eftpos and we won’t have a raffle. Please join us - bring a mask, friends and family with you - more details below.
Pre-loved clothing shop - Friday 17 September. Click here to join the event on Facebook.
Karma Keg Fundraiser - rescheduled to 30 October. See graphic below or click here for more details.
Disco Friday 24th September. TBC
We are waiting for Monday's announcement from the government around level changes or numbers allowed inside a venue before confirming the Disco. It is most likely we will need level 1 by Friday for it to go ahead. Please pencil it in and if it goes ahead we will need 8 helpers during the night and some helpers at the end to clean up. For new parents - the disco is for all students and their families, 6pm -7.30pm in the Parish Centre. We ask for a family donation to come in, drinks, snacks and 'disco bling' will be on sale, children are encouraged to reuse last year's disco bling or wear anything that lights up e.g. Christmas decorations.
We’ll need helpers to set up, sell snacks and drinks, sell bling and help clean up at the end if it does go ahead, so please keep this in mind.
Christmas Twilight Fair - 19 November
Please email pta@saintpeters.school.nz if you can:
● Provide qualified electrical work during event set-up during the day - running extension cords and generators
● Lend a strong gazebo
● Help to set up during the day of the event, or the following morning.
● Lend trestle tables
St Peter's School (Beckenham) PTA
Chairperson: Michaela Allen, Deputy Chairperson: Alana McDonald
Secretary: Sarah Thom, Treasurer: Anamaria Moya
Community Notices
Subsidies for neighbourhood events held between
29 October 2021 and 31 March 2022
'Summer with your neighbours' is about bringing people together. It's an opportunity to organise a small get-together or local gathering to get to know your neighbours.
The Spreydon-Cashmere Community Board is making small subsidies available towards neighbourhood gatherings in its Board area.
Apply online at: ccc.govt.nz/GetTogether
Or request a hard-copy application form by phoning CCC Call Centre 941 8999.
Applications for subsidies close on 10th September 202
Please Note:
1. Subsidy reimbursements are paid after the gathering, on presentation and approval of receipts.
2. Subsidies are not available for alcohol, fireworks, or paid entertainment.
3. If your gathering is to be held in a public space such as a local park or reserve, you will need to contact
Council Bookings on 941 8888 to check availability and make a booking for your chosen venue.
