Food

Could everyone please send an item of nonperishable food along to school for the St Vincent de Paul foodbank- cans, packets of pasta, packets of jellies, sachets of stuff,etc

Plastic Bags

Could you please send a plastic bag along with your children, so we can send their books home at the end of the week. Thanks.

Shared Lunch

Mrs Scholte has very kindly offered to make Room 8's shared lunch on Wednesday, so we don't have to worry about potential allergic reactions. 

Assembly

As Room 8 didn't do assembly last week due to the Middle and Senior school being out at Athletics, we will be doing it this Friday- it will be the same format as we had planned and practiced for last week, so if your child was involved last week, he/she will be involved this week.

sausage sizzle

Once again we will not bother with sausage sizzle for Room 8 for this week- Friday. The Senior and Middle athletics sports have been postponed till this week, as with what was supposed to happen last week, we need to have ordered the sausages tomorrow, however, we will be going to the Museum in the morning and we don't get back till lunchtime. So could you please send a normal lunch with your children on Friday.
Thanks.

Student Led Conferences

Student Led Conferences will take place on Monday 30 November from 3.15pm to 7.00pm. The conference takes place in your child's classroom and bookings will be set at 5 minute intervals. However this does not mean that conferences are only limited to 5 minutes in the classroom. You may take as much time as you wish and other parents and students will also be present in the classroom at these times.
Bookings for your time slot may now be accessed:

www.schoolinterviews.co.nz
Code: 6ARLU

Sausage sizzle

According to today's newsletter, there will be NO sausage sizzle for the Juniors on Friday, I think the safest thing to do is to send your child's ordinary lunch!!

Homework.

I have told the children that I will not be sending home books for the rest of the term for them to read with you. What I would like them to do is: - help with preparing meals, - read books you have at home, - talk about their day at school, and what they have learnt, - help with making grocery shopping lists and then help with finding the items in the supermarket.Any other ideas that you have around your homes would be great.

Sausage Sizzle for this Friday

If your children want a sausage for lunch on Friday, they will need to order it on Thursday to fit in with the Seniors and Middles being out at Athletic Sports..

Google Apps for Education Accounts and Chromebooks

Google Apps for Education Accounts and Chromebooks.

You may or may not be aware that in 2014, with the support of our Board of Trustees, we introduced Google Apps for Education accounts for all our Year 3 and 4 students. Since June 2014 we have allowed students to bring a Chromebook to school. 

This programme was expanded In 2015, so now all our students in Year 3-6 have Google Apps for Education accounts and a large number of the students bring their own Chromebook to school. This has resulted in all our Middle School students having access to a device, which is used on a daily basis for learning purposes. Some common questions parents have are:Why have we done this?What is a Chromebook? What can you do on them? Why this particular device? Can my child bring a different device?What is a Google Apps for Education account? Why and how are students using this to help them with their learning? Aren't Year 3 students too young for this?Is it worth buying a device for my child? How much do they use it in class? What are the benefits of bringing a personally owned device to school? Where can I buy one? How much do they cost? Which model should I get?On Monday 16 November, our Elearning Lead Teachers, along with some of our 2016 Middle School Teachers, will provide an information session to help parents gain a better understanding of how and why we are utilising Google Apps for Education accounts, along with devices, to assist our students with their learning.On Friday all Year 2 students were given a notice to take home. In case this notice never reached you, this is what it said.

Notice for Parents of 2015 Year 2 students

On Monday night we are holding an information evening for parents who have children who will be in Year 3 classes at St Mary’s in 2016
When: Monday 16 NovemberWhere: Room 14Time: 6pm - 6.45pmPurpose: To provide parents with a better understanding of why and how  students use Chromebooks and Google Apps accounts in our Year 3-4 classrooms.
We hope you are able to attend.

Mufti Day

Just a reminder there is a Mufti Day tomorrow- we are raising money for the Annual Special children's Christmas Party at Mystery Creek- the children are to bring a gold coin.

Lost Camera

Last Friday there was a camera lost by a Grandparents while we were having the concert on the field- it is a Panasonic LUMIX camera in a silver and black case and there were a few accessories like memory sticks and adaptors in the case. These have lots of precious family memories on them, so it you are able to help with finding it, please let the school office know..

morning tea

Just a quick reminder that the children need to bring morning tea to share with the grandparents tomorrow after Mass. Could you please send finger food, like muffins, little sandwiches, cupcakes etc. Thanks for your help.. 

Grandparents/Grandfriends Mass

This Friday we have our annual Grandparents Mass- we have re-named it Grandfriends as well, in case the children don't have grandparents who are able to come to the Mass. The children will be bringing home an invitation for their grandparents/friends this week. The Mass is at 9.00 in the Church and afterwards the children will escort their grandparents back to the class to share their work. We would like the children to bring morning tea, so we can share it with the grandparents after Mass. At about 10.30, there will be a concert for the grandparents to watch outside the Hall.

Cans and Liturgy

Thanks to all the parents who sent along a can on Friday morning to support our Young Vinnies food bank appeal for the end of the year.
Tomorrow the All Soul's Day Liturgy will now be held in the Hall, NOT the Church. It will still be at 10.00 in the Hall, for those of you who are able to join us.

Black out day

Don't forget to send the children to school in their black clothes tomorrow to support the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final- also could the children bring a can of food to put towards to Young Vinnies Christmas Foodbank appeal.

another black out day

We will be having another Black out Day on Friday (30 October) to support the All Blacks. Could everyone bring a can of food to school, as a way of payment, this will go towards our end of year donation towards the Young Vinnies Foodbank.

Black Out Day

As mentioned in the newsletter this week, tomorrow is a black out day- everyone can wear black to support the All Blacks play in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup on Sunday morning. (Mrs Tootill's son in London text me this morning to say he has just got tickets to the big game on Sunday)

Swimming

My apologies for not putting this on the Blog yesterday, but our swimming time has changed to 12.00 - 12.30. We started this time yesterday, and this time will continue for the rest of the term in even weeks. Thanks for sending swimming togs with your children this week.

Holidays

TERM 4  WEEK 1

Welcome Back Everyone!

We trust you and your child have had an enjoyable break! 

We can see your child is ready and rearing to go for another great term of learning!

This term we have swimming in the even weeks, we will swim at 2:30-2:50pm.

This term our Concept is SYMBOLISM and how we see and interact with different symbols in our daily lives.

In Literacy we will be covering different genre to expose the class to a variety of ways to respond to many different language experiences we have organized for the class.

In Maths we continue to focus on numeracy and we will also be looking at TRANSFORMATION.

RE-October is the month of the rosary so we will be talking to the class about the history and importance of the rosary. We will practice reciting some of the rosary also.

Please remember to send back the READING LOGS....Room 8 did a fantastic effort last term!

Lets do that again...Thank You.

God Bless

Bernie and Heather

Have a wonderful holiday with your children- I hope the weather is kind to us all, and  the children manage to get outside for some of the time.

 Please remember to fill in the Reading Log every day- we want all the Reading Logs returned in the first week back after the holidays, we will have a treat again if all the Logs are returned....

Thank you for all the work you have done with your children this term, supporting the work we do in the classroom.

The children may wear summer uniform after the holiday, but if the weather is still a little inclement, they may wear their winter uniform, but not a combination of both.

Golden Time

• Don't forget that our Golden Time on Friday is a shared lunch, we will be having it at the normal eating time of 1.30, please send healthy food.

• We will be sending home the Reading Logs tomorrow, please fill them in over the holidays and get them back to school in the first week of next term, so all the children are in the draw to win a prize.

Golden Time Week 10

Room 8 has voted to have a Teddy Bear's picnic for Golden time this Friday, we will have it at lunchtime, and then we are going outside to play games.
Please send food that is suitable for the children's lunch, e.g. sandwiches, fruit kebabs etc.

The Dunking of Mr Macmillan

On Friday after Assembly Mr Macmillan had his 'Dunking'- it was a really grand event, well worth seeing!!

Mufti Day

Remember that there is a Mufti Day on Friday 11 September. The children can dress up as they please for a Gold Coin Donation.

School Lunches to Return this Term

We are very excited to announce that we have partnered with Pita Pit Rotorua to

provide a Healthy, Nutritious, Delicious and Affordable lunch option. Lunches

will be available from next Thursday 10th of September 2015. Pita Pit Rotorua

have put together a competitive menu for us, including 7 different flavours to

choose from ranging from Happy Ham to Falafel, and the full range of salads that

are available at their store. They will also be able to provide Charlies Juice Packs,

Charlies Sipper Water, Cookies,  Brownie and sliced Apple. A Kids Pita including

Lettuce, Cheddar Cheese, a choice of one sauce and two salads will cost $4.50.

Pita Pit will be using the www.lunchonline.co.nz platform for parents to order

from. The cut off time for orders is 9.00am on the day, and you can also order in

advance for up to 20 days. The lunches will be available on Tuesdays and

Thursdays for the remainder of term 3 and term 4. Please go to

www.lunchonline.co.nz register your children and link them to St Mary’s Catholic

Primary School. Once you have set up your account you will need to make a

payment of a minimum of $20 before you can order (credit card or bank account

transfer options are available) and then you are set to order from the Pita Pit

menu.

The team from Pita Pit Rotorua will came to the school on Wednesday before the

launch with samples of some of the salads for the children to try and everyone

agreed it was delicious!!

Shared Lunch

Just a reminder that tomorrow- Friday 7 August- is Mary MacKillop day and we are having a shared lunch, so could everyone please send something really  healthy to share with the class. It would be great if we didn't have chips or packets of biscuits or anything else that is not quite so healthy.
Thanks for that!!

Steamed Pudding

The children can order steam pudding tomorrow (Thursday). It will come at 1.15 with custard and will cost $1.50. The children will need to order in class before school.

On-line lunch orders

The on-line lunch order service has been suspended for now, while a new supplier is sourced, so please order through the normal school lunch system if you are ordering lunches for your children.

Cross Country

The Cross Country that was going to be held this Thursday afternoon will now be held early next term, due to other commitments for some of the Junior School teachers.

Whanau Group Community dinner.

The Whanau Group would like to extend an invitation to all staff and their families to a pot luck dinner on Thursday the 25th of June at 5.30pm. The dinner is to celebrate the cultural diversity we have in our school. EVERY FAMILY IS INVITED. Come along for some fun conversation and get to know our community. Last year was great fun. 

Reading Comprehension Activity - Pizza and Hot Dog Meet Burger 2

Church Car Parking

• We have been notified that there will be a big funeral at St Mary's' Church tomorrow at 1.00 p.m., and it is very likely that there will be no parking near the Church in Seddon Street after school-we would like you to make alternative plans if you normally wait for your children at the Church gate, you may need to park in Grey street and cut through the walkway to Carnot Street for example.

• On Friday there will be no sausage sizzle for lunch, as we will have St Michael's Junior children here and it would be impossible for the school to cater for the extra numbers.

Disco

• This Thursday is the P.T.A disco for this term- it has a black and white theme.

• Also this week there will be Mother's Day gifts for sale in the Hall- $3.00 each.

Week 3 Term 2

TERM 2 2015

Lakes District Health 

BoardPRESENTS

An evening with NATHAN MIKAERE-WALLIS

Tuesday 5 May 2015, 7.30pm

Edmund Rice Centre @ John Paul College, Whitworth Road, Rotorua

WHAT OUR CHILDREN NEED TO LIVE, LEARN AND SUCCEED

This event is tailored for PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, GRANDPARENTS, AUNTIES, UNCLES AND WAHNAU

Nathan is a trustee for The Brainwave Trust and is a sought after trainer.

Nathan’s presentation makes use of real-life examples and case study material, in an accessible, interactive manner.  This is an invaluable opportunity for everyone raising children.

GOLD COIN DONATION-PROCEEDS TO JOHN PAUL COLLEGE PTA

Healthy Lunches Workshop

On 13 May, Jasmin Jackson from the Heart Foundation will be coming to present a workshop on healthy lunches.   All year 5 and 6 students will be attending and we would like to invite all St Mary's parents to attend.  The presentation will be from 1.30-2.30 in the hall, and I am sure will be very interesting and informative.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Sheryl Todd -Senior Team Teacher

Here are a couple of pictures of our class in the Library this morning- the children love reading and sharing a variety of books.

Term 2

TERM 2 2015

Healthy Lunches Workshop

On 13 May, Jasmin Jackson from the Heart Foundation will be coming to present a workshop on healthy lunches.   All year 5 and 6 students will be attending and we would like to invite all St Mary's parents to attend.  The presentation will be from 1.30-2.30 in the hall, and I am sure will be very interesting and informative.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Sheryl Todd

Lakes District Health Board PRESENTS

An evening with NATHAN MIKAERE-WALLIS

Tuesday 5 May 2015, 7.30pm

Edmund Rice Centre @ John Paul College, Whitworth Road, Rotorua

WHAT OUR CHILDREN NEED TO LIVE, LEARN AND SUCCEED

This event is tailored for PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, GRANDPARENTS, AUNTIES, UNCLES AND WAHNAU

Nathan is a trustee for The Brainwave Trust and is a sought after trainer.

Nathan’s presentation makes use of real-life examples and case study material, in an accessible, interactive manner.  This is an invaluable opportunity for everyone raising children.

GOLD COIN DONATION-PROCEEDS TO JOHN PAUL COLLEGE PTA

Welcome back Mrs Tootill! We look forward to hearing about your travels!
The class started the term well last week with Mrs Stevenson and got through some wonderful work.
Thank you to those who were able to join in the ANZAC parade on Saturday morning.

The new spelling lists go home tomorrow, so please check your child has theirs in their book bag.

Check out some new photos on the photo tab.

Thornton wore these at the ANZAC parade.

Thornton's dad shared some information with us about the war. and brought his granddads war medals to show us.

Thank You!

Have a great week,

Mrs Hall



The weather is certainly cooler!
I hope you have all had a great holiday.
Congratulations to the Dixon family with the safe arrival of a little girl. 
Best wishes from us all in room 8!

Mrs Tootill will be back with us in week 2.  She is having a wonderful time catching up with her family overseas.
Mrs Stevenson will be in room 8 for this week.

Please make sure all your child's winter uniform is named. 

We will see you all Monday.

Bernie Hall



REMEMBER TO KEEP READING THESE HOLIDAYS!!!!!

 Keep up the great strides made this term in reading and add all you read, or mum, dad and grandma read to you, and add it to the reading log!

A chrome book is up for grabs..and it could be yours:-)

The reading log was not delivered at the end of the day on Thursday..we were in the pool perhaps they forgot to come back to us!
So I am attaching a copy here.

 God Bless,

 Mrs Hall

REMINDER!!!
 Rooms 8, 9, 10 and 12 are holding a reading evening 
this coming MONDAY in Room 10. 
We strongly encourage you to attend. 
This is an opportunity to hear what we do in our reading sessions and how we assess your child's reading. Lots of 'at-home-tips' to help your child in reading. 
PLEASE come along we would love to see you all there!

What: Reading Information Evening
Where: Room 10
When : Monday 30 March, 5:15-6:00pm



Easter Timetable:

 Holy Thursday: 7pm St Mary’s

 Good Friday Stations of the Cross 10am - St Mary’s

 Good Friday: 3pm St Mary’s 3pm St Michael’s

 Easter Vigil Mass: 7pm St Mary’s

 Easter Sunday Mass: 8am St Michael’s, 10.00am St Mary’s 5.00pm St Mary’s

It would be wonderful if you could take your child along to some of these. 
As our children have been learning all about Easter and what it means, ask them about the significance of Easter.
Easter is the most important time in the Catholic calendar, and a time of renewal, reflection and gratitude. 
It marks the time of Jesus crucifixion (good Friday) and his resurrection (Easter Sunday) for our salvation. 

REMINDER ALLERGY ALERT....

Thank you for your consideration this term in ensuring your child is not bringing peanut or egg foods to class. 

As this term draws to an end, this is a timely reminder to please be aware we have children in the class with severe allergies. 

We do appreciate your consideration with this so preferably no foods with peanuts or eggs.

Thank you again!

FRIDAY RICE DAY..

I urgently need helpers and rice cookers for our rice lunch on Friday, at this stage I have no-one and unfortunately I don't even own a rice cooker, so can't bring my own one!! Could you please let me know ASAP if you are able to help and to bring a rice cooker. You can email me or pop in to the class in the morning or after school.

Friday

Coming up...... Rooms 8, 9, 10 and 12 are holding a reading evening NEXT MONDAY in Room 10. We strongly encourage you to attend. 
This is an opportunity to hear what we do in our reading sessions and how we assess your child's reading. Lots of 'at-home-tips' to help your child in reading. 
PLEASE come along.

What: Reading Information Evening
Where: Room 10
When : Monday 23 March, 5:15-6:00pm

• Further to the weekly notices, there will be a Mufti Day on Friday, and the children will be having Rice for lunch- this is in preparation for the last week of Lent-Holy Week.

• Mrs Rush and her helpers will be cooking rice for the school - she does need some more helpers to cook the rice The Junior school children are allowed to eat their normal morning tea at interval, and then we will all share rice at lunchtime.

• Could the children please bring a donation for the Mufti Day and to contribute towards the rice.

Golden time and Gala

• TERM 2
• Jack (Ling) will be coming in Room 8 at golden time to share his skills of paper art with some children. Thank you Ling!

• This week's Golden Time will be a Teddy Bear's picnic- as mentioned here before, can we would prefer there to be no foods with Peanuts or Eggs in them. It would be great if the children could bring healthy foods for the picnic. Sandwiches, muffins, fruit etc would be great..
• The P.T.A have requested that we get some more parents to volunteer their time at the Gala on Thursday afternoon/evening. If you can give maybe even an hour of your time, could you let Maggie at the office know and she can pass it on to the P.T.A. Thanks in advance..

Week 4

No swimming this week.

Spelling notebooks need to be at school each day. This is so we can use the words we are learning
(to spell in our writing books, and to buddy test)
There are a few children who have 'misplaced' their notebook. Please could you look for it, or get a new one as your child needs this to learn their new words for the week.

Thank you.

Lunches

What a great start to the week we have had- and thanks to so many of you who remembered to send your child's togs along, we will be swimming every day this week and then again in Week 3, 5, 7 and 9.
This year in Room8 we have two children who have severe food allergies- Peanuts and Eggs are the main foods we need to be aware of. We are teaching the children all about washing their hands regularly,not sharing food with each other and various other safety things. If it is possible we would prefer the children not to have eggs, peanut butter or any other related food items in their lunch boxes- we are aware at times this is difficult, and we will manage situations if they arise.
Any questions please come and see either Mrs Hall or Mrs Tootill.

Swimming

Room 8's swimming time will be at 2.30 in odd weeks, so we will be swimming in the first week at that time and from then on in weeks 3, 5, 7, and 9