FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Families
Welcome back to our second term of learning at Our Lady Star of the Sea.
A warm welcome is extended to new students, families and staff joining our school.
Mrs Lesley Benjamin is teaching in Room 9 and Mrs Lorraine Duncan is teaching in
Room 13.
Congratulations to Miss Brooke Curtain and Mrs Zahira Salejee who both graduated during the week with an education qualification. We acknowledge all the hard work and commitment this entails.
We continue with our year long overarching, connected curriculum concept of ‘Journey’.
This term each class will be looking at ‘Journey’ through the context of Cause and Effect, with a particular science and arts lens.
I visited all the classrooms last week and it was lovely to see the children all happy and engaged in their learning.
As we have a number of sporting codes starting this term at school and inter-school competitions beginning, it is timely to remind us all that as a school, we fully support the HPPA (Howick Pakuranga Principals’ Association) Fair Play Charter. There is an expectation that fair play is modelled by everyone.
We have had a settled start to Term 2 with many activities happening in week one and two already! Read through the newsletter to see more….
Here’s to an exciting term ahead.
Ngā mihi nui.
Sue Kubala
Acting Principal
DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES (DRS) REPORT
Traditionally May is the month of Mary. In honour of Mary, our school patron, classes will be praying the Angelus. The Angelus is a meditation on the words from the Gospel of Luke and John. It reminds us of how Mary said ‘Yes” to God giving herself over totally to God’s plan. Mary is a model to us all of Service, Courage, Respect, Resilience, and Justice – our school Gospel values. Meditating on her response to God through the Angelus, is a great way to contemplate how we can and do respond to Him each day.
Today we celebrated the mums, grandmothers and aunties in our lives at our annual Mother’s Day liturgy and remembered those who have already gone to be with God. We hope all our mums enjoy their special day this weekend.
Mea ana te atawhai haere mai i runga i te aroha me te awhi
Mercy invites us to love and to care
Prayer Intention: God of Mercy, we pray for people around the world who are rebuilding their lives after living through a natural disaster that they may receive help and support in their time of need.
Detta Fairweather
DRS
READING SUPPORT PROGRAMME 2018
We are intending to run this successful reading programme again this year.
The programme entails working with students supporting their reading and comprehension for two sessions a week, for approximately half an hour in a one-on-one situation. The programme will begin on Monday 14 May.
If you would like to volunteer again or wish to train as a new volunteer, please contact the school office on 538 0195 or email [email protected] to leave details.
Thank you for all your support.
NEWS FROM THE CLASSROOM
Room 11 Gallipoli Acrostic Poems
Anzac biscuits and muddy water
Love and care for the injured
Lost their lives for us
Important time of the year
Pray for the injured
Our living light
Love the army
Insane war
by Dimitri Poisson-Pereira
Give thanks for our saviour
Anzac day is on the 25th of April
Lovely poppy’s coloured red
Love and care for the injured
It’s a place of war
Parade of Remembrance
Our soldiers are in our hearts
Listen to the sad trumpet
In the holidays we celebrate
by Anaiah Smith
ANZAC Day Memorial Art Pastel Poppies in Flanders Field
Road Safety Week 7-11 May 2018
We had a great week with fun activities!
The week began with a Road Safety quiz. Each area of the school was able to participate. Everyone who entered the competition went into a draw. The winners received a bag of goodies supplied by Auckland Transport.
There was one winner from each area of the school and they also received a bag of goodies.
Congratulations to our 3 winners:
Juniors: Mai Mai Mvundra
Middle: Phoenix Lubich
Seniors: Savannah Melville
On Thursday we had a dress up day themed “Be Bright, Be Seen”. Children came dressed in bright yellow, pink, red, green and orange colours. These colours are important as when we wear them, they make it easier for driver’s to see us.
Constable Dan came visiting on Friday.
He spoke to us about Road Safety. We learnt about sneaky driveways, booster seats, seatbelts on and phones off plus many other ways to keep safe around the roads.
It was a busy, action packed week.
NEWS FROM INFORMATION CENTRE
Lego challenge
Our lunchtime lego challenge was very popular last term. It was great to see so many children enter the challenge. Congratulations to Lara Ongley and Christopher Stevens who were the winners of fantastic prize packs drawn at assembly.
Writer’s Quiz
A number of our senior students are working with Mrs Bell to prepare for the local schools Writers Quiz to be held on Wednesday 27th June. They are required to read and have a thorough knowledge of 16 books written by New Zealand authors. Their commitment to this task is commendable. Our final team of 8 students will be announced in Week 6.
Auckland Writers’ Festival 15 – 20 May
This annual event celebrates the world of books and ideas. A special family day full of fun free events will be held on Sunday 20th May. Find out more details here:
Click link below and search under ‘FAMILY’ tab
http://www.writersfestival.co.nz/programmes/main-programme/
Book Week 18 – 22 June
- Scholastic book fair
- lunchtime activities
- author and visits
- guest readers
- favourite book character parade
Mark this date in your diaries – more information to follow in our next newsletter.
NEWS FROM OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
South Eastern Zone Orienteering
On the 10th of April a team of 6 senior students; Amelie Lianto, Wesley Lau, John Pieters, Emily Chan, Aaron Santoso and Maia Tay-Morrison braved the unpleasant weather to attend the SEZ Orienteering competition held at Lloyd Elsmore Park. This was the first time in a while that we have entered a team and we are all very proud of the efforts of every team member. Each team member had to complete their own course and check in at each station, guiding themselves using a map and compass. We are pleased to announce that our team came second on the day. We congratulate every member for their contribution to the team and especially thank Mrs Paw Chu Tay and her husband, Benedict Lau, for their help training the team along with organising and attending on the day. We look forward to encouraging more students to take part and entering more teams next year.
Howick RSA visit to learn more about ANZAC day
On the 10th of April a group of 4 boys; Lucas Zhang, Matthew Calder, Ryan Seo and Jason Cooper were lucky enough to attend the Howick RSA with Mr Vernon to learn more about the significance of ANZAC day and some of the rituals around it. All boys, including Mr Vernon, had a great time and especially enjoyed listening to the old stories from the war and discovering more about the meaning of The Last Post, along with the scrumptious afternoon tea that was supplied.
We thank Mr Vernon for giving up his time to transport the boys and attend the event and congratulate the boys on their behaviour and the way they represented our school with pride.
SCHOOL FEES
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE DUES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Financial assistance is available to assist families who may need financial support with the payment of attendance dues for preference students attending Catholic schools in Auckland Diocese, both primary and secondary.
Families facing financial difficulties can contact their school office, their Parish Priest or the Revenue Manager at the Catholic Diocese of Auckland for further information.
Application forms for the Hardship Scheme are available from school and parish offices, or can be down-loaded from the Catholic Diocese of Auckland Website :
www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/catholic-schools/
(go to Catholic Schools in Auckland / Attendance Dues and Special Character Contributions).
School Fees Term 2. Statements will be emailed next week and payment is due 20.06.2018. If you have not commenced payments for the year, please contact Sue Yandell in confidence to discuss your account.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT OUTSIDE SCHOOL
Congratulations to Kate Sung (Room 21) who achieved great results in the NZ Open for Karate held in Christchurch during the holidays. She has done exceptionally well in her performance in the tournament, placing:
1st in Premier Female Kata 10-11 Years.
We are very proud of her achievements and she will now be preparing for the 2nd Oceania Cup for Karate held in Auckland on May 18th – 20th.
| Bell Times and Routines | |
|---|---|
| 8.30am | Hand Bell – children can enter class only if teacher in room |
| 8.45am | School Commences |
| 8.45am – 9.00am | Prayer |
| 10.40am – 11.00am | Morning Tea |
| 12.30pm – 1.20pm | Lunch |
| 2.45pm | School Concludes |
REMINDERS
Friendly Reminders Term 2
Please be courteous to all when you are dropping your child off or picking them up after school. We have been disappointed to hear that not everyone is showing respect to other parents. We all need to be good role models and at our school we do this through our shared values of Service, Respect, Courage, Resilience and Justice
If your child is absent from school for any reason you must either complete an online report an absence form or phone the office and leave a message or use the school website ‘Absence’ line. Please leave a specific reason for the absence i.e. if the child is sick please specify the sickness e.g. cold, vomiting etc. If the child is absent from school due to sickness for more than three days, a medical certificate is required. For any holiday or overseas travel please email our Acting Principal Mrs Sue Kubala at [email protected]
Car parking
Please be considerate when street parking near the school. We have received complaints from neighbours regarding parking across driveways.
Lunches
When ordering online please make sure your child’s order has the correct room number as a few lunches have gone to incorrect rooms.
Lost Property
The lost property cupboard is by Room 1 entrance. You are welcome to check this at any time as it is open all day.
Uniform shop
Open every Thursday 8.30 – 9.00 a.m. and 2.30-3 p.m. (during school term)
Bizzybodz
Before and Afterschool care – 021837977 for bookings
New Lunch Menu Update – Tuckshop
For our updated Lunch Menu for the tuck shop. Please see ‘LUNCHES’ under the Parent Information tab on website. There will no longer be SUSHI due to lack of orders.
| School Term Dates 2018 | |
|---|---|
| Term 1 | 30.01.18 – 13.04.18 |
| Term 2 | Tuesday 01.05.18 – 06.07.18 |
| Term 3 | 23.07.18 – 28.09.18 |
| Term 4 | 15.10.18 – 18.12.18 |
EVENTS SHEET 2018
PLEASE NOTE all dates and events are SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION via subsequent website newsletters www.starofthesea.school.nz
REMINDER : QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND (NO SCHOOL) MONDAY 4 June 2018
| Junior Team Assembly | 2.00pm | 14 May 2018 |
| ESOL Parent Meeting | 9 a.m. | 15 May 2018 |
| Senior Team Assembly | 8.45 a.m. | 16 May 2018 |
| Buddy Class Mass Rms 12 & 21 | 8.45 a.m. | 17 May 2018 |
| Sausage Sizzle | 12.30 p.m. | 17 May 2018 |
| Middle Team Assembly | 8.45 a.m. | 18 May 2018 |
| Pentecost Sunday | Parish | 20 May 2018 |
| Pentecost Assembly | 9.00am – Hall | 21 May 2018 |
| New Family Meeting | 9 a.m. | 22 May 2018 |
| ICAS – Science | 23 May 2018 | |
| Buddy Class Mass Rms 7 & 23 | 8.45am | 24 May 2018 |
| Trinity Sunday | Parish | 27 May 2018 |
| Room 20 Mangrove visit | 28 May 2018 | |
| Junior Team Assembly | 2 p.m. | 28 May 2018 |
| 7 aside Rugby (saving day Friday 1 June) | 29 May 2018 | |
| BOT Meeting | 6.30 p.m. | 29 May 2018 |
| Junior Team EOTC | school | 31 May 2018 |
| Buddy Class Mass Rms 11 & 22 | 8.45am | 31 May 2018 |
| QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY (NO SCHOOL) | MONDAY 4 June | |
| Netball Field Day (saving day 7 June) | Lloyd Elsmore Park | 5 June 2018 |
| Buddy Class Mass Rms 8 & 20 | 8.45 a.m. | 7 June 2018 |
| Senior Team – Sancta Maria Production | Vodafone Events Centre | 8 June 2018 |
| Junior Team Assembly | 2 p.m. | 11 June 2018 |
| PTA Meeting | 7 p.m. | 11 June 2018 |
| Chess Power | 12 June 2018 | |
| ICAS – Spelling/Writing | 13 June 2018 | |
| Senior Assembly | 9 a.m. | 13 June 2018 |
| Year 1 EOTC (Rms 1,2,3 & 9) | Auckland Botanical Gardens | 14 June 2018 |
| Buddy Class Mass Rms 16 & 23 | 8.45 a.m. | 14 June 2018 |
| Matariki starts | 15 June 2018 | |
| Year 2 EOTC (Rms 7,8 & 4) | 8.45 a.m. | 15 June 2018 |
| Middle Team Assembly | 15 June 2018 | |
| Book Week | Information Centre | 18-22 June 2018 |
| Keeping Ourselves Safe Programme | 18-29 June 2018 | |
| Sausage Sizzle | 12.30p.m. | 21 June 2018 |
| Parent Conferences | 2 p.m. | 21 June 2018 |
| Hockey Field Day (saving day 28 June) | 26 June 2018 | |
| BOT Meeting | 6.30 p.m. | 26 June 2018 |
| Writer’s Quiz | 27 June 2018 | |
| HPPA Choir Evening Performance | Somerville Int 7 p.m. | 27 June 2018 |
| HPPA Choir Evening Performance | Somerville Int 7 p.m. | 28 June 2018 |
| Buddy Class Mass Rms 3 & 17 | 8.45am | 28 June 2018 |
| Middle School Assembly | 8.45 a.m. | 29 June 2018 |
| McAuley House | 5.30 p.m. Parish Church | 1 July 2018 |
| PTA Meeting | 7 p.m. | 2 July 2018 |
| Garin House Assembly | 9 a.m. | 6 July 2018 |
HELPING HANDS
Helping Hands has been part of Our Lady Star of the Sea’s culture for quite some time. It is where our school community comes together to help those in stressful situations i.e. a parent or grand parent being very ill, a family bereavment or a new born baby to the family.
We would like those in need to know we care! If you would like to be a part of this wonderful group of caring people who are called upon once or twice a year to either make a meal, bake a cake, transport children to/from school or utilise your gardening skills please fill out the form (click the word ‘form’) and return to the office. Please add your contact number.
As we all know – “we are in this together”.
If we can assist your family or if you hear of any family in our school community please let the office know.
Thank you
Helping Hands Team
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
Support Our Lady Star of the Sea School and you’ll be rewarded!
We are raising funds for our School and you can help. Order the NEW 2018 | 2019 Entertainment Book or Entertainment Digital Membership and you will receive hundreds of valuable offers for everything you love to do, and you will also be supporting our School.
SUPPORT US NOW BY CLICKING HERE
COMMUNITY NOTICES
SANCTA MARIA COLLEGE ENROLMENTS FOR 2019
Applications are closing on Friday 18 May 4 p.m. If your child is going to Sancta Maria next year please complete the application no later than Friday 18 May as LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
KELLY SPORTS TERM 2
https://www.kellysports.co.nz/east-auckland
