FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Families

Last week I was fortunate to attend the Catholic Education Convention in Wellington. This was a large gathering of School Principals, Directors of Religious Studies,Teachers, Bishops, Priests and Leaders from the various dioceses.

 

 

The opening ceremony of the convention included an inspiring speech acknowledging ‘Matariki’ (the Pleiades star cluster) the presence of which marks the Maori New Year.   We were reminded about how important it is to celebrate the qualities, values and successes of our many stars, who are the students we work with everyday in our schools. Our Catholic schools educate over 66,000 children in New Zealand.

At Our Lady Star of the Sea School we do acknowledge our students, and celebrate the many successes both inside and outside of the classroom. We are blessed to have so many wonderful students, who fill our school with so much joy.

 

Kahui Ako

Working together as a community to nurture a faith based education is the focus of our South Eastern Learning Community/Kahui Ako. To be successful we need a strong sense of community, which we are building through strengthening relationships and collaboration. Our faith connects us as we strive to grow holistic, well balanced and hope-filled students.

The Leadership Teams from each of our six Kahui Ako schools, Ministry of Education Advisers and our Expert Partner have been meeting together regularly to craft our Kahui Ako Learning Framework document that will guide and enhance the learning of our students. This Learning Framework will be shared with our school communities during Term 3.

We congratulate Mrs Gina Benade, Principal of Sancta Maria Catholic Primary School who has been appointed as the Lead Principal for our Kahui Ako, for the next two years.

 

NZEI Paid Union Meetings

Thank you to those parents who were able to help us out and pick their child up at lunchtime on Monday, so half of the staff could attend the union meeting.

As mentioned in the last newsletter, the second union meeting is being held on Wednesday 27 June at 2pm, so the other half of the staff can attend. We will again buddy up classes to help with supervision of the students. If you’re able to pick up your child again at 1.30 p.m. on Wednesday, this would be greatly appreciated. Please remember to sign your child out at the school office.

 

 

We’ve had a great ‘Book Week’ at school. Thank you to everyone for taking part so enthusiastically in all the events. Read on further in this newsletter and see the book character photos!!

 

Ngā mihi nui

Sue Kubala

Acting Principal

 

 

DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES (DRS) REPORT.

There are difficult burdens to carry in life
We can lighten them for one another
by our thoughtfulness,
a kind smile,
a little service
and spreading joy
                                              Euphrasie Barbier

Just one thing for Tonga update

The school raised $1700 in total for the Mercy schools in Tonga earlier this year. The Mercy Sisters support Takuilau College in Tonga. Recently I received this message from Sister Judith Moroney.

“…. Takuilau College in Tonga is preparing to purchase building materials for repairs after Cyclone Gita. At present if it is raining Form 1 and 2 stay at home as there is not enough shelter. Most of the school is having to operate in the faletonga, an open fale type hall. A sister of mercy in Christchurch is also helping to get resources (computers, books…) from Christchurch to Auckland for the container to Tonga that is being arranged for Takuilau College. This transportation is another cost where help is needed, as well as the money needed for the purchase of the building materials….”

Sister Judith has since been in touch to say Sitani Paulo, the college principal, is currently in NZ purchasing materials for the school. They both extend their thanks in appreciation of our support. I would like to congratulate the Liturgy Team again for this initiative which will help improve the lives of others.

Mea ana te atawhai haere mai i runga i te aroha me te awhi

Mercy invites us to love and to care

 

I had the privilege of attending the NZ Catholic Education Convention in Wellington last week along with Sue Kubala, Audrey Maratas, Stephen McKenzie, Grace Wong and Ian Olan. The focus of the convention was Christ’s call to love, to be, to do.The key messages were about Joy – the Joy of the Gospels, the Joy of life, the Joy of being. We were challenged to stop taking ourselves too seriously, to cheer up, smile, share God’s love through the Joy of being, and most of all to recognise that the most important thing we do in our life is immeasurable.

If we live the faith in our daily life, then our work too becomes a chance to spread the joy of being a Christian.
                                                                                                                                      Pope Francis

Thank you to the families who have already donated pyjamas. If you are able to donate, please drop the pyjamas into the school office or the church foyer. Here is an update from Kidz First. As you can see the need is great.

Jammies in June
Every year we are truly humbled by the support we receive from community groups, schools, businesses and individuals for Kidz First Jammies in June.

We started receiving pyjamas the end of May and have already distributed over 1,400 pairs to children in need. We have also received $4,300 in donations which we use to buy more pyjamas, socks, slippers and blankets. Everything we receive goes directly to the children in our community.

Prayer intention:
For people who find the winter months difficult, we pray for the spirit of generosity, urging us to share what we have with those who don’t.

Detta Fairweather
DRS

 

 

Late to School

If you are held up and late for school please bring your child to the office first to sign in and then go to the classroom. After signing in, a slip is printed and the slip is required to be taken to the class teacher.

 

 

 

NEWS FROM THE CLASSROOM

Room 17 wrote Haiku’s about Winter

haiku  ˈhʌɪkuː/  noun  noun:  haiku; plural noun: haikus; plural noun: haiku a Japanese poem of seventeen syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five, traditionally evoking of the natural world a poem in English written in the form of a haiku

Winter is coming I see hail, mud and some frost The Spring will come soon                    by Alexis Kumitau

Winter is freezing Jack Frost is cold in the snow I love hot chocolate!                       by Mitchell Brooke

 

Room 12 Winter Poetry

Room 12 has been learning about using a combination of adjectives, verbs and similes in their writing. They have been writing about winter.

 

	Winter  The chilly days are here Delicious cocoa Howling wind, pounding rain The snow as white as clouds The storm’s going on like an earthquake I feel like I am frozen by Anthonio Mitalauskas
	Windy weather, stormy skies Chilly air, shaking trees Hot soup, yummy marshmallows Noisy rain, loud lightning Wind howling like a dog Rain dropping like a bomb I feel like my elbow is frozen by Mario Azziz
	Freezing cold pathways Frosty streetsIn winter I always wear woolly hats and jumper I have my blanket all curled up with me The wind howls like a wolf Bare trees with nothing in their hands I like winter so much by Phoenix Lubich

 

NEWS FROM OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Chess Power Tournament

On the12th of June eight of our students competed at the East Auckland Chess power competition at Point View School. Each player gave of their best on the day. Aaron Santoso was the best Star of the Sea boy winning six out of his seven games and Emily Chan was the best Star of the Sea girl, and of the competition, winning four of her seven games. Bryan Shi won the board set up competition – completing his board set up in 16 seconds! Congratulations also to Kingston Smith, Wesley Lau, Joshua Rhee, Emily Ong and Joy Gao for giving their best on the day. Special thanks to Mr Chan and our chess coach, Mr Damian Cooper, for accompanying the students on the day.

Netball Field day

Thirty six students braved a cold and windy day at the Howick Pakuranga Netball courts to take part in the Year 5 and 6 HPPA ‘have a go’ Netball field day. Many students had never played netball before so it was a new experience for many. Everyone gave of their very best on the day and, by the end of it, had worked out how the game operated and even came away with a few wins.

Our grateful thanks go out to our fabulous parent helpers and ex pupil, Georgia O’Driscoll, for stepping up and helping out by managing a team for the day. Thanks also to Mrs Penney for organising the day and keeping everyone safe.

 

NEWS FROM INFORMATION CENTRE

 

Book Week 2018 has been a fantastic week of celebration! We were thrilled to welcome so many inspiring visitors to our school.

The children loved listening to Senior Constable Matt Green and Highland Park Librarian, Karon Hazelhurst sharing stories at lunchtime.

Heather Haylock, author of the delightful Granny McFlitter the champion knitter captivated the Junior School with stories of her journey as a writer and the process of writing and publishing her very first picture book.

David Riley gave an excellent and inspiring presentation to the Middle and Senior School stressing the importance of reading and sharing examples of how reading has changed people’s lives. We were lucky to secure David as a speaker through the New Zealand Book Council/Creative New Zealand Writers in Schools programme.

A fantastic highlight of the week was the Favourite Book Character Parade. The costumes worn by the children and staff were amazing! Thank you to all the wonderful grandparents and families who came to join us.

The Scholastic Book Fair is always an exciting and busy event. Thank you for your support and thanks also to the many parent volunteers who helped throughout the week with book sales.

Information Centre is open every Friday morning 8:30am

A reminder that the Information Centre is now open every Friday morning before school. Make the most of this opportunity to pop in, browse through the books and borrow from our Parent Choice Collection.

 

 

 

 

Always Use the Crossings

Children will copy your example, good or bad

Always use the safe crossing areas, respecting the road patrollers

 

40km Zone

 Our school has a 40km school speed zone. 

 Please stay within the sign posted speed limit.  This is for the safety of your children. 

 

 

SCHOOL FEES

School Fees Term 2.  Statements have been emailed  and payment was due 20.06.2018.     If you have not commenced payments for the year, please contact Sue Yandell in confidence to discuss your account.

PTA NEWS

This year the Gala will be held on the 3rd November. One of our very successful stalls is the Chocolate Trailer. This requires Hundreds of CHOCOLATE bars. This year as we have done before, we will be holding a CHOCOLATE mufti day.

GALA CHOCOLATE MUFTI DAY – NEXT FRIDAY 29 JUNE 
Students are asked to bring a family size or regular chocolate bar or a gold coin to support GALA efforts. Please make sure all expiry dates on the chocolate are after November 2018.

Thank you for your continued support

THE GALA COMMITTEE

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Congratulations to Caleb Smith from Room 20 who was picked out of a group of sixty trialists to be part of the Auckland Maori Rugby League Under 10 team. They will play a Pasifika tournament in September in Auckland. Caleb has been working really hard to improve his game and his efforts are being recognised. Well done Caleb – we are very proud of you!

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS RESULTS  –  INTERSCHOOL

NETBALL

19.06.18     J2 Star of the Sea  vs Pigeon Mountain – WIN 8 – 3

BOYS FOOTBALL

21.06.18    Star of the Sea   vs  Waakaranga  – Loss 6 – 1

GIRLS FOOTBALL

14.6.18     Star of the Sea vs Sunnyhills   –  Sunnyhills defaulted  –   WIN to Star of the Sea

Go Girls football!

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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 bereavement 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

      www.kidactive.co.nz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pukekohe Raceway KIDS OBSTACLE DUATHLON

                           Tuesday 25^th September, 2018 

• Duathlon – Run, Bike & Obstacle Course Run
• Compete individually or in 2-person team
• Year 3 – 8 students

Enter online:  www.bsgevents.co.nz