FROM THE PRINCIPAL

 

Dear Families

Welcome to our second newsletter of the year. We are three weeks into the new school year and in our first full week of school. Classes are set up and running with children well settled and getting stuck into great learning.

Senior School Camp Bentzon Experience

Our Senior school has had an interesting start to the year with two sets of 3 classes experiencing the challenge and joy at Camp Bentzon on Kawau Island over the last two weeks. With activities ranging from sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, bivouac building, orienteering, confidence course, raft building, archery, burma trail, evening fishing and evening games, you can imagine that all involved have been eating well and sleeping rather soundly each night! You will see more about camp later in our newsletter and over the next few weeks as classes return, settle into school life again and have an opportunity to reflect on their amazing experiences at camp.

 

Congratulations to our 2018 Basketball Team

On Friday 1st February our 2018 Basketball team had the privilege (and challenge!) of playing the curtain raiser to the NZ Breakers Vs Melbourne Knights at Spark Arena. The team played Kingsway School in Silverdale, coming out on top with 12 points vs Kingsway’s 4. The team played so well and were great sports. Congratulations to Wesley Lau, Aaron Santoso, Annabelle Voo, Flynn O’Kane, Bryan Shi, Ethan Choo, Logan Wood, Joshua Rhee, Preston Tee and Zahara Tuinukuafe. Congratulations and great thanks also to Paw Chu for organising, Anthony Spencer Coach, Mark O’Kane and Allan Tee as Assistant Coaches and to the parents for their support.

Chinese New Year

On Monday 4th February we arrived at school to find beautiful red lanterns decorating our school in preparation for the celebration of Chinese New Year on Tuesday. We were also very fortunate to have traditional red envelopes with a chocolate coin for each of our students to celebrate. Thank you to the Chinese Community Jai Group for organising the decorations and the gift for each of our children.

Looking Ahead

Next Thursday night 21 February, we are looking forward to the P.T.A. Welcome Picnic from 5.00 pm on our school field.  Families are welcome to bring along a picnic dinner and enjoy a free sausage sizzle, thanks to the P.T.A.   Iceblocks, juice and water will be available to purchase.  Children bring your togs and towel and enjoy a fun time on the water slide.  We look forward to seeing everybody.

 

This Sunday, the 6th Sunday of ordinary time. Follow this link to Sunday’s readings here: https://www.catholic.org/bible/daily_reading/?select_date=2019-02-17

In the gospel on Sunday we hear Jesus proclaiming to a crowd that those who face adversity, especially in His name, will be blessed in heaven. Some comfort and encouragement to continue to live our faith and rely on the grace of God, even when times are hard.

Wishing you all God’s blessings over the next two weeks until we share another action packed newsletter in a fortnight’s time.

Ngā mihi nui

Louise Campbell
Principal

 

DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES (DRS) REPORT

 

‘If we practice seeing with the eyes of Jesus we will always be able to recognise those who need our help.’     

Pope Francis

 

Joyfulness is the overarching concept for the year. Sometimes it can be difficult to see the joy surrounding us because of personal circumstances. That’s when our faith and the Joy of Jesus is even more important for each one of us.

Living out our five school gospel values – Manaaki, Tika, Awhina, Ngawari and Maia – help us as a community to enable others to see and feel the joy in life when they are finding it hard to do so themselves.

‘There are difficult burdens to carry in life. We can lighten them for one another by our thoughtfulness, a kind smile, a little service.’

Euphraise Barbier

 

Commissioning Mass –  11 a.m. Friday 22 February, in the parish church, corner of Picton Street and Parkhill Road. At this mass we will celebrate our new school leaders for 2019 and give thanks for this beautiful parish school community.

Dedication Mass – 7pm Tuesday 26 February, Owairaka Parish Church. Bishop Pat will be celebrating mass for teachers in catholic education across the Auckland Diocese. All teachers in catholic schools are expected to be involved in ongoing Religious Education Professional Development and during this mass, teachers who have completed a qualification will be acknowledged. We congratulate the following teaching staff who will be acknowledged for their leadership, dedication and extra study undertaken. Angela Lim, Michelle Barnett, Andrea Begunk, Lee Orpen, Audrey Maratas, Louise Campbell. Please keep them in your prayers.

 

Prayer intention:     E te Atua help us to be active in our faith and share Your love in word and deed bringing joy to those around us.

 

Detta Fairweather

DRS

 

INSIDE THE CLASSROOM

 

Waitangi Day – An Acrostic Poem by Lara Clifford (Room 17)

W – Waitangi Day is a day to celebrate

A – A time to remember the treaty

I – I love Waitangi

T – The Queen sent William Hobson

A – A lot of chiefs signed the treaty

N – Now the treaty is kept in Wellington

G – Governor William Hobson wrote the treaty

I – It was written in two languages.

 

Waitangi Day – An Acrostic Poem by Daphne Lai (Room 17)

W – Waiting for Waitangi Day

A – At a hangi

I – I love Waitangi Day

T – The treaty was written on the 6th February

A – Aotearoa

N – No breaking the law

G – Governor William Hobson wrote the treaty

I – It’s Waitangi Day

 

Middle Team ‘Top Teams Fun Day’

This week the Middle team had a fabulous time up on the field playing a range of fun games and activities. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to get to know other people in the middle team as well as work on teamwork, cooperation and sportsmanship.

 

OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

  CAMP 1

 

Rooms 18, 22 and 23 spent an incredible week at Camp Bentzon on Kawau Island from the 4th to the 8th of February. Here are a few thoughts from Room 23 on our week on the Island!

On the Confidence Course, I became braver – I thought I couldn’t do it, but I prayed to God and I did it! – Valentina Yacoub

The most amazing part of camp was the views because they were so beautiful – I’ve never seen anything like it! – Leana Ferguson

It was great spending time with lots of different people, so I could get to know them better. – Siobhan O’Rourke

I liked being with my friends because I’ve never had sleepovers with them. – Lyla Latay

Sailing was amazing because when you were out on the water the views were amazing, and with the right wind, you went so fast! – Ryder Brownrigg

It was having a constant sleepover for a week! – John Pieters

At camp the food was delicious and it reminded me of home. – Millie Kirilo

You have to learn how to take care of yourself and not rely on your parents.- Audrey Shi

I was a bit negative before sailing because I’d never done it before. But by the time we’d gone across the bay I knew what I was doing and was speeding! – Liam Wu

Thank you to all of the amazing parents who came along and helped us out!   We could not do it without you!

 

2018 Basketball Team Report

Breakers’ Game 

We approached the big Spark arena and saw lights brightening up the sign. We made our way in and reached the stands.

The Blue Stars got to play on the court just before the Breakers played. We were somehow super lucky to get a chance to play as the curtain raiser for the main game.  

Let me tell you, it was nerve wracking! We were against a team from Kings school and managed to win by 8 points. In the crowd we could hear the Our Lady Star of the Sea supporters going CRAZY!!

Soon after our tiring game, everything got dark and a Maori warrior appeared through the darkness. He then showed us a traditional dance. Ten tall dark figures stood underneath the stands.

As we sipped our chocolate milk, a single spotlight flickered on.The stadium got darker than ever, only showing lights on the entrance, the crowds banged their air clappers, stamped their feet and shouted as each Breakers player came out of hiding. Then the one and only Skycity Breakers started prancing onto the court!

The game seemed pretty tight in the the first couple minutes, It looked we were winning with 6 point difference, but that’s when the opponent got their REVENGE! They slowly got points,10-6,10-8,10-11 and so on until they got a 20 point difference!! It seemed hopeless.

Even though the game was lost (87-107) we still enjoyed the experience.

By Aaron Santoso and Emily Chan    –   Room 20

 

INFORMATION CENTRE 

 

Chinese New Year

Classes have enjoyed looking at the Chinese New Year display in the Information Centre and learning more about this special time of year.

Special thanks to the families who donated items for this display.

 

Class Borrowing

During weekly class visits, children may borrow the following number of books:

Juniors – one book for 1 week

Middle school – two books for 1 week

Senior school – three books for 2 weeks

Student librarians  –  five books for 2 weeks

 

Lost library books

Children are encouraged to look after our library books and return them on time.

This year if books are lost, a payment for the replacement value of the book will be requested. Once paid for, the ‘lost book’ becomes yours. If you happen to find the book again, we will not be able to refund your money due to administration costs and the fact that a replacement book has already been purchased.

 

NOTICES

School Patrol Help

We urgently need help with school patrol on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings 8.15 – 8.45 a.m. and Thursday afternoon 2.15 – 2.45 p.m.

If you can help please contact the school office (09) 538 0195 or [email protected]   Thank you.

 

AMENDED Uniform Shop Hours

Please note that the Uniform Shop has AMENDED morning opening hours.  The uniform shop will now be open Thursday 

8.15 a.m. – 8.45 a.m.    Please note the earlier closing time.   The afternoon times remain at 2.30 – 3.00 p.m.   

 

Safety at the School Gate  –    Important notice sent from Auckland Transport

Around schools, Auckland Transport traffic wardens have a zero-tolerance policy as poor parking can create an unsafe environment for kids.  As a school we agree to support safe parking around our school and therefore get regular visits from Auckland Transport parking wardens to check that people are parking correctly. 

 

 

Auckland Savings Bank 

Supporting Success in Our School

If you’re a parent, staff member or a member of the school community and draw down a new ASB home loan of $250,000 or more, ASB will donate $500 to your chosen participating school.  Visit ASB website – reference below for additional information.

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS 

The school calendar can be viewed on our website www.starofthesea.school.nz 

Each Friday the following week’s events are confirmed by an email to caregivers.

 

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

 

 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

LATE FOR 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.

A reminder that children who catch the bus down to Sancta Maria College Campus in the afternoon need to be collected as soon as possible.  Some of our children are being left unsupervised for a length of time.

FRIENDLY REMINDERS

Drop off and pick up

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.  THERE IS NO DROP OFF OR PICK UP IN THE SCHOOL GROUNDS.

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  Principal Mrs Louise Campbell at [email protected]

Car parking
Please be considerate when street parking near the school. We have received complaints from neighbours regarding parking across driveways.  As advised in the events last week, we are expecting the new yellow lines on Stella Maris Way to be removed in the near future.

Lunches
A reminder that the tuckshop will  open  Monday 18 February.

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 8.15 – 8.45 a.m. and 2.30-3 p.m. (during school term)

Bizzybodz
Before and Afterschool care – 021837977 for bookings

COMMUNITY NOTICES

 

KELLY SPORTS

AERIAL DANCE STUDIO  –  Flat Bush.   Kids Classes starting from ages 8 which are great for not only health and fitness but we put huge emphasis on creativity and FUN!   Students learn basic aerial skills on Aerial Silks and Aerial Lyra, along with flexibility and conditioning. Younger ages mainly focus on the fun aspect of aerial, and older ages begin to learn skills that will help them to advance their aerial skill set.

Your child’s first class for FREE!  If they enjoy it and would like to continue we have Term Enrolments that coincide with the School terms.

Kids Classes are Tuesday’s 4.30-5.30 pm

Ages 8-14

If you would more information please visit our Website – www.cirqueitaerialarts.nz