IN THIS WEEK’S NEWSLETTER
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NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Families,
Welcome to NZ Sign Language Week, a week where we acknowledge NZ Sign Language as one of the official languages here in New Zealand. Follow this link to view a short clip demonstrating how to sign ‘peace be with you’ and ‘with your spirit’ which you may wish to use at home as part of your prayer time.
On Wednesday of this week, we held our first Buddy Class Mass in our Chapel space. Fr Terry presided over the Mass with Room 20 and Room 13. It was wonderful to see so many whanau present at this special, intimate celebration of Mass. Your child’s class will have the opportunity to attend a Buddy Class Mass over the course of the next two terms. Keep an eye out for an invitation to join in.
This Sunday is Ascension Sunday, where we remember that Jesus ascended to heaven. Traditionally this Feast Day occurs 40 days after Easter, however, our Church has shifted the celebration from the Thursday where it was traditionally celebrated to a Sunday celebration. Click here to find this Sunday’s readings.
Connected Curriculum Focus Term 2 This term Discovery is the form our connected curriculum takes. Noticing, thinking, and wondering about the discoveries they find in the world around them to bring joy and tell a story. This builds on the concept of Whanaungatanga (connections) which was explored last term. The term has started with the Weta Workshop crew visiting our school for two days of discovery linked to creation through the arts. See later in this newsletter for photos and more details of this learning experience.
Parent Goal Setting Conferences Thank you for engaging with our class teachers in such an active and open manner at last week’s Goal Setting Conferences. Our Teachers very much appreciate the opportunity to meet and discuss learning goals with students and their parents. Thank you also for the great feedback on the format and shape of the discussions where the dispositions in our Learner Profile featured as part of the academic goals that were shaped at the meeting. These goals will be reported against in our Mid Year reporting.
Mothers Day Liturgy On Friday of last week many of our wonderful Mums attended the Mothers Day Liturgy; a way to acknowledge the amazing jobs that all of our Mums do in supporting the growth of their precious children. Those who were able to stay on were treated to a cup of tea and scones. Thank you to those Mums who were able to attend. We hope your Mothers Day on Sunday was an enjoyable one.
Auckland Writers Festival A group of senior students attended the Auckland Writers Festival on Tuesday of this week. There, they encountered talented authors who inspired them to continue their passion for the written word. See more details and photos later in this newsletter.
HPPA Football Our enthusiastic footballers had a great time on Tuesday representing OLSOS at the HPPA Football Competition. They had a very busy schedule, playing between 6 and 8 games throughout the day. The event was expertly organised by Kendall Evans on behalf of the HPPA. She did a great job of liaising with all the schools and setting up this day for the benefit of our ākonga as well as all schools involved.
Appointment of Garin House Leader Ava-Lily Wilkinson has been appointed Garin house leader to replace Anaiah Smith who embarked on a world adventure with her family recently. Ava-Lily’s leadership position was announced at our last assembly. We know that she will do an amazing job working alongside Mitchell as house leader. Congratulations Ava-Lily.
PTA Chocolates Fundraiser Nicole Kelly, our wonderful PTA chair, has been kept very busy ensuring there are plenty of chocolates heading out to those families who are busily selling them. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the amazing support of this fundraiser. Don’t forget to have your money and/or unsold boxes back in to school by Wednesday 19th may.
Next week is Road Safety Week. As you will read later in the newsletter, the theme of Road Safety Week is ‘Streets for Life’ which is a very important message to be talking with our children about. You will also see several initiatives that will take place next week to encourage and support our families to be safe around school and a message from our Road Patrol Student Leader. Thank you to all families who have responded to requests for extra vigilance around the streets close to school as well as families who have been super respectful, making an effort to use the pedestrian crossing outside school as a model to their children. We respectfully ask families to refrain from parking on the empty section on the corner at the back of the school as this is private property. Mounting the pavement to enter the section is a hazard to our students who are exiting the school.
Looking Ahead Next week, as well as Road Safety Week, our senior team are heading to view the Sancta Maria College production, a great opportunity to see the possibilities of what awaits at secondary school! On Friday 21st we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. Children are invited to wear their national costume or clothing that represents their culture to school that day. Instead of celebrating Pink Shirt Day (supporting anti bullying) that day, we will have a double celebration the following Friday, May 28th, both Pink Shirt Day to support anti-bullying AND Gumboot Day, supporting mental health. On Friday 28th May, children are welcome to wear a pink shirt and gumboots to school (no donation required).
Wishing you all a happy and safe fortnight ahead between now and when we next share all of the exciting happenings at OLSOS.
Ngā mihi nui and cǐ zhì jìng lǐ,
Louise Campbell
Principal
TEACHER ONLY DAY TUESDAY 8TH JUNE – BIZZY BODZ CHILDCARE
Bizzy Bodz is to run a special programme in our school hall from 7.30am – 6pm on Teacher Only Day Tuesday 8th June 2021.
NEWS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Congratulations to the 18 students who have completed their Altar Server training at our parish. You will have noticed them starting to serve over the recent weekend masses. It is wonderful to witness their enthusiasm for the role.
During Terms 2 and 3 classes will celebrate mass with their buddies on a Wednesday morning at 9am in the Chapel. Everyone is welcome to attend any of these masses. The calendar on our school website notes the classes who are leading the mass each week. We thank Fr John and Fr Terry for making the time in their busy schedules to celebrate Eucharist with us here at school.
The weather has become much cooler in recent weeks and we are blessed to have the warmth of our homes, our bedding and our clothing. Each year we support the KidzFirst Jammies in June collection. If you would like to support this appeal you can leave your donation of new pjs at the school office. Later in the term we will hold a ‘Pyjama Day.’ Students can bring along a gold coin donation and wear their pyjamas to school. The money collected on this day will go towards purchasing children’s pyjamas for KidzFirst. In keeping with the Easter season and the theme of being Easter people, you might like to encourage your child to do some extra tasks at home or for an elderly friend to raise money for this cause.
The classroom focus for term 2 is Discovery. Through the Religious Education programme students in the senior team will be discovering and developing their own spirituality through participating in the eucharist, the central source of our faith, to deepen their encounter with God. Students in the middle team will be discovering how God brings joy as the giver and sustainer of all creations and the importance of the sacraments in their lives. Students in the junior team will be challenged to discover ways of caring for God’s gift of creation, our common home, with manaaki. Please encourage your child to share their learning with you as the term progresses.
Pentecost is upon us. ‘Happy Birthday’ to the Catholic Church! Pentecost is the time we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles and their followers. It is recognised as the birthday of the church because this was when the Apostles started their mission to make disciples in all nations. Next Friday’s Pentecost Liturgy, will remember them gathering in the upper room and receiving the Holy Spirit through the symbols of wind and fire. Children are invited to wear their national costume or clothing that represents their culture to school that day as part of the birthday celebrations.
Kia hari koa, ka uru tera wairua ki tena ki tena
Be cheerful and happy, generating life in those around you
Prayer Intention: God of mercy and love, we pray that we may all hear your call to mission this Easter season and seek a deeper relationship with your Son, Jesus.
Detta Fairweather
Deputy Principal / Director of Religious Studies
NEWS FROM THE PTA
ENTERTAINMENT MEMBERSHIPS are now 100% digital making it better than ever.
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Thank you for your continued support
Nicole Kelly
PTA Chairperson
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 on 09-360-3069 at the Catholic Diocese of Auckland for further information.
Application forms for this assistance are available from school and parish offices, or can be down-loaded from the Catholic Diocese of Auckland Website:
https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/acfl-attendance-dues-financial-assistance/
NEWS FROM THE CLASSROOM
ANZAC DAY
At the end of last term, Maia Smith, Luke McLaughlin, Rachel Melville and Tino Wu were fortunate enough to be chosen to visit the Howick RSA for the RSA Student ANZAC Presentation.
They met war veterans who spoke about NZ heroes, The Last Post and their time in the Malaysian war in the sixties.
They also had the opportunity to meet Eric Wilson, a 102-year-old veteran from World War 2. Mr Wilson spoke of his war efforts in El Alamein and Greece, showing photos of his time as a soldier.
They used the information they learnt to share with the school in Monday’s ANZAC Liturgy.
POEMS FROM ROOM 18 …
Leaving New Zealand
Goodbye merino sheep grazing the lush green grass beside the hill side.
The native birds like the fantail, kea, kiwi and the tui.
The taste of the cold fresh L&P bubbling down my throat.
I’m going to miss you all.
The silvery fern dazzling in the sunlight.
The fresh air by the mountains.
As the soft bubbly sound coming from the Waikato river.
A fresh breeze hits my face as I wait for my flight.
By Forrest Chen Room 18
__________________
Leaving New Zealand
Goodbye shiny silver ferns that glimmer in the light, unique extravagant pineapple lumps and exotic fruit.
Goodbye kowhai trees, colourful birds such as kiwi, tui and pukeko.
I am going to miss you.
I gather my bags and get ready to go on my way.
The sun falls behind the Skytower.
The bright lights appear reminding me of all the unique communities.
My next journey awaits and I’m ready to travel away.
By Shiven Sureshkumar Room 18
___________________
ROAD SAFETY WEEK
Our school will be doing the following activities this week along with some in class learning to support and encourage safer use of our roads.
- Park and Walk – Monday to Friday
Students are encouraged to be dropped off in the mornings on Orangewood Drive and walk into school along Oakridge Way, using the school crossing if applicable – this will help reduce the amount of cars in and around our school. When each student gets dropped off they will get a walking ticket that will be clipped by a teacher or a Student Leader. Every 5 clips on a ticket will earn the student a small prize.
- Small Wheels Day – Tuesday 18th May
Students are encouraged to bring along their small wheels and have a go at manoeuvring around some of the courses set up by the Student Leaders during lunchtime. Students can bring scooters, skateboards, wheelie shoes and or roller skates/blades. This will help students understand how to ride safely on the roads when travelling on small wheels.
PINK SHIRT DAY/GUMBOOT DAY – Friday 28 May
Pink Shirt Day is a nationwide anti bullying campaign that celebrates diversity and creates environments where all people can feel safe, valued and respected.
Gumboot Day is another nationwide campaign that acknowledges mental health of young people. To help us be aware of these two campaigns children are able to wear a pink shirt, gumboots or both on Friday 28 May.
PASSION PROJECTS
Calling all whanau who have a gift or talent to share.
We are seeking community support to run our passion projects again this term with our students in years 3-6. They will be held on a Wednesday afternoon starting 16 June till the 7 July between 1.20 and 2.30pm. You would need to commit to all 4 sessions.
In the past we have had people share just some of their talents with a small group of students by baking, making crafts, completing small building projects, doing origami, teaching calligraphy, doing simple chemistry experiments, knitting, creating balloon creations, painting rocks, teaching photography, teaching a musical instrument among others.
If you have a spare hour to give to our students in some way please email Karen Noble-Campbell at [email protected] to share what you would be willing to share and how many students you would like to work with. Any costs will be covered by the students to a maximum of $10 per student.
READING TUTOR PROGRAMME
Do you enjoy reading with children? Can you spare some time twice a week to read with some students, one on one, at our school?
We are looking for willing community members to be a part of our Reading Tutor Programme that assists our students to build their reading fluency by reading to an adult twice a week.
The programme will start in Week 7 (beginning 14th of June) and run till the end of term and then occur again in Term 3 with a break in the school holidays (12 – 25 July).
Please contact Sanny in the school office at [email protected]
if you are able to help, advising her of the days and times you are available.
NEWS FROM OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
ROAD PATROL
A kind reminder from the team who man the crossing patrol.
Please remember when you are crossing the road to school, use the crossing for your safety.
When we are out on patrol we can see lots of people not using the crossing. Please remember to use the crossing when you are coming into school or leaving it to collect or drop off your children, we can help keep you safe.
We are also asking you to not cross the road down on the bend on Oakridge Way as drivers coming up or down the road cannot see you. It is much safer to walk your children to the crossing to ensure they get to and from school safely.
We also ask that you remember to think about where you stop to let your children out of the car. Please remember not to stop on driveways or on the no parking areas indicated by the broken yellow lines.
If we all work together it makes our job easier and everyone will keep safe.
Thank you for your support.
Emmerson Hohaia and his hard working team of patrollers.
ORIENTEERING
On Wednesday 14 April OLSOS Orienteering Team consisting of Christian Lianto, Lucas Kato, William Chen and DylanWan came second overall out of 27 teams for Year 5/6 students This event was held at Lloyd Elsmore Park.
Each student did a different course.
Christian Lianto came 1st in c9 with 16.07; Lucas Kato came first in c10 with 16.36; William came 4th in c11 with 29.45; Dylan came 5th in c12 with 29.40
Special mention to Dylan as it was his first orienteering. We are really proud of the boys, they did really well and well behaved.
Congratulations on an excellent result.
WETA WORKSHOP
This week we have been lucky enough to have the team from the “Weta Workshops Unleashed’ exhibition at the Sky Tower come and work with the students. The Weta team are passionate about art and helped the children to see how easy it is to create art from everyday items. Some of the activities included making a head sculpture out of tinfoil by using only a teaspoon and making a city out of junk. If you get the chance, take your family to visit the ‘Weta Workshops Unleashed’ exhibition and see how their creativity helps to make movies come to life.
NEWS FROM THE INFORMATION CENTRE
AUCKLAND WRITERS QUIZ
On Tuesday our Year 5/6 Literacy Quiz members were excited to listen to four amazing authors speaking at the Auckland Writers Festival at the Aotea Centre. Selina Tusitala Marsh, Bernard Beckett, Matt Stanton and Weng Wai Chan shared their books, ideas, inspirations and tips for writing.Their presentations were very interesting and our students loved getting to meet them afterwards.
JUNGLE BOOK WEEK
We are excited to announce that our Jungle Book Week which we unfortunately had to postpone last year, will now be happening in week 1 next term! Yes, diary these dates 26-30th July!
We are looking forward to a week full of fun activities, author visits, the Scholastic book fair, competitions and of course our wonderful costume parade to end the week. Bring your family and friends to see all the amazing book characters and jungle creatures!
NEWS FROM THE ENVIRO TEAM
MOTH PLANT ERADICATION
We have also been busy working in the gardens at school and tackling the Moth plant. The Our Lady Star of the Sea Environmental team has become super passionate about spotting and removing Moth plants from our local community. Our count so far is 671 pods and many vines! Thank you to members of our school community that have heard the call and helped us to get rid of this nasty plant.
Read the following information on how to get involved.
2021-HLB- Suggestion for Safe Moth Plant Eradication
Let’s work together to divert as much waste from the landfill as possible.
KEY DATES
TERM DATES
| Term 1 Starts | |
| Term 1 Finishes | |
| Term 2 Starts | |
| Term 2 Finishes | |
| Term 3 Starts | |
| Term 3 Finishes | |
| Term 4 Starts | |
| Term 4 Finishes |
Please note : TEACHER ONLY DAYS
Wednesday 7 April 2021
Tuesday 8 June 2021
Friday 25 June 2021
Friday 17 September 2021
Friday 19 November 2021
TEACHER ONLY DAY 8 JUNE – BIZZY BODZ CHILDCARE
Bizzy Bodz is to run a special programme in our school hall from 7.30am – 6pm on Teacher Only Day Tuesday 8th June 2021.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Afterschool Classes Availability
There are a few spaces still available for after school classroom. Please email [email protected] to enrol.
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