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• News from the Principal
• News from the DRS
• News from the BOT
• News from the PTA
• News from the Gala Committee
• Attendance Dues
• News from Outside the Classroom
• News from Information Centre
• News from the Enviro Team
• Quick Reference
• Key Dates
• Term Dates
• Community Notices

Dear Families,

Welcome to our penultimate newsletter of Term 2.

This Sunday, at Mass, we hear from the Gospel of Mark, with two examples of the healing strength of Jesus. The first healing story reminds us of the faith we are called to live by; firm belief that in Jesus Christ’s hands we are strengthened and healed. The second challenges us to shake off our earthly, human expectations of the strength and power of our God, and embrace, with true faith, the possibilities of our all powerful maker. Please follow this link to Sunday’s readings.

MATARIKI CELEBRATIONS This week begins the celebration of Matariki, the Maori New Year. Matariki is the star constellation that becomes visible in late June through to early July. It is seen as a significant time for families/whanau to come together to spend time with one another. In the Maori culture, it is a time to share stories and traditions and an opportunity to be reflective and thankful for what we have been given. It is seen as a time to reflect on what has passed and a time to celebrate the lives of the people that have passed on to another life in the past year. Another aspect of Matariki is taking the time to consider and plan for the future and what is to come. It brings the old lunar year to a close and marks the beginning of the new year. This Matariki, consider ways that you can bring your family together or connect with family to share stories, traditions and culture. Take the time to celebrate what has been and what will come. As a whanau remember those that have passed and look forward to the future to consider what will come. Here are some photos of the Matariki activities that have been undertaken this week in the Junior Team.

LEARNER PROFILE: COMMUNICATOR AND COLLABORATOR DISPOSITIONS The Junior Team have been busy working hard at learning what it takes to be a good communicator and collaborator. Here are some of the ways that they have been developing these dispositions.

PTA QUIZ NIGHT Last Friday night our hall was filled with energy as teams competed in the PTA Quiz Night. Matt and Cathie Barker, ex parents who moved to Hamilton, came back to visit as our Quiz-Masters, running a slick and challenging quiz to entertain all who attended. There was a great atmosphere with lots of fun and laughter. I would like to sincerely thank all those families who came along to this event which was designed, not as a fundraiser, but instead as a community gathering for our families to come together and enjoy. I would also like to thank the fabulous PTA and especially Tina Moulynox who took the lead in organising this very successful event. Thank you to those who have sent photos in of the night.

SAMOAN LANGUAGE WEEK Earlier this month we celebrated Samoan Language Week. This year’s theme was Poupou le lotoifale, ola manuia le anofale which means Strengthen the posts of your house, for all to thrive. When you’re building a foundation for a fale (house) it can’t have a weak foundation or posts. This is the same for the foundations of our families, our school and our Church. We celebrated Samoan Language Week this year with songs, prayer and art throughout the week. We were very grateful to our wonderful Fono Family Group who, through Agnes Cuer, provided pani popo (coconut buns) and cinnamon buns for our staff morning tea.

TEACHER ONLY DAY Today, our teachers invested energy in crafting curriculum content in preparation for a successful curriculum offering in Term 3 based on a thorough review of the first two terms of curriculum delivery so far this year. They also engaged in moderation practices, ensuring levelling is accurate and consistent across classes, year levels and the school. This essential work, as we approach the middle of our year, is connected to ensuring reporting is strong and well informed.

MID YEAR LEARNING REVIEW (REPORTS) You will have received an invitation to fill in a 2021 Mid Year Learning Review Parent Survey to contribute whanau voice to our Mid Year Learning Review process. Our teachers and students will also be filling in these surveys. All three voices will contribute to our Mid Year Reports which will be available for families on Friday 23rd July on the Portal in preparation for the Parent/Student/Teacher Mid Year Learning Review Interviews which are being held in the first week of Term 3. Parents, please have your surveys completed by Friday 2nd July.

UPCOMING PAID UNION MEETING Our Lady Star of the Sea teachers who are members of NZEI Te Riu Roa will be attending a paid union meeting on Wednesday 30th June in the morning. The purpose of these meetings is for teachers to discuss the priorities for the renegotiation of their collective agreement in 2022. Issues being discussed, such as school staffing levels, directly impact on the education of your children. These meetings are a critical component of the negotiation process and it is the legal right of all members to attend a meeting and have their say. While there will be some impact on the usual school programme that day, we have adjusted the programme to minimise disruption, and the school will remain open. If you are in a position to support our school by sending your children to school at 11 am instead of for our usual 8.45 am start, we would greatly appreciate the support.

GALA COMMITTEE UPDATE The Gala Committee has begun their preparation in working towards putting together another amazing World-Famous-In-East-Auckland Gala later this year – see later in this newsletter for important information.

LOOKING BACK We have been busy over the past couple of weeks with such activities as an ICAS Reach exam and a Chess Power Competition which we hosted in our school hall. Congratulations to our Chess Team who came second on the day and qualified for the regional competition. We are grateful to our PTA for the sausage sizzle which was a roaring success, and, of course, we had a great day last Friday at Pyjama Day where we raised money to purchase new PJs for children in need.

LOOKING AHEAD Over the next two weeks, leading up to the end of our school term we have lots of great opportunities for our students. Next week we have a further ICAS Reach exam, the HPPA hockey field day, the Showquest Toi/Wearable Arts, The Playhouse Theatre visiting to perform their show “Chilled” and Heather Haylock, an author from Storylines visiting to speak to the junior team. We are very much looking forward to the Combined Schools Music Festival on Thursday 1st July where our orchestra and choir join with students from Sancta Maria Primary and Sancta Maria College in a celebration of all things music. We are also very excited about the PTA Disco next Friday 2nd July 6pm to 8pm. As we approach the end of our term we will celebrate with the McAuley House Assembly on our last day of the term, July 9.

Wishing you all a happy, safe and blessed fortnight ahead.

Ngā mihi nui and cǐ zhì jìng lǐ,

Louise Campbell
Principal

Winter has come. Sunshine still breaks through during the day but there is a definite chill in the evenings. Your generosity with the Jammies in June collection has helped to ensure 50 children will be warmer at night. A small action of gifting a cold coin has collectively made a big difference. It is reminiscent of the parable of the mustard seed and how something so small, such as a gold coin donation, can grow into something big. Encouraging your child to do some extra tasks around the house and earn money to donate to this cause has reinforced the way to live with Jesus as our guide. Many thanks for your generosity.

Our thoughts and prayers go to the families in Papatoetoe impacted by the recent tornado which swept through the area. The difference between them and us is a mere few kilometres. We were fortunate to not be affected. The media has made us all aware of the devastation these families are experiencing. It’s not always easy to know how, when and where to help. The St Vincent de Paul Society constantly supports families in need and goes into action where the need, like this one, arises. The foodbank will support where they can and has asked for specific donations such as soup, 2 minute noodles, tinned stew, as well as toiletries such as toothpaste, shampoo and soap. Donations can be dropped into the yellow box in our school foyer.

Manaakitia te katoa

Share your gifts with others

Each year our parish hosts the Alpha Programme. Alpha is about the basics of Christianity. It provides us with an opportunity to look at our relationship with God from an adult’s point of view. The next Alpha Programme in our parish begins next month with dinner on Sunday, 11th July at 7 p.m. At this first session, while sharing food together, there will be an explanation about the Alpha Programme – what you can expect, when the sessions will be held and more.

Fr Terry extends an invitation to you to come along and bring a friend. Please contact the parish office 534 8710 or sign up on the parish website howickcatholic.org.nz/alpha.html

Prayer is an important part of our lives as Catholic Christians. Every Friday afternoon, 2:15pm in the Chapel space, parents are welcome to spend time together in prayer. It is a time to pray for your own needs, for your children, for your family, for our school, for our community, for others. It is a time to meet other parents. It is a time for sharing. It is a very relaxed, gentle time of reflection and peace. Most of all, it is a time when you make a conscious decision to stop and spend time with God. Come and join in. All are welcome.

Prayer Intention: That we may know how to respond to those in need with compassion and mercy.

Deputy Principal / Director of Religious Studies

and collected by 8pm.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS

THANK YOU! FREE UPGRADE OFFER EXTENDED!

One of the best things about the Entertainment Membership, apart from supporting Our Lady Star of the Sea School Howick, is that there is a Multi City Membership, which unlocks EVERY offer across Australia and New Zealand. How good! For the first time ever, anybody who purchases a $69.99 Single City Membership will be upgraded to a Multi City Membership valued at $119.99 for FREE! Hurry – this is for a limited time only. That’s a $50 saving and access to over 10,000 offers!!! ENTERTAINMENT MEMBERSHIPS are now 100% digital making it better than ever. IT’S EASY! JUST CLICK THE LINK TO PURCHASE https://nz.entdigital.net/orderbooks/990f07

Thank you for your continued support.

Nicole Kelly

PTA Chairperson

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 the 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/

Rugby – by Luke McLaughlin (The Sea’s U40kg)

On Friday the rugby teams went to Lloyd Elsmore for the inter-school HPPA round one competition. We arrived at 11.30 am and did tackle training with our coaches. Then we (The Sea’s – U40kg) had our first game. In the first ten minutes we were winning 1-0 and in the second half we were losing 2-1. With the last 30 seconds, we got a try so at the end it was 2-2. We had a little lunch break and then we had to do some more training before our second game. We started off very good but then the other team got a try just before the halftime bell went and we were down 1-0. Nothing happened to the score in the second half so we lost the game, but we still did very well. Shortly after one of the U50kg (The Star’s) rugby players came rushing over to tell us that Cooper had dislocated his finger so I stepped up to help the team. In the first 2 minutes I scored 2 tries, and at the end of the match we had won, 8-0.

The Stars – by Sebastian Brownrigg

On Friday 11th June the three rugby teams from Our Lady Star of the Sea went to a HPPA rugby tournament. There were two boys teams and one girls team. There were the under 50kgs and under 40kgs. I was in the under 50s boys team, The Stars. On the day the teams all went to the tournament in cars and my Dad was one of the drivers. Just before we left Mr Collins ( our coach ) said that I would be the captain of the under 50s. In my car we had Luke, (the captain of the under 40kgs) Jett and Cooper. When we got there we did some tackle training and then we got into the first game. In the first game we played against Pigeon Mountain and won. After that game Nico, Cooper and I had to rush over to play in the under 40kgs because we were underweight and they did not have enough people. We were playing Beachlands School and they won 1:0. Then when I went back to the under 50kgs team people started saying that Cooper broke his finger so Luke had to play for our team (under 50s). We played Waakaranga and we won 8:0, so the under 50kgs won all of their games in the first round!

The Mercy Sisters – by Bella Cullen and Sammie Bongiovanni

On Friday 11th June “The Mercy Sisters” rugby team went to Pakuranga to play some rugby. First we did some tackle training with our coach and then we got into our first EVER game. We won the first game 3-5 and THEN we won the second game 4-5! At the end of the day we were very proud of each other, given that most of us had never played before, and we were totally EXHAUSTED. We went back to school and we shared the great news with our friends. We can’t wait to see what happens in the next round …

Student Achievement

Congratulations to Austin Cai (Room 23) who attended the Manawatu North Island U13 Badminton Championships tournament on 11/12 June 2021. Austin played single, boys doubles and mixed doubles. He and his mix doubles partner got a Plate runners up prize.

COSTUME PARADE – children can wear either a Book Character costume or jungle costume

BOOK WEEK

A highlight of Book Week is the chance to hear inspiring talks from fantastic New Zealand authors. This year we are excited to welcome Sally Sutton, Beks Bongiovanni and Anne Kayes.

SALLY SUTTON

Sally is an award-winning writer best known for her rambunctious rhymes and playful language. Her books include the “Roadworks” picture book series and the junior fiction series “Miniwings”.

https://www.sallysutton.co.nz

BEKS BONGIOVANNI

We are excited that picture book writer and OLSOS parent Beks Bongiovanni will speak to our junior classes during Book Week. Bek’s book “Tama the Kiwi Tiki Tours New Zealand” inspires dreams of travel and adventure and is a firm favourite with our children.

https://tamathekiwi.com

ANNE KAYES

Former drama and English teacher, Anne Kayes has written a number of popular junior fiction books. We are looking forward to finding out more about her writing and listening to her dramatic readings from her books, “Tui Street Tales” and “Tui Street Heroes”.

https://www.annekayes.com

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 25 JUNE – BIZZY BODZ CHILDCARE

Bizzy Bodz will run a special programme in our school hall from 7.30am – 6pm on Teacher Only Day, Friday 25^th June 2021.

COVID HANDOUT

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, the free Pfizer vaccine is now being offered to members of the public, starting with those most at risk.

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops are urging people get vaccinated to protect themselves, their whanau, and the community.  In getting the vaccine, you will also be protecting those who cannot receive the vaccination, such as those with underlying health conditions and young children.

The Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective, and it has been given to hundreds of millions of people worldwide.    All the resources, including the video, are available at   http://www.get-vaccinated-catholic.co.nz/

CLICK LINK ABOVE OR  ON IMAGE TO VIEW THIS IN A BIGGER FORMAT

JOB VACANCY 

The Catholic Caring Foundation is looking for a community-focused database/grants and administrator co-ordinator to join their busy team on a fixed term 11-month (August 2021 to July 2022) contract period for 20 hours per week.

The Foundation is the philanthropic trust of the Bishop of Auckland, and annually gives out grants to social service agencies who care for the poor, the marginalised and the vulnerable.

To help us with our mission, we need a co-ordinator who will make sure that our office runs smoothly and that our team are well supported in grant making, fundraising and donor care.

You’ll have great attention to detail, demonstrate excellent customer service, have experience of working with a CRM system, and have well-developed organisational skills to help us successful connect with our donors and provide grants to our partner agencies.

Please visit our website www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz, Diocesan Services, Staff Vacancies for a full position description and how to apply.

ALONE AGAIN?   Widowed, Separated or Divorced? The Beginning Experience is a non-profit organization with the motto a “Weekend Away for a Lifetime of Change” for adults. The retreat will help you work through your painful loss. The participants find new hope, increased emotional health and renewed energy. Date Friday evening to Sunday afternoon 13-15 August. Cost $350 or early bird price of $325 if paid by 2 July.  Includes accommodation, meals and materials. Contact Lynda 0274898003 and (09)478-9742 or Kelly 027-686-4416 www.beginningexperience.org.nz