About
History
Catholic Education has a long history in Rotorua. St Michael’s School was founded by the Sisters of Mercy and opened on its present site in 1958.
The Sisters of Mercy staffed the school throughout it’s early years, establishing the culture of academic, spiritual and emotional growth and empowerment. Over time the number of Mercy Sisters employed here began to decline. The last Sister was Sr Theresa who was Principal for 18 years and retired in 1996. Since then the school has been entirely lay staffed.
Curriculum
All our staff are dedicated and focused on raising your children’s academic achievement. Your children’s progress is closely monitored and programmes are developed to meet children’s needs. This allows St. Michael’s Catholic School to deliver programmes for children who need additional support or extension.
We are passionate about providing quality education for all children. As a staff we attend professional development programmes on a regular basis to ensure that our teaching is both of the highest standards and based on current research and evidence of how quality teachers engage and teach their children.
Our use of quality assessment tools and analysis of the results allows us to create specific programmes to extend your children’s learning. We constantly monitor progress to ensure that the school is appropriately resourced for the learning needs of the children.
ICT
Each classroom has computers that are connected to the network. We use the computers to provide authentic, rich and powerful learning experiences for the children.
Support Staff
The school is well served by a committed and dedicated team of teacher aides and parent helpers. The provision of quality professional development and guidance from the Deputy Principal contributes to their collective knowledge and ability to add value to student’s learning.
Special Character
Our school has a special character that requires that the Gospel of Jesus Christ be both lived and taught. The school is part of the Catholic community of the parish of St. Michael’s, and our church is located on Lake Road, on the shore of beautiful Lake Rotorua.
As St. Michael’s we seek to educate the whole child and believe that we can assist parents in the care, development and nurture of their children’s faith. The role of the school is to contribute to the spiritual, academic, physical, cultural and special growth of the children.
The special character of our Catholic school manifests itself in many ways. Your child will be taught the approved NZ Religious Education curriculum at the appropriate level, every class will begin and end each day with prayer and pray a grace before lunch break. Also there will be liturgies held at school, often in the hall, to celebrate important feast days in the church’s year. For example, St Patrick’s day, Easter, Christmas, St. Michael’s Day, Mercy day (in honour of the Sisters of Mercy who began our school many years ago).
During each term Masses will be held led by classes and occasionally a school Mass will be held on a Sunday. It is compulsory for all pupils to attend this and parents are most welcome at our Masses and liturgies.
One of the most obvious ways our special character is demonstrated can be summed up on the word “relationships”. A Catholic school prides itself in the quality of relationships – between staff, children, parents, in fact between all people who have any contact with the school. At St. Michel’s we pride ourselves in the quality of our relationships and endeavour to provide a quality education in an environment of Christian care. Genuine warm welcome, care and support are features we know you will enjoy.
Sacramental Programme
First Reconciliation and Holy Communion
These are parish-based programmes, which have been taught by a teacher from our school. Instruction usually takes place out of school, at St. Michael’s Church and involves attendance by both children and their parents.
These sacramental programmes are a very important celebration in the life of our school and wider parish community.
Ongoing Catholic Education
St Michael’s School is fortunate in that pupils in Year 6 are able to continue their Catholic Education at the Intermediate and Secondary levels by moving on to John Paul College for Yr 7-13. The College is a co-educational Y7-13 Catholic College situated in Corlett Street, Rotorua West. PH: 07 347 8795.
A Year 6 experience day is held each year for St Michael’s students, and the College Principal and Year 7 Dean visit St Michael’s in the latter half of the year to conduct enrolment interviews with our Year 6 students and their parents.
All information and enrolment packages are available either at St Michael’s or at John Paul College.
School Uniform
It is a condition of enrolment that you agree to clothe your child in the correct uniform. Full details are set out below but first a few points about the wearing of our uniform correctly:
• All uniform items are available from Postie Plus in the Central Mall except the girls’ summer & winter tunics, which can be purchased at the school office.
• The St Michael’s track pants are an OPTION for terms 2&3. No other type of track pants are allowed. Track pants therefore do not replace the boys’ winter shorts/long socks or the girls’ tunics.
• For formal occasions such as Masses in Church, school photo day, Choir performances etc tunics/shorts must be worn not track pants No coloured T-shirts to be worn under school uniform that are visible at the neck. The St Michael’s sports uniform is compulsory in years 4-6 & optional in years 1-3. Year 4-6 children are expected to wear their sports uniform for all P/Ed lessons & sports events. Some sports codes have a particular uniform owned by the school which must be looked after & returned clean. Replacement costs will be charged to parents if school sports uniforms are lost/damaged. Children incorrectly dressed for inter school sports fixtures will not be permitted to take part. If a child has an after school sports practice or has been taking part in an afternoon’s P/Ed/Sports they must change back into correct uniform before leaving the grounds. A new Polar Fleece has been added to uniform options for winter wear that is proving popular
• Correct footwear must be worn. No sneakers, jandals, boots allowed.
Boys Uniform (Summer) |
Boys Uniform (Winter) |
| Optional Extra: St. Michael’s track pants (terms 2&3) Boys Sports Uniform Blue St Michael’s shorts Yellow St. Michael’s T-shirt with monogram |
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 Girls Uniform (Summer)Dress (Blue & White St Michael’s check) St Michael’s Sweatshirt with monogram Flat Black or Brown sandals Blue Aussie style sunhat |
 Girls Uniform (Winter)Dress (Blue Tartan) White Skivvy St Michael’s sweatshirt with monogram Knee length navy socks or navy tights. Black shoes (No high heels!) |
| Optional Extra: St Michael’s track pants (terms 2&3) Girls Sports Uniform Blue St Michael’s shorts. Yellow St Michael’s T-shirt with monogram. |