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Newsletter Week 6, Term 4
St Michael's Catholic School, Wednesday 15 November
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,
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As we navigate through the whirlwind of this term, our dedicated staff are putting the pedal to the metal, ensuring our last few weeks are exciting and engaging for our children. Amid the bustle, they are busy creating backdrops and props for our upcoming production, finalising assessments for our end-of-year data, and gearing up for exciting events.
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Our Kapa Haka Roopu are eagerly preparing for the Rotorua Ahurei on Monday night. Whaea Kelly and Tina have worked incredibly hard with our group and they excited to get onto the stage in front of our community.
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On Tuesday we hosted our athletics event, and this year, we introduced a fresh approach to ensure every child can participate. A diverse range of run, jump, and throw activities were set up, providing the kids with an opportunity to have fun while trying something new. We still have our dedicated athletics team gearing up to represent our school at the Rotorua Schools Athletics, these elite athletes have been diligently training during the past few weeks.
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Before the end of the term, we also have our Blue Lake trip, Year 6 retreat, Year 6 Lunch, Prizegiving and end-of-year Mass, all while our teachers are assessing and diligently crafting reports and inputting essential data to capture the remarkable progress our students have made this year. With just four weeks to go until our well-deserved summer break, the anticipation is building.
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We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the PTA for organising yet another fabulous disco for our kids. Although I missed the event, I've heard that the children had an absolute blast, dressing up as their favorite book characters and dancing the night away. A special shout-out to our remarkable PTA, whose unwavering support enriches our school community.
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Last week, twelve students from Galilee took part in the Rotorua Orienteering Competition. While none of our teams placed in the competition, the experience was invaluable, and our students had a great time learning new skills. A sincere thank you to Paul Billing from JPC for mapping our school and setting up orienteering courses, paving the way for our students to be competitive in next year's competition.
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We are currently looking at our staffing and roll for next year. If you have younger children who are starting school next year, please come to the school office and pick up an enrolment pack from Cristy. If you know of families who are thinking about a Catholic education for their child, please direct them to Cristy in the office.
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As we forge ahead in these busy times, let's continue to celebrate the achievements and successes that make St Michael's Catholic School such a vibrant and dynamic community. Thank you for your ongoing support.
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Have a great week whanau,
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Te tumuaki o te kura Hato Mikaere
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Special Character
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Weekly Scripture Reflections:
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What Bible passages have you read or discussed with your child this week?
How can you relate the week's Gospel reading to everyday life and Catholic values?
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Gospel for Sunday 19 November: Matthew 25:14-30
'It is like a man about to go abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one, each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out on his journey. The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who had received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. Now a long time afterwards, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. "Sir," he said, "you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made. "His master said to him, "Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have shown you are trustworthy in small things; I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness." Next the man with the two talents came forward. "Sir," he said, "you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made." His master said to him, "Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have shown you are trustworthy in small things; I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness. "Last came forward the man who had the single talent. "Sir," said he, "I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you had not sown and gathering where you had not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back. "But his master answered him, "You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have got my money back with interest. So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but anyone who has not, will be deprived even of what he has. As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth."
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For children, this Gospel story teaches several important lessons:
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Responsibility: Each person is given unique gifts and abilities (talents) by God, and it's essential to use them wisely and responsibly.
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Initiative: God appreciates and rewards those who take initiative and use their abilities to make a positive impact.
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Overcoming Fear: The story suggests that fear can hinder us from using our talents. Instead, children are encouraged to overcome fear and take positive actions.
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Sharing and Multiplying: The parable emphasises the joy of sharing and multiplying one's gifts. When we use our talents for good, it not only benefits us but also brings joy to God.
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Consequences of Inaction: The story warns about the consequences of not using one's talents. It encourages children to actively engage with their gifts and contribute positively to the world around them.
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Overall, the Gospel encourages children to recognise and appreciate their unique talents, take initiative, and use their abilities for the greater good.
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We are certainly seeing our children step up and use their talents as we prepare for our school production. We thank Miss O'Neill for giving our children the opportunity to shine and to share their talents with us all.
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Our STAR Values of Service, Tika, Aroha and Respect, reminds our school community of the way of Jesus.
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St Michael's Church Holy Mass Timetable
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St Mary's Church Holy Mass Timetable
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Community Masses -All Welcome
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Miha Maori - First Saturday of the month, 5pm Vigil Mass at St Michael’s.
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Tokelauan Community - Third Saturday of the month, 5pm Vigil Mass at St Michael’s.
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Filipino Community - Third Friday of the month, 6pm at St Michael’s.
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Welcome to New Families
A very warm welcome to the following family. We hope you will enjoy your time with us at St Michael's School.
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Potae Awatea ( The Ark 8) Sibling of Tairawhiti
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Health and Safety
This term is a summer term! Take some time to dig out that school hat! The classroom teachers will supply sunblock for the children, please ensure that if your child is allergic to the sunblock we use, to let the classroom teacher know.
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At school we have drills for all emergency events: fire, earthquake, lock-down etc. Do you also have these drills at your house? Make sure you have discussed with your children the best way out of the house if there is a fire and where you will meet as a family once you are all out safely. Have your practiced the “drop, cover, hold” drill at home for an earthquake? It is important that your child feels confident that they know what to do if the worst should happen.
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Juicies on Friday
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During Term 4 the children will be able to purchase a nice cold juicie for $2.
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All orders will be taken in the classroom at 9am. This will take over the sausage sizzle.
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Board of Trustees
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Next board meeting Date: Thursday 30th November.
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At each BOT meeting - twice a term - policies are reviewed. If you would like to communicate with the BOT, you are welcome to email our independent e-mail address; botstmichaels@gmail.com or alternatively, send letters to the school in an envelope marked "Board of Trustees."
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You are also welcome to attend any meeting, however, if you would like to have speaking rights, you need to request this from the chair using the email address. This email address can be accessed by Alistair Burns (Chair)
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Each term, the whole school community is invited to review and comment on specific policies and procedures. This feedback is captured using the review button on topics that are under review.
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Log on to School Docs to have your say.
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SchoolDocs is an online platform that provides access to our school policies, procedures, and guidelines. It serves as a valuable tool for staying informed and ensuring that we are all on the same page.
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To access SchoolDocs, please visit
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schooldoc.co.nz and use the following login details:
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Username: stmichaelsrotorua
Password: community
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Upcoming Events For Term 4
- JPC Year 6 Orientation Day - 17 November
- Year 6 Big Day In with St Mary's - 28 November
- Year 6 Retreat - 30 November
- BOT Meeting - 30 November
- Production- 7 December
- Blue Lake Picnic - 11 December
- Year 6 Leavers Lunch - 12 December
- Prize Giving - 13 December
- Whole School Leavers Mass - 14 December@5pm
- Last Day of 2023 - 15 December@12pm
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Sports News
Many thanks to those families who have returned their sports uniforms, it has been most appreciated. There are still a few who have not returned their uniforms, parents please have a good look at home and return these as soon as possible. For any outstanding uniforms that have not been returned, families will be invoiced the cost to replace these.
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Player Of The Day:
Congratulations to the following children
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Future Ferns Netball Series
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Netball Middle: Jaylyn Uerata
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Netball Senior: Ella Burton & Scott Pheasant
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Netball Middle: Angelina Elliott
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Netball Senior: Helana Hetherington, Tamia Petersen, Maddie Rahurahu
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PTA News
Thank you for all items donated thus far, last day to send in items will be the 01/12/23. There are more Raffle books available, please see Mrs. Tucker at the office. Any unsold tickets to be returned to the office for us to redistribute. All unsold tickets & all cash to be returned by the 01/12/23.
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We managed to sell all the chocolates for this fundraiser. A huge THANK YOU to everyone for the incredible support and making this event a great success. Prizes will be done at the school production.
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Lucky Book Club Issue
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Booklets will have gone home. All orders must be handed into the school office or done online via the loop app or website by Thursday the 23rd of November.
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Community News
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Rotorua Cubs are recruiting now for next year.
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Cub Packs offer learning programmes where children are encouraged to experience, experiment, and explore…
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- Make new friends and have lots of fun!
- Go on exciting new adventures like camping, bushwalking, kayaking, and rock climbing.
- Spend time in your community, work in teams with others, and learn about different cultures.
- Learn new skills and test your creativity.
- Participate in Events such as Pinewood Derby, Mudslide Day, and JOTI (Jamboree On The Internet).
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The school holidays are nearly upon us – keep the kids entertained by taking them to an action-
packed game of basketball.
The BNZ Breakers have 8 Auckland games remaining this season and every single game promises
plenty of fun, giveaways, and entertainment for the whole family. Choose the dates that suit you
and get behind the BNZ Breakers. Tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.co.nz
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