|
|
|
|
Newsletter Week 7, Term 4
St Michael's Catholic School, Thursday 20 November
|
|
|
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,
|
It’s hard to believe we are already in Week 7! The final weeks of Term 4 are always full of excitement, celebrations, and a big push toward the finish line. Our tamariki are doing so well, and we are incredibly proud of the effort, energy, and kindness they continue to show as the year draws to a close.
|
We are also seeing some wonderful learning happening across the school as classes complete end-of-year projects, assessments, and activities. Thank you to our dedicated teachers and support staff who continue to give their very best for our children, your hard work at this time of year does not go unnoticed.
|
Our Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
|
|
As you may be aware, the Government has now passed an amendment to the Education and Training Act removing the requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This means the Treaty is now optional for school boards.
|
At St Michael’s Catholic School, our position is clear and unwavering:
We will continue to honour, uphold, and give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all that we do.
|
|
Our commitment is grounded in both our Catholic Special Character and our unique school history.
|
|
Bishop Pompallier, the first Catholic Bishop of Aotearoa, was present at the signing of Te Tiriti in 1840. His call for “the same rights for all” remains a foundation of our Catholic identity and moral responsibility today.
|
|
The New Zealand Catholic Education Office (NZCEO) has stated its strong opposition to the removal of the Treaty clause and encourages all Catholic schools to continue giving effect to Te Tiriti. NZCEO affirms that this work is a moral imperative, rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and the dignity of every person.
|
At St Michael’s, this means:
|
- Honouring Māori as tangata whenua
- Embedding tikanga and te reo Māori
- Building strong partnership with whānau and iwi
- Supporting Māori learners to achieve success as Māori
- Living out the Gospel call to justice, love, and respect
We remain steadfast in our belief that Te Tiriti strengthens our school and enriches our community. We will continue this commitment, regardless of legislative changes, because it is who we are as a Catholic school.
|
As always, we are grateful for the ongoing support of our families and parish community. These final weeks are a busy but special time, and working together ensures our tamariki finish the year feeling confident, settled, and successful.
|
|
Te tumuaki o te kura Hato Mikaere
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Character
|
|
As the Christmas season approaches, life around us begins to speed up. Shops are crowded, days feel full, and it’s easy to feel the pressure creeping in.
|
Over the weekend, while playing a board game with my children, I caught my mind drifting to the long list of jobs I still had to do. It was such an ordinary moment, yet it reminded me how quickly we can slip out of the present and into the noise of everything waiting for us.
At this time of year, we often pour our energy into preparing, organising, and finding the right presents. But the moments we remember most are usually the ones when someone is simply present,fully there, even for a few minutes.
|
In the life of Jesus, we see someone who paused for people, noticed them and offered his attention freely. His presence spoke more loudly than anything he could have given.
As we head into the busy weeks ahead, perhaps we can each find small spaces to pause and breathe, letting ourselves be where we are instead of where our to-do lists want to take us. Often, that quiet presence becomes the most meaningful gift of all.
|
Wishing you a calm and grounded week,
Edith Klostermann, DRS
|
|
St Michael's Church Holy Mass Timetable
|
|
St Mary's Church Holy Mass Timetable
|
|
Community Masses -All Welcome
|
|
Miha Maori - First Saturday of the month, 5pm Vigil Mass at St Michael’s.
|
|
Tokelauan Community - Third Saturday of the month, 5pm Vigil Mass at St Michael’s.
|
|
Filipino Community - Third Friday of the month, 6pm at St Michael’s.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025 Bible Reading Competition
What a wonderful afternoon! The competition was incredibly close this year. All the children read their Bible passages beautifully. Father Mohan and Janet said every single reader was extremely good. Well done, children — we are so proud of you!
|
A big thank you to our judges, Father Mohan and Janet, for their time, encouragement, and support. We truly appreciate you both.
|
Year 0–2
1st place: Encio Catena
2nd place: Asher Carruthers
3rd place (equal): Odelia Hayes / Maisie Watson
Highly Commended: Tinenyasha Dzikiti, Venya Anagani, Izel Shelin
|
Year 3–4
1st place: Kaela Catena
2nd place: Ayva Mose
3rd place: Georgia Geyer
Very Highly Commended: Kylan Knight, Elias Karaka, Heidi Garmonsway, Joey Hewlett
Highly Commended: Lucah Williams, Kawana Phillips
|
Year 5–6
1st place: Emma Hislop
2nd place (equal): Esmee Brooks / Billie Tucker
3rd place: Angelina Elliott
Very Highly Commended: Amelia Knight, Montana Foote, Ethan King, Jaylyn Uerata, Pamodya Jayawickrama Vithanage, Milan Geyer, Piper Hall, Karlie Waerea Marsh
|
|
Congratulations to all our amazing readers! 🌟📖✨
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JPC Year 6 Annual Orientation Day
We have our annual Y6 Orientation Day.
|
-
-
-
|
Wear: Regular school uniform
|
-
|
Bring: Lunch and drink bottle
|
-
-
|
Meet: Mrs Fraser, the Y7 Dean, in the Edmund Rice Centre (school gym)
|
-
|
Finish time: 2:30pm – parents can collect students from inside the gym
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health & Safety
Parking Around the School
|
To keep all our tamariki, families, and staff safe, please follow these important parking guidelines:
|
-
|
Use designated parking areas only. Please do not park on yellow lines, grass verges, or in staff parking spaces.
|
-
|
No stopping in the drop-off zone. This area is for quick drop-offs only. If you need to walk your child in, please park in a proper parking space.
|
-
|
Keep driveways and footpaths clear. Blocking these creates dangerous situations for children trying to cross.
|
-
|
Slow down at all times. Please drive at walking speed around the school, especially during pick-up and drop-off times.
|
-
|
No double parking. It limits visibility and puts children at risk.
|
-
|
Be patient and courteous. A few extra seconds helps keep everyone safe.
|
|
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment for all our students.
|
|
|
|
Spotlight on learning
|
Our Ark children have been working on acrostic poems with the theme of Spring, exploring creative ways to play with words, language, and imagination. They have enjoyed choosing spring-themed words and crafting lines that express their ideas in fun and thoughtful ways.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming events for Term 4:
- Friday 21 November - JPC Orientation Day (Y6)
- Monday 24 November - Final Board Meeting for the year.
- Wednesday 26 November - Y6 Ziplining
- Thursday 27 November - Eden 6 / Galilee 4 Class Mass
- Thursday 4 December - Helpers Morning Tea
- Wednesday 10 December -Year 6 Retreat
- Thursday 11 December - Prizegiving Ceremony 1pm/ Final School Mass 5:30pm
- Monday 15 December- Blue Lake Picnic
- Term 4 Ends Tuesday 16th December @ 12pm
|
|
|
|
|
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 next week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board of Trustees
Next board meeting date: Monday 24th November , at 6pm. 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."
|
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 Angela Smith-Bigwood (Chair)
|
|
St Michael's School Board of Trustees
|
Angela Smith-Bigwood (Chair) Rachael McLanachan(Principal), Edith Klostermann(Staff Rep), Joe Hewlett, Thushara Jayawickrama Vithanage, Shania Howe (Parent Reps), Bernadette Fredricksen (Proprietor Rep), Nicky Curran (Proprietor Rep)
|
|
To access SchoolDocs, please visit
|
|
schooldoc.co.nz and use the following login details:
|
Username: stmichaelsrotorua
Password: community
|
|
|
|
|
|
Juicies on Friday
|
During Term 4 the children will be able to purchase a nice cold juicie for $2.
|
|
All orders will be taken in the classroom at 9am. This will take over the sausage sizzle.
|
|
|
|
Pita Pit Lunches available every Wednesday @ School
Cut off time for ordering is 8:30 am on Wednesday
It’s simple; all you need to do is register at www.lunchonline.co.nz
and follow 4 easy steps to get started
|
1. Register an account
2. Add member/s including your name and delivery location
3. Make a payment to have funds in your account before you order
4. Select your lunch and place an order
|
|
|
|
PTA News
Get ready for a fun night!
Our PTA School Disco will be held on Thursday, 27 November from 5:30pm–7:00pm.
The theme is Movie Characters, so come dressed as your favourite character!
|
Entry is $2.00 at the door, and students can bring extra money for glow toys and pizza that will be on sale during the evening.
|
Tomato order sheets have been sent home. Please support our PTA and school. These Tomato plants have been lovingly cared for and nurtured by a few students at home. All funds raised will go towards supporting our school where it is needed most.
|
Please ensure all orders are placed by November 21, and the plants will be sent home with the kids on November 28, 2025.
|
Thank you to all the families who have already brought in items for our Christmas Raffle and to those who have started selling their raffle books. Your support is truly appreciated!
If you are able to sell extra books, please let the school office know.
|
We are continuing to collect grocery items over the coming weeks to help create our raffle hampers. The family who sells the most tickets will win a $50 Motion Entertainment Voucher.
The raffle will be drawn at school on 14 December 2025.
|
Week 1 — 09–14 November
Box of something (e.g., crackers)
|
Week 2 — 16–21 November
Packets (e.g., lollies)
|
Week 3 — 23–28 November
Cans and/or something Christmas-themed
|
Week 4 — 01–05 December
Christmas Week (any festive items)
|
|
Thank you in advance for your support
|
|
|
|
|
Bread on Wednesday
Bread will be available on Wednesday mornings. Please collect your bread from outside the main office – limit of 2 bags per family.
|
|
This bread is kindly donated by Bakers Delight, Rotorua Central Mall. If you happen to enjoy something you try, we encourage you to support their business by calling in and purchasing more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
