|
|
|
|
Newsletter Week 5, Term 3
St Michael's Catholic School, Thursday 14th August
|
|
|
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,
|
It’s been a busy and joy-filled week at our kura, with plenty happening both in and out of the classroom. From exciting upcoming events to celebrating our students’ achievements and supporting important causes, there’s a lot to share!
|
Farewell to Shayla
It is with mixed emotions that we share the news that Shayla O'Neill has accepted the position of Deputy Principal at St Mary’s Tauranga, beginning in Term 1 next year.
For the past six years, Shayla has been an integral part of St Michael’s—bringing warmth, dedication, and a true sense of whānau to our kura. We are incredibly grateful for her contributions as both a teacher and a leader, and for the countless ways she has enriched our school community. While we are sad to see her go, we are excited for the new opportunities ahead of her and wish her every success. Shayla will remain with us until the end of the year, and we will take time in Term 4 to farewell her properly.
|
Thank You to Our Outgoing Board Members
We would like to acknowledge and thank our outgoing Board members for their service to St Michael’s.
|
-
|
Joseph Assen, our Presiding Member, has stepped down after winning a Deputy Principal position in Gore. Joseph and his family will be moving at the end of the term, and we wish the Assens all the very best for their exciting new adventure.
|
-
|
Nick Horton has completed his time on the Board, having generously continued his service after his daughter Abigail left St Michael’s at the end of last year to attend JPC.
|
-
|
Shayla O’Neill, our staff representative, has also stepped down from the Board as she prepares for her next chapter.
|
We are deeply grateful for the dedication, leadership, and heart each of you has given to our school.
|
Peter Pan Tickets Now Available
We’re excited to announce that tickets for our production of Peter Pan are now available from the school office. Don’t miss this magical show!
|
Winter Sports Day
Yesterday, our hockey and soccer teams represented St Michael’s at the Rotorua Schools Winter Sports Day. We are so proud of the teamwork, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm shown by all our players—ka pai!
|
School Photo Day
A reminder that School Photo Day will be held on Thursday 11 September. Please ensure students come to school in full correct uniform.
|
Mufti Day – Supporting the National Kiwi Hatchery
Tomorrow is Mufti Day to raise funds for the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, the world’s largest and most successful kiwi hatching facility. The Hatchery is a leader in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation, and chick rearing, helping to protect our national taonga.
Earlier this term, some of our students helped plant native plants at the hatchery and learned about the incredible work being done there. Funds raised tomorrow will go towards caring for the new chicks that will be hatched this season. Gold coin donation appreciated.
|
We are also on the lookout for a kaiako to support our Kapa Haka roopu. A huge thank you to Whaea Kelly for her years of dedication to this group. If you know of a guitarist who could spare a couple of hours a week to accompany our talented tamariki, we’d love to hear from you!
|
Sacramental Programme
A heartfelt congratulations to all our pupils who recently completed the Sacramental Programme and celebrated their First Holy Communion and Confirmation. The services were truly beautiful and a special time for our school and parish community. This marks the beginning of an important step in their faith journey, and we pray they continue to grow in God’s love and grace. Photos of these special occasions are included below
|
|
Te tumuaki o te kura o Hato Mikaere
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introducing Rio Foote – Our Kaitiaki
We are proud to acknowledge Rio Foote as our school’s kaitiaki (guardian). Rio has shown exceptional leadership and care for our Trees for Survival native plants, working alongside and supporting Whaea Adrienne. His dedication to nurturing our environment reflects our school values and inspires others to look after our precious environment. Ka pai, Rio!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to Our School Community
|
William Bristowe ( Eden 6)
|
Zion Aislabie ( Zara's Brother) - (The Ark)
|
|
We are delighted to have you as part of our school community and look forward to getting to know you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inspired by St Mary MacKillop - A Saint Who Helped Others
|
Last Friday, we celebrated the Mary McKillop Feast Day with a special liturgy. Here at St Michael’s Primary School, we are blessed to have a very special connection to St Mary MacKillop, a woman of great kindness, courage, and faith.
|
|
Mary MacKillop was born in Australia in 1842 and dedicated her life to helping others, especially children who had very little. She became a teacher and opened schools to make sure every child felt loved, valued, and had the chance to learn.
|
|
Mary trusted in God completely and never gave up, even when times were hard. She started the Sisters of St Joseph to support her mission of caring for the poor and providing education for all.
|
|
We are especially proud that St Mary MacKillop spent time in Rotorua and helped start the very first St Michael’s School in Ohinemutu, beside our beautiful church. Her spirit still lives in our school today: in how we care for one another, help those in need and do our best to follow God with loving hearts.
|
|
When Mary was declared a saint in 2010, our parish proudly took her name to honour her life and her lasting impact on our community.
|
|
Every day at St Michael’s, we try to live like St Mary MacKillop - with kindness, courage and a heart full of faith.
|
May our families, too, be inspired by Mary’s example: to notice those in need, to act with love and compassion and to always trust in God’s goodness.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roof Fundraiser: Film Evening this Saturday 16th August
|
Film Night for a Great Cause!
|
|
Join us for a special fundraising event to support the St Mary’s Church Roof Project.
|
Saturday, 16th August 2025 at 6:00pm Thurston Theatre, John Paul College
|
The evening begins with the premiere of our locally made short film:To the Ends of the Earth: Our Story of the Catholic Faith in Rotorua followed by a light supper and the screening of the inspiring 2024 film Cabrini.
|
|
Come along for a night of faith, film, and fellowship — and help us raise the roof at St Mary’s!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight on Learning- Galilee 4
Galilee 4 have been having fun creating alliteration tongue twisters — sentences where many of the words begin with the same letter or sound. Alliteration is often used in poetry, tongue twisters, and catchy phrases to make them more memorable and enjoyable to read or say.
Here are a few of their fantastic creations:
|
|
|
|
|
They have also been exploring the world of art, creating vibrant “Piet Mondrian”-inspired pieces, using bold lines, primary colours, and balanced geometric designs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health & Safety
With the colder weather still lingering, please remind children to wear warm layers to school and bring a raincoat for wet days. Footpaths can be slippery in the mornings, so take care when walking or cycling.
If your child has a fever, cough, or vomiting, please keep them at home until they are fully recovered to help prevent winter bugs spreading through the school.
|
|
When dropping off or picking up children, please use the designated drop-off zones and avoid parking on yellow lines or in staff car parks. This helps keep all students safe and ensures clear visibility for drivers and pedestrians.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming events for Term 3:
- Friday 29 August- Kahui Ako Sport & Cultural Event (Galilee 1 and 4)
- Monday 8 September - BOT Meeting
- Thursday 11 September - School / Sports Photos
- Tuesday 16/ Wednesday 17 September -School Production : Peter Pan
- Friday 19 September - Last day of Term 3
|
|
|
|
|
Sports News
Registrations have opened for term 4 Touch teams. Communication to come out soon.
|
Player Of The Day
|
Tigers – Odelia Hayes & Hunter-Lee
|
|
Pumas – Ayva Mose & Teaghan Morta
|
|
Pumas - Cruze Goodwin and Mannat Kaur
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board of Trustees
|
Next board meeting Date: Monday 20 October
|
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 Joseph Assen (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)
|
|
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.
|
|
Log on to School Docs to have your say.
|
|
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.
|
|
To access SchoolDocs, please visit
|
|
schooldoc.co.nz and use the following login details:
|
Username: stmichaelsrotorua
Password: community
|
|
|
|
|
|
PTA News
Our next PTA meeting will be held on Monday, 1 September at 4:45pm.
|
We would like to thank Laken for her time and effort as PTA Secretary, and welcome Rachael who has kindly taken on the role.
|
Father’s Day Stall – 2, 3 & 4 September.
|
Spring Plant Fundraiser – details coming soon!
|
|
If any parents or caregivers would like to sponsor prizes or vouchers for upcoming PTA events and fundraisers, please get in touch – your generosity makes a big difference.
|
|
|
|
Sausage Sizzle on Friday
|
Sausages will be available every Friday for $2.00. Orders are taken in class at 9:00am.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bread on Wednesday
|
Bread will be available on Wednesday Mornings. Please collect your bread from outside the main office. 2 bags maximum per family thank you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Community News
|
Beginners After school Art Classes with Janet Keen enrolling NOW for the remainder of Term 3 and 4 and 2026.
|
|
Drawing, Painting, Mosaics.
|
|
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 3.30pm to 4.30pm and 4.35pm to 5.35pm
|
|
Small classes, friendly, safe, quiet, organic environment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
