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September 2024 Edition
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Newsletter Week 7, Term 3

St Michael's Catholic School, Wednesday 04 September

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,

Our latest newsletter is jam-packed with all the fantastic things our tamariki have been up to! From sports achievements and cultural performances to classroom projects, there’s so much to celebrate and share. We are thrilled to highlight their hard work, creativity, and team spirit. Dive in and enjoy all the wonderful moments from our vibrant school community!

Enrolment for Next Year
Our school is accepting enrolments for next year! We still have room for preference status students. If you have a child who will turn five next year, or if you know someone who does, we encourage you to enrol them as soon as possible to secure their place.
To enrol your child, please pick up an enrolment form from the school office. Early enrolment helps us plan effectively and ensures a smooth start to your child's educational journey.
We also have a limited number of non preference spaces for new entrant enrolments.
For any questions about the enrolment process or to refer someone, feel free to contact the school office. We look forward to welcoming our new students and their families to St. Michael's!

Have a wonderful week whanau.
Ma te Atua koe e manaaki,

Rachael McLanachan
Te tumuaki o te kura Hato Mikaere

A Captivating Performance by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra!

We were delighted to have the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra perform for our students recently. The performance was not only outstanding but also highly engaging for our children. The orchestra brought music to life with their dynamic and interactive presentation, sparking curiosity and excitement in our tamariki.

Special Character

St Michael's Church Holy Mass Timetable
Holy Mass
Saturday Vigil 5pm
Sunday 8am
Tuesday 5:30pm
Thursday 9am

St Mary's Church Holy Mass Timetable
Holy Mass
Sunday 10am & 5pm
Monday 9am
Wednesday 12:05pm
Friday 9am
Saturday 9am

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.

Message from the St Mary of the Cross Parish office
1. Funeral Notice: Bishop Denis Browne
- Funeral Mass at Auckland Cathedral:
Date: Thursday, 5th September
Time:1:30 PM
-Funeral Mass at Hamilton Cathedral:
Date: Friday, 6th September
Time:11:00 AM
Followed by: Burial at Ōhaupō
After the burial, those who wish may return to the Cathedral for a cuppa tea
before heading home.
2. Important Information for Tomorrow
Fr. Shenan Boquet - Wednesday, 4th September
There will be a Mass at 6:00 PM prior to Fr. Boquet's talk. After the talk, a supper will be
provided—please bring a plate if you are able.
Pro-Life Talk
Date: Wednesday, 4th September
Time:7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Rotorua
Speaker: Fr. Shenan Boquet (USA)
For more information, please contact Simon Archer at 021 400 729.
3. Raise the Roof Show at John Paul College – This Saturday!
Dear Parishioners, Ticket sales are lower than expected, and we need your help to
ensure a full house for our talented performers. Please spread the word through your
networks, social media, or direct outreach.
Tickets are available online at
[https://lu.ma/barkadamarket.co.nz](https://lu.ma/barkadamarket.co.nz) or by
contacting us for physical tickets in the Church.
Let’s come together to support this important event!
Thank you

Kapa Haka Group Performs Beautifully at the Ahurei!

Our Kapa Haka group delivered a stunning performance at the Kapa Haka Ahurei, showcasing their passion, dedication, and cultural pride. Their powerful waiata and haka captivated the audience and highlighted the strength and beauty of our tamariki. We are incredibly proud of the hard work and commitment shown by each member of the group. Ka mau te wehi!

A big thank you to Whaea Kelly and Matua Whare for their guidance and support in helping to get the kids performance-ready. Your dedication and efforts are truly appreciated!

Lost Property

We have received a number of lost items of clothing, many of which are unnamed. Please ensure your child’s clothing is clearly labeled so we can easily return any misplaced items to their rightful owners. We also ask that you check your child's clothing to make sure they haven't accidentally brought home someone else’s belongings.

Health & Safety

Illness and Absence
To help prevent the spread of illness within our school community, please keep your child at home if they are feeling unwell. Currently, we are seeing several cases of sore throats and sore tummies among our students.
To alleviate symptoms, consider the following tips:
  • For sore throats, encourage your child to drink warm fluids such as herbal tea or warm water with honey, and ensure they get plenty of rest.
  • For sore tummies, ensure your child stays hydrated and offer bland foods like toast or crackers. If symptoms persist, consult a healthcare professional.
If your child will be absent due to illness or any other reason, kindly notify the school office as soon as possible. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated and helps us manage absences effectively.
Thank you for your support in keeping our school a healthy and safe environment for all.

Spotlight on Learning

The Ark 10: Alana Wesley & Yuana Mehta with their lovely Daffodil Day writing and drawing

School Resources

We kindly request your help in locating and returning any school journals, library books, or sports uniforms that might still be at home.
Please have your child bring these items back to school and hand them to their respective teachers.
Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring our school resources are accounted for. We appreciate your support in providing an excellent educational experience for all our students.

Upcoming events for Term 3:

    • Tuesday 10 September - BOT Meeting
    • Wednesday 11 September - Grandparents Day
    • Wednesday 18th September- SPCA Cupcake Day
    • Tuesday 24 September - Catherine McAuley Feast Day
    • Friday 27 September - St Michael's Feast Day
    • Friday 27 September - Last day of Term 3

    Sports News

    Players of the Day

    Hockey
    24/08/2024
    Maxi Team: Jerome Assen

    Miniball:
    16/08/2024
    Milan Geyer

    Congratulations to our Players of the Day!

    A Big Thank You to Our Amazing Coaches!
    We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the parents who have generously given their time to coach our children. Without your dedication and support, none of this would be possible. Our children are incredibly fortunate to have such wonderful role models guiding them. Thank you for making a difference!

    Above: Our St Michael's/St Mary's Mini Hockey Team
    St Michael's Maxi Team with Coach Kris Garmonsway- Four of these talented players will be moving on next year, and they will be greatly missed!

    Our Talented Gymnasts Shine!

    Our talented gymnasts represented St. Michael's with pride and had a fantastic day showcasing their skills and team spirit. We are thrilled to share that some of our students even achieved placings! A big thank you to Val Cooney for her dedication and hard work in coaching the team. Your guidance and support has truly helped them shine!

    Results
    Tumbling ( Flyers)
    1st: Mecah Peterson
    2nd: Georgia Geyer
    3rd= Esmee Brookes & Luckyna Sang

    Tumbling ( Springers)
    1st: Elora Encabo
    2nd: Mannat Kaur
    3= Sukhnoor Kaur

    Floor ( Springers)
    1st: Angelina Elliott
    2nd: Alida Assen
    3rd: Elora Encabo

    All Around Individual Result (Springers)
    2nd: Alida Assen
    4th Angelina Elliott

    Team Result (Springers)
    1st: St Michael's Red : Alida Assen, Elora Encabo, Angelina Elliott, and Billie Tucker
    Above : All Gymnasts with their legendary coach Val Cooney
    Above and Below: Podium finishers
    Above: Alida Assen on the beam

    Service

    We are proud to share that several of our senior students are eager to give back to our community. The Young Vinnies, led by Jerome Assen, will be providing morning tea for our St. Michael's parishioners after the 9am Mass on Thursday, 26th September.
    Abigail Horton has taken the initiative to support the SPCA by organising a Cupcake Day. She is inviting our school families to bake cupcakes and bring them to school on Wednesday, 18th September, for sale during morning tea. Cupcakes will be available for $2 each, with all proceeds going to the Rotorua SPCA. We’re incredibly proud of our students for their compassion and commitment to serving others.

    SPCA Cupcake Day

    Cupcake Day is back! Bake a difference for animals in need on Wednesday 18 September. Every dollar raised will have a huge impact on animals in need across Aotearoa. Little kittens and dogs need your help so bake your favourite sweet cupcakes, bring some change and help the S.P.C.A. stop animal cruelty
    Date: Wednesday 18th of September.
    Cupcakes $2
    Time: Morning tea
    You can get recipes and more at…
    Cupcake day S.P.C.A.

    Board of Trustees

    Next board meeting Date: Tuesday 10th September, 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 Joseph Assen (Chair)

    St Michael's School Board of Trustees
    Joseph Assen(Chair/ Proprietors Rep), Rachael McLanachan (Principal) Nick Horton, Amiria Savea, Angela Smith-Bigwood, Shalya O'Neill (Staff Rep), Chris Hepi (Proprietors Rep)

    SchoolDocs
    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.
    Term 3 Review topics:
    Concerns and Complaints Policy
    Media
    Performance Management
    Professional Development
    Protected Disclosure
    Staff ConductStaff Leave
    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

    Sausage Sizzle

    Available on Fridays $2 . Orders taken in class at 9am

    Pita Pit Lunches available every Wednesday @ School

    Cut off time for ordering is 8:45 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

    Quiz Night:
    The PTA are planning a Quiz night in Term 4.
    Start getting those teams together as we would love to see you all there for another great night.
    R18 Event
    Tentative Date: 25 October 2024
    More details to follow

      Bread on Wednesday

      Due to a recent change in ownership and in the interest of fairness, we kindly ask that the distribution of free bread on Wednesdays be limited to two loaves per family. This initiative is intended for the members of our St. Michael’s community, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring that everyone can benefit.
      Please collect your bread from outside the office.

      Community News

      After School Art lessons

      After school art lessons with Janet Keen enrolling now. Drawing, painting, mosaics, over 30 lessons to choose from. Thursdays 3.30pm to 4.30pm and 4.35pm to 5.35pm. Enrolling for remainder of term 3 and 4. Small classes, friendly, safe, organic environment. From age 7 and upwards.
      All Enquiries welcome. Phone 027 351 3887 or email janet@jkeen.net. 374 Clayton Road, Rotorua