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Newsletter Week 1, Term 3
St Michael's Catholic School, Wednesday 16th July
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,
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Welcome back to Term 3! I hope everyone had a great holiday break and managed to find somewhere warm and dry during the wet weather.
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Term 3 is one of my favourite times of the year — not only do we start to see nature coming back to life as we look towards spring, but we also see so much wonderful growth in our students’ learning.
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This term is shaping up to be a busy and exciting one. Planning is well underway for our school production of Peter Pan, and Miss O’Neill and Mrs Klostermann have been auditioning our talented senior students for the lead roles — it’s proving a tough job with so many wonderful performers to choose from!
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Every child will be involved in the production, and we can’t wait to see the magic come together on stage.
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Keep an eye out towards the end of the term for ticket sales and ways you can support our production — from costumes and props to helping out on show nights.
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It promises to be a term filled with learning, creativity, and opportunities to shine.
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We also have a group of girls training for the Primary Schools Gymnastics Competition later in the term, and several winter sports will be carrying over as we head into the second half of the year.
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Parent/ Teacher Learning Conversations – Book Now!
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A reminder to all our whānau to please book a time to meet with your child’s teacher this Wednesday or Thursday. These learning conversations are an important opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, celebrate their successes, and talk about their next learning steps for the rest of the year.
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Bookings are open now — if you haven’t made a time yet, please contact the school office or your child’s teacher to secure your spot. We look forward to seeing you and working together to support your child’s learning journey!
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Board of Trustees Elections Coming Soon
The triennial Board of Trustees elections are approaching. We invite parents and caregivers in our community to consider standing for election.
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Serving on the Board is a valuable way to support our faith-based school by helping guide its mission, values, and future. It’s a chance to have your voice heard, support our tamariki, and strengthen our school whānau.
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Keep an eye out for election details and prayerfully consider if you are called to serve.
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Te tumuaki o te kura o Hato Mikaere
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Parent-Teacher Interviews – Term 3, Week 1
Parent-Teacher Interviews will take place in Week 1 of Term 3, on the following dates:
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Wednesday 16 July – 2:00pm to 5:00pm
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Thursday 17 July – 2:00pm to 6:00pm
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We kindly ask that parents collect their children at 2:00pm on both days if possible. Teacher aides will be available to supervise any children who remain at school.
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📝 How to Book:
You can make your bookings in either of the following ways:
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@School App: Tap the Interview button to book directly through the app.
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Welcome to Our School Community
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Echo Chu -Youde ( The Ark)
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Tinenyasha Dzikiti ( The Ark)
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We are delighted to have you as part of our school community and look forward to getting to know you!
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Roof Fundraiser – St Mary’s Games Afternoon & High Tea
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Join us for an afternoon of fun and food to support the St Mary’s Church Roof Fund!
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📍 St Mary’s Church Hall
🗓 Saturday 19 July 2025
🕐 1:00 PM
💲 $20 per person
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Enjoy games, delicious food, and a lovely high tea – all for a great cause.
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The cost is $20 for the afternoon which can be paid on the day. For this roof fundraiser we'd love for people to let us know beforehand if they're coming for catering purposes: Please contact Rosemary on 021 660 854 or let the office know if you're planning to attend.
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Special Character
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The Gift of Being Present - Gospel: Luke 10: 38-42
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This coming Sunday’s Gospel shares a quiet but powerful message, one that feels especially fitting in the hustle and bustle of family life.
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It tells the story of two sisters, Martha and Mary. When Jesus visits, Martha is busy rushing about the house and getting everything ready, while Mary takes time and simply sits and listens to Jesus.
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Jesus lovingly tells Martha that Mary has chosen what is better - not because Martha’s work isn’t important, but because sometimes, it is more important to be present rather than finishing every last job.
For those of us raising or supporting children, our days are busy and we often find ourselves rushing from one thing to the next. There’s always something that needs to be done, a place to be or a job to be done.
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But in the middle of all this busyness, the Gospel reminds us that we are allowed to pause. We are invited to notice the moment - to listen, to be still, to be present.
These little pauses don’t need to be perfect or planned. They might come in the form of a hug at the end of a long day, a shared laugh over dinner or a quiet moment when we sit and listen to our children. In these simple moments, God is present too.
As we move into another school term, let’s be gentle with ourselves and each other. Let’s try to make space here and there, however small, for the things that truly matter: connection, peace and love.
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With gratitude for all you do,
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Ngā manaakitanga,
Edith Klostermann - Director of Religious Studies
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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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Speech Competition Highlights- Term 2
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In the last week of Term 2, we held our school speech competitions. Our finalists did an amazing job—it's no easy feat to get up and speak in front of an audience! Well done to all the children who took part.
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A huge thank you to the JPC speech and drama students who generously gave their time to judge the competition.
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Junior School
🥇 1st: Encio Catena
🥈 2nd: Zara Aislabie
🥉 3rd = Odelia Hayes, Maisie Watson
🎖️ Highly Commended: Asher Carruthers, Isel Shelin, Venya Anagani
🏅 Commended: Skyla Redstone, Mason Forster, Aimee Rutene, Georgia Collins
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Middle School
🥇 1st: Kaela Catena
🥈 2nd = Joey Hewlett, Elias Karaka
🥉 3rd = Georgia Geyer, Ayva Mose
🎖️ Highly Commended: Shrey Chandra, Teaghan Morta
🏅 Commended: Kayden Petersen, Yuana Mehta, Kane Redstone
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Senior School
🥇 1st: Billie Tucker
🥈 2nd: Emma Hislop
🥉 3rd = Pamodya Jayawickrama Vithanage, Esmee Brooks
🎖️ Highly Commended: Angelina Elliott, Amelia Knight, Milan Geyer
🏅 Commended: Jethro Joshua Benjamin, Ethan King, Finau Stokes-Kaukau, Alida Assen
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Health & Safety
As we return from the school holidays, it’s important to help tamariki ease back into regular sleep routines. A consistent bedtime helps children stay focused, calm, and ready to learn. Re-establishing good sleep habits supports their health, wellbeing, and a positive start to the new term. Let’s all work together to ensure our children are well-rested and ready for the term ahead!
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A little favour— if you’re able to send along a box of tissues to your child’s classroom, it would be much appreciated. There are lots of noses to be wiped at the moment!
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Upcoming events for Term 3:
- Wednesday 16 July - Parent/ Teacher Interviews @2pm
- Thursday 17 July - Parent/ Teacher Interviews @2pm
- Monday 21 July - Planting session @ the Hatchery
- Monday 28 July - BOT Meeting 6pm
- Tuesday 5 August -Nominations close 12pm for BOT Parent Representatives
- Friday 15 August - School / Sports Photos
- Friday 29 August- Kahui Ako Sport & Cultural Event
- Monday 8 September - BOT Meeting
- School Production ( Dates to be confirmed)
- Friday 19 September - Last day of Term 3
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Sports News
Registrations have opened for term 4 Touch teams. Communication to come out soon.
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Player Of The Day
Mini Team- Heidi Garmonsway
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27/06/25 - Finau Stokes- KauKau
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Board of Trustees
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Next board meeting Date: Monday 28 July
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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 Joseph Assen (Chair)
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St Michael's School Board of Trustees
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Joseph Assen(Chair), Rachael McLanachan(Principal), Shalya O'Neill (Staff Rep), Joe Hewlett, Nick Horton, Ange Smith - Bigwood, Thushara Jayawickrama Vithanage (Parent Reps), Bernadette Fredricksen (Proprietor Rep)
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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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Nominations are now OPEN for the election of 4 parent representatives to our school board!
📬 All eligible voters will receive a nomination form. You can use this to nominate yourself or someone in our school community.
📄 A nomination cover letter will also be included, along with information about who is not eligible to be a board member.
✉️ Need extra nomination forms? Just contact the school office.
🕛 Nominations close at 12 noon on Tuesday 5 August 2025.📸 You may include a signed candidate statement and photo with your nomination.
🗒️ The electoral roll is available at school and can be viewed during school hours.
📌 As nominations come in, a list of candidates’ names will be on display at the office until election day.
🗓️ Voting closes at 4pm on Tuesday 9 September 2025.
Signed,
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Cristy Tucker – Returning Officer
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Sausage Sizzle on Friday
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Sausages will be available every Friday for $2.00. Orders are taken in class at 9:00am.
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Bread on Wednesday
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Bread will be available on Wednesday Mornings. Please collect your bread from outside the main office. 2 bags maximum per family thank you.
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Community News
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Beginners After school Art Classes with Janet Keen enrolling NOW for the remainder of Term 3 and 4 and 2026.
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Drawing, Painting, Mosaics.
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Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 3.30pm to 4.30pm and 4.35pm to 5.35pm
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Small classes, friendly, safe, quiet, organic environment.
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