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Newsletter Week 9, Term 3
St Michael's Catholic School, Wednesday 10th September
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,
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🌟✨ Fly with Peter Pan! ✨🌟
Our whole school is getting ready to head off to Neverland next week! 🧚♀️🧜♂️ Pirates, Lost Boys, fairies, and of course Peter Pan and Wendy, are busy rehearsing — and they can’t wait to share the adventure with you. 🎭
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All our tamariki are part of the show, and there will be four magical performances. Don’t forget to get your tickets — you don’t want to miss this journey to Neverland! 🚀🌙
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🌟 A Special Thank You to Miss O’Neill 🌟
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We would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Miss Shayla O’Neill, our incredible director, who has poured her time, talent, and passion into bringing Peter Pan to life. Shayla has spent countless lunchtimes and hours at home making sure this production is the very best it can be. Her creativity, organisation, and ability to bring out the best in people have made this a truly magical experience for our tamariki.
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Thank you, Miss O’Neill, for your vision, energy, and dedication — you have created something extraordinary that our whole school community will remember for years to come.
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🌟 Our New Playground – Te Wāhi Tākaro o te Pepeha 🌟
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We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of our new playground behind the Ark, Te Wāhi Tākaro o te Pepeha – The Play Space of our Pepeha. This special project reflects our school pepeha and connects tamariki to our local stories, culture, and faith. From Matariki to Ngongotahā maunga, the Utuhina awa, and Lake Rotorua, the design honours our whenua and reminds us of our role as kaitiaki. A fire pit and wharenui symbolise reflection, community, and the birthplace of our Catholic school at Ohinemutu.
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This playground is more than play — it is a taonga of storytelling, identity, and joy. Feel free to come and take a look at this wonderful project that has been many years in the making.
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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.
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We are still 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!
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We bid a very special farewell to the Assen family as they head down to Gore. The St Michael’s whānau will truly miss you all, and we wish you every blessing as you settle into your new community.
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Enrolments for next year are now open for preference students only at this stage. If you have a child turning five in 2026, or know someone in our community who does, we encourage you to secure their place early.
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A huge thank you to our parents, caregivers, PTA, sponsors, and community helpers. Your support, whether through helping at events, sponsoring prizes, or fundraising, makes a real difference for our tamariki and the St Michael’s community. We truly appreciate all that you do!
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Te tumuaki o te kura o Hato Mikaere
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A Message from our DRS:
Listening to the radio this week, the radio host was talking about the phrase Carpe Diem - Seize the Day. It reminded me how precious each moment is, and how easily we can let opportunities slip by because we are distracted, hesitant or waiting for ‘the right time’.
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Our upcoming school production of Peter Pan brings this message to life in a wonderful way. Peter chooses never to grow up, and while we may smile at the idea of staying forever young, the deeper lesson is about embracing the gift of today. Each day holds adventures, challenges and joys, and each one is a chance to grow in faith, hope, and love.
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Psalm 118:24 describes this beautifully: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”. Our children’s performance will remind us not only of the magic of imagination but also of the importance of being fully present - to God, to one another and to the gift of life right now.
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May we, like Peter and his friends, step boldly into the adventure of each new day, trusting in God’s guidance and grace. We look forward to sharing this joyful moment with you and your families.
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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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✨ Come Fly With Us to Neverland! ✨
Our tamariki have been working tirelessly—rehearsing lines, singing songs, trying costumes bringing the wonder of Peter Pan to life. Captain Hook is plotting mischief on the high seas, the Lost Boys are stirring up adventures, and Wendy, John, and Michael are ready to fly into a world where dreams never end.
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This magical journey takes place on Tuesday 16 September at 1.00pm and 6.30pm and Wednesday 17 September at 1.00pm and 6.30pm in the school hall
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But hurry—tickets are disappearing quicker than you can say, “I do believe in fairies!”
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Peter and Tinker Bell are polishing their wings, gathering their pixie dust, and getting ready to whisk you away on an adventure you’ll never forget!
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Spotlight on Staff
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Thank you to our amazing staff for all the behind-the-scenes work that made the Peter Pan production possible. Your dedication helps our tamariki shine on stage!
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Health & Safety
Attendance Matters
Over the last few weeks you will have been emailed weekly summaries of your child’s attendance. If you have not received these, please check your spam folder.
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A reminder that if your child is absent for three or more consecutive days due to illness, a doctor’s certificate is required.
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Why attendance is so important:
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Missing just one day of school each week adds up to the equivalent of eight weeks of learning lost over a year.
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Being regularly late also has an impact. Even 10 minutes late each day equals nearly a full week of learning missed over the year.
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Lateness affects everyone:
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Children who arrive late often feel unsettled and may miss key instructions that set up the day.
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It also interrupts the flow of teaching and learning for the whole class.
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Regular attendance helps your child build strong learning habits, feel connected with friends, and stay confident in their progress. The Ministry of Education encourages all students to aim for 90% or better attendance across the school year.
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We know that some absences are unavoidable, but every day at school really does make a difference. Thank you for working with us to support your child’s learning.
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Upcoming events for Term 3:
- Thursday 11 September - School / Sports Photos
- Tuesday 16/ Wednesday 17 September -School Production : Peter Pan
- Friday 19 September - Last day of Term 3
- Monday 6 October - Start of Term 4
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Sports News
Sports Uniforms
For sports codes that have now finished, please return your child’s uniform to school as soon as possible. This will ensure we have them ready for the upcoming sports photos.
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Board of Trustees
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Next board meeting Date: Monday 20 October
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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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Angela Smith-Bigwood (Chair), Joseph Assen(Proprietor Rep), Rachael McLanachan(Principal), Edith Klostermann(Staff Rep), Joe Hewlett, Thushara Jayawickrama Vithanage, Shania Howe (Parent Reps), Bernadette Fredricksen (Proprietor Rep), Nicky Curran (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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PTA News
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We have an amazing line-up of prizes generously donated by our local community and businesses. Don’t miss your chance to win!
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Secret Spot – 6-person hot tub voucher ($234)
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Hell's Gate – Family pass for the Geothermal Walk ($125)
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Black Diamond Ltd – Tattoo voucher ($300)
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Ranolf Pharmacy – Gift basket ($450)
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BFT Gym + Barkers NZ – 2-week membership & gift basket ($200+)
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Lake View Golf – Round of golf for two with cart ($150)
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Duck Tour – Family pass ($225)
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Skyline Rotorua – Gondola + 2 luge rides each for a family of 4 ($168)
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🎟️ Tickets: $3 each or 2 for $5
Available from the office from tomorrow, and at the production from the PTA.
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📅 Drawn on Friday – the last day of term!
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Support our PTA and be in to win these fantastic prizes – good luck! 🌟
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Tomato Seedlings Fundraiser We will be selling Tomato seedlings at the beginning of term 4. More information to follow
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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.
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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.
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