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Newsletter Week 4, Term 1
St Michael's Catholic School, Wednesday 26 February
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,
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We’ve had a fantastic start to the term, with students actively engaged in structured literacy and numeracy through BSLA, PRIME Maths, Maths Whizz, and Writer’s Toolbox.
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Our classrooms are buzzing with Explicit Instruction, where teachers break learning into small steps with clear modelling and explanations. Retrieval Practice helps students revisit past learning, building confidence and deeper understanding. Hands-on activities and discussions keep all students actively involved, with teachers checking for understanding to support progress.
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To help parents support learning at home, we’re planning a Parents’ Evening later this term to explore High Impact Teaching Practices and our new maths and literacy curriculum.
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We’re excited to welcome back Bruce Norman and Dale for fortnightly singing sessions. Mrs. Klostermann is offering music lessons twice a week at lunchtime. Whaea Kelly has also returned to lead Kapa Haka and Te Reo Māori, enriching our cultural learning.
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We are also looking for two parent representatives to join our School Board. This is a great opportunity to be involved in the governance of our school. Nomination forms will be sent out this week.
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Whānau are warmly invited to the Beginning of the Year Commissioning Mass at St Mary’s Church this Thursday at 6pm. This is a special event for Catholic schools from the Hamilton Diocese, and we’d love to see our St Michael’s students proudly representing in their uniforms.
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Thank you for your continued support in making St Michael’s a thriving learning community!
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Te tumuaki o te kura Hato Mikaere
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Shrove Tuesday is a day of feasting and celebration before the period of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. It's an opportunity for us to come together as a community and enjoy each other's company over a tasty breakfast. This year we will celebrate Shrove Tuesday on Tuesday 4 March.
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Ash Wednesday - Wednesday 5 March
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Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a special season in the Catholic calendar leading up to Easter. It is a day of reflection, repentance, and preparation, where Christians focus on becoming better people and strengthening their relationship with God.
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On Ash Wednesday, many Christians, especially Catholics, attend a church service where a priest marks a cross on their forehead using ashes. The ashes are made from burned palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday. This cross is a symbol of humility and a reminder to turn away from mistakes and focus on kindness, faith, and helping others.
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Lent lasts for 40 days (not counting Sundays), and during this time, many people choose to give up something (like sweets or social media) or do extra acts of kindness as a way of preparing their hearts for Easter.
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Ash Wednesday is not a sad day but rather a time for people to think about how they can become better, more loving, and more generous in their daily lives.
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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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Welcome to New Families
A very warm welcome to the following new families. We hope you will enjoy your time with us at St Michael's School.
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Skyla Redstone- (The Ark)
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Jacob Sargent ( Galilee 1)
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Health & Safety
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Please ensure your child comes to school each day with a sunhat and sunscreen already applied. Staying hydrated is essential, so we encourage you to send a water bottle with your child.
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We also remind families of our No Hat, No Play policy. Students without a sunhat will be required to stay under the play shade during their morning tea and lunchtime playtimes.
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Student Absences
If your child will be away from school, please notify us via the school app or call the office. If you receive a text regarding your child's absence, please respond with the reason for their absence.
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All absences are coded and reported to the Ministry at certain times during the year. If no reason is provided and you simply state that your child is at home, the absence will be recorded as "Explained but Unjustified." However, if your child is unwell, it will be recorded as a Medical (Justified) Absence, which is why it’s important to let us know.
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Your support helps us keep accurate records and ensures we can best support your child’s learning and well-being. Thank you! 😊
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Spotlight on Learning
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This week, we visit Galilee 1, where students were given a picture of a ship and key words to inspire a piece of descriptive writing.
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A special shoutout to Alida Assen, who wowed us with her incredible work! Great job, Alida! 🎉👏
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Keep up the fantastic learning, Galilee 1!
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📅✨ Upcoming Events for Term 1 ✨📅
Stay informed about the exciting events happening this term!
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🔹 Thursday 27 February – Class Mass (Galilee 1 & The Ark) @ St Michael's Church
🔹 Tuesday 4 March – Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)
🔹 Wednesday 5 March – Ash Wednesday Liturgy
🔹 Thursday 13 March – Class Mass (Galilee 4 & Eden 6) @ St Michael's Church
🔹 Friday 14 March – NZ Opera (Galilee 1 & 4)
🔹 Monday 17 March – Y4/5/6 Swimming Sports @ the Aquatic Centre
🔹 Wednesday 19 March – Rice Day
🔹 Thursday 20 March – GRIP Leadership Conference (Student Leaders)
🔹 Thursday 3 April – Rotorua Hikoi (The Ark & Eden)
🔹 Friday 4 April – School Dental Fluoride Visit
🔹 Wednesday 9 April – The Last Supper Liturgy
🔹 Thursday 10 April – Amazing Race (Easter)
🔹 Friday 11 April – Last Day of Term 1
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Sports News
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Expressions of interest have been sent out for Miniball, and soccer will follow soon. If your child is interested in taking up either sport for the winter season, please let us know as soon as possible to help us gauge numbers.
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Check the @School app under "Permission Slips" or the school app alerts for more information.
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Juicies on Friday
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During Term 4 the children will be able to purchase a nice cold juicie for $2.
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All orders will be taken in the classroom at 9am.
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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
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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
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Board of Trustees
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Next board meeting Date: Monday March 24
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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 (Presiding Member)
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We currently have a Parent rep position and a Proprietors rep position available. If you are feel that you can contribute to our school board, please contact Joseph Assen or Rachael McLanachan.
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St Michael's School Board of Trustees
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Joseph Assen (Presiding Member), Rachael McLanachan(Principal) Nick Horton, Shalya O'Neill (Staff Rep), Ange Smith - Bigwood (Parent Rep), Bernadette Fredericksen (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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Bread on Wednesday
Friendly Reminder: Bread Distribution
To ensure fairness and benefit all members of our St. Michael’s community, we kindly ask that bread distribution be limited to two loaves per family. Please collect your bread from outside the office. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
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PTA News
Our PTA AGM is coming up on Wednesday, 5 March at 5:30pm in the school staffroom, and we’d love to see you there! We welcome new members to come along and enjoy some wine and nibbles while getting to know our friendly school community. Joining the PTA is a fantastic way to meet other parents, support our school, and help make a real difference for our tamariki. This year, we’re excited to complete the junior play area – we’re nearly there with funding! We also want to start revamping the main playground, adding new play equipment to create a fun and engaging space for our students. Many hands make light work – so whether you can help a little or a lot, we’d love to have you on board! Come along, bring a friend, and be part of something special. See you there!
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We are excited to announce we will be hosting another Fun Run this year.
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What are we Fundraising for – Upgrading our Playground
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What is our goal – $10,000
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All students will receive their information packs by the end of this week
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Leavers T-Shirts & Winter Jerseys
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Please send in your order forms if you would be interested in our these. Payment will only be required by the end of March, these forms are to ensure we have enough interest to place the order. Any questions email pta@stmichaelsrotorua.school.nz
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Bidfood Cash Sales Delivery Account
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We are excited to share a kind offer to open a Cash Sales Delivery account with Bidfood, allowing you to order products and have them delivered directly to St. Michael’s School.
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📌 How to sign up:
Simply scan the QR code below or use the following link if you're on a computer:
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⚠ Important: When placing an order, please select delivery to St. Michael’s School and not your residence. Alternatively, you can choose to collect your order from the Bidfood depot at 150 Te Huaki Crescent, Eastgate, Rotorua 3040.
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Community News
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ST VINCENT DE PAUL URGENTLY NEEDS NEW MEMBERS
“The Society of St Vincent de Paul is the largest Catholic lay organisation in the Church. Our members take seriously the commands of the Gospel to serve others and work for justice. We
work in a caring and practical manner to promote human dignity and justice through personal contact with those in need.” (Mission Statement) https://www.svdp.org.nz/
In Rotorua our St Michael's Conference (committee) runs a food bank and two op shops (the money raised buys food) and home visitations. We have general volunteers who help us but urgently need more people willing to commit time to being members. Members meet once a fortnight at 10am on a Monday at St Mary’s Church for an hour of prayer, spiritual reading and
committee business as well as committing to a few hours a week of practical voluntary work. One of our members, Sarah, is about to retire after 8 years of dedicated service. Currently, she is filling the roles of three people: Treasurer, Coordinator of the Foodbank and Manager of the Westend Shop. Sarah is willing to train people to take her place in each of these roles. We only have five other conference members who are busy with other roles. Without members we cannot keep open our two St Vincent de Paul Centres at Te Ngae and Westend; their leases are up for renewal this year. If we are unsuccessful in gaining new members, then we will have to make the tough decision not to renew the leases and close both shops and possibly the food
bank for good. If you are interested in becoming a member and/or would like more information please contact me, Steve McLeod (President) 027 766 7626 or email
svdpthermallands@protonmail.com
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