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Newsletter Week 8, Term 3
St Michael's Catholic School, Wednesday 9 August
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
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It is hard to believe we are already in Week 8! Our tamariki have had another busy and successful term, with plenty of wonderful learning and activities taking place across the school. Thank you to our staff, parents and whānau for the many ways you support our children and help make these opportunities possible.
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We are looking forward to celebrating Grandparents’ Day this Friday. Please note the change of time: our day will begin with Mass at 11:30 am in the school hall. We are very fortunate to have Father Prakash coming to school to celebrate Mass with us. Grandparents will then be welcomed into classrooms to spend time with their grandchildren and see what learning looks like at St Michael’s. Afterwards, they are warmly invited to join our staff for a light lunch in the staffroom.
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A huge thank you to our wonderful PTA for organising the Father’s Day Stall and our very successful school disco. The children looked fantastic in their outfits and had an absolute ball!
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Next week is Te Wiki o te Reo Māori—Māori Language Week. Although our teachers use te reo Māori in their classrooms every day, this week provides a special opportunity to celebrate and strengthen one of our country’s official languages.
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Next Wednesday, 16 September, is Wig Wednesday. We will be raising money to support the Child Cancer Foundation. This cause is especially close to our hearts, as we have students who have undergone or are still undergoing cancer treatment. Please organise a wig or a fabulous hairstyle and remember to bring a gold coin donation.
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In Week 10, 30 of our senior students will attend Rip, Grip & Whip, a Waipa mountain-biking event for students in Years 4–8. We are excited to take our new mountain bikes into the forest and give our tamariki another fantastic opportunity to challenge themselves.
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As we head towards the end of the term, please continue to support your child by ensuring they arrive at school on time and attend every day unless they are unwell. There is still plenty of important learning happening before the holidays.
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Te tumuaki o te kura Hato Mikaere
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Message from the DRS
Noticing the Little Things
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One of the things I love most about working in a Catholic school is the little reminders of faith that appear in the most unexpected places.
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Recently, at the end of a particularly busy day in Ark 8, we were in the usual end-of-day scramble. Children were packing bags, looking for shoes and jumpers, needing help with zips and shoelaces ,and, of course, there was a sudden and urgent need for approximately ten children to go to the toilet!
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In the middle of all this, one of my five-year-olds quietly went to the whiteboard and wrote:
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For a moment, all the little things that had been making me feel frazzled didn't seem quite so important. The lost shoes could wait. The jumpers could be found tomorrow.
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That little message reminded me of something very important: God is present in the ordinary moments of our day, if we take the time to notice.
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As a school, we are wonderfully busy. There is always somewhere to be, something to organise, someone who needs help and another job waiting to be done. But perhaps, amongst all that busyness, we need to pause occasionally and look for the little signs of God's presence: a child's kindness, a beautiful prayer, an act of forgiveness, a moment of joy, or even a simple message on a whiteboard.
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Sometimes our children are the ones who remind us to stop, look and listen.
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A simple message from a five-year-old, but perhaps exactly the message I needed that day.
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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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𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲’𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡!
Is your child in Year 4 or above and has received their First Holy Communion? St. Mary’s Parish warmly invites them to become an Altar Server!
It is a wonderful way for young people to build confidence, make friends, and serve our community. Training is completely flexible and done by appointment to suit your family's schedule.
To register your interest, simply scan the QR code on the attached poster, or contact our coordinator, Kyree Catena, directly at altarserverrotorua@gmail.com or 027 618 4885.
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Spotlight On Learning
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We love celebrating our learners! At our last assembly, special certificates were awarded to students who have been outstanding role models by showing our core school values.
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Congratulations to all our award winners—thank you for making our school community proud!
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School lunches available on Wednesday each week
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You can order lunch by 8.30am on Wednesday morning and this will be delivered to the office for your child.
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🌭 Friday Lunch Special: American Hot Dogs
We are having an American Hot Dog lunch this Friday !
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How to order: Orders are taken in class.
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Deadline: Must be ordered by 9:00 AM.
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Please remind your child to get their order in with their teacher as soon as they arrive. We unfortunately cannot fill any orders placed after 9:00 AM!
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Upcoming events for Term 3:
- Board Meeting - Monday November 2 at 5:30pm
- Thursday 10 September - Mass Bus 8.30am - Galilee 4/ Eden 6
- Friday 25 September - Term 3 Ends
- Monday 12th October - Start of Term 4
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Sports News
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A big congratulations to Skyson Wikaira Makaea for being named the U7 Kikorangi Most Improved Player for 2026 with Kahukura Rugby Club!
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PTA News
- Tomato Seedlings Sale – Selling earlier this year, ready for spring planting
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Please keep an eye out for further updates throughout the term.
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Board of Trustees
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Next board meeting Date: Monday November 2nd at 5:30pm
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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 board e-mail address; smcsboard@stmichaelsrotorua.school.nz or alternatively, send letters to the school in an envelope marked "Board of Trustees."
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St Michaels School Board of Trustees
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Angela Smith-Bigwood (Chair), Damian Flynn, Joseph Hewlett, Shania Howe (Parent Reps), Bernadette Fredrickson (Proprietor Rep), Nicky Curran (Proprietor Rep) Gary Dender (Proprietor Rep)
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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 Angela Smith-Bigwood (Presiding Member)
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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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Community News
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Beginners After School Art Classes with Janet Keen enrolling NOW for remainer of Term 3 & 4
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Drawing, Painting, Mosaics.
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Tuesdays, Wednesdays , Thursdays
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3.30pm to 4.30pm and 4.35pm to 5.35pm
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Small classes, friendly, safe, quiet, environment.
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From ages from aged 5 and upwards Enquiries welcome:
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374 Clayton Road, Rotorua.
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