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Newsletter Week 3, Term 4
St Michael's Catholic School, Monday 20 October
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa e te whānau,
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Confirmed Strike Action – Thursday 23 October
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We have now received formal notification from NZEI Te Riu Roa that teachers, principals, and support staff covered under NZEI collective agreements will be taking strike action on Thursday 23 October, from 7:00am to 7:00pm.
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This means that the strike will definitely go ahead.
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What this means for St Michael’s:
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As all of our staff are NZEI members, St Michael’s Catholic School will be closed for instruction on Thursday 23 October.
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Our Year 5/6 students who are away at camp are not affected. The two staff members attending camp have an exemption from the strike and will continue to care for the children as planned.
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The staff and I are disappointed that we have not yet received a fair and acceptable offer from the Ministry of Education. We do not want to have to close our school, and this will be an unpaid day for staff. Every one of us would much rather be at school, teaching and supporting our tamariki.
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We appreciate your understanding and support as educators across Aotearoa continue to advocate for the resources, conditions, and funding needed to ensure quality education for every child.
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With the warmer weather arriving, it’s time for sunhats again! Please ensure your child brings a named, plain blue hat to school each day. Hats are required for all outdoor play during Term 4 — let’s keep our tamariki sun safe.
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This week, our senior students are heading to MiCamp in Taupō. We wish them a wonderful time learning new skills, challenging themselves, and making precious school memories. A huge thank you to Jo Paget and Tracey Goodrick for their dedication in organising and supporting this special experience. We pray for fine, warm weather and a safe, joy-filled week for all.
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A reminder that Monday 27 October is Labour Day, and the school will be closed for instruction. We hope you all enjoy some quality family time before the busyness of the Christmas season begins.
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Last week, two vanloads of staff and students travelled to St Mary’s Tauranga for Miss O’Neill’s Welcome Liturgy. It was a beautiful occasion, and we were proud to celebrate with her new school community. Shayla will spend Fridays at St Mary’s Tauranga this term as she transitions into her new role. Although we are incredibly sad to see her go, we are also so proud of her achievements and grateful for the lasting contribution she has made to St Michael’s.
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Ma te Atua koe e manaaki,
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Te tumuaki o te kura Hato Mikaere
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JPC Year 6 Annual Orientation Day
We have our annual Y6 Orientation Day.
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Wear: Regular school uniform
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Bring: Lunch and drink bottle
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Meet: Mrs Fraser, the Y7 Dean, in the Edmund Rice Centre (school gym)
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Finish time: 2:30pm – parents can collect students from inside the gym
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Special Character
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Last Tuesday, as heavy rain fell across the school grounds, many of us sighed, wishing for sunshine and grumbling about the weather. Yet one boy from Ark 8 was out in nature, running joyfully through the puddles, laughing, splashing, and getting completely soaked. Seeing the photos of his big, beaming smile was truly inspiring. It reminded me that life is often shaped not by what happens to us, but by how we choose to see it.
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Our Catholic faith calls us to notice God’s presence in the ordinary, to rejoice in small moments, and to find blessings where others see inconvenience. As Saint Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
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May we, like the student from Ark 8, open our hearts and find joy in the rain.
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School Mass
A reminder that there will be a School Mass at St Michael’s Church on Sunday, 22 November at 8:00am. We look forward to seeing our school community there.
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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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Contact Cristy in the office and she will get some tickets for you.
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School Resources
We kindly request your help in locating and returning any school journals, library books, sports uniforms and trophies 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.
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Health & Safety
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Respecting Our Teachers’ Time
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At St Michael’s, we are incredibly proud of our dedicated teaching team who go above and beyond for our tamariki each day. To support staff wellbeing and work–life balance, we kindly remind parents that teachers will not respond to emails sent outside of school hours (8:00am–5:00pm, Monday to Friday).
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Please also remember that teachers are not to be contacted through social media platforms (such as Facebook or Messenger). All communication should be made through official school channels, using your teacher’s school email address.
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Our teachers work extremely hard and deserve time to rest and recharge over weekends and evenings. If you need to contact the school outside these hours, please wait until the next school day, and your message will be responded to as soon as possible.
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Thank you for helping us look after the wellbeing of our wonderful staff.
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This term is a summer term!
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Take some time to dig out that school hat! The classroom teachers will supply sunblock for the children, please ensure that if your child is allergic to the sunblock we use, to let the classroom teacher know.
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Spotlight on learning
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The children have been busy potting and planting for our new sensory garden under the direction of Whaea Adrienne and a team of wonderful volunteers. The garden will be a special space for students to explore and enjoy through sight, smell, touch, and sound — a calming area that encourages curiosity and connection with nature.
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Upcoming events for Term 4:
- Wednesday October 22-Friday October 24 - Micamp Taupo Year 5 & 6
- Tuesday 28 October- Dental Fluoride Visit
- Thursday 30 October - Galilee 4 / Eden 6 Class Mass
- Thursday 13 November - Galilee 1 / The Ark Class Mass
- Friday 21 November - JPC Orientation Day (Y6)
- Thursday 27 November - Eden 6 / Galilee 4 Class Mass
- Wednesday 10 December -Year 6 Retreat
- Thursday 11 December - Prizegiving Ceremony 1pm/ Final School Mass 5:30pm
- Monday 15 December- Blue Lake Picnic
- Term 4 Ends Tuesday 16th December
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Sports News
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Many thanks to those families who have returned their sports uniforms, it has been most appreciated. There are still a few who have not returned their uniforms, parents please have a good look at home and return these as soon as possible. For any outstanding uniforms that have not been returned, families will be invoiced the cost to replace these.
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Board of Trustees
Next board meeting date: Monday 20th October , 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."
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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 (Chair)
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St Michael's School Board of Trustees
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Angela Smith-Bigwood (Chair) 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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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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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. This will take over the sausage sizzle.
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Pita Pit Lunches available every Wednesday @ School
Cut off time for ordering is 8:30 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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PTA News
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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Community News
Look Sharp – Special Offer for Our School Community
We’re pleased to share that Look Sharp is offering a 10% discount to all students, parents, teachers, and staff at our school!
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Simply scan the QR code attached to this email to enjoy the discount. The same code can also be used for printing and party hire services.
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Feel free to share this great offer with your whānau and make the most of the savings!
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