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Newsletter Week 4, Term 3
St Michael's Catholic School, Wednesday 12 August
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
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We are delighted to share that our recent ERO (Education Review Office) visit was a great success. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on the progress we are making and to celebrate the many strengths across our school. ERO recognised our positive and welcoming learning environment, the strong relationships between our students, staff, and whānau, and the commitment of our teachers to supporting every child to learn and succeed.
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We were especially proud of the way our students engaged with the visitors and confidently shared their learning and experiences. The visit affirmed the hard work taking place throughout our school and highlighted the genuine care our staff have for the wellbeing and achievement of every student. Thank you to our staff, students, parents, caregivers, and wider community for the contribution you each make to our school. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to showcase what makes our school such a special place.
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Please look out for the Parent/Whānau Survey that your children will be bringing home this week. Your feedback is extremely important to us and will help guide our planning and decision-making as we continue to strengthen our school. We value hearing what you think we are doing well, as well as where you believe we could improve.
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Please complete the survey and return it to school by Monday. To add a little friendly competition, the class that returns the most completed surveys will earn a pizza lunch! It would be absolutely amazing to have every form returned—then I would be delighted to buy pizza for the whole school! We encourage every family to take a few minutes to share their thoughts and ensure their voice is heard.
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Our senior students have also been enjoying a busy and exciting programme of sporting and outdoor activities. On Tuesday, they participated in the Central BOP Amazing Race at the lakefront. This was a fantastic opportunity for students to work together, solve challenges, show perseverance, and enjoy being active alongside students from other schools. We were very proud of the teamwork, enthusiasm, and positive attitude they demonstrated throughout the event.
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On Wednesday, our students will participate in the Central BOP Schools Winter Sports. We know they will represent our school with pride, demonstrate excellent sportsmanship, and make the most of the opportunity to compete and connect with others. We wish all our teams an enjoyable and successful day.
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On Friday 21 August, a group of our girls will compete in the MIGS Gymnastics Competition. The girls have shown wonderful commitment, practising every lunchtime for the past few weeks in preparation for the event. They have worked hard to develop their routines and skills and are really looking forward to performing at the competition. We wish them the very best and know they will represent our school with confidence and pride.
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Some of our senior students will also participate in the Tough Kid Challenge on Tuesday 25 August. This event promises to be another exciting experience, giving students the chance to challenge themselves, show determination, and have plenty of fun along the way.
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We are very fortunate to be able to offer our students such a wide range of fun, active, and memorable experiences. These opportunities help our young people build confidence, develop teamwork and resilience, discover new interests, and create lasting memories.
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Thank you to the staff, parents, caregivers, and volunteers who give their time and support to make these experiences possible.
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Te tumuaki o te kura Hato Mikaere
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A Warm Welcome!
Welcome to Our New Students and their families! We are absolutely delighted to welcome some new faces to our school community. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to:
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Michael Frost ( Galilee 1)
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Christopher Frost (Eden 6)
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Harley Pretorious ( The Ark)
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It is wonderful to have you all here with us. We know our current students and families will make our newest members feel right at home!
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Message from the DRS
When the Water Feels Too Deep
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Last Sunday’s Gospel gave us the familiar and beautiful story of Jesus walking on water. As I listened to it, I found myself thinking about teaching - and about the privilege and responsibility of working with young children.
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There are days in a classroom when everything seems to flow. Children are engaged, learning is happening, friendships are growing, and you go home feeling that perhaps you have made a difference.
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And then there are other days when the waves seem to come from every direction.
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Young children are still learning how to navigate the world. They are learning how to manage big emotions, how to solve problems, how to be kind, how to listen, how to persevere when something is difficult and how to find their place among others. Sometimes they need us all at once.
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There are moments when the noise is overwhelming, when several children need help simultaneously, when a carefully planned lesson disappears beneath the realities of the day.
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Sometimes, if I am honest, I feel like I am drowning.
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And perhaps that is why this Gospel spoke to me.
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The disciples are not on calm waters when Jesus comes to them. The wind is against them. The waves are rising. They are tired and frightened, simply trying to keep going.
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Jesus doesn't wait for the storm to pass before he comes to them.
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He comes in the middle of it.
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"Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid."
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There is something deeply comforting about that.
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We can sometimes imagine that faith means God will make the storms disappear. But perhaps the Gospel reminds us that God does something even more important: He meets us in the middle of them.
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Peter steps out of the boat and walks towards Jesus. For a moment, he is focused on the one who has called him. Then he notices the wind. He becomes frightened and begins to sink.
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As teachers, we can begin the day with good intentions, plans and confidence. And then we notice the wind — the behaviour that is challenging, the child who is struggling, the workload that seems endless, the needs of others that we are trying desperately to meet.
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Suddenly, we can lose sight of the reason we stepped into the boat in the first place.
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But Peter's story doesn't end when he begins to sink.
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Jesus reaches out his hand.
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He doesn't wait for Peter to become stronger or braver. He simply reaches for him.
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Perhaps that is the reminder I need at this point in the year.
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We don't have to be the teacher who always has everything under control. We don't have to have every answer. We don't have to pretend that some days aren't hard.
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We simply need to keep our eyes on Christ and trust that when the water feels too deep, his hand is there.
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And perhaps we are called to offer that same hand to the young people in our care.
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A hand when they are struggling.
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A patient voice when they are frustrated.
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A second chance when they make a mistake.
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A quiet reassurance when the world feels too big.
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Teaching is not simply about filling young minds with knowledge. It is about walking alongside children as they learn who they are, how they belong and how they can navigate the storms that life will inevitably bring.
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Sometimes we are the ones reaching out.
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Sometimes we are the ones who need to be reached for.
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And perhaps that is the beauty of this Gospel.
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Jesus does not promise that the waters will always be calm.
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"Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid."
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When the water feels too deep, we are not alone.
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Reminder of School Mass on Sunday 30 August at St Michael’s at 8am
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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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Attendance Update
The Ministry of Education expects all students to attend school every day it is open, with a target of missing fewer than 5 days per term (a rate of 90% attendance or higher).
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To align with Ministry requirements, we will be sending attendance email updates to parents and caregivers when a student reaches key absence thresholds in a term:
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5 days absent: Less chance of success
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10 days absent: Hard to make progress
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15+ days absent: Very hard to make progress
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Please note that all absences count toward these totals. Even when an absence is due to illness or another justified reason, it still adds to the overall count, and the system is required to send these notifications.
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We know our families do their absolute best to support their children's wellbeing, and we completely understand that illness and unavoidable life events happen. We genuinely appreciate you keeping tamariki home when they are unwell to help keep our whole school community healthy!
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Spotlight On Learning
Whaea Adrienne wanted to share a huge "well done" to the whole class for the fantastic effort and big improvement in their handwriting recently! Keep up the awesome work, everyone! Ka rawe!
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Pictured below is Cruze with his amazing work
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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:
- Thursday August 13 - Mass Bus 8.30am- Galilee 4/ Eden 6
- MIGS Gymnastics Comp - Friday 21 August
- Tuesday August 25 - Tough Kid Rotorua
- Thursday 27 August- Mass Bus 8.30am- Galilee 1/The Ark
- Wednesday 2 September-4 September - PTA Fathers Day Stall
- Board Meeting - Monday 7 September 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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As several of our winter sports codes come to an end, a massive thank you goes out to all our amazing coaches, managers, and supporters! Your time, effort, and dedication make these opportunities possible for our students, and we couldn't do it without you.
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Players of the Day:
Hockey
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📸 Reminder: Send in Your Sports Photos
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We love celebrating the efforts of all our players, whether they are playing here at school or achieving big goals elsewhere.
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If you have any photos from other sporting events, please email them to the office. We want to keep our community updated with all your action shots!
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PTA News
Upcoming Term 3 Events
More details will be provided closer to each event date:
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• Father's Day Stall – Date TBC
• Disco – Thursday 27 August
• 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 7 September 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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