Principal's News Week 8, Term 4 2022

Preparations

We have been told that our new build is likely to start in the first quarter of 2022.  Of course nothing is guaranteed but we are thinking ahead and making some preparations.

David, Alex and Genne were awesome helpers yesterday when I moved our senior bookroom over to set up in the parish centre.  A big thank you also to Fr Wayne and the parish for letting us use a couple of rooms in the parish centre.

The junior school are well under way preparing their Nativity for our end of year Mass.  Yesterday, Mrs Brookes, Miss Sollano and myself made sure we knew how to use the audio visual equipment in the basilica in order to be able to livestream our Christmas end of year celebration to our Facebook page for people who are not able to come.

Reports

The end-of-year teacher comment will soon be (or maybe already is) on your child's Educa profile.  Please let your child's teacher know if you have any difficulty accessing the profile.  

End of Year Celebrations

Thursday 15th December at 6pm in the Basilica.  Children are to meet at school at 5.45 pm.

We will be celebrating Mass and including:

The junior school nativity performance

Awarding the JJ awards to one child in each year group.

Prize-giving for our year 8s

The graduation candle ceremony.

I have looked back to last year's Newsblog and we were in a very difficult time where we couldn't do these events the way we normally do them because of Covid and everything had to be organised to keep people separate.  This year we are able to celebrate together and it would be lovely to see all our families participate in our celebrations. 

Just Like Jesus Awards

These Just Like Jesus (JJ) awards are given out annually, one to each year group.  The recipient of the JJ award in each year group is a child who we think most exemplifies being Just like Jesus and who is a role model to others.  

Friday 16th December - Final Assembly

Our head students will present their leaving speeches in our final assembly starting at 11.45 am.  We will present the leaver's certificates and hand over the leadership roles to the year 7s for next year.  We will finish with carols and please organise for the children to be picked up at 12.30pm.

Start date for term 1 next year is Tuesday 31st January. 

Stationery lists will be on our school webpage.  They will also be emailed out next week.

Thank you whanau for your support and encouragement in 2022 and I wish you a Happy Christmas and every blessing for the New Year.

Ma te Atua e manaaki a aroha,

(God bless, and love)

Lorraine

3. School Notices - Week 8, Term 4 2022

 QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

"There will be a short newsletter next Thursday for things that may come up in the next week".

Birthday Greetings for December and January

Ellie C, Chris G, Maria H, Henry H, Chelsea & Ricky K, Hila'atu L, Roger L, Soa M, Anashae M, Theo M and Tryphena C.

Buses - Next Week

All country buses will be running at the normal times in the morning but will be 20 -30 minutes earlier in the afternoon.  Next Friday, the buses will only run in the morning and we ask for all families to collect their children from school that day.

Christmas and Holiday Mass Times

Please refer to the Mass timetable and Mass expectations on another page in the blog.

Christmas Rotations

On Tuesday students wear school uniforms but may add something Christmasy. It may be a badge, headband, ribbon etc. House Captains are running Christmas rotations and thought it would be great to add something special for the last rotation. 

Contact Details

If you are moving addresses in the holidays or your contact details change including emergency contacts, please email the office at office@stjoseph.school.nz

Farewell to the Following Families

We farewell the following families who leave St Joseph's for high school.  We thank them for their contributions to our school and wish them all the best.  Good luck in all your endeavours.

- Chen, Fraser, Kilgour, Mafi, Melecio, Morondoz and Roberts, 

Helpers

We thank all our parents, family and friends who have helped during the year with our class and school activities.  We always appreciate any help you give to the school.

Lost Property

There is a large number of items in the lost property area, please come and check if they belong to your children. All leftover items will either be donated to the uniform shop or given away.

Road Patrol

Our road patrollers were acknowledged at assembly today for their duty this year. 

School Stationery

All class stationery lists will be sent out next week and will be on the website for 2023.  If you purchase your child's stationery from OfficeMax online at: myschool.co.nz you will be able to purchase at their very low Back to School discount prices which are available until the end of February.

Alternatively, you can purchase packs online from www.paperplus.co.nz/back-to-school or in-store at Paper Plus.  If you already have certain parts of the stationery list, contact Paper Plus Oamaru who will organise a custom pack for you.

Both companies enable parents to purchase their children's stationery at lower prices and both companies will make a donation to St Joseph's.

Speech and Drama 

After school Speech and Drama Classes will be available from Term 1 2023 on-site at school. Michele Fatafehi will be teaching classes aimed at 5-13 year olds. These classes will teach students to speak more confidently, communicate more effectively, improve their listening skills and use their imagination! All skills gained are lifelong and are transferable into everyday life. The classes are structured using Speech NZ’s syllabus with the opportunity to do exams and competitions but these are not compulsory.
There will be limited spaces in the classes so for further information or if you would like to enrol please contact Michele at:   pamnorm@outlook.com

Sport Coaches and Managers

Thank you, thank you, thank you, words cannot describe how much you are appreciated for giving up your time in coaching and managing our sports teams. You are all superb and magnificent people who ensure that our children are able to play a sport. If you have managed a team and your name is not mentioned, please accept our apologies and we thank you very much for your time.

Basketball - Rjay Neeri and Judith Leo

Futsal - Rory McGeown, Andy Bradley, Natasha Lindsay and Sacha Curle

Miniball - Victoria Forrest, Toby Lucas and Adele Whiston

Netball - Paula Brien and Katiana Taiti

Rugby - Jason and Victoria Forrest 

Touch - Lee Woodhouse, Adele Whiston, Victoria & Jason Forrest, Teagan O'Connell, Jessica Mohenoa, Katiana Taiti and Rebecca Laming. 

School Sports Certificates

Children who played a sport for St Joseph's received their sports team certificates for Fair Play and Most Valuable at assembly this afternoon.   Some of the sports codes did not present their certificates to the players at the end of the season and were given directly to school while some codes had no certificates so our school acknowledged these players. Coaches nominated the children for these awards.  As some codes did not include the 'Most Improved', we opted with the Fair Play and Most Valuable. (Although a couple of codes did Most Improved).

Photos of the group award will be on our school's Facebook page.

Basketball

Fair Play - Tendayi R

Most Improved - James L

Most Valuable - Lincoln M

Futsal

Yr 1/2 - Fair Play - James A

           -  Most Valuable - Ian Rosas R

Yr 3/4 - Fair Play - William A

           - Most Valuable - Alexander R

Yr 5/6 - Fair Play - Tendayi R

            - Most Valuable - Emily M

Yr 7/8 - Fair Play - David K

            - Most Valuable - Emily C

Miniball

Yr 3/4 - Fair Play - Zachary C

              Most Valuable - Hunter F

Yr 5/6 - Fair Play - Manu A

              Most Valuable - Sephrin S

Netball

Yr 2/3/4 - Fair Play - Maria H

                Most Valuable - Taylor D

Intermediate - Most Improved - Sephrin S

                     - Most Valuable - King M and Patricia M

Rugby

5/6 yrs - Fair Play - Jayden H

            - Most Valuable - Carter F

Touch

Yr 1/2 - Fair Play - Clare L

           - Most Valuable - Carter F

Yr 3/4 - Fair Play - William A

              Most Valuable - Hunter F

Yr 5/6  Ferns - Fair Play - Luke L

                      - Most Valuable - Zachary C

Yr 5/6 Broncos - Fair Play - Milah A

                          - Most Valuable - Luke B

Yr 7/8 - Fair Play - Analiese W

           - Most Valuable - Daniel W

Swimming Lessons

The confirmed school swimming lessons for the whole school for next year are as follows:

Lessons for Yrs 1-8

Week 1 - Thursday 2nd February - 1.00 pm, 1.30 pm and 2.00 pm

Week 1 - Friday 3rd February - 1.00 pm, 1.30 pm and 2.00 pm

Week 2 - Tuesday 7th February - 1.00 pm, 1.30 pm and 2.00 pm

Week 2 - Wednesday 8th February - 1.00 pm, 1.30 pm and 2.00 pm

Week 3 - Tuesday 14th February - 9.30 am, 10.00 am and 10.30 am

Week 3 - Friday 17th February - 9.30 am, 10.00 am and 10.30 am

Senior School Swimming Sports

Week 5 - Tuesday 28th February from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm

We require parent helpers to help walk the children down to the pool.  If you can help, please contact the office.  Further information will come out in January as we have swimming in our first week back at school.

Technology Dates for 2023

These classes are held on Fridays at St Kevin's College and will start early in term 1.

Community Notices

• Sat 17 Dec

  Come to a FREE Christmas Concert at Basilica followed by afternoon tea.  Melbourne Grammar School Choir.

  Donations gratefully received for the Gumboot fund.  Queries to Nicola Mountain 021 659 757.  Please see page 5 of this week’s Oamaru Mail.  

  thanks, NIcola 

  Happy Christmas

4. Christmas Mass Timetable

 

1. Principal's News Term 4 Week 7 2022

Upcoming Events This Weekend

Disco FOR YEARS 1-6 - This is for years 1-6 and is Friday 2nd December, starting at 5.30pm until 7pm.   $3 entry includes a glo stick, chips and a drink.  Further glo sticks are 50c each.  Parents can stay and pre-schoolers can come with parent supervision.

Family Fun Day - We would love you to join us at the 9.30am Mass on Sunday 4th December and a BBQ in the school grounds, provided by Claybrooke Farm.  There will be a slippery slide for children so please bring togs.

Multicultural Day

We celebrated a fantastic multicultural day on Tuesday.  We loved welcoming our families to lunch and to our afternoon performances.  The performances were wonderful and I am still impressed with the older children's Filipino dance - the intricacy of the footwork was incredible.  We have 16 different cultural backgrounds represented at St Joseph's and we are very lucky to have access to this depth and beauty brought from all over the world.

Tabloid Sports

Our year 8 leaders have had an outstanding year of leadership.  This has been particularly notable in the House leadership, the group meetings, singing cup preparation and tournaments led by our leaders this year.

They did a great job of their last big leadership job last week with the tabloid sports.  It was a lovely day which everyone enjoyed.

Year 7 & 8 interchange with St Joseph's Timaru

Our year 7 & 8s went to Timaru this week to do their annual interchange with St Joseph's in Timaru.  This is a great opportunity for them to meet other young people engaged in Catholic education.  They went to Caroline Bay and played beach-themed sports followed up by the pool and hydro slide at C Bay.  

UPCOMING

End of year Mass, prize-giving, year 8 graduation and nativity production - Thursday 15th December.  Meet at school at 5.45pm (Juniors in the production may get further instructions) wearing full summer uniform.  The JJ awards will be presented for each class as well.

End of year assembly - head students' speeches, handover of year 8 leadership, presentation of leavers' certificates, carols.  Friday 16th December starting at 11.45am.  School will close at 12.30pm.

Ma te Atua e manaaki a aroha,

(God bless, and love)

Lorraine

2. Special Character Week 7 Term 4 2022

 Special Character

Key Ideas that you would like to talk about with your child at home of what they understand about Advent:

 On the Second Sunday, the Gospel reading recalls the preaching of John the Baptist, who came to "prepare the way of the Lord".

The second Sunday of Advent gives us the opportunity to prepare our hearts in faithful waiting, celebrate the birth of Jesus, and ready ourselves for his second coming.  

School and Family Mass 

Thank you to JH1- Year 1/2 for presenting Mass last week.

This week's Mass was presented by Ruma Hoiho-Year 5/6.

Next week Mass will be presented by Ruma Kakapo Year 4/5.

We are looking forward to welcoming you all to our family school weekly masses next term. Thank you.

Faith Facts: Week 7  27 November - 2 December  (Violet ADVENT)

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
27 1st Sunday of Advent	28	29	30 St Andrew, apostle	1	2	3 St Francis Xavier, priest

1st Week of Advent - HOPE 

On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle (symbolising hope) on the advent wreath is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ.

People of hope prayer
Encourage us not to be greedy for material possessions, but for justice and truth.
Enflame us with a love for others, which crosses boundaries of race, religion and nationality.
Stir within us a desire to fight for the integrity of creation and appreciate the immense beauty of the earth.
Be with us, Lord, at this time, that we may be a people of hope.

In this season of Advent, inspire us to be people of hope.

Amen.                           Susy Brouard

Ngā mihi

Tua Misiloi Co DRS

God Bless

3. School Notices - Week 7, Term 4 2022

 QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Birthday Greetings to:

James A and Laken N

Athletics

North Otago Athletics

On Monday, we had 20 students attend the North Otago Athletics and we were lucky with the day as it was not raining. They represented themselves and the school with pride and it was a pleasure to watch them competing against children from other schools.

At assembly today, the children were awarded trophies and certificates from both our own school athletics and the North Otago Athletics.

Congratulations to the following children who received podium placements:

School 

8 yrs - Hunter F and Angelina P

9 yrs - Siale T and Emily M

10 yrs - Liam L and Ellie C

11 yrs -  Tendayi and Chelsea K

12 yrs - King M and Eva F

13 yrs - Emily C and Patricia M

Editors Note:  there were 6 photos taken of this group and this was the best one.  Apologies to the children who have their eyes closed.

North Otago 

10 yr boys - Liam L - 3rd high jump

10 yr girls - Tryphena T - 1st discus

12 yr boys - Elias F - 3rd high jump

12 yr girls - Eva F - shot put

13 yr girls - Patricia M - 2nd 100m sprint

Office Email

If you find the office emails are going to your spam folder, please save the email as one of your contacts as the computer should recognise it as a contact and not as spam.  If you have not been receiving the office emails, please go into your spam folder and mark the email as 'not spam'.

For further help on this matter, go into either google Hotmail, Gmail, extra, etc google to see how to stop your emails from going into spam.

Reminders

Friday 2nd - Junior school disco for years 1-6 from 5.30 pm to 7.00 pm

Sunday 4th - Family Fun Day at school after 9.30 am Mass

Tuesday 6th - Board of Trustee meeting

Friday 9th - Social for Yr 7 & 8

School Photos

Photos that have been taken at school events can be found on our school Facebook page.

School Stationery 2023

Stationery lists for next year will be included with your child's school report.  Paper Plus will have our school's classroom packs made up in January or you can order online through Office Max My School.  An Office Max flyer is attached to the email regarding ordering your child's stationery.

Subway Lunches

Next Friday will be the last day for Subway lunches for the year.  We will resume again in week 2 of term 1.

Young Vinnies

Will be doing one more cooking session for the parish freezer.  If anyone has any spare ice cream containers or other suitable containers for storing food in, can you please drop them off at the office by next Tuesday.  Thanks  Adrienne.

Welcome

We warmly welcome Feliz to our new entrants class this week.

Community Notices

• Come and join us at the Waitaki Multicultural  Festive Feast on Sat 3 Dec at Fenwick school hall 5.30 for 6:15 pm.
  Please bring a plate of food to share. Free soft drinks, prizes and entertainment. RSVP Paula  027325 6151
  coordinator@waitakimulticultural.org.nz        Thanks Nicola

• Christmas Concert - at 2.00 pm at St Patrick's Basilica on Saturday 17th December followed by afternoon tea.  Tony Ekkel is coming again from Melbourne - this time with St Michael's Grammar School Choir.  Free entry.  Donations will be gratefully received for the Gumboot Fund which provides mental health support for young people, locally and nationally.  All welcome.