1. Principal's News Term 4 Week 8 2020

Camps and EOTC

Our Year 7 & 8s are away at camp this week at Wainui Park near Akaroa.  We look forward to hearing stories and seeing more photographs when they get back.

Our year 6s are having their Education Outside the Classroom locally.  Yesterday they went bush-walking in Herbert Forest and kayaking and sailing at McKerrow's Pond.  Today they are visiting Vanished World in Duntroon and rock climbing at Elephant Rocks.  I look forward to joining them tomorrow to cycle some of the Alps to Ocean trail and they will finish the day tomorrow with archery led by St Kevin's staff.

In the meantime the year 4s and 5s are working with Mrs Winders and Mrs Dooley and engaging in movie making and technology challenges.  We have a new "green screen" in our STEAM room and it will be great to see the children beginning to experiment with movie-making effects.

Our juniors are hard at work with their learning and preparing for their end of year Nativity presentation for Tuesday 15th December.

Reports

We are just finalising reports.  We are reporting in terms of curriculum levels for the core curriculum.  The New Zealand curriculum uses a sliding scale which is true to children's developmental levels and the way people actually learn.

We use the terms B= Basic, P= Proficient and A=Advanced.  B means just beginning a level and being exposed to some of the learning in it.  P means working at the level and A means working at the end of the level and already engaging with learning at the next level.

So if your child is working at 2P you can see from the diagram above that this would be a clear expectation for year 4 but children in year 4 and year 5 can be also working at this level and that is fine.  We keep a close watch on children and provide extra support for anyone who is not reaching curriculum expectations or who looks like there is a barrier or gap in their learning which is stopping them progressing.

A child who is working at 2P could stay there for a year or so and then suddenly shoot away in to Level 3.  The speed of learning can change and so this sliding scale gives you a good idea of where your child sits.

Your child will also be reflecting on their learning in terms of the learning capabilities - Making Meaning, Perspective-taking, Critical thinking and Taking Action.  For the seniors this will be on their written reports.  For the juniors they have been doing this on an ongoing basis through Seesaw.

I would be very interested to know what parents think of Seesaw as a tool to share learning - feedback positive or negative is more than welcome - please email your thoughts to principal@stjoseph.school.nz

Reports will be going out with stationery lists next Friday.

We look forward to seeing all families at our end of year celebration in St Patrick's Basilica on Tuesday 15 December at 6.00pm (children line up at school in uniform at 5.45pm).

Aroha and God Bless

Lorraine Frances-Rees

2. Special Character Week 8 Term 4 2020

 Welcome/Kia Ora/Malo e Lelei

Special Character Focus

The Second Week of Advent

Preparing our Hearts and asking for the Grace

“Lord, w place our trust in your promise. Please, Lord, rouse your power and come into this place in our life, this relationship, into this deep self-defeating pattern. Please come here and save us.”

School and Family Mass- 

Thursday Liturgy

Presenting the Liturgy and Gospel is a service opportunity and Ministry for our children in spreading God’s word. Our children are proud of themselves every week either through singing, videoing and acting the gospel. It is a privilege for our children to serve and present the word of God. You are welcome to join us for Liturgy at 9:15 am on Thursday in the Basilica. 

Thank you to Year 4/5 Mrs. Winder's class for the presentation of the gospel at the Liturgy last Thursday. Today Liturgy and Gospel presentation lead by Year 3/4 Miss Sollano's class.

Next Week Thursday Liturggy will be Pukeko Year 1/2 Mrs Brooke's class. 

Faith Facts- 30th Nov- 4th Dec 1st Weeks of Advent

Pope Francis prayer intention ‐ For a life of prayer

We pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ may be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer.

30th St Andrew, apostle
3rd St Francis Xavier

The Prophets' Candle, symbolizing hope.

First week of Advent

Advent is the period preceding the Christmas season. It begins on the Sunday nearest November 30, the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle, and covers four Sundays. Because the day it begins changes from year to year, so does the length of each Advent season. Advent begins on November 29. The word advent, from Latin, means “the coming.” For centuries, Advent has been a time of spiritual reflection as well as cheer and anticipation. 

Come, Lord Jesus.  Come and visit your people. 

We await your coming.  Come, O Lord.

Thank you/Malo 'Aupito

God Bless

Tua Misiloi Co DRS

3. School Notices - Week 8, Term 4 2020

 QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Altar Servers

Saturday 5th December - David Kilgour and King Melecio

Sunday 6th December - no-one from St Joseph's

Birthday Greetings

Libby Seddon

Athletics Results

Last Friday at assembly the children were awarded their athletic certificates and trophies: Congratulations to all the recipients.

8 years - Liam Lindsay and Ayla Beattie

9 years - Lincoln Mandiwona and Chelsea Koay/Molly McGeown

10 years - Daniel Woodhouse and Milly Campbell

11 years - Kenton Tokai and Mya Robinson

12 years - Michael Woodhouse and Libby Seddon/Mazvita Rondozai

13 years - Tadiwanashe Mandiwona and Atlanta Williams-McDowell

North Otago Athletics

Congratulations to the following students who got placings at the North Otago Athletics:

8 years - Ellie Clark - 3rd in 60 m sprint and 2nd in the 8 & 9 year relay

10 years - Daniel Woodhouse - 2nd in long jump      

              - Vilivea Tahitu'a - 2nd in discus

11 years - Eli Herbst - 2nd in high jump

12 years - Michael Woodhouse - 2nd in long jump

13 years - Lavina Ma - 3rd in 400 m distance

              -  Lisiate Hausia - 2nd in discus, 3rd in high jump and 400 m distance

              - Tadiwanashe Mandiwona - 1st in high jump, 2nd in 400 m distance and long jump and 3rd in 

                100 m sprint.

Cricket Draw

St Joseph's has the bye this week.

End of Year Just Like Jesus Awards

Please return these wooden awards back to the office by early next week.

Enrolments

Hungry Horse Cafe

As the next race meeting is on Wednesday 10th February 2021 (week 2) we need to know who will be available to help out at the cafe on this day.  It would be very beneficial to have the roster sorted out this year and what session you would be doing as the first week of school is always busy for everyone.

For any race meeting, the cafe roster needs to be sorted out a week beforehand so the helpers know what time slots they are working and make preparations for it.  Please contact Rebecca Heffernan on 027 432 4056 if you can help.

Library Books

All outstanding library books need to be returned to the library by this Monday so the stock take can be finished.

Multicultural Day - Thursday 10th December

We have been running this multicultural day every since 2013.  It is part of our ongoing celebration of the many different cultures and journeys which have combined to make our St Joseph's School family.

At the moment we have at least 15 different cultures with families identifying their main culture as: African, Australian, British, Irish, Chinese, Fijian, Filipino, Indian, Fijian Indian, Latin American, Maori, NZ European, Samoan, Sri Lankan, other South East Asian and Tongan.

Morning

Children will go to workshops in groups between 9.15 and 12.00 noon. All children are to come dressed to represent their culture.

EVERYONE IS TO BRING FOOD FOR A SHARED LUNCH - SOMETHING THAT REPRESENTS YOUR CULTURE WOULD BE GREAT

Some of the workshop activities are: artwork, flower making, weaving, dancing and cooking.

12.30pm - shared lunch in hall - FAMILIES WARMLY WELCOMED

1.30pm - cultural performances - families warmly welcomed. 

Road Patrol

We are still waiting on some permission slips to be returned for the road patrol outing this Monday 7th December which can be emailed back to the school. The Yr 6/7/8 road patrol children are to come to school in their PE gear and bring their swimming togs and towel.

School Disco

For years 1-6, sorry no pre-schoolers

When - Friday 11th December 

Where - Our school hall

Time - 6.00 to 7.30 pm

Theme - Christmas

Cost - $2.00 for entry, a drink, glowstick and a small bag of chips

Pick up time - please ensure all parents are there by 7.30 pm to collect the children

School Mass

There is no school mass next Thursday.

School Photos

A reminder about ordering your school photos online before this Sunday 6th December in order for you to have free delivery.

Subway

Next Friday will be the last day for subway lunches for the year.

Thank You

We would like to thank the Home and School for their continued support for the school, especially to Rebecca Heffernan, Suzanne Aston, Shiralee Bremner and their fabulous committee members who generously give up their time to help the school.

If you would like to be part of the Home and School committee/helpers list please let the office or Rebecca Heffernan know.                                     

Touch Rugby

Next Tuesday is the last day of touch rugby for the year.  There will be prize giving for years 4-8 so please keep an eye on the draw for the time.

Please remember to thank your coaches for their time and energy.

Community Notices

• Donate Waitaki Devices - for information on donating any device, please go to donatewaitakidevices.net
• VCAD (Victoria Cooper Academy of Dancing)  presents ‘CIRCUS’ Sunday 6th December at Waitaki Boys Auditorium 1pm and 5pm $10. Tickets available from any VCAD dancer or vcacademyofdance@gmail.com

4. Diary Dates - Week 8, Term 4 2020

 

DECEMBER Tuesday 1 Wednesday 2 Thursday 3 Friday 4 Monday 7 Tuesday 8 Thursday 10 Friday 11 Monday 14 Tuesday 15 Wednesday 16 FEBRUARY Monday 1

Intermediate school camp  Intermediate school camp  Yr 6 EOTC  Intermediate school camp  Yr 6 EOTC  Intermediate school camp  Yr 6 EOTC  School assembly at 2.30 pm * Road Patrol reward  HPV visit for Yr 8 * Touch rugby finishes * Board of Trustee meeting at 6.00 pm  Multicultural Day  Junior Disco from 6.00 to 7.30 pm * School assembly at 2.30 pm * Yr 7 & 8 Formal  Junior Nativity & Senior Prize-giving at 6.00 pm  Yr 8 speeches  Yr 8 leaders for 2021 announced  School finishes at 12.30 pm for term 4  School starts for term 1

Principal's News Term 4 Week 7 2020

Red Billed Gull Project

The year 4/5 class have engaged with the University of Otago in a scientific study around the red billed gulls who are endangered.  Last week Mrs Winders and Mrs Thomas attended training in the Otago Litter Education Program on the Otago Peninsula.  This also helped prepare for the Red Billed Gull Project.  We will have more information and updates on this next year. 

EOTC and Camps

Our year 6, 7 and 8 students are looking forward to camps and education outside the classroom next week.  The year 7 & 8s are going together to Wainui Camp near Akaroa.   While at camp they will go tramping, coasteering, orienteering, snorkelling, body boarding and search and rescue as well using the flying fox and giant swing.

The year 6s are staying locally and engaging in bushwalking, kayaking, rock climbing at elephant rocks, visiting the Vanished wold centre, biking and archery.  Here they are sorting their bikes out in preparation for a portion of the Alps to Ocean track.

Thank you to Mitre 10

Thank you to Mitre 10 who have provided free plants for our garden.

FOOD FOR FAITH FOR ADVENT – Father John O’Connor’s popular Food for Faith page will have daily reflections for Advent. Go to his site and sign up to get the reflections daily by email during December: www.foodforfaith.org.nz

A Warning about the Waitaki River Mouth

Senior Sergeant Jason McCoy from Oamaru Police has asked us to share a message in order to remain safe around the Waitaki River Mouth:

He is asking that people educate themselves on the river, particularly near the bar and that if they are boating or fishing on the river. They should check and service any equipment regularly, including life jackets and it is imperative that they have the ability to swim / tread water and wear their life jacket. A response to recover them after being swept out to sea will typically be around 30-50mins. If they are in a group, keep an eye on their mates and always be alert for changes in the water flows and weather conditions. Carrying a hand held marine radio and or GPS may prove valuable if they fall into the water and get into difficulty.

 

If they fall in, cold shock will hit them….they should stay calm, get onto their back and float until they regain composure and then try get themselves to shore.

Fr Wayne Away

Fr Wayne farewelled us for the year on Friday as he will be away until the new year.  Everyone got an ice cream.  We wish him all the best while he is away and will keep him in our prayers.

God Bless and Aroha

Lorraine Frances-Rees

2 Special Character Week 7 Term 4 2020

 Welcome/Kia Ora/Malo e Lelei

Faith Facts-23rd- 27th Nov

Sunday 22nd Feast of Christ the King

24th St Andrew Dung-Lac

Pope Francis on the feast of Christ the King 2018

 “Jesus wants to make it understood that above political power there is another greater one, which is not obtained with human means. He came on earth to exercise this power, which is love, “bearing witness to the truth (v. 37). It’s about divine truth that in the end is the essential message of the Gospel: “God is love: 1 John 4:8), and He wants to establish in the world His Kingdom

Special Character Focus

Religious Education: Our children's next Religious Education learning will be about 'Advent" Please go to this link to help you support your child/children during our teaching of this strand. parents-communion of saints.

 

The First Week of Advent

As we begin Advent, we light one candle in the midst of all the darkness in our lives and in the world.  It symbolizes our longing, our desire, our hope. We want to prepare for his coming to meet us at the end of our lives on this earth.

So, we begin with our longing, our desire and our hope.

“Lord, the light I choose to let into my life today is based on my trust in you.  It is a weak flame, but I so much desire that it dispel a bit more darkness today.  Today, I just want to taste the longing I have for you as I go to the meeting this morning, carry out the responsibilities of my work, face the frustration of some difficult relationships.  Let this candle be my reminder today of my hope in your coming.”

School and Family Mass- 

Thursday Mass

Presenting the Mass and Gospel is a service opportunity and Ministry for our children in spreading God’s word. Our children are proud of themselves every week either through singing, videoing and acting the gospel. It is a privilege for our children to serve and present the word of God. You are welcome to join us for Mass at 9:15 am on Thursday in the Basilica. 

Thank you to Year 5/6 Mrs Streat's class for the presentation of the gospel at Mass last Thursday. Today the Mass and Gospel presentation lead by Year 4/5 Mrs Winder's class.

Next Week Thursday Mass will be Year 3/4 Miss Sollano's class. 

Come, Lord Jesus!  Come and visit your people. 

We await your coming.  Come, O Lord.

Thank you/Malo 'Aupito

God Bless

Tua Misiloi Co DRS