1. Principal's News Week 4 Term 2 2019

Visit to Moeraki Marae
The senior school visited Moeraki Marae on Wednesday.  This is part of our Enviroschool focus and connects with the social sciences curriculum areas of "Identity, culture and organisation" and Place and environment."

Our Head Girl Bridie McGeown writes:

This week, the classes from year 4 to 8 visited the local marae located in Moeraki. Marianne warmly welcomed us by performing an amazing kaikorero, which took all of our breaths away. We then spent the rest of the day listening to Mr Higgins, who told us some amazing stories about the early Maori way of life. His stories varied from the use of the weapons in war, to the outfits, to how the Maori people gathered food- even a couple of Maori legends were thrown into the mix.

After that, we walked up to the whaling lookout point. It was a quiet walk up a winding road and at the top we gasped at the whale hunting stories Mr Higgins had to share.

Once we’d explored, we headed back down to the marae. Our trip was over, but the people we met and the memories we made had a lasting impression on us all.

Catholic Schools Day
Next Tuesday 28th May is Catholic Schools Day for New Zealand.  Have a look at the slideshow to see how we are part of a larger network of Catholic schools throughout New Zealand.  We will be having a liturgy to celebrate Catholic schools day at 9.00 am in the school hall, you are welcome to join us.




We Pray For You

Also: Mrs Misiloi and myself (LFR)

Every Friday morning a group of staff meet in the staffroom at 8.00 am to pray for our community.  We don't share the ins and outs of your situation but if we know something is happening for your family we add your name to our prayer list.  Please let us know if a member of our community is in need.  We also have the parish freezer stocked by our Home and School and can provide a meal as a measure of support and goodwill.  Our St Vincent de Paul society can also provide help to families who have got into temporary dire need.


God Bless and Aroha,
Lorraine Frances-Rees

2. Special Character Week 4 Term 2

Welcome/Malo e Lelei

24th OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS
Since the Middle-Ages, the Church has devoted the month of May to Mary. Many Christians undertake pilgrimages during this month to shrines associated with the Blessed Virgin. In May, there are also three Marian feasts that are celebrated which help us to understand what Mary can teach us about being disciples. The Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians, which is celebrated on May 24, dates to the sixteenth century, which was not a peaceful time in Europe. In 1571, Catholics throughout the continent joined in praying the rosary in hope for peace.

We are very family oriented and a welcoming and inclusive school. We show by example and teach the

values of Christ, Community Spirituality and Connections. Our school's vision is "Reach for the Stars as
Lifelong Learners in the Catholic Faith". Here are some of the examples of what our children, teachers
and the parish do to promote faith, spirituality and live the values of Christ. This week we have:

Ruma Kiwi Gospel presentation

Parent Confirmation meeting

Staff- Rosary prayer

4th Commandment “Honour your Father and your Mother”.

The fourth commandment encourages us to treat our parents and everyone who has rightful authority over us with a deep respect that comes from the heart.  In Hebrew “honour” is tied to the idea of giving weight to something, or treating it as something important.  Our parents - with their words, advice, needs, and desires - ought to carry weight in our lives: they ought to count.  We should not treat them lightly. The commandment teaches us to consider them and to “give proper weight” to them.

Thank you
God Bless
Tua Misiloi Co DRS

3. School Notices - Week 4, Term 2 2019

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Altar Servers
Saturday 25th May - Cooper & Madison Jones and Paddy & Joseph Spillane
Sunday 26th May - Lilly Kelcher, Libby Seddon and Lisiate Hausia

Birthday Greetings to
Taylor Darling, Selena Adhikari and Alexander Roa

Closed School
School will be closed next Wednesday 29th May due to the teachers strike.

EnviroSchools
Please put your ideas on the 'Vision Map' on the wall opposite the hall to help make our school a better enviroschool  that will further impact on our local community.
There will be 'post it's' and further instructions posted in the foyer but we really want and need your input please.

Junior Catholic Quadrangular Tournament
A permission slip has been given to Yr 7 &8 children who will be competing in this tournament in Dunedin on Wednesday 5th June.  All permission slips and money need to be in by Friday 31st May.

Music Festival 
Our choir is singing in the North Otago Primary School's Music Festival on Tuesday 2nd July at 7.00 pm at the Oamaru Opera House.  Tickets cost $8.00 each regardless of whether the seat is for a child or an adult.  Tickets do not have seat numbers so it is first in, first served - no reservation of seats.  Tickets are allocated according to choir family numbers. Tickets are available from our school office till Wednesday 19th June then they can be purchased from Fenwick School.

Parish Freezer
Year 5/6 - we would be very grateful if the families in the Yr 5/6 class could kindly donate baking or cooked meal items before the end of June.  The items can be baking or a main meal e.g. soups, casseroles, lasagna, muffins or biscuits etc.  If you are in a position to contribute, thank you very much.

Pies and Milo
Every Wednesday is pie and milo lunch day.  Remember to bring in your pie/sausage roll wrapped in foil with your name on it.  Sorry no noodles.  Bring a named cup and 50 cents if you want a cup of warm milo.

Photos
Please send us photos of children in St Joseph's sports teams for our photo board.

Reminders
Monday 27 - Technology for Yr 7 & 8
                    -  Confirmation meeting at 7.00 pm
Tuesday 28  - Catholic Schools Day Liturgy at 9.00 am
Wednesday 29 - School closed due to teachers strike
Friday 31 - Yr 8's off to Young Leaders Day in Dunedin
                -  Permission slips for Junior Quad Tournament

Rugby Pompallier Tournament
On Sunday we sent two rugby teams to compete in the annual Marist Club Pompallier Rugby tournament being played in Ashburton against teams from Christchurch, Ashburton and Timaru.
Our 11/12 year team won one game and lost two and our 9/10 year team had a win, draw and a very close lose.  They also competed in tug-of-war and sprint races.  Congratulations to these teams on their sportsmanship as we won the Overall Fairplay trophy for all age groups.
Thank you very much to the parents who offered to transport the children and to our coaches for taking time out on a Sunday to coach the teams and also our extra players who came and played for us.


School Polar Fleeces

Emily, Lilly & Jasmine wearing the new polar fleece

They are now in stock at the Warehouse for $50.00 each and the word from the children who are wearing them is that they are very warm to wear.












Community Notices 

• Altrusa Fabric Bazaar held at the Scottish Hall on Saturday 8th June from 1.00 to 4.00 pm and Sunday 9th June from 9.30 am to 1.00 pm.  To donate items, please ring Helen on 437 1047 or Nancy on 434 5151 or drop off at Advantage Tyres, 72 Humber Street.

4. Sports Draw - May - Week 4, Term 2 2019

Netball - Saturday 25th May

Intermediate Prem

11.00 am - St Joseph's Gold v Kurow Blue – Pearsons court

Intermediate 2

11.00 am - St Joseph's Rebels v Kurow Red – court 8

Intermediate 3 Yr 5/6

9.00 am - St Joseph's Ferns v OIS Shooters – court 2

Future Ferns Yr 3/4

11.00 am – St Joseph’s Maroon v Pembroke Strike – court 3

Future Ferns Yr 1/2

10.00 am –Skills session starting at 10.00 am – court 1

Umpires

9.00 am –  Jada-Rose Keno & Summer Moriarty and Bridie McGeown

10.00 am – Serah Staju & Mya Lindsay and Alexie Phillips

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Rugby - Saturday 25^th May

** First team named provides the referee unless one is named.  WCS stands for Whitestone Contracting Stadium. 

** Mouth guards are compulsory for all players in all grades.

**  Player Registration – Please register If you have not already done so.  The link is

https://www.sporty.co.nz/northotagorugby/registrations-2019/junior-registration

5 & 6 yrs - Rippa

11.00 am – St Joseph’s v Union – SKC Field 3

7/8 yrs

11.00 am – St Joseph’s v Union – SKC Field 3

9/10 yrs

11.00 am  – Excelsior Wolverines v St Joseph’s  – WCP 2

11/12 yrs

St Joseph’s has the bye

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MINIBALL AND BASKETBALL INFORMATION

No Duty – No Points – If the duty team or duty referee does not turn up for your game, please note on the score sheet for that game.   The points the duty team/duty referee would have received for their game that night will not be added to their overall competition points for placings.

Score Bench Duties

If you cannot do your duty, please arrange for someone else to do your duty.  Please note that you only do score bench duty when your team is on score bench duty in the draw.

Miniball - Tuesday 28th May

4.45 pm – St Joseph’s Rebels v Waitaki Valley Wanderers – main court

St Joseph’s Breakers has the bye

Score bench duties

5.15 pm – St Joseph’s Rebels - main court

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Basketball - Wednesday 29th May

Yr 7 & 8 Network Waitaki Tournament

North Otago will again host the Network Waitaki Boys & Girls Basketball Tournament.  Pupils who are attending school in Year 7 & 8 are eligible to attend this tournament.  Depending on team numbers, the tournament may start early on the Friday morning and run through to late Sunday afternoon.  Entries are now being called for and these will close on Friday 28^th June 2019.

If you are interested in attending this tournament please see Mrs Brien for further information and entry forms.

4.00 pm – St Joseph’s Cavaliers v Papakaio – back court

4.00 pm – St Joseph’s Bolts v Waitaki Valley Vikings – main court

6.30 pm – St Joseph’s Raptors v OIS Rockets – main court

Score bench duties

4.50 pm – St Joseph’s Bolts – main court

5.40 pm – St Joseph’s Raptors – main court

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Hockey – Tuesday 28th May

·        Mouth guards and shin guards are mandatory for players at all times while on the turf

·        The turf is numbered from the pavilion end.  T1 Pavillion end.  T4 Scoreboard end.

Kwicksticks – Yr 7/8

5.00 pm – Upper Waitaki Wasps v Maheno/Glenavy (Mia C and Troy)

Hockey – Wednesday 29th May

KiwiSticks – Yr 5/6

5.00 pm – Upper Waitaki Wekas v Fenwick Ultimates (Mya R) – Turf 1

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5. Diary Dates - Week 4, Term 2 2019

MAY

Thursday 23                  -  Home and School meeting at 7.00 pm *

Friday 24                       -  Celebration assembly at 2.30 pm

Monday 27                    -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8

                                      -  Confirmation parent meeting at 7.00 pm at school  

Tuesday 28                    -  Catholic Schools Day

Wednesday 29               -  Teachers strike day – school will be closed

Thursday 30                  -  School Liturgy Mass at 9.15 am 

                                      -  Terrific Thursday at 2.15 pm

Friday 31                       -  Young Leaders Day for Yr 8 in Dunedin

                                      -  Celebration assembly at 2.15 pm

                                      -  Junior Quad permission forms and money due in today *

JUNE

Monday 3                      -  Queens Birthday holiday – school closed

Wednesday 5                 -  Catholic Quad tournament for Yr 7 & 8 in Dunedin

Thursday 6                    -  School Liturgy Mass at 9.15 am

                                      -  Terrific Thursday at 2.15 pm

Friday 7                        -  Celebration assembly at 2.30 pm

Sunday 9                       -  Confirmation

Monday 10                    -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8

Thursday 13                  -  School Liturgy Mass at 9.15 am

                                      -  Yr 7 ECB & Young Vinnies

                                      -  Terrific Thursday at 2.15 pm

Friday 14                      -  Celebration assembly at 2.15 pm *

Monday 17                   -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8 *

Thursday 20                 -  School Liturgy Mass at 9.15 am *

                                     -  Terrific Thursday at 2.15 pm *

Friday 21                      -  Celebration assembly at 2.15 pm *

Monday 24                   -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8                          

Tuesday 25                   -  St Joseph’s Timaru interschool for Yr 7 & 8 at Oamaru

                                     -  School Board of Trustee meeting at 6.00 pm

Thursday 27                 -  School Liturgy Mass at 9.15 am

                                     -  St Mary’s Inter-school in Mosgiel for Yr 8 class  in Mosgiel  

JULY

Monday 1                     -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8

Tuesday 2                     -  North Otago Music Festival for St Joseph

Friday 5                        -  Mufti Day *

                                     -  Term 2 finishes

Saturday 6                    -  Netball finishes for Yr 1 & 2

Monday 22                   -  Term 3 starts

AUGUST

Friday 9                        -  Teacher Only Day  

Saturday 10                  -  Rugby finishes today  

Tuesday 20                   -  School Cross Country  

Saturday 24                  -  Netball finishes today

Sunday 25                    -  First Holy Communion

Tuesday 27                   -  Kapahaka Festival

Wednesday 28              -  St Joseph’s Intermediate Open Evening at 7.00 pm

SEPTEMBER

Monday 2                      -  North Otago Cross Country

Wednesday 4                 -  North Otago Cross Country postponement date

Friday 20                       -  Singing Cup for Yrs 5-8

Friday 27                       -  Term 3 finishes

OCTOBER

Monday 14                    -  Term 4 starts

Sunday 20                     -  Food Fair

Monday 28                    -  Labour Day holiday – school closed

Tuesday 29                    -  Yr 7 & 8 camp

Wednesday 30               -  Yr 7 & 8 camp

Thursday 31                  -  Yr 7 & 8 camp

NOVEMBER

Friday 1                         -  Yr 8 camp

1. Principal's News Week 3 Term 2 2019

Board Elections
All parents will have received nomination forms.  You can nominate yourself.  Board meetings are twice a term and take about two hours.  You have about an hour's reading to do beforehand so you can come informed and ready for discussion.  Most Board members are also in a subcommittee which could meet for 30 minutes twice a year.

It is a vital role in our school's leadership and we welcome nominations from people who want to work for the greater good of all the children in St Joseph's school.

Dominican Choir
The Dominican Choir will have the first airing in assembly tomorrow of the songs they have been preparing for the North Otago Music Festival.  Can they please wear their ties.

Intermediate Leadership

Hats off to our intermediate students who are providing leadership throughout our school through initiatives like chess club, planning and leading our assemblies, organising school council, Young Vinnies' community service, teaching and learning music, running library sessions, organising mufti days, leading the Enviroschool group, promoting positive behaviours and code club.    

Our intermediate students learn how to make a difference in the world in real contexts.  The various leadership, community and service initiatives they participate in throughout our school and in our community give them real opportunities to grow into the collaborative team players, critical and creative thinkers which we need for our world's future.  Some photos from code club yesterday:

Alexi, Benjamin and Tama are running Code Club

Fun Learning in the Juniors

Learning Kung Fu in Mandarin Class 

Doing the Exodus walk across Glen Warren Reserve

Great Parents

Thank you to the Home and School for supervision of pies and milo on a Wednesday.

Filipino Class

We are grateful to Marisol Rollan for her continuing leadership of our Filipino class.  We have been running an after school Filipino class for 5-6 years at St Joseph's.  This gives our Filipino students the chance to learn about their culture and practice their language.

Strike

We greatly appreciate the community support that we have already received following the decision by teachers and principals to strike on Wednesday 29 May.

The decision to take further strike action was not taken lightly by any of us. For the first time, both primary and secondary teachers are striking together because the crisis in education hits us all very hard and we need the Government to understand how serious it is.

Schools are grappling with the fallout of a 40% nosedive in the number of people training to be teachers between 2010 and 2016, even while the population grew by 400,000.  While the situation improved a little last year and the Government has announced an urgent $95m package to recruit teachers, this is not sufficient to address the crisis.  Schools struggle daily to find enough teachers to meet their relief teacher needs and this will worsen as winter approaches. There is also a desperate need for more support for children with additional learning needs.  

The fact is that teaching is no longer considered an attractive profession due to long-term under-funding of the education sector. A significant pay jolt is part of the solution, alongside significant improvements to our heavy workloads. Otherwise our schools will end up with larger class sizes and more teachers leaving.

On Wednesday 29 May we hope you will join us at our local public event, likely to be from midday. We would love to see you and your children standing with us – together we are a community and we can make a difference. We will advise you of further details when they are confirmed.

ST JOSEPH'S WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY 29 MAY

Enviroschools

Our teachers and students have undertaken an environmental audit of the school.  That includes what is good in our grounds and what can be improved.  We are also asking parents to participate and we really value your opinions.  Please see the note in the news section from Mrs McRae.

God bless and Aroha,

Lorraine Frances-Rees