1. Principal's News Term 2 Week 2 2021

Learning Around the School

It is great to see our learners so engaged with learning and some really effective literacy learning right throughout the school.  The intermediate department in this photo are writing Chinese calligraphy, everyone else is writing fluently or reading chapter books.

Health Curriculum

Every two years we remind our community of our health curriculum guidelines.  This ensures we teach our health curriculum in line with our Catholic special character.  In the next few weeks, parents will be invited to an information session on Keeping Ourselves Safe, as part of our health curriculum teaching.  I am seeking overall feedback on our health statement which is linked here. If you wish to offer feedback or further ideas, I would welcome hearing about them.  Please email me: principal@stjoseph.school.nz if you have feedback or drop in for an informal chat.

Reporting Using Seesaw

This year we are developing how we do reporting.  We trialled this last year with the junior school and it worked well so this year the senior school are doing it too.  All families have already been linked to Seesaw and your children are making posts about their learning.  For our mid year reporting you will be given a judgement of where your child is operating on the curriculum for the core curriculum.  The report will also show the expected curriculum capabilities for your child's age and we hope to have demonstrated these through Seesaw.  Your child's teacher will write a general comment which includes your child's general attitude to learning, their social engagement and their engagement with religious education and our Catholic special character.  The Seesaw work and the overall report judgements will form the basis of a teacher/parent/student conference early in term 3.

If you are not able to get on to Seesaw or are having difficulty with it please contact your child's teacher.

Speed Management

NZ Transport Agency is investigating speed around schools and wishes to gain feedback:

 As part of the wider Tackling Unsafe Speeds package, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is consulting on a proposed new Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2021.

 

The proposed new rule will include the introduction of:

 

• The requirements for lower speed limits outside all schools, including targets:
• urban schools to 30 km/h, with the option of 40 km/h speed limits if appropriate
• rural schools to a maximum of 60 km/h (variable or permanent speed limits). 

Consultation runs from 23 April to 25 June.

 

Feedback for speed limits around schools, can be given by completing a survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WSR5SV5

 

Help with an Acronym used in the survey. RCA = Road Controlling Authority, example; Waitaki District Council is a RCA for local Roads and Waka Kotahi NZTA is a RCA for State-highways

 

More information, surveys (other aspects of the proposed rule change), as well as a copy of the proposed rule and an overview of the rule, can be found on the Waka Kotahi website click here.

 

God Bless and Aroha Lorraine

2. Special Character Week 2 Term 2 2021

Special Character Focus: This week week we teach the Ascension lessons from the Liturgical R.E book. On Sunday the 16th of May we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord. This is the name given to Christ's going up to heaven forty days after his Resurrection. Christ's Ascension marks the completion of the stage of salvation history started with incarnation.

We also coming to the end of teaching Jesus Strand lessons and assessing children's learning, to find out of how well they know about Jesus Strand key ideas.

1. Jesus was human (as well as God)

2. Jesus came to show us how to live and to save us.

3. Jesus is God (as well as human)

Next week R.E planning and teaching will be Holy Spirit Strand.

School and Family Mass: Today Mrs Thomas' class-Year 5&6 was presenting the gospel at mass. Next week gospel presentation will be Mrs Streat's class- Year 4&5. You are welcome to join us celebrating Mass. 

The Mass: When we gathers, God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is present. When we go into the church we make the Sign of the Cross, blessing ourselves with the Holy Water. Why? The Sign of the Cross helps us to recall our identity as baptised Christians. Every baptised person is signed with the cross as part of the rites of Christian initiation. By the Sign of the Cross, Christians are claimed for Christ. 

Welcome Mass for all new families will be on Sunday 23rd of May at 9:30 am

Sacramental Program- The Gifts of Faith

Last Monday we had our first parent meeting, preparing parents to support their child about the Sacrament of Confirmation. We had a great turn out, thank you to all parents who came. Our next meeting will be next Monday 17th at 7.00pm. We are looking forward to seeing you all. 

Jesus came into the world so that we could truly live as God’s children. By dying and rising, He freed us from the power of sin and evil, to walk in his light. By faith, we see that God wants to make us saints – the kind of people who live the Gospel and spread its message of justice, truth and kindness. At Confirmation God first filled our heart with the Holy Spirit at Baptism. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are increased and you are given special strength to spread and deepen our faith.

Lord God, we praise you for Your gift of faith that comes to us through Baptism. Fill us now as we pray with wonder at this priceless gift of seeing and believing, that we might treasure and care for it always. We make this prayer to You through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Faith Facts

Week 2- 10^th – 14^th May (White)

 14^th Saint Mattias Apostle

Pope Francis Prayer Intention for May: The World of Finance

Let us pray that those in charge of finance will work with governments to regulate the financial sphere and protect citizens from its dangers. 

Malo Aupito

God Bless

Tua Misiloi Co DRS

3. School Notices - Week 2, Term 2 2021

 QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Altar Servers

Saturday 15th May - David Kilgour, Millie Fogarty and Hila'atu Leo

Sunday 16th May - Ivy-Belle & Theo Mestrom and Genne Rosas Riquelme

Birthday Greetings

Jasmine McLaren and Vilivea Tahitu'a

Change of Address

If your contact or your emergency contact details have changed, please contact the office.

Home and School

Parish Freezer

During the year some of our school families experience times of need; like the death of a close family member, severe illness/injury or hardship.  In response to this all classrooms of the school will have a time where they can contribute to the Parish Welfare Freezer.

Years 4,5,6,7 and 8 can contribute any donations in term 2.  We would be very grateful if the families could kindly donate baking or cooked meal items.  The items can be baking or a main meal e.g. soups, casseroles, lasagna, muffins, etc.  If you are in a position to contribute, can you please bring your donations in on Monday mornings to the office or by arrangement.

Pies and Milo

On Wednesdays, the Home and School are starting up the term 2 Pies and Milo warmed lunch.  Please wrap your pies in tinfoil and mark them with your child's name and if they want a milo, please bring a named cup with 50 cents in it.  All pies and cups are to be put on the kitchen bench in the hall before school starts.

Reminders

Friday 14th - Technology for Yr 7 & 8 at St Kevin's College

                    -  Celebration assembly at 2.30 pm

Saturday 15th - Netball starts for Yrs 3-8

Monday 17th - Confirmation Parent Meeting 2 at 7.00 pm

Tuesday 18th - BOT meeting at 6.00 pm

Winter Sports

All sports codes will have started their winter sports after this weekend which means the sport fees should be getting paid.  You can pay online and use sport as a reference or you can pay cash at the office.  Thanks again to our wonderful coaches for giving up their time to help our children.

Coaches - if you have any concerns or queries, please contact Paula Brien.

As we are a health promoting school, we encourage children to have a piece of fruit at half time instead of lollies.

We would like any photos of children playing sport for St Joseph's/Excelsior which you can email to office@stjoseph.school.nz

4. Sports Draw - Week 2, Term 2 2021

 Netball - Saturday 15th May

Intermediate Section 2

10.00 am - St Joseph's Gold v Twizel Lightning – Court 8 (Oamaru Sport & Outdoors)

Future Ferns Year 6 (7 a-side)

9.00 am - St Joseph’s v Glenavy Gold Ferns - Court 3 

Future Ferns Year 3 & 4

10.00 am – St Joseph’s Maroon v Valley Magic – court 6 (LJ Hooker)

Umpires

9.00 am –Lilly Kelcher and 1 x St Joseph’s Gold

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Rugby - Saturday 15th May

5/6 yrs

10.00 am - Maheno Green v St Joseph’s - Maheno

9/10 yrs 

St Joseph’s has the bye

EXCELSIOR RUGBY TEAMS

7/8 yrs 

10.00 am –Excelsior v Valley Black – WCCP 7

11/12 yrs 

12.00 pm – 11/12 United v Valley Gold – Maheno

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MINIBALL AND BASKETBALL INFORMATION

The girls Rebels miniball team was missed off the draw which was not available at the time the newsletter was sent.  We will notify you of your game time and if you have score bench duty.

Miniball - Tuesday 18th May

5.15 pm - St Joseph’s Breakers v Argowan Rockets - main court

Score bench 

No teams are on duty for this date but this may change.  

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Basketball - Wednesday 19th May (Grading Day)

6.20 pm - St Joseph’s Cavaliers v Weston Wildcats - main court

Score bench - there is no score bench duty this week

5. Diary Dates - Week 2, Term 2 2021

 

MAY Friday 14 Saturday 15 Monday 17 Tuesday 18 Wednesday 19 Thursday 20 Friday 21 Saturday 22 Sunday 23 Sunday 30 Monday 31 JUNE Monday 7 Thursday 10 JULY Tuesday 6 Friday 9 Monday 26 AUGUST Monday 9 Monday 16 Sunday 22 Friday 27 Monday 30 SEPTEMBER Monday 6 Friday 17 Sunday 26 OCTOBER Friday 1 Monday 18 Wednesday 20 Monday 25 NOVEMBER Friday 19 Monday 29 DECEMBER Tuesday 7 Wednesday 8 Thursday 9 Friday 10 Wednesday 15

Technology for Yr 7 & 8  Celebration Assembly at 2.30 pm  Netball starts for Yr 3-8  Confirmation Parent Meeting 2 at 7.00 pm  Enrolment meetings * BOT meeting at 6.00 pm Yr 5/6 Rippa Rugby tournament * Enrolment meetings * North Otago Musical Festival practice * School parish mass at 9.15 am  Terrific Thursdays start at 2.15 pm for 4 year olds  Technology for Yr 7 & 8  Celebration Assembly at 2.30 pm  Netball starts for Yr 1-2  Welcome Mass * Catholic Pompellior Rugby tournament in Timaru * Confirmation Mass  National Young Leadership Day for Yr 7 & 8  Queen’s Birthday - school closed  Junior Quadrangular tournament for Yr 7 & 8  North Otago Musical Festival * School finishes for term 2 * School starts for term 3 * First Communion Parent meeting 1 * First Communion Parent meeting 2 * First Communion Mass * School Cross Country * Teacher Only Day - school closed * North Otago Cross Country * Teacher Only Day - school closed * St Joseph’s Food Festival * School finishes for term 3 * School starts for term 4 * St Mary’s Interschool in Mosgiel for Yr 7/8 * Labour Day - school closed * School Athletics * North Otago Athletics * Yr 7 & 8 Camp * Yr 7 & 8 Camp * Yr 7 & 8 Camp * Yr 7 & 8 Camp * School finishes for term 4 *

1. Principal's News Term 2 Week 1 2021

Love One Another As I Have Loved You, John 15:12

At this morning's mass our Intermediate department gave some examples of what loving each other means in daily school life (as well as a couple of examples of what it does not mean).

Dates to Note

Welcome mass for all families who have started since last November - Sunday 23rd May, 9.30am

Confirmation Mass - Sunday 30th May, 9.30am

Teacher Only Days in Term 3 - Monday 30th August (all North Otago primary schools), and Friday 17 September. 

Upcoming events in Term 2:

Oral Language Celebration - Wednesday 23 June 9.15am

Children's Museum Presentation - Thursday 8th July 11am - 12.30pm.

Enrolments

We have had 34 new enrolments this year.  This is more than we have ever had in this timeframe.  Fr Wayne and I have enrolment meetings set up for children starting in the next 12 months.  I have contacted families I know have siblings soon to start St Joseph's.  If you have friends or family who you think would fit well with our Catholic school, please ask them to contact me as we have open spaces available.

God Bless and Aroha

Lorraine