1. Principal News Week 10 Term 4

End of Year Celebration and Year 8 Leaver's Mass
Tonight we recognise and thank everyone who has contributed to our school during 2014. We also formally farewell our Year 8's who will finish with us tomorrow. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the families that will finish their association with our school, some of them have been involved for many years : Callahan, Elstone, Pine, Halaholo, Hardy, Harper, Pink, Mabon, McKeown, Mills, Pickworth, Pope, Sew Hoy and Tiffen families.

Christmas Mufti Day and Carols at 11:45 tomorrow
We have a few final awards to hand out tomorrow as well as reports. Year 8 leaders for 2015 will be announced at 11:30 am after a thank you cuppa for all parents at 10:45 am in Ruma Koru. Please come and join us. We will come together for our final assembly and carols at 11:45 am and break up at 12:30 pm.

Well done to all of our junior school for an excellent Nativity Presentation last week,. There are more photos at the end of the blog

Teaching and Learning Plans for 2015
Many of you will have had a chance to read our latest developments. Here they are again for you:

I am writing to inform you of a late but unavoidable change to the staffing for 2015 and thank our wonderful staffing team for supporting these changes.

Our congratulations go to Mrs Frances-Rees who has just been appointed as Principal of St Joseph’s school in Pleasant Point.  She will commence this new role in Term 2, 2015.

As a result, Miss Tangney will become the Yr 7 teacher and work in collaboration with Mr Moore (Yr 8) and Miss Huls (Yr 6) in the Senior Learning Hub. Miss Huls has previous Yr 6 teaching experience and is looking forward to becoming part of the senior team.  Miss Megan Day will teach in Tawa and join Mrs Burke in Junior Learning Hub 2.  Miss Day relieved for Miss Huls last week and has been working part time at St Bernadette's in Dunedin.  Mrs Frances-Rees will remain as Deputy Principal and Learning Hub Facilitator to support all staff and students with the transition to collaborative team learning and teaching environments during Term 1.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about next year.

Staffing for 2015

Junior Learning Hub 1     Mrs Brookes               Kauri

                                        Miss Clouston             Kawakawa

Junior Learning Hub 2     Mrs Burke                   Rimu

                                        Miss Day                     Tawa

Middle Learning Hub       Mrs Dooley/ Mrs Asi   Totara

                                        Mr Cartlidge                Pohutukawa

Senior Learning Hub       Miss Huls                    Kahikatea

                                        Miss Tangney             Manuka

                                        Mr Moore                    Matai

Farewell Miss Jackson

Tomorrow is the last day for Miss Jackson. It's been a pleasure to be able to support her at the beginning of her teaching career. Miss Jackson has been with us since September 2012 as the Kawakawa teacher. We thank her for her hard work as an enthusiastic teacher in our Junior school and for her efforts in establishing our successful St Joseph's Gymnastic's club this year. We wish her every blessing for her teaching post as New Entrant teacher at Holy Family school in Melbourne, Australia. 

Thank you 
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to a wonderful year at St Joseph's for 2014.
On behalf of the board and staff, I would like to wish you all a safe and joyous Christmas break. We look forward to welcoming you back to school on the 2nd February 2015.

3. School Notices - Week 10, Term 4

(a)  Altar Servers
Saturday 20th December - Elizabeth & Nicholas Plieger, Mackenzie Cunningham and Joseph Spillane
Sunday 21st December - Rhea Ratgali, Kelsey Mills and Joel Kunnethedan

Christmas Vigil
Wednesday 24th December - Elizabeth & Nicholas Plieger, Ben Cullimore & Antonio Frances-Rees
Christmas Day
Thursday 25th  December - Lachlan Brookes, Joel Kunnethedan, Jerome & Michael Misiloi

Saturday 27th December - Seth Sinclair, Ben Cullimore, Antonio Frances Rees and Lachlan Brookes
Sunday 28th December - Tess McAtamney, Tia Hunter, Jerome & Michael Misiloi

Saturday 3rd January - Mackenzie Cunningham, Lachlan Brookes, Nicholas & Elizabeth Plieger
Sunday 4th January - Rhea Ratgali, Mekeisha Hurley, Joel Kunnethedan and Emily Hayman

Saturday 10th January - Antonio Frances-Rees, Joseph Spillane, Ben Cullimore and Nicholas Plieger
Sunday 11th January - Tia Hunter, Tess McAtamney and Joel Kunnethedan

Saturday 17th January - Elizabeth Plieger, Mackenzie Cunningham, Seth Sinclair and Halalova Asi
Sunday 18th January - Antonia & Francesca Black, Cameron & Laura Mather

Saturday 24th January - Nicholas Plieger, Lachlan Brookes, Joseph Spillane and Antonio Frances-Rees
Sunday 25th January - Kelsey Mills, Rhea Ratgali, Jerome & Michael Misiloi

Saturday 31st January - Halalova Asi, Ben Cullimore, Seth Sinclair and Mackenzie Cunningham
Sunday 1st February - Tess McAtamney, Tia Hunter and Joel Kunnethedan

(b)  Birthday Greetings to:
December - Grace Keno, Mia Cant, Samuel McNaught and Daniel Jorgensen
January - Sunny Tian, Aaliyah Meikle, Courtney Kershaw, Willow Bartlett, Elizabeth Plieger, Ivy-Belle Mestrom, Maddison Bleach, Vannisah Ramu, Isabella McNaught, Holly Cartlidge, Daniel Frances-Rees and Ruby McNaught
February - Eva Harrex and Michael Woodhouse

(c)  Lost Property
All the lost property is located in the hall for anyone wishing to check their child's clothing.  All named clothing has been returned to their rightful owners. Next week the clothing will be distributed to the uniform shop or St Vincent de Paul shop.

(d)  Summer Sports
Touch Rugby - the new season will commence again on Tuesday 17th February.
Cricket - starts back on Saturday 7th February.  Your coach will notify you nearer the time.
Kiwi Cricket - will confirm start date next year.

(e)  Archery
An expression of interest has arisen for anyone wishing to learn archery next year after school.  Please email Mrs Souness at tsouness@stjoseph.school.nz if you are interested in learning this sport.

(f)  School Swimming Dates
The swimming dates have been confirmed for term 1 for the Yr 3-8 children in which the Yr 3-6 children have 3 more lessons than the Yr 7 & 8's. The Yr 1-2 children swim in term 2 and the dates will be notified next year.  The swim times and dates are as follows:

Yr 8 - swim at 12.30 pm  
Yr 7 - swim at 1.00 pm
Yr 6 - swim at 1.30 pm
Yr 5 - swim at 2.00 pm
Yr 4 - swim at 2.00 pm
Yr 3 - swim at 1.30 pm

February - Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th, Monday 16th, Wednesday 18th and Wednesday 25th.
March - Monday 2nd

The extra swim dates for the Yr 3-6 are Tuesday 3rd March, Thursday 5th March and Friday 6th March.

Our senior school swimming sports will be held on Wednesday 11th March from 10.30 am to 1.00 pm.

(g)  School Stationery
The stationery lists for each class for 2015will be available on the school website www.st.josephs.school.nz  from next week.

4. Junior School Nativity

Last Friday the junior school performed the story of the Nativity in the basilica.  Thanks to everyone who helped organise this performance.

5. Congratulations - Week 10, Term 4

Welcome
We warmly welcome Christopher Jorgensen who started school this week to Ruma Koru.

Principals Award
Congratulations to Brendan Tiffen who received the Principal's award last week.  Brendan display his excellent manners by welcoming a new family to the school and shaking their hands as they walked into the school.  Well done.

Filipino Award
Every year this trophy is presented by Fely Parker to a Filipino student in recognition of their outstanding achievement throughout the school.  Congratulations to Lexi Guteriez who received this award.



Touch Rugby Winners
Congratulations to two of our St Joseph Touch Rugby teams who won their grades for touch rugby this season.  Well done to the St Joseph Turbos who won the Yr 4-5-6 grade which had 31 teams in it and was coached by Mel Lewis.  St Joseph Tigers won the Yr 1-2-3 grade and was coached by Jack Souness.  Well done to these 2 teams. 

6. Yr 7 & 8 Social

Last Friday night the Yr 8's celebrated their formal night with a meal and a social dance with the Yr 7's.  The theme of the night was 1960's in which everyone dressed up to the occasion.  Special thanks to the Home & School for their help and also to Mr Moore, Mrs Frances-Rees and Mrs Asi.

7. Water Fight - Week 10 Activity

Today to celebrate the end of a great year, the Yr 4-8 children participated in a much awaited and enjoyable water fight.  It was friend against friend, students against teachers, class against class and daughters and sons against parents.

1. Principal News Week 9 Term 4

Junior Nativity Presentation and End of Year Mass

We warmly invite you to attend two of our very special end of year celebrations.

This Friday 12th December, our juniors will be presenting the story of Christmas over in the church at 9:30 am.
Please note that assembly will be at the earlier time of 2:15pm tomorrow, Friday, due to the large number of awards to distribute.
Then on Thursday 18th December, the whole school, families and friends will attend our special 'End of Year Mass' and prizegiving at 6.00 pm in the church. This year we have planned it to ensure that speeches and presentations will be short. We hope that families will be able to leave by 7:15 pm. There will be an opportunity for parents to join staff for a final thank you cup of tea on Friday morning at 10:45 am instead of after mass this year. Then at 11:30 am we will gather in the hall for the announcement of the school leaders for 2015. This will be followed by a final coming together with Christmas Carols and farewells in the hall before we finish at 12:30 pm.
Please ensure you read this link to Mrs Frances-Rees' blogpost below to learn more about joy and the 3rd Sunday of Advent.

Response to Principal's Blog about Learning for 2015
Thanks to the many parents who have given me positive feedback about the article I published on my blog this week. If you haven't had a chance to read it, then I encourage you to go to this link.

I also encourage you to go to Manuka's Year 7 class blog at this link  to see video designs for their 2015 environment or this link to see paper designs. If you hover over the paper designs on the live blog page, you will access special annotated links as well. 

Reports and stationery lists
These will be sent home next week. Junior school parents who are due for their anniversary reports will be contacting families for catch up meetings. Any questions please contact your child's class teacher.

The Year That Was 2014
Every child has received a free copy of the Oamaru Mail today with our St Joseph's middle page spread about this year. Please look out for this. We thank the Oamaru Mail, Unique Skin and Beauty and the Vet Centre for supporting this free feature.

Home and School thank you
As the end of the school year draws closer, it's a good chance to reflect and say thank you to the members of our community who give up their time to work tirelessly for our school. A big thank you to Rachel Fowler and the Home & School team of parents who do just that. They have already made plans for a Multicultural Food Fair early next year and need your support. Please get behind them and support their good work that benefits all of our children. They truly show us how to Reach for the Stars as Lifelong Learners in the Catholic Faith.

2. Special Character News Term 4, Week 9

Third Week of Advent

On this third week of Advent we light the pink candle on the Advent wreath.  It is the symbol of Joy.  The third Sunday of Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday.  It is joyful because we are halfway through the waiting period for Jesus:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob.

— Philippians 4:4–6; Psalm 85 (84):1

 The junior school invites parents to join the juniors in the Basilica at 9.30am on Friday morning in order to share the junior presentation of the Nativity Story.  

Nativity Scene created by Ruma Pohutakawa

3. School Notices - Week 9, Term 4

(a)  Altar Servers
Saturday 13th December - Seth Sinclair, Ben Cullimore, Antonio Frances-Rees and Halalova Asi
Sunday 14th December - Antonia & Francesca Black, Cameron & Laura Mather

(b)  Birthday Greetings to:
Xanthea Moore, Sam Asi, Lachlan Criddle and Jack Cameron

(c)  For Sale
There is a brand new school jersey size 77 cm and a new school tie for sale for $80.00.  The family had bought it before they transferred to Wanaka.  Any queries, please come to the office.

(d)  Lunch Orders
Subway - the last day for Subway lunches is Friday 12th December and will resume again on the 13th February 2015 due to the 6th February being Waitangi Day.
Thai - the last day for  Thai lunches is Wednesday 17th December and will resume again on the 11th February 2015.

(e)  Uniform Shop
The school uniform shop will be open on Friday 30th January 2015 from 11.30 am to 2.00 pm and Monday 2nd February from 8.30 to 9.30 am for anyone wishing to purchase school clothing items. Any families who would like to donate school clothing would be much appreciated, especially the girls pinafore.  If you have any queries regarding the Uniform Shop please phone Adele Whiston on 027 434 3338.  Sorry we do not have eftpos facilities at school.

(f)  Lost Property
There is still a large collection of unnamed lost property which will be displayed in the hall tomorrow for parents to have a look at.  Next week the clothing will be redistributed to the uniform shop.

(g)  Library Books
There are still some children who have not yet returned their library books back to school.  Please return them urgently as we are doing a stock take at present.  Thank you to all the parents who have ensured that their children returned their library books back.

(h)  Giant Leaps Speech & Drama
Are enrolling students for speech and drama at St Joseph's for 2015. For further information please email giantleaps@xtra.co.nz or phone 0800 4 speech.

(i)  Home and School
Next year the Home and School are starting the year with a Food Fair fundraiser on Sunday 15th March.  We want to involve all the cultural communities to share their wonderful foods with us.  We hope that it will be a day of fun and lots of activities.  Each class will be responsible for an activity.  If you would like to be involved with this fundraiser, there is a meeting on Tuesday 3rd February to start the planning.

We are holding the Home and School AGM on Tuesday 24th February and would love lots of new members.  Any questions please contact Rachel Fowler (President) on 437 1992 or email rachfow@hotmail.com

(j)  Community Notices

• Victorian Christmas at Totara Estate - 13-24th December from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm daily.  The family can make decorations, play Victorian games, tour the farm, feed the sheep, have afternoon tea.  Cost is $10.00 for adults and children free.

• Summer Discovery at the Waitaki Library, North Otago Museum, Forrester Gallery and Waitaki Aquatic Centre.  Pick up a brochure at these places and return it by January 28th 2015 to the Waitaki Library.

4. Cancer Society

The Cancer Society have sent out these messages for the summer holidays.


 

5. Gymnastic Display

Last Friday our gymnasts put on a gymnastic display for family and friends showing what they had been taught during the year.  Special thanks to Miss Jackson for her time and expertise in taking these classes on Fridays after school.  

6. Sports Draw and Diary Dates

Cricket – Saturday 13^th December (Last game for the year)
4^th Grade – St Joseph’s v Kurow at St Kevin’s 1
Kiwi Cricket - every Friday at Centennial Park at 4.00 pm

Diary Dates
December
Friday 12                              -  Junior school play in the church at 9.30 am *
                                               -  Yr 7 & 8 End of Year Social Dance 6.00 - 9.00 pm for Yr 8 
                                                  and 7.00 to 9.00 pm for Yr 7
                                                -  Last day for Subway lunches for the year *
                                                -  No equestrian today

Monday 15                           -  Sports afternoon for Yr 1-4 *
Tuesday 16                           -  Sports afternoon for Yr 1-4 *
Wednesday 17                      -  Last day for Thai lunches for the year *
Thursday 18                          -  End of Year Mass at 6.00 pm
Friday 19                               -  Yr 8 leaders for 2015 announced at 11.30 am *
                                                -  Final Assembly, carols and farewell at 11.45 to 12.30 pm *
                                                -  School finishes for the year at 12.30 pm
                                                -  Last day for Ritchie’s Bus Transport – morning only

January 2015

Friday 30                              -  Uniform shop open from 11.30 am to 2.00 pm *

February                              -  Happy Holidays Everyone

Monday 2                            -  School resumes for 2015
                                                -  Ritchie’s Bus Service resumes for St Joseph’s
                                                -  Uniform Shop open from 8.30 to 9.30 am *
Tuesday 3                              -  Home & School Food Fair meeting at 7.00 pm *
Friday 6                                 -  Waitangi Day (holiday) *
Tuesday 17                           -  Junior touch rugby resumes *