1. Principal News - Week 8 Term 4

St Patrick's Parish Float

Faith, Hope and Love and a reminder to keep Christ in Christmas were the themes of the St Patrick's Catholic Parish float in the recent Christmas Parade. The joy of our St Joseph's staff and students on the float and the crowds lined along the main street in Oamaru were all captured in several short video vignettes. You can access these and read more by going to this link.

St Joseph's teachers Megan Day & Paul Cartlidge on the parish float

Looking Ahead to 2016

In 2015 we actively created learning spaces for deeper engagement in learning. We developed our Engaging Learning Spaces (ELS's) based on our school wide goal: To engage in deep learning for success. We have the flexibility to utilise our spaces to best suit the needs of our learners across the school. We will continue to review and refine our ELS's based on feedback and continued active reflection as we enthusiastically move forward into 2016.

You can read more about this at this link: reaCh into the future - 8 positives and 5 developments.

 

reaCh

School Jersey Consultation

Thanks to those of you who have given feedback on the merino and polar fleece jerseys. Some of you have asked about the reason for the change. At the Board Survey from the end of last year, many parents felt the woollen jersey had become too expensive and more and many children are sensitive to the wool and unable to wear it. This change is in response to your requests. The board will make an informed decision based on your responses this Tuesday night at the final board meeting for the year. Please email or phone the office with regards to your choice of garment and colour.

Basketball/netball hoops

We are pleased to announce that we have been allocated a grant from Youthtown to cover the cost of four new basket ball/netball hoops. The funds raised from the Yr 7 student raffle will contribute to the installation costs. Thanks to Youthtown for their support in helping us to upgrade our playground for our children.
Transition Afternoon
Next Thursday from 1:45 pm, the children will spend time with their teachers for 2016. Mrs Misiloi has given up her time to meet the New Entrant children this week. Miss Lind and Miss O'Malley will both be at school for the transition afternoon.
Home and School Thank you

Special thanks to our hardworking Home and School team who held their final meeting for 2015 this week. Thank you to all of them for showing us how to Reach for the Stars as Lifelong Learners in the Catholic Faith.