Monday 30 June 2014

School Production Notice

Dear Parents/Caregivers
The school musical, ‘St Jo’s X Factor’ will be held this Thursday 3rd July at St Kevin’s College, in the auditorium. We will be presenting a 1pm matinee performance for the junior school, pre-schools and any parents that want to attend, followed by the main performance at 6pm.

 Tickets are available from the school office for a gold coin donation. Seating is limited so get in quick!

We will head down to St Kevin’s on Wednesday and Thursday this week for rehearsals. Buses will leave school shortly after 9am and the children will be back at school before 3pm. Please ensure that your child has a packed lunch and drink bottle on these days.

Each class has different costume requirements and your child’s teacher will let you know what to bring to school on Wednesday and Thursday for the dress rehearsals.

In order to be ready for the 6pm performance children will need to be at St Kevin’s by 5:15pm on Thursday. The home and school committee will be selling hot food from 5:00pm.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Friday 27 June 2014

School Notices

1.  Altar Servers
Saturday 28th June - Mackenzie Cunningham, Joseph Spillane, Lachlan Brookes and Nicholas Plieger.
Sunday 29th June - Kelsey Mills, Rhea Ratgali, Tyler Bolitho and Joel Kunnethedan

2.  Birthday Greetings to:
Atlanta Williams-McDowell, Riley Little, Kristiana Whiston, Sam Keno, Alexie Phillips, Mya Lindsay, Lloyd Gutierrez and Joshua Arsi.

3.  Contact Details
Please let the office know if you have changed your address, phone number, cell phone number or email address recently.

4.  Senior School Production
Will be held on Thursday 3rd July at St Kevin's College Auditorium at 1.00 pm and 6.00 pm. Tickets are available from the office for a gold coin donation.  The Home and School sent a food order form  home yesterday and orders have to be returned to the office by Monday 30th June.  The food will be available at 5.30 pm on Thursday night and you pay for it when you collect your food.

5.  NZ Catholic Newspaper
This newspaper was handed out to every child yesterday and has stories and competitions in it.

6.  Welcome
We warmly welcome Roger Neri (Yr 6) who started school last week to Ruma Kahikatea.

7.  Congratulations
To Elenoa Asi (Yr 4) who travelled to Invercargill last week to compete in the Invercargill Tap Dancing competitions.  Elenoa tapped away to win 4 firsts, 4 seconds and 1 third placing in the 10 and under age group.  Well done.










Congratulations  to Taylor Pickworth (Yr 8), Tannah Rintoul (Yr 7), Tegan Souness (Yr 6) and Antonia Black (Yr 6) who were selected in the North Otago Rep Netball teams.  Well done.

School Notices

8. Mini Movers - During the term, Kate Cartwright from Sport Waitaki has been teaching the children Ki O Rahi which is the 20th century name for ancient forms of ball play on fields.

School Notices

9.  St Kevin's College Comment
Did you know?  Students need to learn how many days there are in a year, months in a year and hours in a day.  These can be fun things to talk about with them.  Work out how many seconds there are in a minute and an hour.

10.  Community Notices
  • OSCAR Holiday Programme from the 7th to 18th July
  • North Otago Rock & Mineral Club - Gemstone, jewellery and craft fair on 12 &13th July
  • Kidsfest2014 held at the Oamaru Opera House from Friday 11th to Friday 18th July



 

Thursday 26 June 2014

Principal's News Week 8

      1. Learning: Performing Arts at St Joseph’s 2. Sport Waitaki  3.Sabbatical Sharing  4.Senior reading sessions 5. House Mufti Day
 
         
      1. Learning: Performing Arts at St Joseph’s
     Our Senior school learners are busy preparing for the biannual musical production next week. This year, Mr Cartlidge is directing our spectacular musical. Every class from Year 4-8 is performing an item. There are also group and individual performances that showcase our children’s God given talents. The St Joe’s Got Talent Show also has witty guest judges and compares. There are whispers that there might even be a reunion of the Spice Girls, look out for Ginger Spice!
Order forms for food will have gone home today. Contact the office if you have missed out. The Home & School will have the food available at 5:30 pm in the Red Castle beside the auditorium. Tickets for the 1pm matinee and the 6pm performances for Thursday are available for a gold coin donation from the office.


2. Sport Waitaki
Special thanks to Kate Cartwright who has been busy taking games and skills session with our children over the past couple of weeks. These sessions have been fun and challenging. Kate is finishing in this role at the end of the term and leaving Oamaru to travel overseas. I would like to acknowledge her excellent work in the community and wish her all the best for the future. We will certainly miss Kate and her valuable contribution to sport in our region.
                             

3. Sabbatical Sharing
I was fortunate to be invited to speak at the recent mid-year dinner for the North Otago Probus group. About 100 valued members of this community shared a luncheon at the Homestead and listened to my new learning. There were a few of our children’s grandparents amongst the group.
I am presently attending the NZ Catholic Primary Principal’s inaugural conference in Wellington and will share a video about my report to 100 colleagues from across New Zealand. I feel privileged to be able to share my learning beyond our school and proud to be able to represent St Joseph’s Oamaru at national level.

4. Senior reading sessions
Special thanks to Mrs Patterson who met with groups of senior school parents during the week eager to learn how to support their children’s reading. These sessions have been very successful across the school. Thanks to the parents that gave up their time to attend. There will be maths sessions next term. Thanks again to our committed staff and parents for modelling how to Reach for the Stars as Lifelong Learners in the Catholic Faith

     5. House Mufti Day
    A reminder that there will be a house colour mufti day next Friday for the last day of term. Children must wear their house colours and bring a gold coin donation. Our Year 8 leaders will be organising some fun filled sports activities. 

Thursday 19 June 2014

Principal’s News Week 7 Term 2 2014


1. Akoranga (Learning ) at St Joseph's 2.Cultural meetings 3.Congratulations!! 
4. Parent Updates 5. Whitestone LCN 6.Board Vacancy

1.Akoranga (Learning) at St Joseph's
Everyone is a learner at St Joseph's, even our parents. Mrs Burke has been leading reading workshops for junior school parents this week. These have been very successful. A message from Mrs Burke:

"Thank you for learning how to support your child with their reading strategies and having a deeper think about what they are reading. Thank you to the 14 parents who came over the week. If you would like any more information see Mrs Burke or email me sburke@stjoseph.school.nz. Looking forward to next terms sessions on Numeracy. Here are some handy literacy and numeracy links." 

Mrs Patterson is looking forward to leading reading workshops for senior school parents next week.
You are invited to attend a session  run by Mrs Siobhan Patterson designed to help you to help your child in Years 4 to 8 at home with their reading.
The session will cover aspects such as:
· How to support your child with their reading strategies.
· Activities to support understanding of the text.
· Ways to help with research skills.
· Strategies to encourage reluctant readers

Over a week the session is being offered 3 times to allow you a chance to attend when it is convenient for you.
You are encouraged to bring your child with you so that you can be putting the ideas into practice.
If you are interested in attending please email Siobhan Patterson—spatterson@stjoseph.school.nz

2.Cultural meetings
On the evening of Wednesday 25th June there will be two cultural meetings in ruma koru. The Pasifika Fono will go from 6pm-7pm, followed by the Filipino Pagsasama at 7:30 pm. We look forward to welcoming all of our families along and sharing student learning action plans with you.


3.Congratulations!!
Well done to our Rippa Rugby team who were runners up at the competition in Pleasant Point yesterday. They lost by only 2 tries !!. See a photo of the team with their coach Chris Cant below. Thanks to Jason from North Otago rugby for supporting the team with intense training sessions over the past few weeks. 
Well done to our students who did so well at the Catholic Quadrangular tournament yesterday and thanks to Mrs Souness, Mr Moore and all parents who helped to supported this annual event. See the photos below.

4.Parent Updates
Updates on our parent reference group meetings and sports committee meetings can be accessed via this link. Thanks to our parents who contribute to these meetings.

5.Whitestone Learning and Change Network
Many of the initiatives that have begun to take place over the past year have come about through our learning and growth as a result of participation in the Learning and Change network of schools. Learn more about developments via this link.
Nikky Ryan, Janine Simpson, Lorraine Frances- Rees, Sharlene Carki, Rob Mill, Gary Shirley at the meeting held here on Tuesday afternoon.
6.Board Vacancy
Due to a job transfer, we have a vacancy on the board. We farewell and thank Dan Keno and wish him well with his job.  If you are keen to share your talents and skills with a forward thinking, collaborative and supportive board then please contact our chairperson Tua Misiloi or principal Jenny Jackson via the school office. This is an ideal opportunity for personal and professional growth and development. We have board meetings twice a term and subcommittee meetings twice a term as well. 
We also farewell Karen Stratton who will attend her final board meeting next week. Karen has been a Bishop's rep on our board for the past 5 years and a great chair and leader on our finance committee. We thank Karen for sharing her expertise with us over the years and wish her best wishes as she focuses on her  job. Bishop Colin has elected Bev Conlan, retired Duntroon principal and parishioner  into this vacancy.We welcome Bev to this new role.
Our Board Chairperson Tua, will be travelling to a special training session in Christchurch this weekend. Thank you Tua for leading the way by Reaching for the Stars as a Lifelong Learner in the Catholic Faith.
 Tua thanking Karen for her valuable contribution to the board over the past 5 years.
            

Catholic Schools Quadrangular Tournament

Yesterday St Joseph's sent 3 teams to represent St Kevin's College in the junior southern Catholic Schools Quadrangular Tournament in Dunedin for Years 7,8,9 and 10. They played against students from Kavanagh College in Dunedin, St Peters School in Gore and Verdon College in Invercargill. The sports played were basketball, netball, football and rugby. St Joseph's sent down a Yr 7/8 netball team, boys Yr 7/8 basketball team and a 7/8 football team. All games were hard fought and played in great spirit and enthusiasm. The overall winner was Kavanagh College with St Kevin's College and Verdon College placed 2nd equal with St Peter's 4th. Many thanks to Katrina Crowder, Matt Brien, Thomas Pickles and Mr Moore for coaching the teams and to all the parents who supported them. The results are: Basketball Lost to St Peters College by 1 point, 32-33 (very close and exciting game) Won against Kavanagh College 24-14 Won against Verdon College 30-21 Football Lost to Verdon College 0-3 Lost to Kavanagh College 0-6 Drew with St Peters College 1-1 Netball Lost to Kavanagh College 10-22 Lost to St Peters College 12-19 Won against Verdon College 13-10

Ripper Rugby Tournament - Yr 5 & 6

Yesterday St Joseph's sent a team of Yr 5/6 Ripper Rugby players to play in a regional Ripper Rugby tournament in Pleasant Point, South Canterbury. North Otago, South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury all sent 2 teams to this tournament where the winners would head to Wellington to play in the national tournament. Our team played 5 games and won 3, drew 1 and lost 1. They played extremely well to finish 1st equal but missed out on being eventual winners due to a count back on tries scored. Many thanks to Chris Cant for coaching the team and to all the parents who helped support them. Well done. The results are: Won against Pembroke school 6-5 Won against Highfield school 6-5 Won against Longbeach school by 1 point Drew with Wakanui school 6-6 Lost to Pleasant Point (eventual winners) 7-8

Congratulations

Congratulations to Mannix Fraser on receiving the Principal's Award last week for volunteering his services to help distribute ice blocks for Fr Wayne's 40th celebration.

Confirmation

Bishop Colin celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with 2 students.

Tuesday 17 June 2014

Special Character, Term 2 Week 7

Special Character, Term 2 Week 7


from: outsidedabox.com
This weekend we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi - the Body of Christ.  The body and blood of Christ present in the Holy Eucharist is the central sacrament of the church, which was instituted at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday.  Jesus says, "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." John 6:54.  The Eucharist is one of the mysteries and central beliefs of the Catholic faith.  

St Paul also tells the Corinthians that now the Church is the Body of Christ:

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

Teaching about God

Classes throughout the school are now studying the God strand of the Religious Education curriculum. These are the key concepts at each year level:
Key Concepts For God Strand
Key Concepts For God Strand
Year 1:
God is the creator of all that is and keeps it in being
Each person is God’s unique creation made in love for love
We praise God for all the good gifts of creation, both seen and unseen
Year 5:
Scripture stories of God’s call to people and their responses
The meaning of covenant and God’s faithfulness
God calls people to be reconciled in relationships
The call to believe in God and build up Te Rangatiratanga – the Reign of God on earth
Year 2:
God’s gifts to people are a sign of God’s love
God’s greatest gift is Jesus who showed us God is a loving and forgiving Father
People are called to appreciate God’s gifts and be grateful for them

Year 6:
Images of God reveal something of what God is like
Christians come to know God through Jesus and respond in worship and action
Catholic beliefs within the Creed
Year 3:
God is everywhere in the world through creation
God works through people who accept God’s gift of grace
God speaks to people through the Scriptures
God works in the world through every culture
Year 7:
People are created to grow through grace to become like Jesus and turn away from sin
Using talents for the work of the Church and the Reign of Tika, Rangimarie and Aroha on earth
God’s desire for humanity
Although affected by sin, all creation is redeemed by God and has been given its own tapu and mana
Year 4:
God is the mystery of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Giving respect to the gift of God’s creation because it is tapu
God’s love expressed through the ten commandments
Year 8:
God is mystery – personal and distant (immanent and transcendent)
God revealed as a Trinity of three persons – creating, redeeming and sanctifying

Thursday 12 June 2014

Principal’s News Week 6 Term 2 2014


Fish & Chip Learning Evening
Thank you to all of our families who were able to attend on Monday evening. Our feedback suggests that the opportunity to socialise and share a meal together, combined with the early start as well as being able to listen to the students share their learning, helped to make the event a huge success.
This term, all of us have gone ‘open’ with our learning. We realise that sharing through our blogs has helped to engage our children and parents in learning at St Joseph’s. Research indicates that parent engagement supports student participation and achievement. Student engagement supports the motivation to learn.
Central to lifelong  learning for all of us is the ability for us to apply our knowledge and skills flexibly and creatively in different situations. Learning the skills necessary to adapt to 21st Century technology are challenges for all of us. But if we have a ‘growth mindset’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc  anything is possible.
During the course of the evening we introduced our new Twitter handle. You can create your own account and follow us @StJoesOamaru 


 Congratulations to the Misiloi family who won the $50 petrrol voucher
Reading Workshops
Mrs Siobhan Burke will be running reading workshops next week to support you to help your child at home with their reading. If you are interested in attending a session on Monday at 3:30pm, Tuesday at 2pm or Thursday at 2pm then please contact sburke@stjoseph.school.nz
Confirmation
Congratulations to all of the children who celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation last Saturday. Thanks to Mrs Dooley and Fr Wayne for preparing our children and to all of the prayer partners and helpers who supported this special celebration.


Pasifika Fono Workshop
We were fortunate to welcome our South Island Pasifika Advisor,Tufulasi Taleni to St Joseph's to give a special presentation to staff, children and families at a recent Pasifika fono. We thank Mrs Misiloi for the beautiful welcome and Mrs Plieger for organising this excellent afternoon. 



Senior Production
St Joe’s Has Got Talent is coming together and we are looking forward to it ! The performances will be held at St Kevin's auditorium on Thursday 3rd July at 1:00pm and 6 pm. Food will be available from 5:30 pm onwards.The Home and School are going to provide the food so that families can enjoy a meal together. They will send out an order form closer to the time.  Next week, tickets to the matinee and evening shows will be available from the office for a gold coin donation. We will take the juniors to the matinee as a school group and we recommend that little brothers and sisters attend this session as well. 



Whitestone Learning and Change blog
Many of you are aware that we have formed a network with other local schools. We believe that together we can achieve more for our children and their learning and achievement. You can access some news about our developments here


Fr Wayne’s school and parish presentations

Last week Fr Wayne celebrated 40 years in the priesthood. After our presentation of a canvas that is now hanging in his office, there was a beautiful mass and Parish presentation of a trip to Raratonga. Congratulations on such an achievement Fr Wayne! We are so glad that you lead the way in showing us how to Reach for the Stars as Lifelong Learners in the Catholic Faith.




Tuesday 10 June 2014

Revised Basketball Draw for Wednesday 11 June 2014


INTERMEDIATE/COLLEGIATE DRAW:  WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE 2014

Waitaki Recreation Centre
 
ROUND 1 – WEEK 5 (Second Revision)
 
(Games 4 x 10 minute running clock quarters. 1 minute break at ¼ and ¾ time, 3 minute break at ½ time.)

FRONT COURT 
Team
Team
Scorebench
Ref
Ref
4pm
OIS Celtics
St Joseph Magic
OIS Bulls
OIS Bulls
Merekite
4.50
OIS Bulls
OIS Honey Badgers
St Joseph Magic
Grayson Orr
Merekite
5.40
OIS Heat
OIS All Stars
OIS Lakers
Grayson Orr
Bronwyn Banks
6.30
OIS Lakers
OIS Hawks
OIS All Stars
Grayson Orr
Bronwyn Banks
7.20
WGHS Stealers
SKC Sisters
WBHS Wizards
Tim Hitchcock
Bronwyn Banks
8.10
WBHS Jnr A
WBHS Wizards
WGHS Stealers
Tim Hitchcock
Bronwyn Banks

 

BACK
COURT 
Team
Team
Scorebench
Ref
Ref
5.15
St Joseph Breakers
OIS Nuggets
OIS Breakers
Weston
Rebecca Moon
6.05
OIS Breakers
Weston
St Joseph Breakers
OIS Nuggets
Rebecca Moon
6.55
St Joseph Saints
OIS Knicks
WGHS Magic
WGHS Magic
Rebecca Moon
7.45
WGHS Breakers
WGHS Magic
St Joseph Saints
St Joseph Saints
Rebecca Moon
 

SKC GYM
Team
Team
Scorebench
Ref
Ref
4pm
WGHS Yr 9
SKC Stars
SKC Thunder
SKC Thunder
Tim Hitchcock
4.50
SKC Thunder
WBHS Gold
SKC Stars
SKC Stars
Tim Hitchcock
5.40
SKC Celtic
WBHS Red
WBHS Gold
WBHS Gold
Tim Hitchcock


BYE:  Ardgowan Hammers, SKC Sonic


PLEASE REMEMBER:  All players must be there 15 minutes before their game. 

Score sheet filled in before game.

All games must start on time. 

All Referees are to supply their own WHISTLE. 

Teams must supply 3 SCORE BENCH personnel.