1. What's new ? Principal News Week 2 Term 2

 ANZAC Activities and Learning
Thanks to Mr Cartlidge who planned and coordinated our very memorable ANZAC Service last Friday. Our students demonstrated our school values of respect and reverence so admirably during the service.

We are very impressed with the quality of work that the children have produced as an outcome of the ANZAC projects. The projects are on display in the hall. Further ANZAC work is displayed in classrooms and the office.

I

I spent some time reading the individual student blogs from Senior Hub 2 (Year 6,7 and 8) over the weekend. There are further poems and stories on these blogs. You can access this work by going to the Teaching and Learning Site via this link. Then go to Senior Hub 2 and the class blogs.You will see the individual student blogs on the class blogs. Here is a poem by Ellie Jorgensen.

Some of our Year 8 leaders attended a special ANZAC Service at St Kevin's yesterday. We joined the whole school in the chapel and then went out to place poppies beside the white crosses in the field. It was a pleasure to catch up with some of our past pupils after the service.

Book Launch
Don't forget to come along and join us for Czeska's very special book launch this Saturday at 2 pm in our school hall.

Home and School Term 2 Fundraiser
All families will have received a letter and an entertainment book yesterday. Please make sure you return the book straight back to the box in the school office if you do not wish to purchase it. Thanks for your support.

Gold Coin Mufti Day tomorrow
Just remember there is a mufti day tomorrow to raise funds for the local Westpac Chopper Appeal.
Thanks to everyone who supported the sausage sizzle last week. We raised $261 for the Vanuatu appeal. We had already committed ourselves to the chopper appeal but will certainly look at a way to support the victims of the Nepal earthquake as well.

Winter Sports
We wish all of our sporting codes good luck for the start of the season. Thanks to all of our coaches, managers and parents for your wonderful support.
This year we are investigating a skiing option as one of our winter sports. It will involve a 6 week course (catered to the needs of all abilities) once a week at the Ohau Snow fields. There will be more details out shortly. If you are interested in this, please email Keri Robinson at baylyn@netspeed.net.nz

Family Learning Hui Week 3

Next week we have our Term 2 Family Learning Hui at 6.00 pm in the hall. There will only be one learning hui this term. It will be a chance to hear the children talk about learning. Come along and hear their feedback about our engaging learning spaces. Learn what you can do as parents and caregivers to do to support them with their learning.
Even if you have been before, the theme for the hui is always different and there is much to learn as we support you to support your children to reach for the stars and shine.

2. Special Character Term 2 Week 2

3. School Notices - Week 2, Term 2 2015

Altar Servers
Saturday 2nd May - Indya & Mackenzie Cunningham, Ben Cullimore and Joshua Criddle
Sunday 3rd May - Cameron & Laura Mather, Antonia Black, Sebastian Whiston and Grace Keno

Birthday Greetings to:
Rebecka Demonteverde, Keane Pe, Joseph Spillane and Isabella Hanning

Welcome
We warmly welcome Daniel Woodhouse (new entrants) and Charlotte Hogg (Yr 7) who started at our school last week.

Lost Clothing
Tannah Rintoul has lost her named school jacket.  If found, please return it to the school office.

Found
A crimson and black head band has been handed into the office. Please claim it if it is yours.

Westpac Chopper Appeal Mufti Day
Tomorrow we are having a mufti day in support of the Westpac Chopper Appeal.  Please bring along a gold coin donation.

Winter Sports Draw
The weekly draw for all sports will be available on the school noticeboard, school blog and website.

Weekly News Blog
The school news blog is printed out in full each week and a copy is available for you to read on the wall outside the office.

Sacramental Programme - Confirmation
The parent meetings will be held at St Joseph's school in the community room.  The purpose of these parent meetings is to support you in preparing your children for the Sacrament of Confirmation, and your attendance is expected.  Your attendance and level of participation in the meetings for Reconciliation was very much appreciated.  If you have any queries about the programme, please contact Adrienne Wylie (phone 434 8436).  Please let the office know if you will be attending these parent meetings for the Confirmation Programme.

Parent Meeting 1 - Monday 11th May
Parent Meeting 2 - Monday 18th May
Confirmation - Sunday 31st May at the 9.30 am Mass

Sacrament Programme - Eucharist
First Holy Communion will be celebrated on Sunday 16th August.  The dates for the parent meetings will be set nearer the time.
Thank you - Fr Wayne, Adrienne and Mark Wylie

Gymnastics - St Joseph's Gymnastics Club
Welcome to all new and returning gymnasts and parents.  This year there will be a gymnastics fee of $20.00 (payable to the office), which includes the hire of the leotards/singlets.  The rest will go towards new gym equipment.  Leotards will be handed out once the fee is paid.

Some house keeping notes:
- Could all gymnasts please get changed in the senior girls/boys toilet rooms / changing area, put their uniforms into their school bags and hang their bags on the hooks outside the hall before coming in as we are trying to eliminate lost property issues.
-  To have as much room available as possible, could all watching parents please sit along the kitchen side of the hall if not coaching or helping.
-  Girls are to have their hair tied back into a plait if possible.
-  Start time is 3.10 pm and finishing approximately at 3.45 pm.
-  We ask that no one plays on the equipment before the warm up and as with all sports at St Joseph's, we expect a high standard of behaviour, particularly listening carefully to the parent coaches.
-  We would like to ask for parent help when it comes to tidy up time.

Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you there.
Susie Jorgensen, Adele Whiston and Kelly McLaren - Parent Coaches

Winter Sports
Basketball & Miniball - reminder about the referee and coaching clinic being held this Sunday 3rd May at the Waitaki Recreation Centre.  All welcome.

Netball - the Jennian Homes junior netball academy provides quality coaching to young netballers aged 8-14 years old of all abilities.  This is a 6 week programme held from 4.00 to 5.00 pm each Friday from May 22nd to June 26 at the Waitaki Recreation Centre.  Costs $75 per player.  Further information go to www.netballsouth.co.nz

Home & School Fundraiser

Community Notices

• FIFA U20 World Cup Double Header - held at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Sunday 31st May.  Mexico v Mali & Uruguay v Serbia.  Exclusive offer for the Football Waitaki Community.  Ticket price includes return bus transport.  Costs $20 - $30 for an adult and $10 - $15 for a child.  Tickets must be purchased through Oamaru I-SITE.  You will need to identify your club and team name in order to purchase tickets. Enquiries to andyl@waitakibhs.school.nz
• Christchurch Pops Choir Tour - performing in Oamaru on Sunday 10th May at 2.00 pm at the Opera House.  Tickets cost @$25 for adults and $15 for children. Book at Ticket Direct on www.ticketdirect.co.nz  The choirs will sing an exciting range of rock, pop, gospel and musical theatre.  Expect music from Adele to ABBA, Gaga to Groban, Tommy to Toto and much more.  The Christchurch Pops Choir have wowed audiences all over Christchurch. 

4. Winter Sports Draw - Week 2, Term 2 2015

Netball - Saturday 2nd May

Please note that St Joseph's is on duty this week.  There are 2 lots of duty in a season so if you cannot help this time, there will be another time to help.   Parents please contact your coach to help out.

Intermediate 1.1
9.00 am - St Joseph's Gold v OIS Steel - LH Hooker court

Intermediate 1.2
11.00 am - St Joseph's Rebels v Kurow 1 - Sport & Outdoor court

Intermediate 1.3
10.00 am - St Joseph's Steel v Valley Force - Fitness 24

Year 5/6
10.00 am - St Joseph's Blue v Kurow 2 -

Year 4
11.00 am - St Joseph's Maroon v Kurow 3 -

Umpires
9.00 am - Nisha Wilson and Ellie Jorgensen
10.00 am - Niveek Wilson, Maddison Bleach, Tegan Souness, Tannah Rintoul and Laura Mather

Duty
Gold Team - 8.30 am to 9.00 am -set up in office and put pole covers on poles - all parents required to help
Rebels Team - office duty from 10.00 am to 11.00 am
Steel Team - office duty from 9.00 am to 10.00 am
Blue Team - office duty from 11.00 am to 12.00 pm
Maroon Team -  emptying the rubbish bins after their game


Rugby - Saturday 2nd May
Please note that St Joseph's have their Club Day this week and all games are played at St Kevin's College.

5 yrs
10.00 am - St Joseph's v Excelsior  Tigers - SKC 3

7/8 yrs
10.00 am - St Joseph's v Excelsior Blue - SKC 2

9/10 yrs
10.30 am - St Joseph's v Excelsior/Maheno - SKC 2

11/12 yrs
11.00 am - St Joseph's/Excelsior v Athletic Gold - SKC 1


Football - Saturday 2nd May

Midget
11.00 am - St Joseph's Aces v Awamoa Lions - Showgrounds M1

Junior
9.30 am - St Joseph's Knights v Awamoa Kings - Showgrounds J2

Intermediate
10.30 am - St Joseph's United v Awamoa Spurs - Showgrounds I2


Miniball - Tuesday 5th May
4.15 pm - St Joseph's Apollos v Fenwick Mulchettes - front court
6.15 pm - St Joseph's Bullets v Fenwick Lakers - back court

Referee and Score Bench
3.45 pm - referee - front court - St Joseph's Apollos
5.45 pm - referee and score bench - back court - St Joseph's Bullets


Basketball - Wednesday 6th May
4.50 pm - St Joseph's Thunder v OIS Giants - front court
5.15 pm - St Joseph's Warriors v OIS Warriors - back court
5.40 pm - St Joseph's Saints v OIS All Starts - front court

Referee
4.00 pm - St Joseph's Thunder  - front court
6.05 pm - St Joseph's Warriors - back court
6.30 pm - St Joseph's Saints - front court

5. ANZAC Poems - Yr 6

LIFE IN THE TRENCHES

 

As part of their learning about World War 1, the Yr 6 class had a 'Trench' experience last Thursday.   They stayed in their 'Trenches' for an hour with only a piece of paper to write a letter home and an ANZAC biscuit for food.  They had sound effects of exploding bombs and guns firing.  Here are a few of their poems they wrote.

 

                                                                                     Faith, trust and bravery

My dad had all of these
He left a year ago today
I haven't seen him since
His voice still echoes in my mind
Like a lost soul roaming and haunting the streets
        Now he lies in a field where poppies symbolise death
    And dance in the breeze
                                  And where crosses are used as markers
                                Where my loved one now lies
                                                                                                                Cushla Bridges

Poppies dancing as I'm under the ground 

My sister crying cause I'm not around 

My Mum's hugging her really tight 

As they both gaze into the night 

The wind is like a wolfs call 

To the soldiers one and all 

                                                                         Zeth Rollan


 Now days at Flanders Field

Blood red poppies dance in the peaceful wind 

As if they were guardians protecting the crosses

Poppy by poppy they stand straight and tall 
Just like soldiers once did

The air smells of springtime

Like walking into a waterfall of poppies

                                                                                   Peta Katoa



In Flanders Fields our soldiers die,

Poppies grew from where they lie

We have crosses for the ones we love.

With a sign, sent a dove

The Nurses helped when soldiers were in pain

It was muddy when it rained

We will not regret the ones who fought

We will keep them in thought

                                            Corbin Fraser

 

The cold wraps around my body         

Bombs fly overhead

Rifles fire from miles around

Lifeless bodies lie in the dirt 

Their souls head up to heaven

                                                                            William Moore



LEST WE FORGET
 

 

6. Diary Dates - Week 2, Term 2 2015

 

1. What's new? Principal's news - Week 1 Term 2

Engaging Learning Spaces (ELS's)

Term 2 has got off to a flying start for our children, staff and families. We warmly welcomed twelve teachers from St Joseph's Timaru during our first week back and they were inspired by the teaching and learning happening in our ELS's across our school. You can read more about their visit by going to this link

Are you interested in finding out more about having learning conversations with your children connected to our Teaching and Learning Site ? Then come to the school community room - ruma koru for a coffee and a chat tomorrow morning from 8:30-9:00 am.

ANZAC

Mr Cartlidge is coordinating our very special ANZAC Service and the children are proudly preparing for the event that will take place here at 2:30 pm tomorrow. This will include a flag raising ceremony and a piper from St Kevin's. Every blessing to all of you during the long weekend as we reflect on and commemorate all of the Australians and New Zealanders killed in war and honour returned servicemen and women. We remember the time 100 years ago when the ANZACs landed on the shores of Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915.

New Staff



Miss Christina Gray

This week we welcomed Miss Christina Gray into a full time teaching role in Junior Hub 1. We also welcomed back Mrs Bridget McNally into a part time role in Senior Hub 2 along with Mrs Jen Gower. Mrs Gower is also providing some extra release on a Monday afternoon for Mr Cartlidge as he takes on extra responsibilities in his role as acting Deputy Principal. Miss Rochelle Taylor will mainly be teaching on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as an extra release teacher in Junior Hub 2.

Vanuatu Fundraiser and Mufi Day next week

Tomorrow there will be a sausage sizzle to raise funds for Vanuatu.There will be no mufti day tomorrow. The children will wear their school uniform for the ANZAC Service.

There will be a mufti day next Friday 1st May for the chopper appeal.

Book Launch

One of our dear parishioners, Czeska Panek is releasing an autobiography of her life experiences during the war. She will be holding the book launch in our school hall on Saturday 2nd May at 2pm and we are all invited to learn about Czeska's heart rendering story. She was forced at gunpoint to leave her home in Poland as a young child and sent to a camp in Russia and then to New Zealand in 1944 along with 700 other Polish children.

Aladdin

Congratulations to the group of children from St Joseph's who worked hard to prepare for and perform so admirably in Aladdin. They certainly showed us how to Reach for the Stars as Lifelong Learners in the Catholic Faith.

2. Special Character News - Term 2 Week 1

Hi everyone. My name is Ann Dooley and I am co-DRS working with Siobhan Burke. One of my roles this year is to present the Special Character page to you. 

Some people may ask what makes us Special. It is the Catholic Faith of our school, where Christ is Central, that makes us Special. St. Joseph's Charism comes from our Dominican beliefs. Respect, Reverence, Resilience and good relationships is what we all strive for in life. With Jesus Christ as our Role Model we all hope to achieve this. 

 

I have seen many changes over the years (and I have been here for quite a few!!!). One of the biggest changes is the diverse cultures working together in our school. Tangata, Tangata, Tangata (People, People, People) is the most important. The many cultures working together enriches each and everyone of us. We are so very lucky.

At times we take it for granted because we think it was always there and always will be but we do need to appreciate what we have each and every day by Respecting each others cultures as we do your own, treating each others beliefs with Reverence, being Resilient when our beliefs are questioned by others and having that wonderful relationship with others which fills our lives with love, laughter, hope, caring and friendship. 

In Term 2 some of our children will be preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. If your child is one of them, you will receive a letter from Adrienne and Mark Wylie (who many of you met last year) which outlines the dates for the parent meetings. Most of these children are in Year 4 but if you have a child in another class and you don't receive any information please come and see me at school.

Take time to care and God Bless
Ann Dooley

3. School Notices - Week 1, Term 2 2015

Altar Servers
Saturday 25th April - Elenoa & Halalova Asi, Lachlan Brookes, Seth Sinclair and Tessa Souness
Sunday 26th April - Michael Misiloi, Tess McAtamney, Joel Kunnethedan and Seth Bartley

Birthday Greetings to:
Hana & Zara Davies, Limuel Gutierez, Laura Mordeno, Jordan Clarke, Kia Alcasabas and Matthew Woodhouse

Lost Clothing
Michael Woodhouse has lost his named school jersey.  If found please return it to the school office.


Poppies
Friday 24th April is the last day for selling poppies.

Gymnastics
Will be starting for anyone interested in learning gymnastics on Friday 24th April after school in the school hall.

Winter Sports
Uniform Hire - Please pay your uniform hire by tomorrow Friday 24th April as the uniforms will be handed out next week.

Netball Umpiring - Any Yr 6/7/8 girl who is interested in umpiring this season, there are 2 clinics being run on Friday 24th April and Tuesday 28th April from 3.30 to 5.00 pm at the Taward Street Netball courts.  Please bring a notebook, pen and whistle.

Strapping Course - To be held on Wednesday 29th April at 6.30 pm at the Waitaki Boys High School Auditorium.  The cost is $10.00 which includes all your tape.  Cash only.  Organised by Sport Waitaki.  Great for any coaches and/or managers in charge of teams.

School Canteen
Starts on Friday 1st May.  Don't forget to place your orders by 3.00 pm on the Wednesday of that week as late orders may not be processed.

Monday 27th April
Just a reminder that the school will be closed due to it observing ANZAC Day on the Monday.

Community Notices

• Lost Cat - a tortoise shell cat is missing from Exe Street near St Joseph's by the name of Fluffy.  If anyone has seen him, please ring Mrs Dwyer on 434 7310.
• Hot Shots Winter Tennis Classes - for children aged 4 to 11 years.  Held on Fridays and costs $50 for the term.  For bookings go to http://www.northotagotennis.com/ or text Steve on 027 284 9578.
• Forrester Gallery - Check out their autumn programme running for term 2 at their website on http://www.culturewaitaki.org.nz/forrester-gallery/whats-on
• Learn to Run - join our 6 week programme.  Great for anyone wanting to learn to run or jog or just get fitter and stronger.  Phone the Waitaki Recreation Centre on 434 6932 or go to www.sportsground.co.nz/waitakicrc
• Reading with Willow - an opportunity for children aged 7 to 10 to increase their confidence in reading aloud.  Hosted by Cath Rivron and her dog Willow at the Oamaru Library every 2nd Friday from 4.00 to 5.15 pm, starting May 1st.  Sessions are 15 minutes long.  For enquiries, phone Fiona on 433 0850 or email to fkerr@waitaki.govt.nz

4. Winter Sports Update



5. Easter Week - Stations of the Cross

On Holy Thursday last term, some our students enacted Jesus's journey through the 14 Stations of the Cross.  Miss Huls took these reflective photos of the journey.

6. Diary Dates - Week 1, Term 2 2015

1. Principal News - Week 9 Term 1

Thanks to everyone
Thank you to all of our students, staff and parents for your valued contributions to our teaching and learning this term. We have achieved so much together and we are looking forward to continuing developing our learning relationships next term. Make sure you watch Miss Hull's end of term video with the children sharing some of their learning highlights further down below in this week's newsblog.

Congratulations
Thanks to everyone who completed the end of term learning surveys. We have received some valuable information to inform our practices for next term and will share some of the feedback with you.
Names from all of the respondents were entered into a draw. Congratulations to Aedrick Perez (Yr 5), Mr Moore and Melissa Davison who won the prizes.

Parent Coaching Evening 21st April 2014 
If you are a coach or manager for our sports teams this year or interested in learning more about becoming a future coach then please join us from 6:30-7:30 pm in the hall for an information session. You can read more at this link.

Farewell and thank you
Today we farewell Mrs Frances-Rees and Miss Clouston. We thank them for their time with us at St Joseph's and wish them both our blessings for the future.
I am looking forward to presenting a workshop on 'Authentic Catholic Leadership ' with Mrs Frances-Rees at the Catholic Convention in June.
We look forward to keeping in touch with both Mrs Frances- Rees and miss Clouston.

Student leaders
Our student leaders have begun to be proactive in their leadership roles this term. They will develop their roles further in term 2 after attending the National Young Leader's Day in Dunedin in May. You can read more about their activities here.

School Canteen Term 2
The school canteen will commence in Week 2 next term.There will be no Subway next term while we trial the canteen. On the the first Friday of the term, the students have organised a sausage sizzle and mufti day for the Vanuatu appeal. You can read more about the school canteen further down in this blog.Please note that there was an error in the order forms, the filled rolls are $3.50 not $1.50.

Easter blessings
During Holy Week we remember Jesus' final days and his crucifixion. This Sunday is Easter Sunday when we celebrate Jesus' resurrection.  Easter blessing to your family and friends. We look forward to welcoming you back to school next term on Monday 20th April when we continue to "Reach for the Stars as Lifelong Learners in the Catholic Faith."

2. Special Character News Term 1, Week 9

From: Markcommentary.blogspot.com

Two Stories

"Truly, I say to you, unless you become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,"  Matthew 28: 3

The Bible records The Word of God.  It is not directly the Word of God like as if God were making a typing dictation.  It is an interpretation by people, often passed down orally before it was written down BUT this interpretation is inspired by the Holy Spirit and so we believe, in essence, it is the Word of God.  The amazing thing about the Bible is that no matter how old or young you are or what life circumstances you are in - the Bible speaks to YOU, directly to you.  That means two things 1) that as you grow and gather life experience, maturity and insight you need to take conscious steps to keep your religious understanding growing - you need to be an active lifelong learner in the faith, and 2) when it comes to understanding God, little children are as wise as the most learned and wise adult.

From: hqwallbase.com

First Story - "Taking the King for a ride"

When my children were little I frequently read them Bible stories from picture books designed for children.  I steered away from the crucifixion stories because I wanted to protect them from the nasty reality of what people can do.  

When my oldest son was 3, due to a variety of reasons I ended up taking him to the 3pm Good Friday service which retells the Passion of our Lord (the events leading up to his Crucifixion).  I hoped he wouldn't tune into the story too much.  Only four days previously, he'd attended the Palm Sunday mass and enthusiastically waved a palm.

Afterwards he was angry and uncooperative and as he was a great one for a story I guessed he must have understood quite a bit of it.

At the time we were living in a large character house in Timaru which we were renovating and as it was a bit like a building site I let the children ride their tricycles around inside the house.  The next day I found him riding around on his tricycle with the crucifix sitting in the trailer at the back.  He had had to climb up high to get the crucifix off the wall.  Normally, he would have known that the crucifix wasn't a toy to play with.  But when I asked him what he was doing he said, 

"I'm taking the King for a ride."

From: driverlayer.com

Even though he was only three years old.  He understood what many learned adults struggle to understand - which is that Jesus the man who was crucified is also Christ the King.  He'd connected the triumphant Palm Sunday story of Jesus as King, listened to the Passion stories where Jesus was mocked and he'd connected the two.  His heart showed compassion, he wanted to put things right and the best way this three year old knew how to put things right was to take the King for a ride.  He gave all he had to give - a tricycle ride.



My point is - children, even very young children, understand.  

The Word of God is accessible to all of us at every age and stage, its never too early or too late.


Story Two

In 2014 the teachers at St Joseph's worked through the theology and key concepts for each RE strand.  Bearing these in mind we came up with key ideas which we could keep constant and develop through each child’s journey at St Joseph’s school.  The need for this was based on the high number of children who enter our school at different levels, many missing out on junior and middle teaching in RE.  The concepts had to be ones which would be accessible to both 5 and 13 year olds who are at different stages of RE knowledge and at different stages in their faith journeys.

We proposed to “test” these concepts over three years.  We hoped that if we kept these concepts at the forefront we would see a deepening of understanding as children move through the school.  We helped embed the concepts through our whanau groups where children gather across the school and share their learning with other year levels.

At the end of term 1 our first comparative results for the Jesus strand are available.  

In most year groups the 2015 total is above the 2014 total which shows that groups of children have improved their understanding over time.  What is really interesting is that we took baseline data. The baseline data is the achievement levels of the class who were two years ahead of them at the time. If, over three years, our children could exceed the baseline data we'd know that sticking to a few key concepts would have helped their understanding.

Our results at this stage show that most groups have already exceeded their baseline data. That means they've progressed more over two years than we would have expected them to progress over a three year period and exceeded previous achievement by more than a year.

So it also looks as if the key concepts we chose were good ones - relevant across the age groups. We assess RE rigorously in the same way we have to rigorously assess the National Standard subjects and we do that because at our school our Special Character is of the utmost importance to us and we want our RE teaching to be of the highest quality. We are very pleased that these first results show a significant gain in achievement across the board.

From: fairfieldwestbaptistchurch.wordpress.com

Blessings to all our families and members of the school and parish community for Holy Week and Easter.

To all the people I've met in my three and a bit years in Oamaru - thank you for your warmth and your openness. Our time in Oamaru has been a real treasure to all my family. Our connections with Oamaru will remain strong and we will be around from time to time, so we look forward to catching up.

God bless,

Mrs Frances-Rees

3. School Notices - Week 9, Term 1 2015

Altar Servers
Easter Saturday 4th April - Antonio Frances-Rees, Lachlan Brookes, Indya & Mackenzie Cunningham and Ben Cullimore
Easter Sunday 5th April - Joel Kunnethedan, Tess McAtamney, Rhea Ratgali and Emily Hayman
Saturday 11th April - Elizabeth & Samuel Plieger, Isabella McNaught and Matthew Gough
Sunday 12th April - Cody Haynes, Antonia Black, Cameron & Laura Mather
Saturday 18th April - Ben Cullimore, Antonio Frances-Rees, Joseph & Sebastian Spillane and Max Fatafehi
Sunday 19th April - Ellie Jorgensen, Stefanie & Sylvia Lavrijsen

Birthday Greetings to:
Riley McLaren, Jack Paton, Baxter Lewis, Ardan Tierney, Eleni Hausia, Elenoa Asi, Stefanie Lavrijsen, Lisiate Hausia, Indya Cunningham, Molly-May Mestrom, Nina & Zach Dickie and Lewis Gough.

Newsletter Blog
A full copy of the weekly school newsletter is printed out in full each week which is pinned on the wall outside the office.

Winter Uniform
The winter uniform will be worn at the start of next term without the ties for Yr's 1-6 apart from the Yr 7 and 8 students who will still wear the tie.

Winter Sports
Uniform Hire
Please pay your child's $5.00 uniform hire per sport by the end of week 1, term 2 as the uniforms will be given out in week 2.  The Yr 1, 2 & 3 netball girls do not need to pay a uniform hire charge.  The uniforms will not be handed out until this hire is paid.

Practices
All practices commence in week 1 of term 2.  Refer to your teams list for your practice days and times.  The teams list are up on the sports noticeboard.

Found
A watch has been handed into the office.  Please come and claim it if it is yours.

Poppies
Are for sale in the office for a gold coin donation during week 1 of term 2.

Assembly - Friday 24th April
The Veritas and Parish Cup awards will be given out at assembly on this date.

Otago Swim Championships
Last Saturday 9 swimmers from St Joseph's competed at the Otago Primary school championship swimming sports.  Congratulations to Danny Gilbert who got a first, 2nd and 3rd placing in his 3 events, Elenoa Asi got a 2nd and 4th placing while Charlie Gilbert, Corbin & Mannix Fraser received top 10 finishes.  In the 7 & 8 year old medley and freestyle relays, the children got 10th.  Everyone had a great day with lots of personal best times achieved.

 

Coaching Clinics
Rugby
On Thursday 9th and 16th April, the North Otago Rugby Development Officer will be running a skills programme for all 9/10 and 11/12 age group children.  This will be held at Whitestone Contracting Stadium starting at 1.00 and finishing at 3.00 pm.  This is going to be based around basic catch and pass off both hands and safe tackle techniques with a bit of fun involved.  Any new coaches that want to come along and watch and get a couple of basic drills are welcome as well as experienced coaches that may want to help out.

Basketball/Miniball
There will be a referee and coaching clinic held on Sunday 3rd May 2015 at the Waitaki Recreation  Centre.  Miniball will be from 10.00 to 10.30 am and basketball from 10.30 to 11.30 am.  All welcome.  Any queries please contact Susan on 027 222 2187.

Spuds for Sale
Oamaru  Tap Dancing Association Fundraiser - Agria Spuds 10 kg for $10.00.  Contact Ange Asi on 021 110 0908 if interested.

Aladdin Production
In the school holidays, 7 of our students are involved in the North Otago Drama League production of Aladdin held at the Oamaru Opera House on 16th - 18th April.

Joel Kunnethedan plays Aladdin, Prince Bruno and Prince Ali
Niveek Wilson plays the narrator
Lachlan Brookes plays the Grand Viser and the TV host
Sebastian Whiston plays the evil magician, judge and traitor
Elizabeth Plieger is a dancer, Samuel Plieger is a guard and Aarran Aitcheson plays an old king, guard and bread maker.


Beauty and the Beast - St Kevin's School Production
St Kevin's College would like to offer our students and families the opportunity to secure Early Bird tickets before they go on sale at the beginning of next term.  The adult tickets cost $15 each and student (primary/secondary) tickets cost $10 each and are available till Friday 24th April.  There are 4 performances starting on Thursday 21st May at 7.00 pm, Friday 22nd May at 7.00 pm, Saturday 23rd May at 7.00 pm and Sunday 24th May at 2.00 pm.  We have attached an Early Bird Booking form with the email or you can fill one in at the office.  Please bring the correct money and booking form in a sealed and named envelope and return them to St Joseph's school office.  Your tickets will be delivered to the school office at the beginning of Term 2.

Daylight Savings
Remember to put your clock back 1 hour at 3.00 am on Sunday 6th April (Easter Sunday).

Health Snippets
Preventing Illness in Schools
Bacteria and viruses (germs) spread easily in schools, because many children and adults spend a lot of time together in confined places.  Most children will get 4-6 “colds” a year when they are young, but will build up their level of immunity as they grow.

The only way we can reduce the spread of germs is by staying home when we are sick and washing hands after coughing and sneezing.  Germs can travel up to 6 metres when we sneeze and 3 metres when we cough, so teach your child to sneeze and cough into their elbow.  Please inform your School if your child is going to be kept home due to illness.

When to Keep Your Child at Home

When your child:

Has signs of being unwell i.e. grizzly, unsettled, listless or tired

• Has a high temperature or appears very hot
• Is complaining of, or appears to have a sore tummy, throat or ears
• Has a continuous cough
• Should be at home if has had diarrhoea and vomiting within the last 48 hours
• Has weeping, red eyes and/or a yellow discharge around the eyes
• Has broken skin sores.
• Has become ill with a communicable disease e.g. measles, chickenpox.

 Managing Your Child’s Cold Symptoms

Resting at home and drinking plenty of fluid is the best way for your child to get well when they are sick with a bad cold or cough.  Often the illness is caused by viruses, so antibiotics won’t help, and many of the expensive cold and flu products have been shown to have little effect on the duration and severity of the illness.

Some throat lozenges contain a local anaesthetic which will numb a sore throat for a while, but the same effect may be had from a warm drink.  Give your child paracetamol as per GP instructions if required, and take your child to the GP if the symptoms get worse (such as a high fever).  
The Ministry of Health “Infectious Diseases” A4 poster is a good guide for common childhood illness https://www.healthed.govt.nz/resource/infectious-diseases .  These are also available from your Public Health Nurse.  If you are unsure, call your Doctor or Healthline for free health advice: 0800 611 116

Community Notices

• School Holiday Fun at the Forrester Gallery and North Otago Museum.  See attached flyer for further information.
• Active Kids Holiday Programme - Monday 13th to Friday 17th April.  The activities include:  Monday - badminton and soccer, Tuesday - bowls and netball, Wednesday - Rippa rugby and games day, Thursday - wheels events (scooter/board/bike challenge) and golf, Friday - Amazing Race

 

 



END OF TERM ONE

4. Rippa Rugby Tournament

Last Friday we entered 5 teams in the North Otago primary schools Rippa Rugby Tournament held at Whitestone Contracting Stadium. We entered a Yr 3/4 team, a Yr 5/6 team and 3 teams of Yr 7/8 in which the Yr 3/4 team got 2nd in their grade by one point and the Yr 5/6 team won their grade. The Yr 7/8 teams got 5th, 7th and 8th respectively. Later this year, the Yr 5/6 team will compete in the Mid and South Canterbury competition in which the winner from that competition will play in the national competition in Wellington. Thank you to Jason Forest, NORFU and referees from St Kevin's for organising and running the day. A big thanks to all the coaches, supporters and car drivers who made this a successful day. Also thank you to Mr Moore for supporting us all.

Yr 5/6 Winning Team