1. Principal's News Term 1 Week 3 2021

 Lent

Yesterday we entered the season of Lent by celebrating Ash Wednesday.  The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are from the palms handed out on Palm Sunday of the previous year.  We were in Level 2 on Wednesday and so the ashes could not be put as crosses on our foreheads as they normally are.  

Last year on Palm Sunday we were in lockdown and instead of the usual palms we get at church, we had to make our own.  Many people put palm crosses on their letterboxes to indicate our remembrance of Palm Sunday and I remember feeling particularly satisfied I had managed to fashion crosses out of flax.  

Here are the children singing at the Ash Wednesday liturgy.

The next 40 days mark the season of Lent where we prepare to remember the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Traditionally in this period we do more prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  That means we turn our minds more to God, we maybe give something up or refrain from doing something and for almsgiving we give a little more to those who need a little more.  The children will be thinking of these things during Lent and it would be great if they could continue their conversations at home.

Goal Setting

Please remember to book your goal setting interview:

To book your time go to: https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/

and use event code: cwrq7

You should receive a post from your child in the See Saw app before the end of the weekend.  This is how we are going to report to parents this year and the post will be the starting point in your conversation in goal setting interviews next week.

You will also be receiving a quick questionnaire about your child's learning to give us some background information to help us understand and help your child grow as an active learner.

Year 8 Leadership Camp

The year 8 leadership camp last week was a great success.  The year 8s were amazing - they were responsible, kind to each other and trustworthy.  We had some really in depth talks about things and they also had a lot of fun and enjoyed each other's company.  We did a special powhiri for the year 7s on Friday where the year 8s specifically requested how the year 7s could help them in their leadership roles.  Here is a clip from this ceremony.

This Friday's assembly starts at 2pm and is a special leadership assembly during which the year 8s receive their leadership badges.

Parish/School Community Mass and Get Together

We were blessed with good weather last Sunday for our parish/school community mass and get together.  There was a great turnout at mass and the church was full.  We enjoyed tea/coffee, muffins and a sausage sizzle back at school and many of the children took advantage of the water slide.  It was a laid-back and friendly occasion.  We really enjoyed it.  Thank you to Alliance at Smithfield in Timaru who supplied the sausages at a discount.

We look forward to catching up with you next week at goal setting interviews.

Aroha and God Bless,

Lorraine Frances-Rees