Thursday, 11 December 2014

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 13th December (Last game for the year)
4th 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 *