4. What Has Been Happening in Week 9?

Yr 7 & 8 Social
Last Friday the Yr 7 & 8 had their annual social where the theme was black tie dinner.  The Yr 8's had a sit down meal supplied by the Home and School and were later joined by the Yr 7's. A big thank you to Mrs Asi who taught them formal dancing and to everyone else who helped make the night a success. A great time was had by all.

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Junior School Nativity

This morning the junior school performed a nativity during Mass which was celebrated with family and friends.  Thank you to everyone who helped with  the preparations for this nativity.

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Dog Agility Show 

Today the North Otago Dog Agility club came and showed the dogs performing an agility task and to share their talents with the children. The dogs performed as part of Dog Safety Week.

5. Diary Dates - Week 9, Term 4 2015

DECEMBER

Friday 11                   -  House colour and sports day

Monday 14                -  Yr 8 Road Patrol Reward with Carrie Hamilton *

Tuesday 15                -  Yr 8 Leavers Mass from 11.00 am to 12.00 pm

Wednesday 16          -  Junior School picnic from 12.00 to 1.00 pm

                                      -  School Reports go home *

                                      -  End of Year Mass at 6.00 pm

Thursday 17              -  Term 4 ends  at 12.30 pm

                                      -  Thank you to Parent Helpers from 11.00 to 11.30 am

                                      -  Announce 2016 Leaders from 11.30 to 11.45 am

                                      -  Final Assembly and Carols from 11.45 am to 12.35 pm

FEBRUARY

Monday 1                   -  School starts back *

Friday 5                      -  Senior school swimming *

Monday 8                   -  Waitangi Day Observed *

Tuesday 9                  -  Senior school swimming *

Wednesday 10          -  Senior school swimming *

Thursday 11              -  Senior school swimming *

Friday 12                    -  Senior school swimming *

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.

2. Special Character Term 4 Week 8 2015

The Jesse Tree

A Jesse tree represents the family tree of Jesus Christ. Each ornament represents a story from the Bible that tells about God's people before Jesus was born. 

The tradition of the Jesse tree dates back to the middle ages. The name 'Jesse tree' comes from Isaiah 11:1, "Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse and a branch from the roots will bear fruit. Jesse is the father of King David. The Saviour was to come from David's family line.

Each day at Koutuitui the Special Character leaders will share some of these stories with the school. The Jesse Tree will also be part of the children's Religious Education over the next few weeks.

First Sunday of Advent

Our God is Coming!

Stay Awake!

Be Ready!

Second Sunday of Advent

Our God is Coming!

Prepare the Way!

Change Our Lives!

Third Sunday of Advent

Good News for the Poor!

Christ, Our Light, Is Among Us!

Change Our Lives!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

God's Love is Faithful!

Mary Will Give Birth To A Son.

Holy is His Name.

Take Care and God Bless

Ann Dooley Co/DRS

3. School Notices - Week 8, Term 4 2015

Altar Servers
Saturday 5th December - Indya & Mackenzie Cunningham, Ben Cullimore & Joshua Criddle
Sunday 6th December - Rhea Ratgali, Grace Keno, Seth Bartley and Joel Kunnethedan

Birthday Greetings to:
Tyler Rawson, Libby Seddon and Ava Watts

Christmas Eve Vigil Mass
The Vigil Mass will be held at 5.00 pm on Thursday 24th December at the basilica with carols at 4.30 pm.  Children are invited to come dressed as angels, shepherds etc.  They will meet Mrs Marsh in the
front foyer of the church before Mass to process in with Fr Wayne.  They will sit in front of the altar until the end of the homily and then return to their family.

Christmas Cheer
Please donate non-perishable items (canned food or food in containers) on behalf of St Patrick's Parish and school for those in our community less fortunate this Christmas.  Often it is harder for people financially after Christmas Day and the food contributions are helpful.  Here is an opportunity to go through your cupboards and pass on what you don't need.  The food can be dropped in to the container at the school office.  Blessings Jocelyn Marsh.


Congratulations
Gymnastics
Mya Lindsay received two trophies at the Pathfinders Gymnastic end of year prize-giving last week. She received a trophy for first equal in the Best Overall 9 year old category and the Most Improved trophy for all age groups.  Well done Mya.

North Otago Athletics
Last Monday a group of students represented our school at the North Otago Athletics.  Well done to the following students who received placings at this event and absent from the photo is Harriet Heaphy, Yneke Edzes, Taine Cooper, Keane Pe, Christian Baillie, Maria Wallace, Ben Cullimore, Sam Keno and Nisha Wilson. They will be in next weeks photo.

400 metres - 13 yrs - Ben Cullimore - 3rd
100 metres - 11 yrs - Taine Cooper 1st and Harriet Heaphy - 2nd =
                   - 10 yrs - Toby Lewis - 1st
60 metres - 9 yrs - Grace Keno - 1st
                 - 8 yrs - Jada Rose Keno and Levi Heffernan - 3rd

Long Jump - 11 yrs - Sam Keno - 3rd
                     -  10 yrs - Toby Lewis - 2nd
                     -  9 yrs - Maximus Fatafehi and Grace Keno - 2nd

High Jump - 12 yrs - Christian Baillie - 1st and Maria Wallace - 3rd =
                    -  11 yrs - Yneke Edzes - 2nd and Harriet Heaphy - 3rd
                    -  10 yrs - Toby Lewis - 1st

Discus - 12 yrs - Christian Baillie - 2nd
            -  9 yrs - Grace Keno - 3rd

Shot Put - 12 yrs - Keane Pe - 3rd
                -  11 yrs - Lester Cavinta - 3rd
                -  10 yrs - Elenoa Asi - 3rd =
                -  9 yrs - Grace Keno - 2nd and Morgan Baillie - 3rd

Relays - 10 & 11 yrs - 1st (Harriet Heaphy, Nisha Wilson, Taine Cooper and Toby Lewis)
            - 8 & 9 yrs - 2nd (Sebastian Spillane, Tessa Souness, Max Fatafehi and Grace Keno)
                 

JR McKenzie Youth Education Fun
A reminder that all applications for a uniform grant for any children entering Yr 9 in 2016 or the start of primary school is due back to Mrs Jackson by tomorrow.

Lost Property
There is still lots of clothing in our lost property area. This clothing will be given to St Vincent de Paul at the end of the school term so please come and have a look to see if your child's clothing is there.

Named Clothing
Please ensure your child's clothing is clearly named and if you buy second hand items, please cross off the last person's name and write the new name on it as there is lots of clothing with ex pupils names on the clothing.  Also cutting off the tags is not sufficient as we still do not know who they belong too.

Speech and Drama
Giant Leaps Speech and Drama are offering classes at St Joseph's school during school hours for 2016.  Please see the flyer attached to the email for further information if you wish to enrol your child.

Summer Sports Draw
Cricket - Saturday 5th December
4th Grade - St Joseph's v Kurow at St Kevin's 1
5th Grade - St Joseph's v Albion Red at St Kevin's Artificial 2

Touch Rugby - Tuesday 8th December
The final night of Touch for primary schools will be on Tuesday 8th December which will include a short prize-giving.  The draw was unavailable at the time the news blog went to print.  Please check the notice board or the North Otago Touch Rugby Facebook page for the draw.

Welcome
We warmly welcome Stirling Heffernan who joined our new entrants class last week.

Wire Netting Required
Our caretaker is still looking for any scraps of chicken wire.  If you have any spare at home, please drop it off at school. Thank you.

Community Notices

• Pink Oamaru and Pasifika Christmas Carol Day - held on Saturday 12th December from 10.30 am to 2.00 pm.  This is a campaign against bullying and promoting the anti-bullying STARS concluded with a Pasifika Christmas carol.  We will be marching from KFC to the Oamaru garden where lunch will be provided to recognise your supports and promoting anti-bullying in Oamaru.  Please wear pink to show your support.
• Oamaru Farmers Market - Santa's Grotto is now open.  Call into the Grainstore on Harbour St in the Victorian Precint to check it out.  Santa will be making a quick stop there at the Twilight Market on December 23rd.  Kids hour from 5.00 to 6.00 with exciting activities.
• Forrester Gallery Holiday Programme - includes Architects Trail, Minature Mania, Taonga Trail.  Collect the brochures from the Museum and the Forrester Gallery.
  
  
  
  

4. Diary Dates - Week 8, Term 4 2015

DECEMBER

Wednesday 2         -  Yr 7 Leadership applications due

Thursday 3             -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8 at St Kevin’s College

                                   -  Last day for school gardening

Friday 4                   -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8 at St Kevin’s College

                                   -  Yr 7 & 8 social – note new date

Monday 7               -  Yr 8 leadership interviews

Tuesday 8              -  Board of Trustees meeting

Wednesday 9        -  Giant Leaps Concert from 7.00 to 9.00 pm in the St Kevin’s Auditorium

Thursday 10          -  Junior school carols and nativity play at Mass

                                  -  Transition afternoon for 2016 from 2.00 to 3.00 pm

Friday 11                -  House colour and sports day

Tuesday 15            -  Yr 8 Leavers Mass from 11.00 am to 12.00 pm

Wednesday 1        -  Junior School picnic from 12.00 to 1.00 pm

                                  -  End of Year Mass at 6.00 pm

Thursday 17         -  Term 4 ends  at 12.30 pm

                                  -  Thank you to Parent Helpers from 11.00 to 11.30 am

                                  -  Announce 2016 Leaders from 11.30 to 11.45 am

                                  -  Final Assembly and Carols from 11.45 am to 12.35 pm