Thursday, 14 September 2017

3. School Notices - Week 8, Term 3 2017

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK - Kia Ora (Welcome)


Altar Servers
Saturday 16th September - Elenoa Asi, Kristiana Whiston and Jada-Rose Keno
Sunday 17th September - Henry Robinson, Daniel & Jonathan Jorgensen and Molly-May Mestrom

Birthday Greetings for this week
Hamish Fowler and James Laming

Congratulations
Basketball - Zeth Rollan won the North Otago Skills and Teamwork trophy at the basketball prize giving recently.  Zeth was awarded this trophy out of all the Yr 7 & 8 girls who play basketball.  Well done.

Garden Seeds

New World supermarkets are giving away vegetable and flower seeds with every $40 you spend. Our Yr 4 class would love any donations of the vegetable and flower seeds.  Please drop them in at the office.

Head Students Leadership Project
Dear St Joseph's Families
For one of the head students leadership projects, we would like to plant 210 (one for each person in the school) New Zealand native plants up in Cape Wanbrow.  The reason we are wanting to plant these trees is because in term 1, our class learnt about global warming.  It is a big part of the world today with all the fossil fuel and resulting CO2 in the air.  A way to help us have clean air is to plant trees.  Also at Cape Wanbrow, the council are needing people to help with planting and we would be giving back to the community.
This is the fundraiser we are using to raise money for the trees:
The tea towels will cost: 1 for $10.00, 2 for $19.00, 3 for $25.00 and any more than that will cost $8.00 each.  The forms need to be filled out and the money given into the office by next week.  All of the tea towels have been designed by St Joseph's students.
Can you please make an effort to sell at least one per family. It would be a great gift for grandparents and your mum and dad for Christmas!  Thank you to the families who have already bought the tea towels.
Thank you from the Head Students - Molly, Peta, Josh and Fergus

Here is what the tea towels look like:

If you don’t have the order form, here it is: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hXCef9o2-HXcyK4GF2kM_Kz1ACUoPsVfCUko5nu8Qpo/edit


Home & School

Singing Cup - we are selling ice blocks and trumpets at half time during the Singing Cup at St Kevin's Auditorium.  Ice blocks cost $1.00 and trumpets cost $3.00.
Food Fair - Please pay your $10 food fair donation to the office if you have not already paid.  The Home and School need rice cookers, slow cookers, gazebos and any offer of help that you can do for the food fair, if you can supply any of the above, please contact Rebecca Heffernan on heffholdings@xtra.co.nz or let the office know.

Important Notice
School is closed next Friday 22nd September as the teachers are away for professional development. Our Yr 7 & 8 students will still go to Technology at St Kevin's on this day.

Library Books

All library books are to be returned to the box outside the office by Thursday 21st September for the end of term stock take.

North Otago Cricket
Girls Cricket - North Otago are wanting more girls to get involved in cricket.  They are offering free fun based 90 minute skill sessions held at the Waitaki Recreation Centre from 3.30 to 5.00 pm.  A great opportunity to see if cricket is for you, just socially or more of a serious thing.  Held on Monday 18th and 25th September.
Holiday Programme - North Otago cricket have got a holiday programme for children aged 5 to 12 years of age.  All equipment is provided, great giveaways, small sided games and skill sessions with an emphasis on fun.  Held on Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th October and Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th October.  5 to 8 years from 9.30 to 11.00 am and 9 to 12 years from 11.15 am to 12.45 pm at St Kevin's gym and astro turf.  Costs $20 per child for either of the two day courses.  To enrol email derekwalkernoca@gmail.com or phone 027 649 0000.

Prayer Partner Morning Tea

Yesterday the children who have finished their Sacramental Programme shared a morning tea with their prayer partners as a way of saying thank you.












Singing Cup
Our annual singing cup will be held next Wednesday 22nd September.  The day will start off at 9.00 am with everyone meeting in the school hall for prayers and the Yr 5 students singing first.  The auditions will last for most of the morning.  Parents, family and friends are asked not to enter the hall in between items.
All children from Yrs 4-8 will be involved in the house choirs starting at 6.00 pm at St Kevin's College auditorium.  Children are to be dropped off at 5.45 pm in their full winter uniform outside the auditorium.  Winners from the auditions will be announced that evening and will sing their songs again.  The Home and School will be selling ice blocks and trumpets at half time.

Welcome
We warmly welcome 4 new children to our school last week.  Moana Hafoka and Aria Oakes to our new entrants class, Sephrin Staju to Yr 1 and Serah Staju to Yr 5.



Yr 8 v Staff Netball Game
Yesterday we wore mufti as a fundraiser for Daffodil Day and raised $196.00.  This is also the day that the staff v Yr 8 students in their annual netball game which was played in good spirit, good sportsmanship and lots of fun.  Special thanks to Tegan Souness and Antonia Black for umpiring the game.  The staff won the trophy for another year!














Yr 7/8 Netball Tournament
On 31st August, 18 year 7 & 8 children travelled to Dunedin for the Otago Primary Schools netball tournament.  Both teams did well in their pool play, both coming second in their pool which resulted in them playing one another.  After a tough battle, the Gold team came out on top and went into the top 3 round robin and the Ferns team went into the middle 3 round robin.  Gold fought well against two very good netball teams coming out 3rd in the mixed year 7 & 8 grade.  The Ferns played really well and lost a tough battle in overtime to come in 5th.  It was a great day and all of the children improved a lot as the day went on.  Pet Katoa was also one of 3 people at the tournament to be awarded a Steel club prize which means she gets an hour one on one coaching with a Steel Netball player.  A big thank you to Amina Bridges, Rachel Fowler and Michelle Ruddenklau for being our drivers, coach and umpires.

Community Notices
  • Youthtown After-School Club - are offering the following for intermediate students in term 4.  Slacklining - every Monday from 30th October to 20th November at Oamaru Intermediate School (OIS) from 3.30 to 4.30 pm and Archery every Wednesday from 1-22 November from 3.30 to 4.30 pm at OIS.  Both sessions cost $40 for 4 sessions.  Contact Youthtown on www.youthtown.org.nz or phone 434 6473 or email Oamaru@youthtown.org.nz
  • Spring Holiday Fun - Oamaru Library from Monday 2nd to Wednesday 4th October from 9.30 am to 11.30 am is offering games for children aged 8 and under and need to come with a parent/caregiver.  Forrester Gallery Wonderlab - Wednesday 4th October is offering Moa Fun and Prehistoric Pranks, cost $12 per session.  Monday 9th to Thursday 12th October from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm is offering Te Moa: Waitaki, all ages and $2.00 per child. Bookings phone 433 0853.
  • Waitaki Arts Festival - held on Wednesday 4th October at 10.30 am.  A fun journey from grass to milk to stringy, chewy, stretchy, rubbery, crumbly cheese - delicious smelling dance, live music and theatre.  Cost $15 for adult, children $10 and book at www.oamaruoperahouse.co.nz
  • Family Holiday Fun - Art on Bikes - held on Sunday 8th October from 10.00 to 3.00 pm.  Grab your bike, grab your clan and ride the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle trail from Weston to Friendly Bay with art, food and music on the way.  Free shuttle to pick up your car.  Costs nothing to attend.
tena koe - thank you

4. Diary Dates - Week 8, Term 3 2017

SEPTEMBER
Friday 15                   -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8
                                  -  Celebration Assembly at 2.30 pm *
Monday 18                -  Activator Sport for Yrs 1-2
Tuesday 19                -  Board of Trustees meeting at 7.00 pm
Wednesday 20           -  Singing Cup Finals in the school hall at 9.15 am
                                  -  Singing Cup Finalist winners and House Choirs at SKC at 6.00 pm
Thursday 21              -  School Mass at 9.15 am
                                  -  Yr 7 ECB & Young Vinnies
                                  -  Library books due back today *
Friday 22                   -  Teacher Only Day – School Closed *
                                  -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8 at St Kevin’s
Monday 25                -  Activator Sport for Yrs 3-8
Thursday 28              -  St Mary’s Mosgiel Interschool for Yr 7 & 8 *
Friday 29                   -  School finishes for Term 3
                                  -  Celebration Assembly at 2.30 pm *

OCTOBER
Monday 16                -  School starts for term 4 in summer uniform *
Tuesday 17                -  School Photos in summer uniform
Wednesday 18           -  HPV vaccinations for Yr 8 girls
Thursday 19              -  School mass at 9.15 am *
                                  -  Yr 7 ECB & Young Vinnies *
Friday 20                   -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8
                                   -  Celebration assembly at 2.30 pm *
Monday 23                -  Labour Day – holiday
Thursday 26              -  School mass at 9.15 am *
Friday 27                   -  School Athletics
Sunday 29                 -  Home & School Food Fair
Monday 30                -  School Athletics Postponement date
Tuesday 31                -  Yr 7 Camp

NOVEMBER
Wednesday 1             -  Yr 7 Camp
Thursday 2                -  Yr 7 Camp
Friday 3                     -  Yr 7 Camp
Monday 6                  -  Yr 8 Camp
Tuesday 7                  -  Yr 8 Camp
Wednesday 8             -  Yr 8 Camp
Thursday 9                -  Yr 8 Camp
Friday 10                   -  Yr 8 Camp
Monday 13                -  Multi-Cultural meeting from 6.00 to 7.00 pm
Tuesday 14                -  Multi-Cultural Day
Thursday 16              -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8
Friday 17                   -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8
Monday 20                -  EOTC week for Yr 6
Tuesday 21                -  EOTC week for Yr 6
Wednesday 22           -  EOTC week for Yr 6
Thursday 23              -  EOTC week for Yr 6
                                  -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8
Friday 24                   -  EOTC week for Yr 6
                                  -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8

DECEMBER
Thursday 14              -  End of Year Mass at 6.00 pm *
Monday 18                -  School closes for term 4


Friday, 8 September 2017

Principal's News Week 7, Term 3, 2017

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Rewards

I have asked the whole school to think about this.

From: Khan Academy
Our values of respect, reverence, resilience and good relationships and trying to act Just like Jesus help us to keep good at the forefront of what we do and help our children to be good Christians and good citizens.

Some of our children are giving others what they may think are minor put-downs.  We never hear them.  That shows they know its not right.  I'm addressing it.  Little put downs like, "dumb" or "gay" are not acceptable and they can deeply hurt other children.  If you hear them at home, please put a stop to them.

We are also not into brands or signs of wealth or superiority.

Policy for review - Students with special needs
Community input is requested for this policy review.  The community login for our policies site is at schooldocs.co.nz. To login, click the link and enter the following details when prompted:
username: stjosephsoamaru, password: veritas
Click on the "Current Review" tab and follow instructions.  Note we no longer have a "Special Needs Management Committee" - we now have a "Wellbeing Team" which also includes behaviour and pastoral care.  The Wellbeing Team is the principal, deputy principal and SENCO, using the expertise of our Pasifika Coordinator and English Language Learning Coordinator as required.

Scarlet Fever
We have a suspected case of Scarlet Fever.  There is a factsheet about it at this link.  The main thing is to ensure children and staff wash their hands with warm soapy water and cough/sneeze into their arm (not hand).

Dates to Note
School is closed on Friday 22nd September for professional development.  We have advertised this for some time.
The last day of school is Monday 18 December at 12.30pm.  Our final prize-giving mass is Thursday 14th December at 6.00pm in the Basilica.  All children are expected to attend.
Singing Cup is Wednesday 20th September at 6.00pm.  All children in year 4-8 will be needed for the house choirs.  Its a great evening of entertainment for families.  The Home and School will be selling iceblocks and "Trumpets."

Uniform
A little reminder of our longstanding uniform policy:
1.    Children wear the full uniform, without any visible exceptions.
2.    Jewellery is not permitted to be worn with uniform.  Exceptions
-       wrist watch, and a maximum of 1 plain ear stud in each earlobe. 
3.    Hair ties should be plain and in keeping with school colours.  Hair is to be tied or cut to ensure vision is not impeded.
4.    Hair colouring, pattern shaving or growth/shape trends are only accepted if a very good reason exists and after Principal agreement is gained.

5.    Variation to any of the above will be considered after contact and consultation with the Principal e.g. medic alert bracelets, items of cultural significance etc.

Wearing the uniform correctly is a sign of respect - one of our values that we work very hard on.  There are some children who consistently wear different jackets or tops.  Please let us know if you need help as we have some second hand tops and jackets that we can source if needed.  We can also help to provide uniform to any family in financial need.

Learning about Church
We are presently learning about Church in RE.  Here is a link to the blog with tips and explanations to help parents support learning: Church for parents

God bless and aroha
Lorraine Frances-Rees

Special Character Week 7

Faith Facts This Week




Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of September is for parishes. His prayer is “ That our parishes, animated by a missionary spirit, may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen. Our school is part of a parish(es) community. Let’s make this our prayer focus for the month too.

The Nativity of the Mary, is the feast day celebrating the birth of the Mary.

The birth of Mary was frequently depicted in art and later in life, art often shows Mary growing up in a loving, faith filled family.

The Church has celebrated Mary’s birth since at least the sixth century.

God Bless
Nicola Winders
DRS

Friday, 1 September 2017

1. Principal's News Week 6, Term 3 2017

God Loves Us by Charlie Bremner

This is a piece of unedited (but proofread) writing by Charlie Bremner, year 2.  This exemplifies the culture we are striving to build in our school:

Thank you God for making the green grass that’s soft too.  I can see the beautiful yellow flowers.  I can see some trees with green bushy leaves.  I can see some wood on some brown trees.  Beautiful people that have different coloured skin but it doesn’t matter what country they come from - China, Indonesia, Tonga, or England.  It doesn’t matter what they look like at all because God made all of us.

Mission Money
Molly, our head girl, Special Character has been asking where the Mission Money goes to. Good question Molly, here's the answer composed by Mrs Rzepecky:

The money you bring in each weeks goes to MissioNZ. 

MissioNZ use the donations they receive to help missionaries to spread God’s word throughout the world, give food to the needy, supply children’s school needs, construct chapels, churches and schools, provide transport for missionaries in remote areas and work with Dioceses with little resources.
The money goes to such countries as:
Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands ,Thailand ,Vietnam, Ethiopia, Malawi.


Parking
The use of the drop and drive is much more functional now and people are able to come and go quite quickly. Thank you for your support with this.

We have had a complaint from a neighbour though. Please do not park across the driveways across the road from school. A disabled man lives in one of the houses and is reliant on transport picking him up. If someone is parked across the drive he can't be picked up and misses appointments. Thanks.

WordLab Spelling
All staff attended an in-depth training session on this on Tuesday evening. It was really good to meet other schools from Oamaru who have been using the program a bit longer than us. They are finding an increase in spelling performance. Lower spellers increase their ability and proficient spellers become better through understanding etymology (where words come from) and morphology (structures and patterns in words) which enables them to branch from the known into the unknown. I'm hoping to find the same results with our spellers.

This program is different from the traditional spelling practice of sending lists home with the expectation that they were rote learnt and the majority of spelling work happened at home. Our approach believes school is the place where spelling is systematically taught and practiced. There are extra practice activities for the words learnt at school which the teachers will have shared with you by email. If you have not received them and want them please ask the teacher.

Tackle Rugby
Are there any parents who are available at a lunchtime to supervise tackle rugby? You would need an understanding of safe tackling.

Absences
Please notify the office of any absences before 9.00 am. If we don't have a reason we don't have any choice but to put it down as a truancy absence, so please give us a reason. In the unlikely and dreadful scenario where a child has been abducted or something has happened to them, the office has a lot of people to ring up and locate so it takes longer to identify something has gone wrong.

The only justified absences are close bereavement or sickness. Dental/doctor visits have their own code and are justified. In some special cases the principal can justify an absence but this has to be requested. An example might be to visit a dying relative or to participate in a high level sporting or cultural event as a one off occurrence. The office can't justify these, they need to be requested off the principal in advance. Holidays or other leisure trips during term time are not justified but the school still needs to be informed and we put these down as "explained unjustified absence." Please do your best to organise these things during school holiday times as they do affect learning.

We get checked and have to get it right. So please communicate with us fully and early. Thanks.

Presentations at this week's assembly
Icas certificates - years 4-6
Year 4-6 school council badges
Miniball skills trophy.

God Bless and Aroha
Lorraine Frances-Rees