Principal's Message

NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 3 2026

Many of us have sat, or will sit tonight, in our transformed school hall to watch our children entertain us as they perform ‘The Return to the Emerald City ’. The show is fantastic, and it provides a wonderful opportunity for our children to shine. This show not only demonstrates our students' fantastic talents, but also showcases the talent, commitment, energy, and passion of the staff and volunteers who worked together as a team. Special thanks to Sany-Joy and Ellie, the show's directors. They put in many long hours starting at the end of Term 2 to ensure the show was a success, and it certainly is. Thanks to Sany and Ellie, and the huge team that supported them. Thanks also to Lorraine Thomson, who got all the costuming ready and sewed a number of the outfits. Performing in a show will be a memory our children will cherish. All children are involved in the show, isn’t that great?.

We have a Chess Team competing in the National Primary Schools Competition in Auckland this weekend. . I wish - Brodie, Yixuan, Evin, Leon all the best.

The curtain comes down on another term. It has been a busy term, and I would like to thank you all for your ongoing support. I hope you get to spend extra time with your children over the holidays. The fourth term will fly by very quickly, and Christmas will be here before we know it.

All Winter Sport Codes have finished now, and I want to take the opportunity to thank all the coaches and managers of our Sports Teams for the time they put into making sure teams went onto the courts/fields well prepared.

Many parents have come in to sort out summer uniforms. Students are to start Term 4 in full summer uniform. Our Uniform Shop is open Mondays (8.30-9.00 am), Wednesdays (2.30-3.00 pm) & Fridays (8.30-9.00 am) during term time. The Uniform Shop will also be open during the holidays on the 9th October, 11.00 am to 2.00 pm. Please remember that children need to wear the school sun hats in Term 4.

We also sell school uniforms via our school website. You can order and pay online, then pick up your uniform from the school reception once you have been notified by email that it's ready to collect. Hopefully, this will be easier for those parents who find it difficult to get to our uniform shop.

The Holiday Reading Programmes have been sent home. Please encourage your child to read over the holidays. The lucky draw will take place on 18th October. 92% of our children participated in reading during the last holiday. Can we reach 100% participation these holidays?

See you next term, and remember Daylight Saving Time starts this Sunday, so put your clocks forward.

Enjoy your week.

David

School Calendar - Click Here to View

MARG'S SWIM SCHOOL

Learn to swim recommences Monday 19th October 2026

At St Mary's Primary School with heated pool.

Non Confident - to - Confident Swimming and Water Safety

Phone Marg 0274599286

Email boiellem3@gmail.com

Please include your phone number with an email.

Director of Religious Studies

A few weeks ago, the RE team enjoyed visiting classrooms to see the incredible displays showcasing our students' Religious Education work this term. Take a look in your child’s classroom to see their wonderful achievements!

Join us on Friday, 30th October, as the Tōtara team leads the Rosary in the church, with special prayers led by our RE Leaders and Young Vinnies. Everyone is warmly invited to join us in prayer and stay for Mass afterward.

Mark your calendars! Next term, we are delighted to celebrate our Grandparents and Special Friends Mass on Friday, 13th November. This beloved tradition is a wonderful opportunity to honor the cherished people in our students' lives, and we look forward to welcoming you all to our school community.

I hope you all have a wonderful break.

God bless

Lorna Dobson

All Whites Shirt Winner!!!!

GOES TO LOCHLAN NEEDHAM

Have you got our school app?

Our school often posts alerts with information for families. We encourage all of our community to install the SchoolApps app and then link to St Mary's Catholic School Rotorua. Please subscribe to your children's classes and any sports teams to keep informed.

SPORTS NOTICES

Term 4 Summer Sports Registrations:

Summer Sports registrations are open. Information is up on the website. Please remember to register so your child does not miss out on a team and remember our values and fair play.

Term 4 Netball

Registrations are closed please see office, we may have space in the teams.

Term 4 Touch Rugby

Registrations are closed please see office, we may have space in the teams.

Term 4 Futsal

Registrations are closed please see office, we may have space in the teams.

Legends Of The Peaks Forest Run

Click here to register

Date: Friday 6th November 2026

Location: Event HQ, Waipa MTB Carpark, Rotorua, Waipa State Mill Rd

Cost: FREE!

Who: Year 1-6

Registrations close - 3.15PM Monday 12th of October

Term 4 Cricket

Smashplay - Years 1- 3

SmashPlay is an updated version of our previous SuperSmash programme and will be held at Smallbone Park on Thursday evenings.

SmashPlay Registration - Please No Payments to school

Incrediball - Years 3-5

Our popular Incrediball programme is back for another season at Smallbone Park on Thursday evenings.

Incrediball Registration - Please No Payments to school

Harrows - Years 4-6

Registrations are closed please see office, we may have space in the teams.

SPORTS PHOTOS

Please keep sending in and taking photos of our children playing sports. We love to see them and they all get used for the magazine pages at the end of the year. Please send to schooloffice@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

UNIFORM SHOP & OPENING HOURS

We need you! If you have time to spare half hour before school on a Monday/Friday 8.30-9am or Wednesday 2.30-3pm, we would love to have you volunteer in our uniform shop.

All training would be given and if we get enough helpers we can alternate week to week. Please contact the office if you are able to help.

Online Uniform Orders:

Just a reminder that there is a 3 day turn around for online uniform orders.

Orders will be sent home with your child when complete - unless other arrangements have been made.

Uniform orders can be done through the school website only. (Private messaging and emailing staff are not options). The uniform shop is open Monday and Friday 8.30 - 9am, and Wednesday 2.30-3pm - and is looked after by very kind volunteers.

Pola Fleeces can be brought from the Warehouse, click the link below:

https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/p/schooltex-st-marys-rotorua-polar-fleece-top-with-embroidery/RM110109095_BURG-1M.html

The Ezlunch and Kindo Team

We’re excited to share some tasty news with our St Mary's Catholic School family!

From this week, school lunches are available 4 days a week through Ezlunch — giving you even more choice when it comes to healthy, convenient lunches for your tamariki.

Here’s what’s on the menu: