St Teresa's School Newsletter
Goodbye Term One - Hello Term Two!
Welcome to the start of another amazing term!
All of the teachers are very much looking forward to welcoming the students and whānau back to school on Monday. All of our spaces are shiny clean and tidy, and are waiting for all of the mess-makers to reappear.
Although we were sad to farewell Miss O at the end of last term, we are just as excited to welcome Miss Willa Maguire to our teaching team. Willa brings a bucket full of experience in education, particularly in educating individuals with additional learning needs. It is exciting to have a beginning teacher in our school, bringing with fresh ideas and a new ways of looking at teaching and learning.
Last term, we also farewelled Mr Ian Hastie, who was helping guide our kura through a transitional period. With Jocelyn Kebbell taking the helm in Tākitimu this term, I am now free to step fully into the "twirly chair", and begin to realise some of the dreams and ambitions I have for our little kura. Some of these are about developing our school grounds, and others are to do with providing extra learning opportunities and enrichment for our tamariki.
Please feel free to pop in for a cuppa and bickie at anytime - I'd love to see you (or a bunch of you) to hear your ideas on the direction of our school, or just to have a casual chat. Either chance your arm that I will be available, or make a "coffee and bickie" appointment by emailing or texting me.
Karawhiua! Bring it on! I am looking forward to all of the fun and opportunities we have lined up in Term Two!
Aroha nui!
Liz Lark
Tumuaki/Principal
principal@tersas.school.nz
029 770 9593
My name is Willa Maguire-Harbrow (Miss Maguire), and I am delighted to be joining St Teresa’s School in Term 2.
A little about me: I live with my partner Joe, our puppy Ruby, our two cats Mia and Kitty, and our fish Larry. I have grown up across the Kāpiti Coast, Woodville, Waipawa, and Lower Hutt, and have called Masterton home for the past three years. I truly enjoy being part of the Wairarapa community. In my spare time, I enjoy art, camping, baking, writing, and spending time with family and friends.
Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked as a teacher aide at Kowhai Specialist School, Kimi Ora Special School, and Wairarapa College. I graduated in 2024 from the University of Waikato, completing my teaching degree while working full-time as a teacher aide. I have been a teacher at Wairarapa College and Carterton School. I am deeply committed to supporting every child to access education and achieve the best possible outcomes in a supportive and inclusive environment.
I look forward to a positive and rewarding year together.
Ngā mihi nui,
Willa Maguire-Harbrow
027 444 5515
It's that time again when we really get our bodies moving! Yes, it's cross country training time!
In preparation for the Featherston Cross Country event in Week 4, which involves all of the students, we are starting cross country training during our PE lessons. With this term being so busy, and there being potential weather delays, we will be running on the days that work and are fine enough for us to run (rather than only on specific days). Please help us by ensuring your tamariki have their PE gear and running shoes at school every day (juniors just need a change of clothes that they can run in, in lieu of PE gear).
Our first training session is on Thursday in Week 1.
Let's get those feet pumping!
Our Lenten theme: Hear the Voice, Answer the Call; Whakarongo ki te reo, Whakahokia te karanga
Our wonderful teacher in Wairarapa, Alison Sim, answered God's call this easter by being confirmed into the Catholic Church. We congratulate her on her Faith journey, and look forward to supporting her development as she further embrases the Catholic Faith.
But don't worry, we are here to help!
New Zealand is currently in Phase 1 - the "Watchful" phase. The advice that we have been given from the Government is to hold steady but conserve energy where possible. Carpooling is a great way of doing this.
If you are having trouble getting your child/ren to and/or from school because of the fuel difficulities, please contact us as soon as possible. Also, please let us know if you would like assistance to organise carpooling with other families in your area, or walking/wheeling "school buses".
At St Teresa's School, we will continue to monitor the national situation, and will keep you informed as and when things change, or if additional supports become available.
office@teresas.school.nz
027 733 1636
principal@teresas.school.nz
029 770 9593
Just a little friendly reminder before school starts back next week - if you are driving your children to or from school, please remember to drive slowly, particularly when coming around the corner onto Bell Street.
We also ask that you avoid double parking at the end of the day. While it may seem convenient, it creates significant hazards by reducing visibility and narrowing the road for other vehicles and pedestrians. Keeping the road clear helps ensure everyone can move safely.
Thank you for your support in showing care and consideration for every member of our school community. By working together, we can ensure that everyone arrives and leaves safely each day.
HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR SCHOOL? SEE THE FOLLOWING ODD JOBS:
🧰 repairing/replacing a corner of seats in the quad
🧰 clearning the soil away from the building outside Waiorongomai to prevent the timber from rotting (urgent)
🧰 repairing taps on mud kitchen sink outside Wairarapa
🧰 deep cleaning lino area in the corridor outside the art room
🧰 fixing panels on the current greenhouse by triming and taping them in place
🧰 cateloging library books onto a spreadsheet
🧰 painting a shelving unit to make a pōtaka kai/food cupboard for our school
🧰 assemble metal bin shed when it arrives (tricky!) to replace the one that was destroyed by last year's storm
If you are able to help with any of these jobs, please contact Zoë or Liz. These can be completed anytime at your convenience. Materials and most tools will be supplied by school.
Contact Us
Email: office@teresas.school.nz
Website: https://www.teresas.school.nz/
Location: St Teresa's School Bell Street, Featherston, New Zealand
Phone: 06 308 9064
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/St-Teresas-Featherston/100057033717170/