Principal's Message

WEEK 8 TERM 3, 2026.

I hope our fathers and grandfathers had a happy day on Sunday. Thanks to our PTA, who sold gifts to our children so they could give them to their dads on Sunday.

At Monday’s Board of Trustees meeting, we farewelled Rachel Schuster. Rachel has been a dedicated board member for 10 years. She has fully supported proposed initiatives and projects. Rachel has always had an empathetic voice for students and whanau in need and has been very supportive of our Pasifika families. Thank you, Rachel, for your support of me, our staff, and our children.

Our next School Parish Mass is on Sunday, 13 September. We look forward to bringing our whole community together and hope to see many of our students and families there. We want as many children as possible to attend. We would like children to wear their school uniform, please. There will be tea after Mass, and you are welcome to join us. If you are able, we would appreciate a plate.

It is almost showtime! Our students and teachers have been working hard preparing for our 2026 production, The Journey to Emerald City. We look forward to welcoming our community to watch the production on Tuesday, 22 September and Wednesday, 23 September. Shows are at 1:30 pm and 6:30 pm. Tickets are available through our school website. Please be careful to buy the correct tickets for the show you want to attend.

The Rotorua Principals' Association (RPA) is hosting an "Our Kids Online" community event at Rotorua Intermediate School on Wednesday, 23 September at 6:30 pm. We know how critical online safety is for our tamariki, and the RPA wants to ensure that every parent has full access to this game-changing event. You can book online for this event: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/our-kids-online-rotorua/rotorua

Young Vinnies is raffling a youth-sized All Whites jersey signed by the team! Tickets are $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00. All proceeds will go toward the church roof fund to secure a fish plaque for Vinnies Youth 2026. Tickets can be purchased at the school office or by sending cash to your child's teacher. We will draw the raffle winner next week.

Have a fantastic week ahead!

Davi

TERM 3 DATES

Sunday, 13 September: School Parish Mass
Monday, 14 September: Māori Language Week
Tuesday, 22 September: School Production
Wednesday, 23 September: School Production

School Calendar - Click Here to View

Week 7 Assembly Awards

Amazing work Ava Hults for receiving the Principal Shield!

Well done to all our blue card winners that have been showing their CREW values throughout Week 7.

Tōtara Blue Cards

Kākano Blue Cards

Principal Award

2026 Production - Wizard of Oz

🌈 Sponsorship Opportunity – St Mary's School Production: Wizard of Oz 🎭

Our talented students are busy preparing for this year's school production of Wizard of Oz, and we're looking for local businesses and community members who may be able to support this exciting event.

If you or your business are in a position to sponsor our production, we would love to hear from you. Sponsorship of any size is greatly appreciated and will help make this a memorable experience for our students.

As a thank you for your support, your business logo will be featured:

In our production programme
On the big screen during the production
On the TV display in our school foyer
In our school newsletter
On our facebook page

If you would like more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact the St Mary's School Office.

Below is the notice that went home yesterday.

Thank you to our sponsors for there kind donation to our school production.

Director of Religious Studies

Our School Parish Mass is this coming Sunday, September 13th. We look forward to bringing our whole community together and hope to see many of our students and families there! Please bring along a plate of food to share if you can.

This week, the R.E. Team visited classrooms across the school to view the current displays based on our annual theme, ‘The Dignity of All People’. Seeing the students' creativity and thoughtful work was fantastic. We encourage you to stop by and admire their effort!

Over the next few weeks, the Tōtara Team will be completing some work on Social Justice. The theme for this year is ‘God made you, God knows you, God loves you, and you belong’. God made every single person on purpose! Because God made you, you are special and important, no matter who you are, what you look like, or what you can do.

God knows everything about you, what makes you happy, what makes you sad, and all the things that make you you. You are never invisible to God.

God loves you no matter what, with a love that never stops. When we feel God’s big love, it helps us share that same love with everyone around us, especially anyone who feels left out.

Everyone is an important part of God's big family! We all need to stick together, treat each other fairly, and make sure everybody always has a welcoming spot.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

God bless

Lorna Dobson DRS

PTA Notice

AGM UPDATE

Chairperson - Jenny McGowan-Devery

Treasurer - Jan Andrews

Secretary - Jenny Needham

Teacher Rep - Abbie Sorenson

Thank you to all the members of the PTA for their ongoing commitment and dedication.

Thank you to Delwyn Bowen and Sarah Milligan for the roles they did so well and are handing on. Everyone is welcome at the next regular meeting @7pm, 16th of September.

Thanks again.

From Your Parent/Teacher Association.

Netsafe survey

"Help shape better online safety support for families. Netsafe is inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences of supporting children and young people to stay safe and well online. The survey asks about the challenges families face, what helps when something goes wrong online, how schools can support children and whānau, and what advice or resources would be most useful. Your feedback will help Netsafe to develop practical online safety support for parents, young people, and schools. Have your say and be in to win 1 of 5 $150 Prezzy Cards!"

Community Survey and Whanau Cultural Feedback Evening

Kia ora te Whānau,
Please find attached the link for our community survey.

This will also be followed up with the opportunity for you to attend one of the two community feedback evenings in our school hall.

These will be held on:
- Wednesday 26th August at 3pm or alternatively Wednesday 2nd September at 5.30pm.

If you would like to help facilitate this with a focus around community engagement and culture please email Mrs Norton
lorin@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

SPORTS NOTICES

Term 4 Summer Sports Registrations:

Summer Sports registrations are open. We are still waiting for Futsal information and Cricket. 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

Click here to register

Term 4: Starts 2nd of November for 5 weeks

Y0-4 Monday, Times TBC (usually 4pm)

Y5-6 Monday, Times TBC (usually 5.15pm)

Cost: $35 per student

Registrations close 10th September

Term 4 Touch Rugby

Click here to register

Tuesday 13th October 2026 - Yr5 to Yr8

Wednesday 14th October 2026 - Yr0 to Yr4

The fee for Term 4 $35.00

Registrations close 17th of September

Term 4 Futsal

Click here to register

Years 4-6 only

Starts 18th October

The fee for Term 4 $35.00

Registrations close 17th of September

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

Primary school hardball cricket played across Rotorua on Thursday evenings.

Please register your interest by registering here. Please No Payments to school

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: