Newsletter Week 5 Term Two

The weeks are flying by, and haven’t we been lucky with this lovely, fine, settled weather?

Thank you, Kakano, for your great assembly. Isn’t it awesome to see students having so much fun when it is their turn to perform at assembly?

Thanks also to Kakano 7 and 9 for leading the Ascension Liturgy last Thursday. That was a lovely, prayerful time, and the students spoke so clearly, too.

This Friday, 22nd May, we have our Pentecost Mass at 9.00 am, and you are all very welcome to join us.

We also have our annual Cross Country event on Friday for Years 4-6 students. It is to be held at the Redwoods Forest. Thank you to the parents who are helping with transport and marshalling at the event.

• Pick-up time for drivers: If you’ve volunteered to transport children, please collect them from their classroom at 12:45 p.m (please do not take them from school until 12.45 pm)

• Start time: The first race begins at 1:10 p.m.

• Finish time: We expect the event to finish around 2:20 p.m

What children need to bring:

• Full school uniform (they will change into their P.E. gear at school)

• Running shoes

• P.E. gear

• Jersey

• Drink bottle

• Any medication they may need.
  
  

After the event:
Children can be picked up from the Redwoods at 2:20 p.m. Alternatively, a bus will return to school. If your child is travelling on the bus the cost is $4.00, which must be paid to the office before Friday.

Let’s hope for a great day and good weather!

School photos are to be taken on Monday 25th May. Please ensure that your child is in the correct winter uniform, wearing the school jersey, and that their hair is tied back. Details on how to order photos were sent home last week.

Hot Chocolate. Thank you for your support of this Young Vinnie’s fundraiser. Hot Chocolate is available on Wednesdays before school. Payment is a can of food. Orders must be made by 8.30 am.

From June, the speed limit outside our school will drop to 30km/h during busy drop-off and pick-up times (8:00–9:00am and 2:45–3:45pm). At other times, the normal speed limit will apply.

There will be a mix of electronic and static signs. As soon as the signs are installed, the lower speed limit can be enforced, so please keep an eye out.

Take a look at the map to see how your usual route might change. For more information and FAQs, visit: rlc.net.nz/safespeeds

Thanks for helping keep our tamariki safe

Have a great week

David

TERM 2 DATES:

• May 22 (Fri): School Cross Country & 9:00 am Pentecost Mass

• May 25 (Mon): School Photos

• May 29 (Fri): Teacher-Only Day

• June 1 (Mon): King’s Birthday Public Holiday (School closed)

• June 12 (Fri): Mass of the Sacred Heart

• June 28 (Sun): Parish/School Mass

• July 3 (Fri): Last Day of Term 2

TERM 3 DATES:

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

FRIENDS OF THE PTA

If you are available from time to time to help with events such as Mother’s

Day/Father’s Day stalls, discos, or other PTA initiatives, we would love to hear from

you. Having “Friends of the PTA” involved is such a valuable part of supporting our

school community.

NEXT MEETING

Our next PTA meeting will be held on Wednesday 20 May at 7.00pm in the school

staffroom. We warmly welcome anyone who would like to come along.

PTA Email: stmaryspta@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

Many thanks to those who have paid their camp fee, or have a payment plan in place. Donation receipts have been sent home to parents/caregivers to include in your tax returns.

Your camp payments make camps for your children possible - as we can't hold them with out your contributions.

Kia ora te Whānau,

If you have a child that is due to start school this year (born 2021) or in Term 1 2027 as a Year 1.

Could you please either fill out an online enrolment off our school website, or get a new enrolment form from our school office.

Please attach your child's birth certificate, preference card and immunisation record when you return the enrolment form.

Mrs Norton

lorin@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

Term 2&3 Winter Sports Registrations:

Winter Sports registrations are all closed. Information is up on the website. Good luck to all participating in a sports this term. Please remember our values and fair play.

Please see the office if you are interested in any sports and we can see if we can fit you into a team.

Regional Chess Tournament

Where: St Mary's Rotorua (no transport needed)

When: Tuesday 9th June (Week 8).

What to bring: Packed lunch and a plate for the bake sale

Parent help needed: 2-3 parents to support at the bake sale.

Cost: $6 per player

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Cross Country Years 4-6 Only:

Date Friday 22nd May 2026

Location Redwood Forrest

Please click on this link below if you have not filled it out already.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVat5-AUpbqetJIXOnpYsepvK42OsPX2gg9r25WIFVSp21OQ/viewform

NETBALL - Please return all dresses.

Tough Guy and Girl Challenge

When: Wednesday 26th August 9.30am - 12.45pm
Where: Lakes Ranch, 79 Rotokawau Rd, Rotorua
Who: Years 3 - 6 children only
How: Own transport / carpool if possible (note: we can not guarantee transport for your child)

Cost: $30
Click Here to Register
Registrations and payment due by: 3.15pm Friday 31st July 2026

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

Netsafe offers tools and information to help keep ourselves and our tamariki safe online. They are hosting a series of webinars covering a range of topics. Take a look at the different options and sign up to attend a webinar online in the comfort of your home. There is no cost.

Click here to see the webinar options and to sign up.

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:

• Monday: St Pierres & Pita Pit/Tuckr
• Tuesday: Pita Pit/Tuckr
• Wednesday: Pita Pit/Tuckr
• Thursday: St Pierres & Pita Pit/Tuckr

PLEASE NOTE PITA PIT HAS GONE BACK TO THERE OLD MENU WITH ALOT MORE VARIETY!

You’ll find a variety of nutritious options to keep your kids fuelled and focused.

To view the full menu and place an order, just log in to your Ezlunch account as usual.
https://shop.kindo.co.nz/shop/upload/pdf/school/st_marys_rotorua/Menu.pdf

Together, we simplify school life — one lunch at a time.

Affordable. Healthy. Ready when they are.

Warm kai, happy kids.