Newsletter Week Seven Term Three

Newsletter WEEK 7 TERM 3 2025

I felt very privileged to be invited to attend the Australian Catholic Education Conference in Cairns last week. The conference is a prestigious triennial national gathering that brings together around 1,500 participants, including Catholic educators, school leaders, clergy, parents, and others involved in Catholic education across Australia. Many informative international speakers addressed the delegates.

Our gymnasts had great success on Friday. I understand that our students gained 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in various events—a significant achievement. Well done, and thank you to Lori Norton, Shanelle Macashin, and the other coaches. It’s wonderful to see our children doing so well.

Thanks also to Mr G for organising several chess events last week and for attending Tough Guy/Gal with our students. A number of students also took part in the Fluoro Golf event on Monday morning.

It was great to see parents at our Literacy Expo yesterday, sharing in what we are doing in classrooms. Thank you to those who came along. Our teachers put in a considerable effort to create impressive displays.

On Wednesday, some of our teachers will be attending union meetings. Please note that our school will not be finishing early—classes will end at the usual time.

On Friday, our Year 5 and 6 students will participate in the Kāhui Ako Sports and Cultural Day at John Paul College, alongside six other Catholic schools from our Kāhui Ako. Thank you to all the parents who are helping on the day to ensure the event is a success. If the event needs to be cancelled, a notice will be posted on our Facebook page and a message sent via our app.

We have just received an email from Father Prakash advising that the parish will be running a Baptism Course for children seven years and older. Last year, the programme ran over four weeks. If you would like your child to be baptised, please register at the Parish Office by Thursday, September 4. The office is open Tuesday to Friday, from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm.

Two of our parents have put their names forward for the Rotorua District Council in the upcoming elections: Mathew Doidge and Jenny Chapman. I wish them both all the best in their endeavours to be elected.

Enjoy the rest of the week.

David

Friday 29th August. Kahui Ako Sport and Cultural Day

Monday 1st September Dance NZ Made Competition

Friday 12th September Kahui Ako STEM day at St Mary’s Rotorua

Friday 19th September, Last day of Term 3

This week, I had the privilege of watching a role play presented by our Year 6 leaders as they prepared for the upcoming Sports and Cultural Day at JPC. A special thank you to Ellie McLanachan, who has generously given her time to help the students practice over many lunchtimes.

The role play carried an important reminder: to make time for others. In our busy lives, it is easy to rush past moments of connection, but we are called to pause and notice those around us.

At the Last Supper, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, showing them what it means to serve with humility and love. He said, “I give you a new commandment: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (John 13:34).

This message is as relevant today as it was then. Jesus calls us not only to feel love but to live it through our actions by helping, sharing, including, and serving others with kindness, forgiveness, patience, and care.

Next week, Totara 8 and Kakano 9 are leading the Nativity of Mary Liturgy on Thursday, 4th September at 12:15 pm. You are all most welcome to join us.

I hope you have a wonderful week.

God bless

Lorna Dobson

DRS