Principal's Message

NEWSLETTER WEEK 7 TERM 2 2026

Talofa.

It is Samoan Language Week. The 2026 theme for Samoa Language Week is "‘E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le 'nu'u - From the high mountains are the blessings of the village. Various activities will take place throughout the week to celebrate the Samoan Language Week.

I hope you enjoyed the long weekend. I was hoping for the lovely weather we've had over the last few weeks, but instead we got a wet welcome to winter.

Rangi Mihaka, our school’s Kaumātua, sadly passed away last Thursday. Sylvia Dunkley and I were fortunate to visit him before he passed away. It was a special visit for us and for Rangi. Sany-Joy Mareoroa, a group of students and I attended Rangi’s Tangi on Saturday at Te Pākira Marae in the Whakarewarewa Village. It was lovely that Rangi’s whānau wanted our group to sit on the floor with them around Rangi’s casket. Rangi has been our kaumatua for a number of years and would often turn up to working bees, kapa haka practices and school Masses. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rangi’s whānau at this very sad time.

The PTA is organising a disco for our children on Thursday. It starts at 5.30 pm and finishes at 7.00pm. Students always have a great time. There will be pizza, hot chips, lollies, drinks and glow sticks for sale.

Young Vinnies are selling hot chocolate on Wednesday mornings. Orders must be given by 8.30 am. Children can swap a can of food or a gold coin for a hot chocolate.

SPEED LIMITS AROUND THE SCHOOL: 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.

Next Friday 12th, we will attend the Parish Mass at 9.00am. We are celebrating the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Please join us if you are able..

David

TERM 2 DATES:

June 12 (Fri): Mass of the Sacred Heart
June 16 (Tues); Interschool Cross Country - selected students
June 28 (Sun): Parish/School Mass
July 3 (Fri): Last Day of Term 2

TERM 3 DATES:

July 23rd Matariki Cultural Dinner

School Calendar - Click Here to View

Director of Religious Studies

Fr. Prakash gave a lovely homily on Trinity Sunday, helping us try to understand the power of the Holy Spirit. Pope Leo noted that welcoming the Holy Spirit keeps the heart joyful and open to new truths. He warned that "whoever does not welcome this Spirit grows old quickly, in sorrow, feeling all alone and without joy in their hearts." In the first thousand years of the Church, Trinity Sunday did not exist. The church thought Pentecost did a great job of celebrating the completion of God's plan. Pope John XXII decided in the 14th Century that a day was needed to celebrate the core doctrine of the Trinity.

Our next whole school Mass is on 12th June at 9 am to celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We will be giving our new children and teachers rosary beads to welcome them to our St Mary’s Crew. Please join us if you can.

On 16th June, we are privileged to welcome the relic of Carlo Acutis to our school. This is a rare chance for our students to be inspired by a young person whose life was defined by a deep love for God and the Eucharist.

We have a School and Parish Mass on Sunday, 28th June at 10 am. We would like as many of our students and whanau to join us for this occasion.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your week.

God bless

Lorna Dobson

DRS

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

SPORTS NOTICES

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.

2026 Primary School Gym Sports Competition

Friday 21st August (Primary Schools)
Venue: Mid Island Gym Sports (MIGS), 60c Te Ngae Road, Rotorua
Time: ??? – 2.30 pm TBC
Cost: $12.00 per athlete per code (Men’s and Women’s Gymnastics, Tumbling, Trampoline, Mini Tramp & Rhythmic Gymnastics)

Who: Year 3-6

Click here to register Entries Close: 10th July 2026

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

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

Special Mention

Last weekend, Chris and Sam competed in a swimming meet held in Taupo.

Chris competed in 8 event and achieved 1 gold medal, 4 silver medals, 2 bronze medals, and 1 fourth-place finish.

Sam competed in 4 event in the 9 & Under agd group and achieved 2 gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 1 bronze medal.

Well done boys!!

IT Bytes

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.

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: