Kia ora e te whānau

As we approach the end of Term 1, we reflect on the journey our tamariki have undertaken over the past eight weeks. It has been a term filled with the energy of new beginnings, the strengthening of friendships, and a deep commitment to our school’s vision:

‘Together with Jesus we love, learn and serve in the Cluny Spirit.’

Our school has been a hub of activities, from kayaking sessions, the success of our swimming sports, our Senior Tarawera trip, settling in of our newest Year 0 and 1 students, to the rich learning happening in all our classrooms.

Last Monday, it was wonderful to see so many of you at our Whānau Curriculum sessions. The sessions provided a valuable opportunity to dive into the new English and Maths curriculum and share what this learning looks like in our classrooms. We discussed the shift toward whole-class teaching and our targeted strategies for accelerating and extending students to ensure every learner reaches their potential.

A key focus of the sessions was exploring the new Knowledge and Practice Statements and understanding how these differ from the previous curriculum by providing more explicit milestones for student progress. We also introduced the assessment tools our teachers are using to track growth. We also had the opportunity to walk parents through the Parent Portal, highlighting the resources available to help you support your child’s learning journey at home. Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education; it is through this shared commitment that our students truly thrive.

Please click on the link to access the presentation and recording of the session.

We are incredibly excited for our upcoming Year 3 & 4 Musical Showcase, where our students will share their musical talents and the creative learning they have enjoyed this term. This year’s theme, "Feelings in Action," explores how we express our emotions through rhythm, melody, and performance. Our young performers have been working hard to bring this theme to life, and we are looking forward to seeing the results of their dedication.

The showcase will take place on Tuesday 31 March in The Centre, with two opportunities to attend: an afternoon performance at 2:00pm and an evening performance at 5:30pm. We would love to see as many of our whānau there as possible to celebrate and support our amazing performers.

We are seeking a passionate and skilled Kapa Haka Tutor to lead our rōpū and inspire our tamariki. At our school, Kapa Haka is more than just a performance; it is a vital expression of Te Ao Māori, fostering whanaungatanga and pride within our school community. We are looking for an individual who is ready to share their heart and heritage with our students and have the ability to engage students of all ages and skill levels. Beyond technical performance, you will bring a gift for building the confidence of our student leaders and creating a safe, inclusive environment where every child feels they belong.

If you have the energy, the skill, and the heart to lead our Kapa Haka, we would love to hear from you.

Please email Shayla O’Neill (Deputy Principal) soneill@stmarystga.school.nz for a description and application details.

As we move into the last two weeks of term, we also mark the beginning of the Holy week next week. On Thursday 2nd April our Senior students will lead us through our annual Stations of the Cross liturgy. We will share this presentation over two sessions in which parents are invited to join us for either session, the first one at 9.15am and the second one at 10.15 in our Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey centre.

"Easter is a celebration of new beginnings, and I encourage each of you to take this opportunity to reflect on the past term and to set new goals."

A reminder that we move into our winter uniform in Term 2. Students are expected to wear the correct school uniform with pride at all times. The full school uniform must be worn to and from school. If this is not possible, the Principal must be advised.

All uniform items should be clearly named.

Girls’ Uniform

Forest / White / Charcoal check dress
White ankle or knee-high socks, or black tights
Fleece or Soft Shell jacket
Black leather shoes
Short-sleeve black or white thermal may be worn underneath in winter but must not show on arms or above the collar

Boys’ Uniform

Polo shirt
Shorts
Grey socks with forest green bands
Fleece or Soft Shell jacket
Black leather shoes
Short-sleeve black or white thermal may be worn underneath in winter but must not show on arms or above the collar

You can find more details about uniform and expectations on our website: https://stmarystga.school.nz/information/#

Our Year 5-6 students have been deeply engaged in learning about the eruption of Mount Tarawera and the loss of the Pink and White Terraces as part of our Social Sciences curriculum for term one. This rich local history context has provided an authentic and meaningful foundation for their writing in term one.

Students have been developing their skills in writing detailed information reports. They have learned how to clearly introduce a topic, organise ideas into well-structured paragraphs, and use precise, topic-related vocabulary to explain events accurately. They have worked hard through the process of crafting strong sentences, to building cohesive paragraphs, through to structuring a complete report with a clear introduction and conclusion.

A key focus this term has been the integration of reading and writing. Students have drawn on information gathered through reading, listening, discussion, and research to support their writing. By learning how to locate, understand, and select relevant information, they have been able to use this knowledge from their reading to inform their own report writing in meaningful ways.

Earlier in the term, their visit to the Buried Village provided a powerful real-world connection, deepening their understanding and enriching the detail in their writing.

This learning aligns with curriculum expectations for writing to inform, where students are developing the ability to group related ideas, include relevant facts and examples, use linking words to connect ideas, and provide a concluding statement that reinforces the main idea.

We are very proud of the thoughtful and detailed reports our students have produced. Please see below for a selection of examples that showcase their learning.

Shayla O’Neill
Deputy Principal

Last week, Father Arnold celebrated a beautiful school Mass with us as we marked St Joseph’s Day. We honoured St Joseph as the earthly father of Jesus and a wonderful example for us all. He was a humble, hardworking man who listened to God and cared for Mary and Jesus with love and trust.

Father Arnold reminded the children of St Joseph’s gentleness and strength, encouraging them to remember that we can pray to St Joseph and share our worries, trusting that he will take our prayers to God.

St Joseph is also the patron saint of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny. We were blessed to celebrate this special day alongside our Cluny Sisters, the wider Cluny congregation, our Cluny Associates, and our whānau and friends.

‘Every year in this holy season, the New Zealand Bishops asks Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand to run a fundraising campaign on their behalf – the Bishops’ Lent Appeal. The theme for the Lent appeal in 2026 is Hear the Voice, Answer the Call – Whakarongo ki tereo, Whakahokia te karanga. During this time, and especially as we near Easter, we invite you to consider how you can hear the voice of those in need and answer the call to Christian charity.’

2026 Parish Sacramental Programme

We have recently received a number of enquiries about the 2026 Parish Sacramental Programme. For further information, please visit our parish website.

Sacramental Life

Enrolments will be open from the end of March, beginning of April.

You can also find the dates of the 2026 programme by clicking on the link below - which is also on the website.

2026 Parish SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME TIMETABLE

All Saints by the Sea, Mount Maunganui, is seeking a welcoming and well-organised Parish Secretary to support the Parish Priests and assist with the smooth running of the parish office.
This part-time role (20 hours per week, Tuesday to Friday) involves responsibilities in administration, finance, communications, and serving as a key point of contact for parishioners.

For further details and a full job description, please contact:

Fr Eamon Kennedy – freamonkennedy@gmail.com

Applications close 26 th April 2026.

Term 1

Monday 2 February (Ra whānau mai),

children begin back Tuesday 3 February – Thursday 2 April.

Friday 27 March - Teacher only day

Term 2

Monday 20 April – Friday 3 July.

Term 3

Monday 20 July – Friday 25 September.
Friday 14 August – Teacher only day

Term 4

Monday 12 October – Tuesday 15 December.

Public Holidays

Waitangi Day – Friday 6 February

Anzac Day – observed Monday 27 April

King’s Birthday – Monday 1 June
Labour Day – Monday 26 October