Newsletter Week Eight Term One

NEWSLETTER WEEK 8 Term 1, 2025.

Kia Ora Whanau,

St Joseph's Feast Day on Friday was a great success. Mass was a lovely way to start the celebration and our children were fantastic in leading the prayers and reading. The children enjoyed the afternoon activities too. The students were participating in their house groups in different activities and they also enjoyed an ice block as a treat. Thanks to Lorna Dobson and her RE team for organising the day for us.

Last week, people from Maths Whizz were with us. They spent time with the students and teachers. The programme has been kindly financially supported by Ngati Whakaue. Teachers are using the online programme in different ways and you may see it as a homework exercise.

The PTA met last week and tied up the loose ends for the Gala Day. They revealed at the meeting that $29500 was raised with all the expenses taken out. That is a tremendous profit. Thanks to Jenny and her PTA team for organising the Gala for us. There are more people coming to PTA meetings but it would be great to get many more. I’ll let you know when the next meeting is.

Father Prakash has scheduled the start of First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Reconciliation preparation for children aged nine and above. The date for this will be advised soon. Registration forms are available at the school office. Please submit completed forms to the parish office, which is open from Tuesday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

UPCOMING EVENTS:

TERM 1

• Friday 11th April School holidays start. Easter and ANZAC take place in the holidays.

TERM 2

• Tuesday 6th May Parent Interviews - 3 way learning conferences

• Wednesday 7th May Parent Interviews - 3 way learning conferences

• Wednesday 21st May Cross Country

• Thursday 22nd May School Photos

• Thursday 29th May Showquest

• Monday 2nd June King’s Birthday holiday

• Monday 16th June Golf Fun Day

• Friday 20th June Matariki Holiday

WHY DOES SCHOOL ATTENDANCE MATTER?

Every Day Counts: The Importance of School Attendance

Did you know that missing just one day of school every two weeks adds up to 20 days a year? That’s four weeks of learning gone—and over a year of school lost by the time a child leaves from year 13. While skipping a day here and there might not seem like a big deal, those absences add up and can significantly impact your child’s education.

Every school day matters—whether it’s a Monday, a Friday, a sports day, or a special event. Before planning holidays or taking days off during the school term, consider the long-term effects on your child’s learning.

School isn’t just about maths and reading. It’s about building confidence, developing good habits, and creating lasting friendships. It’s the small moments—the inside jokes, the teamwork, the playground games—that help shape their school experience.

When a child misses school, they miss more than lessons—they miss out on the connections and experiences that make learning meaningful.

Food for thought, have an awesome week,

David

A heartfelt thank you to Whaea Beck and Miss Weaven for leading our St Joseph’s Day Mass last Friday. We received wonderful feedback, particularly from our school whānau, who expressed their gratitude for the way we embraced and celebrated our children's diverse cultures in the Prayers of the Faithful. It was a truly special and meaningful celebration for our school community.

On Thursday, March 27th, at 12:15 PM, K11 and T2 will lead our Liturgy for the Annunciation. We look forward to gathering as a school for this occasion. Everyone is welcome to come along and join us.

The Feast of the Annunciation, celebrated on March 25th, commemorates the Angel Gabriel’s visit to the Virgin Mary, announcing that she would become the mother of Jesus. This moment marks the beginning of the Incarnation when Jesus took on human form. The Annunciation is a celebration of hope, faith, and obedience, as Mary humbly said "yes" to God's plan. It is observed nine months before Christmas, symbolizing the conception of Christ.

Here is a simple prayer for the feast of the Annunciation:

Dear God. Thank You for sending the Angel Gabriel to Mary with such joyful news. She listened with an open heart and said "yes" to Your plan. Help us to be like Mary, trusting in You, saying "yes" to kindness, love, and helping others. May we always remember that Jesus came to bring us hope and joy. Bless our school, our families, and our friends. Guide us to follow Your will each day. Amen.

I hope you have a wonderful week.

God bless

Lorna Dobson

DRS

This will be held in the staffroom on Wednesday the 9th of April at 6pm. The purpose of the meeting is to gather together to discuss the planning of our students end of year hikoi to Ohinemutu. It would be great if you have an ideas or stories you could share to make this an successful learning trip for our children. All parents are welcome. Light snacks provided.

During Term 1 Pita Pit will donate $1.00 from every Hot Lunch that is ordered through Lunchonline. Your children have a choice of Butter Chicken, Ham & Cheese Macaroni, Beef Lasagna, Chicken Nuggets, Wedges, Pies, Mini Pies and Sausage Rolls. These are available every day except Friday on www.lunchonline.co.nz

New cut off time in the morning is now 8.30am!

Thanks Phil and the Pita Pit crew

St Mary’s Catholic School and the PTA would like to acknowledge Hellers NZ Butchers, who donated 570 sausages for our 2025 Gala.

Thank you Hellers for your contribution to our Gala and our School. We really appreciate your support!

Tarquinn, in K2, has lost his greenstone. It is a very precious taonga (pictured below) to his family, as all three children's greenstones have been carved from the same stone as their father's greenstone. Please keep an eye out for it and send it to the school office or to Kakano 2 (K2) if you find it. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Winter sport & other tournaments information is up on the website.

Here are some quick links:

CLOSED:

Miniball: CLOSED - BUT we need more children! See the Office

Football: CLOSED

CLOSING VERY SOON:

Fluro Golf : Click Here - Closes THIS FRIDAY 3.15pm 28th March

Hockey: Click Here - Closes THIS FRIDAY 3.15pm 28th March - Need more Year 2 and 3 players.

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

Chris Hyun has won six ribbons (personal best) in seven swimming events last Saturday and Sunday. Well done Chris keep up the great effort.

Well done to Max Olsen who competed in the Waikato Bay of Plenty Schools XC MTB Champs. He placed 5th in the region!

AMAZING RESULTS BOYS!

Having a ball at touch.