Newsletter Week 11 Term Two

Principal's Message

NEWSLETTER WEEK 11 TERM 2 2026

Yes, at the end of this week, we will be halfway through our school year. When we return from the winter holidays, we will have passed the halfway mark of the winter season. Winter is not my favourite season—as I mention every year!

We heard the wonderful news on Monday that Harriet Fenwick, the teacher in Kākano 10, had a baby girl, Eleanor Rose. We wish Harriet, Michael and Eleanor all the best.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for coming to our school/parish Mass on Sunday. It was a great celebration of the Eucharist. The children sang beautifully and were well-behaved throughout the entire Mass. We have another parish/school Mass in September, and it would be wonderful to see everyone there. In particular, we encourage those who couldn’t make it last Sunday to join us for the September Mass.

Two Australian secondary schools are performing at our school this week as part of Rhapsody Rotorua. Ormiston College performed yesterday, Tuesday, with around ninety musicians, and Cairns State High School will perform on Thursday. It was certainly a nice treat for our students. There are also free concerts this week if you would like to attend; details are included below.

Today, I hosted a group of students for a Principal’s Luncheon. These students were nominated by their classroom teachers and will receive a letter from me explaining why they were chosen. Congratulations to all of them!

The Reading Logs went out last week. Congratulations to our pizza winners from last term! Kākano 6 and Tōtara 1 enjoyed their pizza-and-chips lunches today. Please note that logs must be signed by parents, and reading is expected over the holidays, not just during the week we return to school in Term 3. Parents reading to their children counts as well! Children can also borrow books from the library at lunchtime if they need them.

We have parent interviews on Tuesday, 29th July, and Wednesday, 30th July. Here is the link for you to make an appointment. This is a great opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s progress. https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/pjq52

Just a quick request: if you have an old mobile phone that you no longer use and would like to donate to the school, it would be much appreciated. Our classroom teachers will put them to good use.

We have had a fantastic term. Our students are performing very well, as reflected in their test results and report grades. I want to thank you for your ongoing support and our staff for the incredible work they do for our children. They are so hard-working and provide our students with wonderful learning opportunities.

I hope our children have a relaxing holiday. For those travelling away, please have safe travels.

God bless, David

Important Dates

TERM 2 DATES:

July 3, Friday: Last Day of Term 2

TERM 3 DATES:

July 23rd, Thursday: Matariki Cultural Dinner

24th July, Friday: School Reports sent home

28th July, Tuesday: Parent interviews

29th July, Wednesday: Parent Interviews

3rd August, Monday: Cook Islands Language Week

7th August, Friday: Mary MacKillop Mass

14th August, Friday: Assumption Mass

17th August: Tongan Language Week

21st August, Friday: Interschool Gymnastics Competition

26th August, Wednesday: Tough Guy and Gal Challenge

13th September Sunday School Parish Mass

14th September 14th, Monday: Maori Language Week

22nd September, Tuesday: School Production

23rd September, Wednesday: School Production

25th September, Friday: Last day of Term 3.

Director of Religious Studies

A heartfelt appreciation to the students and families who joined us on Sunday. It was great to see such a fantastic turnout as we celebrated together as a faith community. We are equally grateful to everyone who generously brought along food for morning tea; your kindness helped make the occasion even more special. Finally, our sincere thanks to Rhean D’Souza and his family for organizing the music. We are so blessed to have such wonderful families within our community

The Year 4 classes have been exploring the meaning of the phrase, "Love thy neighbour as thyself." Jesus taught this as one of the most important commandments, reminding us to treat others with the same care, kindness, and respect that we would want for ourselves. It teaches us that every person deserves compassion, understanding, and consideration, regardless of who they are.

We have discussed how this can be lived out in everyday life by helping others when they need support, showing kindness and respect, forgiving mistakes, standing up for those who are treated unfairly, and thinking carefully about how our actions affect others.

To help our students understand this important message, we explain it simply: "Treat other people the way you would like to be treated." This encourages them to be good friends, show kindness, and care for others' feelings and needs, just as they care for their own.

I wish you all well for the coming break, and may God bless you all.

Lorna Dobson

DRS

PTA NOTICE

Big shout out to all our volunteers cooking the sausages on Fridays. Providing something warm for the children to eat on these cold days.

We also welcome any feedback or suggestions for some fun activities or fundraising ideas.

The Annual General Meeting will be in August. Its another great opportunity to come along and hear what wonderful work is being done.

Hope you can make this Wednesday night 22nd July monthly meeting, 7pm in the school staffroom.

Thanks again.

From Your Parent/Teacher Association.

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.

Term 4 Touch Rugby

Click here to register

Tuesday 13th October 2026 - Yr5 to Yr8

Wednesday 14th October 2026 - Yr0 to Yr4

The fee for Term 4 $35.00

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

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

Message for our Community Rotorua Police

Subject: Parking and driving near schools – Message from the Rotorua Police

Kia ora Koutou,

Police and local school communities have noticed a recent increase in unsafe and

illegal driving behaviour near our local schools. These issues are caused by drivers

doing school drop-offs and pick-ups, and by other motorists attempting to pass

through congested school zones.

While police officers have been speaking with drivers to explain these safety risks,

verbal explanations and warnings have not resulted in sufficient driver improvement.

We are also aware that some teachers have faced verbal abuse when asking drivers

to move their vehicles to safer locations. This is unacceptable. Teachers prioritise the

safety of all students and must not be confronted for asking drivers to follow the rules

around school zones.

We recognise that parking near or in schools is limited. However, road restrictions

and signage are in place to protect students and maintain traffic flow, not to cause

inconvenience.

Enforcement Starting Term 3

Beginning in Term 3, Police and parking enforcement staff from the Rotorua Lakes

Council will be monitoring school zones to address unsafe behaviours.

Our primary focus areas include:

 Broken Yellow Lines: Stopping (even for a moment) or parking on, over, or

next to yellow lines.

 Footpaths: Stopping or parking on footpaths.

 Driveways: Blocking driveways or using them as turning bays and drop-off

points – this is unsafe. You must not stop too close to driveways.

 Pedestrian Crossings: Failing to give way, overtaking on crossings, or

stopping on/near them.

 Clearways: Stopping or parking during restricted times.

 Speed: Adhering to the displayed speed limit in new, active Variable Speed

Zones (VSLs).

Practical Alternatives for Parents

To help reduce congestion and keep children safe, please consider the following

options:

 Utilise Drop-Off Zones Efficiently: If your school has a pick-up zone, leave

it clear for families with junior aged children.

If the zone is full, do not queue on the road and block traffic, as this is an

offence.

 Arrange a Meeting Point: Encourage older children to meet you a short

distance away from the school gates where you can park safely and legally.

 Have a Wet-Weather Plan: Rotorua weather can be unpredictable (but rain

often happens at 3 pm). Agree on a rainy-day plan with your children so they

know exactly where to meet you without causing gridlock at the front gate.

 Refresh Your Road Code Knowledge: You can review local parking and

driving rules online via the NZTA Road Code website.

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driving-skills/learn-to-drive/roadcode/general-road-

code/about-driving

Thank you to the many parents and drivers who already make safe driving choices

every day.

If you have questions or need advice on safe drop-off options, please contact your

school to be put in touch with your local School Community Police Officer.

Ngā mihi nui,

Rotorua Police

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

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: