Newsletter Week One Term Two

NEWSLETTER WEEK 1 TERM 2 2025

We were saddened to hear the news of the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. He was a kind and faithful leader who taught us to love, forgive, and follow Jesus with open hearts. As a school community, we pray for the repose of his soul and give thanks for his loving example. May he rest in God’s eternal peace. Let us keep Pope Francis in our prayers during this time, and continue to live out the values he shared with us.

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope your child has returned to school refreshed and ready to go. It has been great to see the winter changeover from summer to winter uniforms this week go very smoothly. Thank you for your support with this. Our uniform shop hours are Monday and Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 am and Wednesdays from 2:30 to 3:00 pm. You can purchase uniforms online by visiting the school's website. Once you have made the online order, you can pick up your uniform from the school office.

We receive an attendance report from the ministry each term, which is quite comprehensive. It breaks down attendance by year group, ethnicity, gender, days of the week students are absent, reasons for students’ absences and lateness to school.. The Ministry’s target is for 80% of students, who are children, to attend school regularly, with no more than five days missed per term. We reached 82% last term, which is an improvement on 78% from this time last year. Thank you for your support with this. I appreciate that with the winter months approaching, there are a lot of flu bugs around, and children need to stay home if they are unwell. To help us maintain accurate records and ensure your child’s regular attendance, we kindly ask for your support with the following:

• Ensure your child arrives at school on time each day. Punctuality is important for their learning and sets them up for a successful day. Bells ring at 8.45 am for the start of the day.

• If your child is unwell or unable to attend school, please contact the school office at 073481701 before 9.15 am to inform us of their absence. You can also submit your child’s absence online via our school app or website. This saves our office staff a considerable amount of time spent calling parents to confirm absences.

• If you plan to take your child on holiday during school time, you must notify me, as the principal, in advance. Please be aware that if the time away is excessive or we are not informed, it may result in your child being removed from the school roll as per Ministry guidelines.

Our goal-setting conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, May 6th, and Wednesday, May 7th. Please book an interview using the link below. We do expect parents to attend these with their child. If this is not possible, you can make an alternative time with the classroom teacher. https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/y8ppu

Reading Logs need to be returned to classroom teachers this week so that we can have the draw at Friday’s assembly. There will be three draws for Class Pizza lunches.

Our parish is asking for our help with fundraising to replace the church roof, and they would love for our kids to get involved by participating in a Readathon this May. We’ll be sending home a sponsorship form and a reading log so the kids can keep track of the books they read.

If you’re able to help your child find some sponsors and keep an eye on their reading, that would be awesome! All three Rotorua Catholic Schools are joining in, and there’s a pizza lunch for the class that raises the most, plus some fun spot prizes along the way.

On Sunday, May 11th, we have a School Mass at St. Mary’s Church at 10:00 am. It would be great to see all our families supporting this. After Mass, we're organising morning tea for us and the parishioners to enjoy, so we would appreciate it if you could bring a plate of food to share.

On Friday, 23rd May, we have our school cross-country event for Year 4 to 6 students in the Redwoods. Here is the link with the information about the event. We need every parent to fill this in, please. Cross Country

TERM 2 DATES:

• Tuesday 6th May. Parent Interviews- Goal Setting Conferences

• Wednesday 7th May Parent Interviews- Goal Setting Conferences

• Sunday 11th May, Whole school/Parish Mass 10 am (Mothers’ Day too)

• Monday 19th May Golf Team Championship

• Thursday, May 22nd, School Photos

• Friday, May 23rd, Cross Country (Change of Date)

• Thursday, May 29th, Showquest

• Monday 2nd June, King’s Birthday Holiday

• Monday 16th June Golf Fun Day

• Friday 20th June Matariki Holiday

• Friday 27th June, End of Term 2.

Have a great week.

David

Kia ora te Whānau, If you already have a child enrolled at St. Mary's Catholic School, and they have a sibling due to start next year, could you please fill in their enrolment form for 2026.

You can either do this online through our website, or there is a paper copy at reception.
To help with your child's enrolment process please bring along a copy of their preference card, birth certificate and immunisation history.

Any questions please email Mrs Norton: lorin@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

Winter sport & other tournaments information is up on the website. Winter sport teams have all been made and registrations are now closed. Emails have been sent to all teams.

MINI MARATHON: Due to a few circumstances we will not be participating in the Mini Marathon this year.

SKIING: If there is any children interested in participating in a skiing competition, please email schooloffice@stmarysrotorua.school.nz . If this goes ahead it will be parent led.

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

KIDS FITNESS CLASS – LAUNCHING THURSDAY, MAY 1ST AT BFT

Calling all schools! We’re excited to introduce a brand-new Kids Fitness Class at BFT Rotorua, kicking off Thursday, May 1st, at 3:30 PM—just in time for Term Two!

This class is designed for kids aged 8–16, helping them build strength, confidence, and healthy habits in a fun and supportive environment.

Fitness Fundamentals – Learn the basics of movement, strength, and endurance

Functional Training – Fun, safe exercises to build agility, balance, and coordination

Teamwork & Games – Interactive challenges and group activities to keep kids engaged

Confidence Building – Encouraging kids to push themselves in a supportive setting

Gym Setup & Safety – Hands-on experience with proper techniques and equipment use

Fun Workouts – Varied sessions to keep things fresh and exciting each week

Burn Off Energy! – So they sleep well and come back stronger!

Gym Etiquette & Responsibility – Teaching respect, discipline, and proper gym behaviour

Class Details:

When: Thursdays at 3:30 PM (Starting May 1st)

Who: Kids aged 8–16

Cost: $150 per child for the full term (Must pay upfront)

Where: BFT Rotorua, 1230 Fenton Street

SIGN UP NOW!

Call/Text: 021 139 9487

Email: rotorua@bodyfittraining.com

Spots are limited—get in quick!