Newsletter Week 6 Term Two

Principal's Message

Newsletter: Week 6, Term 2, 2026

Last Friday, the School Mass went very well, with great singing and excellent behavior from the children. As it was Pentecost Sunday, our school was asked to contribute artwork for the church foyer, and the display looked pretty impressive. Thanks to the whānau who joined us for Mass.

It was a glorious day for our school's Cross-Country! The event was well-organised—a huge thank you to Jill Diniss for her fantastic planning and organisation. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and it was wonderful to see a great turnout of parents. Thank you to everyone who helped with the various tasks that made the day run so smoothly.

We had a great day at football on Saturday, with our school on duty. Shanelle McCashin did a fantastic job coordinating the setup, packing up, and running our food stall. We were fortunate to have so much parental help with the duty; at one stage, parents were even tripping over each other to help at the stall. Thank you very much.

The school disco is on Thursday, June 4th, and the PTA would like our help. The theme is Winter Wonderland. PTA discos are always enjoyed by our children.

Thank you for supporting the Young Vinnies fundraiser! Hot chocolate is available on Wednesday mornings before school. Orders must be placed at the hall kitchen by 8:30 AM on Wednesday.

A reminder that school will be closed for students this Friday, 29th May, for a Teacher-Only Day. If your child needs supervision, please contact Adrian and Zara, who run the A-Z Club at Glenholme School. They are planning the supervision in St Mary’s Hall on Friday. Their contact details are: Aidan and Zara 0211215599.

The school will also be closed on Monday, June 1st, for the King’s Birthday public holiday.

Have a great week!

David

TERM 2 DATES:

May 29 (Fri): Teacher-Only Day
June 1 (Mon): King’s Birthday Public Holiday (School closed)
June 12 (Fri): Mass of the Sacred Heart
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

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

Director of Religious Studies

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us in our whole school celebration of the Feast of Pentecost. We were truly blessed to be surrounded by the beautiful artwork displayed throughout the church foyer, which reflected the creativity and care of our children and helped create a prayerful, vibrant, and truly stunning atmosphere.

Across the school, each year level also engaged in a Knowledge-Rich Unit on Pentecost, supporting students to develop a deeper and more meaningful understanding of this important feast day.

We now look forward to our next whole school Mass on 12 June as we celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

On 16th June, we are privileged to welcome the relic of Carlo Acutis to our school. This is a rare and special opportunity for our students to encounter the story and faith of a young person who lived with great love for God and a deep commitment to the Eucharist.

Carlo Acutis is often remembered for using his passion for technology to share his faith with others, creating a website that documented Eucharistic miracles around the world. His life is a powerful example for young people today, showing how everyday talents can be used for good and for service.

We are expecting this visit to be a meaningful and inspiring experience for our children, offering them time for reflection, prayer, and learning more about a modern-day witness of faith. It will be a memorable moment for our school community.

I hope you have a wonderful week.

God bless

Lorna Dobson

DRS

Camp Donation Fees

Many thanks to those who have paid their camp fee, or have a payment plan in place. Donation receipts have been sent home to parents/caregivers to include in your tax returns.

Your camp payments make camps for your children possible - as we can't hold them with out your contributions.

Enrolments for Siblings for 2026/2027

Kia ora te Whānau,

If you have a child that is due to start school this year (born 2021) or in Term 1 2027 as a Year 1.

Could you please either fill out an online enrolment off our school website, or get a new enrolment form from our school office.

Please attach your child's birth certificate, preference card and immunisation record when you return the enrolment form.

Mrs Norton

lorin@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

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.

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

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: