Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Namaste, Ni Hao, Bula, Hola, Kumusta
Dear Families
This Sunday, the liturgical season of Advent commences. Advent is a season observed as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The term Advent means “coming” in latin. Many families will have an Advent Wreath at home where they light one candle each week in joyful and expectant hope of celebrating Christ’s Birth. We too, can light a candle and in the silence of our hearts, name one thing that we can be more aware of this Advent Season that will draw us more deeply into Christ’s light and love.
Conferences
It was great to see so many of our families at the Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences yesterday! Thank you for taking the time to be with us and to be so involved in the children’s learning. This truly reflects the partnership that we are endeavouring to create where we can all talk and share about the successes, improvements and challenges of our young ones.
End of Year School Events
We are looking forward to our families and community joining with us for our end of year events as we celebrate all that has been achieved throughout this Foundation Year.
Morning Tea “Thank You” to Community
Friday 8th December 10:30am – 11:00am in Taamaua
This is our way of saying a “BIG THANK YOU” to you all for the fantastic support we have received throughout this Foundation Year. You have been a blessing and we certainly couldn’t have achieved all that we have, without you walking alongside us. So come along at 10:30am next Friday 8th Dec and enjoy a “cuppa” on us!
Celebration of Learning Evening and Family Picnic
Thursday 14th December 4:30pm – school courtyard
We invite families to bring a picnic along and join with us on the court area for early dinner before the students share their learning and stories from our “Journey” Concept. Learning Communities, Awa and Whenua will “retell” the Nativity Journey through story, song and dance and we will conclude the evening with community carols.
End of Term School Mass and Praisegiving
Tuesday 19 December 1:00pm in Taamaua
We invite families to join with us for our “Thanksgiving Mass” as we give prayerful thanks for all that has been achieved this year as a school faith community. Following Mass, there will be a time of “praise” giving where we acknowledge students who have especially displayed academic and personal excellence this year and also those students who have consistently displayed our school Gospel values.
Final Assembly
Wednesday 20 December 12:30pm in Taamaua
This will be our final gathering as a 2017 school family before we head off to a well deserved Christmas Season and the summer holidays.
School concludes for 2017
Wednesday 20 December 1:00pm
Disabled Parking
Of late, we have noticed a number of parents using the disabled carparks near the front of the school carpark. Please DO NOT park here unless you are a registered card holder. There are plenty of carpark spaces near the back area of the carpark that are available for parents to use. Thank you for your consideration.
Remedial Cabling Project Update
We are also “on the move” with Stage 4 of the Remedial Cabling Project commencing in the Administration Building from Monday. This means …
1. We will relocate Learning Community Whenua from Taamaua/Hall back to their Learning Community Whenua space in the teaching/learning block.
2. We will shift out of the Administration Building completely and relocate to Learning Community Awa SPACE downstairs. This includes the Reception Area, shared Offices, Staffroom and Health Room.
3. Learning Community Awa staff and students will remain working upstairs until the end of the year.
4. The sKids Before/After School Care programme remains operational in Taamaua/Hall.
As the Contractors are still completing Stage 3 on Saturday, we are unable to do the physical move until Sunday. We NEED “helping hands” this Sunday 3rd Dec from 1:30pm to help us relocate all the furniture, resources and equipment from the Admin Building across to LC Awa. If you have an hour to spare, we would really appreciate the extra help.
DRS News
Reconciliation
On Tuesday 28th November, Father Peter Murphy of St Mary’s Papakura celebrated Reconciliation with the students of Learning Community Moana. It was a great way to reflect on our journey this year as we prepare ourselves for the birth of Jesus Christ and especially with Advent just around the corner. It was also a wonderful opportunity for our tamariki to experience the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation and to receive special blessings on this day.
Baptism Programme
Over the last couple of weeks, we have been running Baptism programmes for our students and families who have not yet received the Sacrament of Baptism. With the support and guidance of Father Mike Wooller of St Anne’s, Manurewa and Father Peter Murphy of St Mary’s, Papakura, we had the opportunity to grow in our knowledge and understanding of this very special sacrament. Our whole school will witness the Baptism of our children and parent on Thursday 7 December at St Mary’s Papakura at 10am with both Father Peter and Father Mike as celebrants. This will be indeed a very momentous occasion for our whanau receiving this Special Sacrament- Mrs Stevenson, Aidan, Taye and Mikaylah as well as our own tamariki.
Zoe, Madison, Pa’u and Jasleen from Learning Community Whenua
Ethan and Toiaimalo from Learning Community Awa
Tayla, Senuka, Audrina and P’torio from Learning Community Moana
Family Christmas Decoration
As part of our upcoming end of year events to celebrate Christmas and the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We will be sending out some templates for each family to create and design your own family decoration to hang up on our Holy Trinity Christmas Tree. Just a simple decoration with your family name on it which you will be able to put up on our Christmas tree at the Carols Celebration evening on Thursday 14 December. It will be a symbolic unity of our school’s first of many Christmas celebrations!
Blessings
Ana Silva
Director of Religious Studies
Congratulations
We congratulate Mya from Learning Community Awa for her fantastic achievement in the ICAS Exams. Mya achieved High Distinction in Mathematics and Distinction in English. This is a wonderful result and we are extremely proud of you Mya!
Learning Chats
School Information
Attendance Dues 2018
Attendance Dues are reviewed annually by the Board of Directors of Auckland Common Fund Ltd, comprising of representatives of proprietors of all Catholic Schools in the Auckland Diocese. From this review, the Board has approved an increase of 2.5% amounting to an increase of $10 per year for primary schools.
Therefore Attendance Dues for 2018 per student will be:
$430.00 per year ($107.50 per term inclusive of GST)
We hope this information is useful for families as you begin to plan for the 2018 school year.
Athletics
Our athletics practices are going well, with all students participating in the run, jump, throw activities.
Our actual School Athletics Event will be Week 9 Tuesday – the 12th of December.
We will be gathering as a school at 9:00am and walking over to Bruce Pulman Park. We will start with the 400m races, head into the other track and field events and then finish with Whānau group relays. We should be finishing at 1:00pm.
If you are able to support by running an event, or staying with a Year group, please email in and let me know.
When we return we will have lunch and students can bring in gold coins to purchase baking, which will go towards fundraising for Learning Community Moana’s trip to Lakewood Lodge earlier in the year.
A notice will be coming out next week, with more details.
Thanks,
Jerremy Wiliams
Upcoming Events
School Assembly and Prayer
Monday 4th December 8:50am – Manutaki to lead
Counties Manukau Sports Coaching – Final Day
Wednesday 6th December
Baptism Liturgy
Thursday 7th December 10am at St Mary’s Parish
Morning Tea “Thank You” to Community
Friday 8th December 10:30am – 11:00am in Taamaua
ATHLETICS Morning
Tuesday 12th December 9:30am – 12:30pm at Bruce Pulman Park
Celebration of Learning Evening and Family Picnic
Thursday 14th December 4:30pm – school courtyard
School Assembly and Prayer
Monday 18th December 8:50am – Manutaki to lead
End of Term School Mass and Praisegiving
Tuesday 19th December 1:00pm in Taamaua
Final Assembly
Wednesday 20th December 12:30pm in Taamaua
School concludes for 2017
Wednesday 20th December 1:00pm
With God’s Blessings
Peta Lindstrom
Principal
COMMUNITY NOTICES
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT MOTAT
MOTAT is once again celebrating the spirit of giving with its special Christmas Lights at MOTAT this Festive Season!
Come enjoy the Christmas spirit with MOTAT this December where celebrating the festive season under twinkling lights has become a firm favourite on the seasonal calendar. As the countdown to Christmas begins, the Museum grounds will be transformed by magical fairy lights illuminating the streetscapes, trams and buildings. With live entertainment, Christmas fare and Santa’s grotto, experience the magic of Christmas Lights at MOTAT from 15 to 24 December.
Entry is $2 per person (except under 5s who are free) with proceeds going towards children’s gifts for charity. Free entry with MOTAT Mates card not applicable for this separately ticketed event.
8pm – 11pm
It’s a must-do event for everyone this joyful season!
Supported charities are Auckland Women’s Refuge and Auckland City Mission.
Heroes and Heroines Party
Bring the kids of all ages to engage in activities with their favourite characters in the flesh. Activities include giant board games, sack races, tugs of war, arts and craft, face painting, a costume parade and more, hosted by princesses, pirates, and superheroes. Make a snowflake under the snow queen’s tutelage, or explore the extensive grounds to find the pirate treasure.
In addition, there are performing acts (magician, clown, Santa, balloon twisters), bubble blowing, tWonderful ea parties, a grass maze and pony rides.
Parents can relax in the beautiful surroundings, savour food and drinks from the vendors, enjoy a picnic, create memories and photos for posterity.
It would be much appreciated if you could include our poster, or any information in the school Facebook or newsletter. if you need more details, please contact us. Thank you very much for your help.
Where: English Cherry Tree Manor, 125 Matangi Road, Tamahere
When: 16-17 December, 10am-4pm
Tickets: $12 Child (age 3-15), $15 Adult, $49 Family (4 persons (max 2 adults))
Price covers all activities except pony rides.
Auckland Libraries Summer Reading Programme
Auckland Libraries are once again set to bring you Kia Māia te Whai – Dare to Explore, our flagship, hands-on summer reading programme! Don’t let children miss out on the opportunity to join this FREE programme that supports them to grow their love of reading, and expands their literacy goals while engaging them in fun filled activities.
Looking for fun, free ways to keep your children/ tamariki learning and building their reading skills over summer? Sign up for Kia Māia te Whai – Dare to Explore, Auckland Libraries’ summer reading programme for children aged 5-13 years.
Don’t miss out! You can register online from 20 November at www.daretoexplore.nz or visit one of our 54 participating libraries. This is a great activity to do with friends, so encourage your child’s buddies to come along and join the adventure in English and Te Reo Māori. Fill your children’s summer holiday
