Term 1 Newsletter 31 January 2019
Dear St Michael’s School Community,
Happy New Year, I hope you all had a blessed Christmas and a restful New Year. It was great spending time with my Mum (who is unwell), family and friends.
Welcome the following our two new staff members: Sarah Robertson and Philippa Barling.
We have a number of New Students and Families that I would like to acknowledge and welcome – Kyrene Anonuevo, Louis Arbuckle, Ellery Balderas, Mateo Lopez, Freddie Rea, Charlotte Kendrick, Leo Nicholls, Arran & Luca George, Samuel Pabon, Xavier Robertson, Diego Bagworth, Madeleine Snell and Mich Duan.
This year our major focus is on Digital Technologies and Te Reo. These subjects will be integrated through all other curriculum areas. To know more about what is happening in our school please attend our Learning Evening on Monday 04 February (read details below).
Building Community Picnic and Shared Learning Evening on Monday 04 February 2019
We will have a picnic together 5 p.m. to 5.55 p.m. (the PTA will be selling refreshments and food). Then at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. there will be two identical sessions where teachers will share information that is specific for their Year groups. E.g. Learning expectation, learning targets, timetables, homework, and new initiative. Children can attend the sessions with you or they may continue playing (we will have teachers supervising). The meetings rooms are as follows: Room 2 for Students in Rooms 1 & 2; Room 4 for Students in Room 3 & 4; Room 5 for Students in Rooms 5 & 6; Room 7 for Students in Rooms 7 & 10; and Room 8 for Students in Room 8 & 9. I look forward to meeting you all.
PTA Meeting Tonight in the Staffroom at 7pm – You are all warmly invited to attend.
Wearing of Sunhats is Compulsory for Terms 1 and 4 – Students who do not bring their hats need to stay in the shade.
Our Schooling Futures: Stronger Together
The Independent Taskforce engaged widely with stakeholders throughout 2018 as part of their review of Tomorrow’s Schools. During this time they identified a number of common themes, which led to a report that covers eight key issues; governance, schooling provision, school competition and choice, disability and learning support, teaching, school leadership, resourcing and central government agencies.
The Report – Our Schooling Futures: Stronger Together /Whiria Ngā Kura Tūātinitini – makes a number of significant recommendations for changes to the current education system. Feedback on the report and its recommendations will be critical to inform Government decision making in 2019.
Have your say…
Public consultation on the report is now open and there are a number of ways you can have your say on the recommendations made in the report:
Complete an online survey. This survey takes you through various issues and recommendations – you can respond to them all or only those of interest to you. This survey is anonymous. The survey is now live here: https://conversation.education.govt.nz/conversations/tomorrows-schools-review/
2018 SMCS Students First Day at SHC and Baradene
Encountering Christ
Catholic Diocese of Auckland VISION STATEMENT FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Recognise that Catholic Schools are integral participants in the evangelising mission of the Church, a Catholic School will ensure students receive a quality holistic education that fosters: a genuine encounter with Christ; growth in knowledge of Christ, His teachings and the teachings of the Church; opportunities to become authentic witnesses of their faith.
Parish Newsletter – The Parish Newsletters will start again soon so have a look to keep up-to-date with what is happening in our parish.
A Josephite Prayer (Volume 2:263)
“God of all goodness and love, may we be simple, generous and true in our living and loving, trusting ever more freely in You. Amen
May the blessing of simplicity be ours, of truthfulness of being, of joy and trust, of humility and open hearts and may we be a blessing to all with whom we meet this day! Amen”.
Manaaki ki te Atua,
Ann McKeown
BOT News
SMCS BOARD OF TRUSTEES NEWS FROM THE CHAIR
Welcome to SMCS for both new and returning families. I hope you have all enjoyed the holidays and are ready to send your children back to school.
The Board of Trustees (BOT) have an important year in front of us with the BOT elections to be held in May this year. Regardless of whether you want to make a difference for your children, give back to the community or have other motivations, please feel free to get in touch with me to understand the role you could play in the school’s future.
In the past week we have received amazing news to start the year – the School Hall loan of just under $600,000 has been paid off by the New Zealand Catholic Education Organisation (NZCEO) and the Auckland Catholic Diocese. This is a fabulous result and reflects the hard work and many hours lobbying by both the Parish, and past and present BOT members. As a school community we have been focused on reducing this debt through a combination of the Building Fund Contribution included in the school fees and PTA fundraising. We can now redirect our focus and energy into developing the school consistent with our 2018 Masterplan (scroll to SMCS 20 Year Property Plan). This amazing news also means that the Building Fund Contribution of $420 per family will not appear on your 2019 school fees invoice.
However it is timely that the BOT review the school fees for the calendar year. The BOT contribution of $990 per child has not increased since 2012 and therefore hasn’t kept up with inflation and the cost increases associated with running our school. As a result the school fees have been increased by $40 to $1,030 per child.
Once again, welcome to the start of 2019 school year and please share the good news that the school hall loan has been paid off. This is HUGE for the future of our school community!”
Nga mihi,
Mat Croad
BOT Chairman
Sports News
PTA News
Welcome back to school for another exciting year for the families of St Michael’s. The PTA have hit the ground running this year with their first meeting taking place tonight in the staff room at 7 p.m. – all parents are welcome to attend! We have a fantastic year planned and need your support throughout the year to make 2019 a success!
The PTA are looking forward to welcoming parents on Monday night at the Teacher Information Night and back to school picnic taking place on Monday 4 February from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The PTA will be selling refreshments and food from the hall kitchen so you can take the night off! There will also be an information stand in the hall foyer if you would like to know more about the PTA and how you can help. We will be standing in front of the St Michael’s Family Tree!
The St Michael’s Family Tree, At the end of last year we launched our campaign to replace the existing St Michael’s Family Tree in the Hall foyer. For those that missed this information, here is a recap to inspire you.
In 2010, contemporary artist and St Michael’s parent, Peata Larkin created a Maori design for the entrance wall in the foyer of the schools St Mary Mackillop hall. This beautiful piece of artwork features a stylised tree motif representing the St Michael’s family. The tile wall was a wonderful opportunity for our community to be a part of history by purchasing a named tile. This formed one of the vital fundraising initiatives to raise funds to build the existing hall.
Unfortunately, the tiles have not weathered well and the PTA with Peata’s help will be endeavouring to replace the existing tiles with ceramic tiles that will stand the distance of time. It was always Peata’s vision to have ceramic tiles, so now with the support of sponsors we will be able to replace the laminex tiles with ceramic tiles.
All tiles that were purchased in December 2009, will be replaced free of charge. Those families will be contacted over the coming months and will be provided the opportunity to put the years their family attended St Michael’s on their tile.
New families to the school and parish will now have the opportunity to purchase a named tile. By purchasing a tile your family will become a part of this unique artwork that brings together the past, present and future of our very special school community.
This new tile wall is going to be constructed by Peata in March and will be unveiled on Friday 5 April 2019 at a wonderful gala event called “A Night on the Tiles”. Watch this space for more information about the entertainment line up and ticket prices.
We now invite all families to be a part of this unique opportunity that has presented itself and invite you to contact the PTA to inquire about purchasing a tile. Please email the PTA on smcspta2018@gmail.com
Second Hand Uniform Shop
Our Secondhand Uniform Shop will be opened this Friday, 1 February from 2.30 p.m. to 3.15 p.m. Please note the shop is opened the first Friday of every month. Please visit the ladies underneath the Senior Block to grab a bargain to take care of your uniform needs for Term 1.
Pizza and Ice-block Sales
Please note there is no Pizza or Ice blocks being sold this Friday, this service will commence next week,Friday 8 February. These are sold from the hall kitchen every Friday and can be purchased for $2 each. Last year the PTA raised over $7,000 from this fundraising initiative and with that money we were able to replace the shade sale for the Senior Playground. Thank you for your continued support in 2019.
2019 Yummy Sticker Collection
Thanks so much to those who collected stickers and bag labels in 2018. We managed to get over $900 worth of sports equipment for the school. Please start collecting the stickers today. Please place full sheets in the PTA box outside the office.
https://www.yummyfruit.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Sticker_Collection_Sheet.pdf
Notices
Auckland Weet-Bix TRYathlon
The East Auckland Weet-Bix TRYathlon will take place on Sunday 10th February, at Point England Reserve. Registrations close on 7th February. Participants need to be aged 7 – 15 years old.
https://www.registernow.com.
SMCS Soccer Co-ordinator
Liturgy of the Word with Children at St Michael’s – More leaders needed
Children’s Liturgy takes place most Sundays during 10 am Mass in school term time. About 25 minutes.
Our aim is for children to receive the Word of God at a level of understanding for their age and to discover its meaning in their lives, whilst giving parents/carers the opportunity to remain in the church and hear the Word of God themselves.
Preschoolers are welcome with a carer and primary school children can attend independently. (Of course, adults always welcome.)
Our numbers are very low so we are in need of leaders and helpers for this Ministry. Please email Susan Woolley ceramicaitalia@xtra.co.nz if keen or would like to find out more information.
We are looking for people to help out once or at most twice a term, You will be supported and teamed up with an experienced leader. The children who attend really enjoy it and you would be helping them on their spiritual journey.
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