Tēnā koutou katoa St Michael’s Catholic School Community,
“Kia hora te marino, Kia whakapapa pounamu te moana,Kia tere te Kārohirohi i mua i tōu huarahi”
May the calm be widespread, May the ocean glisten as greenstone, May the shimmer of light ever dance across your pathway.
It was lovely to see so many families at school last week at our annual Book Character Parade. We loved seeing all of the thought and creativity that went into each of the costumes! A big thank you to our wonderful Year 6 Library Leaders Cilla Black, Mich Duan, Kate Gilligan, Darcy Hale and Gabrielle-Thu Vu who helped to plan this wonderful event! Please scroll down to view photos.
The Scholastic Book Fair once again proved to be hugely successful. Thank you to all of the families who went the extra mile and donated a book for our library. Extra special thanks must go to Monique Booth and her team of volunteers who staffed the Fair throughout the week.
Last week we farewelled Miss Bagnall, who is now on maternity leave. A very warm welcome to Mrs Isla MacDiarmid (Mon-Wed)and Mrs Shari Tighe-Umbers (Thurs-Fri) who will be team teaching in Room 3 in her absence! Both teachers know our school very well, and we are thrilled that they are joining our Junior Team.
Finally, a big congratulations to the recipient of this term’s Kindness Cup: Levi Ansley. Levi was nominated by multiple members of our staff who noted the kindness, compassion, and inclusion he has shown towards a younger student at our school. Our two very worthy runners-up were Mia Fernando and Ava Spora. All students received a certificate and an incredible Lego set, thanks to The Kindness Collective.
Welcome to New Families
We would like to welcome the following family who has started at SMCS this term: the Rothwell family (Emily).
National Youth Theatre - “Cats”
A huge congratulations to the following students who performed in the National Youth Theatre’s production of “Cats”: Ellery Balderas, Rebecca Houghton, Oscar McGillivray, MacKenzie Porteous, Tom Valerio, Cecilia Wong. We know how much time and effort you have dedicated to preparing for these roles, and we loved watching you perform with such confidence and joy!
Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand
This winter, between Monday 12 June and Saturday 30 September, participating community pharmacies in Auckland will provide a Minor Health Conditions Service for Māori and Pacific people, children aged under 14 years, and community service card holders.
The service allows pharmacists to have a clinical consultation and provide advice as well as medication if needed for a select set of minor health conditions no cost to the patient.
It also includes whānau members of a child with similar symptoms. For example, if the pharmacist determines your child needs treatment for scabies and they have older brothers or sisters, or you yourself also have symptoms, they may provide advice and medication for all of you.
The following health conditions are included in the Minor Health Conditions Service:
Acute diarrhoea
Dehydration
Eye inflammation and infections
Scabies
Headlice
Pain and fever
Eczema/Dermatitis
Minor skin infections
If your condition needs further support, the pharmacist can tell you the best place to go to get further help.
Let’s spread the word to our friends and whānau about this new service! It’s also important to remember that you can always speak to your local pharmacist for free health advice, even if you are not eligible for this service.
Start typing the school name and then select from the dropdown list
Enter the community username and password: Username: smcs Password: mackillop
This term we are reviewing EducationOutside the Classroom - EOTC Planning and Review; EOTC Risk Management; EOTC Coordinator; EOTC External Providers; EOTC Staff Competencies; EOTC Event Categories; EOTC Communication with Parents.
Please click on “Current Review” and then read the policies. Then click on “Under Review” and complete the survey. Your feedback is appreciated!
30/06/23 - YCC Day
‘Bring a donation’ Mufti Day to support a school in need
YCC Day is the day when Caritas combines with Catholic schools across New Zealand as together we stand in solidarity for a good cause and raise funds and awareness for a selected focus school.
This year we are supporting Oecusse School in Timor Leste. The school is in dire need of support to repair and replace broken and unsanitary bathroom facilities. Click on link for more information https://youtu.be/exgqaSCG4Kk
ICAS Testing (Year 4 - 6)
It is the final week to register your child for the ICAS Assessments. The parent portal will close at 4pm on 1 July 2023. This year students can register for exams in English, Mathematics and Science.
Please take care to register your child for the appropriate tests depending on their year level.
Pricing for New Zealand: NZD$20.70 (incl. GST) per test.
ICAS English – Year 4, 5, 6 – Wednesday 16 August
ICAS Science – Year 4, 5, 6 – Wednesday 23 August
ICAS Mathematics – Year 4, 5, 6 – Wednesday 30 August
Need Help?
A registered Social Worker is available, on a part-time basis, to provide free consultations to families seeking guidance with accessing specialist support, or who may be struggling with more complex challenges. Please contact Annie on 021 240 6454 or email anniesummerfield@yahoo.com to make an appointment. All consultations are conducted in strictest confidence.
A Family in Need of a Place to Live
A committed Catholic family is urgently seeking a 3 x bedroom rental property. Maximum rent: $550.00 per week. If you can help, please contact 021 240 6454. Many thanks.
Excerpt from ‘The Catholic Education of School-Age Children’ (NZ Bishops, 2014)
“Since 1840 each generation of Catholic New Zealanders has contributed to the development of the Catholic schools which have benefited not only the children of that generation, but of the generations which followed. The dedicated and sacrificial support of Catholics for over 170 years clearly shows the value that is placed on the schools.”
Rosary Group Meet Every Friday at 1:15pm to 1:30pm at the Reflective Area (Church if raining)
St Michael’s Parish Website – Mass times - Sunday 8am, 10am & 5pm; Monday - Friday 7am & 12noon; Saturday 8am.
School Masses - Every Thursday at 9:15am
20/07/23 - Rooms 1 & 9
27/07/23 - Rooms 3 & 8
03/08/23 - Rooms 2 & 7 08/08/23 - Whole School Mass Feast of St Mary MacKillop 15/08/23 - Whole School Mass Feast of the Assumption 24/08/23 - Rooms 10 & 6 27/08/23 - Whole School/Parish Mass 07/09/23 - Rooms 4 & 5 14/09/23 - Rooms 1 & 9 21/09/23 - Whole School Mass Feast of St Michael
Joint Parish School Events (planned by the Community Committee)
Senior School Movie - Thursday 20th July at 3:30pm to 5:50pm in the Mary MacKillop Hall.
Prayer for the End of Term
We thank you Lord, for this term. For our challenges, our successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt. Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends.
Give us strength and courage to do what is right: to be witnesses of our faith. Help us to appreciate what others do for us, to give time and effort to help others, and to be peacemakers in our family.
Keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest and good fun. Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term. We thank you for our classmates, teachers, parents and a community that cares for us.
May we always be conscious of you in our lives. Amen.
Wishing you all a very safe and happy holiday break!
Catherine and Philippa (Ann is on sick leave due to Bronchitis) Senior Management Team
Parish HOLY HOUR
The Religious Education Committee invites you to gather on the 4th Friday of each month in our Church to pray for the needs of parish, diocese and country.
For our first Holy Hour we will pray for:
The parish as we prepare for the 90th Anniversary of St Michael’s
Vocations to priestly ministry, religious life and the permanent diaconate in our diocese
That we may embrace Gospel values in our country
Please join us on Friday 30th June in the church at 7.00pm
Celebrating 100 YEARS of St Mary's Catholic School, Avondale
Calling all ex-students, staff and supporters of St Mary's Avondale.
Momentum is gathering for our school's 100th birthdaycelebrations with lots of exciting events planned for Friday 8th - Sunday 10th September 2023.
Friday 8th September - early afternoon
Liturgy to open the weekend of celebrations, student led school tour and open classrooms,
special assembly led by the current students and afternoon tea for the Adults/Guests. (Times TBC)
Saturday 9th September
'Back to the Future' Gala run by ex students 11am – 3pm
Junior Rugby League Tournament on the field
Mix n Mingle Social Event from 6pm – 11pm at Avondale RSA (R16)
Sunday 10th September
Mass of Thanksgiving 10am on the field followed by a potluck picnic
If you are interested in attending any of the events sign up here to ensure you are kept up to date, or email smcps23@gmail.com for further information.
Student Voice and Book Character Photos
From Monday to Friday book week has been such a huge hit from all year levels. We started the week off with a pyjama day full of lots of fun activities. We also had a very special visitor come to St Michael's, Clifford the big red dog came to see all the classes giving hugs and high fives.
Next, we had Tuesday, the day for our wonderful librarians to read to our wonderful junior students.
On Wednesday we celebrated our book swap that was held in the hall. We were so fortunate to have everyone donate at least one book to make the book swap super fun so everyone could enjoy a new book to love.
We continued our fun activities on Thursday when we had arts & crafts that included colouring, book reviews and a diary of a wimpy kid word search that was held in the library during lunch time.
Finally, on Friday was the event we had all been waiting for all week… It was book character day! Everyone loved to see the amazing costumes that everyone had put together. This was a super fun week that i think everyone enjoyed very much.
By: Darcy Hale & Cilla Black
Friday Afternoon Gardening
You will have noticed lots going on in the vegetable garden this year!
Year 5 has been very busy. So far we have planted carrots, broccoli, garden peas, silverbeet, garlic and onions to the lower beds below the junior playground. There is also a whole lot of self seeded herbs, strawberries and not to mention a large banana tree in the far corner. We now have beautiful hardwood labels which Jim has kindly planed down from the old timber bleaches - a lovely way to repurpose these and help the children identify what is in their garden. There is also a large compost pile which is breaking down nicely thanks to a layer of horse manure again courtesy of Jim.
This year Lucy Carter has been gardening with the Year 5s every Friday fortnight. We have decided to stick to one year group to give them ownership of the garden and continuity i.e. when they plant something they are able to monitor it's progress and harvest it. Last week one of the groups harvested the first crop of carrots which were sown back in March. Carrot seeds are tiny and only need to sit just below the surface of the soil. When we planted the seeds we used rulers to mark out the rows of seeds, gentle hands to sprinkle the seeds and a comb to carefully brush the soil over the seeds. This crop was a little short due to the seeds being sprinkled too close together! All good lessons for next time we sow carrot seeds.
Vegetable gardening teaches the children so many great skills. Learning about where their food comes from, the importance of composting rather than throwing our scraps into the bin, seasons and life cycle of plants. Plus it's a great way for the children to get their hands dirty amongst nature. Come and check out year 5s hard work next time you walk past the garden.
PTA News
And just like that, term two has come to an end! It’s been an amazing term with lots of events and activities and we are looking forward to seeing you all in term three!
We also want to take the opportunity to thank Monique Booth for coordinating the scholastic book fair and everyone who supported her during the week. We had another successful year and managed to raise around $1,200 for the school to spend in new books for the library. We also received many book donations throughout the week, so thank you everyone for contributing to that!
Monique Booth would love to thank all the volunteers and Sarah Benson for a successful book week!
Dads Night Out
We have started planning our activities for Term 3 and we are suggesting a dads’ night out on the last week of July. To see if this is a viable activity, we are asking all dads to fill in this form and let us know if they would be keen for a night out and what type of activity they would be interested in.
Thank you to Room 1 & 9 for helping with Pizza this week. We really appreciate your help.
SMCS Second-Hand School Uniform Shop
The 2nd hand uniform shop will open on Friday 21st July from 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm.
Should you need uniform before the start of term 3, please email your requirements to ptasmcs@gmail.com.
Uniform donations are always welcome and those can be dropped off by Genevieve at the school Reception. Looking forward to meeting you or seeing you again.
2023 Yummy Sticker Collection (Terms 2 and 3)
Term 3 is our final term for collecting yummy stickers and the bag labels.
Last year the school benefitted from over $300 worth of sports equipment to use at play times. If you have a completed sheet please place this in the PTA box outside the Mrs McKeown's office.
Attached is the link where you can print a collection sheet if you need one or collect one from the office.
Have a wonderful and restful holiday everyone! See you in term 3!
Gio and Sam
Community Notices
Sacred Heart College Hostel Tour - Sunday, 23 July at 2pm
We are pleased to advise that we are offering tours of our Sacred Heart College Hostel on Sunday 23 July, beginning at 2pm in the Hostel Dining Room. The best way to access the Hostel is via Gate 3, off West Tamaki Road.
We welcome everyone to attend the Hostel Tour, even those who have been to the Hostel before, or are a parent of a current SHC day student. Tours will be conducted by our Hostel Staff, allowing families to visit the dormitories and common areas.
Join us for our Hostel Tour on Sunday, 23 July 2023 at 2pm. Register your attendance here Applications for enrolment to Sacred Heart College as a Boarder close on Thursday, 31 August 2023.
LCF FUN LANGUAGES
The FUN way to learn another language! Free Trial Lesson if you don’t join!
This year Noel Leeming and Warehouse Stationery have teamed up to offer you, your staff, and your wider Kura Whānau (including parents, students, and the community) the opportunity to unlock amazing deals during the July School Holidays.
With your help, we’re delighted to once again support KidsCan by dedicating 2.5% of total sales to Tamariki experiencing hardship across Aotearoa. Last year we raised over $15,000, so we’re looking forward to supporting them again this year.
