Tumuaki/Principal News
Tena koutou katoa,
It has been a busy few weeks for us at school, as we contend with late Winter bugs and a packed schedule for the end of term! We have done our best to stay staffed despite a huge shortage of relievers in the Auckland region, and we have appreciated your kindness and understanding over this tricky period. We are all looking forward to some warmer weather, and we know that you will be too!
The children have continued to achieve highly over a wide range of disciplines, and we are proud not just of their results, but of the way in which they have represented the school. Their sportsmanship has been exemplary. Please scroll down to read of their achievements in the Catholic Schools’ Cross Country, the annual Jump Jam competition, the New Zealand National Diving Championships, and Proclaiming the Word.
Finally, a big thank you to Gio Penna, the PTA, and their team of helpers for organising the most magnificent carnival-themed disco last week. What a wonderful opportunity for the community to gather together and celebrate, and as an aside - how incredible were those costumes?!
Maori Language Week and Cultural Week (Isabella)
Throughout this week, St Michael's has been wholeheartedly immersed in the celebration of Maori Language Week. Across all our classes, we've been weaving the richness of the Maori language and culture into our curriculum. This includes engaging in waiata (traditional Maori songs), structured lessons, artistic endeavours, and fostering language development throughout the week.
Cultural Week:
Dear parents and whanau,
Cultural Week, a significant event at St. Michael's, is just around the corner in Week 10 (18th – 22nd of September).
To make this week a memorable experience for all, we kindly request that you start submitting your child's projects to their classroom teacher at your earliest convenience, preferably within this week. This will ensure that everything is prepared for sharing during the upcoming Cultural Week.
To allow for ample preparation time, we kindly request that all project submissions be completed and handed in to your child's classroom teacher by no later than Tuesday. This timeline will help us ensure that everyone has enough time to present their projects with confidence.
We are delighted to announce that our Cultural Performances will take place on Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 pm in the Hall. We extend a warm invitation to all parents and guardians to join us for this showcase of our students' talents. Your presence would undoubtedly enhance the atmosphere and support our young performers.
Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We eagerly anticipate celebrating this wonderful week with you.
Requests for Parent Help
One of our school values is “Do Your Bit” and we are looking for some lovely parent volunteers to do just that for two upcoming events!
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION - URGENT HELPERS NEEDED
We need 5 more families to help set up and serve food and drinks for the First Holy Communion and Confirmation celebrations.
The times are: 11.00am (to receive plates from families) and 1.00pm (to help set up and serve hot drinks. Please email Genevieve at secretary@smcs.school.nz if you are able to assist.
Year 5 Parents: Friday 1 December, 2023
A big thank you to Lauren Kendrick and Yii Petrus who have already volunteered to assist at the Year 6 Graduation Dinner. We require many more helpers to ensure that this event runs smoothly.
The time slots are: 4.00 - 5.30pm, 5.30 - 7.00pm, 7.00 - 8.30pm, 8.30 - 9.30pm. Please email Philippa at p.barling@smcs.school.nz if you are able to assist.
Catholic Schools’ Cross Country
A big thank you to Jo Petrie, John Hazel, and the team of parent helpers who assisted at last week’s Catholic Schools’ Cross Country. Here is a report from Jo and John on the day:
Last week 40 students represented our school at the Catholic Schools’ Cross Country, where 600 runners competed at Monte Cecilia Park on a day where it never stopped raining! We had outstanding results including:
1st place, Year 3 Boys: Daniel Petrus
2nd place, Year 4 Girls: Lulu Fougere
2nd place, Year 5 Girls: Maria Petrus
3rd place, Year 3 Girls: Luciana Gollop
Many other children also placed in the Top 10 and Top 20! They slipped and slid into the finish line, caked in mud. The supporters lost voices and wished they’d brought towels. Thank you children for your wonderful behaviour, sportsmanship and giving it your all, you made us proud.
Jump Jam
Over the weekend the SMCS Jump Jam team competed in the Auckland Strictly Jump Jam competition and came first place! Ka pai to Millie Reyburn, Ellery Balderas, Anya Hancock, Isla McLean, Ivy McAuley, Sasha Kravtsov, Maria Petrus, MacKenzie Porteus and Holly Spora, who all diligently worked towards this achievement.
The team were also fortunate enough to have the creator of Jump Jam, Brett Fairweather, visit on Friday for some last minute tips before the competition.
New Zealand National Diving Championships
We are incredibly proud of Charlotte Kendrick who attended the New Zealand National Diving Championships last week, and scored the following placings:
2nd place, 1m Springboard (Age Group D - Girls)
3rd place, 3m Springboard (Age Group D - Girls)
Charlotte, we know how hard you have been working to prepare for this event, and we congratulate you on your success!
Proclaiming the Word (Louise)
Congratulations to Rebecca Houghton who represented St Michaels at the Proclaiming the Word inter-school competition. This year the annual event took place at St Ignatius Catholic School with 12 students from various Catholic schools across Auckland. Rebecca did a beautiful job sharing her scripture reading and represented our school with pride. Well done Rebecca!
Cans for Christmas
Thank you to everyone for your very generous support of the St Vincent de Paul Cans for Christmas drive. The school office had 3 boxes full of cans and the St Vincent de Paul team were very grateful when they collected the donations.
Turbo Touch
St Michael’s was very excited to welcome Liam Carter from Touch NZ who joined us on Tuesday and Wednesday this week to teach all of our students some basic touch skills. The sessions were fun and informative. We were so lucky to be blessed with beautiful, sunny weather over the two days that Liam was here. Scroll further down to view photos.
Senior Speeches
Well done to Boston Recordon who represented St Michael’s at the Remuera Zone Rehu Tai festival at St Kent’s Girls school last Wednesday. Well done also to Charlotte Kendrick who represented St Michael’s at the Remuera Lions Club Speechmakers Competition on Tuesday evening this week. You both represented our school beautifully and we are so proud of your efforts.
SMCS Policies – all our policies are on SchoolDocs , please follow the next four steps.
- Go to www.schooldocs.co.nz
- Click Search for your school.
- 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 Inclusive Education, Māori Educational Success and Learning Support - Learning Support Coordination, Identify Learning Support, Gifted Learners.
Please click on the current review and then click on and read the policies. Next you click on under review and complete the survey. Your feedback would be appreciated.
11/09/23 to 15/09/23 - Māori Language Week
17/09/23 - First Holy Communion and Confirmation (12.00pm)
18/09/23 to 22/09/23 - Cultural Week (note change from week 9)
18/09/23 - Board of Trustees Meeting at 7pm
22/09/23 - Mufti Day - Kindness Collection (gold coin donation)
22/09/23 - Mufti Day - Kindness Collection (gold coin donation)
OTHER NOTICES
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.
Excerpt from ‘The Catholic Education of School-Age Children’ (NZ Bishops, 2014)
The Faith Amid Secularity research revealed that the young people in the study “demonstrate a strong Catholic sense of the presence of God, exhibiting a Catholic conviction of the goodness of humankind as part of a created order understood to be fundamentally good”. They claim a Catholic identity and claim Catholic values, but “in the everyday engagement of faith with life, there appears to be a disconnection”.
The Faith Amid Secularity research revealed that the young people in the study “demonstrate a strong Catholic sense of the presence of God, exhibiting a Catholic conviction of the goodness of humankind as part of a created order understood to be fundamentally good”. They claim a Catholic identity and claim Catholic values, but “in the everyday engagement of faith with life, there appears to be a disconnection”.
Religious Education Term 3 Overview
Week 7-10 – God Strand
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.
Adoration: Monday - Friday 7.30am-8.30am
Rosary: Monday – Friday 8.30am & 12.30pm; Saturday 8.30am
School Masses - Every Thursday at 9:15am (except on Feast Days)
21/09/23 - Feast of St Michael - All families welcome
The Feast of the Holy Cross Prayer (14 September)
Bless us who find salvation In the cross of Christ; May we always recognise his glory In the weak, suffering and condemned of the world. We ask this through Christ, crucified and exalted, who is Lord forever and ever. Amen. (https://www.sosj.org.au/wp)
Wishing you all a very safe and happy weekend,
Catherine Westwood and Philippa Barling
