Tēnā koutou katoa St Michael’s Catholic School Community, 

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the Auckland Catholic Primary Principals Association conference in Paihia. The theme of the conference was “Kei te hono tatou… take a breath”. This was an opportunity for us to share our collective wisdom and friendship. 

We are so pleased to have been accepted into Sir John Kirwan’s Mitey Programme for Term 2, next year. This programme will help us embed mental health education across the whole school, something we believe is vital for our school to do. 

I hope to meet with you all this Sunday 21 May (11am-1pm) for the St Michael's Parish Cultural Potluck, held in our Hall.  It should be a great event. More details below under St Michael's Parish. 

Students are invited to wear brightly coloured clothing to celebrate our differences as part of our school’s Kindness Day! We will launch our newest initiative - the Kindness Cup. The Cup encourages us to be kind within our school environment and to the people around us. 

The following information is for Year 4-6 families interested in registering students for the online International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) testing scheduled to be sat during school time in Term 3. This year students can register for exams in English, Mathematics and Science.

ICAS exams are run through a private company based in New South Wales, and are “user pays”. 

These exams assess higher order thinking and problem solving to extend students beyond their expected achievement level for their age.  We have found in the past that some students find the examinations, and receiving their results, extremely stressful. It is important that if you enrol your child for these exams, that you take the time to prepare them for this. There are example test papers available on the ICAS website to purchase. 

The school does not receive feedback regarding each student’s performance in these exams. The results do not inform or guide teaching and learning at our school.

Our school has signed up for the ICAS Assessments parent payment system (PPS) and registrations are now open. Please use the below details to register and pay directly online, no later than 1 July 2023.

Please take care to register your child for the appropriate tests depending on their year level.

School access code: FTW829

Parent page link: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps

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

An awesome group of girls who love netball and have a lot of fun, would love your girls to come and join our team of stars! Games are Thursday after school at St Johns Netball Courts and we’d welcome you straight away. Please contact Lindy ASAP on lindypeacocke@yahoo.com

It is important that whilst at school these devices are switched to ‘school mode’ (disabled during school hours). 

Please ensure that if you are dropping off or picking up your child/ren from Bassett Road that you do not park over the yellow lines or in our neighbours’ driveways, as we have had a number of complaints recently. We would also like to remind you to use the pedestrian crossing to ensure everyone’s safety when crossing the road. It is important that the adults in our community model following the road rules and crossing the road safely.

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 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. 

“In 1877 as a result of a Parliamentary impasse over the level of religious influence in state primary schools, all state funding was withdrawn from Catholic and other church schools. 21. From 1877 onwards, for just over a century, the building and operation of Catholic schools across the country was funded solely by the efforts of the Catholic community. Providing a place in a Catholic school for every Catholic child was the ideal for all involved. The schools were only able to exist because of the selfless service and work of religious who worked for a small stipend, but even so, the schools severely strained the limited financial resources of the Catholic community.” (Page 6, 20)

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.

St Michael's Cultural Potluck 21 May, 11am-1pm held in St Mary MacKillop Hall. Worldwide, the UN marks 21 May 2023 as World Day for Cultural Diversity. St Michael's Parish is inviting you to a Cultural Potluck to celebrate the multiple cultures in our Church, all united in our faith. You are welcome to bring a plate, a drink, your service or participation. To help us plan, please sign up through https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PLCJ2GS. We look forward to seeing you there!

25/05/23 - Rooms 2 and 7 - All Welcome;  01/06/23 - Junior School Mass (1-6);  08/06/23 - Rooms 9, 4 & 1; 11/06/23 - School Parish Mass - All Welcome; 16/06/23 - Grandparents Day Mass - All Welcome - 12 noon in the Church: 22/06/23 - Rooms 10 & 6; 29/06/23 - Senior School Mass. . 

Manaaki ki te Atua,

Thank you for all those who attended the PTA meeting last Monday. It is always great to be able bounce back ideas on how we can help our school! 

Raffle donations are appreciated! If you or your business are in a position to donate anything we could use as raffle items, please leave those with Genevieve. 

The Quiz Night is next Wednesday! We still have some places available. So gather your class parents, bring your mom, a friend and join us for a fun night! 

 

There won’t be door sales, so please make sure you purchase your ticket on MyKindo and email us by Sunday 21 May. 

 

Don’t have a table but want to come along? NO PROBLEM! Email us at ptasmcs@gmail.com and we will join you with another group. 

 

Raffle tickets can also be purchased via MyKindo until Tuesday 23 May. 

Our Caring Shed is receiving donations! Anything of good quality is accepted, from furniture, to bedding, to toys, books, and clothes. Just get the keys from Genevieve or get in touch with the Caring Shed team on ptasmcs@gmail.com

Please do not put anything broken, ripped, or worn off in the shed as they will not be taken away.

Thank you to Room 7 for helping with Pizza this week. We really appreciate your support. 
 

Have a blessed weekend X 
Gio and Sam