Tēnā koutou katoa St Michael’s Catholic School Community,
“Mā te Atua me te wāhi ngaro tātou e otaki e manaaki” May God and the origins of which all things come from, bless and keep us
We are still in the Easter season, which is the second-longest liturgical season (only ordinary time is longer). The Church celebrates the Easter season (also known as “Eastertide”) for 50 days, culminating with the feast of Pentecost, where Scripture (Acts 2:1–31) tells us that the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles.
Year 5/6 Summer Field Day on Tuesday 09 April
Our year 5 and 6 students had great success on Tuesday 9th April in the Remuera Summer Field day. The children participated in Tee Ball and Touch Rugby, held at Shore Road and College Rifles.
Our Tee-ball Team were hugely successful winning all their games, along with the two touch teams placing second overall in their divisions.
Thank you to the parents who helped with transport and a huge thank you to Roman and Mark who spent the day supporting and helping with the organisation of the Tee-ball team.
It was wonderful to see the children represent St Michael's with such pride and mana.
Kindness Cup
A huge congratulations to this term's Kindness Cup winners: Ivy McAuley (Runner Up), Daniel Petrus (Winner), and Annabelle Fitzgerald (Runner Up)! These children were recognised for their kindness (of course!), their helpful, inclusive attitudes, and their beautiful manners.
Thank you for setting such a positive example for all of us at St Michael's!
End of Term 1 Progress Reports and Parent/Teacher Interviews
You will receive your child’s report in the school break. This will be discussed at the Parent/Teacher interviews. Please make sure you book to see your child’s teacher.
Parent/Teacher Interviews have been scheduled for Wednesday 1 May. These interviews will be ten minutes each, and will be an opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher and discuss their progress and next learning steps.
Please note that due to class numbers, bookings for Rooms 1, 3 and 6 will only be available from 3.20pm. All other classes will have bookings available from 1.30pm. We are able to provide supervision (if required) for students of Rooms 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 until 2.55pm.
Book your Interview on the Skool loop App.
To download the Skool loop APP:
To make your Parent/Teacher booking:
1. Click on your “Interviews” tile 2. Select “Select Interview” 3. Select your child’s teacher 4. Select day/date 5. Select your time preference 6. Click “Select” 7. Enter student's details and sign at the bottom 8. Select “Book Interview” 9. A confirmationemail will be sent to you with your bookings details.
Hoods up, Volume down
April is Autism Acceptance Month. On Wednesday 10 April we participated in Hoods Up, Volume Down and invited all students and staff to wear a hoodie on this day. It was wonderful to join this nationwide movement for acceptance, understanding and accessibility of the Autistic community.
2025 Enrolments
We are planning forward for 2025, and ask that any families who have a child turning five next year please submit their enrolment forms now. If you have any questions, or need any assistance with this, please feel free to contact Catherine at c.westwood@smcs.school.nz.
Friday 12 April - Term 1 Ends
Wednesday 24 April - Teacher Only Day (Mitey Training)
Monday 29 April - Term 2 Begins
Wednesday 1 May - Parent Teacher Interviews (1.30 - 7.30pm)
Monday 6 May, Tuesday 7 May, Thursday 9 May - School Trips (Auckland Botanic Gardens)
Wednesday 8 May - Room 4 and Room 7 Assembly
Monday 13 May - School-wide Dance Curriculum lessons begin
Monday 13 May - BOT Meeting (7.00pm)
The Catholic Education of School-Age ChildrenThis document of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference is to guide those involved in the work of Catholic Education. Each week we will place Excerpts of this book.
“The dedicated work of the many people involved with Catholic schools and the Confraternity of Catholic Doctrine (CCD) movement – teachers, parents, administrators, and others – has been a source of great strength to the Church in New Zealand over many decades. Those who are currently involved carry on the great work in the tradition of their predecessors, with the same commitment, faith and creativity. The Church in New Zealand has much to thank them for. .” (P. 3).
St Michael’s Parish Website – Mass times - Sunday 8am, 10am & 5pm; Monday - Friday 7am & 12noon; Saturday 8am.
School Masses - Every Thursday at 9:15am (except Feast days)
Easter Prayer
“Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace of Easter Sunday, every day. Let us have hearts of thankfulness for your sacrifice. Let us have eyes that look upon your grace and rejoice in our salvation. Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell your good news to the world.” (https://www.southernliving.com)
We have come to the end of Term 1, it certainly has been a busy term. I wish all the students a good break and I pray that those who are travelling keep safe.
Manaaki ki te Atua,
Ann McKeown
Principal Tumuaki
SMCS FRIDAY GARDENING
We are very lucky to have Jim back in the SMCS garden this year; passing his knowledge to the new cohort of Year 5 students. This Term has been a busy one in the garden. Autumn is the time for harvest as many of the vegetables planted in Spring reach ripeness and maturity. There has been an abundance of things to harvest - lots of silverbeet and courgettes and a big crop of beautiful purple kumara. It was a joy to see the children's faces when they were dug up from the earth. Thank-you Venus for your help last week.
We also harvested the onions in the lower garden beds which were planted by a group of year 6 students last year.
Gardening teaches the children so many great skills and learning opportunities. Learning about the origin of their food and giving them an appreciation for the effort that goes into growing it. They also experience the satisfaction of nurturing something and watching it grow over time. Harvesting fresh vegetables from the garden introduces children to new flavours and encourages them to try new food they might not have considered before. 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.
2024 SCHOOL BOARD BI-ELECTION
St Michael's Catholic School (Remuera) Board Parent By-Election 2024
Nominations close on Friday 19 April 2024 at 12 noon.
PTA NEWS
Save the date for our PTA meeting in Term 2 - 20 May at 7pm.
Term 2 – Exciting New Pasta Offerings from Pasta Express
Monday Lunch Service – Addition of Penne alla Bolognese
Starting from the first Monday of Term 2, Pasta Express is excited to add to the current Mac and Cheese service, Penne alla Bolognese.
Penne pasta, combined with a delicious, traditional Bolognese ragu (sauce) which has been slow-cooked for 3 hours, using only premium and natural ingredients. This hearty sauce follows the traditional method and ingredients including; 2 meats (beef and pork), soffritto base (onion, carrot, celery), minimal tomato and a small amount of milk (traditionally added to cut the acidity of the tomato).
Family Meals – Order by Thursday midday for Friday delivery (via Kindo)
Starting the first week of Term 2, Pasta Express is excited to offer both Mac and Cheese varieties (with/without bacon) and the ‘new’ Penne alla Bolognese pasta in large family-size portions (feeds 4-5). These family meals will be delivered cold (not frozen), ready to be heated for dinner that evening or stored in the freezer for another day. Fundraising - St Michael’s will also receive a fundraising donation on every family meal ordered. Order by Thursday midday and pick-up from the office Friday afternoon, please bring a carry bag.
Yummy Stickers
Remember that you can collect stickers all year round and drop them off to us at any time until October. Sheets can be put in the PTA box outside the Mrs McKeown's office – remember, they don’t need to be full!
Thank you to Room 9 & 1 for helping with Pizza this week. We are thankful for your support.
Have a wonderful school holiday! See you all in Term 2!
Gio and Sam
SPORTS NEWS
Tennis Championship
Congratulations to Michaela Chu who received the Championship Title for the Junior Club Champs (Girls Under 11) in the Dunholme Tennis Club in Remuera last Friday. Well done Michaela!
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND
Accountant – Graduate Role
The Accountant role will assist the Diocesan Accounting Manager and CFO with operational leadership for the financial management of the Diocese and its related entities. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring all financial reporting requirements, imperatives are delivered accurately and add value to the organisation. You will provide accurate, timely and relevant statutory and monthly management reporting information for entities which ensures the Diocese both fully meets its statutory requirements and to support the Diocese in the achievement of its strategic goals.
This role will suit a recent graduate of a Bachelor’s degree or relevant tertiary qualification (Accounting).
To view the full advert and the position description please go to our website www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz under Diocesan Services and Staff Vacancies.
Applications close 12 April 2024.
Credit Controller & Administration Support – Part Time – Parental Leave Cover
The Catholic Diocese of Auckland are seeking a motivated credit professional to join their Diocesan Finance team, located in St Marys Bay, Auckland.
This is a part time (20 hours per week), fixed term Parental Leave position, responsible for providing credit control and administrative support to the Operations Manager for the collection of Attendance Dues for schools in the Catholic Diocese of Auckland.
This is a varied role, that will be responsible for a variety of tasks within the credit and collections process. The ability to effectively multi-task, strong problem solving and relationship building skills will be essential, as well as a well-developed sense of initiative, and the ability to work independently.
Key Tasks include:
Collection of compulsory school Attendance Dues
Contact with school parents via outbound phone calls
Follow up of unpaid accounts
Debtor ledger management
Applicants should have previous credit control experience, or similar transferrable commercial experience. Sound collections skills and relevant legislative knowledge would also be advantageous. The ability to effectively juggle multiple priorities, an organised approach to work, excellent attention to detail, and a high level of numerical literacy will be required.
The Diocesan Finance team is close-knit and high performing, so the successful applicant will need to be optimistic, resilient, and driven to succeed – both in terms of achieving their targets and developing and maintaining excellent relationships. Adaptability, transparency, and a collaborative approach to work will be critical for performance in this role, as well as a strong sense of integrity and dependability.
A strong command of written and spoken English will be essential. The ability to speak Samoan and/or Tongan would be advantageous, but not essential.
The role requires a strong sense of empathy, emotional intelligence, and commitment to upholding the values of the Catholic Church.
Only people with the right to work in New Zealand, need apply.
Please send a cover letter and CV to Leanne Killgour – People & Support Manager – leannek@cda.org.nz. For more information on the Catholic Diocese of Auckland, please visit their website www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz.
Applications Close 10 May 2024.
Community Notices
Pform.nz
DRAMA - DANCE - SINGING
Accelerate Confidence and Communication Skills
Enrol in February to be in the draw to win one of ten April Holiday programs with a bestie
Luckily we have a Pform venue here at St Michaels every Tuesday from 3.15-5.15pm
It’s the perfect activity to join with school friends and get the most from this unique and fun learning experience. Free Trials available for a limited time: www.pform.nz/free-trial
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