Tēnā koutou katoa St Michael’s Catholic School Community,
“He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata” Goodwill towards others is a precious treasure
Today we celebrated the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Mass. Thank you to Rebekah Capon for organising this beautiful celebration. The Assumption represents a tremendous opportunity to draw closer to God through Mary's intercession and example. “Immaculate Mary, assumed into heaven, teach us to trust in God’s plan the way you did. Do not let us fear obstacles or uncertainties. Inspire us and pray for us today, as we celebrate your Assumption. Amen.” (https://hallow.com/blog/feast-of-the-assumption)
Baptism Mass at St Michael’s Parish
A huge welcome and congratulations to the six students from SMCS who received the sacrament of Baptism at St Michael’s Church on Saturday 10 August. Twenty eight children were Baptised that evening by Fr. Tony Dunn.
Cross Country
On Friday 23rd August 2024 ( Save date Monday 26th August) we will be celebrating our next full school sports event to be held at Monte Cecilia Park. The event runs from 9am till 2pm. The children start racing from 10.15am. In order for this event to be a success, we need you to do your bit! Parent helpers are a key to ensure our tamariki can participate in events like this. If you can help in any way please email Miss Bagnall at c.bagnall@smcs.school.nz or pop into Room 3 for some additional information.
Cans for Christmas
Every year we are involved in cans for Christmas. This is an initiative that started 10 years ago, and supports St Vincent de Paul Society. We will be collecting these cans on Friday 6th September and we ask each child to bring along a can of food to contribute to this wonderful charity.
St Michael’s Catholic School Policies – all our policies are on SchoolDocs, please follow the next four steps.
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: Concerns and Complaints Policy (board); Media; Performance Management (board); Professional Development; Protected Disclosure (board); Staff Conduct; Staff Leave
Please click on “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.
End of Year Events - Year 6 Thanksgiving Mass (including Special Character Awards) and End of Year Prizegiving
The Year 6 Thanksgiving Mass is one of the most important events in our school calendar, particularly for our graduating students and their families. We acknowledge that this is a difficult time of year for families to commit to an evening Mass, and have therefore made the decision this year to celebrate at 9.15am on Thursday 12 December. All families are warmly invited to join us for this Mass.
As we know that parents may wish to take time off to attend the Mass, the school’s End of Year Prizegiving will also be held on Thursday at 11.30am.
SMCS Term Dates 2025
Term 1 | Monday 3 February 2025 - Friday 11 April 2025 Term 2 | Monday 28 April 2025 - Friday 27 June 2025 Term 3 | Monday 14 July 2025 - Friday 19 September 2025 Term 4 | Monday 6 October 2025 - Tuesday 16 December 2025
Monday 19 August - PTA Meeting (7.00pm)
Wednesday 21 August - ICAS Exam (Science)
Wednesday 21 August - Room 8 and Room 9 Assembly (changed from 14 August)
Wednesday 21 August - PTA 'Dad's Night Out' (6.30pm for a 7pm start)
Friday 23 August - SMCS Cross Country (Monte Cecilia Park)
Saturday 24 August - Sacrament of Reconciliation
Monday 26 August - Save day (if wet on 23 August) SMCS Cross Country
Wednesday 28 August - ICAS Exam (Mathematics)
Wednesday 28 August - Keeping Ourselves Safe Parent Meeting with Constable Gordon (2pm) in the Staffroom
Thursday 29 August - Photolife Class and sibling Photos (9am - 1.30pm in the Hall)
Friday 30 August - Photolife Sports Team photos (8am - 11am in the Hall)
Friday 30 August - Daffodil Day
Monday 2 September - Friday 6 September - Tongan Language Week and Keeping Ourselves Safe Week
Wednesday 4 September - Room 2 and Room 10 Assembly
Wednesday 5 September - SMCS School Tour for new families (10am - 11am)
Friday 6 September - School Disco (5pm - 7pm)
Sunday 8 September - Parish/School Mass (10am) and Morning Tea afterwards
Monday 9 September - Friday 13 September - Māori Language Week and Social Justice Week
Tuesday 10 September - Confirmation Service (6pm - 7pm)
Wednesday 11 September - Catholic Cross Country at Monte Cecilia
Monday 16 September to Friday 20 September - Chinese Language Week
Monday 16 September - School Board Meeting (7pm)
Wednesday 18 September - Cross Country Prizegiving
Saturday 21 September - SMCS First Holy Communion Mass (6pm)
Sunday 22 September - Parish First Holy Communion (12pm) and at 1pm Parish and SMCS First Holy Communion Celebration in the Hall
Monday 23 September to Friday 27 September - Cultural Week
Wednesday 25 September - Cross Country Prizegiving
Thursday 26 September - Cultural Mass
Friday 27 September - End of Term 3
Catholic Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand
“The passing of the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act in 1975 gave Catholic schools a future. This enlightened legislation allowed Catholic (and other private schools) to choose to enter the state system as “state integrated schools”, and to receive state support for their operation while retaining their Catholic identity. The debt amassed before integration and the costs of upgrading schools to the state code have needed continued servicing postintegration. Attendance dues were introduced to allow this debt to be serviced, including additional debt needed to establish new schools and upgrade or expand existing schools. The New Zealand Catholic Education Office was established with a key role in representing Catholic interests to government, a role it continues with today.” (p7).
St Michael’s Parish Website – Mass times - Sunday 8am, 10am & 5pm; Monday - Friday 7am & 12noon; Saturday 8am.
Special Mass for Loss of a Child
A Mass will be offered for those who have experienced loss of a child. Spiritual healing is necessary after the loss of a child. The Catholic Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist help facilitate healing through fully knowing God’s love and mercy.
Where: St Michael’s Catholic Church, Beatrice Ave, Remuera
When: Saturday 7th September 5.00pm
Reconciliation and Adoration from 4.30pm
Along with the healing process, counselling is often necessary. You may want to address grief at some stage. Father Tony Dunn can refer you to an experienced counsellor if you wish.
School Rosary: Fridays at 1:15pm at the reflective area (Church if wet).
School Masses - Every Thursday at 9:15am (except Feast days)
15/08/24 - Feast of the Assumption; 22/08/24 - Rooms 4 & 10; 05/09/24 - Rooms 2 & 7;
08/09/24 - School and Parish Mass - Sunday at 10am (Compulsory attendance)
26/09/24 - Whole School Cultural Mass
Religious Education Term 3 Overview
For Year 3-6
Week 1- 4: Strand - Church
Week 4-10: Strand - Sacrament
The themes in our Religious Education Programme are broad categories of knowledge and learning that overlap, weave together and build upon each other.
For Year 1-2
Over the last 4 years , a new Religious Education Curriculum, To Tātou Whakapono Our Faith, has been developed. Level 1 ( Year 1 & 2) students will be learning from the new Curriculum from this year. The term 3 Theme is - Ā Tātou Whakapapa Our Story. This theme focuses on the Church.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Feast Day 15 August
The parish is organising a morning tea after our School/Parish Mass on 8 September.
Please come on down to the hall for a cuppa, a slice and a chat after Mass.
We are also looking for 18 volunteers to help us on the day. Check what is needed and sign in to help: https://volunteersignup.org/B3W3L
Enchanted Forest Disco
School disco organization has started and tickets are on sale via MyKindo.
We also need parent support to make this event happen! As parents are required to stay with the children, why not help us for 30 min (or more)? The more helpers we get, the lighter the work for everyone! Choose where you want to help and your preferred time by going to: volunteersignup.org/BRLRP
Donations If you or your business can donate anything for the event, please reach out to us on ptasmcs@gmail.com. Donations can include chocolates and confectionery, toys, soft toys and books (used but in good condition are accepted), raffle items, etc.
Pizza Fridays
Thank you to Room 6 for helping with Pizza this week. We really appreciate your help.
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