Tēnā koutou katoa St Michael’s Catholic School Community,
“Titiro whakamuri kokiri whakamua” Look back and reflect so you can move forward
I hope you all had a lovely long weekend with your families. Tomorrow we celebrate the Feast of All Souls and we would love for you to join us for Mass at 9:15am. November is named as the month of the Holy Souls. In this month we make time to remember those who have died. We pray for those whom we have loved in life on Earth. We pray for those who have loved us. Each church will have a box where you can place the names of loved ones who have passed away so that the whole Church can together pray for them.
The weather is getting warmer now, and it is great to see the children transitioning into their summer uniforms. An important part of this is their school hat, especially as the children are spending so much time outside preparing for Athletics Day. Please help your child to remember to pack their school hat each morning, and ensure that it is clearly labelled with their name.
Athletics Day will be on Friday 15 November. In order for this to run smoothly, Miss Bagnall is looking for parent helpers to fill a range of roles. One of the key values of our school is to “do your bit” and we would love your support in ensuring the success of this event. If you are available to help on the day, please email Charlotte atc.bagnall@smcs.school.nz.
Class Makeup for 2025
To ensure a balance across all classrooms next year, teachers are currently identifying children’s academic, behavioural, social attributes and friendships to support class placements. Please rest assured that we consider a range of factors and put a lot of time and thought into the class placement of each child to ensure they are in the right place for their learning journey.
We respectfully ask that you do not make requests for particular teachers or for specific children to be placed together next year.
All Blacks Rugby Game
I wish the All Blacks all the best in their game on Sunday - it will be an exciting game. To those of you who are doing the Auckland Marathon I hope that the race goes well for you.
ICAS Results 2024
The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) are independent skills-based assessments with a competition element. Over one million student entries are accepted from over 6,300 schools in Australia and New Zealand annually. In addition, students from over 20 countries including Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and the USA participate in ICAS each year.
ICAS assessments offer students experience in sitting large scale examinations.
We are very proud of all the students who participated and wish to acknowledge and congratulate those who achieved High Distinction, Distinction, Credit and Merit results.
Year 5 - Ella Ambrosio, Suri Lee, Athena Sequera, Andrew Strevens
Year 4 - Amber Lo, Oscar McGillivray, Rafe Munro, Hayul Na, Alexandre Penna, Uriel Wee, Cecilia Wong
Merit:
Year 5 - Issac Cheung, Angelo Lilley
English:
Distinction:
Year 5 - Ella Ambrosio, Veronique Itoh, Suri Lee, Andrew Strevens
Year 4 - Alexandre Penna
Credit:
Year 6 - Ethan Cheng, Josiah Loming, Tom Valerio
Year 5 - Angelo Lilley
Year 4 - Amber Lo, Adam Mercader, Rafe Munro, Hayul Na, Savio Setiobudi, Amadeo Suryadi, Uriel Wee, Cecilia Wong
Merit:
Year 6 - Oliver Carter, Maria Petrus
Year 5 - Angela Angland, Athena Sequera
Year 4 - Hudson Helsby, Oscar McGillivray
Summer Uniform - SMCS Bucket Hats
In Term 4 we change into the summer uniform however with the cold spell the expectation will be that all students will be in full summer uniform after Labour weekend. Please ensure your child has the correct school uniform including black sandals and SMCS green sunhat.
Unplugged Rebels Notice
Are you wondering about when to give your child a smartphone? Or feeling alone and unsure about how to navigate this, including access to social media?
The Unplugged Rebels are hosting an online webinar on Tuesday 12th November at 7:30pm and would love for you to join them.
Laura Massey and Katrina Colombié will facilitate the discussion, including the risks of smartphone use in adolescence, ideas around what alternative norms we might agree to for our children, as well as connecting with each other as parents and providing support for one another in this tricky space.
This is relevant for parents at any stage and might particularly appeal to those with year 5+6 students nearing the move from SMCS.
If you have further questions, you are welcome to email Jacinda Calkin at jacindacalkin@gmail.com
Friday 1 November - All Saints Day and Kindness Collective Fundraiser - Free Dress Day (Gold Coin Donation)
Monday 4 November to Friday 8 November - Book Week
Wednesday 6 November - Room 1 and 3 Assembly
Wednesday 13 November - Room 5 and 6 Assembly
Friday 15 November - SMCS Athletics Day at Glover Park
Monday 18 November - SMCS Save Day for Athletics
Monday 18 November - 3:15pm - 2025 Year 6 Camp Meeting
Wednesday 27 November - Athletics Prize Giving 2pm
Monday 28 November - 9:15am - Jesse Tree Mass
Friday 06 December - Year 6 Graduation Dinner
Wednesday 11 December - 1:30pm - Christmas Concert
Thursday 12 December - 9.15am - Year 6 Thanksgiving Mass and Special Character Awards and at 11:30am - End of Year Prizegiving
Tuesday 17 December - Term 4 Ends (at 12:30pm)
Director of Religious Studies News - Whanau Faith Discussion
Theme: ‘ All Saints and All Souls Day
As Catholics, we begin November by remembering those who have died. We call the first two days of November All Saints Day and All Souls Day. On All Saints Day and All Souls Day we remember that we are members of the People of God. United with God, we are also united with all Christians who have come before us in the Communion of Saints.
Questions:
When do we mention the Communion of Saints? (in the Apostles’ Creed)
What does communion mean? (sharing, communication)
What do we share with the saints? (faith, the sacraments, our gifts)
Who are the saints mentioned in the Creed?
What Saint-like qualities do you see in people you know? ( e.g. Mum is very patient).
School Rosary: Fridays at 1:15pm at the reflective area (Church if wet).
School Masses - 9:15am
Friday 1st November - Whole School All Saints Mass
Thursday 7th November - Room 7 & 3
Thursday 14th November - Room 10 & 2
Thursday 21st November - Room 4 & 1
Thursday 28th November - Whole School Jesse Tree Mass
Thursday 12th December - Thanksgiving Graduation Mass
Religious Education Term 4 Overview
For Year 3-6
Week 1- 4: Strand - God
Week 5 - 7: Strand - Communion of Saints
Week 8- 10: Advent and Christmas
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 4 theme is Kia Noho Hāhi Being Church . This theme focuses on’ I belong’.
Prayer For All Saints Day
“O Lord God, by the Precious Blood which Jesus, Your divine Son, shed upon the Cross this day, deliver the souls in Purgatory, particularly those souls nearest to me and for whom I should pray, that they may come quickly into Your glory to praise and bless You forever. Amen. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord.”(https://www.josephites.org/all-souls-novena/)
Manaaki ki te Atua,
Ann McKeown
Principal Tumuaki
PTA NEWS
Looking ahead to 2025 (scary right?), we need to start thinking about how we want to move forward as the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and the role we play at St Michaels.
Sam, Gio, Lucy and Venus are completing two years (four for Venus) in our roles as Co-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
We have all enjoyed our time in our roles and felt really supported by the amazing parents at our school. We now feel that it is time for others to bring in fresh ideas and lead this group in 2025.
We are looking for a chair (or co-chairs), a secretary and a treasurer starting January 2025. The new people will be fully supported to assure a smooth transition - not to say, we are still around, so a phone call away!
Interested? Please reach out to any of us if you would like to have a private chat about any of the roles before you commit. We would be more than happy to talk about our experiences and what the roles entail.
Scholastic Books and Book Week
Orders close today, Thursday, 31 October.
Our scholastic book shop is also back next week, 4-8 November. Come and get yourselves amazing bargains before school (8:30-9:00am) and at pick-up (2:45-3:15).
It’s Calendar Art time again!
Our children have been busy creating artwork that can be made into affordable Calendars, Cards, Diaries, Mouse Mats and Sketch Pads. Each product is made from your own child’s art. These make unique Christmas gifts for family and friends and are perfect for posting overseas. Follow these instructions to place your order online by 11 November:
Payment can be made via the website with credit card or account2account.
If you have any questions or issues please contact the PTA (Sam & Gio) via email: ptasmcs@gmail.com
Mums’ Night Out
Our Mums’ night out event is confirmed for Friday 22 November at 7pm! This will be a lovely opportunity to meet other St Michaels mums and have a great time, all while enjoying some delicious finger foods and drinks!
Tickets are $33 and include a selection of yummy finger foods. Drinks can be purchased on the night.
Numbers are limited, so reserve your spot today via myKindo.
Second-Hand School Uniform Shop
The Second-Hand Uniform Shop will be next Friday, 1 November from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm.
Come on down, say hello and get yourself some great pre-loved uniforms.
Anything to donate? Drop those off to the school office. Please make sure they are clean and in good condition.
Pizza Fridays
Please remember to order your pizzas by 9am on Friday mornings to avoid your child having no pizza for lunch. Cancellations are also accepted by 9am.
Thank you to Room 4 for helping this Friday.
Have a wonderful weekend! Gio and Sam
SPORTS NEWS
The Design a Mascot competition for the Blues Rugby Team
Congratulations to Ethan who was the winner of The Design a Mascot competition for the Blues Rugby team.
He worked with the design team to bring his ideas into life and now will run out with the new mascot for the start of the next season. We are so proud of you Ethan!
Crossfit Kids Class!
Please join us for some fun everyTuesday at 3.45-4.30pm at Crossfit Newmarket. Contact Denise dfpvalerio@yahoo.com if interested.
Touch Rugby Gear
If you were a Manager or Coach last year and you have not returned your playing kit i.e. string bag with rugby balls, cones and trophy - please return it to the school office so other teams can use the kit if you no longer need it. Thank you.
