Newsletter - 22 June 2023

Tēnā koutou katoa St Michael’s Catholic School Community,

“Me mahi tahi tātou mo te oranga o te katoa”

We should work together for the wellbeing of everyone.

It has been a busy week at St Michael’s, and we have certainly seen the benefits of working together as a school community! This has culminated in two wonderful events: Grandparents’ Day and Book Week.

Firstly, a huge thank you to the following members of our community who played a key role in Grandparent’s Day: the PTA, led by Leah Zazulak-Baker for providing such a beautiful morning tea for our special guests; Omar Nasim and the team at Dance Curriculum for their hard work in preparing each year's level's items; Louise Spora for the lovely Mass; and Lauren Brown for preparing the choir.

We are currently in the midst of Book Week, and Miss Bagnall and our Library Leaders Cilla Black, Mich Duan, Kate Gilligan, Darcy Hale and Gabrielle-Thu Vu have prepared a wonderful week of events to celebrate. So far this week we have celebrated with Pyjama Day, a book swap, an author experience, and a range of other literacy-based activities. Tomorrow is Book Character Day, and you are welcome to join us in the Hall for the parade from 9.15am! A big thank you to Miss Bagnall and all of her lovely helpers for their efforts in preparing such a wonderful week. Book Week photos have been added to the Newsletter.

Speaking of Miss Bagnall, tomorrow will be her last day of work before she departs on maternity leave! We wish her all the very best for the safe arrival of her baby girl - we will miss you Charlotte, and can’t wait to meet your new daughter.

Pedestrian Gates - Bassett and Beatrice Rd

These gates were installed this year to keep all of our children, particularly the newer members of our school, safe. We are noticing that on occasion parents are leaving these open when they enter/exit the site during the school day. It is vital that you close the gates after you when you are accessing the school. Thank you for your support in this.

SMCS Policies Review – 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 Education Outside the Classroom - EOTC Planning and Review; EOTC Risk Management; EOTC Coordinator; EOTC External Providers; EOTC Staff Competencies; EOTC Event Categories; EOTC Communication with Parents.

Please click on “Current Review” and then read the policies. Then click on “Under Review” and complete the survey. Your feedback is appreciated!

Friday 23 June - Book Character Parade

9.15am, School Hall. All are welcome!

Friday 30 June - YCC Mufti Day

Children are welcome to wear mufti on this day - the Outreach Leaders will be collecting donations for Caritas, which will go to Oecusse School in Timor Leste who are in desperate need of working, hygienic bathroom facilities.

ICAS Testing

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.

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. The parent portal will close after this date.

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

Access details:

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

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.

A Family in Need of a Place to Live

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.

Excerpt from ‘The Catholic Education of School-Age Children’ (NZ Bishops, 2014)

“In 2013 there are 238 Catholic schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Church in this

country has invested heavily in the Catholic school system, which has survived and

flourished despite recurring difficulties in funding and staffing the schools. Thanks to the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act, Catholic schools do not face the kind of crises which burdened the Catholic community between 1877 and 1975. However there are still substantial challenges to be faced in relation to the education of school-age Catholics in the Third Millennium.”

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.

School Masses - Every Thursday at 9:15am

29/06/23 - Senior School Mass.

Joint Parish School Events (planned by the Community Committee)

Senior School Movie - Thursday 20th July at 3:30pm to 5:50pm in the Mary MacKillop Hall.