Tumuaki/Principal News
“I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength” - Philippians 4:13
Tēnā koutou katoa St Michael’s Catholic School Community,
Imagine Peace for All
The Cross Country was outstanding, a massive thank you to John Hazel and Jo Petrie for organising this great event. Thank you to all the parents who helped on the day to make this event so special. The Cross Country Prizegiving will be held on Wednesday 6th September. Scroll further down for photos.
Thank you to all the families who attended the Parish School Mass last Sunday. It was lovely being part of this beautiful community.
Daffodil Day
We raised $362.00 that will go to the Cancer Society NZ
SMCS Year 4-6 Speech Finals
It was wonderful to be able to gather for our school speech finals this term! Congratulations to all students for writing and presenting a speech.
Well done to the finalists:
- Year 6: Violet Cheng, Boston Recordon and Kate Gilligan
- Year 5: Ellery Balderas, Charlotte Kendrick, Alexis Ricablanca and in the Rap category Oliver Carter
- Year 4: Andrew Strevens, Manu Gatmaitan, and Michaela Chu
Congratulations to our first place winners - Boston, Charlotte and Manu
Boston will go on to present his speech at the Year 5/6 Remuera Cluster Rehu Tai Festival of Oral Language and Charlotte will present at the Remuera Lions Club Junior Speechmakers Competition. Well done for representing St Michael’s!

Sports Exchange
On Tuesday, 22 August, some year 5 and 6 students competed in the Remuera Winter fields days in Netball and Football. We were lucky to have beautiful weather and while the competition was tough, the children showed great sportsmanship and had a fun day competing against other Remuera schools. Thank you to all the parents who took time to help and support us on the day.



Learning Assistant fixed term vacancy
We are seeking a person who is keen to work at St Michael’s with some of our neurodiverse children. This role would begin in Term 4 working Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday each week from 10:30am until 2:55pm. Please contact Ann McKeown if you are interested in this position a.mckeown@smcs.school.nz
Flags to be displayed in the Hall
Please read the list of flags that we currently have:
Australia, Canada, Chinese, Columbia, Croatia (2), Denmark, France, Italy, Indonesia (small), Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Nauru Island, Philippines, Scotland, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Wales, and Zimbabwe.
If your country is not currently represented and you are able to donate a flag, that would be much appreciated. We would love to have these flags on display again by the beginning of Week 10. All donated flags to Genevieve in the Office please.
Australia, Canada, Chinese, Columbia, Croatia (2), Denmark, France, Italy, Indonesia (small), Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Nauru Island, Philippines, Scotland, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Wales, and Zimbabwe.
If your country is not currently represented and you are able to donate a flag, that would be much appreciated. We would love to have these flags on display again by the beginning of Week 10. All donated flags to Genevieve in the Office please.
SMCS Policies – 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 Inclusive Education, Māori Educational Success and Learning Support - Learning Support Coordination, Identify Learning Support, Gifted Learners.
Please click on the 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.

01/09/23 - Photolife - Sports Photos
04/09/23 - 08/09/23 - Tongan Language Week and Social Justice Week
05/09/23 - Catholic Cross Country (Rain Day 07/09/23)
08/09/23 - SMCS Disco - 5pm to 7pm
11/09/23 to 15/09/23 - Māori Language Week
18/09/23 to 22/09/23 - Cultural Week (note change from week 9)
18/09/23 - Board of Trustees Meeting at 7pm
22/09/23 - Mufti Day (Kindness Collection - gold coin donation)
22/09/23 - Mufti Day (Kindness Collection - gold coin donation)
OTHER NOTICES
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.

Excerpt from ‘The Catholic Education of School-Age Children’ (NZ Bishops, 2014)
“The young people studied see being “Catholic” as part of their identity, but for most it is a cultural connection rather than a commitment: “Cultural association with Catholicism is highly valued while the religious significance of the baptismal call to discipleship is generally unacknowledged.... Being Catholic was indubitably part of their identity but almost entirely lacking for most was a sense of conversion to being a committed disciple of Jesus Christ.” “In every way they are typical of their generation – individualistic, humanitarian, scientific, media immersed, free of past ideas of a judgemental God etc. Though they value their Catholic culture, it is more as a heritage; the background presence of a comforting religious faith in which they choose for the most part not to engage on any regular basis.”19” (Page 9, 33)
Religious Education Term 3 Overview
Week 7-10 – God Strand
Week 8 - Caritas Social Justice Week
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.
Adoration: Monday - Friday 7.30am-8.30am
Rosary: Monday – Friday 8.30am & 12.30pm; Saturday 8.30am
School Masses - Every Thursday at 9:15am (except on Feast Days)
07/09/23 - Rooms 4 and 5
14/09/23 - Rooms 1 and 9
21/09/23 - Feast of St Michael - All families welcome
A Spring Prayer

Manaaki ki te Atua,
Ann McKeown
Principal Tumuaki