Tēnā koutou katoa St Michael’s Catholic School Community, 

We are moving into the season of Advent where we focus on preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ Jesus. The celebration of Advent takes place on the four Sundays prior to Christmas, and follows four weekly themes; hope, peace, joy and love. This ends on Christmas Eve. 

Our Jesse Tree Mass was just beautiful. Thank you to Louise Spora for planning this celebration and to Rebekah Capon assisting her with the organisation. The Year 6 Leaders were outstanding in both reading the Gospel and bringing up the symbols. Thanks also to Alex Houghton for once again putting the symbols onto our tree. 

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Isla MacDiarmid, Shari Tighe-Umbers, Bridgette Mingers and Chelsea Nawisielski for 2024!

Isla and Shari have done a wonderful job in Room 3 this year, and we are thrilled that they are staying on with us for 2024. Shari will be on leave in Term 1, but will be back team teaching from Term 2 onwards.

Bridgette and Chelsea are both Baradene old girls, and we were lucky enough to have Chelsea as a student teacher at our school while she was training. We look forward to supporting their transition to St Michael’s in the New Year.

On Wednesday 6 December we will be hosting a mufti fundraiser for The Kindness Collective. There will also be a special surprise for the kids from our Year 6 students! Please bring along a gold coin donation to support all the amazing work that the Kindness Collective do!

We had house relays at school and the children ran their hearts out. It was a fun event.  Year 1, 1st - Cluny, Year 2, 1st - Cluny, Year 3, 1st - Pompallier, Year 4, 1st - Cluny, Year 5, 1st - MacKillop, Year 6, 1st - Cluny.

We have a large number of RATs that will expire by the end of this year. If you would like some please let us know how many you would like by emailing Genevieve secretary@smcs.school.nz and you can collect them from the school office. 

Friday 1 December: Year 6 Graduation Dinner (5.00pm)

Thursday 7 December: Thanksgiving Mass (6.00pm)

Friday 8 December: Year 6 Rainbows End Trip

Wednesday 13 December: Academic Prize Giving (11.30am) and Christmas Concert (1.30pm)

Friday 15 December: Last day of Term 4 - End of Year Mass at 11am. (School closes at 12.30pm)

“Many factors combine to create the Catholic character of a school. It is this character that the Catholic community hopes will create that “encounter with the living God” which will lead the young person to become a committed disciple of Jesus Christ” (Page 10, 44)

Advent Retreat 

St Michael’s Parish has organised an Advent Retreat on Saturday 2nd November from 8am to 2pm. The guest speaker is Robert Loretz. Please click on the following link: Advent Retreat 

Week 8: Advent

Week 9 - 10: Christmas

Rosary Group Meet Every Friday at 1:15pm to 1:30pm at the Reflective Area (Church if raining)

Saturday 2nd December: Advent Retreat in the Church and Parish Centre

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 Feast days) 

07/12/23 - Thanksgiving Mass at 6pm 

15/12/23 - End of Year Mass at 11am

Manaaki ki te Atua,

Enrolments for St Michael's Catholic Parish sacramental programme will open on Monday 20th November 2023.

Before you enrol, please review the dates of commitment and the FAQ sheet (on St Michael's Parish website).

All sessions must be attended to receive the sacraments. We encourage that you attend the information evening on the Tuesday 12th March 2024 as the programme has significantly changed from 2023 onwards.

Any questions, please email these to stmichaelsbecomingchurch@gmail.com 

The traditional giving tree will be set up after school on Friday 17 November in the church, near the Sacred Heart altar.

This is an excellent way for school families to show practical concern for the underprivileged. Christmas is always a difficult time for those who are out of work and unable to provide for their families.  As you shop for your own family Christmas why not put aside something for others, especially children, or even a special family gift.

The gifts you leave under the tree will be distributed to the needy by Monte Cecilia Housing Trust. Please take a card and give generously this year.

NB the last day for leaving your gifts is Sunday 10 December. Thank you 

We are on the look out for CLASS REPS for next year. This is a very important position and one that is highly appreciated by parents and teachers.

As a class rep, your job is to be the liaison between teacher and parents, by keeping everyone informed and organising social events as possible.

Sounds like you? Send us an email ptasmcs@gmail.com and we will get in touch with you in January (once the classes have been assigned).

Not interested in class repping, but willing to help somewhere else or have an idea? Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!

Thanks to Room 6 for helping with pizza Friday on 1st December.

 

Next Pizza Dates:

8th Dec Room 5

15th Dec Room 4 

The uniform shop will be open on 1 December from 2:45pm to 3:30pm (the uniform shop is located across the senior playground. 

  

20 Students represented St Michael's at Zones year 5 and 6 Athletics at Mt Smart Stadium this week. They gave it there all in a very competitive inter school competition.

We had a first in the 100m timed heat from Raf Setiobudi but our best track result was Maria Petrus who made the timed 100m finals and our Year 6 Relay girls came 4th.

Our field competitors were having a great go at it too. Our top result was 3rd in ball throw from Millie Reyburn in Year 6!

Harriet Lamont came a close 4th in ball throw and Vasaré Lemmons did great high jumping, and came 4th.

I think the highlights were listening to the kids surprised reactions when they saw the track - it is an impressive venue. If you are interested in participating in athletics, go give it a go, the Ellerslie Club meets weekly in the summer season. 

Our children were supportive of each other and made us all incredibly proud! It's been wonderful for John and I to work with the older children at these events, and we think they are an amazing bunch. Scroll down to view photos.

Kia Ora and stay fit for more events in 2024!
Jo Petrie and John Hazel

The Chasers (Y3 and Y4) 

Player of the Day - Teddy

Player of the Day - Antonio

The Saintz (Y1 and Y2)
Player of the Day - Ariana
Toucher of the Day - Grace

Top Tip:
Offside/Onside: After a touch has been made all defending players must retire 5 metres from the mark. Defenders cannot move forward until the dummy half has touched the ball.