Tēnā koutou katoa St Michael’s Catholic School Community,
“He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata” Goodwill towards others is a precious treasure
While reading a prayer sheet for Advent I saw this quote: “Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home” (G.K. Chesterton). The realisation that Mary and Joseph were homeless at the time of Jesus’ birth made me give thanks to all that God has given me.
In the midst of all the predictions of economic downturn, rising costs of living, war in Ukraine and the Middle East, make some time to reflect on what is most important in our lives: our families and friends, both near and far, here or departed. Give thanks for the peaceful country in which we live and the beauty we have in our lives.
Thanksgiving Mass - Thursday 7 December at 6pm
In this Mass we acknowledge all our Year 6 Graduates and all those students who are receiving a Special Catholic Character Award (two per class). We also acknowledge all those families and staff who are leaving St Michael’s this year. Can all students meet in the Parish Centre at 5:45pm. Students need to be in their uniform for this Mass.
We would also like to ask you to bring a donation for the Monte Cecelia Foodbank. They are in need of non-perishable items, such as: canned food, spreads, cereals, pasta, sauces, snack foods, treats, noodles or toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, etc). Donations can be placed into the basket in the school office by 3pm please. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Year 6 Graduation Dinner
We extend our gratitude to the incredible efforts of Kate Porteous and a group of dedicated Year 6 parents who organised a truly fantastic Year 6 Graduation Dinner. Your commitment to creating a memorable evening for our graduating students did not go unnoticed. From the beautifully planned decorations to the seamless coordination of the event, your hard work and attention to detail were evident in every aspect. Special thanks to Stephenie Wong (and Samuel) for creating fantastic slides with memorable photos from the years. We especially loved the slides from the first and last years of primary school! Scroll down to view photos.
A big thank you to our Year 5 parents who generously volunteered their time to assist throughout the evening. Your support means a lot.
The happy faces of our graduating students were a testament to the success of the evening, and we owe it all to your passion and dedication. Thank you for making this event a special and unforgettable memory for our Year 6 students. Your selfless contributions and tireless efforts have made a lasting impact, and we appreciate each and every one of you for making this celebration truly remarkable.
End of Year Data
We were thrilled with our overall achievement this year in Reading, Writing and Mathematics. The average across all years is as follows:
Reading: 92% of St Michael’s students are achieving at or above their expected curriculum level. This is 15% above the average New Zealand norm (77%). F
Writing: 86% of St Michael’s students are achieving at or above their expected curriculum level. This is 9% above the average New Zealand norm (77%).
Mathematics:89% of St Michael’s students are achieving at or above their expected curriculum level. This is 12% above the average New Zealand norm (77%).
Mufti Day - The Kindness Collective
Yesterday we celebrated The Kindness Collective, who are currently raising funds for Christmas presents for children in need. Thank you for your generous donations - we raised $505.70, which we know will be gratefully received!
As part of our celebrations yesterday, we also awarded the Kindness Cup for the final time this year. A huge “congratulations” to our two runners-up: Grace Kerr and Lily Brannam-Gates, and to our winner, Alexis Ricablanca! We have loved celebrating acts of kindness around our school this year, and look forward to continuing with this initiative in 2024.
Winner of the Kindness Cup
Runner-up (Senior)
Runner-up (Junior)
Exciting News!
We were absolutely thrilled this week to hear of the very special accomplishments of two of our past students this week.
Joaquin Ambrosio (2021) was presented with the prestigious Overall Top Scholar for Year 8 at the Sancta Maria College Prize Giving this week. This is awarded to students who achieve consistent academic excellence throughout the year. He also achieved a Sportsmanship Award for basketball, which he first started playing during his time with us at St Michael’s!
Alejandro Gollop (2021) received five awards at King’s School Cathedral Prize Giving this year. We are thrilled to share with you that he was announced as “Dux”, receiving the King’s School Dux trophy for 2023. This is an incredible achievement, and we congratulate him on behalf of the school!
Boys, we are so proud of you both, and wish you all the best as you prepare for Year 9.
We love to hear about the accomplishments of our ex-St Michael’s students. If you know of any other students that we can recognise here, please let us know!
Basketball Congratulations
Congratulations to SMCS Bears who competed in the Eastern Bays Miniball Basketball Tournament this term. This team has been unbeaten in this competition. Please read about their achievements in the sports section.
Lost Property
Both Lost Property bins are currently overflowing with unnamed items - some of these are near new. Please check the bins before the end of the year, as all unclaimed items will be donated to the PTA to sell on in the Second Hand Uniform Shop.
Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)
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 15 December: Last day of Term 4 - End of Year Mass at 11am. (School closes at 12.30pm)
Excerpt from ‘The Catholic Education of School-Age Children’ (NZ Bishops, 2014)
“There is value in examining the individual components of Catholic character, but to do this leaves out the holistic nature of Catholic character – the interaction between the components which actually creates the Catholic identity of the school. The journey of discipleship (the progression from encounter, to growth in knowledge and then to Christian witness) provides a framework for understanding the connection between the components of Catholic character.” (Page 10, 45)
Religious Education Term 4 Overview
Week 9 - 10: Christmas
Rosary Group Meet Every Friday at 1:15pm to 1:30pm at the Reflective Area (Church if raining)
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
“O Lord, our God, make us watchful and cheerful as we await the coming of your Son, Christ our Lord, that when he comes and knocks, he will find us not sleeping in sins but awake and rejoicing in his praises; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”(https://www.christianity.com/wiki/prayer/pray-for-advent)
Manaaki ki te Atua,
Ann McKeown
Principal Tumuaki
SMCS GARDENING CLUB
Friday Afternoon Gardening
This Term there was an abundance of veggies to harvest with the Year 5 group. Lots and lots of beautiful silverbeet, broccoli for the teachers and even some juicy sweet strawberries. The children love seeing the end result of their gardening and hopefully some of them try a new vegetable they wouldn't normally want to eat. View photos below.
ST MICHAEL'S CATHOLIC PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME - 2024 ENROLMENTS
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.
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
AUCKLAND CATHOLIC DIOCESE VACANCY
Credit Controller & Administration - Pompallier Centre
This full-time role is to provide credit control and administration support to the Operations Manager for the collection of Attendance Dues for schools in the Auckland Diocese. Hours are flexible to incorporate some evening and Saturday morning work.
Key Tasks include: Collection of compulsory school Attendance Dues; contact with school parents via outbound phone calls; follow up of unpaid accounts and Debtor ledger management.
To view the full advert and to apply, please visit our website www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz under Diocesan Services and Staff Vacancies.
PTA NEWS
Have 30 mins (or less) a week to help your child’s class? Sign up to be a CLASS REP for next year.
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. This is a very important position and one that is highly appreciated by parents and teachers.
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).
Pizza Fridays
Thanks to Room 5 for helping with pizza this Friday.
There will be NO pizza next Friday 15 December as the school finishes at 12pm.
Thank you to all our pizza coordinators Sylvie Kirton, Ree George, Abbe Hale, Kate Porteous and Leah Zazulak-Baker and all the parent volunteers who helped with pizza duty this year, you rock!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Gio and Sam
SPORTS NEWS
SMCS Touch Rugby Season
The Chasers (Y3 and Y4)
Toucher of the Day - My
Toucher of the Day - Ryder
The Saintz (Y1 and Y2) - No Game
Top Tip:
Sideline Rule: If a player with the ball touches or crosses the sideline s/he is deemed to be out of play and a change of possession occurs. Play restarts with a roll ball 5 metres in from where the player went out. If a touch is made before the player goes out, the touch counts.
SMCS Y6Touch Rugby Team
SMCS girls and boys are enjoying a fantastic Touch Tournament in College Rifles every Friday in Term 4.
The good news is that the tournament goes to the end of Term 1 2024 so all the children get to see each other regardless of what school they attend.
A big Thanks to Terisa Cordtz for her fantastic coaching and thank you to Georgia (our fabulous Baradene student and sister of Mackenzie) who has turned up to help manage the team.
SMCS Aquanauts Team
Well done to SMCS for the first ever mini polo team to play in the Seawolves Waterpolo Tournament. At the beginning of the term SMCS graduated from flippaball to mini polo (which means the team can’t stand, the field is bigger and the games are longer ). It was a big step up but the team did a super job, and the improvement was incredible . We had a very successful season winning almost every game. Thanks very much to Sean Williams for coming back from Sacred Heart to coach.
SMCS Saints Year 3/4 basketball team
Exciting news! Our Year 3/4 basketball team, initially with many new players, showcased impressive growth this year. At the start, many of our Year 3 players were new to basketball but thanks to strong leadership from Year 4 students and excellent coaching by Bryce, Mr. Tapene, and Nick, the team confidently played through Terms 2, 3, and 4.
Looking ahead to 2024, SMCS Saints seek new recruits (boys and girls play in same team) for fast-paced 30-minute basketball fun at St Kent's in Remuera. We will put a team in for Term 1, 2024.
Join us for an engaging season of teamwork and sportsmanship! We look forward to another fantastic year on the basketball court!
SMCS Warriors Y6 Basketball Team
The SMCS Y6 Warriors have had an epic year of basketball. Thanks to the fantastic coaching from Mike Chu (Miguel’s dad) who steered the team to winning the tournament. Thanks to Sarah Benson for her excellent communication and management skills. The children had a great time playing together and it was a lot of fun watching how much they have improved.
SMCS Bears Basketball Team
Huge congratulations to the SMCS Bears who competed in the Eastern Bays Miniball Basketball Tournament this term 4. Following last night’s game, the team went undefeated 7-0 in the tournament winning all games under the Yr 5/6 Grade B category.
This has been an amazing season in which all players bonded and got to know each other well. Massive thanks to all parents for supporting the team and our parent coaches Roman Casim and John Cross, each student developed their skills more and more each week, which are reflected in their outstanding achievement. Basketball is the fastest growing sport in the country. It is such a fun and exciting game that we strongly encourage every student to come along and give it a go!
The 2023 SMCS Bears are:Isaia Elika, Lafaele Elika, Antonio Elika, Rafael Casim, Oliver Cross, Ollie Carter, Levi Ansley, Hunter Van Oijen, Sebastian Yan, Leonardo Zitzenbacher and Tom Valerio. See photos below.
Community Notices
Our next home game will be celebrating heroes in New Zealand and our community, so we would like to offer 2-4-1 tickets to our game on Saturday 9 December, 7:30pm at Spark Arena, Auckland.
This December 2023 and January 2024, choose between half, full, single and consecutive-day options to learn art, design and technology with AJ Studio! Enjoy relevant and exciting topics to excite our kids to create and explore further with more learning content via the Studio App. Tackle big, deep questions with new, fun and dynamic learning!
Enjoy early bird offers by booking at ajstudio.online (no www and com! needed -now, that's a little creative!)
