Tēnā koutou katoa St Michael’s Catholic School Community,
“He oranga ngākau,He hikinga wairua”When it touches your heart, it lifts your spirit.
Josephite Schools’ Concert
The Josephite Companions Group was looking for ways to share in the Charism and strengthen a Josephite Schools’ Network. They invited nine schools with a Josephite history to take part in a concert. Eight of the schools responded and St Michael’s hosted this event yesterday. Our school choir was outstanding thanks to Lauren Carleton and thank you to Georgina van Schaijik for helping with the organisation of this event. It truly was a privilege to be part of this network. There were a large number of Josephite Nuns that attended the concert and a number of Josephite Companions.
Kahui Ako Conference
Last Friday’s Teacher Only Day at Sacred Heart College was a wonderful opportunity to meet with local primary and secondary schools and discuss issues that are at the heart of Catholic education. Our staff attended a range of workshops focused on literacy, numeracy, science, neurodiversity and children’s wellbeing.
Congratulations to Lauren Carleton who assisted in the planning and execution of this event as part of her role as the Across Schools Kahui Ako Literacy Leader, and to Anna Harvey who also hosted a workshop at this event. Thank you both for sharing your expertise and experience with the group.
The Code
As mentioned earlier in the term, one of the new initiatives that we are implementing school-wide for 2024 is a spelling programme called The Code. Over the next week, all classroom teachers will be taking part in professional development as they learn the most effective way to integrate the programme. We look forward to sharing more information with you (including how you can help at home!) following our training.
Rock Your Socks - World Down Syndrome Day
Today we celebrated World Down Syndrome Day with our annual Rock Your Socks event! Rock Your Socks has been going for many years, and started because socks resemble chromosomes, and people with Down Syndrome have an odd number of these.
The theme for this year’s event worldwide isEnd the Stereotypes. For those with Down Syndrome and other neurodiverse conditions, stereotypes can stop them from being treated the same as others. We want to ensure that all members of our community are valued equally, included, and recognised for their unique skills and talents.
Our Year 6 Outreach Leaders, Joanna Beny Nirojan, Oliver Carter, Hannah Frogoso and Mila Naoum collected $311.80 for the Auckland Down Syndrome Association. We thank you for your donations, and know that they will be very gratefully received!
Easter Egg Collection for Monte Cecilia Housing Trust
A big “thank you” to those who have already contributed Easter treats for Monte Cecilia Housing Trust! We are collecting donations until Tuesday 26 March - thank you for keeping those in need in your thoughts (and in your trolleys!) this weekend.
St Michael’s Catholic School Policies – all our policies are on SchoolDocs
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 Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Board Responsibility, Parent Involvement, Communication with Parents, Community Conduct Expectations, School Character/Special Character, Documentation and Self-Review Policy, School Planning and Reporting, and Reporting to Parents on Student Progress and Achievement.
Please click on 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.
Monday 25 March: School Board Meeting at 7.00pm
Wednesday 27 March: Prizegiving Swimming Sports
Thursday 28 March - Holy Thursday Liturgy at 2.15pm in the Church
Easter - School Closed - Good Friday (29 March) to Easter Tuesday (02 April)
For Years 3-6 Week 9-10: Liturgical Year - Holy Week and Easter
Weeks 11: Strand - Jesus
For Years 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 through the new Curriculum from this year beginning with the theme: Te Atua God. God is understood in the Catholic faith to be a unity of three ‘persons’ - the Trinity. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Students will learn about this dynamic relationship of overflowing love.
St Michael’s Parish Website – Mass times - Sunday 8am, 10am & 5pm; Monday - Friday 7am & 12noon; Saturday 8am.
School Masses - Every Thursday at 9:15am (except Feast days)
28/03/24 - Holy Thursday - Washing of the Feet Liturgy 2:15pm in the Church; 04/04/24 Rooms 5 & 10; 11/04/24 Rooms 4 & 7.
Manaaki ki te Atua,
Ann McKeown
Principal Tumuaki
PTA NEWS
Save the date for Grandparents Day - Friday 24 May 2024
As always, we are hoping to sell raffle tickets on grandparents day to help our fundraising efforts. If you or your business are able to donate raffle items, those are highly appreciated! Vouchers, beverage, plants, house goods and anything in between! Just contact us on ptasmcs@gmail.com or drop those off to Genevieve in the school office.
Second-hand uniform shop
Put on your diaries: our second-hand uniform shop will open on Friday 4 April from 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM and will be running a Summer SALE!
Pizza Fridays
Thank you to Room 7 for helping with Pizza this week. We really appreciate your support.
Have a great weekend everyone! Gio and Sam
SPORTS NEWS
SMCS Netball Registration 2024 (Y3 – Y6 students)
If your child is interested to play netball for SMCS in 2024 please note the following information:
Registrations are open to students in Year 3-6
If you register your child to play for St Michael’s, it is expected that you will attend all games (other than sickness)
You must be able to arrange transport for your child to and from the games.
In addition to weekly games there is typically one weekly training session at St Michael’s. The time is usually agreed by consensus within each team.
Games are played on Thursday afternoons at the Auckland Netball Centre in St Johns at either 3.50, 4.50 or 5.50pm. The draw is released weekly, usually on Tuesday.
The season is scheduled to start on 16th May and finish on 5th September 2024
Fees are approximately $90 (TBC) for the season (there may be a small additional cost for umpiring fees in the Year 5/6 grades).
St Michael’s provides uniforms.
St Michael’s relies on parents to coach and manage teams. Each team must have a coach and manager. If no one volunteers to perform these roles then the team will not be able to play.
Year 3 & 4 need to have on-court assistance to assist with, and umpire at each game.
It is recommended that there are only 7 (max 8) players per team in order that each player gets enough game time.
Registrations are on a first come first served basis. Priority is given to students who played the season before.
To register your child please complete the form at the link below before 26th March 2024:
Please resubmit the registration even if you filled in to the previous link
We look forward to another successful season for St Michael’s!
Join the St. Michael's Basketball Year 3/4 Team for Term 2!
Hey future basketball stars! Are you ready to lace up your sneakers and hit the court? St. Michael's School is looking for enthusiastic players to join our Basketball Year 3/4 team for an exciting Term 2!
Who: Boys and girls of all abilities are welcome.
Where: St. Kent’s in Remuera When: Fridays during Term 2 Contact: For more information, reach out to Lauren at laurenkkendrick@gmail.com.
Whether you're a seasoned baller or just getting started, we want YOU on our team. Join us for fun, fitness, and friendship as we dribble, shoot, and score our way through Term 2. Shoot us an email and let's make this season one to remember!
Community Notices
Pform.nz
DRAMA - DANCE - SINGING
Accelerate Confidence and Communication Skills
Enrol in February to be in the draw to win one of ten April Holiday programs with a bestie
Luckily we have a Pform venue here at St Michaels every Tuesday from 3.15-5.15pm
It’s the perfect activity to join with school friends and get the most from this unique and fun learning experience. Free Trials available for a limited time: www.pform.nz/free-trial
Want to walk or run in your own time, but also be part of a fantastic event? Then we would love you to join us.
The Cape Egmont Virtual Half Marathon offers three distance options - 5 km, 10 km and 21 km. Which can be completed any time anywhere from the 1st to the 31st of July 2024. Simply record your time via Strava, Map my run, Fit Bit or screenshot and upload through our website. Every finisher receives a medal and all money raised goes to the Taranaki Cancer Society and the Taranaki Men Can Exercise Group. To help those in our province affected by cancer.
