Cramming lots into our last week together.

 We are having a fun last week at school. Yesterday we had our Tryathlon. Today we had our prizegiving, where many of the R4 students were celebrated. There were many more that have shone throughout the year that didn't get up onto stage but could easily have. This afternoon we had the Rubik's cube championships and R4 was well represented. Here are the videos. 

For lunch today Pita Pit supplied us with yummy Teriyaki rice. It was very delicous. We are helping Pita Pit Rotorua by giving them feedback on their new product for schools. 

Tomorrow we have our Year 6 missioning at 11am, whanau are welcome. School finishes after the Missioning. 

Have a happy and holy Christmas with your friends and family. 

Mr J.  

Week 10 Term 4 Notices

Sister Carina

Firstly, I need to relay the sad news that Sister Carina has passed away. She worked tirelessly in Rotorua for quite a few years. Please keep her in your prayers. Funeral information will follow once it is organised, Mr Macmillan has indicated it might be in Rotorua.  

Our last week of school for 2020. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to helping our class have a fun-filled year of learning despite the little interruption. 

There are still some School Magazines available to purchase from the school office - $10.

Donations to St Vincent de Paul can be put under the Christmas tree in the Office foyer. 

Year 6 parents - If you no longer need your child's uniform you may want to consider donating it to the school. Drop it into the School office.

Monday

School Tryathlon - students need a bike, helmet, PE gear and togs. There will be signs out at school to show students where they can park their bikes 

Meet 2021 teachers - Year 5 students will visit their 2021 teachers for a short introduction. 

Students will bring home books and stationery. A large bag will be useful. 

Ice Blocks for sale - $1

Tuesday

Prizegiving - 9am in the School Hall, whanau are welcome to attend. 

Ice Blocks for sale - $1

Pita Pit is supplying our lunch today. They are trialing a new rice bowl dish and luckily for us, they want us to give some feedback. 

Wednesday

Year 6 Missioning 11am in the School Hall, whanau are welcome to attend. 

School finishes at 12pm. 

Ice Blocks for sale - $1

Week 9 Notices

 It is show week! There has been a lot of work involved in getting ready for our school production, I'm sure our whanau will be very proud.  There are a limited number of tickets available - contact the school office. 

On Thursday morning we have our student-led celebrations in class. We will be open from 8am-10am for students to show off their learning. No appointments are necessary, just come into class with your child and they will show you around. 

Monday

Production dress rehearsals. Students need to make sure they have their costume ready, notices about this went home a few weeks ago. 

Tuesday

Production matinee and evening shows. 

Wednesday

Production matinee and evening shows. Our class is scheduled for these shows, please make sure students are at school at the correct times. 

Thursday

Banqer retirement day. Students can come to school dressed as an elderly person. We will have some snacks (we'll make them in class) and have an auction to spend all the money saved throughout theyear. 

Friday

End of year Mass 9am in the church

Reports issued. 

We are collecting food items for those in need. Please bring them to class. e.g. canned and packaged food. 

Get your school magazines from the office for $10, they will sell out so get in quick. 

Holiday Reading Information is being sent home this week. Children can immediately start entering the books they are reading or books that have been read to them.

And finally a heads up regarding the purchase of sports tops. For all sports, except Netball and Basketball, you will be required to buy your own shirts for the 2021 season. PE shirts can be purchased from our School’s Uniform Shop.

Coming up:

Monday 14 December	Tryathlon
Monday 14 December	Students meet their 2021 teacher
Tuesday 15 December	Prizegiving 9am
Wednesday 19 December	Missioning of Year 6 students
Wednesday 16 December	Last day of school
Thursday 17 December	Teacher Only day

Week 8 Term 4

Wow, the Peter Pan tickets sold really quickly. There may still be some for the Tuesday matinee available.  The main cast will perform every show while R4 students who are only in our dance will perform on Wednesday at the matinee and evening shows. 

Thank you to all the parents who have signed up for our Blue Lake trip on Wednesday.  Please be at school ready to leave at 9am. We will be walking around the lake before students take part in 5 activities, one of which is swimming. If it is raining we will stay at school where there'll be some fun activities. 

School magazines are on sale from the office. There are only 100 so get in quick.

This week:

Monday

Ahurei students practicing during the day (Luka and Jet)

Tuesday

Advent Liturgy 12:15 in the Church

Library - All books to be returned, please. 

Wednesday

Blue Lake trip (mufti, togs, lunch, snacks, water, sunscreen, walking shoes) Leaving school 9am, back at 2:30pm.

Thursday

Production practices

Friday

Production practices

Sausage sizzle

Here are some photos from the Year 6 Retreat on Thursday. It was a lovely day.

Peter Pan Production Rehearsal Main Cast

Saturday the 5th December 1:00pm- 4:00pm, the school hall. 

Required:

• Harmony Choir

• Mains

• Lost boys

• Mermaids

• Fairy Dancers

• Sea Creatures

• Pirates

• Backstage & Props Crew

• Narrators

• Tribes People

Your child has already received a notice last week about this. Students are to bring snacks and water. All students are to be promptly collected at the conclusion of the day at 4:00pm from the school hall. If your child cannot make this rehearsal please email me to let me know. Thanks to those who have already.

bernieh@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

Regards,

Production Team 2020

Lorette Tiedt, Jane Trask, Mary Kusabs, Lorraine Thomson, Jill Dinniss, Michelle McIntyre, Glenda Pedley, Chris and Sheila Manlunas, Bernie Hall.

Upcoming:

Monday 30th November Kapa Haka group at Ahurei

Tuesday 1st December Principal’s Morning Tea

Wednesday 2nd December Totara End of Year Picnic Blue Lake.

Tuesday 8th December School Production

Wednesday 9th December School Production

Monday 12th December: School Tryathlon

Friday 11th December End of Year Mass

Tuesday 15th December: School Prizegiving

Wednesday 16th December: Missioning and last day of term

Thursday 17th December: Teacher Only Day

Year 6 retreat

 A reminder that all Year 6 students are to meet at St Michael’s church at 8:30am tomorrow (Thursday) in mufti. Mass begins at 9am and we need to be seated beforehand. Can students please bring a can of food to add to the offertory

The weather looks changeable, if it is just showers we will continue with our programme of walking back via Kuirau park so please pack a raincoat as well as lunch and a drink. If the weather is poor we will bus back to the St Mary’s church and continue the programme there. 

Mr James and Mrs Hall will be leading the Retreat.

Year 5 students will be at school with Mrs Dunkley, Mrs McCaskill and Mrs Todd taking part in a leadership day.

Thank you Mrs teat for coming into class today to help our tamariki make Christmas decorations. They look great and the class had fun.

Week 7 Term 4

 No swimming this week

Monday

Class visit to Government Gardens art house. Meet at school at the normal time. We will be back before lunchtime. 

Tuesday

Library day - bring books to exchange. 

Wednesday

Thursday

Year 6 retreat. Meet at St Michael's church at 8:45am. We are walking back to school via Kuirau park after lunch. 

Year 5 leadership day at school.

Friday

Sausage sizzle

PE - students require PE gear. 

Upcoming events for R4

Wednesday 2 December - Blue lake picnic day. Notices went home on Friday. 

Week 6 Term 4 Notices

 We are swimming each day this week, there are swim coaches coming in to take lessons.

Monday

Tuesday

Inteschool Athletics (some students only)

Library day - bring books to exchange. 

Wednesday

Thursday

Kapahaka 9am

ORIENTATION DAYS FOR 2021 YEAR 7S: at JOHN PAUL COLLEGE. Thursday 19th
Parents are to make own travel arrangements for their child – arriving at JPC by 12.00pm and collected by 2.30pm
All students attending JPC Orientation Day are to bring their lunch. They will have a guided tour of the campus, have lunch and be given a booklet with College commencement information and uniform lists etc.

Friday

Sausage sizzle

Upcoming events for R4

• Monday 23 November: Trip to the arts house in Government Gardens - 1-2 parents still needed. 
• Thursday 26 November: Year 6 retreat. Attending Mass at St Michaels and a hikoi around town. Year 5 students will stay at school. More information to come this week. Parents willing to walk with us will be required. 
• Wednesday 2 December: Senior school picnic at Blue Lake. More information will be sent home soon. Transport and supervision required. 

Week 5 Term 4 Notices

 We are swimming all week. 

Friday is a teachers only day - no school. 

We still require adult helpers for our Museum visit on 23 Nov. Please contact Mr J if you can help.

Monday

Production practice

Tuesday

LIbrary - bring books to exchange

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Teacher Only Day. There will be no school on this day. If you need to enrol your child in the Glenholme After School Care for the day, please contact Mary-Ann Roling on 021 215599. She will be running this at St Mary’s. Thank you for your support with this.

Congratulations to Sean, Jo and Maclyn who came 2nd in the regional Aquabots competition on Saturday.

R4 Drone school is all go

 Today Cameron guided his first students through the R4 Drone school. He has designed three levels where students can earn badges. Although the hall is heavily booked and we have to work around the production this term, we will endeavor to get as many students through the levels as possible. 

 

Remember Thursday is plastic-free in Room 4. No single-use plastic please. 

Weekly Notices Week 4 Term 4

 

No swimming this week. 

We require adult helpers for our trip to the Government Gardens on Monday 23 November 9am-12:30 (approx). Please contact Mr J if you are able to help. 

Interhouse Athletics

9:00am – 3:00pm
Monday 2nd November 2020
International Stadium, Ground 2, Devon Street West, Rotorua

Event Overview

The Inter-house Athletics is for our middle and senior school students - Years 3, 4, 5 & 6.
The Inter-house Athletic Sports will be held at Field 2 by the stadium in Rotorua.
Years 3 – 6 students need to be taken to / dropped off at the
International Stadium, Ground 2, Devon Street West, Rotorua on Monday 2nd November, meeting their teacher by 8:45am in the designated area. (Clear directions will be given at drop off)
Interhouse Athletics will finish at approximately 2:30pm on Monday. Children need to be collected from the International Stadium, Ground 2 by 3:00pm at the latest.
Children may come to Interhouse Athletics in their house colours, they must wear their school PE gear.
Children will need – sunhat, sunblock, warm clothes, lunch & a drink.
Should the event need to be cancelled this information will put on our Facebook page and Educa posts by 7:30am

There are quite a few Parents/Caregivers who have not filled in the form to say how their children are getting home from Athletics. This must be completed today please.

ATHLETICS DAY - TRANSPORT & HELP.

It is important that we know how your child will be getting home from Athletics Day. We also require helpers on the day, this can be yourself or a whanau/family member.Please click HERE to complete the required form. It is required for ALL Y3-6 children.

Monday

Athletics day

Tuesday

Library - bring books to exchange. 

Wednesday

PTA Meeting: for your diary - next meeting is Wednesday 4 November at 7pm in the school staffroom. Anyone is welcome to attend this meeting.

Thursday

Kapahaka

Friday

Sausage sizzle

FREE PARENTING PROGRAMME AT ST MARY'S ....

An internationally renowned, FREE, Parenting Program will be offered at St.Mary’s in Terms 1 and 2 of 2021. It will be presented by Erna Cullen, from the Ministry of Education and Corbus Venter, an Educational Psychologist with a passion for helping young children.

It is a 14 week evidence based program that supports parents who have concerns about their child’s conduct. If you feel like you need some help or want to understand your children better, this is a course for you.

There will be an information afternoon/evening held on the 5th November in the school library at 2.30pm and again at 5.15pm, for those interested in learning more about the Incredible Years' Parent course. Feel free to come along to find out more and have a chat to the convenors of the course or to sign up.

If you would like to register your interest for this course earlier, please email or phone Brigitte Holmes, our Learning Support Coordinator. brigitteh@stmarysrotorua.school.nz Mobile 0272121206

Friday 13th November. Teacher Only Day. There will be no school on this day.
If you need child care on Friday you can book a spot for your child with MaryAnn Roling. Contact the school office for more MaryAnn's details.




Some important dates coming up this term:

Monday 2nd November: Totara and Kahikatea Teams Athletic Sports

Thursday 5th November: All Saints/All Souls Day Liturgy

Thursday 5th November: Incredible Years Parents’ meeting

Friday 13th November Teacher Only Day

Tuesday 17th November Interschool Athletics Meet

Thursday 19th November: JPC Orientation (afternoon)

Friday 26th November: Yr 6 Retreat

Sunday 29th November Weetbix Tryathlon

Tuesday 8th School Production

Wednesday 9th November School Production

Monday 12th December: School Tryathlon

Friday 11th December End of Year Mass

Tuesday 15th December: School Prizegiving

Wednesday 16th December: Missioning and last day of term

Thursday 17th December: Teacher Only Day

Athletics reminder

 After Monday as a holiday and a few events so far this week it feels like we haven't seen much of each other in R4 this week. Term 4 is very busy.  Please send back raffle tickets, sold or unsold tomorrow. 

ATHLETICS DAY - TRANSPORT & HELP. It is important that we know how your child will be getting home from Athletics Day. We also require helpers on the day, this can be yourself or a whanau/family member. Please click HERE to complete the required form. It is required for ALL Y3-6 children.

A photo from last week - sharing our learning. 

Week 3 Term 4 2020

 Students need correct school PE gear every day this week. 

Tuesday

Swimming

Library - bring books to exchange. 

Wednesday

Swimming

Athletics practice

Thursday

Swimming

Friday

Swimming

Athletics practice

There are a number of events coming up, please read the information below. 

Interhouse Athletics

9:00am – 3:00pm 

Monday 2nd November 2020

Postponement date: Thursday 5th November

International Stadium, Ground 2, Devon Street West, Rotorua

Event Overview

The Inter-house Athletics is for our middle and senior school students - Years 3, 4, 5 & 6.
The Inter-house Athletic Sports will be held at Field 2 by the stadium in Rotorua.
Years 3 – 6 students need to be taken to / dropped off at the  International Stadium, Ground 2, Devon Street West, Rotorua on Monday 2nd November, meeting their teacher by 8:45am in the designated area. (Clear directions will be given at drop off)
Interhouse Athletics will finish at approximately 2:30pm on Monday. Children need to be collected from the International Stadium, Ground 2 by 3:00pm at the latest.
Children may come to Interhouse Athletics in their house colours, they must wear their school PE gear.
Children will need – sunhat, sunblock, warm clothes, lunch & a drink.
Should the event need to be cancelled this information will put on our Facebook page and Educa posts by 7:30am

ATHLETICS DAY - TRANSPORT & HELP.

It is important that we know how your child will be getting home from Athletics Day. We also require helpers on the day, this can be yourself or a whanau/family member.

Please click HERE to complete the required form. It is required for ALL Y3-6 children.

Parent support is needed for this event. If you are available to help on the day please email lornad@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

WORKING BEE

We intend to have a working bee on the third Saturday after the holidays, October 31st. There are a number of jobs that need to be done. If you are willing to help, can you please let the office know. The projects include painting, stripping paint off aluminium doors, gardening, tiling, making props for the production and a general tidy up. I’ve been amazed at the support we receive for our working bees and I would really appreciate your support with this one too please. Come along and meet other parents, enjoy a morning tea and a delicious lunch. Children are welcome also. For catering purposes please let the office know if you can assist, even if it is just for an hour or two.

Rugby 7’s Tournament:

When: Thursday 12th November - 8.45am - 2.30pm 

Where: Westbrook fields, Devon Street.

Transport: Carpool and/or drop off & pick up from the event.

Bare feet (No shoes / boots) - Mouthguards are COMPULSORY - no mouthguard, no play.

ENTRIES CLOSE: 3.15pm Wednesday 28th October or when Team/s are full.

Team/s will be filled in the order of completed registration forms, so get in quick.

If your child would like to participate, Please click HERE to register.

Friday 13th November. Teacher Only Day. There will be no school on this day.

Some important dates:

28th October : Junior Tough Guy

Saturday 31st October: School Working Bee

Monday 2nd November: Totara and Kahikatea Teams Athletic Sports

Thursday 5th November: All Saints/All Souls Day Liturgy

Thursday 5th November: Incredible Years Parents’ meeting

Friday 13th November Teacher Only Day

Tuesday 17th November Interschool Athletics Meet

Thursday 19th November: JPC Orientation (afternoon)

Friday 26th November: Yr 6 Retreat

Sunday 29th November Weetbix Tryathlon

Tuesday 8th School Production

Wednesday 9th November School production

Monday 12th December: School Tryathlon

Friday 11th December End of Year Mass

Tuesday 15th December: School Prizegiving

Wednesday 16th December: Missioning and last day of term

Thursday 17th December: Teacher Only Day

Week 2 Term 4 Notices

Raffle tickets are due back by Thursday please.

We have our school cross country run in the Redwoods on Monday. Parents who are transporting students can come to R4 to collect them at 12:30pm. Children can be picked up from the Redwoods centre on Longmile Road at 2:30 unless other arrangements have already been made.

 Students do not need to bring their Chromebooks on Monday.

Monday

Cross-country

Tuesday

Library - bring books to exchange.

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Sausage sizzle

Loud shirt day - students can wear a loud shirt over their uniform.

Cross-country run Monday

 Thank you to those parents who have already offered to transport students to the Redwoods on Monday. Please be at school ready to transport at 12:30pm. We still need transport for a few students, if you can help please let Mr J know via email. 

Remember, your child needs to be picked up from the Redwoods on Monday at 2:30pm unless you have already indicated via the notice returned to school. 

Students need running shoes for the cross-country run as it is on public walking tracks.

Chromebooks will not be required for school on Monday. 

Swimming 

We have been using the pool each day this week, it is warm so just getting out has been a little difficult. 

Bake sale tomorrow

We have our Totara Bake sale tomorrow. Thanks in advance for the goodies that are coming in to be sold. The money we raise will be going towards the Young Vinnies fundraising and towards buying some equipment for our Maker space in the room next to R4. The students are helping with ideas for what we might get. 

Week 1 Term 4 Notices

 Welcome to Term 4. It is going to be extremely busy with lots of exciting opportunities as well as squeezing in a few that were postponed from earlier in the year.  

On Thursday R1, 4 and 5 are holding a bake sale at morning tea. It would be great if all students in R4 could do some home baking to bring along to sell. The money we raise will go towards our Young Vinnies groups fundraising and also to buy some equipment for our Maker space. 

We are swimming every odd week so students need their togs this week.  The pool will be warm. 

Monday

Swimming

Athletics practice - bring PE gear

Tuesday

Swimming

Library - bring books to exchange. 

Wednesday

Swimming

Athletics practice - bring PE gear

Thursday

Swimming

Bake sale - R4 students to bring some home baking to sell. 

Plastic-free Thursday. No single-use plastic please. 

Friday

Swimming

Next week:

Cross country at the Redwoods, Monday 19 October. 

Uniforms

Lots of parents have been in to sort out summer uniforms. Students are to start Term 4 in full summer uniform. Our Uniform Shop is open Mondays (8.30-9.00am), Wednesdays (2.30-3.00pm) & Fridays (8.30-9.00am) during term time. The girls’ summer dresses are currently only available from our school uniform shop. Please don’t forget children need to wear the school sun hats in term 4.

We also sell school uniforms via our school website. You can order and pay online and pick up your uniform from the school reception after you have been notified by email that the uniform is ready to pick up.

Working Bee

We intend to have a working bee on the third Saturday after the holidays, October 31st. There are a number of jobs that need to be done. I am always amazed at the support we get from you, so thank you in anticipation. Children are welcome and we will have a BBQ lunch.

COVID UPDATE: LEVEL 1 Parents are welcome to come into school as has been the case in Level 2. (Please continue to use the contact tracing app and QR code placed at all three entrances). There will also be sanitising units at all gates. Please use them. We do however encourage you to drop your child at the gate as this gives students great self-management skills and independence, and enables students before school to engage more fully with other students and teachers.

There are no restrictions on numbers at gatherings, so you are welcome to come to our assemblies.

We will continue to encourage basic hygiene measures such as handwashing and use of sanitiser, cough and sneeze etiquette, regularly cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces.

Please keep your child home if they are unwell, or required to self-isolate.
FROM TOMORROW, start of Term 4:
In the mornings from 8.25pm there will be a teacher at the Church car park gate only. There will not be a teacher at the Ranolf or Carnot St gates. School will start at 8.45am. Please ensure that your child is at school prior to this.

Children will be permitted to play in the playground before school.

In the afternoon there will be a teacher at all 3 gates. There will be a pick up zone for parents to pick up children without needing to get out of the car in the Church Carpark.

At the end of the day school will finish at 3.00pm for all students, the ONLY EXCEPTION is that bus students need to leave class for the Ranolf St gate at 2.50pm.

Waffle bowls

 Today for maths and reading we made waffle bowls. Of course we then needed to eat them.  It is ok to have occasional food that isn't healthy for us but tonight we may all need an extra serving of veges. 

Here is a link to a photo album of our learning (and eating). 

Week 10 Term 3 Notices

 Tomorrow we are sharing our Wonder Rockets learning with Kahikatea children. The presentations and learning will be posted on Educa later in the week. 

We will have another go at making and eating Waffles on Tuesday, students should bring in toppings that their group has decided on. 

Monday

Sharing our learning with Kahikatea

Peter Pan musical auditions

PE - Bring PE gear. 

Tuesday

Library - bring books to exchange. 

Waffle making/earing - bring ingredients for toppings. 

Wednesday

Thursday

St Vincent de Paul Liturgy

Singing practice

Warmer Day - last one. 

Friday

A letter from the Prime minister's office

 A while ago we wrote persuasive letters to a range of different people and then we posted them.  We have been getting replies from Mr Macmillan, the student council, the Rotorua council and then today Chloe got a letter from the Prime minister's office. Pretty exciting!

 

Week 9 Term 3 Notices

It is Te Reo language week. Students will be working towards improving their spoken Te Reo, even more than we normally do. 

 Register for summer sports here. 

Next week:

Monday

New spelling lists and tasks will be posted on our learning site. 

Tuesday

Library - Bring books to exchange. 

Wednesday

Wonder Rocket launch day (hopefully)

Speech finals: Aaron and Chloe J are representing R4.

Thursday

No Warmer day We are making waffles, students just need to bring toppings of their choice. 

Plastic-free day - no single-use plastic please. 

PE - bring PE gear

Friday

The teacher only day - No school

Our assembly highlights

 Last week we presented the assembly to our school. Amy and Melody took responsibility for writing the script and producing the background. Axiom and Sean recorded and then edited the video.