Tēnā koutou katoa St Michael’s Catholic School Community,
“He tia, he tia, He ranga, he ranga, Haere mai te toki, Hamui ē, hui e, taiki ē” Rise and press on, When the challenge arrives, We will gather and unite together, Strength together it will be done.
I hope to see all of our families on Sunday 26 March at the Welcome to St Michael’s School & Parish 2023 Mass. Students need to be dressed in their school uniform and meet in the Parish Centre (under the church) at 9:40am. There will be morning tea in the school hall after.
Rock Your Socks for World Down Syndrome Day
Thank you so much for your generous support of our annual "Rock Your Socks" Day! This is a cause that is very close to our hearts. The school raised nearly $400 for the Auckland Down Syndrome Association, who do amazing work within the community. Thank you to our wonderful Outreach Leaders Reanna, Santi, Rafael and Miguel for helping to coordinate this event, and also to their two lovely helpers who collected the donations on the day! Lovely helpers Olivia Harman (Room 6) and Essie Recordon (Room 2)
School Progress Reports
The teachers have been busy writing Progress reports for their students. These will go out at the end of Term 1. Parent Interviews are on Wednesday April 26 from 1:30pm to 7:30pm and Thursday April 27 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. You can book online for a 15 minute interview with your child’s class teacher.
To download the Skool loop APP:
To make your Parent/Teacher booking:
1. Click on your “Interviews” tile 2. Select “Select Interview” 3. Select your child’s teacher 4. Select what day/date preference 5. Select your time preference 6. Click “Select” 7. Enter students details and sign at the bottom 8. Select “Book Interview” 9. A confirmationemail will be sent to you with your bookings details.
A Family in Need of a Place to Live
A committed Catholic family is urgently seeking a 3 x bedroom rental property. Maximum rent: $550.00 per week. If you can help, please contact 021 240 6454. Many thanks.
Welcome to New Families
We would like to welcome the following families who have started at SMCS this term: the Thomas family (Helena) and the Lunjevich family (Emily).
SMCS Policies – all our policies are on SchoolDocs , please follow the next four steps.
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 Student Attendance, Enrolment and Uniform / Dress Code. 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.
Encountering CHRIST
Excerpt from ‘The Catholic Education of School-Age Children’ (NZ Bishops, 2014) The faith required for Baptism, either as an infant or an adult, is not a perfect and mature faith. It is a beginning, a seed which needs to be nurtured and developed.9 Over time Christian education deepens the faith of the believer, unfolding the “new creation”10 he or she became in Baptism. That faith enables believers to bear witness to the Christian hope that inspires them.11
Rosary Group Meet Every Friday at 1:15pm to 1:30pm at the Reflective Area (Church if raining)
Religious Education Term 1 Overview Weeks 5 to 9 - The Jesus Strand Week 10 - Liturgical Year - Holy Week and Easter
During the Jesus Strand, across the school children learn about different aspects of the Life of Jesus, including the different ways he showed His love for us, the sacrifice he made for us at the time of His crucifixion and His teaching on how to live as members of Christ’s family in God’s love.
Morning Offering This year the children are learning a new morning offering in Te Reo Maori. We say this every day during our morning prayers. It would be wonderful for the children to share this prayer with you at home.
E Te Atua, Homai ki a Mātou Tōu māramatanga Tōu rangimārie Tōu kaha me Tōu aroha Mō tēnei rā Āmene.
O Lord, Give us your enlightenment Your heavenly peace Your strength And your love For this day Amen.
St Michael’s Parish Website – Mass times - Sunday 8am, 10am & 5pm; Monday - Friday 7am & 12noon; Saturday 8am.
School Masses - Every Thursday at 9:15am Sunday 26/03/23- 10.00am Welcome to St Michael’s School & Parish 2023 30/03/23 - Senior School Rooms 7 to 10; 06/04/23 - Holy Thursday - Washing of the Feet Liturgy 2:15pm in the Church.
St Turibius is one of the first Saints who served the Lord in Peru for 26 Years.
“Saint Turibius, you were a true shepherd whose primary concern was the salvation of every soul. You devoted yourself wholeheartedly to that mission. Please pray for me, that I may imitate you and become a better instrument of the Gospel, reaching people in ways that will more fully open their hearts to Christ.”
Manaaki ki te Atua,
Ann McKeown Principal Tumuaki
Catholic Diocese of Auckland
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE DUES
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Financial assistance is available to assist families who may need financial support with the payment of Attendance Dues for preference students attending both primary and secondary Catholic schools in Auckland Diocese.
Families facing financial difficulties can contact their school office, their Parish Priest, or Auckland Common Fund Ltd at the Catholic Diocese of Auckland on 09-360-3069 for further information.
Application forms for this assistance are available from school and parish offices, or can be downloaded from the Catholic Diocese of Auckland Website:
Sunday, 26 March at 10am for a joint event “Welcome to St Michaels School & Parish 2023”
Thanks to everyone who has said they can volunteer on Sunday 26th March.
We will be having a raffle fundraiser kindly donated by Farro Orakei and New World Newmarket, you can purchase raffle tickets on MyKindo or remember to bring cash along on Sunday and support our fundraising event!
Pizza Fridays
Thank you to Room 5 for helping this Friday 24th March.
We’ll have the last pizza Friday on 31st March, Room 4 is on pizza duty.
Second-Hand School Uniform Shop
Second-Hand School Uniform Shop - End of Summer SALE!!!
The 2nd hand uniform shop will open on Friday 31st March from 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM and will be running an End of Summer SALE!!! - All Summer shirts at $5 each.
Preferred payment methods are via MyKindo or bank transfer to the PTA bank account 12-3075-0199134-00.
To make the uniform shop a success we rely on parents volunteering a bit of their time to help us run the shop, so if you have any spare time at school pick up, pop by, say ‘Hi’ and please lend us a hand to keep raising funds for our children.
Uniform donations are always welcome and those can be dropped off by Genevieve at the school Reception. Looking forward to meeting you or seeing you again.
Take care, Sam & Gio
Sports News
Basketball
SMCS are looking for some more members of our basketball team- we are running some very low key fun ‘come and try sessions’ on Tuesday mornings at 8am. All Year 3 and 4 kids are welcome! - Bring a ball and have some fun.
SMCS Netball Registration 2023 (Y3 – Y6 students)
If your child is interested to play netball for SMCS in 2023 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 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 Thursday 11th May and finish on Thursday 31st August 2023.
Fees are approximately $75 (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.
Laura Massey is a qualified drama teacher, pilates instructor and certified youth mentor. She is inviting any year 4, 5 and 6 girls to join her in a weekly movement class with a blend of drama, pilates and mentoring where the class will focus on a personal wellness topic each week.
