St Gerards School Newsletter Mission Statement Through our Values of Joyfulness, Curiosity, Compassion and Commitment, we strive to learn and achieve within a caring catholic community

03 448 8339

www.stgerards.school.nz

[email protected]

Edition 1: Wednesday 3rd February 2016

PRINCIPALS MESSAGE Welcome back everyone. It is a typical start to the school year with the sun coming out in full force just as we return to school! I know staff have all had wonderful holidays and hope you and your family have also had the chance to refresh and enjoy not having school commitments. This year we have many new exciting challenges- some are: the starting of a seventh classroom in term 2, Board elections, being a member of a Community of Learning in the Dunstan Area, a school production, festivals and many sporting events that allow our students to show their skills and talents. This term is a term of swimming, triathlon, PAT testing for years 4-8, camps for room 5 & 6, as well as Lent and Easter celebrations. Thank you to all staff ,Mike Smith & Steve O’Kane ( Fulton Hogan) and to our secret gardener, for the preparation for today. The school looks amazing inside and out!!! A special thank you to PTA members for managing the stationery and uniform sales. It has been a great help to families. Please make sure that your child has a school sunhat and a water bottle to combat this heavy humidity and heat. We are going to put the sprinklers on during this weeks heated days so bring togs to school. Next week we have swimming Tues, Wed, Thurs afternoons.

NEW ENROLMENTS A very special welcome to new students and their families to St Gerards. Welcome Mackenzie Fahey and her mum Kerrie and dad Steve, Mark –Allan Shelford brother of Kayla, Arn Cuthbertson brother of Ted, and Liam Broome brother of Mason A special welcome also to these staff who are in new positions in our school Ms Alyssa Drake – office, Mrs Waldron- Room 3 And Mrs Lyon full time room 5, and Mrs Laidlaw 2 days per week in Room 2. What an exciting start to the year. We start 2016 with 136 students across 6 classrooms.

SPECIAL CHARACTER

Can you help?

Hi everyone. This is a special request for members of our school and parish community to make themselves available in 2016 for the very important roles of Children’s Liturgy Leader, and Altar Server. The situation for Sunday masses has become quite urgent, and it is time for the school to support the parish by training and rostering as many new people in these roles as possible to make it easier on everyone.

Remember: Many hands makes light work. 1. Children’s Liturgy Leader: The role of children’s liturgy leader is not at all as daunting as it sounds, and you do not need to be a teacher. During the Sunday morning mass, Father Pat calls the children out to the side room for their liturgy, which generally only takes 15-20 minutes. The leader follows a simple format from the prepared liturgy notes by lighting a candle and opening in prayer, sharing the day’s reading (or having a child read), engaging the children in relevant discussion, then offering a prepared activity sheet, pens, and so on. Often there is a parent there with a younger child who is also happy to support the children during the activity. The more people we have available, the less often you need to be rostered. To support the recruitment of new children’s liturgy leaders, we would like to call a meeting for those interested, next Thursday 11th February, 7 pm at Father Pat’s house. Those attending can meet with myself and Father Pat to discuss what is required, look at the resources, and answer any questions. Once rostered, I am available to work in tandem with you for the first few sessions until you feel comfortable leading a liturgy on your own, or you may choose to be rostered on in pairs with someone you know.

2. Altar servers:

The role of altar server is very rewarding for many children. If your child is Year 4 and up, and has made their First Communion (or intends to do so this year) please consider bringing them to next week’s meeting at Father Pat’s house (7pm Thursday) to discuss the requirements. Once we have a full list of names, Father Pat will provide brief training sessions during school time, and once rostered we will endeavour to place each child with an experienced altar server until they have gained confidence. Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions. I look forward to the opportunity to support you in these roles. Markelle Ward, DRS, St. Gerard’s School.

SPECIAL CHARACTER Congratulations to Joshua Brown and his cousin Lucy on their baptism held last weekend.

WHAT’S OVER THE NEXT WEEK? • • • •

Swim today/ tomorrow/ Friday under the sprinkler if it remains hot. Monday -Waitangi day- school closed. Tuesday swimming at pool- 1.30- 2.30 all classes Wednesday - Ash Wednesday celebration 11am. Please come and join us at church. The start of Lent

St Gerards Family Waitangi Day

Will be held on Monday 8th February. Families can meet from 11am at Pioneer Park - Bring your rug and enjoy a get together. Cricket, touch - your choice! This initiative is organised by our Maori/Pasifika whanau. See you all there. For further information please contact Chris Beilby or Maggie Love.

ENVIRO GROUP Look out for our new enviro bin stations. Thank you Mr Yeoman for sorting this for 2016. Please check out the school garden- it really is magical in there!!!!

SCHOOL ACTIVITES The Inquiry big idea this term is “ Where does our food really come from?” Classes will be initially finding out what students already know and then developing good questions to determine in which direction they wish to go with their learning. Please keep an eye on blogs and facebook.

CHOIR

We believe that choir is an important part of our students learning and have now created a time slot that does not clash with other singing or music activities in the school. This time slot will be Thursday afternoons at 2.15 with Mrs Ward. We would like to focus on a combination of popular songs as well as the special character songs we lead at mass and liturgies. There will be recognition of leadership within choir with 2 leadership positions created. Goals to aim for this year will include a Dunstan Music Festival and Thyme Festival Would all those year 4- 8 students wishing to be part of this years choir please make yourselves known to Mrs Ward before the end of week 2.

BOT Next meeting is 7.00pm February 16th

PTA PTA Catering Event – Central Otago A&P Show, Omakau

Once again the PTA have been asked to cater for the Central Otago A&P Show on Saturday 13th February in Omakau. Last year was very successful and we were able to make over $2000. To do this again we need your help and support. If you could contribute with any of the following it would be greatly appreciated. 1. Helpers on the day, make sandwiches, serve food, and clean up. From 8am to 4pm 2. Food makers – savouries, slices, muffins, salads (large) 3. Donations of ingredients If you are able to help with any of these please fill out form below and return to school by this Friday 5th February. Or email Maria Williams on [email protected], or text on 027 461 6665. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name : ______________________________ Phone: _____________________________________

I can help with the following for the A&P Show on February 13th. 1. Helpers on the day, please name a time that would suit you. _________________________________________________________________________

2. Make food, please name what you would be happy to make. ________________________________________________________________________

3. Donations of ingredients, you will contacted and asked to purchase some ingredients that may be required. _________________________________________________________________________

HEALTH The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme will be offered to all year 8 girls at school this year. Sometime during February year 8 girls will be given a consent form to take home to their parents/ caregivers. Please read this form carefully and return it to school ASAP, even if you do not consent for your daughter to be vaccinated at school. No student will be vaccinated without their parent/caregiver’s consent. The HPV vaccination is also available free of charge through your practice nurse or doctor, for all girls and young woman up to their 20th Birthday. For any further information please phone the public health nurse Paula McHugh 03 4404309 for your school, or look up www.cervicalcancervaccine.govt.nz

THANK YOU A huge thank you to Mark Hutton for completing the new sandpit cover to ensure we now have a healthy environment for our students to play in.

SPORT TEEBALL/ SOFTBALL The competition will begin February 16th. Information will come home soon in regards to these sports. Teeball Year 3- 6 Girls and boys or mixed teams can be played. Softball Years 7 & 8

Central Otago Swimming Sports: Thursday 3rd March

Swimming Sports 2016 The school swimming sports will be held on Thursday 18th February from 9am – 12. Once again we ask for parent help, which has been so forthcoming in the past. We are fortunate that Mrs Liz Anderson is willing to be our starter again this year and Mrs Deb O’Neill will be the chief timekeeper. The tasks of timing and judging are not too difficult and new helpers pick this up quickly while working alongside those who have experience. A great spot to watch the races too. As the whole school will be at the pool from 9am, and there will be a break in racing at 10am for everyone to enjoy the junior races in the therapeutic pool, everybody will have the opportunity to watch all of their children compete.

Swimming Help – please return this to Mrs Beilby as soon as possible or email [email protected] I am available to help with the school swimming sports on Thursday 18th February.

Name: _____________

Phone: __________________

Swimming Entries All students are expected to take part in the sports in either championship or non-championship events. Students should be encouraged to enter the championship event if they are competent at the event. Teachers will enter students in consultation with their students after the class swimming programmes have been undertaken. Half length events will be run as full length events in the therapeutic pool. In non-championship events students can stop or touch the bottom of the pool during the event – participation is the main aim. If students enter the championship event, it is expected that if selected they will represent St Gerards at the Central Otago Meet on Thursday 3rd March in Cromwell, being the same criteria as for our other sporting competitions. Entries will be made with consideration to suitable qualifying times and correct stroke styles. Points towards the school swimming cups are collated from championship events. All students will receive points for PTA House Cup, through their participation & placings Central Otago Sports Events start at 9 and under. Swimming Cups: Senior 12+ years, Intermediate 11 years, Junior 10 years, Most improved swimmer. These will be presented at the end of the year awards assembly. Chris Beilby

GENERAL NEWSBOARD HELP NEEDED If you were able to sort some tiles that are loose in front of rooms 3 & 4 or fix 3 top windows in room 5 with ropes please contact Mrs Eastwood

AUFC SOCCER REGISTRATION 2016 TUESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2016 MOLYNEUX NETBALL CLUB ROOMS 5-6.30PM For further info please contact Lisa Robertson [email protected]

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Aftercare Programme

Operated at the Central Otago Education Hall at Alexandra School

We provide quality childcare in safe and fun surroundings. Our friendly staff are passionate about working with children and are provided with training on behaviour management techniques, first aid and activity planning/delivery.

General information Who Can Attend?: All children aged 5-13 years. Aftercare Programme Session Options: 2:45 - before 4pm: $7.00 2:45 – before 5pm: $13.00 2:45 – before 6pm: $18.00 Programme Activities: Kelly Club provides a variety of activities to ensure there is something for every child. Programme activities are adapted to suit children of all ages and children may be grouped by age for certain activities depending on numbers. MSD Approved: All Kelly Club programmes have been approved by Child, Youth and Family and meet all professional standards.

Our programmes are full of exciting activities that will guarantee your children have a great time! Our Programmes are focused around sports, cooking, art and craft activities as well as structured ‘freetime’ after a busy life at school. These activities will be incorporated into themed subjects each week that give children the opportunity to extend their learning outside of the school classroom.

WINZ OSCAR Subsidy: Parents/caregivers that meet certain criteria will be able to access a WINZ subsidy to help cover the cost of our programme. For more information please go to www.workandincome.govt.nz or contact us.

After School Sports Clinics at your school

Please visit our website for more information and online booking

For information and to BOOK ONLINE – please visit our website...

www.kellyclub.co.nz

Email: [email protected]

Phone:

021 083 08338

St Gerard’s Permission Form FAMILY NAME: CHILD(REN):

Please tick the appropriate boxes below if you give consent for your child(ren) in 2016 to:

• EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom) I agree to the participation of all activities inside and outside the school grounds during school time in 2016. All EOTC activity is analysed by staff with safety management strategies in place to isolate/minimise the risks.

• All overnight sport/activities or any deemed as higher risk will have a separate consent form sent home at the time of the event as a BOT requirement.

• TRAVEL I give consent for my child(ren) to travel in a certified bus & vetted staff/parent personal vehicle for local activities. I understand I may need to provide a booster seat for my child(ren) if under the height of 148cm.

• PUBLICATION I consent to my child’s photograph/school work and first name to be published on the school website, blog, facebook page or in print during 2016

• FONTERRA

Open to all Year 1-6 Students, please tick the days you would like your child(ren) to receive a free 150ml chilled milk: MONDAY

Parents Full Name:

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Signed:

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Date:

St Gerard’s Health & Info Form FAMILY NAME: CHILD(REN): MOTHERS FULL NAME & CELLPHONE: FATHERS FULL NAME & CELLPHONE: ADDRESS: HOME NUMBER: EMAIL ADDRESS: EMERGENCY CONTACT 1 NAME & NUMBER EMERGENCY CONTACT 2 NAME & NUMBER

HEALTH INFORMATION/MEDICATION

FAMILY DOCTOR: CONTACT NUMBER: ADDRESS:

BUS: Please name the bus you child goes on_________________________________ NEWSLETTER: If you would like to receive a hardcopy each Wednesday please tick otherwise, the school newsletter will be available each Wednesday online via our website I/We have provided the school with current medical, contact, supervision and learning information through enrolment/medical forms and will endeavour to update this information asap should it change throughout 2016. Parents Full Name:

Signed:

Date: