CHRISTIAN CULTURAL COMMITMENT

Friday July 29, 2005 Term 3 Issue 1

TERM THREE
It is hard to believe that half of the year has already gone and that I have been at St Michael's for three years now. I feel very fortunate and privileged to be part of such a caring and supportive community and hope to enjoy many more years as Principal here.
This term will be a very busy one as the school production is planned for week 8 of the term (and this term is only 9 weeks). The production this year is based around a number of different cultural stories set in the past. This theme is being carried over into the social studies work being done in the classes, where children will be looking at aspects of what it was like living in the past and why change has occurred. The junior school's focus is on what school was like when their grandparents were young and the seniors are comparing the environment and transport over the past 100 years. The Sacrament Strand is being covered in Religious Education and children will be making Confirmation during this term. The bright yellow sheet with all the events that are happening this term was sent out earlier in the week. Please keep this somewhere handy.
HEARING/VISION TESTING
Two or three times a year the hearing and vision nurse comes into school to check the new entrant children and any others who may have hearing/vision problems or who have had problems in the past.
If the nurse discovers that your child has a hearing or vision problem she will send you a letter. The letter tells you what you need to do. If you receive a letter from Hutt Valley Health about your child's ears or eyes and you are not sure what to do please bring the letter into school.
It is important that these children are followed up as being unable to hear or see properly can make learning very difficult.

TERM TWO DONATIONS
Thank you to those people who have paid their term two donations. The junior school are going to Porirua next week at the cost of $5 a child. Those parents who have paid their donation do NOT have to pay for the trip (the seniors are going on a trip later in the term which will also be free for those who have paid their donation). Those families who wish to pay the donation for term two - $10 for one child, $20 for two children, $25 for three or more, before Friday August 5, will not have to pay for the trip, or if they have paid already will have their trip money refunded.
The great thing about the donation is that by keeping the receipt you can claim it on your tax form!

LATENESS
There are a number of children who arriving quite late in the morning. This is very disruptive for the class and often embarrassing for the child who is late. I understand that every now and then something happens that means children get to school late. That is fine. But at the moment some children are late nearly every morning. School starts at 8.45 Monday to Thursday and at 9am on a Friday. Thank you for your cooperation

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Natalie Edser-Manumua who is rapidly becoming one of New Zealand's top young gymnasts. Natalie recently came first at the Wellington Opens and second at the Christchurch Classics. To get to this level Natalie puts in around 18 hours of practise a week. Well done Natalie.

Also congratulations to Venisisi Laga who has been co-opted onto the Board of Trustees as a parent rep. Its great to have you as part of our team.

WELCOME
A big warm welcome to our two new girls who have started this term. Welcome to Rosa Kasiano, a year 4 student who is in room 3 and to Renee Savaiinaea who is our newest five year old. It is lovely to have you both as part of our school family.

PARENT SURVEY
This year the Board of Trustees Catholic Character Committee is reviewing Pastoral Care in our school. As part of the review students and staff have filled out questionnaires about the levels of care and support they feel they get at school. Now it is your turn. The survey is very short (only 15 questions) and just requires you to put a tick in the column that best represents your feelings about each statement. You do not need to put your name on it and there is a place at the bottom for any other comments you would like to make
There will be a box in the foyer for the completed surveys to be put in.

SCHOLASTIC BOOKS
A new order form has gone out and needs to be back by August 11.

CONFIRMATION
Confirmation classes are beginning for those children who are going to be confirmed in September. The classes are being run at the school starting this Sunday at 4pm. For more details ring the school or Father Petalo on 9768409

WORLD VISION CHILD
Some of the money raised from last year's Paddy Market has been used to sponsor a World Vision Child. We have been given a little boy Sanjit Chandra, from Bangladesh. Sanjit has just turned 7 and lives in a community village with his mother and father. He is keen on football and his first language is Bengali. During the year our children will be able to correspond with him, learn more about his community and keep him and his family in their prayers.

COMING UP

Thursday August 4 - Room 3 Mass at 9am in the school hall
Monday August 8 - Rooms 8 and 3 visit to Porirua
Tuesday August 9 - Rooms 7 and 12 visit to Porirua
(This is slightly different from what was on the yellow sheet of events)
Tuesday August 9 - Parent Meeting - Guest Speaker Jackie Jennings to talk about hearing and vision.
Thursday August - Room 7 Mass at 9am in the school hall
Friday August 12 - Next newsletter

COMMUNITY NEWS

DOVE FELLOWSHIP FOR CATHOLIC WOMAN
All woman welcome. Come for a faith lift and spiritual boost. Bring a friend and experience the peace and joy that only Jesus can bring. Guest speaker Jayne Sutherland. Join us for dessert, tea and coffee at 7pm Monday August 22 at St Joseph's Church, Upper Hutt. The evening will finish at about 9pm. Enquiries to Eileen 2325473

FREE COMPUTER CLASSES
The free programme is run over 18 weeks and is designed so that people can work at their own pace. There are no tests, exams or costs involved. It is run by the Wellington Institue of Technology and is available in Petone, Wainui and in the city. If you are interested you can pick up a pamphlet from the school or phone 0800 935 832 for an enrolment pack or more information.

God Bless you all, Linda and the staff
______________________________________________________________

I have read this weeks newsletter, July 29, 2005

Signed _____________________________________ (parent/caregiver)

Names of children in the family
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St Michael's Catholic Primary School
3 Cooper St, Taita, Lower Hutt City, New Zealand.
Ph (04) 567 1514