St Anthony's School Seatoun eNewsletter

Naumai e te whānau o te kura St Anthony's Tēnā Koutou Katoa

Dear Parents and Caregivers

EOTC WEEK

What an outstanding week we had last week with our E.O.T.C programme. Highlights for the students included exploring our local environment as well as the Island Bay Marine Centre; singing with Michael Mangan in his LIVE concert @ St Anthony's; visiting the Marae at Te Papa where the Junior students experienced a powhiri. Many of the activities throughout the week provided provocations for this term's Unit of Inquiry exploring Tūrangawaewae. Students are currently inquiring into places where they feel especially empowered and connected.

Check out the senior corridor during the week to see some of Year 5-8's amazing responses to the Māori legend -“The Taniwha of Wellington Harbour” on display!

Thank you to our dedicated staff for their hard work organising these fantastic learning opportunities and to the parents who were able to assist throughout the week in the various ways that you did. It is wonderful to have such a supportive school community, ensuring that we are able to provide such outstanding learning activities for our students!

Enjoy reading our students' reflections in the section below as well as viewing the Picture Gallery.

Upcoming 3Way Conferences

We are looking forward to our Years 1-8 3Way Conferences (student/parent/teacher) on Tuesday 12 March (from 3.15pm) and Thursday 14 March (from 2.15pm).

On Thursday 14 March, parents are being asked to pick their children up at the earlier time of 2pm, so that conferences can begin at 2.15pm. We thank you in anticipation of your support. All information, including booking a time, is detailed in a recently sent Signmee.

During the 10minute conferences, teachers and students will share initial thoughts on how the term has started, assessment results will be discussed and students will set goals for the first half of the year. These goals will be reflected on at the end of Term 2 in readiness to set new goals in Term 3.

2019 Bazaar

We are extremely pleased to announce that $30,014.70 was raised for our amazing 2019 School/Parish Bazaar! A big shout out to everyone who helped to make our Community event such a huge success! This outstanding amount will be shared between the School and Parish. The school's contribution will go towards completing the playground refurbishment and increased technology across the school, beginning with Smart TVs in Takahe and Kea classes!!

Small School ; Strong Spirit!

Ngā manaakitanga

Jennifer Ioannou

PRINCIPAL

Last week we had our first Board meeting of the year. We are looking forward to working hard to provide high-quality governance to our school which allows our staff to deliver a top-quality education for our students. One of our roles is to manage the school’s budget, so we were really thrilled to find out that we had a record-breaking 94% of our families paying their donations in 2018. We work diligently to make sure that we budget wisely to ensure the school funds are spent in a way that will provide maximum benefit for our students, whilst not going into deficit. A huge thank you to all the families that paid their donations, this makes such a difference to the resources and benefits we can provide our students with.

As you know, we are having Board elections this year. The New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA) are running a hui to support interested candidates at Wellington High School on Monday 1 April 2019 at 6pm. The hui will be facilitated by a regional adviser from NZSTA who will talk about the reality of being a trustee, the support and training that is available and encourage existing trustees to tell their story. For people who are keen to consider standing for election, NZSTA can then offer a range of options to provide them with some learning opportunities so that they can prepare for the election and hopefully become well prepared to serve on the board.

Faith News

This Wednesday marked the first day of Lent. We attended mass on Ash Wednesday and received crosses on our foreheads to mark the beginning of our Lenten journey. Each class is looking at how they can show almsgiving, prayer and do penance during Lent. Some classes are focusing on doing one good deed each day throughout Lent to help others. Ask your child what their Lenten journey looks like in their classroom.

Students are invited to wear GREEN MUFTI next Friday 15 March for St Patrick's Day and will be involved in St Patrick's Day activities in their classrooms throughout the day. A gold coin for wearing mufti is not compulsory, however, it would be appreciated for Caritas and will be put in our koha boxes that are on our classroom prayer tables. At any stage, as part of our almsgiving, children are invited to add to these koha boxes during Lent.

Thank you for your support. God Bless,

Francesca von Lanthen (DRS)

Student Reflections

I was here on wheels day. I brought my scooter to school. I had fun on wheels day.

- Milana, Kiwi Class

On Friday the junior block went to the Island Bay Marine Reserve. I got to hold a cushion star and a sea cucumber. They felt funny. After I touched the animals we got a net and a bucket with our net and our bucket we went to the rock pools.

- Paris, Hoiho Class

We all had a ton of fun at Education Outside the Classroom Week. We did a lot of cool activities that the teachers planned for us. I had a lot of fun.

On Monday we were going to go to the beach but the weather ruined our plans. So instead we did lots of art as well as making paper helicopters.

Tuesday delivered excitement. For wheels day I brought my scooter to school. There were two mini circuits set up on the court.

- Charlotte, Takahe Class

E.O.T.C week was really fun because we got go to the Marine Centre, my favourite part was seeing the sea horses and sea turtles.

- Marita, Kea Class

I found it interesting to hold a kina, it wasn't spiky like I thought it was going to be.

- Chloe, Kea Class

We were pleased to see so many of our students & families embracing Movin' Monday for #movinmarch this week! Ka pai everyone!

If you'd like to join us Monday mornings Movin' to School this term, we depart Strathmore Shops (across from Strathmore Bakery) at 8.20am.

Students who move to school during March can get their WOW passports signed by their teacher each day. Students go into a prize draw at Assembly and passport cards are sent to the GWRC at the end of the month. Big prizes up for grabs for individuals as well as the school.

Movin’March Parent Photo Comp

Snap a photo of your family’s journey to school during Movin’March & win! It might highlight a small adventure or wonder discovered along the way, or simply capture a moment in your journey. Post your photo publicly on Facebook or Instagram with #movinmarch. All entries will go in the daily draw to win a family pass to a fun destination in the Wellington region.

Footsteps Dance - lessons started on Tuesday

On Tuesday afternoons for 5 weeks, students are involved in a dance programme provided by Footsteps Dance Company. Footsteps Dance Company specialises in curriculum-based dance programmes and they use dance as a vehicle to develop students inter/intra personal skills and fitness levels. Although the programme is subsidised by the school, there is a $15.00 donation per student to be involved for the 5 weeks.

Check out the Junior Syndicate students and teachers grooving to the Backstreet Boys!

There will be a disco at the end of term, Friday 5 April at 5.30pm where students will be able to demonstrate the skills taught in a fun and exciting way! Please mark this date in your diaries!

If you would like to be on the Disco organising committee, please contact Jennifer Ioannou. We look forward to hearing from you!

Our newly formed 2019 Miramar Predator Free Group have met three times already this year to talk about traps and increasing wildlife numbers in our local environment. Our new group members are Nadia, Shaun, Nina, Jessica and Bella from Kea Class. We meet on Monday lunchtimes to reset our school traps (given to us from Zealandia) and discuss how we can keep our school environment and community predator free. Last week Jessica’s mum, Natasha, came in to help us set the traps. Jessica even made some bait!

Thank you Natasha Thompson and Mrs Ioannou for your help with guiding our group. We look forward to developing our knowledge and awareness of the environment and keeping pests out.

Olivia Napp, Tui Class (Predator Free School Leader)

School Lunches

Changes are coming..........

This week we are trialing homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies and next week will be Banana Bread!

Sushi will also be available, however, orders will need to be placed on the Thursday for Friday delivery. Order slips will be going home on Wednesday afternoon.

Watch this space!

Friday 8 March

Pizza
Thanks to our fabulous parent lunch heroes Amanda Burke and Miriama Williams. Year 6 helpers are Glenys Keresi & Ethel Lene, thanks guys!

WEDNESDAY 13 March

*Sausage Sizzle for our Playground * Gold coin donation *

We are planning to have a Sausage sizzle next Wednesday. If your child would like a sausage they will be a gold coin donation.

We are looking for a kind parent to barbeque the sausages on the school BBQ. If you are available on Wednesday, please let Yvonne know asap. Thank you in advance!!

Friday 15 March

Sausage in Bread
Thanks to our fabulous parent lunch hero Sofia Georgiou. Year 6 helpers are Sophia Meech & Marimatina Peni, thanks guys!

Please ensure the correct amount is given. Payment received over and above the required amount will be considered a donation to FOSA. Please also remember to put money and order in a plastic bag big enough to hold lunch.

2019_Order_Form_Term_1_week_5_6.pdf

2019_Order_Form_Term_1_week_5_6 _pdf 306.19 KB

10 March Newsletter FINAL.pdf

10 March Newsletter FINAL _pdf 407.83 KB

Bazaar

Some people had such a good time at the Bazaar they forgot to collect their white elephant items. If you were one of them your item(s) are waiting for you in the St Anthony’s Church foyer. Please collect them this week otherwise they will be making their way to St Vincent de Paul next week.

Victoria University Coastal Ecology Labarotary and 'Seaweek'

As part of our annual celebration of SeaWeek, VUCEL will be opening the doors to our coastal ecology lab on Saturday 9 March between 10am and 3pm. Entry is completely free and there will be a wide range of activities and displays to see, including a touch tank with some of our coasts’ beautiful sea creatures! The ecology lab is situated at 396 The Esplanade, Island Bay (between Island Bay and OwhiroBay). Staff and students will be around all day to answer questions and discuss their work.

Speech and Drama

All ages, group and individual lessons in drama, public speaking and general speech quality. Trinity College London exam tutoring and competition entry available on request. Contact Elisabeth Minards-Black on eminardsblack@gmail.com for more information.

Birdlife Productions presents "Kotuku and the Moon Child"

A magical Puppet Show being held at Carter Observatory, one day only, on Saturday 16 March. Only $8 per ticket! www.fringe.co.nz or phone 0274 477 846.

Welcome Home & and Garden Tour - Saturday 16 March 2019

The Neonatal Trust in conjunction with Showroom, are again running this amazing tour which features beautiful, interesting, stylish, family-focused homes with great character and soul. Attendees will get to soak in great backyards, luscious gardens and fantastic living spaces that will interest and inspire. The visual feast will be complemented by tasters and canapes from local food and drink heroes.This is a one-day, self drive event where a selection of homes & gardens in the Seatoun and Worser Bay area will be open to the public for viewing from 10am-4pm. Proceeds from ticket sales go directly to assist the work of The Neonatal Trust. Tickets on sale now at www.neonataltrust.org.nz/2019hometour (sorry, no children under 12 please)

BigAir Gymsports & Cheerleading

Children in Wellington are learning how to Cartwheel, Round-off, Handspring and Flip at BIGAIR Gymnastics classes! Children develop strength, flexibility, balance, proprioception, plus pride and self-confidence as they achieve new skills. BIGAIR's Gymnastics Tumbling, Free Running & Trampoline classes are great for fun and fitness! We focus on safety, technique, basic skills, through to more advanced skills such as summersaults and twisting. Cheerleading is perfect for children who love to Dance, Stunt and Tumble. We are currently taking new members into our 2019 competitive teams! To find out more, please call Bigair Gym Owhiro Bay on 3838779 or email wgtn@bigairgym.co.nz.

MSP Junior Rugby

The club has built one of Wellington's proudest and most successful sports clubs and is about children enjoying their sport and developing their skills in a fun, safe and family oriented environment. We are offering:

- Little Rippas (age 2-4): a fun grade for the smaller ones

- Rippa Rugby (U6, U7 and new U8/9 grade): non-tackle rugby

- Tackle Rugby (under 8 to 13): tackle rugby for 8-13 year olds

Register on line at https://www.sporty.co.nz/msprugbyjnr/2019-Registration-Form or on the following open days at MSP indoor gym: Sunday 10 March 12-2pm, Wednesday 20 March 5-6.30pm or Sunday 7 April 11am-2pm. Enquiries to mspjuniorrugby@gmail.com