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

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Last week I was away from school for three days attending the NZ Principal's Federation Conference with Denise Johnson in Wellington. The Conference theme, 'Creative Leaders, Flourishing Futures' challenged us all to reflect, discuss and develop plans to lead our schools in creative and courageous ways. Providing many opportunities for students to engage in The Arts, develop deep collaborative, creative and critical thinking skills were spoken about at length by all speakers. The Conference really affirmed St Anthony's current strategic direction. It was also perfect timing as the Board and Staff are currently developing the 2019 Annual Plan. The draft plan will be ready within the next fortnight for consultation and we look forward to hearing your voice regarding your children's education for next year. 

Grandparents' Day

Thank you to everyone who was involved to make our Grandparents' Day on Friday 19 October such a special day and a success. We were truly blessed to have had Cardinal John celebrating the Mass for us and having his presence on such a significant event in our school calendar. Particular thanks to Denise Johnson who organised the Mass with the support of the teachers and the many parents who baked and hosted - we appreciated all of your help to make Grandparents' Day such a special day for all.

Mindfulness at St Anthony's

We are delighted to be working alongside Jase Te Patu who is introducing the students to Mindfulness techniques to help build resilience and enhance wellbeing. The learning is linked to our school-wide theme "Connected to Hauora". Takahe, Kea and Tui classes enjoyed their first session yesterday, with Kiwi and Hoiho joining in next week. Many schools are tuning into Mindfulness programmes and are seeing fantastic results in transforming student wellbeing and effectiveness in the classroom. Jase's programme centers around breath techniques and visualisation, with students gaining a sense of presence. Each session has a takeaway theme, (ie. peace, gratitude, calm, happiness).

For more information about Jase's programme, please visit:

Ngā manaakitanga

Jennifer Ioannou

PRINCIPAL

Rosary Evening

Congratulations to all our amazing students for the wonderful way in which they led the Rosary on Tuesday night. Thanks to the many families who came to pray the Rosary with the children. I am sure you will agree how wonderful it was especially as we heard the prayers being recited in 11 other languages and the youngest ever to lead a prayer on their own - Charlotte Smith. Well done Charlie!! 

We chose to pray The Mysteries of Light. In 2002 Pope John Paul II updated the Rosary with the Luminous Mystery Rosary. This was a major event in the history of the rosary.

Pope John Paul felt that it was important to add these mysteries to the history of the rosary because there was a gap between the childhood of Jesus that is meditated upon during the Joyful Mysteries and the suffering and death of Jesus that is meditated upon during the Sorrowful Mysteries.

The Luminous Mystery Rosary or the Mysteries of Light, as they are also called, focus on the public life of Jesus, the years He was preaching spanning the time between His Baptism and His death.

They are called the Mysteries of Light because Jesus is the light of the World.

We hope that you as a family continue to pray this wonderful meditative prayer.

November is the month of All Saints & All Souls - the month in which we remember all those who have died and gone to their eternal reward. You are invited to visit the church over this month of November and place the names of your loved ones who have died in the box by the altar. These people are then remembered in the prayers and masses of all our community. As a school, we went to mass yesterday to acknowledge this important feast day.

Please join us this Sunday, 10.30am to welcome the children who are taking their next Sacrament of Initiation - First Holy Communion. A very special sacrament in all of our lives and please remember the children in your prayers over this next week.

Denise Johnson, DRS

Twice a term there will be an article in our school newsletter showcasing a staff member at our school. Our Principal, Jennifer Ioannou, is our first staff member who we are going to hear from. We hope by reading about our staff, it helps you to get to know them better!

Jennifer Ioannou, Principal

Tell us a little about your teaching journey

I embarked on my teaching career in 2002 at a brand new Catholic school in West Auckland, which was a valuable and rewarding experience. After two years there, I went to the UK for my O.E. where I enjoyed having the opportunity to see other schools in action, including Clifton College in Bristol. On my return to NZ, I was offered a position at Queen Margaret College and being an Old Girl, it was a very special five years teaching there. In 2010, I moved to Scots College Prep School and in my sixth year there, became Head of Curriculum and Operations. In October 2015, I was appointed as the Principal at St Anthony’s. I thoroughly enjoyed being back in the Catholic system and teaching co-ed again! I had been engaging in postgraduate study from 2010 and in 2016 completed a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Leadership. I believe that my varied teaching experiences and further studies have had a positive impact on my teaching and leadership practice.

What do you like most about your job?

Being appointed the Principal of St Anthony’s has allowed me to engage with our incredible students, parents and staff on a daily basis. My passion is being in the classroom to assist students and teachers in the teaching and learning process, and to further develop the curriculum. I am committed to continuing to provide an excellent education for our students, as well as endless opportunities for them to become the best they can be.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

To keep developing yourself both personally and professionally.

If you weren’t a teacher, what other career would interest you?

Growing up in a keen golfing family, I began 
lessons at 10 years old and most school 
holidays were spent playing on a beautiful 
course somewhere in New Zealand. I played 
competitively during secondary school and 
considered pursuing a professional golfing 
career. However, in the end, I decided to go to 
University to train as a primary school teacher 
as I looked forward to the opportunity to 
inspire the future generation.

What part of your job do you find the most challenging?

Every day in my role a new challenge emerges and that’s because no two days are the same in teaching and leadership. I enjoy the variety and the way these daily challenges extend me.

The St Anthony's Fun Run will be taking place on Thursday 8 November and will begin at 9.30am. 

This is a sponsorship based fundraiser and our aim is to collect the remaining funds needed for our Supernova.  A sponsorship form has already been given to your child so they can start raising money!  

It will also be a great event with all children running in the community.  At the moment we are teaching the children the importance of exercise. This sporting event is also linked to our termly inquiry - Connected to Hauora/Well Being.  

We would love some parent volunteers to be there on the day to assist with the running of the event. Please contact the Office if you are free to help out.

The routes are below: Please note that Years 0-5 students will be walking to the Beach leaving school at 9.10am, ready for a 9.30am start.

Years 6-8: Start at school. Run down Falkirk Avenue, then Burnham Street through Seatoun School and along the first part of the Eastern Walkway. Run by the Pass of Branda and then back to school via Inglis Street and Falkirk Avenue.

Thank you for all your support,

Ronan Kelly, P.E./Sports Coordinator

In the last three years, Toitoi has published over 1000 young writers and artists. To celebrate students’ courage, curiosity and creativity, they have created The Jillion — a collection of some of the most amazing writing and artwork from Toitoi. The Jillion will be a beautiful, hardcover book that will be enjoyed by readers all over New Zealand and even the world.

Wilkie Proudfoot’s incredible illustrations for 'The Man with the Violin' from Toitoi 9 will be published in The Jillion. Congratulations Wilkie - this is an outstanding accomplishment!!

Wilkie is in Year 7, Tui Class

If persistence was a person: The story of Professor Swee Tan.

Last Thursday we were fortunate enough to visit the Seatoun Bowling Club and listen to their guest speaker. Swee Tan is an inspiring person, a highly qualified doctor and plastic surgeon. Swee Tan is a person who doesn’t give up. He backs himself with gentle confidence with his head held high. As a highly skilled surgeon he is now focusing on how to treat life-threatening conditions. When I was listening to his talk I understood how much pressure he must be under in his working life. He recently found that a commonly used and inexpensive drug could be used to release the pressure from a strawberry birthmark. These strawberry birthmarks are small, closely packed blood vessels which clump and distort. He is taking the world by storm and I’m so thankful that I was able to listen to this humble man.

Written by Cassara Balogh (Year 8)

What's happening down at the bottom of the garden.......!!

Tui class have been working away to help develop the school garden with amazing progress; as the soil warms up and the spring rains fall everything is beginning to blossom and grow. The tomatoes and the potatoes have been planted and mulch has been spread to protect the soil and hold in the nutrients.

The main focus of the garden is to connect us as a school with our faith community of St. Anthony's Church. In this way we can connect with our Hauora, share our hard work, the bounty of nature and our love for this beautiful earth entrusted to us by God. 

Thank also to the many families who have given us plants, organised free compost, shared their gardening secrets and pulled out more that a few pesky weeds.

Helen Revill, School Garden Coordinator

Continuing on from last week, donations are being sought for the baking team.  Remember points for your child/ren's House will be accumulated, with the winning House team receiving freshly baked muffins..

• flour (plain and self-rising)
• sugar (caster and icing sugar)
• condensed milk
• chocolate block (dark and milk)
• chocolate chips (dark and white)
• desiccated coconut

Also please save, clean and bring in plastic strawberry containers and more glass jars/bottles.  The preserving team have requested:

• tinned plums
• tinned chopped tomatoes 

Very many thanks for your continued support!

Come on down and play tennis at your fantastic local tennis club!

Please come to Miramar Tennis Club or check out our website: www.miramartennis.org.nz

After Wellington Synchronised Swimming’s fantastic results at Nationals, we are holding some events to raise awareness and encourage swimmers to try this sport, which is re-emerging in New Zealand.

Synchronised Swimming Gala – 11^th November 3-4 pm, WRAC Kilbirnie. Come and see the trophy winning routines from Nationals.

Getting Started Program Three sessions on Sunday 18^th & 25th November 2^nd December 2:00- 3:30pm at WRAC, Kilbirnie, near the dive well. Email Andrew wellysynchro@gmail.com to sign-up

Suitable for boys and girls aged 8-13 who are confident swimming out of their depth and have enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Fee: $30 (deducted from term fees if your swimmer continues *WRAC pool charges will apply*)