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Naumai e te whānau o te kura St Anthony's Tēnā Koutou Katoa
Dear Parents and Caregivers
This week I write to you from Martinborough where I am at the Wellington Catholic Principal's Conference which is being held from Wednesday - Friday with a focus on wellbeing. Yesterday we had Cardinal John and Fr James Lyons with us leading insightful discussion activities and a special Mass which has been a real treat!
Lunchtime Playtimes
You may have heard that the lunchtime playing time was adjusted last term due to ongoing teacher reflection and discussion. Many students were finding the lunchtime playing time too long (i.e. 12.30pm eating for 10mins then 12.40-1.23pm playing) and a good number simply wanted to play rather than sit first to eat. We found that by breaking the lunchtime up the way we did, ensured that students had the opportunity to burn off energy straight after the Maths block, have time to eat together in their classrooms, followed by another session of playing. At the end of Term 2, we completed a review of this new initiative and gathered student and staff voice. As a response to the feedback, we have stayed with the Play, Eat, Play routine and have made the eating time 10mins rather than 15mins.
This change and initiative is a further response to enhancing the wellbeing of our students. We have also found that issues in the playground have been greatly reduced which is extremely positive.
New times
12.30-12.50pm - Play
12.50-1.00pm - Eat
1.00-1.23pm - Play
1.23-1.25pm - Tidy up / line up
If you have any questions about this new arrangement, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher.
I look forward to seeing everyone when I am back at school on Monday.
Ngā manaakitanga
Jennifer Ioannou
PRINCIPAL
Last week we shared some visuals of what our new Junior learning environment will look like. In case you missed the article you can find it here. The new design enables our teachers to have greater flexibility in creating spaces for the varied activities they teach. The teachers will be able to use partitions and glass sliders to create the environment they need for each day’s lessons. One of the big changes is that we have been able to make much better use of wide corridor space – with this becoming 3 new rooms that can be used by our students for a range of activities. We know that this modern learning environment sparks students’ interests which improves engagement and achievement.
You will be formally invited to come and see the spaces in action next term so you can see for yourself our rich and engaging learning spaces where your children will be happy and achieving! If at any stage you have concerns about any aspect of the new environment, please see Jennifer Ioannou directly.
Our 3-Way Conferences (student/parent/teacher) will be held after school on Tuesday 20 August and Thursday 22 August.
During the 10 minute conferences, teachers and students will share initial thoughts on how the term has started, latest assessment results will be discussed and students will set goals for the second half of the year.
Please use the following link to make your booking:
https://stantseatoun.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/6
If you wish to change your booking, you will be able to do so until Monday 19 August, after which time the form will be locked permanently with your selection.
If you have any problems making a selection on this form, please contact the office.
Next Thursday 15 August, is the Feast of the Assumption, a special day in the Catholic calendar. It honours the Assumption of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. In Aotearoa-New Zealand, it unites the Church in a common celebration. The Assumption is our patronal feast day. What’s so important about this?
Mary, as the Mother of Jesus, the Word of God, is “blessed among women” and unique in all humanity. She is not divine; she is totally human, yet privileged to be the one who gave God a human personality. The Word became flesh in the womb of Mary, transforming her into a sacred vessel. Because of this intimacy and dignity, we believe that Mary’s body could not have known the corruption that normally follows death. She was “assumed”, taken in her entirety, to the presence of God. In honouring this belief, we celebrate the dignity of all humanity. Not only are we made in the image of God, but God has further dignified us by becoming one of us. How can this not give us great hope and trust, and gratefulness.
As part of our school's Wellbeing Approach, we accepted NED's invitation to visit us on 1 August to share his messages about the importance of having a growth mindest disposition for learning and behaviour.
NED stands for Never Give Up and the Power of YET, Encourage others to have the courage, Do your best.
A brilliant story-teller, NED made wonderful use of his yo-yo and magical tricks to deliver his message.
While the presentation was entertaining, the messages were profound; it was a powerful learning opportunity for our students. A growth mindset is key to student wellbeing and developing confident, resilient, empowered learners.
For parents who are interested in learning more, we encourage you to view psychology expert Carol Dweck's TED Talk The power of believing that you can improve.
Thank you to Kirsten Bouras for organising this show for us.
Here are some comments about NED's performance from our tamariki...
"I liked it when he told us about the stories with Ned." Cedric
"The show had awesome tricks!" Lorenzo
"It was very good and funny!" Phineas
"I really liked it because he told me what to do when something is really hard and not to give up!" Blythe
Feast of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - 15 August
This is a Holy Day of Obligation, Mass Times are:
9.30am Holy Cross School Hall (light morning tea after Mass)
9.30am St Patrick’s Church
11.00am Rita Angus Retirement Village Chapel
11.30am St Anthony’s – Thursday Friends
12.30pm St Patrick's College Hall
2.00pm St Patrick’s Church – St Catherine’s College
6.30pm St Anthony’s Church
Parish Newsletter - 10-11 August
Name: Francesca von Lanthen
Position: Kea Class Teacher, DRS and SENCo
Tell us a little about your teaching journey
In my final college years, I decided that teaching was a career that really excited me. I have always loved working with children and I enjoyed the idea of being alongside them, helping them to learn and grow. I studied an English Literature and History Degree at Victoria University. Before going on to do a Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching, I took a break from my studies to work at Walt Disney World in Florida. This allowed me to see the world from a different perspective and experience a huge range of nationalities and cultures. Beginning my teaching career at Our Lady of Kapiti School (formerly St Patrick’s, Paraparaumu) was the best start I could have asked for. The staff were nurturing and supportive of me as a new teacher and I was fortunate to work there for three years. During my time there we moved into a brand new purpose-built school for innovative learning. This has prepared me well for the exciting current developments happening at St Anthony’s.
What do you like most about your job?
The most rewarding part of teaching comes from seeing the world from each child’s unique perspective. The children are my inspiration, they brighten my day and I am passionate about helping them to reach their full potential.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
My parents have always taught me to show empathy towards others, follow my instincts and be true to myself. This advice has always guided me when I am feeling challenged.
If you weren’t a teacher, what other career would interest you?
As soon as I thought about being a teacher, everything clicked into place and I haven’t considered any other career path.
What part of your job do you find the most challenging?
Prioritising what needs to be done each day in order to have a work/life balance. The varied roles, responsibilities and tasks that need to be completed can be challenging to fit into one day.
Introduction
Kia Ora all! If you don’t know me my name is Emilio Bell and I am in Tui class at St Anthony’s. I have an eight year old sister called Gabriella and she is in Takahe Class. I live in Seatoun with my two parents and my little sister, however we are about to take a break and go to live in Columbia for a year, which is very exciting.
Favourite Subjects
My favourite subject in school is definitely Maths and P.E. I have always loved these two subjects from when I was a little boy. I love Maths because I like solving hard decimal equations. I also adore P.E. because I love playing team sports and working together and cooperating with others.
When I’m not at school I like…
In my own time I like to go and play Rugby and Cricket at the field with my mates. I play Rugby for Marist St Pats and play Cricket for Eastern Suburbs. If I am bored I will go out for a Mountain Bike ride with my Dad or some mates.
I like coming to St Anthonys because…
I love coming to St Anthony’s because there are so many leadership opportunities around the school for example, there are House Leader roles, Young Vinnies, Predator Free Leader and much more. I also love St Anthony’s because of the great staff, lots of good friends, and a great caring atmosphere.
As part of our Kahui Ako (Catholic Schools - Community of Learning), we have been invited to share in an evening being organised by Friends of St Teresa’s School Karori (FOST).
The main driver behind this event is that we know that the one thing most parents want for their children is happiness. Research is clear – a happy young person is much more likely to be confident, connected, engaged and able to contribute positively to their own and others’ learning.
Dr Denise Quinlan is a leading education from the NZ Institute of Wellbeing & Resilience. She will deliver The Talk - Kicking for the Surface: Practical Strategies to Protect and Support Wellbeing - which promises to be a practical session with tips and strategies that parents can use to support their wellbeing and their children’s wellbeing in a busy year.
Wellbeing is our best protection against the stresses and challenges of everyday life. Learn more about what wellbeing is made up of and simple ways to support it; why focusing on what’s right and knowing your strengths can help wellbeing and achievement; how to combat the ‘fragile thoroughbred’ syndrome that sees many teenagers afraid to try or giving up after failure; and why we can all benefit from more self-compassion. Last but not least, this session will remind parents that love, acceptance and belonging are the most important wellbeing supports you give your child.
The talk is being held at Samuel Marsden auditorium, Karori, August 28 at 7.30pm, and we have 2 tickets still available.
Tickets are $10.00 and have been subsidised by our school as we want to make this evening accessible for our community.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Yvonne in the school office.
School Lunches
Following on from the School Lunches survey last term, below is a summary of responses and analysis suggest we note:
- the main reason for school Lunches is to raise funds for FOSA;
- parents want a healthy lunch for their children but most are prepared to accept an occasional treat lunch such as pizza;
- extra items such as chippies, brownies, grain waves & doritos will not be offered in term 3 as the orders do not justify continuing to supply these;
- lunches will be offered fortnightly in term 3 because there is not enough parent volunteers for a weekly lunch and at the moment there aren’t enough orders to justify a weekly lunch;
- the most popular lunch items will remain (pizza, sushi, hamburgers, subway) with other items being discontinued;
- lunch orders will revert back to being required on a Friday morning EXCEPT on the last week of term when Sushi orders will need to be in on a Thursday);
- term 3 will be used as our test to see if orders increase and to determine the minimum number of orders / funds raised required to justify continuing FOSA lunches.
Following the departure of Sarah, we are very pleased to announce that Debbie Johnson has kindly taken on the role of Lunch Co-ordinator. Debbie will be main point of contact for rosters, dates, availability, etc.
Below are the Order Forms for Term 3 School Lunches.
Friday 16 August
Hamburger/Cheeseburgers
Thanks to our fabulous parent lunch heroes Mike Balogh, Anna Kempton & Sofia Georgiou. Year 6 helpers are Bella Small & Riley Smith, thanks guys!
FOSA Movie Night - Downton Abbey
Join us for an exciting night on Wednesday 18 September, watching Downton Abbey - The Movie.
The movie starts at 8.15pm. Please join us from 7.30pm at the Roxy Cinema Cafe.
A raffle will be drawn on the night. Raffle tickets can be purchased online with movie tickets or on the night. $2 per ticket or 3 for $5.
Movie tickets are $20 pp. Please support our school and enjoy a great night out.
Please use the following link to book tickets -
https://www.trybooking.com/nz/book/event?eid=1478&
ONLY August & September to collect YUMMY STICKERS & LABELS
The Yummy Sticker promotion is now in its 22 year and there is another $200,000 available to spend on sports gear for schools.
The promotion finishes at the end of Term 3 (Friday 27 September), so there is only another 7 weeks left to collect as many stickers & bag cut outs as possible.
Please print off sheets at home to enable you to 'stick labels straight on', or please pick up hard copies in the school office (see Yvonne).
Antarctic Day, 10 August, held at Miramar Central School
There is an Antarctic-themed public outreach and engagement event booked for Saturday 10 August. The basic idea is a FREE 'drop-in centre' where people can come with any questions they have about Antarctica, and have them answered by local experts. In addition, we will have a number of hands-on activities and a series of short presentations on a variety of Antarctic topics. At present, ~20 Antarctic scientists have volunteered their time for the day, and we are looking to make the most of their investment by publicising the event as widely as possible.
The event is to be held in the hall of Miramar Central School (38 Park Road, Miramar), with doors open to the public 11-3.
https://www.facebook.com/events/634394903714658/
https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2019/antarctic-family-day/wellington
Pre-loved Sports Sale, St Patrick's College, Kilbirnie
On Saturday 17 August from 10am-2pm, drop into the college hall for the Sports Sale and kit out your family with pre-loved sports gear and clothing (all codes included) in great condition. 1 item - $10, 3 items $20 with a small selection of items at specially marked prices. There will be a gold coin sausage sizzle and tea & coffee. Got some gear to donate? Drop it at the college office or contact parentsassociation@stpats.school.nz. Thank you for supporting this fundraiser for St Patrick's College.
St Catherine’s College Enrolments
Enrolments are currently open for St Catherine's College however the closing date is 30 August 2019. If you miss this date, please contact us on 939 8988, as late enrolments will be considered. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, or if you would like to come and talk to one of our staff members. Our contact details are as follows: 939 8988 or office@scc.school.nz
St Catherine's College aims to nurture and empower
our young women to be active and creative learners.
Elements Rhythmic Gymnastics- Free trial classes
Rhythmic Gymnastics is a mix of dance and gymnastics. It develops hand-eye co-ordination through the use of apparatus – rope, hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon. Classes are available Mon-Sat for boys and girls from age 3 and above, no previous experience necessary. Our classes are in Thorndon, just opposite the Botanical Gardens. We also have a very successful competitive program. If your child loves to dance and is looking for something a little different, then come along to a class and give it a try! Email info@rhythmicgym.nz to arrange a FREE trial. For more information about Elements and our classes, visit www.rhythmicgym.nz