You may recall reading in a previous school newsletter which mentioned our teachers engaging in an Innovative Learning Practice 20-week course this year. Our professional learning has been facilitated by CORE Education and we are very close to the finish line! In 2018, we were very lucky to have successfully applied to the Ministry of Education for a Professional Development Grant and we chose to use some of the funding to engage in this future-focused education course.

During the course, we have been exploring our 'why' and engaging in elements of innovative learning practice, curriculum, assessment and environments. This has been great timing with our local curriculum review as well as our temporary and renovated Junior Block spaces. You will see new initiatives come to life, now and in the future, to increase engagement and connection with whānau, and students taking more ownership of their learning including having more say in what they learn. An example of this is the Junior Syndicate's sharing of student writing with whānau on Friday mornings. Thank you to Jeannine Winton for organising this new and important initiative.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the teachers for their commitment to this valuable course this year. They have put in a huge amount of effort, their engagement has been impressive, and it is a testament to the strong team and quality teaching staff we have here at St Anthony's. 


Tui Camp: Teapot Valley, Nelson 26-30 August 

From boating to skiing.... to flying and climbing.... team building, excitement, building confidence, growing and learning.... and making new friends with Holy Cross Miramar who we are sharing the camp with....

Next Monday, our Year 7/8 students, teachers and parent helper are travelling on the Ferry for a week at Teapot Valley in Nelson. We wish our Tui campers a fabulous time at their senior camp!

Thank you to everyone who has supported our students through fundraisers such as purchasing chocolates, fudge, sausages, roti and beeswax wraps - we are extremely grateful for your support of our students and their families.

Thank you to Denise Johnson (DP) for all her work organising this exciting camp experience for the Year 7/8 students. We know Tui will have a very memorable and enjoyable time together, and we look forward to hearing all about it on their return to school in Week 7.

Ngā manaakitanga

Jennifer Ioannou

PRINCIPAL

The wellbeing of our students at St Anthony’s is a priority. This is why for many years we have been part of the Positive Behaviour for Learning School-Wide framework, otherwise known as PB4L. Through this framework our staff work with the students to build a culture where positive behaviour and learning is a way of life. The Ministry of Education states PB4L initiatives as “helping parents, whānau, teachers, and schools address problem behaviour, improve children’s well-being, and increase educational achievement.” This framework supports our Catholic values of forgiveness and redemption - working to give children the opportunity to forgive others and be forgiven themselves; and to strive to do and be better in our behaviour, actions and words going forward.

Woven into the PB4L framework is our school values acronym of R.E.A.L which stands for Respectful Excelling Aware Learners. Our school’s R.E.A.L values are based on the gospel values that Jesus taught us. These values are respect for each other, excelling in our faith, aware of how we can help others and learning about our Catholic faith. We often get reports that when visitors come to St Anthony’s school they are impressed with the kindness, politeness and thoughtfulness that our students demonstrate. This exemplary behaviour is no doubt a result of our students being part of our wonderful community where these values are regularly displayed both in the home and at school – so we would like to give a big thank you to our whole community for making St Anthony’s such a warm and welcoming school.  

When you were baptised you were buried with Christ.  St Paul affirms this in his letter to the Colossians [2:12-14].  It seems a harsh statement but one we dare not overlook.

Burial presupposes death and there is a real “dying” in being baptised.  We die to a life without Christ. We die to all the negatives that threaten happiness, that tempt us away from gifting ourselves, that appeal to selfishness: don’t bother about anyone else; don’t feel sorry for anyone; don’t get side-tracked  from your own pursuit of riches, success.

Traditionally, the baptismal font is shaped to represent a tomb, and the water into which we plunge, a symbolic drowning.  We die, as Jesus did, to whatever is incompatible to his way of life. But, the font also represents a womb, and the waters carry the baptised person into life – into life, and to live, with Jesus.

Appreciating this two-fold imagery is an important step to grasping the full reality of what it means to be baptised a Christian.  We die and we come to life in the same celebration, opting for life with Jesus and all that option implies.

Last Friday, Years 1-6 enjoyed Book Week in Schools 2019 Treasure Hunt performance by Perform Education. It was exciting to see a range of texts such as Gavin Bishop's 'Aotearoa' and 'The Short but Brilliant Career of Lucas Weed' by Chrissie Walker. We enjoyed the messages of looking after our planet and working together.


"They were very creative in the way they shared the messages. I was impressed by how quickly they changed into different characters."

Katelyn Wilson, Kea Class

"I really enjoyed the singing during the performance and also how much they want us to care about the environment".

Marimatina Peni, Kea Class

"I liked the beginning when they introduced themselves to us and when they asked for extra helpers. Ethel went up and all the volunteers did the Treelander Chant."

Glenys Keresi, Kea Class

It can be helpful at times to have a bank of questions handy to ask your children after a long day at school. It is really important to have a growth mindset when discussing the school day. Modelling positivity and growth to our tamariki is key. We hope you find the questions useful. For the full list, please click the PDF below.

1. What games did you play at playtimes?
2. What was the funniest thing that happened today?
3. Did anyone do anything super nice for you?
4. What was the nicest thing you did for someone else?
5. Who made you smile today?
6. What new fact did you learn today?
7. What challenged you today?
8. What would you rate your day on a scale of 1 to 10? Why?
9. Who do you want to make friends with but haven’t yet? Why not?
10. Tell me something you learned about a friend today?
11. What was your favourite learning activity today? Why?
12. What is one thing you did today that was helpful?
13. When did you feel most proud of yourself today?
14. What is one thing you hope to learn before the school year is over?
    

On Wednesday 14 August, students from Takahe, Kea and Tui classes took part in Eastern Zone Swimming at the Aquatic Centre in Kilbirnie. This was a wonderfully enjoyable event with excellent team spirit at the pool, great participation and huge support from students, staff, parents/caregivers all cheering each other on.  Congratulations to Petra Bouras for coming second in the Year 6 Backstroke event!

A HUGE thank you to the very helpful parents who came along to support us on the day. Thanks so much to Sheryl, Vanessa, Debbie, Anna, Michelle, Claire and Sam for joining us.  Thank you also to the wonderful Miss von Lanthen for coming along to help!

This week we hear from our Year 8 student, Wilkie Proudfoot.

Introduction

Hi my name is Wilkie Proudfoot and I am a Year 8 student at St Anthony’s School. I have a sister and brother Billy and Pieta. My mum and dad are Dean and Amber.

Favourite subject

My favourite subjects at school are Visual Art and P.E.

When l’m not at school l like...

In my spare time, I like to go fishing, create art and play cricket. 

I like coming to St Anthony’s because...

I love going to St Anthony’s because of how kind everyone is, the awesome community and the opportunities that we get at our school.

Term 4

Friday 25 October - Grandparents' Mass / Powhiri 9am 

NB: End of Year Event Dates are currently being confirmed.



2020 Term Dates

Next year, school starts on Tuesday 4 February, with two days of 30 minute 3Way Conferences per child 9-4pm. Students will be coming into school for their conference time with their parents and then going home afterwards. We will be sending more information about this new initiative next term.

The first day of school for all students is Friday 7 February (Waitangi Day is Thursday 6 Feb).

Term 1: Tuesday 4 Feb - Thursday 9 April (Good Friday 10 April)

Term 2: Tuesday 28 April - Thursday 2 July (ANZAC Day observed Monday 27 April) 

* Fri 3 July Kahui Ako Professional Development Day - No School *

Term 3: Monday 20 July - Friday 25 September

Term 4: Monday 12 October - Wednesday 16 December 

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

Friday 30 August

Subway

Thanks to our fabulous parent lunch heroes Jacinta Handscomb & Caroline Griffin. Our Year 6 helpers are Ethel Lene & Mia Adams, thanks guys!

Parenting Faith Seminar

Thursday 29 August 2019, 7.30pm-9pm Connolly Hall, Thorndon, Wellington

Nurturing your child’s Catholic faith at home. Parents are children’s first educators in faith. An interactive and informative evening to equip parents with ideas and resources to ‘do’ faith at home. Come and join the discussion! Presented by Dr Chris Duthie-Jung.  Entry by KOHA. To book your place go to… https://parentingfaith.eventbrite.co.nz or contact Felicity Giltrap on f.giltrap@wn.catholic.org.nz or (04) 496 1719.


Parish Newsletter

ONLY  5 MORE WEEKS LEFT to collect YUMMY STICKERS & LABELS

The Yummy Sticker promotion finishes at the end of Term 3 (Friday 27 September), so we really need 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).