"What does the Lord require of us? 

He calls us:

‘To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.’  Micah 6:8

It was wonderful to be blessed with a glorious day on Monday and welcome our students and families safely back to school. The students have enjoyed being back together and beginning to explore our new learning inquiry for the term - Tūrangawaewae - the Universe.

Our Term 4 R.E.A.L. focus is Whakaaroha - Mercy.  This is an important gospel value for the children to reflect upon and explore as they continue to learn to express acts of compassion, manage their friendships and relationships especially when things get a little difficult and challenging, and show kindness and forgiveness so that we all can work together happily. 

The teaching staff held an excellent Teachers Only Day last Friday where we focused on two very important educational areas of our Local Curriculum: Culture & Charism and the Digital Technologies Curriculum.  We reviewed and discussed our Culture & Charism and how it could be reflected in the further development of St. Anthony’s Local Curriculum. We focussed on asking ourselves ‘What makes St Anthony’s, St Anthony’s?’  This was an exciting day, full of discussion, reflection and thinking. We have now begun an implementation plan going forward which includes parent and student voice. Over the next few months, we will be asking for your wisdom and ideas so that we are providing the best learning and teaching environment possible for your children. 

In the Ministry Resource ‘Leading Local Curriculum’ one principal describes this opportunity as “I see the (national) curriculum as the bones and what schools have to do is put the meat (the muscles) around them and then get the heart pumping.” During the same day, we focused also on Digital Technologies Curriculum. Much of our discussion focused around the student needs and the key findings that Anne Dowden shared with us from the recent Whānau Survey to inform our day. The completed survey findings will be presented to the Board of Trustees at the annual planning meeting next week.  We thank Anne for this presentation as it helped inform and shape our decisions. As we continue to review Digital Technologies Curriculum over the term, we will once again be seeking your feedback as with student, whānau and staff voice, it will then truly become our curriculum. 

Junior Block
Today we had our next site meeting and you will all be delighted to know that the junior block is looking amazing! The joinery is in and it is truly going to be a very exciting learning space for one and all. 

Thanks

Our grateful thanks to all those who supported us to farewell Jen last term. The afternoon was a great success and we really appreciated your support! My thanks too,to the staff who have worked hard this week to ensure a good start to the term for all. 

God Bless

Denise Johnson

We are pleased to announce that Vanessa Monahan has been appointed by the proprietor, Cardinal John Dew, to be a member of our school Board of Trustees. Vanessa has two children, Nadia and Thomas, at St Anthony’s and is already an active member of our community having organised many fundraising events as well as supporting school outings and activities. Being an active board member requires a significant dedication of time and effort and we thank Vanessa for making this commitment and welcome her as a valuable member of our Board.

As you know we have started our recruitment process for a new principal for St Anthony’s school. We are interested to hear what our community thinks are the most important attributes for our new principal to have. We will use this feedback during our recruitment process. If you are willing to share your thoughts on what you think we should be looking for in our new principal please email us at bot@stants.school.nz

Grandparents Mass

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our Grandparents Mass on Friday 25 October. The mass will be followed by a Book Day Costume parade and Morning Tea. 

Rosary Evening

October is the month of the rosary and we have begun praying a decade of the rosary in our houses each morning in preparation for the rosary evening on Tuesday the 29 October at 5.30pm in the church. Each child has a part of the rosary to say on the night and some have started learning it in another language as well. See you then.

Faith Reflection

It’s common practice to use a block of initials in referring to corporations or government departments that have long titles.  DHB (District Health Board), MOW (Ministry of Works) and UNESCO are a few examples. Civic Honours are similarly known by initials: KCMG, QSM, MBE…  

Words themselves are often broken down to their individual letters to give an additional meaning.  For instance, in popular thought, the word POSH which emphasises opulence and elegance, denotes First Class tickets on ships to and from India: Port Out, Starboard Home!

There are also acronyms in church language and symbols, although they are displayed rather than spoken.  Among the most obvious is IHS, printed on vestments or as a stylised design on altar fronts or floors. Sometimes explained as In His Service, it really denotes the first three Greek letters in the name, JESUS.  Another is the CHI-RHO sign – depicted as an X superimposed over an R. This is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of CHRIST.

Look for these symbols next time you visit a church.  Design one to illustrate your own Christian commitment or way of life.

All of New Zealand is at risk of earthquakes and all of our coastlines are at risk of a tsunami. We cannot predict when they will happen, but we can practise the right action to protect ourselves. New Zealand ShakeOut, our national earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi, happened today and we took part in this initiative. At 1.30 pm we all practised 'Drop, Cover and Hold' and evacuated to 'Star of the Sea' which is our school tsunami evacuation point. The children were calm and we managed to evacuate in 9 minutes. It is a great way for us as a school to learn the right actions to take before, during and after an earthquake and practise our tsunami hīkoi (evacuation walk) especially as we are in Seatoun. 

We were really impressed with the behaviour and focus of the students as they underwent the evacuation. The senior students in particular need to be commended as they held onto their buddy's hand and engaged them in conversation during the walk. Well done Tui and Kea.  

Please note in a real evacuation you will receive a notification to say we are evacuating and pick up is to take place at the 'Star of the Sea'.

Please talk to your children tonight to find out what they remembered or focused on as we participated in the ShakeOut today.

Book Week (Week 2)

This year we will be hosting a ‘pop up’ book fair and we see the return of the popular book character dress-up day.

Scholastic Pop Up Book Fair
When:  Wednesday 23 October to Friday 25 October (Week 2)
Where: School Library
Times:  After school 3-4pm and also the morning of Grandparent's Day
Come along to the school library and see a range of Scholastic books and other small items available for purchase. Great books on sale to put away for birthdays and Christmas! Make sure you let grandparents know to pop in and take a look while they are here for their special day next Friday as well!

Pay by cash, cheque or credit card.

Please let Kirsten know if you are available to help sell on any of these days/times.
See you there!

Book Character Dress-Up Day

Come dressed as your favourite book character on Grandparent's Day (Friday 25 October).  Make sure to also bring some comfortable shoes and a warm top for playing in at break. We will have a small parade for everyone to enjoy the wonderful costumes. We're really looking forward to seeing everyone dressed up!

School Lunches

Again in Term 4, lunches will be available FORTNIGHTLY.  It might be easier to put these dates in your calendar now:  Friday 25 October, Friday 8 November, Friday 22 November and Friday 6 December.

Friday 25 October

Pizza

Thanks to our fabulous parent lunch heroes Amanda Burke & Miriama Williams. Our Year 6 helpers are Mia Adams & Sophia Meech, thanks guys!

Worser Bay Life Saving Club Open Day

Calling all clubbies to “give surf a go” with your local Worser Bay Lifesaving Club.  We’re all about fun, family, fitness and friendship at Worser Bay, the community club that can.  The junior surf programme runs from October to March for 7 to 13 year olds.  Learn about beach safety, build confidence in and around water, use paddle boards and take part in junior carnivals. The Worser Bay Lifesaving Club open day is Sunday 20 October, 2pm to 4pm, 251 Marine Parade, Seatoun. 

Reeljig Irish Dancing

Fun, Friendship, Fitness, Culture and Skill. Beginner lessons available and lessons held in Kilbirnie, Karori and Tawa. Ph 022 396 0238 or email reeljigoffice@gmail.com

Samuel Marsden Collegiate School for girls - Year 9, 2020

Open Morning (tour the school, ask questions and find out about Marsden’s Visible Wellbeing approach and programmes): 25 October 2019, 8.45am-12pm. To organise a personal tour or day in class for your daughter contact Enrolment Registrar Sonia Stinson on 476 8707. Enrolments for 2020 are due now, apply to enrol at marsden.school.nz

Caritas seeks Accountant - National office

Caritas is seeking applications for the role of Accountant in its National office. Based in Wellington, this role takes responsibility for the day to day management of the accounting and finance functions at Caritas, including monthly and annual reporting, budgeting, forecasting, taxation compliance, payroll and oversight of the work of the Finance Assistant. This is a rewarding role in an organisation addressing poverty, advocating for environmental justice, partnering with indigenous peoples, responding to crises and connecting with communities.  For a copy of the job description visit caritas.org.nz or contact Catharina Vossen at Caritas on phone (021) 884 749. To apply, please email your resume and covering letter to: catharina@caritas.org.nz by 23 October 2019.

Miramar Childcare Centre

With the term beginning and the new year not far away we have some spaces freeing up in our centre for children over the age of 2. Some of your whānau may have younger siblings who are looking for an amazing centre to attend during the week. Contact  388 8343 or manager@miramarchildcare.co.nz.  For more info www.wellingtonchildcare.com