Talofa

‘I’m ready,’ was indeed the mantra that the staff had for Monday as the long-awaited reconnect with our tamariki had finally arrived. It was to our absolute delight that laughter and chatter filled the school as students have come together again. It has been fantastic to be back together and from what I hear everyone is sleeping well at night after the stimulus of the day! Long may it continue.

The children have quickly learnt what a metre is and work at maintaining this as well as adapting to our new regime of wash hands, wash hands and wash hands! One of the ways we have reinforced these messages is to share the song,  ‘Moist Breath Zone’ by Lake Brunner School Principal, Shirley Serban. Shirley took the key messages of the NZ guidelines for children going back to school after Covid-19 quarantine to create this fun song. Here is the link Stay Out of My Moist Breath Zone -  so you can enjoy it together.  Our focus is to help instill with the children these good practices to help ward off any bug be it cold, flu or COVID19.

I would like to express my grateful thanks to all our staff who have worked hard to not only help reacquaint the children with the routines of school life but also calm nerves and engage all the children in the fun of school life. This is of course on top of the regular cleaning regime of doors and surfaces throughout the day. We are extremely blessed with the dedicated team of Francesca, Amy, Kirsten, Helen, Ronan and Lucy who work so collaboratively together to ensure the wellbeing of all our tamariki - Thank you.  

My thanks too, to all our whānau who have respected the Level 2 requirements without complaint. This was very evident yesterday when parents arrived before the barrier was in place, but who automatically remained outside the open gate! I did laugh seeing you all there but be assured that we are so appreciative of your compliance with this as it makes our lives so much easier! Ka Pai

Well done to the students who have already returned their Readathon Log for the teachers to mark off as well as the few that have bought in the funds that they have raised - You are superstars! We ask that everyone else sends it all in by Friday, May 29 so we can determine the winners (individuals and class) for the most raised. 

Movin’ March is now Movin' May as it has been extended due to the Lockdown. So we will continue marking off the passports so keep that walking and riding going!

Next week is Samoan Language Week so we hope you will join us in learning some greetings and responses. If you are able to support us with the learning in any way please contact me. 

May you all have a wonderful weekend together.

Faamanuia le Atua

Denise

Today is the Feast of the Ascension. Jesus showed up to His disciples a few times after His resurrection, and spoke with them about things or gave them encouraging words.

Jesus had one final special meeting with them…Jesus took His disciples out of the town and He reminded them again of who He was, and how He suffered and died to fulfill the prophecies. He told His friends that He was going to send them an exciting present, and that they should wait for that present to get an amazing sort of power…then He gave them a blessing. He floated up, ascending into the sky but He didn’t come back down. 

The disciples were left open-mouthed, starting into the sky and wondering when He would return…an angel let them know that Jesus would be coming back, though they didn’t realize it would take such a long time.

In the meantime, the disciples were excited about what Jesus had said. They went to Jerusalem and hung out in the church, giving praise to God and telling people about what they had seen. They were all stirred up with energy and excitement, just like those raisins were stirred up and started dancing! 

It might have been shocking or confusing or exciting. One thing we can know is that we should be eager to share God’s love and good news with one another.

Kia ora koutou

We hope you are settling well into our new “normal” both at school and at home.  Changes in routine don’t always go smoothly and it’s good to know that our wonderful teachers are here to support us as we transition to school under Alert level 2.  Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for advice and help…we’re in this together as a small school with a strong spirit.

"Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid." John 14:27

Playground news

Over the last few weeks, we have been working with the Lions Foundation to confirm how we will use their very generous grant of last year towards our senior school playground. Due to Lockdown and the need to spend the grant money within the given timeframe, we are proceeding with upgrading the safety surface (the area next to the astroturf) which is required for a new playground. Work will start in the coming weeks which will provide the required surfacing and related surface materials for our playground.   A huge thank you to Amber Proudfoot for helping secure the grant.

The proposed playground design is currently going through the pricing process and we are looking forward to sharing the design with our school community to gather your feedback, comments and suggestions.  While there isn’t a set timetable yet, we’re working as quickly as possible to get this design ready for sharing with you and moving forward with building the playground.

Board of Trustees Vacancy

A casual vacancy has occurred on the Board of Trustees for an elected parent representative.

The board has resolved under section 105 of the Education Act 1989 to fill the vacancy by the selection, rather than a by-election.

If ten per cent or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held.

Any eligible voter who wishes to ask the board to hold a by-election should email Vanessa Monahan, Chairperson Board of Trustees, bot@stant.school.nz by 28th May 2020.

Heoi anō tāku mō nāianei

St Anthony's Board of Trustees

Te Moana

Andy Goldsworthy Sculptures

During distance learning we had to make art out of twigs and branches. We watched a video about Andy Goldsworthy who makes sculptures out of nature. I thought the video was really cool.  I used leaves, twigs and pieces of paua shells to create mine.  I hot glued the paua on to the two pieces of wood to create a sculpture. I used pictures I found online about how to make a paua wind sculpture. My Dad cut some pieces of wood and I put it all together.  I also made a little wooden bird to put it. 

- Rueben

During the lockdown we learned about the symbols of the holy spirit which are oil, water, wind, fire, and a dove. When we got back to school we drew one of them. I drew a dove inspired by the one that brings the branch of an olive tree in Noah’s ark.

By Nina Atkinson Milin

    

For the symbols of the holy spirit, I did a dove for the dove symbol the same as Nina. Mine has fire over it’s head for the fire, a cross on the top of the fire and a dove about to fly away. There are lots more so come and check them out!

By Katelyn Wilson

Thanks to Mark Mulhern for introducing the community to this poem which has inspired Te Maunga to create their individual responses, using 'Stop Motion' film techniques. Here is how James was inspired to creatively respond. 

Entertainment Books