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

Dear Parents and Caregivers

I have really enjoyed reading our students' End of Term report comments and reflecting on the wonderful progress all students have made this year. Thank you to all the teachers for the time and effort that goes into writing these reports. It is very much appreciated.

Tomorrow afternoon (Friday 7 December), End of Term comments will be available on LINC-ED under 'Learning in Year __' (choose your child's current Year group). These will be bulk published so you won't get an email, however, they will be on your child's page by 1pm. There will be a comment for Reading, BANKS, Integrated Curriculum and a General Comment. 

The goal progressions will also be updated so that you can see where your child is working against the curriculum. The following diagram explains the curriculum levels in relation to the year levels.

You can access your LINC-ED account by clicking here: https://stants.linc-ed.com/wp-login.php  If you require assistance, please contact Yvonne in the Office. 

Our 2018 School Year

With just over a week left of the school year, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for the effort and contributions of everyone who makes St Anthony's School the quality learning environment that it is. In particular, thank you to our teaching and support staff who consistently go the extra mile to deliver quality programmes for our students. Please refer to my 2018 Annual Report, available on our School website, which details many of our achievements this year. http://www.stants.school.nz/bot/

Students have excelled in many areas and have had a raft of exciting opportunities to enhance their learning during the year. Our End of Year Student Achievement results were presented to the Board at last night's Board Meeting and are extremely pleasing. 90% of students are achieving at or above the expected curriculum level for Reading, which to the best of my knowledge, is the highest percentage in the history of the school. The other areas reported to the Board were 88% of students achieving at or above the expected curriculum for Writing and 86% for Mathematics.

Our pleasing student achievement results are a real testament to the quality learning and teaching practices at St Anthony's School and is further evidence that teachers are modifying practice to meet the needs of all of our students.

A special thank you also to the Board of Trustees, ably led by Andrew Pink, for the way you have governed our school this year. The extra hours that you put into our school to ensure it is meeting the needs of our students and is a school of choice is greatly valued.

Finally, thank you to our amazing whānau who support our wonderful school in the numerous ways that you do, to benefit all of our tamariki. Your time, effort and support is very much appreciated and the commitment you show in so many and different ways is valued by many. We are a small school with a very strong spirit!

Jennifer Ioannou
PRINCIPAL

On Christmas Day, the 10.30am mass is the children’s celebration of Jesus’ birth and we look forward to seeing all the little ones there. We need children for the following:-  
·      Welcome
·      Presentation of the Gifts/ Offertory 
·      Readers 
·      The big focus is the Nativity Play (the Gospel) and we love having as many children as possible involved in it, so would you like your children involved? The play will be narrated (by children) and we will have one practice after school finsihes. If you can't make the play practice that is not a problem just let us know you can be there and we will allocate a part for your child/ren.
·      Altar servers 

Please email denise@stants.school.nz
Obviously, we would love to see but if you can't make it - have a happy and holy Christmas and a great start to 2019.

God Bless
Denise Johnson

We are looking forward to the following school events to end another successful year at St Anthony's. 

TONIGHT (Thursday 6 December) - We will be thanking all those who have been instrumental this year at our Thank You Celebration tonight at 5.30pm in the Church - all parents are invited. Students are expected to attend and have been preparing for this event. Students need to be in their classrooms at 5.15pm.

Next week, we have the following events:

• Monday 10 December - House Mufti and Rewards Afternoon for Eymard and Theordore Houses.
• Tuesday 11 December - Principal's Day Out with Year 8  Mrs Ioannou and Year 8 will be visiting Government House followed by activities in Oriental Bay.
• Tuesday 11 December - Year 8 Leavers' Drinks and Dinner 6pm
• Thursday 13 December - End of Year Mass at 5.30pm in the Church
• Friday 14 December - Mufti Day - Gold Coin donation   End of Year Assembly 12pm in the Church followed by students going home at 1pm.

2019 Back to School student stationery lists have now been published on the MySchool website and are available for you to view here.  Parents/caregivers can now place orders and take advantage of the 'back to school' pricing. Parents/caregivers will also benefit from extra payment options in our annual December parent promotion.

December Parent Offer

In December, parents will be able to take advantage of our special 'Say When You Pay' offer - ideal for getting organised before Christmas, plus they'll receive a FREE gift!

Movin' to School has finished for the year. Thanks to everyone who has joined Mrs Ioannou moving to school in the morning from Strathmore Shops! We will start again in March 2019 for Movin' March.

Our Young Vinnies Group and Choir visited the Vincentian Home in Berhampore on Tuesday 4 December with Mrs Ioannou and our Choir Director, Ms Ward. The students sang beautifully and chatted with the residents so well, sharing stories together. It was a wonderful experience and they learnt a lot about those who live there.

Congratulations to Eymard and Theodore Houses who have won the House points for Terms 3 and 4!

Their reward is Mufti Day on Monday and due to the weather forecast for Monday, they will be based at school for the afternoon enjoying Christmas craft and games together, which have been organised by their House leaders.

SVdP Christmas Boxes 2018

Christmas is not far away and we are again seeking supplies for the Christmas boxes we distribute each year.  From very generous collections last year, we were able to assist/surprise 58 families with a box of supplies and gifts for children.

Any and all donations can be made by dropping them into the school office.  We so look forward to the generousity of our local families and community to enable us to spread with good word and give a little at Christmas time to those who might be struggling.

Collection / Drop off Date

The last Collection Date for donated items will be Sunday 9 December, from 1.30 to 3.30pm at the Seatoun Bowling Club.

Raffle

Raffle books are being sent home tomorrow with your children. We are asking each school family to sell two books at $2 a ticket.  Please have stubbs and money back to school no later than Wednesday 13 February 2019. If you would prefer to deposit the money into the Bazaar account then the account details are:

Friends of St Anthony's School - Bazaar

12 3140 0317046 01

Reference: Surname

Thanks for your support

Volunteering

Below is the form to print off and complete to volunteer help with upcoming Bazaar.  Hard copies are available at the school office.

2019 Sacramental Programme

Forms were sent home this week with current Year 3 students who would like to enrol in the 2019 Sacramental Programme.  Form can be completed and dropped back to the school office either before Friday 14 December or at the start of the school year.

Parish Novena will be starting on 15 December

Just a reminder that if you have school library books out could you please return them all by no later than Wednesday 12th December.  

CodeCamp - Summer Holidays

Samuel Marsden School:  7-10, 14-17 and 22-24 January 2019

Thorndon Primary School:  7-10, 14-17 and 22-24 January 2019

Petone: 17-20 December 2018, 7-10, 14-17 and 22-25 January 2019

CodeCamp allows kids from the ages of 7-12 to develop 21st century skills in a fun and action packed environment.  Develop confidence and initiative through deisgn, creativity, solving problems & collaboration.  Create games, apps & work with robots and electronic building blocks.  Book now at http://codecamp.co.nz/holiday-codecamp/

School Holiday Camp for Young Illustrators - "Draw Like an Illustrator"
An off-shoot of the highly successful "Write Like an Author" program, this is a highly acclaimed illustration course that teaches young artists the skills and techniques that professional illustrators use to create their artwork. During the camp, each participant will develop and write an original creative artwork under the guidance of well-known illustrator Fifi Colston. The camp will be held at Raroa Intermediate School during the school holidays, starting on Monday, January 14, 2019 and running until Thursday, January 17, 2019.
The camp is ideal for young people who have a dream of becoming a published illustrator or anyone who wants to improve their artistic skills.
The camp is non-residential, and runs from 9am to 4pm each day. The course fee is $220.00, which includes a discount for early registration. The number of places on the camp is strictly limited. www.drawlikeanillustrator.com

Mobile Phone Recycling for Wgtn Children's Hospital - Medical Equipment

'Recyling for Charity' are running a mobile recycling appeal to help with funding for new medical equipment for the new children's hospital. The more mobile phones we receive for recycling the more money that can be donated to this wonderful charity.  All you have to do is to bring your old mobile phones to the school office. 

BIGAIR Gymsports

Gymnastics, Trampolining, Tumbling, Cheerleading & Parkour Classes! Plus Birthday Parties! Term 1 enrolments are open now! Spaces are limited so book now! Bigair Gyms Drop & Shop December 17-20 Holiday Programme and January 14-1 Feb Holiday Programme are open for bookings now! Contact Bigair Gym Owhiro Bay on 3838779 or email wgtn@bigairgym.co.nz or Bigair Gym Tawa on 2323508 or email office@bigairgym.co.nz

Rock Academy Dec & January Holiday Programmes

Last minute Christmas shopping? Send your littles one to us for some musical fun while you finish off the year in style. Ages 6 to 16.  19-21 Dec 2018 date.  23-25 and 28-30 January.  Book  at: www.therockacademy.co.nz/contact/

Artrageous Kids Creative Christmas Programme

17-21 December, Poneke Dojo, Prince of Wales Park, Salisbury Tce, Mt Cook, 8.30-3.00pm $69 and after care 3-5.15pm $15. We will be exploring many exciting Christmas crafts including baking, decoration making, ornaments, and creating love filled handmade gifts. Our trusty favourites will also be on hand like paint, paper, clay, stone, collage, construction and of course the "glue gun table" will all be available.

Artrageous Kids Programme

7 Jan-1 Feb 2019, Poneke Dojo, Prince of Wales Park, Salisbury Tce, Mt Cook, 8.30-3.00pm $69 and after care 3-5.15pm $15.  Aimed at children aged 5-12 years.  Our classes provide a space for all children to explore at their own pace; chaotic or careful, gingerly or with gusto, tiptoeing or tromping. Our aim is to draw out their creativity, not stuff things in!

Bid Kids (Olderageous) Programme

7 Jan-1 Feb 2019, Pavillion at Wgtn High School, Taranaki St, Mt Cook, 8.30-3.00pm $69 and after care 3-5.15pm $15. Our Big Kids programme is aimed at children aged 10-14 years. Providing them with a space, focused adult attention and loads of resources. This programme is tailored to draw out older children’s interest in creating and using their imagination and creativity in a hilariously fun atmosphere.

Monday 4 February - School Begins

Tuesday 5 February - Beginning of Year Mass / Pōwhiri 9am

Wednesday 6 February - Waitangi Day - School Closed 

Thursday 7 February - Meet the Teacher Evening: 6.30pm Juniors; 7pm Seniors

Wednesday 13 February - School Family Picnic at Scorching Bay 5pm