Kia ora, Talofa

We have had a myriad of exciting opportunities over the past fortnight...

It was with great pleasure that we watched the fences go from around Te Aroha as this signaled the end of the build. We have the final paperwork and the toilet block and resource room are now ours once again. It is wonderful to be able to walk around the building and we give thanks to the Archdiocese of Wellington for all the funding so that all our spaces are innovative and modern. We are blessed. 

After all the rain, we were thrilled that our Learning in Action morning brought the sun. We loved welcoming all the little ones and teachers from the Early Learning Centres and the feedback from them was how kind and caring our children were as they welcomed and looked after our young guests. Special thanks to Ronan, Amy, and Lucy who created a morning of activity to ensure all were engaged. We were spoilt with Peninsula Early Learning giving us a gift of thanks which Ben had great delight in presenting on behalf of their group. 

It was a privilege to witness all our amazing tamariki take their next step in their faith journey. Congratulations to Harry, Liam, Blythe, Joseph, Alice, Mia, Adam, Jacob, Anna, Maria, Reuben, Cobie, Thomas, and Sophie. It was wonderful to see how happy and excited they were. Ka pai to you all!

We congratulate Lucy Williams on her engagement to Harry Biss. We have all been thrilled to see the sparkling diamond and as a community, we wish Lucy and Harry many happy years of marriage together. 

Wasn’t the R.E.A.L Run so superb?! It was great to see our tamariki embrace the challenge and all complete the course. Special thanks to Ronan and Lucy who coordinated this event. Ka pai to all the whānau who came along in support and helped supervise the various routes - we could not have done it without you. Raising over $3000 we thank you all for also supporting our children in this way. 

Thank you to all who attended our Quiz Night - what a fun night of community, conversation, and competition! Thanks too, to those who could not attend but still purchased raffle tickets - it’s great to have the support. 

Congratulations to all our tamariki who participated in the Eastern Zone Athletics. They did so well especially as wet weather had really hampered much of our preparation. We are thrilled that Tina, Glenys, James P, Leanne, and Rueben all made it into the Interzones and have once again excelled. We congratulate Marimatina for first place in Vortex and Leanne who took third place in the long jump. What an amazing effort. 

We have some wonderful parents who work tirelessly at the school to support our tamariki’s learning and opportunities - of late it has been supervising and transporting children to the Athletics; organising Friday lunches, gardening, supervising the R.E.A.L Run, mending various things - you know who you are and we thank you for this constant support.

My grateful thanks to the Board of Trustees and staff who came together this week to set our strategic direction for 2021. We are blessed to have a talented team and it is exciting to plan the opportunities in learning and teaching for 2021. Ka pai

Dates to remember:

• School Photos, tomorrow November 20
• Financial Literacy sessions Monday November 23

End of Year Activities

• Leavers’ Dinner Tuesday December 8, 6 pm Year 8s and whānau
• End of Year Assembly & Prizegiving Tuesday December 15, 5:30 - 6:30 - whole school
• End of Year Mass Wednesday, December 16 - whole school 
• School finishes Wednesday, December 16 at 1 pm

MY FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

On Saturday at 5pm we met at St Anthony’s school in the staff room. Twenty-five minutes later we were sitting in the church.  I started with the prayers of the faithful. l had to read two prayers.

Soon after we ate the bread but we couldn't drink the wine because of covid 19. Later after mass we had a huge feast in the senior block. It was so good we got jelly, pizza, biscuits and Sprite.

-Cobie

Tēnā koutou

FOSA fundraiser - quiz night

Thank you to everyone who supported the FOSA quiz night on Friday 6 November.  It was wonderful to be together and celebrate being part of our school community.  Special thanks to Lynda, Paul, Francie, John, Vince, Denise, and Seatoun Bowling Club for making the quiz night such a success.  We are pleased to have raised over $1300 towards the senior school playground, so thank you!

Senior school playground

Our playground design is almost completed and features a central tower with climbing, hanging and swinging components.  This week we are sharing additional equipment ideas with our students who are invited to vote for their favourite option.  We look forward to hearing their views and you are most welcome to view the options in the senior corridor. 

We are delighted to have purchased goalposts for the astroturf and look forward to seeing these arrive within the next fortnight. Our tamariki loved giving their opinion on the size that they wanted and we look forward to seeing everyone enjoy this new equipment. 

Toilet block

The toilet block renovation for the junior block, Te Aroha, is now complete.  We have secured the Certificate for Public Use (CPU ) which means that from today, our tamariki are using the toilets.  Well done to our students for using the conveniences at the office block.  All the students toured through them and comments are very positive so we are thrilled with this project coming to fruition. 

Thank you to everyone involved in this upgrade project including Denise Johnson and Mark Mulhern for their extra efforts in ensuring this renovation meets our school requirements; and thank you to the Wellington Diocese for funding this project.

It was really nice and I like how we got to do the squirting of the hose. - Charlie

I thought it was really fun as we got to look inside the fire truck and see what tools they had. - Olivia

It was pretty cool and I learned that when you hear fire alarms you get down, get low and get out fast. - Alex

It was fun seeing our teacher, Mr Kelly dress up in the fire gear and I liked shooting the hose and seeing what they use to break open the doors - Kees

I think it was really fun and it is my first time going in a real fire truck. It was fun seeing all the safety gear and things to break open stuff like the jaws of life - Joseph

During lockdown, I entered a drawing competition for JK rowling’s new book The Ickabog. I drew two pictures and one of them got shortlisted so I won a free copy of the book. There were about 18 000 people who entered the competition and only 34 winners.

- Nina Year 6

Over the next 3 weeks, our St. Vinnies Group will be running a Christmas Food Box Appeal. This is when we gather contributions for the St Vincent de Paul to create the Christmas Hampers for all those families or individuals that need our support. 

We would love it if each family could bring something small like a present for kids who will not receive any presents on Christmas, maybe something you would like to receive this Christmas! If you do please write age and gender on the wrapping of any gifts!. Or it would be nice if you could send in some nice toiletries, yummy food, and/or essential items!

Thank you so much for your love and compassion for others in need! We will have a box ready in the school office, ready to receive your donations. 

Inspire Photography will be coming to take our school photos. There is no need to preorder with Inspire as on the day all students will have their class photo as well as individual shots taken. The photographers will then take family group photos. Once they are ready for viewing we will send out a code for you to look at the images and order online.

Here’s your chance for a spring clean. Wanted for the Bazaar: Gently used clothing, tools, furniture, vintage dishes, glassware and casseroles, garden tools, costume jewellery, games, toys and bicycles, books, appliances, sports and camping gear, exercise equipment.  

Bring your items along to St Anthony’s School between 9.30 and 11.30 am on 29 November for our dedicated collection day. If you can stay and help sort items that would be very much appreciated. Alternatively, you can drop any items off in the church porch, 66 Ludlam Street, during school hours. Contact 04 380 6971 for more information.  

We are still looking for volunteers to build our teams for the bazaar. Many hands make light work and we need as many families and parish members as possible to pitch in and do their bit. We have fabulous leaders for all our teams but they can’t run things on their own. Teams that you can join include:  auction and raffles, books, cake, craft, farmer's market, finance, food, kids entertainment, site management (especially if you have a van or trailer!), toys and white elephant. Please email emmablades@hotmail.com or see her in the playground to let us know how you can help on or before the day. 

The cake stall team is asking for donations of ingredients please:

Condensed milk, sugar, golden syrup, chocolate block

We are also collecting clean strawberry containers with lids. Please drop your generous donations in the office - Thanks

The last scholastic book club issue for the year is now out. Orders will need to be placed by Monday 30th November so books can be delivered by the end of the term.

Please order online via this link scholastic.co.nz/LOOP.