Talofa,

We hope you are enjoying the evolution of our new school mural as the talented Helen Revill leads our seniors in this task. We do indeed have some skilled artists contributing to it all but each child is adding their small touch - come and have a look to see if you notice how this is happening?! As Kirsten said it is an excellent idea as it reflects our name and our belief -‘these creatures are great as it’s only together that they become stronger!’ So come and see what the creatures are?

Linc Ed - Last week we sent out a signmee to check that all our whānau are accessing our notices, both small ones like the opening of the school gates on wet days and then longer ones notifying you of classes, attachments such as reports and the most recent one regarding the change in classrooms for 2021. As Linc Ed is our school management system, it forms the basis for all administration so it is unfortunate that the App is not working for some and we need to give the developers time to ‘iron’ out these glitches. 

Thanks to the many who have already completed the signmee - Kirsten will be in contact with those with issues so it’s great to have the information. If you have not completed the Signmee, would you please do so to save Kirsten from having to contact everyone - our thanks in anticipation. 

A huge congratulations to our two superstars that have made the Regional Athletics - Marimatina Peni in the Vortex and Leanne Crosbie for the long jump. What an accomplishment!

One young competitor awaits her turn!

Our tamariki are loving playing football today with our two new football goals - special thanks to our football coaches - Sam and Joao, the senior students, and a couple of our builders’ sons who helped us assemble them today. Student voice made it clear the size that they wanted and everyone’s efforts with fundraising allowed us to purchase two goals - Ka pai to one and all!

3 weeks until Christmas and we are reminded to not let the frantic pace of the end of the year to stop us from pausing to consider the peace and love of Christ. On behalf of the team, I thank you for all your wonderful support over this past year. We are thrilled with how happy our tamariki have been despite the challenges and are grateful of the feedback that some of you have given the teaching staff. They are grateful for your kind words - the latest one being that ‘the wonderful teamwork that Te Moana displayed yesterday at mini ball is a reflection of the work you do in the classroom.’ Thanks to that parent as it certainly made Francesca’s day as it did mine. 

Finally, thanks to the families that have contributed to our two current collections. One is the ingredients for the bakers who are busy working for the Bazaar. We ask that each family send in one contribution each such as sugar, flour, and condensed milk. 

Our other collection is being led by our Young Vinnies for St Vincent de Paul who creates the Christmas hampers for the vulnerable and lonely at Christmas. Please help us to do our bit by each family sending in either nonperishable goods or small presents to be distributed. 

Have a holy and happy Christmas and all the best for a wonderful beginning to 2021.

Tofa

Denise

IMPORTANT DATES

End of Year Activities

• Leavers’ Dinner Tuesday, December 8, 6 pm Year 8s and whānau
• Thank You Celebration, Thursday 10, 5:30 pm 
• 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

FUTURE DATES: 2021

Term 1

Tuesday 2 February to Friday 16th April

Please note: Tuesday 2 February & Wednesday 3 February  - Whānau Conferences

                   Thursday 4 February - Whole school day

Easter: Good Friday 2 April, Easter Tuesday, April 6 

Wednesday, April 7 School resumes

Term 2

Monday 3 May to Friday 9 July

Term 3

Monday 26 July to Friday 1 October

Term 4

Monday 18 October to Wednesday 15 December (1.30 pm)

In our last two meetings, the Board has been focused on developing the school’s Annual Plan for 2021 and the future direction of the Board.  While our focus for 2020 has been the wellbeing of our students and staff, in 2021 we wish to extend that further to include the wellbeing of our wider whānau, and to ensure our students feel connected not just to our school but to our local environment and community.  We, the Board, represent you, the parents.  We work for you, and we want to hear your thoughts about St Anthony’s and your aspirations for our school community.  Rather than sending out a survey, Board members wish to be part of the conversation!  So please chat to any of us at any time, give us a call or send us an email - we would love to hear from you.

The Bazaar Collection Day last Sunday was a fantastic example of community spirit in action, with parents, students, staff, and parishioners working together.  It was great to be a part of, and the Board would like to thank everyone who is working tirelessly to ensure the 2021 Bazaar is a success.  Thank you also to all of our St Anthony’s parents and whānau who make our school the positive and blessed place that it is.  So many of you give your time and energy in so many ways.  We hope to see you all at the End of Year Assembly and Mass and wish you and everyone a joyous and blessed Christmas.

A huge thank you to our staff.  Thank you to Denise and Francesca for the leadership and support they give to the other staff.  Thank you to all our teachers for working tirelessly for our tamariki.  We are very fortunate to have staff who are committed to seeing each child as an individual, getting to know them, and taking time to consider the best approach for each child’s learning.  Although we sadly farewell Ronan and Lucy, we are excited for them as they begin the next part of their journey.  Thank you also to Kirsten, who is always ready with a warm smile and a helping hand.

And to conclude, please keep in your prayers at this time, the work of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care which continues to look into what happened to children, young people, and vulnerable adults in care, including situations involving the Catholic Church.  We pray for survivors for ongoing courage as they share their experience with the Commission.  We also pray for those in our community who are in need, whether their need is food, clothing, kindness, or understanding.  May God give everyone peace and hope this Christmas.

The Board of Trustees

St Anthony’s had a visitor last Monday. The person came over and taught us how to spend, save and share. He was very kind and funny. He taught us in a very fun way!

He taught us that you should put your money in a bank because then you get interest which is when the bank gives you money. The experience of it was great and everyone loved the visit.

When you put all your money in your piggy bank it will be much more harder to buy better stuff. For example, if you kept your money in your piggy bank it won’t earn any interest and you wouldn’t have as much money to buy what you wanted. 

By Isabella and Abby, Year 5

Last week, Suzy came in to teach St Anthony's School fun activities and games with drama. First, we did a warm-up where we had to pretend that we didn’t know each other, greet someone as though they once saved your life, act like everyone is a stranger and pretend that you can’t remember what the person's name was.

After the warm-ups, we got into groups to create freeze frames. The topic for the lesson was friendship, so the freeze frame had to include something to do with friendship, like: loyalty, kindness and faithfulness. We were in groups of four or five and trying to create a pose based off one of those options.

At the end, we showed everyone our freeze frames. After that, to end our lesson we made one big freeze frame. The theme was an ice cream parlour, and we went in a circle saying what we are in the picture. It was so much fun! We brought it to life for 10 seconds and really enjoyed it!

By Alina and Charlotte, Year 5

Today at the ASB we went up against several teams to win for the Year 5 and 6 miniball tournament. It was pretty tough but we ran like a speeding rocket. In the end the scores were surprising. Team Storm came third place, the All-Stars came in second and team Hotshots came fifth. We were all proud. Thank you to all the wonderful to come and support the kids.

-Jacob and Isobel 

Lucy Revill visited the senior class to tell them about the journey to write a book. In April 2015 she began her research by interviewing many different people around Wellington City, then when the publishers asked her to widen her scope, she interviewed people around New Zealand. This would help more people to want to read the book. 

Lucy began by writing a list of people that she wanted to interview and then spent asking them if they would oblige. This meant that list kept changing as not everyone said yes. Then she began to interview people, 38 in total, taking photos of them as she completed them. 

Then in 2019, Lucy began the writing process. She found this part a little boring as she had to listen to all the recordings and decide how to write it up. Then began the process of raising the funds to go to print. She was thrilled to raise $22,000 in one day through her blog and this helped bring the book to the publishers. Lucy also posted on Instagram a range of photos to have her followers help her choose the cover page.  

What the students had to say after listening to Lucy:-

“Great things take time’ Mia

‘Writing a book isn’t as easy as it looks’ Billy

‘That using social media is a good way of getting feedback and promoting the book’ Petra

2021 School Stationery - 'MySchool'

As in previous years, your child/ren’s stationery order will be available for purchase and payment online via ‘MySchool'. Full composite class stationery lists are available below.  You can elect to purchase all or any of the items for your child for the year, depending on what has been returned and available to re-use. Parents/caregivers can also elect to order now, pay later and get the stationery delivered to home for a small fee at a time when it is convenient. There is also the option of going into the store and purchasing stationery there (Victoria Street).

No holiday worries and no back to school hurries!

Friday Lunches 

Next Friday 11 December is our last Friday lunch offer for 2020.  This time it is Fish n' Chips.  Order forms can be downloaded from the Friends of St Anthony's section on our school website or in the school office. Big thanks to our parent helper Anna Kempton and her Year 6 helpers for organising this for the students.