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- Ponderance
- Principal's Message
- Board Update
- Faith News
- Bazaar Student Reflections
- Announcement: Bazaar Raffle Ticket Winners
- Bazaar Lost / Found
- Spotlight on St Anthony's Staff
- EOTC Week (Education Outside the Classroom) - Next Week!
- Movin' March
- Install the LINC-ED app
- FOSA News
- Parish Newsletter
- Community Notices
Naumai e te whānau o te kura St Anthony's Tēnā Koutou Katoa
Dear Parents and Caregivers
2019 School & Parish Bazaar - THANK YOU!
Thank you to the Bazaar team, led by Angeline Harrington, who organised such an AMAZING and quality event last Sunday! We are so grateful to the Bazaar team as well as our many sponsors, those who helped out on the day and others who supported us by coming along. Without you all, our Bazaar wouldn't have been such a successful community event! We have received so much positive feedback about the day and I have included below one piece of feedback from a St Anthony's parent:
"The Bazaar was amazing, the sun was shining, the punters were smiling and the organisation/event planning was outstanding. Regardless of the figure raised, it was the best Bazaar out of the five I’ve been involved in."
Small School;Strong Spirit!
We will be sharing the final figure raised once all expenses have been calculated.
Below are some fabulous photos of our incredible event. Thank you Beatrice Foschetti for the excellent photography and for showcasing the various areas of the Bazaar. We are very grateful for you sharing your expertise with us.










BYOD Technology
Several parents have been inquiring into purchasing devices for their children. As we are a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) School, all tablets/laptops with an internet connection can benefit a child’s learning. We recommend devices that are compatible with school devices which makes it easier for teachers to plan for and use them effectively. The Junior Syndicate (Year 1-4) predominantly use iPads. Unlike Samsung or Android tablets, they have a wider range of apps that are also used on school iPads. The iPad mini 4 has a retail value of $538 at PB Tech Wellington. iPads increase in price from there, based on storage space and quality. Refurbished iPads can also be purchased from the Apple website for a lower cost.
For the Senior Syndicate (Year 5-8) we recommend Chromebooks or laptops. As technology is more widely used in these classrooms, Chromebooks and laptops allow students to take full advantage of the learning opportunities on offer. The new devices that we purchased for the Senior classrooms last year were the Acer 11.6” Chromebooks. There is now a newer model from HP. This model can be found at PB Tech Wellington which have has a retail value $366. These are highly recommended for the senior students.
The school devices are used regularly for students who do not have their own device. We are passionate about using digital technology to enhance students’ learning and do our best to give all students equal opportunities on devices.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher in the first instance.
I have had a very special time in Vancouver Island celebrating my Grandmother's 90th birthday this past week. I look forward to seeing you all on my return from Canada on Monday.
Ngā manaakitanga
Jennifer Ioannou
PRINCIPAL
Highly Successful 2019 Bazaar
We’d like to thank all of our school and parish volunteers for the huge amount of work and effort that went into our very successful Bazaar on Sunday. As well as being an important community event that brings our school and parish together, it is a fantastic way to raise money that will be used to enhance our students’ learning experiences, as well as maintaining our church. A special thanks to Angeline Harrington for doing a stellar job as our Bazaar Coordinator, we really appreciate the long hours, creativity, and positivity you put into making this Bazaar such a success.
Board of Trustees Elections
Every three years school hold elections for parent representatives for their Board of Trustees. Our Board elections will be held at the start of June 2019 and we will be calling for new Board members to volunteer their time, skills, and enthusiasm to take on this important role. We will be providing more information leading up to the election, but please do come and chat to any of our Board members if you would like to find out more about what this entails (you can find details of our Board members here http://www.stants.school.nz/
Fr James Lyons has recently retired from being the Parish Priest at Sacred Heart Cathedral. He has kindly offered to write reflections for our newsletters this year. We hope you enjoy reading these beautiful reflections.
Someone described prayer as a bridge between our conscious and unconscious lives. That’s a pretty good definition. What I see and feel consciously, with full awareness, is what contributes to my everyday existence and helps me identify with the world around me. What I see and feel unconsciously – in dreams and memories and cultural values – helps me nurture and understand the world within me.
Prayer, as an action directed towards God, draws my outer and inner worlds together, helping to complete me as a person. Body and soul need to be in tune with one another if the image of God, in which each of us is made, is to have a chance to breathe, live and make a difference.
Prayer bridges the gap and completes the picture.
Here are a selection of student reflections across the school about our wonderful Bazaar....
I went to the candy store and bought lollies. I woke up early. I went to the Bazaar.
- Sophia, Kiwi Class
On Sunday St Anthony's had an awesome bazaar. It was like a million people came. The food was delicious. There was lots of good treats. The games were fantastic. I especially like Zappo the magician. It was also fun because me and my sister won the cake competition. The raffle tickets were cool to. I had so much fun. I played so much it was amazing. There were arts and crafts, toys and white elephant. Arts and crafts were brilliant. It was the best bazaar.
- Adalyn, Hoiho Class
Wow, on the 17 of February 2019 there was St Anthony’s School Bazaar! This bazaar was bazaar! There were so many cool things! This bazaar was so fun. I bought 1 thing and some food. Once the bazaar started it was very hard to find some of my friends but I eventually found my friends, Alina and Selma.
Food
Mmmmm! The food at the bazaar was divine! I got some yummy chicken satay. There was some other types of food too, like, rocket burgers, dumplings, candy floss, Samoan food and roti with chicken satay or just chicken satay!
Games
There were so many cool games! Zappo was also there with cool magic tricks! Now I’ll tell you the games there were Duck racing, plate and cup smashing and lots more! So many people came to our bazaar!
Crafts
The crafts in Hoiho were so cool! My mum was helping with them. I bought a cool glass ball that had a white fairy watering a flower inside. There were some cool little spirit animals. Also some awesome smelling body and hand cream one smelt like coffee but it was burnt vanilla and the other one was passion fruit and mango! There was so many others but I can explain all of them.
End
Finally the end! Wait but before I tell you anything I actually played the piano! I played ‘Felise Navi da’. Two others played with me.
- Isabelle, Takahe Class
"It's 11 o'clock the gates open wide,
everyone's wondering what might be inside.
They enter Tui Class and look at a cake,
while all the children wonder "how much would they make!"
The top game was smash the plates,
while more and more families arrive at the gates!
My mother was trying to get people to buy a raffle,
while others at the craft stall wonder "oh which tassel?"
I really liked eating dumplings,
and buying all sorts of really new things.
In the library you could buy books,
my friend Vivi was trying new looks.
Round goes the wheel of pride
while others don't know which look to decide.
"51 who's got raffle ticket 51?"
Many of those awesome cakes were deliciously yum!
I see my neighbours Lachlan, Sam, Linda and Dave,
Kids are running around crazily while thinking
"I wonder how many dream catchers have they made?"
- Sophia, Kea Class
Announcement: Bazaar Raffle Ticket Winners
Congratulations to the winners of our 2019 Bazaar Raffle Prizes.
1st prize - Michelle Quirke
2nd prize - John Spillane
3rd prize - John O'Brien
4th prize - Maria Yiannoutsos
5th prize - Dale Renouf
Thanks to everyone who bought tickets to support our School and Parish! Thank you to our wonderful sponsors for the amazing prizes - we couldn’t have done it without you!
Inside a donated black "Kenneth Cole" satchel that was purchased at the Bazaar was a pair of 'Country Road' children's perscription glasses. These are being held in the office. If you know who donated the bag and/or who may own the glasses, please advise Yvonne or get the owner to call into the office.
Thank you.
Spotlight on St Anthony's Staff
Twice a term (Weeks 3 and 7) there is an article in our newsletter showcasing a staff member at our school. This is our third staff member who we are going to hear from. We hope by reading about our staff, it helps you to get to know them better!
NAME: Ronan Kelly
POSITION: Takahe Class Teacher, P.E./Sports Coordinator
Tell us a little about your teaching journey
I have been teaching for over eleven years and really enjoy my work. I graduated from a one year PGCE course at the University of East London. I then taught in London for a number of years. I worked as an Early Childhood teacher in Wellington for almost four years before gaining my current position at St Anthony’s School. Previous to my teacher training I completed a BA in English and History and also gained an MA in Drama and Theatre Studies. This was a very enjoyable course with lots of practical elements.
What do you like most about your job?
I love helping children to achieve their goals and to feel good about their learning. I also like developing a good working relationship with the children in my class. The teaching of fitness and P.E. really appeals to me as movement and exercise is so important in students’ development. You can really see children enjoying these lessons. I love seeing students engaging with their learning. The versatility of the teaching of Inquiry is of interest to me and I am a big fan of developing children’s digital literacy skills.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
There are two pieces of advice I have received from two wonderful people. The first was: the best thing you can give another person is your time. The second one was given to me by my big brother: whatever you do in life, do it well.
If you weren’t a teacher, what other career would interest you?
When I was a teenager I wanted to be an actor. I acted in a number of plays during my time at university in Ireland and really enjoyed the experience.
What part of your job do you find the most challenging?
The workload can be a bit daunting at times and it can be tough to prioritise what needs to be done. Teaching is a very busy job with a lot to do but it feels good to be appreciated by my team at school and the children in my class. It’s important to stay focussed and positive.
EOTC Week (Education Outside the Classroom) - Next Week!
Junior EOTC Week
Monday 25 February - Trip to Seatoun Beach observing our local environment, taking photos with a beach clean up. Gloves and bags will be provided. Students will also sketch what they can see. In the afternoon we will complete some art in our classes will complete some art linked to the morning's activities.
Tuesday 26 February we will begin with a wheels morning. Students can bring scooters, bicycles, roller skates and skateboards. All children must bring a helmet to wear. Cones will be set up in the playground.
Tuesday afternoon we are excited to have Michael Mangan join us for a wonderful afternoon of music. Michael is a composer, teacher and music liturgist who is based in Brisbane, Australia. A former specialist music teacher, he has composed over 250 pieces which are widely used in Liturgy and Religious Education programmes in schools and parishes throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. His compositions are known for their "singability" and suitability for liturgical celebrations, especially with children. 'Movin On, Reaching Out' was his song that we sang at the End of Year Mass.
Wednesday 27 February - Trip to Te Papa visiting the marae to learn about the pōwhiri. Students will gain an understanding of when, how and where pōwhiri can be applied. We will have a play at Frank Kitts Park afterwards and eat lunch before returning to school at 1pm. For the afternoon we will reflect on our learning.
Thursday 28 February - take a walk in the Seatoun area and reflect on landmarks we see along the way and their purpose, with reflection on our learning in the afternoon.
Friday 1 March - trip to the Island Bay Marine Education Centre and in the afternoon we will reflect on our learning.
Children are to wear their sports uniform all week. Polo fleeces must be brought each day together with a raincoat, please.
Senior EOTC Week
Monday 25 February - both classes will be walking part of the Eastern Walkway up to the Oruaiti Reserve. We will be exploring the historical significance of this sacred area and will have a shared lunch there. We will then continue down into Breaker Bay as our way home. As we wander this area we will be discussing the connections that we can make with our beautiful harbour and our Tūrangawaewae - our place to stand and our love of God's creation.
Tuesday 26 February - creating artwork using images inspired by our walk yesterday. Michael Mangan will perform in the afternoon. His compositions are known for their "singability" and suitability for liturgical celebrations, especially with children. 'Movin On, Reaching Out' was his song that we sang at the End of Year Mass.
Wednesday 27 February - Tui & Kea classes will be spending the morning at the rock pools opposite Beerehaven Steps. The focus will be looking at our local rocky shore before our visit to the Island Bay Marine Education Centre.
Thursday 28 February - both classes will be going to the Island Bay Marine Education Centre. We will be exploring the Bait House Aquarium as a 'hands-on' experience as well as doing a guided rocky shore exploration. After a shared lunch at the beach we will return school by 2pm.
Friday 1st March - Tui Class will attend Technology as normal and then both classes will use the day to creatively respond to the week. Hopefully, by this time, the students have developed a greater appreciation for Tūrangawaewae.
Children are to wear their sports uniform all week. Polo fleeces must be brought each day together with a raincoat, please. Could your child bring an old shirt/ tee shirt to protect their uniform for the art sessions, please.
We have registered for our school to be involved in Greater Wellington Regional Council's Movin' March again this year. This is the fourth year we have been involved; in 2016 and 2017 we won the WoW "Walk or Wheel" passport challenge, winning a bike rack and library books for our school. https://www.movinmarch.com/wow-challenge
Mrs Ioannou will be starting up our Movin' to School Walking/Wheels Bus departing Strathmore Shops at 8.20am each Monday morning for the rest of this term; you are welcome to join us, or just send your children along.
There is a Parent Photo Competition where parents can snap or share a photo anytime over Movin’March and all entries will go in to win a family pass to their favourite Wellington Wild Things destinations.
Our Student Management System (SMS), LINC-ED, is a unique web app for NZ schools that is designed to be simple, secure and stylish.
Once you've connected to LINC-ED, you can also gain quick access to the app on your smart phone by simply adding a button on your home screen. Please follow the instructions below to do this:
School Lunches
Friday 22 February
Sausage in Bread
Thanks to our fabulous parent lunch heroes Caroline Griffin and Sophia Georgiou. Year 6 helpers are Mia Adams & Liam Balogh, thanks guys!
Friday 1 March
Hot Dog in Roll
Thanks to our fabulous parent lunch hero Natasha Thompson. Year 6 helpers are Chloe Blades & Petra Bouras, thanks guys!
Please ensure the correct amount is given. Payment received over and above the required amount will be considered a donation to FOSA. Please also remember to put money and order in a plastic bag big enough to hold lunch.
The Scots College biennial Gala - Saturday 23 February
The day promises to be a fun family event for everyone with amazing food, games and the famous Scots White Elephant stall, plus a Regional Pipe Band Competition.
Music Lessons at School with Dynamite Music
Dynamite Music offers piano, guitar and drum lessons during the school day. For more information and to sign up for a free trial visit:
https://enrolmy.com/dynamitemusic/book-now/49-StAnts
Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Cafe
"Kids go Free" at Staglands, on Sunday 3 March. Mark this date and enjoy a family trip out.
ORIES Junior Rugby Registrations
Wed 6 March 5.30-6.30pm, Hurricanes Night Wed 20 March 5.30-7.00pm. $50 per child, $75 for the family.
Wellington Archdiocesan Metropolitan Cathedral Boys' Choir
Does your son love music or love to sing? If he does, then the Boys’ Choir based at the Metropolitan Cathedral is a fantastic opportunity for him to extend his musical knowledge and grow within a supportive fun environment. The choir is made up of boys from around the Wellington region aged from 7-12 and no previous experience of singing in choir or musical training is necessary.
Unlike other choirs in Wellington there are no weekly costs to parents for the choir and vocal and theory tutoring they receive. Over their time in the choir, boys will learn sound vocal technique, music theory, life-skills, teamwork, as well as grow in confidence and discipline. Teachers and parents see the boys’ language skills, reading comprehension skills, maths skills and confidence improve greatly by being a part of the choir.
So, if that sounds like your son, or someone you know, then encourage them to audition and contact Michael Fletcher, Director of Music, Metropolitan Cathedral or email m.fletcher@wn.catholic.org.nz or phone 04 496 1780.
Miramar Rangers AFC 2019 Football Season
Miramar Rangers registrations are now open for all age grades and close 28February 2019. We cater for boys and girls of all abilities in the following junior age groups:
First Kicks 4-6 year olds – those born 2013-2015
Junior 7th-14th Grades – those born 2012-2005
Girls Only Sunday Leagues 7th-14th Grades
Trials for our competitive teams in the 9th-14th grades are due to take place from 4th March, so please make registering a priority. To register please use the following link - http://miramarrangers.co.nz/registration-1/
For further information and details on how to register please either see our website www.miramarrangers.co.nz/juniors or contact our administrator Rosie Telford – miramarrangersafc@gmail.com
Seatoun AFC Winter Football Registrations 2019
Registrations are now open for all age-groups from First Kicks (ages 7 and under) through Under 17 level to Senior (adult) football. Our First Kicks programme starts on Sunday, March 3 from 9am to 10am – bring your kids down to try this out before committing to a registration. We also have our annual Club Day on March 10 with loads of exciting activities including junior Premier League grade trials (10th to 12th grades), friendly football games, sausage sizzle, junior boot swap and club merchandise orders taken.
For more information please visit the club’s website: www.seatounafc.org.nz or contact Terry Hills (Email: terry.hills@xtra.co.nz Mobile: 0274 303654).