What an awesome week we have had despite missing so many from our community as they battle the winter illnesses. 

First off what a wonderful event we had last Friday night with our quiz night. Not just an excellent fundraiser with us raising close to $3000 but also a wonderful community catch up as parish, past and present parents came together. 

Please see below the people we want to acknowledge for the help they gave FOSA but I wish to acknowledge the team that worked to bring this night to fruition - Wendy Desiles, Claire St Just, Kristy Wilson and Shalina Walker. These people worked hard and long to gather sponsorship and create the evening - Ka pai to you all - we are all very grateful and I know our tamariki will love seeing us renovate the junior playground. 

Our next event was our Matariki evening last night and what a night it was. The seniors worked to make the soup and set up for our evening of consultation and gathering of whānau. A wonderful time of waiata, kai and karakia was then shared. Thanks to all the whānau who came and to those who couldn’t make it, know that you were missed. As some of you missed out on giving us feedback for the proposed ideas that will celebrate our Māori culture more visually, please pop into the meeting room to have a look and share your thoughts with us as soon as Term 3 begins. 

Last night we also farewelled Sheryl McKnight and she loved the gift from the community. She has extended her grateful thanks to everyone for the wonderful time she has shared with us and assured us that she does miss everyone. 

We welcome Nikodimos to Te Ākau and his family into our community - please go up and chat with our new members of our whānau so they feel welcomed. 

Finally, we wish to congratulate Gila on another outstanding effort with the Regional Cross Country - she came 7th in her age group and now enters the North Island vs South Island competition so clearly, Gila excels in running! Ka pai Gila

It has been a busy and at times challenging term and I thank all the staff who work so tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of the school. One of the most important points that the Catholic Review team shared with us was how they found our school, a calm and peaceful learning environment for all, and conceded this is not how it is for many schools. A wonderful accolade to our hard-working team who always put the tamariki first in order to achieve this excellent nurturing environment for which I am grateful. Ka pai Francesca, Kirsten, Alison, Sophie, Penny, Lesley, and Holly.

We wish you a happy and restful mid-term break and hope that everyone quickly returns to full health ready for another busy and exciting learning term. 

Ngā manaakitanga

Denise

Matariki - is the Māori New Year and a time that we consider the constellation of 7 stars or as we talk about it - the 7 sisters. It is a time for us to consider what Matariki means for us as Catholics? 

• It is the time for us to remember our dead.
• A time for us to acknowledge and connect with nature
• Consider that we are the face and hands of God - we are the reflection of the Catholic faith
• A time to take stock - look at the past, look at the present, and then our future

Every child is a star - how do we as teachers and parents empower them to have faith that will guide them into the future?

Catholic Review Verbal Feedback

We would like to pass on our congratulations to all the staff and our tamariki for a very successful report from the Catholic Review Team. Although feedback has only been received verbally at this point, Zita Smith and Tony Kelly-Smith's comments and impressions of St Anthony’s were overwhelmingly positive.  They were impressed with the quality and style of teaching from all staff, how happy and engaged our students are, the progress made across all areas since their last review in 2018, and in particular, progress made in strengthening our Catholic Character and our Te Ao Māori Strategy.   

A special mention must go to Denise Johnson and Francesca von Lanthen for their leadership and guidance of other staff. The Board was also congratulated on their work so overall an excellent verbal report. We will share more with you once we received the written feedback. Thanks to all whānau that contributed to our success by sharing your feedback.

Well done FOSA

Our grateful thanks to the FOSA team for a great Quiz night - we all had fun gathering as a community and of course, it proved an excellent fundraiser. 

School Board elections 2022

In September, we will hold school board elections and it’s a great time now to start thinking about becoming a member of our school board.

Why join our school board?  You can make a positive difference for our children’s education. You can use your skills and experiences for the benefit of students.  You can support your community and help our school be successful for all our students.

To learn more about school boards and being a school board member, visit:

https://www.schoolboardelections.org.nz/becoming-a-board-member/

and the Kōrari programme workshops and online content designed to help people understand the role of school board member and inspire you to get involved:

https://www.schoolboardelections.org.nz/becoming-a-board-member/korari/

 Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi

With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive

This whakataukī acknowledges that everybody has something to offer, a piece of the puzzle, and by working together, we can all flourish.

Last night (6/07/22), we had the Matariki Evening. We began with small activities, like repetitive star printing, wishing on a star, and ideas for our future in school. We were free to walk around and have a look at the activities and what we’ve been up to. Then, the children sang special Maori Matariki songs that we’ve been practising. We sang to the adults and guests. After singing, we had some acknowledgments to make, especially the people who helped with the mosaic. We talked about the journey of the mosaic, and all the people who had helped towards the creation of it.

We also had an opportunity to acknowledge Mrs McKnight, who is leaving our school. After this, we all walked outside to bless the mural. We all watched as Father read a verse from the bible and blessed the mosaics. After watching this, we said a Karakia that we’ve been practising, and went inside to have kai, food. Vegetable or Kumara soup and sausages! The students had been working on the soup during school hours.

Everyone was free to walk around, talk, eat and take part in the activities that were spread around the classrooms. It was a great evening and lots of fun! A fantastic way to celebrate the Maori new year.

By Alina Meech

On Tuesday we got ready for the Matariki celebration. We made kumara soup. We peeled the kumara, cut the onion. We boiled the jug and put 1 cup of hot water in a measuring jug and we put in 4 spoons of stock and stered.We added a tin of coconut milk.It all went into a slow cooker for 30 minutes. At the celebration people brought a cup and had some soup. I enjoyed making the kumara soup.     

By Bianca

For the last two weeks of school we did some symmetry. For symmetry we made a garden. We made symmetrical butterflies, flowers, ladybirds and beetles. For all our insects they had to be the same on each side and we also made a path. We could make it with patterns. My patterns were blue, yellow, green and purple also with gold. Why we made our garden paths is because we had to do it for maths and geometry. I really enjoyed it. My favourite part was making all the insects, but I enjoyed everything the most.

- Gila Crosbie

Te Ākau was very lucky to have Katrina visiting to teach us how to write code for our Beebots. We learnt how to first write an algorithm (the steps and direction we wanted the Beebot to go). Then, how to debug if Beebot didn't land on the right numbered square. It was fun using maths to find where Beebot needed to go. We rolled the dice and added two or three dice together. We had so much fun and worked together to solve this challenge!

A reminder that enrolments close off on Friday 29 July and that you are now able to enrol your son online, as we now have this option available, via our Website.

https://www.stpats.school.nz/enrolment/enrolment-information

When enrolling your son online you need to ensure that you upload the following documents:
1. the signed Preference Certificate from the parish priest
2. a copy of either your son’s birth certificate or passport
3. the completed Archdiocese of Wellington Attendance Dues agreement

You can also download the enrolment form and required papers and either post, hand or email your application through to the college.

From Friday 1 July, Wellington City Libraries is scrapping overdue fines for good! From this date we will be waiving all current debt relating to overdue fines, and items will no longer accrue overdue fines when kept beyond their due dates.

Why are we removing overdue fines?

We want everyone to have fair and easy access to information, reading, and learning through the library. Fines disproportionately affect those who cannot afford to pay. For many customers, fines act as a barrier to using our services, and there is no evidence that fines encourage people to bring items back earlier. Removing fines increases the number of customers able to use our libraries. The Council approved our new fines free policy in the Annual Plan after community consultation.

Will I still receive notifications about due dates?

Yes, you will continue to receive reminders about due dates.

Will I be refunded any fines paid before 1 July?

There will be no refunds on fines paid prior to 1 July.

What happens if I lose or don’t return a book?

Our existing rules around lost items remain the same. If you have items not returned after 30 days, you will be charged the replacement cost fee and your library card will be blocked until you have paid this fee, or returned the item.

Will I be able to use my library card again after 1 July if there are fines on my card currently?

Yes, you will be able to use your library card again from 1 July, if there are no other outstanding fees.

Will all debt (lost and damaged items, holds, etc.) be wiped from 1 July or just fines?

No, only current debt relating to overdue fines will be removed on 1 July. Other fees such as replacement costs, expired reserves fees, interloans fees, or outstanding debt that has previously been referred to a debt collection agency, will remain on your card, and continue to apply.

There is more information on our website here: You can’t beat Wellington on a Fines Free day – Library Blog (wcl.govt.nz)

If your child loves doing cartwheels, handstands, trampolining, flips, or parkour moves, then they will thrive at Bigair Gym!

Bigair Gym classes are excellent for fun, focus and fitness! Children learn new skills and develop personal confidence and self-achievement! Strong focus is given to safety and technique, ranging from fundamentals to advanced skills. The structured classes follow a Bigair Badge Programme, which creates focused learning, and allows children to achieve and feel personal progression!

Bigair classes include GYMNASTICS, TRAMPOLINING, TUMBLING, FREE RUNNING (that’s parkour with flips) & CHEERLEADING! Inquire about Bigair BIRTHDAY PARTIES too!

GET IN QUICK FOR TERM 3 GYM CLASSES & BIGAIRS POPULAR HOLIDAY PROGRAMME! Bookings open Mon 27^th June. Booking in is easy online at www.bigairgym.co.nz or contact your local Bigair Gym office today.

Rythmic Gymnastics Club

Is your daughter or son  looking for something a little different to do in Term 3? Come along to a Rhythmic Gymnastics class and give it a try! Email info@rhythmicgym.nz to arrange a FREE trial. For more information about Elements and our classes, visit www.rhythmicgym.nz