Nau mai ki wiki whā o te wāhaka tuatahi e te whānau,

We are well underway now and already at the end of week 4.  Last week we welcomed new and existing families with younger siblings, starting at St Anne’s. This process involves a History Tour starting at the Pou (posts) outside school, where families learn about the history of Woolston and of the school.  We are currently forming a history wall in the foyer which will be exciting when it is done.  We believe it is important to know our history and that we are also, part of it.  After this, we have a Mihi Whakatau (welcome), a process gifted to us from Māori and shared with all new arrivals.  Following this, I speak to families about starting school, using our app, what to do if they have questions, and having a general conversation about school.  Remember, if you have missed these or have questions, call the office 03 3843073 or ask your child’s teacher (email, in person, whatever suits you). Here are some photos of the event taken by Josh Halkett (who was a parent rather than a teacher for this welcome, due to his son starting soon).

TUNING INTO KIDS
Firstly, there is no instruction book on having children.  I have heard so many things about this programme for parents, from instructors to participants that I needed to start this 6 week programme here. Fortunately we have our two staff members Hayley (here on Tuesdays) and Dani that will run the programme together.  We have also been part of the process to set it up. We hope to run one morning based 6 week programme and possibly an evening one in the future. Here is some more information but we welcome you to come into the drop in session if you are unsure. We would love to see you sign up for this parenting course!

Tuning into Kids
Are you interested in the following?
Connecting with your child on a deeper level?
Understanding where their emotions are coming from?
Learning strategies to support your tamaiti when experiencing big emotions?
Connecting with other parents?

Tuning Into Kids is a free 6 week parenting programme being run by Hayley Tait (Social Worker in Schools – Family Works Presbyterian Support) and Dani Boxall (Mana Ake Kaimahi – Youth Alive Trust) for parents of children aged 5-12.

The programme focuses on strengthening the connection between parents/caregivers and their kids. When kids and parents develop skills in effectively communicating about emotions, family relationships are stronger.

Date : There will be six sessions running weekly, starting on Monday 10th March- session 1.
Time: 9:00 am – 11.30 am. (Kai provided at each session).
Location: St Anne’s Catholic School Library
Babies and toddlers welcome.

If you would like to register for this upcoming group, please email hayleyt@psusi.org.nz

Tuning into Kids Information Morning: Monday 3rd March 9:00 am
Dani and Hayley will be providing an informal information session the week before the group commences.

This will be inside the Library, (light kai provided).
If you have any questions about the kaupapa of the group or you would like to connect with the facilitators, please feel free to come along to this session .
Alternatively, please feel free to contact hayleyt@psusi.org.nz or dani.boxall@yat.org.nz.
GATES / KĀ KĒTI
Please, if you ever see the car gate open after 8.30am or before 3.05pm, please shut it for us. Thanks so much.
Also, if the pedestrian gate is ever open, please help us by shutting it. We have some five year olds that often ‘go looking for their parents’ in the early days and we want to keep everyone safe. Thanks so much again.

HAZARD REMINDERS / HAI MAUMAHARA O KĀ MŌREAREA
It is always good to reinforce safety at home. Reminders you could also reinforce:
– Climbing trees is allowed here, but checking branches are strong before using them and not putting all weight on one branch.
-Students are not supervised, nor any guarantee staff will be onsite before 8.30am or after 2.50pm (sometimes we have meetings in the morning or straight afterschool). It is recommended that they arrive after 8.30am or are enrolled at Kidsbase where they are supervised.
-Scooter and bikes aren’t to be ridden in school grounds unless supervised by a staff member. Please wheel them from the gate. We also love to see helmets and so do the police.
-Tackle or physical sports-These are played at school. At present, only if I am there as a referee. We have strict rules they must follow. If your child plays, and you don’t want them to. Please let me know. Although strict, accidents can happen in all things.
-Sun hazards-The burn time is around 20min each day. Students have 70min outside. Please talk about what needs to be done here. Hat, sunscreen use etc.
If we all talk the same safety language, students will be more aware.

FAMILY PICNIC AND MEET THE TEACHERS / PIKINIKI WHĀNAU ME TŪTAKITIA KĀ KAIAKO
Thursday 13 March
5pm-6pm Arrive when you can between these times and we will eat outside picnic styles (takeaways, pre made, up to you). Eat with your family, join other families, whatever suits you. Once finished, like a picnic, students and families might talk, play cricket, touch or other games.
6pm-7pm Open classrooms – Between these times, the classrooms will be open so you meet your child’s teacher, see some students doing some work and using provided apps, you can ask any questions you have about homework, learning or the class. Then, while you are here, have a look around all the classrooms. Have your child take you on a tour of the school or self guide if they are busy in a classroom.
Photo: 2019 Picnic

FIRST AID / WHAKAORA OHOTATA
Thanks to anyone who postponed meetings with teachers due to our First Aid courses on the last two Mondays. These, plus our online work has us ‘refreshed’ for another two years. Thank you staff for your energy after a full day of teaching.

Although the course was taken extremely seriously, there was the odd moment that gave us the giggles, here is one, one bandaging of a foreign object went badly, can you pick it? Also, can your family identify all the teachers?

CONGRATULATIONS / HE WHAKANUI
Well done to Dean Isherwood and his Surf Boat crew who just won the North Island Championships. Here is the trophy to prove it. We wish his crew all the best for Nationals and Australian Championships that are coming up soon.

TEACHER ONLY DAY / RĀ MŌ KĀ KAIAKO ANAKE
This is on Friday the 28th of February (one week today). Please remember there is no school as our staff, St James, St Marys and some of Catholic Cathedral College are all working on the new Mathematics curriculum. We apologise for this inconvenience to you but hope the gains will be great from the day.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE / KARAKIA MŌ TE RĀ O TE KARAKIA
We are hosting the World Day of Prayer service in our church on Friday 7 March at 10am. This service is done world wide and this year was created by the Cook Islands with that woven into the service. Please can students either wear uniform this day or pasifika based clothing and additions to support the Cook Islands theme. All welcome.

Information:
World Day of Prayer is an international movement of Christian people in many different traditions that have a continuing relationship of prayer and service. People from various denominations gather in one another’s churches to celebrate, using a Worship Service prepared by women of a different country each year. Women, men and young people share the language, customs and music of that country, right around the globe.

Observed on the first Friday in March each year, is a worldwide movement of informed prayer involving people of many denominations and languages in more than 170 countries.  Each year the service is written by women in a different country who share the hopes and fears, joys and sorrows, opportunities and needs, of their country. It affirms that informed prayer and prayerful action are inseparable.
Below: World Day of Prayer artwork

STAFF / KAIMAHI
We couldn’t fit everyone in but here is an overview to help with the ‘Guess the Teacher’ challenge above.

HIPHOP / HIPIHOPE
This is run by Jobelle of Euphoria Dance Studios every Tuesday 3pm to 4pm. We have 11 awesome students already so if you have a child keen to join, the only requirement is that they can handle an hour long practice and will be a mature participant (behaviour wise not age wise). Please come along and watch to see if it is something they would be interested in. The fees are around $16 per session or $160 per term by memory. Students always have showcases and events they are working towards. Please contact Jobelle or me (Dallas) for more information. principal@stannes.co.nz or edstudio2021@gmail.com
Pictures of previous years below:

POLICIES / KĀ HERE
A reminder, if you are interested and would like to take part in our termly reviews of policies, or are interested in any, they can be found here. Please follow the link and then have a look around!
He mea maumahara tēnei, mēnā tō hiahia, tirohia kā here, mahia kā arotake hoki. Kai konei kā here. Whāia te honoka, kātahi, tirohia!

UPCOMING EVENTS / KĀ TAIOPEKA E HAERE MAI ANA
If you have any questions, please email or talk to the person whose email address follows the reminder. If there is no email address, it is just something to be aware of.
Mēnā he pātai āhau, īmēra atu te īmēra kua tuhia, kōrerotia ki te takata kua whakaikoatia. Mehemea kāhore he īmēra, he mea hai whakamōhio noa iho. 

TERM 1 / WĀHAKA TAHI
WEEK 4 / WIKI WHĀ
Saturday 22 February – 6pm Senior School Mass (this is for all students in Years 5-8 and it is important to remind families that it was a commitment when getting preference certificates to our school that families would ensure students are at these events. We understand, for some, this means two services for a weekend due to attending elsewhere and we thank you for making ours a priority, it is appreciated. josh@stannes.co.nz
WEEK 5 / WIKI RIMA
Tuesday 25 February – PALs Physical Activity Leaders Training Day (students selected) palo@stannes.co.nz
Tuesday 25 February – Kapa Haka 2pm-3pm (Juniors Term 1) principal@stannes.co.nz
Tuesday 25 February – Hip Hop 3pm-4pm in the Hall, new students welcome principal@stannes.co.nz or edstudio2021@gmail.com
Wednesday 26 February – 11am-12.30pm Technology (Years 7 and 8) dean@stannes.co.nz
Thursday 27 February – 2pm Pasifika Performance Group (Open to all Years 5-8 and Samoan Bilingual Class) ateliana@stannes.co.nz
Friday 28 February – Teacher Only Day – NO SCHOOL
WEEK 6 / WIKI ONO
Monday 3 March – Wednesday 5 March – Wainui Camp Years 7-8 dean@stannes.co.nz
Monday 3 March – Tuning into Kids – supportive parenting course drop in session 9am in the library principal@stannes.co.nz or jo@stannes.co.nz
Wednesday 5 March – Ash Wednesday Mass 9.15am josh@stannes.co.nz
Wednesday 5 March – 11am-12.30pm Technology (Years 7 and 8) dean@stannes.co.nz
Thursday 6 March – 2pm Pasifika Performance Group (Open to all Years 5-8 and Samoan Bilingual Class) ateliana@stannes.co.nz
Friday 7 March – 10am World Day of Prayer – In our church. Please can students either wear uniform this day or pasifika based clothing (it is a Cook Islands based service). All welcome. principal@stannes.co.nz
WEEK 7 / WIKI WHITU
Monday 10 March – Tuning into Kids course begins in the library (all welcome) 9am principal@stannes.co.nz or jo@stannes.co.nz
Thursday 13 March – 5pm-7pm Family picnic and open classrooms
5pm-6pm Eating time outside picnic styles (takeaways, pre made, up to you)
6pm-7pm Open classrooms – Meet your child’s teacher, see some students doing some work and using provided apps, ask questions. Then, while you are here, have a look around all the classrooms, have your child take you on a tour of the school or self guide if they are busy in a classroom.
WEEK 8 / WIKI WARU
Monday 17 March – Tuning into Kids course session #2 in the library (all welcome) 9am principal@stannes.co.nz or jo@stannes.co.nz
Wednesday 19 March – Thursday 20 March – Dallas at NZPPA Fono in Auckland, Dean Isherwood Acting Principal
WEEK 9 / WIKI IWA
Monday 24 March – Tuning into Kids course session #3 in the library (all welcome) 9am principal@stannes.co.nz or jo@stannes.co.nz
Sunday 30 March – Junior School Mass (this is for all students in Years 0-4 and it is important to remind families that it was a commitment when getting preference certificates to our school that families would ensure students are at these events. Thank you for making it a priority, it is appreciated) josh@stannes.co.nz
WEEK 10 / WIKI TEKAU
Monday 31 March – Tuning into Kids course session #4 in the library (all welcome) 9am principal@stannes.co.nz or jo@stannes.co.nz
Thursday 3 April – Wednesday 4 April – Cycle Safety Year 6 dean@stannes.co.nz
WEEK 11 / WIKI TEKAU MĀ TAHI
Monday 7 April – Tuning into Kids course session #5 in the library (all welcome) 9am principal@stannes.co.nz or jo@stannes.co.nz
Tuesday 8 April – Canterbury Rugby League Tournament Years 5-8 principal@stannes.co.nz

TERM 2 / WĀHAKA RUA (DALLAS ON SABBATICAL)
WEEK 1 / WIKI TAHI
Monday 28 April – 9am start for first day back

TERM 3 / WĀHAKA TORU
WEEK 1 / WIKI TAHI
Monday 14 July – 9am start for first day back

TERM 4 / WĀHAKA WHĀ
WEEK 1 / WIKI TAHI
Monday 6 October – 9am start for first day back

Te Atua te aro’a ‘ē kia manuia,
Dallas Wichman
Tumuaki / Principal / Pū ‘Āpi’i Ma’ata