Kia orāna ki a kōtou kātoatoa e ōku taeake,

I was very proud today of all our students who dressed up and sang so well during the World Day of Prayer Service.  Leilia was exceptional in her reading of an experience of a Cook Islander during Covid times. Thank you parents for helping them prepare for these days. More below.

We began Lent on Wednesday with the receiving of the Ashes. You can help at home by encouraging your children to ‘fast’ from things that may keep us from doing good in the world, ‘alms give’ to those who might need a hand, and to ‘pray’ more and better – Three things we try harder to do in Lent to bring us closer to God.

Traditionally, Pancake or Shrove Tuesday was a ‘clear the pantry’ type day before we fast from food on Ash Wednesday. Classes got in on the action with pancake making on Tuesday before the seriousness began. Here are a couple of pictures of one class.

CAMP / HOPUNI
It has been a big week for our seniors with their Wainui Camp.  It was great that even during the rain, they still completed all the activities and had great fun.  A big thanks to the parent helpers who took time off work to help out for the three days.  A big thanks to Mr Isherwood for organising the camp and making sure it was a success.  Well done to the students who gave things a go, even if they were full of nerves.  Here are some photos (more on Facebook):

TEACHER ONLY DAY / KO TE RĀ MŌ KĀ KAIAKO ANAKE
On our Teacher Only Day we spent the day with the teachers from St Mary’s School, St James’ School and some mathematics teachers from Catholic Cathedral College on the Mathematics Curriculum. It was great to share what is working well within schools and how we can continue to improve.

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!

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 Parish Hall
Babies and toddlers are welcome.

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

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

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE / KARAKIA MŌ TE RĀ O TE KARAKIA
A total of over $300 was made from our contributions for; The Tongan Community Development Fund and its works with the Amatakiloa women’s groups in Tongan Village communities, The Bible Society of the South Pacific, healing the wounds of trauma in the South Pacific and the Interchurch council for Hospital Chaplaincy in New Zealand.

I would like to share a real reflection from a woman born in Aitutaki used in the service. These stories are all so similar in the Pacific and are a big part as to why we have bilingual classrooms.

Kia orana. My name is Vainiu. I was born in 1958 on the island of Aitutaki. My parents and grandparents believed strongly in the value of culture for a good upbringing. I attended Araura Primary School. For the first 3 years of my education, Cook Islands Māori was the language of instruction. However, as I moved on in school, it became clear that a lot of
importance was placed on the English language. Sadly, the schools that I attended encouraged us to speak English in our classes and in the playground. We were told by our teachers not to speak our mother tongue. We were told to immerse ourselves in the English language. Unfortunately, many at the time believed that English was the universal language, the language of trade, and therefore the language of superiority. The influence by the West in those days was powerful. I struggled with this, as I was fluent in Māori and spoke little English. My grandmother, Mama Mereana, encouraged her grandchildren to
speak Māori. I looked up to Mama Mereana. She had a huge impact on my childhood. She was my mentor and role model in the way of life. It was through her that I learned valuable and lifelong skills of how to plant and prepare food, and to speak the Reo Aitutakian dialect properly. I strongly believe that our elders play a significant role in shaping who we are and where we come from. The English language has gained momentum over the years and the value of our Māori language has diminished. Formal education during the early years of my life did not have a positive impact on me because what I learned at home from my parents, grandparents and family contradicted what I was taught by my teachers in a Western classroom. The books and lessons that we read and learned from were all in English. I used to think to myself, how are these English books and lessons going to help me plant vegetables, make the umu (ground oven), cook food, wash the clothes and feed the chickens and pigs. A strong feeling of loss led me to withdraw from engaging in the
classroom. One time in school, I remember being caught speaking our indigenous language. My teacher punished me by making me wear a cardboard sign that said, “I am a Māori speaker.” She put me on detention and, on a hot day, made me pull out prickly weeds called “pikikaa” on the school playground. I was humiliated and shamed in front of my peers. I never forgot that day. As a result of that experience, I was determined to speak English and say little about my mother tongue. This is just one example of how my language and culture was devalued. God gave us unique and special languages throughout the world, and we should honour and respect those languages. I believe that the Māori language needs to be paramount in our teaching and learning environment. Teachers and students can encourage Māori to be spoken, taught and written in all subjects. And parents can give our Māori language a chance to survive by speaking it at home. During those formative years in my childhood, even though I was devalued and shamed by the school system, I know that God was still with me. Even when we are cast out and treated with disrespect, God is still with us. God goes with us to the darkness at the bottom of the ocean, where there is no light. And God helps lead us out of that darkness into a wonderful light.
Kia orana e kia manuia. Thank you for listening to my story. God bless you!
Below: Photos from this pōpongi (morning)

CONGRATULATIONS / HAI WHAKANUI
Congratulations to Ateliana Tiatia, a teacher in our Samoan Unit, who was recognised as a trained ‘Auauna o le Tusi Paia’ on Sunday at Samoan Mass. It was great to see so many students from the class there supporting her and living their faith through the Samoan language and culture.

FIRST COMMUNION / UKARITA TAPU
Wow, we have so many children doing First Communion and some to be baptised! It’s not too late to enrol!!! Thanks to parents coming to the information meeting. The first lesson is 9.30am on Sunday in Rooms 1 and 2. You can stay with children and help or drop them off with the teachers. Please try to make all the lessons and if you have something important on that day, message Janette to let her know. Next parent meeting is March 23 at 3pm at New Brighton Mass Centre.  Photo: Information evening

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 7 / WIKI WHITU
Sunday 9 March – 9.30am Held in Rooms 1 and 2 – First Communion first students lesson.
Monday 10 March – Tuning into Kids course begins in the hall (note the change from the library due to the number of parents) 9am principal@stannes.co.nz or jo@stannes.co.nz
Tuesday 11 March – Kapa Haka 2pm-3pm (Juniors Term 1) principal@stannes.co.nz
Tuesday 11 March – Hip Hop 3pm-4pm in the Hall, new students welcome principal@stannes.co.nz or edstudio2021@gmail.com
Wednesday 11 March – 11am-12.30pm Technology (Years 7 and 8) dean@stannes.co.nz
Thursday 11 March – 11.15am Pasifika Performance Group (Open to all Years 5-8 and Samoan Bilingual Class) ateliana@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
Tuesday 18 March – Kapa Haka 2pm-3pm (Juniors Term 1) principal@stannes.co.nz
Tuesday 18 March – Hip Hop 3pm-4pm in the Hall, new students welcome principal@stannes.co.nz or edstudio2021@gmail.com
Wednesday 19 March – 11am-12.30pm Technology (Years 7 and 8) dean@stannes.co.nz
Thursday 20 March – 11.15am Pasifika Performance Group (Open to all Years 5-8 and Samoan Bilingual Class) ateliana@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