Kia ora e te whānau,
It’s hard to believe we now have two weeks left in the school year! The days ahead are shaping up to be busy, but one highlight we are all looking forward to is the much-loved Room 1 and 2 Nativity Play. This is scheduled for next week. It is always a beautiful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas and a special moment for our youngest learners.
This Sunday we celebrate the beginning of Advent and the beginning of the new year (Church that is). It is an exciting time because the four candles come out at Mass, the first one is lit and the official countdown to Christmas begins. Join us this Sunday as our juniors help in Mass at St Anne’s. 10.30am. See you there!!!!!
CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES / KO TE PANONITAKA O TE ĀHUATAKA
Unfortunately, we have had to turn many families away from St Anne’s again this year as we are full. Many wanting bilingual Catholic education and unfortunately we are the only Catholic school offering this. Please, if you know that you are moving out of town therefore moving schools, and haven’t told us, please do so immediately so we can inform people on our waitlists before they commit to other schools.
TOUCH RUGBY / PĀ WHUTUPŌRO
Thank you so much to the parents and families for getting our children to touch rugby. Even more, to the coaches of our teams. You made it happen for our children and we are so grateful! Your energy and kindness was evident in the way you interacted with our children, some of you on the field running around and helping! Thank you!!! To the children, thank you for playing with our values of kindness and care (yet competitive!!!!).
ROAD PATROL TRAINING / TE WHAKANGUNGU A TE TĪMA TŪTEI RORI
We’re very pleased to share that four of our Year 6 tamariki recently completed their Road Patrol training with Constable Meg from the New Zealand Police. This training supports the Police’s “Road Safe” programme, which equips students with the knowledge and skills to act safely as pedestrians, passengers, cyclists and, for Road Patrol teams, to help their school community cross safely at pedestrian crossings. Congratulations to Tatavia, Abel, Xander and Angelo.
BEACH EDUCATION / MĀTAURAKA TĀTAHI
Last week, senior students enjoyed a fantastic day at Sumner with the Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) Beach Education Programme. This hands-on learning experience helped our students develop an understanding of water safety, ocean conditions, and how to make safe choices at the beach. The team at the SLSNZ were fabulous, providing both education and fun.
ST PETER’S SCHOOL VISIT / TE TORO A TE KURA HAOIKA
Last week, we welcomed students from St Peter’s School into our Māori bilingual classrooms (Rooms 7 & 8). Our students took on the role of teachers for the day, confidently leading activities, sharing their learning, and showcasing the strengths of a bilingual pathway. We are incredibly proud of the way our students stepped up to guide and inspire our visitors.
PRIZE GIVING / WHAKAPŌTAETAKA
This will be held at Catholic Cathedral College School Hall on Monday, the 8th of December. The doors will open at 5 pm for a 5.30 pm start. We will be having fewer performances this year to reduce the length for our children. The expected finish time is 7 pm. This prize-giving is for all families, as there are two awards for each class (GRIT and Faith) and our Premium Awards. Please come along and support our Year 8 leavers and our school!
CANTERBURY ATHLETICS ZONES
A massive well done to Sienna and Prue who represented us so well at the Canterbury Athletics Zones! Sienna made a height of 1m20cm in high jump, just under her personal record of 1m25cm and Prue ran 800m in just over 3minutes. Well done to both.
SPIRITUS
Earlier this week, Jo Smart, Josh Halkett and Dean Isherwood had the privilege of attending Spiritus 2025. Spiritus is a programme dedicated to strengthening faith and leadership within Catholic schools. It is offered jointly by the Australian Catholic University, La Salle Academy, and the Catholic Education Office in Christchurch. The Spiritus Programme focused on two key areas: Faith Formation and Creating Centres of the New Evangelisation within Catholic schools.
All three staff members have expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to take part in this learning experience. They have returned inspired, refreshed in their own faith journeys, and equipped with new insights to help further strengthen our Catholic Character here at St Anne’s.
MESSAGE FROM ST VINCENT DE PAUL
Over the Christmas period there will be free veggies and fruit in the St Anne’s church foyer Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for those in need.
KĀ HERE / POLICIES
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 4 / WĀHAKA WHĀ (If an event is for your child and you have misplaced the notice, go the the calendar entry on the Skool Loop app for all the information you need for the day)
WEEK 8 / WIKI WARU (Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week)
Sunday 30 November – Junior Mass Years 0-4 – 10.30am – Compulsory attendance please – josh@stannes.co.nz
WEEK 9 / WIKI IWA
Tuesday 2 December – Willowbank – Room 9 – ateliana@stannes.co.nz
Tuesday 2 December – New Entrant visits, please welcome any new families you see!!!
Wednesday 3 December – Last day of Technology, Year 8 students palo@stannes.co.nz
Thursday 4 December – Nativity Play – Rooms 1 and 2 – 2.15pm – St Anne’s Church jo@stannes.co.nz december@stannes.co.nz
WEEK 10 / WIKI TEKAU
Monday 8 December – 5.30pm Prizegiving @ Catholic Cathedral College dean@stannes.co.nz
Tuesday 9 December – Leavers Dinner Time 5pm @ Winnies Ferrymead dean@stannes.co.nz
Wednesday 10 December – All Cultures Day – Please bring food to share if you have the time, also dress in a culture your child is linked to (blood or family)
Friday 12 December – 12.30pm finish
Te Atua te aro’a ‘ē kia manuia,
Dallas Wichman
Tumuaki / Principal / Pū ‘Āpi’i Ma’ata