Kia ora tātau,

I know many of you are looking forward to heading to Hagley Park tomorrow to watch the Polyfest, we have so many ex students involved. It is a great celebration of culture if you have not been before, the information is below.

PICNIC / PIKINIKI
It was great to see so many families at the picnic. It was a perfect afternoon to catch up with everyone and to visit classrooms. Lots of games, fun and looking around classrooms. A big thank you to Smoke ‘n’ Barrel Restaurant & Catering restaurant on Ferry Road and Ninja Valley for the generous prizes for the activity. The Abrigo, De Leon, Haines and Dulce families were the lucky ones this time, being picked out of the box at assembly. Thanks teachers and parents for making this a success! We had a plan that if we had a Golden Ticket, it might help families to visit each room, meet the teacher and look at some of the work children were proud of. This kind of worked but became more of a ‘race’ than the intention. We hope the time you did spend in each room was positive and you met someone new. Thank you for coming and making the evening special, so many commented on it in positive ways.

STARS OF THE WEEK / KĀ WHETU O TE WIKI
Our assembly last week had awards for work in class, use of te reo Māori or Samoan language, and GRIT winners. The first morning tea with the principal of the year and I was lucky enough to have these 9 awesome students hanging out with me.
NZPPA GATHERING / HUI NZPPA
I was away on Wednesday for a meeting of the NZ Pasifika Principals Association. During the visit to Auckland we went to PASS School (Pacific Advance Secondary School). This school was set up by Michael Jones, and is a state designated character school. Our unique point of difference is that our school environment is embedded by our Pasifika values, culture and pedagogies through the knowledge and experiences of our Pasifika kaimahi (staff), kāinga (families), talavou (students) and community. It was inspiring to see such a different approach to education, whilst still achieving above average in terms of NCEA. Principals took part in an exec meeting, dinner, Pacific Welcome, Waka Ama experience and a localised cultural experience.
BOB TE MIHA FUNERAL MASS / TE MIHA MŌ BOB TE MIHA
When asked if any students would join some of our Catholic high school students to farewell Matua Bob Te Miha, 18 of our awesome students said they would. We are so proud they came and helped Catholic education thank Bob for his work over the years. Every one of them did us proud. One of our students, Eduard, had such an impact on Bob and Barb over the last few years, he was asked to sit in the front row with Bob’s wife, he was awesome. There was around 20minutes (10 before and 10 after the Mass) of beautiful waiata and haka performed. Thanks heaps team!
POLYFEST
Head along this Saturday. Lots of ex St Anne’s students performing and great food to be tasted.

RUBBISH FREE SCHOOL
A reminder to all parents, we are a rubbish free school and have been for around 8 years! We are picking up so much rubbish from lunchboxes every day and this is not fair. Please do not send lunches with rubbish or drinks in plastic. PLEASE RESPECT THE RULES OF THE SCHOOL!!!!
Thanks to those working hard to send waste free lunches!!
Below: I took two steps from the office door after morning tea, and these were my gifts on the ground. 

LOST PROPERTY AND HATS / TOAKA KARO ME TE WHAREAMA
-Please ask children to check this area regularly. Items are on display for a full week before they are gifted to the Clothing Bins. All named items are returned daily by the amazing work of Sharyn Beccard, our awesome teacher aide.
-Hats-Our spare bin is getting a workout. Please remind students to bring hats to school daily and make sure they are named. Thanks heaps!!!!

HIGH SCHOOL VISITS
Over the coming months, high schools will visit schools and let students know what is to offer at each school. If you would like clarity on high schools, I suggest you go to the open nights and ask around. You can apply to all Catholic high schools if you are preference, or the school you are in zone for. You have the highest chance of getting into CCC or Marian College from this school in terms of Catholic schools.
Please note: Although some of our Catholic high schools start at year 7, this is due to some of our primary schools finishing at year 6. Our local high schools don’t allow swapping at year 7 or 8 for full primary schools like ours, as this puts huge stress on the sustainability of their year 7 and 8 classes. In rare cases, exemptions are made. An example of this was a student left at the end of year 6 to assist his almost blind brother getting to and from classes and to taxis and buses. 
Below: a picture of CCC students and teacher speaking to year 7 and 8s.

TUNING INTO KIDS
Too late team, if you missed the boat or the time didn’t suit, contact Hayley and register your interest for the next time it is run and let her know your preference for timing.  hayleyt@psusi.org.nz

FIRST COMMUNION / UKARITA TAPU
Wow, we have so many children doing First Communion and some to be baptised! It may be too late to enrol, but you could try!!! Thanks to parents coming to the information meeting. The next lesson is lesson #3 at 9.30am on Sunday in the Mission Centre. 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.

A reminder that the Stella Maris parish office is currently open 9.30-2.30 Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Photo: Information evening
TAMAI SPORTS / HĀKINAKINA TAMAI
We’re excited to announce that registrations for our winter sports programs are now open! This season, Tamai Sports is offering netball, rugby, and football for tamariki aged 8-12 years (Years 4-8).
Sports & Training Details:
– Netball: Training on Tuesdays at Te Waka Unua, games on Saturdays at Hagley
– Rugby & Football: Training on Thursdays at Linfield Park, games on Saturdays
Transport & Support:
– Tamariki will be picked up from school for training, provided with kai ️, and need to be picked up at 1700 hrs
– On game days, whānau will need to drop off and pick up their tamariki.
– Limited Spots Available! To focus on quality over quantity, there is a capped limit for each sport. If your child is interested, register as soon as possible! We welcome all tamariki, regardless of experience.
Register Here:

Netball: https://forms.office.com/r/Fv9gKqCKHd
Rugby: https://forms.office.com/r/mEB7ZuBQ3C
⚽ Football: https://forms.office.com/r/f2Q7FBam7k

Please spread the word and encourage participation! If you have any questions, feel free to email us. dean@stannes.co.nz

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 8 / WIKI WARU
Sunday 23 March – First Communion lesson #3, 9.30am @ Mission Centre and 3pm Parents meeting @ New Brighton Mass Centre janette@stellamarisparish.org.nz
WEEK 9 / WIKI IWA
Monday 24 March – Tuning into Kids course session #3 in the hall (all welcome) 9am principal@stannes.co.nz or jo@stannes.co.nz
Monday 24 March – 9.15am @ Room 8, Mihi Whakatau for new student teachers in Rooms 7 and 8  josh@stannes.co.nz or palo@stannes.co.nz
Tuesday 25 March– Kapa Haka 2pm-3pm (Juniors Term 1) principal@stannes.co.nz
Tuesday 25 March– Hip Hop 3pm-4pm in the Hall, new students welcome principal@stannes.co.nz or edstudio2021@gmail.com
Wednesday 26 March– 11am-12.30pm Technology (Years 7 and 8) dean@stannes.co.nz
Thursday 27 March – 11.15am Pasifika Performance Group (Open to all Years 5-8 and Samoan Bilingual Class) ateliana@stannes.co.nz
Sunday 30 March – First Communion lesson #4, 9.30am @ Mission Centre  janette@stellamarisparish.org.nz (Note: Junior School Mass postponed due to First Communion)
WEEK 10 / WIKI TEKAU
Monday 31 March – Tuning into Kids course session #4 in the hall (all welcome) 9am principal@stannes.co.nz or jo@stannes.co.nz
Monday 31 March – Wharenui Harikoa Trip (Māori bilingual classes) palo@stannes.co.nz
Thursday 3 April – Friday 4 April – Cycle Safety Year 6 dean@stannes.co.nz
Sunday 4 April – First Communion lesson #5 and #6, 9.30am @ Mission Centre  janette@stellamarisparish.org.nz
WEEK 11 / WIKI TEKAU MĀ TAHI
Monday 7 April – Tuning into Kids course session #5 in the hall (all welcome) 9am principal@stannes.co.nz or jo@stannes.co.nz
Tuesday 8 April – Canterbury Rugby League Tournament Years 5-8 palo@stannes.co.nz

TERM 2 / WĀHAKA RUA (DALLAS ON SABBATICAL, DEAN ISHERWOOD – ACTING PRINCIPAL)
WEEK 1 / WIKI TAHI
Monday 28 April – 9am start for first day back
WEEK 4 / WIKI WHĀ
Monday 19  May – Teacher Only Day – No school

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