Kā mihi o te wā Araka ki a koutou,
This is the last newsletter of the term, so I start with Easter greetings to you all as we will not quite get there before the holidays. Also, this is my last newsletter for a while as I am on sabbatical next term, meaning I am off work to complete the following:
-Spend some time in Auckland in bilingual schools making connections and looking at approaches.
-Evaluate and spend time with our approach.
-Improve my Cook Islands Māori and Samoan language ability.
-Start to organise a bilingual schooling conference to be held in Christchurch.
Whilst I am sad to be away for a term, I learnt te reo Māori whilst being a principal and that was busy! I look forward to having this time to refresh and grow myself and hopefully others in being bi/multilingual.
Dean Isherwood will be acting principal and I am so happy he gets a chance to try the role out. We have fantastic leaders at this school who will all be fantastic principals, should they decide to be and/or the opportunities arise at the right time for them. Jo Smart and Josh Halkett will be deputy and assistant principals during this time and acting principals if Dean is absent. My emails will be off and if I see you in the real world, I ask you to keep work related things away from me, as this is the first time in 10 years at St Anne’s that I can (and will) let go of work.
Have a great second term and I will see you week 2, term 3.
ALMSGIVING / E HOATU ANA
On the wet, cold day of Thursday, Srypich (Ocean’s mum) dropped in over one hundred hot cross buns for the students. Srypich and her husband run ‘Bakery and Coffee on Ferry’ 608 Ferry Road. They are very kind and are always supporting the school. We thank them for this almsgiving during lent.
COMPETITION / WHAKATAETAE
All of the staff were really upset at the last staff meeting with school rules being broken lately. They discussed students not wearing hats, rubbish in lunchboxes ending up on the ground and incorrect uniform. They started thinking of consequences for those not following the rules as it is getting really frustrating. We then spoke of rewarding those who are trying hard. So for the rest of the term, there will be prizes for those who are following all three of our school rules (wearing a hat during term 1, litter free lunches, correct uniform). Each day we will draw names out of a hat, if the child who is drawn out has all three correct, they will receive a Ninja Valley voucher worth over $30. Big thanks to them for giving us these and thanks to all those supporting school rules, they are there for a reason (not to be annoying or inconvenient). 
WHARENUI HARIKOA TRIP / TIRIPI WHARENUI HARIKOA
All three of our bilingual (English/Māori) classes visited The Wharenui Harikoa exhibition at the pop up Canterbury Museum this week. They learnt about how the Wharenui was made and the meaning behind all the symbolism. Big thanks to the Education team at the museum for their knowledge. If you would like to visit this exhibit before it is removed, head to 66 Gloucester Street.
STARS OF THE WEEK / KĀ WHETU O TE WIKI
Our assembly last week was held in the Parish Hall. We spoke of the history of the hall and told students about the history wall that is not too far from completion that will be in the foyer. We celebrated students for their work in class, use of te reo Māori or the Samoan language, and GRIT winners. I enjoyed having morning tea with these awesome students.
CLASSWORK / MAHI Ā-AKOMAKA
It is great when teachers or students want to share learning through the newsletter. Rūma Waru wants to share their creative way to introduce themselves (mihimihi) through art and te reo Māori. They also want to share some general writing (this is in te reo Māori) about camp and day to day life.
HIGH SCHOOL VISITS AND OPEN DAYS / KĀ TOROKA O KĀ KURA TUARUA ME KĀ RĀ WHAKATŪWHERA
Over the coming months, high schools will visit schools and let students know what is on offer at each school and open days/nights will start to happen. 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 (Catholic), or the public 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 but that is not to say you will not get into others.
Please register for CCC through the link on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DQmgd58pA/
Register for the CCC open night by using this QR code.
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
The next lesson is lesson #6 at 9.30am on Sunday 6 April in the Mission Centre then there is a month break due to the school holidays. 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. janette@stellamarisparish.org.nz
A reminder that the Stella Maris parish office is currently open 9.30-2.30 Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
TEACHER ONLY DAY #2 / KO TE RĀ MŌ KĀ KAIAKO ANAKE #2
The second of two teacher only days focusing on the government’s new mathematics curriculum and implementation, is on Monday 19 May during Week 4. Please put this date in your calendar as there will be no school. This is the last teacher only day for this year. Like last time, we are working with St Marys, St James, and CCC teachers on this.
CYCLE SAFETY / HAUMARU PAIHIKARA
A big thank you to the team at the City Council and Constable Meg for coming in to do cycle safety with our students. Although it was dark and gloomy outside, it was warm and fun inside learning how to be safe on and around our roads. Looking forward to the sun coming out on Friday for some real biking.
TAMAI SPORTS / HĀKINAKINA TAMAI
We are 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 10 / WIKI TEKAU
Sunday 6 April – First Communion lesson #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
Tuesday 8 April – Dean Isherwood back from Australia
Wednesday 9 April – TBC Rooms 1/2 picnic jo@stannes.co.nz or december@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
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ADVERTISING / KĀ TAIOPEKA E HAERE MAI ANA ME KĀ WHAKATAIRAKA
April School Holidays at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre
For creative activities for whānau over the school holidays, including free events and hands-on workshops, check out Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre: https://www.artscentre.org.nz/whats-on/school-holiday-fun/
Primary students:
Free holiday fun zone, including outdoor games and bubble machine, weather permitting.
Free introduction to ballet for ages 3-6 years at Counterpointe Studio.
Carrot and Pickle clown show, ages 4-10 years. $12 +BF.
Intermediate students:
Shine On with Te Whai Ao scientists – make your own teleidoscope; light is the ultimate quantum phenomenon! $2.50.
Circus School at Altiora: full day and shorter classes available. From $25.
Make pop-up concertina books at the Teece Museum. $5 +BF.
