Week 5 Nuts and Bolts

 Kia Ora Kākano Whānau, 

We are almost halfway through the term! We are so proud of how the children have been working and interacting in class and at school. It is awesome to see the friendships that the students have made with each other over the past few weeks. Please keep encouraging your children to do their jobs in the morning all by themselves!

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We have a few important notices for this week: 

It has been announced that we will be returning to COVID-19 Alert Level Two. That means that there will be a few changes around the school with drop off, pickups and school events such as the Gala. 

School Gates: Our school gates will not be unlocked until 8:30am during Level 2. Students will not be able to enter the school grounds until 8:30am. Gates will be locked again at 9:00am - 2:45pm. If you need to enter school grounds you will need to use Carnot St Gate.

After School procedures: School will finish at 2.45pm for all Kākano students and their siblings. Kakano students will be taken to the Church car park gate by a teacher. If your child is in a Kakano class and you want your child taken to a different gate please advise the class teacher which gate you want your child taken to. If it is raining at the end of a school day we will need some help and parents will be allowed to collect their child from outside their classroom.

Parent Information: Parents are encouraged to drop off their children at the gates. But if necessary you may come onto school grounds as long as you have signed in with the COVID tracer app at the gate. You will not be allowed to enter the classrooms. 

Additional Information: https://www.stmarysrotorua.school.nz/28-february-covid-level-2-update/ 

Gala Update: Gala Day has been postponed and an alternative date will be announced after the PTA gathering tomorrow. 

Thank you to all the families who have contributed towards the Gala Collections. From Monday we will also be delaying the collecting of goods for this week and will keep you posted on when that will start again. 

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 What is happening this week? 

This week is a swimming week! Please make sure that all children have their swimming togs and a towel everyday.

We had a house event earlier this term, Tug o War. We all dressed up in our house colours (Mackillop/Blue -  Pompallier/ Green - Mill Hill/Red and Whakaue/ Yellow).  St Mary’s has decided to do Golden Time Fridays with House groups. This week Mackillop was picked at random. Please check your midweek post to find out more information. 

Monday - Normal School Day - Swimming

Tuesday - Normal School Day - Swimming

Wednesday - Normal School Day - Swimming

Thursday - Normal School Day - Swimming

Friday - Library Day  -  Assembly  - Sausage Sizzle and Juicie Friday - House Golden Time.

We hope you have had an awesome weekend, 

Kākano Teachers. 

Week 4 Notices

Wow! What a week we had with the Covid level changes.  We were very proud of how the children adjusted to parents not being allowed in the classrooms. Please embrace the children’s independence and if they choose to walk into class by themselves,  allow them to do so.  The children were very proud of being able to do their morning jobs by themselves before settling into their day.

Also, a busy week marking the start of lent, we started with Shrove Tuesday, all the children helped make pancakes before eating them in the afternoon. Ash Wednesday was a little different this year, as we were unable to go to the church, Father Thomas came over to school for the liturgy.  We ended the week with our School Mass. Thank you to all the parents who came along.

Our children have been enjoying being outside and are showing interest in building, bugs and gardens. We are asking if you have anything listed below that you no longer need at home if we could please have it for our outside area.

* Hammers

* Nails

* Saws

* Anything useful on the carpentry table.

* Sheets, blankets, large pieces of fabric

* Bug catchers/containers

* Butterfly nets

2021 GALA COUNTDOWN

The school gala is our PTA’s main fundraiser for the year.  All monies raised at our gala are given to St Mary’s school for the benefit of our children.

To help keep our costs to a minimum, we encourage our school families to please bring an item to school each day in the weeks leading up to the gala.  These items are set out below.

Keep this notice in a handy place to remind you.

DAILY COUNTDOWN TO GALA DAY

Monday 22nd February	Mystery Jar Day  A bit like a lucky dip, Fill an empty jar with anything new that children will like.  This could include party favours, bubbles, slime, lollies, chocolates, toy cars etc.  Bring these in unwrapped so we can sort them into boys and girls.
Tuesday 23rd  February	Nacho Day - Corn chips, tinned tomatoes, chili or kidney beans, onions, nacho mince recipe sachets
Wednesday 24th  February	Books, toys and Baby Elephant - Board games, children’s sporting equipment, CD's, DVD's, playstation games, jigsaws
Thursday 25th February	Bottle Day - Please bring a bottle or jar of something e.g. shampoo, sauce, condiment/relish, perfume, jam, oil etc. Please note no alcohol is allowed to be brought to school by children
Friday 26th February	Nacho Day - Corn chips, tinned tomatoes, chilli or kidney beans, onions, nacho mince recipe sachets
Monday 1st March	Grocery Day - Packet / Boxes day – Bring a packet or box of something e.g. biscuits, cereal, flour, crackers, chips, sultanas, cornflakes, breadcrumbs, Handee towels, jelly, pretzels etc.  Plastic bags appreciated
Tuesday 2nd March	White Elephant  Day -Books, toys and Baby Elephant - Board games, children’s sporting equipment, CD's, DVD's, playstation games, jigsaws, homewares
Wednesday 3rd March	Mystery Jar Day  A bit like a lucky dip, Fill an empty jar with anything new that children will  like.  This could include party favours, bubbles, slime, lollies, chocolates, toy cars etc  Bring these in unwrapped so we can sort them into boys and girls. Grocery, fresh fruit and vegetables day - Please bring to school any grocery items, tinned goods or fruit/vegetables from your garden e.g. tomatoes, feijoas, lettuce, zucchini etc
Thursday 4th March	GALA DAY! HOMEMADE Cakes, biscuits, muffins, sweets, fudge, coconut ice, sweets, toffee apples and any fresh produce

RAFFLE VIPs

JUST $100 secures your baton for the night.

We have a limited number available.

stmarysptarotorua@outlook.com to secure a baton.

Payment to the office by the end of school Wednesday 3rd March 2021.

BE IN TO WIN PRIZES GALORE!

 

 or if you can offer any donations contact: stmarysptarotorua@outlook.com  

Our Week 

Monday

Normal day

Tuesday

Normal day

Wednesday

Go by Bike Day - please see information below (optional)

Thursday

Pita Pit fundraiser - see information below

Friday  

Holiday Reading Log Draw - make sure you have your reading logs in

Assembly

Sausage Sizzle and Juices $1.50 each

      GO BY BIKE DAY 

   WEDNESDAY 24th FEBRUARY

Meet: 8.00am Sophia Street (Opposite Ranolf st intersection) 

with bikes / scooters. Helmets compulsory

8.10am depart down Ranolf street on the shared pathway towards St Mary's School.

Sport BOP Pitstop: Ranolf Street - Opposite Guidoughs. 

 (with fruit & giveaways)

What we need:

- Adults to marshal/assist at road crossings assisting groups of our tamariki to safely cross the roads.

- Adults to ride with groups of children

  It would be 30 – 45minutes

 

We will have an area at school where kids can leave their bikes/scooters for the day. 

 

Please contact Whaea Leanne if you can assist on the day. 

Email: sports@stmarysrotorua.school.nz 

Phone: 027 295 7579 or 348 1701

Enjoy this beautiful day

Kakano Teachers

Fun in Kakano 4

Today we used up all our yummy ingredients and made pancakes.  The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is known as Shrove Tuesday.  The idea is that we have one last yummy meal before we begin our Lenten period of fasting and praying.

The children did a great job mixing the ingredients, cooking the pancakes and of course eating them.

We have also loved spending time in the swimming pool.  I have been so proud of all the children who have been working hard to float on their front and back.  It is such a pleasure seeing children take a risk and give something new a go.

Remember children need sunhats at school each day and we will continue to swim every day this week.

Many thanks for your support,

Sara

Week 3 Nuts and Bolts

Happy Valentines Day!

What a wonderful first week we had last week! It was great to see everyone and the children have already settled in well with their new classes and teachers. Thank you for getting your child into school on time ready for the day!

This week we start our Easter celebrations with the beginning of Lent. 

Tuesday is known as Shrove Tuesday and we will be making pancakes with the class. Please bring a plate with your child’s name on it for the pancakes.

Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and there will be a school liturgy in the church, family members are invited to join us for our Ash Wednesday Liturgy in the church at 9AM. Ash Wednesday is the first day of lent and we will be talking about ways the children can show kindness and helpfulness during this time.

On Friday we have our opening school mass in the church. All are welcome to attend this. It starts at 9AM. Please drop your child at the class as usual and make your way to the church to get a seat. Children will walk over with their classroom teacher. New students and families will be welcomed and blessed at this mass. New students will bring home an invitation letter this week.

This week is a swimming week! Please make sure that all children have their swimming togs and towel every day.

Here is a timetable for the week to remind you of all of the things coming up:

Monday

Swimming

Tuesday

Swimming

Shrove Tuesday - please bring a named plate

Wednesday

Swimming

Ash Wednesday - children will be attending a liturgy during school time

Thursday

Swimming

Friday

Swimming

Opening school mass 9AM in CHURCH

We look forward to seeing you for another great week in class!

Kakano teachers

A few reminders...

Mufti Day:

Tomorrow is our mufti day.  Each child will need to bring a gold coin, funds raised will go to the staff and children of Apanui school in Whakatane who were recently lost their school buildings in a horrific fire.

Children are to wear their "House colours".  Each child received a coloured slip of paper letting them know the colours they need to wear for tomorrow.  

MacKillop - Blue

Pompallier - Green

Whakaue - Yellow

Millhill - Red

Sausage Sizzle:

Children can purchase a sausage sizzle for $1.50 or a Juicie for $1.50.   This is not compulsory and is available every Friday thanks to our wonderful PTA.

Check out some of the amazing things children in Kakano 4 have been up to these past few days...

Week 2 Notices

Welcome to the new school term!

It was lovely to meet with you all last week and share the exciting learning we have planned in Kakano 4, 5, 6 and 7.

This week is week 2 (crazy, we know), our first week of school was where the children and parents were able to meet with the teachers prior to school starting.   Term 1 is an 11-week term, you can check out the term dates on the school app.

The teachers will spend the first few weeks getting to know the students in our classes, setting clear expectations and having fun.

Start of the day reminders:

It is expected all children will be at school by 8:45, as this is the official start time of school.  It is always a busy morning in Kakano with lots of parents and family members so we ask whanau to leave by 8:45.   This will allow the children to settle into their school day.

We remind you all to encourage your child to be independent; this means they carry their own school bags and do their own morning roll.  You can support your child to do these tasks in the morning and then bid them well for their day at school.   All the teachers will be present to help support the children each and every morning.

Lunches:
We have lots of parents asking what types of food to include in their children’s lunch each day.  We encourage you to pack fruit, cut vegetables, yoghurt and sandwiches.   Check out this link that has easy recipes and cost-effective ways to make sure your child has a lunch box filled with healthy goodness.  With the high temperatures each day it is important each child has their own drink bottle filled with water.

Uniform:

All children will need to be in the correct summer uniform for the start of school, this includes the royal blue sunhat.  It is a school rule that all children will wear a sunhat when playing outdoors.

What’s happening this week:

Monday: 

Waitangi Day observed

Tuesday: 

First day of school for all children

Waitangi Day and Welcome Liturgy 10:15

Wednesday:

A great second day at school

Thursday:

Whole school singing 12:15

Friday:
Library (if your child has a library bag from last year please make sure they bring it to school, new children will be given their own library bag).

School Assembly 2:05 (parents are welcome to join)

We hope you are enjoying your long weekend and we look forward to seeing you all back at school on Tuesday.

Kakano Year 1 teachers