8 August 2008

Dear Parents

I am sure like a lot of you this weekend, we will be attempting to watch as much of the Olympics as possible. The lead in to Beijing this year has been fraught with controversy such as the human right issues, and more recently the pollution covering the city. It is also one time when our sports focus is not so much on rugby – Graham Henry will be relieved about this. It will also be the most watched with U-Tube broadcasting to countries previously unable to receive coverage. Different NZ athletes will also be posting regular blogs and other on-line environments which we will be able to access.
I was lucky enough to Skype with Room 9 yesterday as they explained a new class undertaking. Our teachers are to be congratulated for their encouragement of new relevant ICT for our children. We may find them an unwanted add-on at times but they are often an integral part of our children’s present and future lives. Good luck to the Olympic team and I hope the only hakas are for medal winners.
Our prayers are with the Tagomoa-Kaa family this week.

FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY
The school will be joining in the parish Mass next Friday 15 August at 9.30am to celebrate the FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY. All families are welcome to join us.

SCIENCE FAIR
Next Wednesday is Science Fair Day. (This date has been changed owing to Professional Development for staff next week.) All investigations will be completed by 2.45 on Wednesday. Judging will take place on Wednesday evening. We are grateful to the Science Department at Verdon for their assistance with this. The exhibits will be on display for you to come and view until 2.30 on Friday. All exhibits will need to be taken home on Friday after school. Those investigations chosen to represent Sacred Heart at the Southland Science Fair will need to be taken to the Ascot Hotel on Tuesday at 2.15.

OLYMPIC DAY
A big thanks to everybody for making our ‘Olympic Day’ so successful. Also to Rose French and Jim Watson for assisting us with the organization. I was especially proud of our senior children for their leadership skills and assistance with each of their teams. Well done!

QLC DAYS
Next week the staff will be taking part in Professional Development run by the Thinknet Cluster. Some of this will involve feedback from Mrs Lieshout and Mrs Stupples about their visit to Christchurch last week.

NETBALL TOURNAMENT
Good luck to Tammy Honotapu, Caitlin Russell and Sarayha MacDonald who are taking part in the Southland Netball Tournament next week.

SCHOOL CLOTHING
When children are sent home in school items of clothing, could we please have them returned to school clean, as soon as possible. Thank you.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Olivia Thornbury who came 2nd in women’s level 4 gymnastics & Patrice Brookland who came 2nd in women’s level 1 gymnastics. Both girls competed in the Gymnastics Southland Championship held 26th July. Olivia & Patrice have also been selected to compete in the South Island Championship, held in Timaru in September. Further to this, Olivia has also been selected to compete in the Nationals Championship held in Hamilton late September.
Also to Alex Wright and his family on the arrival of Macaela. We look forward to her enrolling at Sacred Heart.

NETBALL
Stars won 7 – 2. Players of the Day were Tammy Honotapu and Imelda Wilkes.
Steel lost 1 – 23. Player of the Day was Meg Kelly.
Sting lost 3 – 12. Player of the Day was Meg O’Connell.

Draw for next week
Stars play St John’s blue court 3 @ 5.30 p.m.
Steel play St Joseph court 2 @ 3.30 p.m.
Sting play Te Marama court 4 @ 4 p.m.

TO RENT
Sunny warm house on easycare section in Waikiwi. Open plan living with 3 double bedrooms & office or 4th bedroom. Modern décor with new kitchen, bathroom & carpets. Available 29th August @ $250 per week. Enquiries to 2157643.

INVERCARGILL REPERTORY ~ SNOW WHITE AND THE DREADFUL DWARFS ~ 15 & 16 AUGUST
This is going to be an awesome show with a lot of very talented people. There will be one show on Friday the 15th August at 6.00pm and two shows on Saturday the 16th August, One at 2pm and the other at 6pm. Tickets prices are $8.00 an adult , $5.00 a child and $20.00 for a family of two adults and two children. Please show your support for our local young talent.


CLASS HAPPENINGS ~ ROOM 2
In Room 2 we have been learning about the ceremonies at the Olympics. We have learned that there is a special ceremony at the beginning and the end of the Olympics and there is also a medal ceremony. We went to Stadium Southland with the rest of the school on Tuesday and had a fun time participating in all the activities. That afternoon in class, we learned that you get a gold medal if you come first, a silver medal if you come second and a bronze medal if you come third. Some people can get more than one medal, and lots of people don’t get any medal. That doesn’t matter though, as long as you try your very best. Here are some of our Olympic stories.

Bridie
We had a school mini Olympics. We played with the Frisbee and we had to throw it far.

Caitlin
I went to the stadium for mini Olympics and I played with the parachute.We had morning tea there. I got a gold medal.

Jakobe
Yesterday we had the mini Olympics. I liked playing cricket the best.

William
At the stadium there were lots of games to play. There was cricket. I got a bronze medal. The stags were at the stadium too.

Thalia
On the 5th of August Sacred Heart School went on the bus to the stadium, some children missed the bus. We had the mini Olympics and we played with our friends.