7 August

Dear Parents

Last week Miss O’Neill and I were fortunate to attend the Catholic Convention in Wellington. 1000 representatives from schools, colleges and parishes met to discuss issues particular to our Catholic education system.

The theme of ‘Be The Change’ referred to not just being at the fore front of our education system, but also in our pastoral care programmes in parishes and schools. A number of speakers made mention of how Catholic schools had been catalysts of change for disadvantaged families and communities.

A number of senior college students also spoke of their positive experiences in our schools and how this had affected their relationships with their peers and others. Overall a very worthwhile conference.

National Standards

We received information yesterday in regards the new National Standards.

They will be sent to schools in October and will be implemented in 2010. Schools will be expected to use them to guide teaching and learning and to report to parents on progression against these standards.

We are waiting to see how these standards impact on the new Curriculum, which we are still working on implementing, so we will look forward to what the Ministry produces.

In 2012 schools will have to report to the Ministry actual pupil results, which is the area of contention, in regards to what form of testing will be used and how the results will be published. As with most things political – watch this space.

More information can be found at http://www.minedu.govt.nz

I wish to thank parents for your continued co-operation in collecting and keeping at home sick children. We have had up to 30 – 35 children away some days recently and mixed with staff illness, have been close to being unable to find teachers for classes. As in the past we will ride out this endemic successfully with your support.

As I am writing this, Room 8 are taking part in the first Invercargill schools’ Poly Festival. They are performing the action song from our school production. Good luck and thanks to Miss Tagomoa.

Welcome to Azriel Young and his family. We hope they enjoy their time with us at Sacred Heart School.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME

Please pray for the children who

today begin preparation to receive

the Sacrament of Confirmation.

We ask that they will be blessed

by the Holy Spirit and that the

Fruits of the Holy Spirit will grow in them.

LOVE, PEACE, GENTLENESS, PATIENCE, GOODNESS, SELF-CONTROL, JOY, FAITHFULNESS, KINDNESS,

SCHOOL PARISH SUNDAY MASS

Please put the date Sunday 19 September – 10.30am on your calendars.

All children are expected to attend this Mass.

LIFE EDUCATION CARAVAN

All classes will visit the caravan which will be at school next week.

TOUCH

Thank you to the parents who have returned permission slips and money for touch teams. Thank you also to those who have offered to coach. We need 2-3 more children from Year 4-6 to enter a team at this level. If your child is in Yr 4 - 6 and is interested, please send in the permission form with $16 early next week.

LOST ~ One sports top missing, may have been swapped around during production, size 6 or 8.

Please see Harry McLean in Room 8.

Don't forget the Southland Primary School Art Exhibition is still on show at the Museum for another two weeks.

PTA - Meeting Monday 10^th August 7.30 p.m. at school. All welcome

Class Happenings – Room 3

This term in reading, we have been looking at non-fiction books. We now know that a non-fiction is a book that gives us facts and has photos. As part of our reading activities we have been writing three facts about something we have read in our books. The hardest part is putting the facts into our own words. Below are some examples of what we have learnt.

Moving on Land

Many animals that live on land have four legs. Some animals have four legs, but stand on only two of them. This makes it easy for them to walk and run. A bear stands on two legs.

By Janelle

Elephants

A baby elephant keeps close to its’ mother. An elephant’s ears are big. Elephants love mud. Elephants live in Africa.

By Jakobe

Cats

Cats like catching things like birds, lizards, rats, mice and butterflies. Some cats eat grass. Cats climb trees to get away from dogs.

By Shaun W

TOUCH

______________ in year _________would like to be part of a Touch team.

I am willing to coach _______________ signed _________________

I have included $16 payment ___