30 October

Dear Parents
The big news this week is TRUFFLES. A big thanks to all the families for the huge number of orders. The more people who are able to help, the faster the orders will be filled.
I wrote last week about the Southland Stags historical win of the Ranfurly shield, and it has certainly been an interesting week in Invercargill. I spoke to Mark Sainsbury last Friday night who said this was the ‘only’ news story in NZ last week – he said it was the spirit and ‘back to basics’ values evident in the team and wider community that made it so different to a larger city, plus more newsworthy. It was also good the weather stayed fine for the parade on Tuesday.

PRAYERS ~ Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bower, Paraki & Thomson families this week.

ALL SOULS MASS ~ All children will be attending All Souls Mass on Monday 2nd November at 9.30 am.
Parents are most welcome to join us.

1 NOVEMBER ALL SAINTS DAY Matthew 5:1-12 – THE BEATTITUDES - HAPPINESS
There was once a little puppy that noticed that whenever he was happy, his tail wagged, so he thought he had found the secret to happiness. One day he shared the secret of happiness with an older dog. He said, "I have learned that the best thing for a dog is happiness, and that happiness is in my tail. So I am going to chase my tail; and when I catch it, I shall have happiness!" The old dog replied, "I too, believe that happiness is a marvelous thing for a dog, and that happiness is in my tail. But I have noticed that when I chase it, my tail keeps running away from me; but when I go about my business, it follows me wherever I go."
The Bible has a lot to say about being happy. It doesn't say, "Happy are they who have a lot of money" or "Happy are they who live in big houses and drive fancy cars." It doesn't even say, "Happy are they who only have good things happen to them." What the Bible does say is, "Happy are the merciful, happy are the peacemakers, and happy are the pure in heart." The Bible also says, Happy is he who trusts in the Lord. Many of us are like that little puppy chasing his tail -- trying to find true happiness that is always just out of our reach. What we need to do is learn that if we will just go about our business and trust in the Lord, and happiness will follow us wherever we go.
Dear Lord, help us to place our trust in you so that we may experience the happiness that only you can bring. Amen.

CONGRATULATIONS ~ To Mrs Williams on the arrival of Zoe, born Friday 23rd Oct @ 7lb 4oz.
Also to Eli Winders who won 1st place in the Southland ‘Wish upon a Star’ Poster Competition. Eli’s entry is now going on to Nationals.

YEAR 6 CAMP ~ Next Wednesday the Yr 6 children will be at camp at Bannockburn from Wednesday to Friday. We hope they have a great time and the weather is kind to them. Fees are to be paid before departure and have been set at $150 per child & $120 per adult.

SCHOOL PHOTOS ~ Please have all orders back to school by Friday 6th November.

BASKETBALL RESULTS
Fireballs (Yr 3 & 4 Boys) v Myross Bush Magic - Won by default
Celtics v (Yr 3 & 4 Mixed) Waihopai Green - Won 8 – 2
Spurs (Yr 5 & 6 Boys) v Salford Saints - Won 27 – 4
Slamdunkers (Yr 5 & 6 Girls A) v Salford Stars - Won 18 – 4
Small Blacks (Yr 5 & 6 Mixed) v Otatara Boomers - Lost 2 - 16

TOUR OF SOUTHLAND ~ The Tour of Southland goes past our school next Wednesday at approx 9.15 am.
We look forward to cheering them on.



PARENTS & CAREGIVERS CONSULTATION ON KIWISPORT
Kiwisport is a new initiative from the Government to increase school aged students’ involvement in organised sport. As part of Kiwisport, the Regional Partnership Fund is to be distributed by Sport Southland. Sport Southland is asking the Southland community: "How should this fund be spent?" What is working well now in organised sport for students? What are the barriers for students to be involved in organised sport? What can be done to improve participation in organised sport? Sport Southland welcomes thoughts and ideas from parents, caregivers, students and members of the public.
Responses to jim.watson@sportsouthland.co.nz Jim Watson, Sport Southland, phone (03) 211 2150, Box 224, Invercargill

Kid’s Drawing Class at Art Supplies Southland 130 Dee Street Ph: 2181222
We would like to offer a limited number of places for a 6 week drawing course.
Children 8 to 12 years old who would like to learn and develop drawing skills are welcome.
These will commence Tuesday 10th Nov @ $80 each and all material is supplied.
Please call in or phone the number above for bookings.

Truffle Making
Important! Important! Important!
Thanks to the parents of the children who have sold so many truffles, we are going to make oodles of money for the school! But now we need people to come and help make them, please come yourself, bring anybody able to roll truffles. Dads, grandma’s, good friends, neighbours etc, it will be fun and we need to get them done!
Either Today Friday 30th from 6pm and or Saturday tomorrow morning at the Myross Bush Hall, 10 am ~ Many thanks, your school PTA


Room 3 Class Happenings

No explanations needed as these stories say it all. Mr Forde might even be out of a job.
If I were Boss of the School

If I were boss of the school we could go to McDonalds whenever we wanted. If I were boss of the school I would make Mr Forde go on rubbish duty. We would not have to do any school work and it would be fun ~ By Will

If I were boss of the school I would turn the whole school into chocolate and then the children could eat the buildings. After we had eaten the buildings I would make a swimming pool where the big hole was ~ By Ethan

If I were boss of the school I would make the builders go and get one of their cranes to pick up Splash Palace and put it on the back field. Then everyone could go to the swimming pool. At Splash Palace I would call the Oompa Loompas and I would make them turn Splash Palace into chocolate so that my friend and I could eat it ~ By Billy

23 October

Dear Parents
I often write parts of this newsletter on Thursday night as there is often no taxiing of children around and not much on TV. Last night was the exception as I was glued to the TV watching the Southland Stags historic win over Canterbury to bring the Ranfurly Shield south for the first time in 50 years. I mentioned to one of the children at school this morning, that the last time Southland had it, I wasn’t born – as you would expect, after a moments hesitation, the answer came back that yes it was a long long time ago.
Thank you to parents and children for ensuring correct uniform is being worn. Please send a note to your child’s teacher if there are any issues.
I hope the weather stays fine for everyone over Labour Weekend.

FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
Our first children’s session is today 3.00 to 3.45pm in Room One. The next session is next Friday 30 October 3.00 to 3.45pm in Room One. The children received a notice yesterday with details related to First Holy Communion day. Please see Father Vince or myself if you have any questions.

NATIONAL STANDARDS
John Keys introduces these today, as an election promise with the misguided conception that what has failed everywhere else in the world, will work here. Unfortunately it is the curse of NZ Educational Policy that if something is broken in one area, then the rest of the country has to suffer their consequences. By all means target additional funding to areas of most need, but leave everyone else. At Sacred Heart our focus has always been on literacy and numeracy, but we also believe all other curricular areas are important in developing children’s sense of personal identity. As we have yet to see the standards or receive any information about their implementation, it will be interesting to see what happens.

SCHOOL WEBSITE
My apologies to anyone who has been checking the school website for information. There is a problem with updating it at present, which our hosting service is in the process of fixing.

CONSTRUCTION ~ Could you please bring to Room 1 & 2 any empty tissue boxes, ‘gladwrap’ type rolls and ‘Pringles’ chip containers.

CONGRATULATIONS: To past pupils Bella Forde and Hannah Brown who received “Distinction” in the Australian Writing Tests recently.

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT CATECHESIM SUNDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 5.00 PM
This is an opportunity for young people of the Southland region to meet and talk to Bishop Colin. Information is on the school notice board or contact Vaughan Hook 03 4741999 ext 728, 0211855639 or vaughanh@cdd.org.nz

TOUR OF SOUTHLAND 2ND – 7TH NOVEMBER 2009
The cyclists will be passing Sacred Heart School on Wednesday 4th November @ 9.18 a.m.


PTA Notice

Truffle fundraiser
Important! Important! Important!
Please sell as many truffles this weekend as possible; this is our only fundraiser for this term. Orders to the office with money this Tuesday 27th please! Also please indicate on your form what time you are available to make truffles, Friday & or Saturday.


ROOM 2 CLASS HAPPENINGS

We have begun to look at the ‘science of change’ in Room 2. On Wednesday and Thursday we did some experiments with popcorn and sunflower seeds. First we asked our ‘before’ questions:

What size are the kernels? Little
What shape are the kernels? Like a half circle (Nick and Alex)
What colour are the kernels? White, yellow and a yellowy orange.
What do they feel like? Hard, like concrete, rocks or stones. (Seamus, Max, Alex, Emma)
What do they smell like? They don’t really have a smell
What do they taste like? Salt – or my nail! (Tyler)
How could we change the kernels? Cook them (Jasmine). Heat them up (Nick)

After we melted the butter and put the popcorn kernels in the pan, we waited for a few minutes. Then we watched them pop – it was exciting! Then, we asked the same questions for the popped corn. These were our answers:

They’re bigger in size; shaped like a flower with petals; white in colour, soft and squishy; they smell like popcorn!! They taste yummy.

Could we change the popcorn back into a kernel? No!
What else could we test? Maybe sunflower kernels?

On Thursday we followed the same steps and tested sunflower kernels. While they didn’t pop, we did notice they changed. Instead of being grey they became brown, and they tasted like peanuts!

Here is our shared story we wrote on Thursday about our popcorn experiment:

Yesterday we made popcorn in a frying pan. We cooked the kernels until they popped. They tasted delicious like salty chips.



TOUCH SOUTHLAND YEAR 5-6 TOUCH CHAMPIONSHIP,Saturday DECEMBER 12, 2009

We have parents interested in entering a mixed Year 5 & 6 team for this tournament. The entry fee is $10.00 per player.
If your child is interested, please complete the form below and send with $10 to school, before Wed October 28.
Please note we must have the minimum of ten players to enter.



TOUCH TOURNAMENT

Name_______________________________________ Room________


I give my child permission to play in the touch tournament December 12.

Signed_________________________