8 December

Dear Parents

With this being the last newsletter of the year, I wish to thank all parents and families for your support throughout the year. Whether it be as a Board or PTA member, a sports coach, parent helper or driver or even as a spectator or supporter at one of your child’s events, your being there has a huge influence on your child’s success at school.

A special thank you to Ian Harrington and the Board of Trustees for their governance of the school, and Susanne Brown and the PTA for your continued work for the children at our school.

Also a big thank you to all the staff – teaching and support for your commitment and support for our children.

To Fr. Jacob and Fr. Vince, thank you for your involvement and support as well.

We farewell Mrs Williams and wish her luck with the imminent arrival of her 2^nd child.

We look forward to her return next year in Term 3.

Congratulations to Miss Gaines, who has been accepted into Teachers College next year.

All children will bring their reports home tomorrow.

School will re-open on Tuesday 31^st January.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and Happy Christmas and New Year.

Mufti Day Tomorrow ~ All children are to come to school in mufti tomorrow and are asked to bring a gold coin donation to go towards the Missions.

Year 4/5 Trip ~ on Monday the Year 4 & 5 children will travel to Sherwood Forest to take part in an environmental project.

Year 6 Day Out ~ The Year 6 children will also be off site on Monday, taking part in some of the leavers’ activities.

Talent Quest Finals ~ We are looking forward to the talent quest finals tomorrow – good luck to all our contestants.

End of Year Mass – Tuesday 13^th Dec – 1.30 pm

School Finishes – Wednesday 14^th Dec – 12.30 pm

Art Works ~ The art work from Room 9 has been put up on the library wall. This reflects the Special Character of our school. Thank you to Mrs Lieshout and Mr Brookland for arranging this.

School books School books School books School books School books

We need all books (reading and library) returned to school now so they can be sorted before making up holiday packs for the children to take home. Please return all school books to your child's classroom as soon as possible. Thank you for your support with this.

Lost Property ~ We ask all parents to check the lost property box over the next two weeks please.

Anything not claimed will be given to the PTA for sale or donated to the Vincent De Paul.

Achievements ~ Congratulations to Samuel Thornbury for qualifying for the NZ Juniors swimming meet in Wellington after his recent success at the Southland Championships during the weekend - Medals received 1 x Gold, 2 x Silver and 2 x Bronze.

Well done to all the Sacred Heart pupils who took part in the Jazz/Hip Hop concert last Sunday afternoon. It was an excellent show.

Sports Results

S.H. under 6 soccer team played Rimu and lost. POD was Summer Smith.

S. H. Ballers lost 4 – 5. POD was Mike O'Connell.

S.H. Coolcats touch team drew. POD was Hunter Cairns.

S.H. Steamers touch team won. POD was William Reitsma-Smith

A big thank you to Sam Downing & William Clapperton for refereeing the games.

Xmas Open Home – Fundraiser ~ Would you like to be inspired by Christmas entertaining- decorating ideas. Robyn (Mike’s mum) is having an open evening tomorrow 9th Dec 6.00pm-8.30pm Venue 23 Vogel Court Invercargill Cost $1.00 for a child, $2.00 for an adult. This is a fundraising event for Meg O'Connell (past pupil) to go with James Hargest school to America in 2012. Alternatively if you would like to organize a group of friends to come at another time, please contact Robyn on 2157112 after 3.30pm to make a booking.

Many thanks ~ Robyn

PTA 2nd Hand Uniform Sale – Tomorrow @ 2.30 pm.

For Sale: Complete Girls Uniform (size 5) in excellent condition – contact Kirsty 2157025.

Complete boys Sacred Heart uniform $25 the lot. Plus Verdon vest & Sports top

$30 – Phone Trish 215-8292.

Lost: 1 Black Kathmandu Jacket – named Aleck Ricamor

1 School Jersey – named Jake M.

Altar Servers

Saturday 10^th December 7.00pm Patrice Brookland

Sunday 11^th December 10.30am Caitlin & Sam Russell

Children’s Liturgy Megan Roulston

Why Jesus is better than Santa Claus
Santa lives at the North Pole ...
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh ...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year ...
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks,
and then enters your heart when invited.
You have to wait in line to see Santa ...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap ...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is
"Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?" ...
JESUS knew our name before we were born...
Not only does He know our name,
He knows our address too.
He knows our history and future and
He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry" ...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys ...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts,
repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but ...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree....
The cross.

Class Happenings – Room 9

Friends First Day ~ My highlight was my first day at Sacred Heart School. Everyone made me feel welcome and I made heaps of friends. I enjoyed my friends and I hope they enjoyed me.

Mrs Lieshout taught me lots and I enjoyed having her as a teacher and I hope she enjoyed having me as her student. So from what I have said altogether it all equals up to one thing. Sacred Heart Rocks!! ~ Brody

Teachers ~ I have loved being at Sacred Heart School because of all the nice teachers who taught us to read, write and do maths, art, etc. I loved the Productions and how we learnt how to act. I loved being in Room 9 and going on camp because we had so much fun. Thank you to all the teachers who taught us ~ Hayley

First Day ~ ‘My highlight was my first day at Sacred Heart School because I was so nervous but I got over it. It has been a pleasure being part of Sacred Heart School ~ Tom

Friends ~ ‘My highlight at Sacred Heart School is ….. meeting new people and having such great friends and teachers to support my learning. The wonderful journeys and great times here at Sacred Heart. I will miss you guys ~ Patrice

Camp ~ My highlight was going on camp because of the whole experience. Going with the class and all the parents was super fun! I would also like to thank Mrs Lieshout for being an awesome teacher and Mr Forde for being an awesome principal! ~ Georgia

Camp ~ My highlight this year was camp because it was the first time I had ever caught a fish. I caught a Scarpee! It was also when I saw huge and scary Mollymawks. It was the best camp ever ~ Renee B

Camp/ friends / Teachers… Sacred Heart School has been a great place for new opportunities and great education. I have loved doing the Productions and going to Stewart Island. I have also loved having great friends who are always there for you and of course the best teachers and Principal ever ~ Bree

Teachers ~ My highlights for Sacred Heart

My highlight is about the teachers who have helped me along the way.

Miss O’Neill: For being there when I needed it

Mrs Stupples: For arranging those awesome Productions

Miss Sweeny: For always having a wonderful smile

Mrs William: For helping us being prepared for the new day

Mrs Buxton: For help us to stay in the right uniform

Mrs Winders: For being very arty and for creating wonderful pieces of art

Mrs T.K: For organising all of the sports we do

Mrs Lieshout: For helping us to be prepared for High School, and also for not giving up on us

Mrs Ingham: For helping us with subjects we needed help with

Mrs Rance: For sorting out the books in Library

Mr Forde: For accepting us into this school and helping us get to where we are now.

Thanks to all of the parents that have been supporting us along the way.

Renee C

First Start ~ When I first started here at Sacred Heart school the first thing I noticed was the great teachers who gave great feedback to help me shape my education. Then there are my great friends who were always there for me whether I was sad or hurt you would always make me laugh! It has been a fun and exciting adventure. And finally for Mrs Lieshout for giving us a great camp and without a doubt the best year ever ~ Charlotte

Thank you Mrs Lieshout for the best camp EVER!!! We got to do everything and thank you for organising our reports for Secondary School. Thanks also to all the teachers who have let me have the best six years of my life ~ Ben S

My highlight at Sacred Heart at School was… seeing my friends, having fun and making my First Communion ~ Kyle