17 May

Dear Parents

As I mentioned last week Mrs Stupples and I were at a technology expo on Tuesday. The focus was on what may happen or what will have to happen when the Ultra-fast Broadband Service is rolled out into all schools. In our circumstances we have adequate internal wiring from our server cabinet but will need upgraded fibre from the road to the cabinet and a new wireless system. There is also the issue, with increased usage at an increased price. A lot of the presenters were promoting their company’s abilities and expertise in assisting schools with this.

Earlier this year I predicted that because we were a smallish high decile, integrated school, we would have no chance of securing any Ministry provided Professional Development. I was wrong – a couple of weeks ago, I was asked by a Ministry official to apply for a place in the Alls – aimed at working with targeted children in the area of reading and writing. To that end Mrs Buxton and I will be attending the initial setup next Monday and Tuesday in Wellington. I will report back next week on the outcome of the meeting.

You may have seen the pre-budget announcement that class ratios will rise as part of cost savings measures by the government. This will have an effect on your children in regards to our school staffing entitlement. In next week’s newsletter, I will outline some of the pro’s and con’s of this announcement.

Welcome to Keira Roderique and Fabian O’Donnell who have both joined the children in Room 1.

We hope they enjoy their time at Sacred Heart.

*REFLECTION ON TODAY’S GOSPEL READING (From Lectio Divina)

SUPREME LORD

We can consider today’s text in two parts. In verses 14-18 Jesus gives his disciples their final instructions before returning to heaven. Each of the four gospel writers end their gospels with a strong call to action. Jesus’ mission on earth isn’t over, far from it – in fact it’s about to go global. This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter of God’s plan of salvation. Jesus’ commission to the disciples is nothing less than ‘Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to the whole human race’ (verse 15).

Peoples’ response to the gospel has eternal consequences. Those who believe the message will be saved, those who don’t will be condemned. Jesus’ proclamation of the gospel came not on with words but also with signs – healing the sick, demonic deliverance and miracles. Jesus clearly expects believers to minister the gospel in the same way. Earlier in his gospel Mark reported how the twelve disciples went out preaching, healing the sick and casting out demons. (Mark 6:7-13). Luke recalls an occasion with a larger group in Luke 10:1-12, 17-20. The disciples come back ecstatic ‘even the demons obeyed us’ (v 17). Jesus reminds them to keep their focus on what is really important ‘rather be glad because your names are written in heaven (v20). The apostle Paul tells the Corinthians ‘…my teaching and message were not delivered with skillful words of human wisdom but with convincing proof of the power of God’s Spirit’ (1 Cor 2:4). We can only be effective witnesses to the gospel if we let God’s Holy Spirit empower us (Acts 1:8).

Todays Tip - Persistence At school, we focus a lot on the Habit of Mind that is Persistence.  We can’t control how quickly or easily we learn things, but we can be taught to keep trying and not give up.  As they say, success is 2% inspiration and 98% perspiration. ·       Coach with comments when your child is working hard, concentrating, being calm, staying patient when doing an activity. ·       Describe your child’s persistence with a frustrating activity by trying again, sticking with it, thinking of a new way to do it, staying focused. ·       Comment and praise your child for listening to peers or adults. ·       Encourage your child to discover, explore, experiment and provide support when mistakes are made. ·       Try not to give too much help; encourage your child’s problem solving. ·       Use patience! More information can be found at http://www.incredibleyears.com

Hi-glo Visibility Vest Yes I would love my child/ren to receive a vest compliments of the PTA. Name:   ……………………………… Room:   ……………………………… Size:     ………………………………

The second part of the text, verses 19-20, speaks about Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Mark only gives us the briefest of details but nonetheless they are highly significant. He tells us that Jesus is seated ‘at the right side of God’ in heaven. This is the place of highest honour and supreme power.  Having completed his mission on earth, Jesus returns to his rightful place with God the Father in heaven. Paul sums up this position well in Ephesians 1:20-2: ‘…when he raised Christ from death and seated him at his right side in the heavenly world. Christ rules there above all heavenly rulers, authorities, powers and lords; he has a title superior to all titles of authority in this world and in the next. God put all things under Christ’s feet and gave him to the church as supreme Lord over all things’.

MEDITATION: Meditate on Jesus as supreme Lord seated at the right hand of God in heaven. How do you respond to Jesus’ call to share the gospel of others? What has been your experience of sharing your faith? Consider your priorities. Is your life focused on God’s kingdom or on earthly concerns.

PRAYER: Take time to give Jesus the worship he deserves as supreme Lord. Let this build your faith as you pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the power to be a witness to the gospel.

To The Principal and Staff

I write this letter in appreciation for your generous support of 300 NZ dollars, for the education of my niece’s children. I thank you on behalf of my niece and her children for your beautiful gesture of generosity in times of their real need. They were very happy when they received the money and are making use of it only for their study purpose.

Sincerely ~ Fr. Jacob

Netball Yr 3 & 4 – We urgently require two more girls to play Netball in the Yr 3 & 4 team, so a third team can be entered. If your child would like to play, please see Mrs T.K. on Monday.

Cross County

This will be next Wednesday 23^rd – 1.30 pm start. All children are to come to school in their sports gear with their house colour top on.

Hi-glo Visibility Vests

The PTA are donating each child who walks, bikes, buses or scoots to school a hi-glo visibility vest. If your child would like to receive one of these, please fill in the slip below and return it to school by Thursday 31^st May.

No Otatara Bus – Wed 23^rd May & Fri 1^st June

The Otatara bus will not be running on Wed 23^rd May & Friday 1^st June.

Parents will need to make alternate arrangements for their children.

Wool Request – Room 6 need any spare balls of wool asap to make their poi. Thank you

Ski Trip

We plan to offer another ski trip, in early September, to the Year 5/6 students.

There will be 36 spaces and the price will be just over $100 for a child to ski and also including the bus, lift pass and rentals. Confirmation of the seat will be based on a first in first served system (when payment is made).

School Donation

The school donations are now due. These have been set the same as last year and we would appreciate these being paid at the office at your earliest convenience.

Activity Fee:                             1 child = $70                              2 x children = $100

Compulsory Books:              Rooms 1 & 2 = $15                                     Room 3 – 9 = $30

Altar Servers

Saturday 19^th May   7.00 pm                     Isabella & Mackenzie Wild

Sunday 20^th May     10.30 am                                     Cameron Roulston & Jacob Sullivan

Children’s Liturgy                                       Megan Roulston    

Mix up with Shoes (Rooms 1 & 2)

We would like to thank the PTA for helping us buy games for our classroom.  It is great for us to have these games to play on wet days when we need to be inside at playtime. We are training for the cross country which will be held next Wednesday.

Please check if your child is wearing the correct pair of shoes. We are looking for a pair of McKinlay’s, size 10 missing from Room 2.

Achievements

Congratulations to Hunter Cairns who received ‘Player of the Day’ for the Marist Under 8 rugby team last Saturday.

Congratulations to Georgea Newell who completed her 800m in 18 minutes at Waverley Swimming Club on Monday night.

At the Dunedin Dancing Competitions at weekend, Breyah Takitimu won the 8 and 9 yrs

Barefoot, Jazz and National Character, Received a 2nd in Ballet and 3rd in Demi.

Danye Takitimu got 3rd in the 9yrs and under Ballet Novice and 2nd in her Ballet age group. 

In Literacy, the Room 6 children are working on “Making Predictions” as we read.  We have found out, that as we read, our prediction will often change. The strategy “Using Prior Knowledge” that we learnt last term is also helpful when making predictions.

On Thursday, for 6 weeks this term, the Year 4 students are working with Sport Southland, on bike safety.  They have been shown how to ride in a straight line through cones, weave in and out a series of cones and use pedal taps to control their speed.  Last week, Brooklyn McLeod won the competition for being the person to control her bike the best.  Well done Brooklyn.

We are enjoying the Holy Spirit Strand and are thinking about ways we can show the Fruits of the Holy Spirit in our interactions with others.