26 April

Dear Parents

Welcome back to Term 2 at Sacred Heart. We look forward to another busy term and hope this spell of fine weather continues.

Welcome to Pauline Mitchell who is teaching in Room 1 this term. And also the 4 students Renei Kawe-Small & Megan Grace (Rm 7) and Victoria Sheehy & Miles Pask (Rm 3), who are with us for 2 weeks. We hope they enjoy their time at our school.

Welcome to Jacob Boniface, Charlie Baynes & Jack Smith who joined the new entrant classes on Monday.

Congratulations to the Matiu-Watson family on the arrival of Noah.
A beautiful brother for Khyla and Emma.


*REFLECTION ON TODAY’S GOSPEL READING (From Lectio Devina)
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
The imagery of the shepherd was a familiar one in Jewish culture. Political as well as religious leaders were often called ‘shepherds’ (see Ezekiel 34) and the metaphor is applied to the Lord himself in the well-loved words of Psalm 23.
The importance of being a leader for the sheep tended to be emphasised in Old Testament texts. John, by contrast, focuses on the deep relationship between the shepherd and his sheep. Jesus therefore transforms a well-known metaphor to highlight that he is more than a leader of his disciples. His sheep recognise his voice and follow him. The shepherd’s knowledge of his sheep is as named individuals and he knows their needs.
One important difference between Psalm 23 and John 10 is that in John’s gospel, Jesus speaks of himself as the shepherd. In Psalm 23 the poet King David applies the metaphor prophetically to the Lord, ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.’
Jesus and the psalmist agree about the nature of the shepherd Lord. Jesus adds that he will give his own life on behalf of his sheep. He will satisfy all the spiritual needs of his faithful ones. All they need to do is hear his voice and follow wherever he leads.
Jesus, the good shepherd, includes the sheep that are not yet part of his flock. They too are included in the promise he is making. In verse 18 Jesus makes it very clear that he chooses to give his life up. The Roman and Jewish authorities thought they were in control but it was Jesus who was in absolute control – even on the cross.
MEDITATION: How does Jesus distinguish himself from the shepherds who are not ‘good’? How does the good shepherd provide security for his sheep? Who is Jesus thinking of when he speaks of the wolves from whom he will defend his sheep (see also Matthew 15:16)? How would Jesus ultimately defend his sheep?
PRAYER: The clatter of thoughts in our heads can drown out the quiet voice of God. Ask Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit to help you recognise his voice when he speaks to you. Thank him for the opportunity to soak ourselves in his words in the Bible so we can recognise the way he speaks. Thank him too for being the cornerstone of the church and of our lives as Christians.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME
In 2013 Sacred Heart School/Parish will be preparing children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist. Children who would normally have been prepared for First Reconciliation this year will be part of the group next year.

Special Character Review
Next week we will be visited by reviewers looking at aspects of our Religious Education
and Programme and the schools Special Character.

Enrolments
If you have a pre-schooler or know of someone who is intending to enrol at Sacred Heart, could you please let me know.




Learn to Bike/moveMprove Programme
The Learn to Bike programme is for Year 4 children and will begin next Thursday. A note will be sent home with more information.
The moveMprove Programme is for Year 1 & 2 and begins next Friday.

Term Events
3/5 Learn to Bike
4/5 MoveMprove Gym Programme for the juniors (runs for 8wks).
6/6 Zone Cross Country
10/6 Aerobics
15/6 Southland Cross Country
23/6 Sacred Heart Day

Scholastic Bookclub - Offer 3 will close on Friday 4th May.

Sports/Polyfest
Due to lack of numbers there will be no Rippa Rugby or Hockey this term. We have contacted the organisers to see if there are spaces in existing teams and will let you know.
Notices for Netball will be sent out next week.
If your child would like to join the Polyfest group, please let Mrs T-K know ASAP as practices will start within the next couple of weeks.

Altar Servers
Saturday 28th April 7.00 pm Reuben & Caleb Brown
Sunday 29th April 10.30 am Charlotte Sherriff & Caleb Wolf
Children’s Liturgy Jackie Taylor

Achievements
During the school holidays Jake Meikle from Room 9, travelled to Timaru for the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships. He raced in 6 races in the 8-10's 85cc class over 3 days. Jake is now ranked 6th in New Zealand and will display the number 6 on his bike for the next 12 months.

Toolbox Parenting Course (6 weeks)
Dates: May 14, 21, 28, June 11, 18, 25 @ Eastside Baptist Church, Yarrow Street 9.30 – 11.30pm. Cost $67.50 per person $90 per couple BUT subsidies are easily available on request. We can offer Toolbox to all Grandparents raising grandchildren, Foster Carers, Whanau Caregivers, Home for Life Parents and Adopters FREE. Please ring or email the contact below to make a booking. Gerard McCall 0211944922 or Suzanne Knowler Ph: 03 2166007 Email: Gerard.McCall@theparentingplace.com

Girl Guiding NZ Southland
Southland region is offering girls aged 5 – 18 the chance to come along and experience fun activities in a safe environment for free. Come for 2 nights to sample some of the fun that guiding has to offer during the month of May. Enquiries to Suzanne (03) 2348229.

AFS Hosting Opportunities
Would you like to experience a new country and a new culture without leaving home? AFS have students arriving in New Zealand in July for an 8 week exchange who are in need of host families. Have you ever thought of hosting an exchange student?
Volunteer hosting is a great way to share Kiwi life with a teenager who wants to experience it the way we do and the 8 week exchange is a great way to see if hosting’s for you – maybe whet your appetite for a full year experience.
If you have room for one more in your family, contact Malcolm 03-9470127 for further information.


Room 2 Class Happenings

We are learning about adding and subtracting/take away. We have learned that 'add' means that there will be more at the end, and 'taking away' means that there will be less. We practised using this language while building a train set. The children were asked to either add or take away a piece of train track. You can use anything to help work out adding and take away problems. We have used fingers, counters, children, toys and drawn dots.







WINTER UNIFORM ~ TERMS 2 & 3
Winter Girls
Pinafore
White long sleeved button to neck blouse
White skivvy
Red Tie (optional)
Blue V neck jersey
Navy blue or white socks/Navy blue tights
Tan, brown, navy or black shoes
Winter Boys
Winter weight grey shorts
Long sleeved button to neck grey shirt
Red Tie (optional)
Blue V neck jersey
Grey knee high socks
Tan, brown, navy or black shoes

Thank you for the support you give the children in wearing the correct uniform.
In this way we develop a pride in our appearance and in so doing a pride in our school.