23 August

Dear Parents

Lunch time Trial ~ I intend to continue the lunch time changes for the remainder of the term. Thank you to the parents who have contacted me with feedback on this.

A lot of the findings from the trial are related to the amount of wasted or thrown away food that has occurred, especially at the play interval.

An advantage is that we can observe what children do and don’t eat, and probably of more interest how they eat. Every day we get some feedback for teachers or children about the changes and I will highlight some of these over the next couple of weeks. They are by no means set guidelines rather observations that may help cut food waste and costs.

A lot of Year 1 – 4 children have food in too big a portions – massive sandwiches or buns, whole apples etc. these could be cut in half or quartered, so they can have 2 options rather than throwing away half eaten sandwiches and fruit.

A lot of children are grazing i.e. they find it hard to sit and eat especially at play interval. Most of the issues relate to children taking up to 5 – 10 minutes to come in with the food and start eating.

Farewell – we farewell Phoebe and Jack Roskilly finally to Auckland and hope they enjoy their new adventure.

There are a number of upcoming events for your attention:

PTA Fair Meeting - 27^th August

Junior Maths Information Meeting - 29^th August 7.00pm in the Library

Book Character Dress Up Day - 7^th September

School Photos - 12^th September

Inquiry Culture Day - 13^th September

Ski Trip - 14^th September

Convent Cup Sports Day - 24^th September

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

WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE

We continue to look at the important teaching of Jesus being the ‘bread of life’. Many of his followers had now reached a crisis point. They found his teaching impossible to accept and left. Jesus is not taken by surprise by this mass defection. He remains in complete control; he knew all along who would leave him. He repeats the point from John 6:44 that the Father has to be involved in our relationship with Jesus.

Jesus challenged the twelve disciples to choose; stay with me and believe, or go. They stayed. Peter’s response to Jesus is worth repeating, often. His two short sentences sum up faith. But they don’t reveal how Peter dealt with his own inner challenges to make this commitment to Jesus. Peter must have decided to be Jesus’ disciple no matter what. Nothing will make him turn away now. Jesus does reveal we can’t follow him in our own strength – the Holy Spirit is essential (verse 63).

Being or becoming Jesus’ disciple is more than a human decision. All the Trinity are involved. The Father ‘draws’ and ‘makes it possible for us’ to follow Jesus. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus, helps us understand God’s Word and gives us the power to live the Christian life. Through faith in the Son, Jesus, we receive forgiveness and eternal life. Miss out on any part and we’ll never be able to stay the course – Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all essential.

MEDITATION: Which part of Jesus’ teaching do you find difficult to accept or do? Have you ever been tempted to quit being a Christian and give up? What stopped you? Has Peter’s response ever been on your lips? Think about the work of the Trinity in bringing you to faith and sustaining your faith. What is your response to this?

PRAYER: This week prayerfully make a list of the ‘goodness of God’ you personally have ‘tasted’ and compare this with a list of the difficult or puzzling things in your life of faith. Use this to give thanks for what you have in God, and ask his help with everything you are struggling with.

PTA ~ Fair Meeting – Monday 27^th August 7.30 pm

Thanks to those who have advised they can (or can't) attend this Monday's meeting. We do however need to have the support and attendance of all those who volunteered initially and we'd be more than happy to also see any new faces of parents willing to help and support this significant fundraiser. For those who haven't already been advised, a quick text to confirm your attendance (to Susanne Brown 0212602243) would be very much appreciated.

Uniform

Thank you for the support you give your children in the wearing of correct school uniform.

Here are a few reminders:

1. Sport shoes must only be worn with sports uniform.

2. School shoes are to be worn with school uniform.

3. Name all items of clothing.

4. Hair is to be tied up with correct hair ties. No fancy headbands required.

There are a number of children wearing shoes that are more suited for wearing after school and on the weekends. Please encourage your child to wear the correct shoes.

As always, we are well aware of the fact that children grow out of shoes, lose a piece of clothing etc., so please continue to notify the class teacher if correct uniform cannot be worn and give some idea of the length of time this will be the case. Check the lost property box in the Junior corridor if

something is missing. Thank you.

World Literacy Day ~ 8 September 2012

To join in this celebration we are going to have a book character day on Friday, 7 September. The children may come to school dressed as their favourite book character. More information to come.

Facebook/Twitter Text Feeds

For a while now I have been aware that an increasing number of parents are using our Facebook page for school information in preference to the website and paper newsletter.

A recent seminar that office staff and management attended reinforced this and provided a couple of new ideas regarding easier ways to communicate with parents. The seminar was run by a Christchurch principal and this system was used when the school server was damaged in the earthquake. To follow our Facebook page – go to: wwwfacebook.com/sacredheartwaikiwi

To have updates texted to your mobile, simply text 8987 with “follow (space) shsch435”

Maths Parents Meeting – Years 1-3

A reminder about the Maths information meeting for parents in the library on the 29^th August at 7pm. The meeting will cover how Mathematics is taught in the junior school and give details about the new basic facts programme implemented in Term 2. Ideas will also be given about things that can be done at home to further a child’s learning of Mathematics.

Please let Christine know if you will be attending.

School Jubilee 2 – 4 November 2012

Registrations are welcomed at shsjubilee@xtra.co.nz

Have a look at our facebook: www.facebook.com/SacredHeartSchoolWaikiwi50thJubilee

Southland Olympians Ticker Tape Parade – Today 4pm. Starting at Leet Street

Stand Up For Kids - Protect Our Schools: Talking to the Community

In helping to support your local NZEI Te Riu Roa events’ which highlight the excellent public education our kids receive, please visit which is aimed at parents. You can do the community survey online, get brief information about each issue and take action yourselves. Local events are also listed. Help protect our schools.

Altar Servers

Saturday 25^th August 7.00 pm Sam & Nathan Russell

Sunday 26^th August 10.30 am Charlotte Sherriff & Piper Adams

Children’s Liturgy Trish Sherriff

GUITAR LESSONS

Maya Music is now taking bookings (03) 9730430. Fabulous learning environment for all ages.

Achievements

Waikiwi Rugby Club Prizegiving last Saturday ~ Congratulations to:

Tyler Pool - Under 7 ‘Player of the Year’.

Ben Dawson - Under 7 ‘Most Improved Player’.

Jack Smith - Under 7 Sportsmanship Award.

Devan Fiebig - Under 9 ‘Player of the Year’.

Jakobe Paraki - Under 9 ‘Player of the Year’.

Room 8 Class Happenings

In Room 8 for art we did some fantail art with Mrs Rutledge. First we painted our green background with texture. 2 weeks later we drew our fantails without their tails and we also used paint to paint the birds. The week after that we finished our birds by sticking them onto the green background. We had to choose some fabric to use for the tails, we had to stick the tails on first or else the birds won’t stay. Then we stuck them on to the black piece of paper. We stuck some yellow pieces of paper on each end of the picture. And they were finished!

Last Friday we had 2 year 12 girls from James Hargest College to teach us some hip hop moves. Tomorrow we will be having another practice. Their names are Kristy and Ella. We are doing our dance moves to the song ‘Moves like Jagger’. We haven’t finished our dance but by the actions.

We think it is pretty Awesome!

We have also been doing persuasive writing. We had to make a poster to try and sell one of our favourite toys or movie. We had to persuade the reader to buy our product. Charlotte did a poster about a candle that was off the prayer table. Caitlin completed her poster about her favourite chocolate, dream. We have made the posters and writing into a file. They are pretty cool.

You should come and have a look in Room 8!!!!

Yesterday was Mrs Rutledge’s last day in Room 8. We wish her all the best with her new baby. J

Charlotte and Caitlin

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Basketball

I give permission for __________________________ to play basketball in Term 4

Year: _______ ___________________

Signed: ___________________________