28 June

Dear Parents

This has been an interesting week . Mrs Lieshout and I have been in Christchurch at a Ministry run seminar on Maths. Unfortunately this coincided with the weather bomb that hit Invercargill yesterday and meant all our flights were cancelled and we had to stay an extra night. This is the second Ministry contract we have been offered and we will begin these programmes next term. The aim is to raise the achievement of a small group of children in Maths and Writing at the same time as creating a programme that is sustainable and useful for all children.

A big thanks to all the children for their excellent participation at last week’s Sacred Heart Day Mass. Also thanks to Fr Jacob and well done to Mrs Winders for organising her first Mass as our new Director of Religious Education.

The children also had a great time with the house design competition and congratulations to Marist House who won the fashion parade. The winning house team this term is Harrington, they will have a treat tomorrow.

Also thanks to the PTA who provided the sausages and the parents who cooked them.

With this being the last newsletter of the Term, I wish to take the opportunity to thank all the parents and caregivers who have transported, coached or helped in any way with events this term. We really do appreciate this support.

We have had an increasing number of children absent with illnesses in the last couple of weeks. Even though the weather may be rather inclement for the next 2 weeks, time away usually breaks the cycle of repeated illnesses and bugs.

We look forward to Term 3, with some of the upcoming events being a school Olympic Day, Gymnastics Festival and Choral Festival.

Welcome to Harris Page who joined the children in Room 2 on Tuesday. We hope he enjoys his time at Sacred Heart.

A big thanks to Mrs Russell and Mrs McKenzie who have filled in superbly in Room 1 for the last couple of weeks. We thank you for this and look forward to Mrs Williams in Room 1 next term.

We farewell Mrs Cournane, who has been working with the children in Room 2. We thank her for her input and wish her all the best in the future.

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

FAITH REWARDED: Mark neatly entwines two stories about healing. The main story is about Jairus and his daughter, but nestling inside we find another. The two stories share a number of similarities; Jairus and the woman show great faith in Jesus and they are both desperate. Jesus responds with compassion. Both the woman and Jairus’ daughter are healed.

Jairus was an official of the local synagogue, yet in front of everyone he throws himself at Jesus’ feet to beg him to heal his daughter. This is the act of a desperate father who out of love for his daughter is prepared to throw all pride and caution to the wind and cast himself on Jesus’ mercy. Jairus’ faith is later tested because while they are going to his daughter news reaches him that she has died. Others urge him to give up but Jesus encourages him ‘Don’t be afraid, only believe.’

The woman has suffered from severe bleeding for twelve years. She has seen many doctors but got worse rather than better. Jesus is her last hope. But surely he won’t lay his hand on her because she is ‘unclean’ according to the religious law. So if she can just touch him, when no one else notices, she can be healed.

MEDITATION: How did Jairus and the woman show their faith in Jesus? Jairus turned to Jesus on behalf of his daughter. The woman expressed her faith through her actions rather than words. Consider what lessons we can learn about faith from these two stories. Jairus was tempted by others to give up. What helped him to continue putting his faith in Jesus? What challenging issues have tried your faith and do you still trust Jesus?

PRAYER: Use the words of Psalm 30 to thank God for the healing he has brought to your life – spiritual, emotional and physical. Consider whether, like Jairus, you can seek help from Jesus on behalf of someone you care for.

Verdon College Preference Certificates for 2013

I would like to encourage all those parents of students intending to join the Verdon family next year to ensure that they approach their parish priest to complete preference certificates required for enrolment to the College. Once completed, these can be submitted to the College prior to the enrolment process which begins next term. It is important to get preference certificates completed early to avoid disappointment. During the first week of Term 3 - Year 6 students will receive an enrolment pack.

Kind regards ~ Jarlath Kelly ~ Principal

PTA School Fair ~ Our next meeting is on Monday the 16th July, 7.30pm at school - mark your calendar now if you'd like to come along.

Altar Servers

Saturday 30^th June 7.00 pm Sam & Nathan Russell

Sunday 1^st July 10.30 am Georgea Newell & Claire Kinney

Children’s Liturgy Amanda Smith

Pita Pit Promotion

Congratulations to Zane Flawn who won 2 tickets to the Southern Steel vs. Melbourne Vixens Netball game this Saturday, compliments of Pita Pit.

Table Tennis

Any children interested in playing Table Tennis next term on a Wednesday 4 – 5 pm, starting 25^th July, please see Mrs T.K. tomorrow.

Toolbox Parenting Groups,
Starting mid to late July, Toolbox Parenting Groups in all ages - Early Years, Middle Years and Tweens and Teens. $67.50 single, $90 couple BUT subsidies are easily available on request. Courses are FREE to Grandparents raising grandchildren, Foster carers, Whanau caregivers, Home for Life parents and Adopters. Contact Suzanne: Ph: 2166007.

Gardener Wanted

A gardener is required to clean up a section in Waikiwi. If your child wants to earn some pocket money over the holidays, please txt/ring 0210339909.

Achievements- Congratulations to:

Greta Jones who passed her first Karate grading and is now a Yellow Belt.

Aubrey Page received Player the Day for his ‘Thistle Legends’ Soccer team.

Room 3 Class Happenings

This term Rooms 1, 2, 3 and 5 were lucky enough to take part in the ‘Move Mprove’ gymnastics programme. We learnt how to correctly complete a forward roll, as well as jumping, landing, balancing and strengthening skills. One of the other important skills we learnt was to persevere, and keep trying. As the weeks progressed we all improved and we have become a lot more confident. The smiles on our faces at the end of each session showed how much we enjoyed the activities. A big thank you to our instructors who made this experience fun. Below are a few photos showing the things we did.

Last Friday was our Sacred Heart Feast Day Mass. Well done to Brooke, Jade, Robbie and Ryan for their readings during the Offertory. After play we got together with the other children in our houses to design newspaper creations for a catwalk that were judged by Mr Forde in the hall. We made a big mess but had lots of fun!!!!!

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY