6 September

Dear Parents

It looked for a couple of days that winter had finally arrived. It is good to see things have reverted to normal for tonight’s Southland Stags game against Otago. I do know that a number of staff members and parents who rely on rain water will have been pleased.

Well done to the children from Room 9 who exhibited at the Science Fair this week. I am thrilled that 10 of our pupils received prizes: Alex Armstrong, Callum O’Connor, Finley McMurdo, Harry Oosterbroek, Cameron Roulston, Emma Harrington, Hannah Dawson, Jake Maxwell, Kayne McCann and Mathew Brooks.

Congratulations to Liam, Matthew and Braedyn Francis who received the Sacrament of Confirmation last night.

Welcome to Fiah Adams and Rewi Schiller who started in Room 2 this week. We hope they enjoy their time at Sacred Heart School.

Reminders for tomorrow and next week:

Friday 7^th - Book Dress Up Day

Friday 7^th - Waterpolo / Flipperball starts again

Sunday 9^th - School Mass

Wednesday 12^th - School Photos

Thursday 13^th - Culture Celebration Day

Friday 14^th - Ski Trip

School Mass – This Sunday, September 9. I look forward to seeing all the children at Mass on Sunday. Please be in your school uniform and meet in the school foyer at 10.15 am.

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

HEALING TOUCH: Jesus solved two problems for this man when he healed him. The man who could not hear or speak was set free to do both. So a man who lived in a totally silent, isolated world, could now participate fully in his community. His log jam of silence was blow apart from Jesus commanding him to ‘open up’. Mark uses the Aramaic word Jesus spoke to give the healing. But it wasn’t the choice of a language or a word that enabled the miracle to take place. Iit was Jesus’ divine healing power. The evangelists make it plain Jesus does not perform miracles by rite, magic or demonic power, but solely by the power of God. God’s power at work in Jesus makes healing, forgiveness and deliverance a reality.

Mark is the only gospel writer to record this healing of someone who was both deaf and dumb. It is not clear where this miracle took place but, given the region Jesus was traveling through, it impossible the man was not a Jew. Jesus healed him just the same because the people who interceded for him showed faith. He and his divine power are there to serve and save all men irrespective of nationality or cultural background. The people are thrilled. They can’t contain their joy or approval and they tell everyone about the miracle, despite Jesus’ orders!

MEDITATION: What do you think the man thought as Jesus prepared to heal him? Why do you think Jesus took the man away from the crowd? Why did Jesus direct the man’s friends not to speak about this miracle? What are the outcomes of this miracle?

PRAYER: Read Psalm 146 – it is a beautiful prayer extolling God’s promises and faithfulness. It is full of help and expectation listing miracle after miracle.

Do you know how beautiful and precious you are in God’s sight?

Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women National team are delighted to invite all women to a special retreat weekend with international speaker Elissa Macpherson and local speaker Diana Ingle. Theme “Lavish Gifts, Extravagant Love!” 5-7 October Villa Maria College Christchurch. On line registration available at www.dove.org.nz or pick up a registration form from your church foyer. Further enquiries contact Judith 03 358 4754 email jmosullivan@clear.net.nz

Convent Cup

Children from Rooms 8, 9 (and some of Room 7) will be representing the school at the Convent Cup sports competition at Verdon on Tuesday 26^th September.

We have 2 boys rugby teams (1 x Yr 5 & 1 x Yr 6). Do we have any parents who could help coach these 2 teams, and supervise on the day? I am away the week before the tournament and run the soccer games so don’t get the chance to see any games. Please contact me if you can help with this. Also if any parents have access to a set of club rugby jerseys, can you please contact me?

‘School Parade @ 9.05 am Tomorrow’

International Literacy Day Book Character Dress Up Day 7 September 2012

To raise awareness with our children of how fortunate we are to have access to education, we will talk about and dress up as our favourite book character. The children may come to school dressed as their favourite character and talk about their book with others on Friday, 7 September 2012.

September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO on November 17, 1965. It was first celebrated in 1966. Its aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally. Celebrations take place around the world.

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

In helping to support your local NZEI Te Riu Roa, please visit www.standupforkids.org.nz which is aimed at parents. These events’ highlight the excellent public education our kids receive. 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.

FAIR Reminder Mystery Bottles are being collected NOW 3^rd – 14^th September

We ask each family to please send in a bottle during this time - this can be any sealed bottle eg wine, sauce, cleaner, juice?? We wrap each bottle and on the day of the fair people will either be bidding or taking tickets on an unknown bottle! Please leave your bottles in the bin outside the office over this period. Thanks very much to those who have already left donated bottles.

Altar Servers

Sunday 9^th September 10.30 am Charlotte Sherriff & Bridie Kinney

Lost Jersey – Size 4 with the name Jack Smith.

Achievements

Corbyn Shuttleworth won his first ever race on Sunday, he actually ended up winning 2 races to finish second overall in the Kartsport Southland Grand Prix.

'Makarewa Aquatics’

Please visit www.MakarewaAquatics.co.nz if you are interested in ‘Learn to Swim’ classes.

Room 1 Class Happenings

Buddy Reading ~ Every Monday afternoon Room 1 and Room 9 buddy up to share their learning experiences. During this time the children read to a Room 9 child – called their ‘BUDDY’, they count and practice sounds, sight words and spelling. The children are very excited to see their buddies and are always keen to share their learning for the week. Below are some photos of us hard at work.

Art – Construction ~ This term our focus for art is construction. On Fridays we worked with Room 2 to make our own gold medal, just like our awesome Olympic team. We had to do lots of layers of paper to make the effect of an extra heavy medal.

Writing ~ In writing this term we have been focusing on feelings and our favourite word BECAUSE. Below are a few examples of our great writing.

On Father’s Day when the kids were playing puppies we gave Dad a hose reel in a box. We got to play with the box. I put the box on my bed and when I tried to hop out of the box it tipped over and I hurt my head and I had to go to A&E. I felt brave because it tickled. By Sam

Today at morning teatime I fell over on the concrete and I hurt myself on my arm and my leg. I felt sad because I could not run. By Jacob

Sarah Phillipson, Tanesha Tagomoa-Kaa and Maiya Tagomoa-Kaa

at their Baptism last Thursday.