13 September

Dear Parents

As you read this I will hopefully be getting ready to travel down the road from the Remarkables Ski field after an enjoyable school ski trip. All reports are for excellent skiing conditions.

This will have followed on from the excellent Culture day yesterday. The children had a great time throughout the day culminating in the drumming exhibition from Mr Tagomoa and his team from Aurora College, then our own concert.

A huge thanks to all the staff for your organisation and to the parents for all the food and support.

Next week I will be at the Australia – New Zealand Principal’s Conference in Melbourne.

Every 5 years there is a shared conference between the 2 countries. While I can be contacted by email – Mrs Buxton is acting principal in my absence.

Good luck to the children taking part in the Sing Out Choral festival next week.

I will be sorry to miss it.

Also a few reminders:

• Please get the Touch notices in to the office by Thursday.
• Any children wanting to enter the Squash Whack n Run competition for Term 4, please see Mrs Forbes.
• Mini-ball starts next week, please take note of the draw up on the junior & senior noticeboards.
• Convent Cup – Tuesday 25^th September.

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

 Catholic Bishops Conference 2012).

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Wild rumours are flying around about Jesus’ real identity. He asks the disciples who people think he is. Most people liken Jesus to Old Testament prophets, particularly Elijah. Others think he might even be John the Baptist. Jesus then asks the disciples who they think he is. Peter says he is the Messiah, even though he doesn’t fully understand this. At this point Jesus only wants the disciples to know his true identity, so he commands them not to tell anyone else.

Jesus then gave them an insight into how his mission on earth will end. He tells them clearly that he will suffer and die but three days later will rise from the dead. This doesn’t fit with Peter’s idea of a Messiah so he tells Jesus off! Jesus firmly rejects Peter’s suggestion and makes it clear that Satan is using Peter. This is human thinking not God’s. Peter clearly has a lot more to learn about Jesus.

Jesus then explains to the crowd just what it means to be one of his disciples. He uses the image of carrying a cross. This would have created a vivid and fearful picture in the minds of his listeners. Many would have seen a condemned man staggering beaten and bleeding through the streets to face this humiliating and painful death.

Jesus’ words are an alert for the first disciples. If you want to follow me be prepared; it will involve suffering. Some disciples did experience physical crucifixion. Some today still give their lives for the sake of the gospel. For the rest of us, being prepared to lay down our lives to submit completely to God’s will is a daily challenge for every disciple.

MEDITATION: Consider who you believe Jesus is. How complete is your understanding? Can we, like Peter, sometimes be guilty of thinking we know better that Jesus? Jesus speaks of ‘carrying your cross daily’ and ‘losing your life for Jesus and the gospel’. What does this mean for you? Remember Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit to help us live the Christian life.

PRAYER: Psalm 116 is a great shout of joy for deliverance. The psalmist says ‘I kept on believing’ even though he was crushed and afraid (verses 10-11). Think about your relationship with God; can you use these verses to praise him now?

Science Fair - Congratulations to Hannah Dawson, Emma Harrington, Cameron Rouston, Kayne McCann, Jake Meikle and Mathew Brooks who got 1^st prize at the Science Fair and received the Metrology Award.

Choral Festival – Tickets are available at the ICC Booking Office – Adults $12.50 – Child $6.50

The Year 3 and 4 children in Room 5, 6 and 7 will be going to the Civic Theatre on Wednesday, 19 September to listen to the choir.  Please ensure your child is wearing correct school uniform.  No sports uniforms please.  They will travel by bus at 9.00 and return about midday.  Thank you for your support. 

School Fair  ~  Meeting Monday 17^th 7.30pm at School

Thanks to all the families who have very kindly donated bottles for the Fair’s “Mystery Bottles”, and grocery items for the grocery hamper already – this is very much appreciated. If you would still like to contribute bottles then it’s not too late – the bins will be left in the foyer over the coming weeks and we will gladly accept any further donations.

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.

Social Justice Week - This week Sacred Heart School recognised this year's Social Justice Week (September 9-15) theme of Food and Hunger. It has been intended to challenge the Catholic Community in New Zealand to take another look at how caring we are as a society. 

In our classrooms we have viewed the food crisis happening in a video:

 https://vimeo.com/45123478. In Sahel on the southern edge of the Sahara, learners have been encouraged to think about food in three different aspects: our spiritual food, our daily food and the connection between hunger and injustice. 

Please help by donating to Caritas so that lives can be saved through:

• Providing special nutrition for children and mothers 
• Giving farmers seeds and tools
• Employing local people to prepare land, dig wells, and provide irrigation. 

Altar Servers

Saturday 15^th September                            7.00 am                   Isabella & Mackenzie Wild

Sunday 16^th September                            10.30 am                                     Emma Harrington & Emma Brooks

Children’s Liturgy                                                                           Pauline Harrington

Achievements - Aubrey Page received the ‘Player of the Year’ trophy for Thistle Legends Junior Football Club in the weekend.

Toolbox Parents Courses - We are now taking expressions of interest for Toolbox Parenting Courses to run in Term 4 and/or the new year. Toolbox parenting courses equip you with the tools you need to grow great families. Early Years (0-6 years), Middle Years – (6-12 years) & Teens and Tweens – (12 + years).  $67.50 single, $90.00 couple BUT FULL subsidies are readily available.
Expressions of interest to Megan Tierney - 2131333 or 0274676234.

NIT-ENZ is EASY TO USE, SAFE, EFFECTIVE & VERY AFFORDABLE!

After initial treatments simply use as a normal shampoo twice a week, normal conditioner afterwards, and you won't have to worry about head lice again! One of our repellent products should be used daily.Nit-Enz is NOW available from Ascot 4 Square and Newfield 4 Square or for further details visit www.nit-enz.com.

Maths and English Tuition - Finish the year off on a positive note with Maths and English tuition which really makes a difference; whether it’s for catch up, confidence, consolidation or extension. Our friendly tutors provide individualized tuition according to your child’s needs. Spaces are filling fast for Term 4, so call Raewyn 032186804 at NumberWorks’nWords for a free assessment and introductory lesson.

ICAN 2 DAY CONFIDENCE & MODELLING COURSE - Saturday September 29th & Sunday September 30th INVERCARGILL. Contact Tracy Cameron 021 818 318 / 03 4412412 for more info.

October Holiday Programme will run from 2^nd – 12^th of October in Invercargill, Gore, Winton, Te Anau and Riverton  There are over 20 sports available from Karate and Archery to Outdoor Bowls or Volleyball. Info and enrolment forms are available on our website www.sportsouthland.co.nz or alternatively you can come in and see us at Stadium Southland.

Room 2 Class Happenings:

Miss Paulin has been in Room 2 for the past two weeks and the children have enjoyed having her in the classroom.

For music, the children have been learning a Maori waiata (song) ‘Whakarongo’.

First we went through the words of the song learning how to say them correctly and what each word means.

The children learned the actions to the waiata. We took photos showing the actions in the song. We used these photos to create our own poster to help us learn the waiata, and we were  the waiata experts on Culture day.

Culture Day

Room 9, Room 7 and Aurora College Pacific group entertained us.  Some students and teachers were given the opportunity to learn the drums and how to do the traditional Cook Island dance.