15 November

Dear Parents

It’s hard to believe that it is halfway through November.

The Year 6 children have visited their new 2013 schools and it is only about 5 weeks until Christmas.

Congratulations to Erik & Sionelle Cahill, Harry Oosterbroek & Ella Richardson who were 6^th in the finals of the School Swimming Champs held recently. A commendable effort.

Some of the upcoming school events include:

                  16/11                         ALL’s Celebration

                  20/11                         Peer Tutors’ Celebration

                  23/11                         Year 5 & 6 Cricket Tournament

                  11/12                         Year 6 Day

                  12/12                         End of Year Mass    -   1.15pm

                  13/12                         Last Day of School -   12.30pm

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

COME LORD JESUS!

When Jesus lived on earth many Jews believed the end of human history had already been decided by God. In today’s reading Jesus provides a little more detail. After a period of cosmic upheaval, when the sun and moon no longer shine and stars fall from the heaven, Jesus will appear in the sky in great power and glory. He will send his angels his angels to gather his people together from all over the world. So for Christians the end of history is the beginning of a new experience of life with Jesus. First century Christians eagerly anticipated Jesus’ return and prayed daily, ‘Come, Lord Jesus’ (Revelation 22:20).

We can live in constant hope. On the one hand we long for Jesus to return so we can be with him forever, and on the other we must continue to live faithfully in the here and now of today. We have the future hope that we will be with him and the promise that he may return at any moment to collect us.

Jesus uses the parable of a fig tree and tells us to watch out for the signs which, like the arrival of summer, will be obvious to those who are looking. However no one knows the exact date when Jesus will return – not even Jesus himself. Only God the Father knows. In the midst of all this upheaval Jesus offers reassurance, ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away’.

MEDITATION: What difference does knowing the world will end make to the way we live our lives? How does this affect the decisions we make? Should it affect the way we spend our time and money? Jesus says heaven and earth will pass away but his words will remain forever. What does this tell us about the importance of words? How much time do we spend finding out just what God has revealed to us through Holy Scripture?

PRAYER: ‘Come, Lord Jesus’ is a powerful prayer. Try praying it regularly and expect to find opportunities to serve Jesus cropping up in all sorts of people and places. In this way you will play your part in hastening Jesus’ second coming and extending his kingdom on earth.

Teachers Union Meetings   

Teachers will be attending Union meetings this afternoon and of the 20^th November.

This will not affect the children.

Otatara Bus – Will leave school at 1.00 pm on Wednesday 21^st November

Please let Christine know if your child is to be put on this early bus, otherwise we would expect the children to be picked up.

Novopay

You may have seen the recent TV Programmes discussing the new school pay system – Novopay (or no pay, as some are calling it). We have not been spared from this nightmare. Mrs Forbes has spent hours on the phone over the past 3 months trying to make sure our staff and relieving teachers get paid. Please be aware of this when ringing school, as there can be up to 20 – 30 minutes wait to get through to Novopay.

ALL’s & ALiM Reporting Back Sessions

I wish to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Buxton & Mrs Lieshout for their excellent work with the children as part of our Literacy and Numeracy interventions. I had the pleasure of listening to Mrs Buxton’s presentation in Dunedin on Monday and was very impressed with the quality and depth of her work with the children.

OSCAR Childcare will be available from 12.30 until 6pm on 13 December at Sacred Heart Parish hall. Please see staff at the hall to register your child/ren.

We will also be available from 8am until 6pm on 14, 17 and 18 December at Sacred Heart Parish hall. Please phone 218-9520 for further details

Scholastic Bookclub – Issue 8 closes Tuesday 20^th November.

Touch Southland – Girls Under 10 Trials

Touch Southland are looking at running an under-10 Southland-wide tournament in February 2013.

We will be holding a trial for all the female players who play in the Invercargill Primary School module on November 28 after the completion of the last round of the day. To be eligible for the trial players need to be born in the year 2003 or later. The girls can just turn up on the day.

Difficulties with Learning

This is a support group set up to assist parents who have a child with learning difficulties. It covers children who are Dyslexia, Irlen’s Syndrome, Dyscalculia and Auditory Processing Disorder, or are just struggling with school work for no apparent reason. You are invited to attend our next meeting:

Thursday 29^th Nov, BNZ (Esk St Entrance), 7.30 pm. More info contact: Gabby 213-0229.

Jump Rope Jam The Ultimate Skip Off – Sunday 18^th Nov 1 – 3pm @ Southland Velodrome $5

Each entry gets a free drink on arrival and a chance to win spot prizes.

To register your child/or get a team together go to: enquiries@stadiumsouthland.co.nz

Child Minding for the Christmas Holidays

I am a parent and Teacher Aide at Sacred Heart School providing a family setting for holiday care.

Call Jacqui O’Connor 21 56055

Splash Palace – Summer Swim School (3yrs – Adults) 7 Jan – 1^st Feb $41

Altar Servers

Saturday 17^th November                             7.00 am                   Isabella & McKenzie Wild

Sunday 18^th November                             10.30 am                                     Abby Humm & Max Forde

Children’s Liturgy                                                                           Cecelia Russell

Touch Results                         Basketballs Results                        Cricket Results

Stars won 5 - 1                          Slamdunkers - bye                             Kiwi 8’s lost against St Theresa’s.

Ballers lost 4 - 5                        Shooters                   - bye                                     POD – Rohan Murray

Sharks won 7 - 3                       Flyers lost 2 - 20    

                                                      Sharks lost 4 - 27   

                                                      Breakers lost 2 - 26

Sherwood Forest

Last Friday Room 7 visited Sherwood Forest, a farm that is being restored to its natural state by Pat Turnball and her late husband Derek. Sacred Heart School has been given an area to re plant and look after. With this year being the initial planting of trees a plaque was unveiled for the occasion. 'Te Taonga' meaning Treasure.  Children later returned with a seedling that they repotted to take home. 

PTA - Fair Committee meeting this Monday 19^th November 7.30pm 

Apologies for the short notice but please come prepared to discuss the results, and with any suggestions we can document for improvements for any future fairs. Please text Liza or Susanne to advise whether coming or not.

PTA meeting Wednesday 28^th November 7.30pm at school.

Room 1 Class Happenings

On Tuesday Room 1 had a pyjama day.  We made huts, and did some very cool shadow puppets.  The children loved doing their school in the huts and want to have pyjama day EVERY DAY!

Here are some examples of the children’s writing about our pyjama day.

I went under the tent and I shined my torch to see a shadow. – By Oliver

Today it is pyjama day.  It is fun.  We get to do stuff under the table because our tables are tents.     – By Malachi

Today we made a hut.  I liked making the huts and it was fun because we got to do work in our huts.  I felt happy. – By Ben

I am wearing my pyjamas at school.  I made a tent under my table.  I felt happy. – By Will