Embedded Files
4 Hepetema - 4 September 2024
4 Hepetema - 4 September 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
Our blessings go to all who mourn the passing of King Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero. May he rest peacefully with his ancestors.
SFDS Communication Survey
We are one week into our communication survey and we've received a good response so far, with loads of suggestions about ways we can improve communication. Some of the interim results are captured in an image below. You can still have your say until next Wednesday via this link: https://forms.gle/PdRrs61V7e2jRwX4A
Cultural Performance
42 of our Year 6-8 learners from our kapahaka group have put their name forward to be part of a performance for an upcoming cultural event at St Pat's College. The 13 schools from across our Wellington Catholic Schools Kāhui Ako (community of learning) are involved in the event. Due to space restrictions, we are not permitted to invite any spectators to the event. Some of our tamariki are pretty nervous, so we have arranged for our group to have a practice as a mini performance with a smaller audience - and you are invited to attend. This practice performance will be at 12.00pm on Monday 16 September in the church.
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
Outstanding Niwa Science Fair Results
Well done to our ākonga from the Ranginui Syndicate who participated in the NIWA Wellington Regional Science and Technology Fair last week. We are all very proud of you for the effort you put in. The entries were judged on: Scientific Method and Originality; Thoroughness and Effort; Technical and Graphical Skills and Presentation.
Huge congratulations to those learners who received prizes this year for your entries:
Frankie Hakaria-Brunt - Second in Class and the Society for Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions Prize for their investigation: Does the lunar phase of the moon affect the possibility of drowning?
Tom Kirton - Highly Commended and the Engineering New Zealand Prize for their investigation: Welly Water Wastage
Anika Fyfe - Highly Commended and the Wellington Medical Research Foundation Prize for their investigation: My fight to eat cake!
Eva Stockler - Highly Commended for their investigation: Which battery lasts longer?
Ella Willard - Highly Commended for their investigation: Does honey go funny?
Check out some photos of the awards ceremony down below in this edition of SFDS News.
Living World: Animal Inquiry
As part of their science inquiry this term, our papatūānuku students are completing reports about a chosen animal, including facts about appearance, diet, habitat, behaviour, life cycle and other key facts. Our Year 4-6 learners braved the weather to visit the zoo yesterday as part of this inquiry, and our senior ākonga will be doing the same next week.
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
Next Grandparents Mass will be in 2025
Just a heads-up that this year we celebrated a school Mass earlier this term on the Feast of the Assumption instead of the Feast day of Saints Joachim and St Anne. Therefore we did not hold a specific Mass for Grandparents this year. The next Grandparents' Mass will be in 2025, and we will give you plenty of notice so that you can invite your whānau. Grandparents are always welcome to join us for other school masses too.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Touch Rugby Term 4
Future Ferns Junior Term 4
Futsal Term 4
Southern Zone Swimming
Year 1 Vision and Hearing Information
Congratulations
Hui Winners
In the Garden..
Reminder of Library pledge
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
Interim Results from our Communication Survey
RECENT SNAPS FROM AROUND AND ABOUT SFDS
28 Ākuhata - 28 August 2024
28 Ākuhata - 28 August 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
We are looking forward to hosting the information session for parents and caregivers about Dyslexia this Thursday. We've had a good mount of interest. Scroll down to the poster below (on SFDS News) for details.
Thank you
A huge thank you to Fran from The White room Gallery and Richard from Island Bay New World for providing the fantastic prizes that made the children's day even more special. Thank you also to the Taukamo whānau for donating some lovely books for our library. We are so grateful for your generosity and ongoing support!
Remember, you can further support our library by visiting Kindo and purchasing a book for the St. Francis School library! Your contribution makes a big difference!
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
Te Reo Māori Learning
Over the past two year we have really lifted our game in teaching Te Reo - the Māori language in all classes. I am really proud of the way our staff have all embraced this effort and supported one another to strengthen their practice. Special thanks to Jemma and Michael - who have led the way. This is starting to have a real impact for the students Check out the results of a recent Te Reo Māori Assessment further down this page (on SFDS News)
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
Religious Education
Next term we are implementing the new Religious Education Curriculum across the whole school. The curriculum is called To Tātou Whakapono. For your information, I have shared the draft broad plan for the whole school. The plan does not yet detail the lessons taught, but will allow you to see the key ideas we will be covering under the theme: Te Rongopai - Good News: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1frSJERVn9VECB4chl8rTrsgYDpmBYp72qfmkYO23r2M/edit?usp=sharing
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
What's coming up
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
Te Reo Māori Assessment
70% of our Year 4-8 students have improved their understanding of Te Reo in the past year. The scores have also kept improving from the first time we tested in 2022. We use the Progressive Achievement Test (PAT) for Te Reo Māori to measure this progress.
We also survey the students in Year 4-8 to ask them about times they hear Te Reo spoken across the school.
Next Steps: Teachers have set goals to keep improving, like the ones below:
Use a greater range of phrases in the classes I teach - praise, greetings, instructions, karakia, everyday vocab (the date, numbers, colours).
Make use of confidence on days of the week by including a sentence: “today is ________ “ “Ko te aha tēnei ra? Ko te_____ tenei ra.”
Date in Te Reo - revising numbers, days of the week and then learning the months of the year
Using more phrases in the classroom - praises, responses, instructions, greetings.
Teach and use karakia kai daily before lunch and morning tea.
Te Reo date on the board daily, and praise in a wider range of te reo
Give all instructions I can in te Reo (haere __, homai te ___, kea hea ___? Etc.)
Book Character Day!
21 Ākuhata - 21 August 2024
21 Ākuhata - 21 August 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
Firstly I would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to the Riley whānau this week as they grieve the loss of their dad, Steve. His children, Molly, Emily and Joshua are all recent past pupils of SFDS. May Steve rest in peace - you are all in our prayers.
Collaborative Sports Event
This morning, we hosted Year 7&8 students from St Anne's and St Bernard's Schools, as well as secondary Physical Education (PE) students from St Catherine's College. The secondary PE students planned and ran a collaborative sports event between the intermediate students of our three schools from our Parish of Wellington South. This event was two-fold:
To celebrate the collaboration between our three schools
To allow the PE students to satisfy a requirement of their PE programme
Thank you to St Catherine's and to our own Ranginui syndicate team for making this happen for our ākonga.
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
Dyslexia - Learning for Parents/Caregivers
Reminder: Information session at school 3.30pm on Thursday 29th August. All welcome - see poster attached.
Science - Living World
The tamariki from our Year 1-3 classes have taken many opportunities to learn about the 'Living World', which is our learning focus for the term. Thank you to their teachers for taking the ākonga on beach trips, bush experiences and the day at the marine reserve this week. Check out the photos included in this update of SFDS News. Our Papatūānuku learners are also looking ahead to a zoo trip this term in relation to this science theme.
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
Values Focus: Generosity - Ngākaunui
Values Focus: Generosity - Ngākaunui
This week we moved into focussing on our value of generosity. At SFdS, this looks like: Giving and sharing with others, not expecting anything in return, being generous with your time
Years 1 – 5: Being aware of the needs of others, sharing
Years 6 – 8: Sharing your strengths with others, being generous with your time for others, putting others needs before your own.
Thank you to the many parents and friends who have demonstrated Generosity - Ngākaunui by supporting our Education Outside of the Classroom (EOTC) events - it is wonderful to be able to bring these opportunities back into the curriculum after a number of years where trips were limited for our school. Special thanks to Abe Annette's son for helping out.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Wellington and Kapi Mana primary and intermediate tennis tournament
Touch Rugby referring
Southern zone miniball festival
SFDS Library book Pledge
Book Characters Photos!!
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
14 Ākuhata - 14 August 2024
14 Ākuhata - 14 August 2024
Kia ora e te whānau , What a vibrant week!
Our rangatahi - our young people in the senior syndicate - did us all proud last Friday with their 'by kids - for kids' Mission Fair. Check the 'school notices and Events page to see the results!
Today is Book Character Dress Up Day - so the school was teeming with Cats in Hats, Harry Potters, Tin Men, Umpa Lumpas, and many other book characters. Keep an eye out for next week's newsletter where there will be photos and a wee movie of the day! Make sure to visit the display of books in the library if you would like to donate a book. On Thursday evening, Chris Wratt is also presenting an information evening - check the poster shared previously in SFdS News!
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
Mathematics Data
In last week's SFdS news, I had not attached the Maths data that I mentioned I would - so here it is this week! Currently in our school we do not just use one test. We carefully evaluate progress and achievement in Maths in several ways:
Annual Progressive Achievement Tests (PATs): One-off NZ tests (developed by NZ Council for Educational Research: NZCER) administered once each year under test conditions. Each test is standardised and norm-referenced against national results.
Twice-annual assessment against the Progress and Achievement Consistency Tool (PaCT), that was developed by the Ministry of Education to help teachers across New Zealand make robust judgments about where students sit in relation to the Curriculum.
Continuous monitoring of each student reach goals in the Maths Curriculum. We try to gather some examples of when each child has worked on that goal - and the goals are published on Hero. Progress against the curriculum is shared with you twice-annually, at mid and end of each year. This method breaks Maths progress down into incremental steps in a simple way.
Numeracy Assessments, including basic facts, and Ministry of Education Assessments: Junior Assessment in Maths (JAM), Global Strategy Stage (GloSS)
NB* the progress of a small number of our students (7 students across the school) is not measured in the ways above, as these students are not able to be tested in these way due to their needs. These students have their own personalised goals to help them to progress in their learning.
Results:
At the end of 2023, 87% of our Year 8 students were within or beyond curriculum expectation
In July 2024 88% of our Year 8 students were within or beyond curriculum expectation
In the Term 1, 2024 Maths PAT Test, 80% of our Year 8 students were tested as being within or beyond curriculum expectation. The graphs attached give you the full picture, with comparisons to national results.
In July 2024 GloSS Assessments: 85% of our Year 8 students were at at or above in Addition and Subtraction, 92% were at at or above in Multiplication and Division, and 66% were at at or above in Proportions and Ratios
I am concerned about the rhetoric about poor Year 8 Maths achievement communicated recently through the media and about some sort of 'crisis' in education. The communication has been misleading, and unhelpful for students or their schools. At SFdS we are always open to engaging with new ways of teaching. We also welcome the opportunity for our teachers to take part in professional learning.
Last evening, the draft new curriculum content for Maths arrived in my inbox from the Ministry of Education. I will be looking through this over the coming days to identify any areas of Maths that are not in the current curriculum that we need to add or change up.
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
Feast Day of the Assumption of Mary
Each year, at this time in August, Catholics around the world celebrate the assumption of Mary into Heaven. In the Catholic faith it is believed that, because Mary was free of any sin she was 'assumed' into Heaven - body and soul. This day is the feast day for all catholic schools in New Zealand.
Here is a lovely little piece by Dr Elizabeth Julian (rsm) about the Feast of the Assumption: https://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/adw_welcom/assumption-of-mary-into-heaven/
HOPE
When you're a needle hanging on a thread,
Hope is your oh so dearest friend.
In the darkest of times when you’re feeling down,
Hope’s angel voice will guide you through.
When you are all rough and beaten up,
Hope’s gentle touch will heal your wound .
When you’ve bought a lottery ticket for the money,
Hope is the belief that you will get the prize.
When you’re lips are dry and are really thirsty,
Hope is the fresh water going past your spine.
When you’re covered in mud head to toe,
Hope is the hose to spray you clean.
When you’re in a race and last place,
Hope is the sweet smell of encouragement and victory.
When you’re alone in the dark all alone and afraid,
Hope is the whisper in your ear to never give up and don’t fear.
When you have no food and your tummy is rumbling,
Hope is the gourmet feast all to yourself.
Nor man or women can live without Hope,
Because Hope is the last thing you have left..
When you lose all hope and no hope is there,
The Needle falls off the thread which shall disappear.
(By Jack Calvert, Year 6).
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
SFDS Library book Pledge
Mission Fair Thank You!
Reminder! Parent and caregiver dyslexia session
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
Results of the term 1 2024 Progressive Achievement Tests (PATs) for years 4-8. The blue boxes are our students. The grey boxes are the results nationwide. Our Year 8 ākonga sit above the national results.
The results of the Term 1 2024 Maths Progressive Achievement Test (PAT) for Year 8 only. These results are illustrated in 'stanines' - where a 'bell curve', with the highest point in the centre would indicate the average results across the country.
The SFdS 'bell curve' indicates our results in Year 8 are better than than the national average.
Mid-Year 2024 Results: Progress and Achievement Consistency Tool (PaCT) The graph below, from this tool is a little more difficult to interpret. It represents the progress made by our current Year 8 students. The boxes indicate where most students are achieving at each year. The spikes upwards and downwards indicate that there a some students achieving at an upper and a lower level. The dots indicate that a small number of students sit a lot lower than others. The grey band shows typical progress in Maths. The green band shows the level that students need to be at to reach NCEA Numeracy (High School Assessment). Some of our students are already ready for this level.
7 Ākuhata - 7 August 2024
7 Ākuhata - 7 August 2024
Kia ora e te whānau , What a vibrant week!
We started this week with weekly swimming lessons for our senior students in our Ranginui rōpū, and this was followed by softball coaching lessons for all classes throughout Tuesday.
This morning we held a beautiful Mihi Whakatau for all of the new students, their families, and our two new staff members - Jo and It was very special to be able to gather our manuhiri (visitors) into the school through out new waharoa. Our senior ākonga played various roles in the ceremony confidently and respectfully. Thank you to teachers Michael and Jemma for your overall leadership and organisation. Thank you to Matua Ron Taukamo for your guidance and your korero.
We are now all looking forward to the Mission Fair on Friday. This is an event by children - for children!
Behaviour Management Review
This year, we are reviewing all of our behaviour management policies, procedures and processes within a programme called 'PB4L' (Positive Behaviour for Learning). Part of this review is ensuring that we communicate these policies and procedures effectively.
Below I have included several visuals to share with you how we successfully teach and manage behaviour in a general sense.
Firstly, there is an Explanation of Behaviours / Actions Observed that we refer to when following up on various incidents at school. We maintain a record of behaviours we have observed, to monitor any trends and identify additional support needed for students and staff.
Secondly is a Behaviour Consequences Flowchart that we share with the children, and follow ourselves. You may have seen this as a poster around the school. Ideally we would like the students to follow up themselves if they make a mistake in their behaviour. However, if this doesn't happen and the harm to others hasn't been resolved, adults will step in to guide the students to make amends.
When this happens, we try to take a Restorative Approach to supporting the student(s) to resolve issues. A punitive approach has been shown not to work, so we avoid this where possible. There is a visual to explain the difference, and the restorative process we follow is shown in the green image.
If an accusation of bullying is made to a staff member, a teacher carries out an initial KiVa screening with the child(ren), following the process detailed in the KiVa programme. The case is referred to the KiVa Team, made up of a group of trained staff. The correct process as described in the KiVa guides is followed, including further monitoring.
Other behaviours are dealt with in much more comprehensive ways which is designed to respond to the context. This often includes intervention by the leadership team, and engagement with support services.
If you have any questions about our behaviour approaches, please feel free to get in touch.
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
Learning about Kaitiakitanga at Paekawakawa Reserve
On their way into Taputeranga in the 1820s, Ngāti Toa came over through Paekawakawa and down here into the bay. Their journey took them along the ridgeline and through Paekawakawa.
"It was on Taputeranga Island that the princess of the paramount chief of Ngati Ira sang for her freedom. That’s Tamairangi. It was Te Rangihaeata who saved her - he said, “She will not be killed - and neither her nor any of her people. She sang for [her freedom] it's a good enough agreement." She was quite a well-esteemed woman of great mana so she was accorded the privilege of her standing and so she was let to live on Kāpiti Island with her sons. It was said that her feet never really touched the floor. Because she was carried everywhere." (Toa Waaka - Mana Whenua Representative. Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Āti Awa ki Kāpiti, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Porou, and Ngāti Koata)
Our tamariki potiki - our youngest children from Tarawera class visited Paekawakawa reserve last week. They went for a nature walk with a volunteer of the reserve, Tessa. They learnt about the history of the reserve and spotted some local plants and trees and spoke about the native and introduced species of plants.
Mathematics Curriculum
You may have read the media reports in the weekend about low achievement across the country in mathematics, and fast-tracking of a new Maths curriculum to be implemented in 2025. I am pleased that professional learning will be provided for staff, as this Maths PLD was already our plan for our staff in 2025.
I have shared the end of year progress and achievement results in Reading, Writing and Maths from the end of 2023 below so that you can see where our learners sit in relation to curriculum expectations. While a small number of our students are not measured against the NZ Curriculum due to their unique needs, 87% of the other students were within or beyond curriculum expectations in Maths at the end of 2023. We will measure this again at the end of this year.
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
School Value Focus
At present, our values focus is on Piripono - Faithfulness. What does this look like at SFDS? Doing what you say you will do, loyalty, sticking by your friends, accepting others, acknowledging God, doing the right thing whether people are there to see it or not.
Years 1 – 5: See God in everyday things, talk with others about what your faith means to you, be a reliable person, trusting others, to be faithful to God.
Years 6 – 8: Be a person that people can have faith in, support your friends, be proud of the way you live your life, have belief that even when you struggle God is always on your side, see God in the beauty of nature, show your faith by becoming involved in public prayer and worship, recognise your own abilities.
Mass for the Feast of the Assumption
Next Thursday we will be celebrating the Feast of the Assumption of Mary with a school mass at 11:30am. You are all warmly welcomed to join us for this Mass in the church.
Hail Mary Awe e Maria Hail Mary, full of grace,
Awe, e Maria, e kī ana koe i te karatia, the Lord is with you;
kei a koe te Ariki, blessed are you among women,
E whakapaingia an koe i roto i ngā and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
wāhine, ā e whakapaingia ana hoki a Holy Mary, mother of God,
Hehu te hua o tōu kōpu. pray for us sinners
E Hāta Maria, e te matua wahine o te now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Atua, inoi koe mō mātou mō te hunga hara, äianei, ā,
a te haora o tō mātou matenga rawa. Āmene.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Attendance dues information
Parent and caregiver dyslexia session
Mission Fair information
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
Restorative Responses
(focus on accountability, healing and needs)
Who has been affected?
How have they been affected?
What needs to happen to put things right?
Punitive Responses
(focus on punishment)
What rule has been broken?
Who is to blame?
What is the punishment going to be?
Message from the Board (Wednesday 7 August 2024 )
Following the Matariki celebrations and with the arrival of the Māori New Year, the SFDS Board is excited to share our new strategic goals for the coming year. This follows a significant amount of community consultation and engagement on the future priorities for the school. The primary areas of focus will be:
All Ākonga are thriving: we want to nurture a thriving Catholic school community where learning progress and achievement, emotional well-being, self-confidence, manaakitanga, and a love of life flourish
Neuro-divergent Ākonga are empowered: we want to cultivate an inclusive learning environment where neuro-divergent ākonga demonstrate increased confidence, self-advocacy, positive peer interactions, and a love of learning
Te Tiriti o Waitangi: we want to foster an environment where Te reo me ōna tikanga Māori is experienced, valued, learned, shared, read, seen and heard by everyone in our school community
Financial Sustainability: we want to ensure financial sustainability while prioritising the diverse needs of our learners
If you have any questions on any aspect of this, please feel free to contact the Board at bot.chair@sfds.school.nz.
Thank you.
Peter Chew
Presiding Member, SFdS School Board
It's time for a playground replacement 🎉
It's time for a playground replacement 🎉
Our 22 year old playground is nearing the end of its recommended life (25 years). It needs to be replaced to make sure our tamariki stay safe. This will be a big 2-3 year project. We are applying for grants, but we will also need to do some major fundraising. If you can be part of a steering group, please contact the the office office@sfds.school.nz, or PSL psl.sfds@gmail.com
Thank you very much for your support. Tēnā rawa atu koutou!
Over 23 years of children have played on this playground 😄
Sadly, it has seen better days and needs to be retired 😥
31 Maramawhitu- 31 July 2024
31 Maramawhitu- 31 July 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
Last week we all enjoyed a visiting performance by the NZ Playhouse called 'The Reluctant Dragon'. It was lovely to hear the laughing and squealing of excited children throughout the performance. Many of the children had never see a professional performance like this before, so it was very special. In a couple of weeks (12-16 August) we are celebrating a 'Book Week' - celebrating books and promoting reading at our school. Check the school notices page for all of the events.
Do you need some help with Archdiocese of Wellington attendance dues?
Each year the proprietor of our school, the Archdiocese of Wellington sends you an invoice to pay for the attendance dues. This is a fee, not a donation. However, I am able to apply on your behalf for a rebate, if you are not in a position to pay the full amount. Please pop into the school office or email principal@sfds.school.nz if you need support with this.
Sharing the narrative for our new Waharoa
Our Toi Māori artist, Ariki Brightwell, has shared this narrative with us, so that all of the children, their whānau, and generations to come can understand the symbolism of the toi Māori: https://youtu.be/71Cxx1OS3fI?feature=shared
Playground replacement - please can you help us with this project?
The time has come for us to plan for replacement of our 22 year old adventure playground, which is almost at the end of its recommended 25 year life span. It is not possible to replace components in the existing structure. Therefore we need to embark on an extensive project, including removal of the existing playground and surface beneath, playground design and construction. It is an exciting but expensive ($150k - $180k) project - but it is very important that we go ahead to ensure our tamariki are kept safe.
The Archdiocese has been approached for financial support, and I will be applying for grants for the project. I have also asked PSL to prioritise fundraising efforts on this project, which they are happy to do. We only have a very small team on the PSL (Parent-School Link), and they are all generously juggling their own family and employment responsibilities just like the rest of our community, and they also lead our school fundraising and events. The generosity in time of this team of parents mustn't be taken for granted by us all. Please get in touch with Anita and Pearl from the PSL team if you can help out with fundraising: psl.sfds@gmail.com
Thank you very much for your support.
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
Mission Fair
Christ taught that when we feed the hungry, offer hospitality to the stranger, clothe the naked, look after the sick and visit those imprisoned, we are looking after Him. We are looking forward to supporting our Ranginui students in their annual Mission Fair next week. This is an opportunity for us all to empowering communities that are supported by Caritas through raising funds. Mission Fair Atawhai Cards (the non-cash currency we set up) are now available for purchase via Kindo. Please see Cora's message below. More information will be sent out soon.
"Then the righteous will answer him ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ Then the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these members of my family, you did it to me.’ "
Matthew 25:37-40
"The mission fair is when our older students in year 7 & 8 get together in groups and come up with stall ideas. They can either be game, lollies or food stalls. We have about 3 weeks to plan with our groups on what our stalls are.
The reason we do this is because there is a development called Caritas. Caritas takes donations from the government through competitive grants applied from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), and from community donations. Caritas then takes the money and helps countries on sustainable farming and food production, health, education and Disaster Risk Reduction in the Pacific, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
This year SFdS is raising money to help Papua New Guinea with Gender-Based Violence Awareness. The Mission fair will be held on Wednesday the 9th August." (Cora, Year 8)
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Girls Basketball
BCITO Thank you!
Book week Information!
School Donations and Charges
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
24 Maramawhitu- 24 July 2024
24 Maramawhitu- 24 July 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
We loved seeing the children again on Monday, and we have had a lovely start to the term. While the days are cool - we want to extend a warm welcome to our new ākonga/learners - and their whānau/family who have joined our school whānau this term. Walking around the classes yesterday, it was clear to see that the children are well-rested from their break from school routines, and ready for school learning again.
We welcomed two new staff members to our teaching team:
Joanne Roberts (Jo) - who is now teaching in Tī Kōuka with our Year 6 ākonga. Many of you will have met Jo during the learning conferences in Term 2.
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
Education Review Office (ERO) Report
At the end of Term 2, the Education Review Office reported their review of St Francis de Sales School. It is wonderful to see that ERO highlighted strengths that we all work hard to achieve in our school:
a recently reviewed local curriculum that has real purpose and provides clarity around desired student outcomes
strong support for students with additional needs and an inclusive school culture that assists these students to achieve
a caring and nurturing school culture where learners receive ongoing support to achieve, and wellbeing is valued.
You can view the full report here: https://ero.govt.nz/institution/3006/st-francis-de-sales-school-is-bay
Ministry of Education Requirements
You may have heard in the news that soon schools will be asked to collect assessment data using specific tools that are approved by the Ministry of Education: Progressive Achievement Tests (PATs), or E-AsTTle. We already us PATs every year, so other than needing to test twice each year instead of once, we do not anticipate much change for our school.
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
Baptism
All children in a catholic school are welcomed as part of God’s family, and our Catholic School Community welcomes and supports all children on their Spiritual Journey. The Church offers a special process of initiation for people who wish to become part of the Catholic community through the special grace of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
As a school, we are always happy to support any of our SFdS learners to be baptised (along with any other family members) into our Catholic faith. If you would like your child in our school to be baptised, please just pop in and let Fran / Suzanne know, and we will support you with this.
Religious Education in Tangaroa this Term
This year the teachers of our Year 1-3 ākonga in the Tangaroa syndicate are being introduced to the new Religious Education Curriculum: Tō Tātou Whakapono. Older children will be introduced to this programme next year. The theme for Religious Education throughout Term 3 is 'Being Church'. They will be given opportunities to grow understandings:
That we are all part of God’s family.
That the parish church is a special building where the Catholic family gather to worship God and especially where we are welcomed to celebrate the Eucharist.
Of what a Sacrament is and explore how they are moments in time and continue in everyday life.
About what rituals are and recognise God is present to us in the things we see, do, say and experience in church.
About ways people can be loving, respectful and fair brothers and sisters in God’s family, whoever and wherever they are.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Swimming Sports results and information
Futsal Festival
Wellington and Kapi Mana Primary and Intermediate Tennis Tournament
Road Works information for Thursday and Friday
YCC Thank you
Reminder Kiwi Competition - Spelling Bee
Message from the PKA Team (Pasifika Kids Advancing)
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
3 Maramawhitu- 03 July 2024
3 Maramawhitu- 03 July 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
Thank you for supporting our Matariki events - the blessing of Te Waharoa o Hāto Werahiko te Hēra, the individual Matariki Learning Conferences, and the Matariki Fun Family Event. We had a large crowd at our Waharoa blessing and unveiling. Thankfully the morning was clear, so the children excitedly joined in with the activities and the breakfast under the Matariki dark sky. This was followed by a fun swimming sports this afternoon, which was a time when our great young swimmers could shine. Thank you to our kaimahi - our staff - for supporting each of these events - It's been a big week for all at SFdS.
A reminder that this Friday, 5 July, is a teacher only day. This means that school will be closed as all staff participate in professional learning alongside the other 12 schools at the Wellington Catholic Schools' Kāhui Ako Mid Winter hui, at St Patrick's College.
Dates for 2025
Here are the dates for the school year next year, so that you can arrange for your family holidays. Please make every effort to book holidays outside of term times. Thank you for your support.
Term One: Monday 3 February - Friday 11 April. Please note that school will be closed on Friday 7 February so that you can have a long Waitangi Weekend.
Term Two: Monday 28 April - Friday 27 June. Please note that school will be closed on Friday 20 June for Matariki holiday.
Term Three: Monday 14 July - Friday 19 September. Please note that school will be closed on Friday 1 August for a teacher only day.
Term Four: Monday 6 October - Friday 19 December. Please note that school will be closed on Friday 24 October for a teacher only day, and Monday 27 October for Labour Day holiday.
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
In term three, our rich curriculum focus shifts to learning about science, and in particular Living World. If you can provide support for your child's class in any way it would be much appreciated - please make contact with your child's teacher.
The Religious Education Focus for Term 3 is as below:
Year 1-3: Being Church - Belonging
Year 4-8: Sacrament and Church
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
We thank you Lord, for this term.
For our challenges, our successes,
and the mistakes from which we have learnt.
Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends.
Give us strength and courage to do what is right:
to be witnesses of our faith
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Congratulations
YCC Mufti Day tomorrow! Gold coin donation via Kindo please.
Thank You!
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
26 Maramaono - 26 June 2024
26 Maramaono - 26 June 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
We are all very excited with the various Matariki celebrations taking place:
Our Papatūānuku syndicate held their shared lunch today, with all of the Matariki kai that they had been learning about and preparing.
We hope to see you at our Waharoa blessing at 6:30am tomorrow morning, which is our next Matariki event. We will gather outside the main gate - please note that we rely on parents to supervise their own children, as the staff will all have roles to play and not able to supervise the children until 8:30am. Thank you for your support with this.
On Monday and Tuesday (1st and 2nd of July), we have our individual learning conferences to celebrate on each child's learning progress, and discuss their goals
Our final event will be held on Tuesday 2 July 4:30 - 6:30pm - our Matariki Whānau Fun Event. We have a team from coming in to run several dun activities for our families, along with a sausage sizzle for dinner. The welcome for this event will be at 5:00pm, and you are welcome to come along early than this. We are all looking forward to see our whole community come together for this fun family event. Please see the flyer below with the details.
Staffing Update
Next term, Sandra Buless will be teaching in the place of Ronan Kelly for most of the first three weeks in Parareka room, as Ronan will be away. After this, Sandra will move into the New Entrant room, and teach alongside Jenna as our number of New Entrant learners grows. It is wonderful to have Sandra take these two roles, as she is well know in our community and a very capable teacher.
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
This afternoon your child(re)'s graphs will be opened for you to view on Hero. The graphs will be open until Sunday 14 July, to give you plenty of time to view them. After this they will be closed again until December. This allows us to check them for accuracy.
This video explains how Hero reporting works: https://youtu.be/hEFbMOsvyew (2:08 explains the graphs).
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
A very big congratulations to all the children who celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation last Saturday! Up next will be the Sacrament of the Eucharist (First Communion)! Thank you very much to community members and whānau who supported this celebration, and prepared the children.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Help still needed for school swimming sports Wednesday 3 July Please email Sarah ASAP sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz We currently do not have enough helpers for this event to go ahead.
YCC Mufti Day
Spelling Bee
St Patrick's college notice
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
19 Maramaono - 19 June 2024
19 Maramaono - 19 June 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
Parents often express an interest in the school arranging for workshops and courses that can help you in your role as parents. The types of support that have been mentioned to me mainly relate to support for parents of children with ADHD, dyslexia, children's anxiety, or supporting positive behaviour. We have been working on how we can support programmes for our parents, and will keep you up to date as our plans come to fruition. The first programme that is available is detailed below.
Incredible Years Parent Programme
The Ministry of Education arranges this programme. The programme is designed for parents of children between the ages of 3-8. The courses run for 14 weeks, excluding the school holidays, take a maximum of 18 people. There are no costs associated with this course. Here is some information about the course: https://pb4l.tki.org.nz/Incredible-Years-Parent. Please contact us if you are interested in attending this course, please email Sarah Fountain (sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz) and we will submit your name forward for upcoming courses.
Student Support Programmes
We also regularly work with whānau and external agencies to arrange for additional support for children when they need it. We have a number of children supported by speech language therapy, occupational therapy, assistive technology, etc. Recently we provided the Seasons for Growth a programme to support children who have gone through a change, or a loss. This programme is a huge success, with good feedback from parents of the children who are currently involved. We will run this programme again in the future. If you are interested in your child taking part in the next Seasons for Growth programme, please email Sarah Fountain (sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz)
Student Support Meetings
We are really happy to meet with you if you have concerns about your child's progress and wellbeing. We regularly arrange such meetings for parents, and arrange for the right people to take part in the meeting to be able to support your child in the best way possible. However, we may not be aware of your concerns and have not arranged to meet with you. Please be proactive if you need support - we are only too happy to help.
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
Wishing all the children who will be completing their Confirmation this coming Saturday lots of luck in this exciting next step of their catholic journey!
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Cross Country
Lucky Book Club
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
12 Maramaono - 12 June 2024
12 Maramaono - 12 June 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
Our Waharoa team have been working their magic for the past week, and it is easy to see how stunning the finished product will be. Thank you very much to Ariki Brightwell and Sam Newport for supporting our ākonga through this project. Some photos are included on this news page.
We have many ceremonies, commemorations and celebrations being prepared for our SFDS community for Matariki. Matariki is a wonderful time to celebrate family, to acknowledge those who have passed, and to look ahead to new goals and aspirations.
Please save the dates for these events:
Thursday 27 June - Waharoa Blessing and Opening
Our students and artist Ariki Brightwell are working diligently on our new Waharoa, which will be installed on the main entrance gate of our school over the next couple of weeks. We are arranging a pre-dawn blessing and opening of this gate, which is planned for before sunrise on Thursday 27 June. We will let you know the exact time closer to the date. We have also set aside a postponement date on the early morning of Monday 1 July.
Friday 28 June - Matariki Public Holiday, School Closed
On this day, we encourage you to host your own Hautapu at home, with your whānau - and to engage in the various public events that will be held online and in Wellington.Here is some information about holding your own hautapu: https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/matariki-maori-new-year/hautapu-ceremonial-oven-and-offerings-1
Monday 1 July and Tuesday 2 July - Matariki Celebration of Learning
We invite you to come along and celebrate your child(ren)'s learning goals and progress. You can choose how you do this:
Just pop into their classroom between 4:30pm - 6:30pm on Tuesday 2nd during the Matariki Family Celebration. We will also have matariki games, a free sausage sizzle, a Technology & Science display, and the Board will share new school goals - to coincide with the Māori new year.
If you would like an individual learning conference meeting, you can also book a time to meet with your child and their teacher after school on Monday 1st July or Tuesday 2nd July. Bookings are now open on Hero.
REMINDER - Please remember that the last day of this term (Friday 4 July), school will be closed, so that all staff can attend their Mid-Winter Hui along with all of the other 12 Catholic Schools in our Kāhui Ako, to continue our professional learning.
Teacher Appointment Updates
As you may remember, Eilís Ryan, our teacher in Tī Kōuka (Year 6 class) is returning to Ireland at the end of this term. I am really pleased to let you all know that we have now confirmed the appointment of the replacement teacher for this class for the rest of the year. Joanne Roberts will be joining our SFDS family at the beginning of Term 3. She is currently teaching at another Wellington school, having moved here last year. We look forward to welcome Jo to our kura.
We are also recruiting an additional teacher for our New Entrant / Year 1 class - working alongside Jenna in Tarawera class. This is because of the growing number of children in the juniors. This position is currently advertised in the Education Gazette.
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
Last Friday the Cathedral for our diocese reopened after years of extensive earthquake strengthening. Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Paul Martin, Cardinal John Dew, and a number of priests from the diocese, along with invited guests of many different faiths. Archbishop Paul made a point during the Mass of emphasising the we should feel that this is 'our cathedral' - a space where everyone should feel they belong and are welcome. I encourage you to pop into the cathedral - the finishing is outstanding, and a credit to the McGuiness whānau and their team.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
School Swimming
New 2nd hand uniform now available on Kindo!
Vision Check year 7
PSL QUIZ NIGHT NEWS
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
5 Maramaono - 5 June 2024
5 Maramaono - 5 June 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
On Friday, our staff met with St Anne's and St Bernard's to learn more about interpreting professional reports (from cognitive assessments, etc), supporting students with dyslexia in the class, and supporting the learning for students with autism. Thank you to Aleks, Amie, Sophie, Jemma and Eilís for leading the learning.
Today our Waharoa project began, with the temporary painting studio set up in Room 4. A group of senior students have been chosen to work alongside Ariki Brightwell, our artist. This afternoon, Ariki hosted an afternoon tea with our Italian Nonnas and Nonnos to learn all about SFdS and Island Bay when they were young. All of our stories will be represented in our Waharoa in some way.
Save the dates!
Our Waharoa will be blessed and opened before dawn on the morning of Matariki holiday (Thursday 27 June). If you live nearby and you like to get up nice and early, you will be welcome to join us for this celebration.
Learning Updates
The teachers are now updating your child's Hero reports, and checking their progress against their goals. Towards the end of the term, the progress graphs will be opened up on Hero for you to gain a sense of where your child sits in relation to the NZ Curriculum. If you would like to book a time to chat with your child's teacher about your child's learning progress, you can visit Hero Bookings and make a time on the 1st or 2nd of July. If you need support with this, please pop in to the school office.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Winter Illness
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
29 Maramarima - 29 May 2024
29 Maramarima - 29 May 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
A reminder to all that this Friday, 31 May, is a 'Teacher Only Day' - so school will be closed. Our staff is hosting the staff from St Anne's School and St Bernard's School for professional learning. Please ensure that your child(ren)'s care is arranged for that day. This is of course the start of a long weekend - so school will start again on Tuesday 4 June.
Thank you
Thank you to our wonderful PSL (parent School Link) team and other volunteers who supported the 'working bee' in the weekend just past. For those of you who are not familiar with this term, a working bee is when volunteers get together to all help out with property work. The painted areas were waterblasted and are looking a lot brighter. The compost bin was also rejuvenated and is so tidy!
Thank you also to Alice Doyle, who came in earlier in the term to do the repairs to our mosaic.
In New Zealand schools we rely on and really appreciate parent help to do this work. All of this help to keep our kura looking so much more inviting and pleasant to be in.
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
This year we have been working within a 3-year Ministry of Education contract ('PB4L-SW') to review our systems and processes in relation to positive behaviour for learning. Part of this process is to evaluate what we are currently doing across the school. At the moment, we:
promote our school's christian values within the learning programme
teach expected behaviour to the children - in relation to these values
acknowledge and reward demonstrations of our school values
follow a restorative process for times when children fall out with, or hurt, eachother
follow the KiVA process for any accusations of bullying
identify challenging behaviours that we need support with from external services
The next step is to evaluate these systems and others, and consider changes we would like to make. At this stage we hope to capture our school values in 3-4 easy-to remember kupu / words / terms - without changing the essence of our values. In a few weeks, we will have our two facilitators at school (photos below), gathering 'voice' from all staff and students during the school day. We are also looking ahead to how we can engage with our whānau and rōpū to ensure we capture what our community is looking for in positive behaviour.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Cross Country Results
PSL Thank you
PSL Working bee
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
Daniela Ashdown, PB4L-SW facilitator
Kirsty Tate, PB4L-SW facilitator
22 Maramarima - 22 May 2024
22 Maramarima - 22 May 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
This Monday it was really special to have Taupuruariki (Ariki) Brightwell visit our kura, come along to Mass with us, meet your Ranginui students, and attenda a wananga with us in the evening. Ariki is of Rongowhakataa, Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Tahitian and Rarotongan descent. As a well-respected visual artist in the Toi Māori space, Ariki has a wealth of experience and local knowledge that will be engaged with in our Waharoa project.
What is a 'Waharoa'?
A waharoa is a gateway or main entranceway - usually to a marae, but also to places of significance, like our kura. Traditionally, waharoa were intricately carved by master carvers. I have included some local examples above. More recently, contemporary styles of Waharoa have been created, with painted images also captured.
Ariki will be creating a contemporary, painted Waharoa with the children over the next few weeks. Our Waharoa will represent the history and important aspects of our school values and community. Ngake, Whatatai, Ika a Maui, Kotuku, Tawahaki and Te Wheke - along with more modern histories and stories will be reflected in the design, which will be original. At our wananga, our local kaumatua, mana whenua and our rōpū shared ideas about what could be represented. I felt really privileged to have been included in that discussion. Thank you to Haley, Pearl, Dee, Sarah, Ron, Maru and Danny (and all of the wonderful tamariki) for joining us.
If you would like to share images or your whānau - early peoples in Tapu te Ranga, around this part of Wellington, please feel free to bring in old photos, etc that could be copied and used for inspiration.
CALLING all builders - Please can you help us?
We need to be able to install the waharoa, which will be several large panels of Marine Ply fixed securely to the existing fence. This would be mid-late June. Is there someone that might be able to volunteer a little time to do this?
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
Thank you to the many families who supported their child(ren) to learn and read prayers in their own language. This was a real highlight of our Pentecost Mass on Monday. Thank you also to families who supported us in other ways at this mass.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Cross Country Results
PSL Thank you
PSL Working bee
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
Three wonderful senior role models were presented woth principal's awards this week for their leadership. Thank you to Lily, Rose and Hazel!
15 Maramarima - 15 May 2024
15 Maramarima - 15 May 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
Supporting Mindfulness and Resilience
In a diverse school community like SFdS, sometimes events or incidents happen that cause children to feel scared or anxious about going to school. Sometimes the school knows about these fears and worries and can support the child. We have had weekly meditation sessions with all of the children this year, led by one of the sisters from the Home of Compassion, Sr Rachel. This is teaching to children to bring themselves back to a state of calm.
Other times your child may not share this until they are at home with you. It is important that you support your child through these occasions to help them build resilience so that they can do things for themselves eventually.
There are lots of things you can do to support your child. One idea is to spend a little time doing some mindfulness activities as part of your home routine. Your can find some ideas on the Pause, breathe, smile organisation: https://pausebreathesmile.nz/free-resources/
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
On Monday at 11:00am we will be having a full school Mass in the church for Pentecost. The Jewish feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) was a thanksgiving for the first fruits of the wheat harvest. It was later associated with a remembrance of the Law given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.
The apostles were gathered together for this feast together. While together, they were filled with te Wairua Tapu - the Holy Spirit. From this time, the apostles continued to share the messages of love that Jesus had taught them. This was the birth of the Christian church as we know it.
As a school, we celebrate the Fruits of the Holy Spirit as our school values: Aroha, Harikoa, Rangimārie, Manawanuitanga, Atawhai, Piripono, Hūmārire, Tikanga whakahaere, Ngākaunui: Love, Joy, Peace, self-control, kindness, faithfulness, generosity, gentleness.
Please join us for our school Mass at 11:00am on Monday 20 May.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Buddy Mass Timetable
Pink Shirt day information
PSL Sausage Sizzle information
Inspire Photography
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
8 Maramarima - 8 May 2024
8 Maramarima - 8 May 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
Thank you to the many parents who helped out at this morning's cross country running event. Thank you also to the many spectators. The children have been training for a while, and it brought such joy to us all to see their enthusiastic faces as they fought through the challenges of a long run. A number of our learners who struggle with taking on challenges like this were also supported to finish their run.
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
Art
We have had about 250 visitors through the art exhibition in the weekend. So many of our visitors were impressed by the standard of your children's artwork. Most of the art is still up in the hall if you missed taking a look. Thank you to Jenna, Sarah and Lauren for your support for this event.
Structured Literacy
I'm sure you have heard of new government policies to support structured literacy in schools. This is not new for our school, as we have been on this journey for nearly three years now. All of our teachers have had training, and we have a number of resources already in use to support this focus.
ADHD
Our Resource Teacher for Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) worked alongside our Inclusion Lead (Sarah Fountain) to provide professional learning for all staff on understanding ADHD this week. These children have such unique and valuable talents, and we work hard as a school to ensure our learning supports them to enjoy success. We have further professional learning in relation to Dyslexia and Autism planned for this term. We are also planning to provide support sessions for parents of children with these superpowers.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Cross Country Thank you
Message from Attendance Dues Team
Message from St Patrick's College
Message from Pasifika Kids Advancing
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
1 Maramarima - 1 May 2024
1 Maramarima - 1 May 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
Welcome back to term 2 and a warm welcome to our new whānau at SFdS.
The days are getting cooler as we move through autumn. Please take this time to check your child's uniform to make sure they have suitable items for the cooler weather. With no distinct 'winter' or 'summer' uniform, this is up to you, as parents, to decide.
Please also continue to make good decisions about times that your child is not well enough to attend school. You are best placed to decide this. The Ministry of Education has also produced this guide for parents: https://parents.education.govt.nz/essential-information/attendance-every-day-matters/
Art Exhibition this Saturday and Sunday - helpers needed please
We are currently curating a wonderful art exhibition of your children's artwork as part of the South Coast Arts Trail this weekend. It is coming together beautifully. We are putting together a roster for supervising the art over the weekend. Please check the Hero post erlier this week. At this stage, we have had NO Volunteers. Please can you spare a couple of hours to sit in the hall with a good book?
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
Ā Tātou Whakapapa Our Story is recognised within the new Religious Education Curriculum, To Tātou Whakapono. The story of the church, who we are and how we got here.
If you check your child's Hero Page, you will be able to see a new page available to you: 'Ko Wai Au? Who am I?''. This page is for keeping a record over time about your child's 'story' - their whakapapa, introductions, interests, achievements outside of the curriculum, including family updates and photos.
Within school, we will occasionally update this page also, and over time the students will have access to make their own updates - sharing something about themselves, including their mihi/pepeha.
This page will soon be open for whānau to contribute to - you will be welcome to update the page as you see fit. We invite you to use this page to celebrate milestones for your child and your family. Watch this space!! Please note that page is not for sending messages to your child's teacher.
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
We farewelled our Year 7&8 ākonga yesterday as they headed off for their Year 7&8 camp in Taranaki. After a decent bus trip, stopping in Levin and Whanganui on the way, they are now enjoying a range of activities that are designed to support and challenge them in an 'Education Outside the Classroom' or EOTC context.
EOTC is a key part of the New Zealand education curriculum. I understand that on their journey to the camp, the campers enjoyed a magnificent view of the Maunga - Mt Taranaki. This maunga is very important to many of our learners, whose whakapapa can be traced back to that area.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
School Cross Country - Map included
Uniform Shop details
Entertainment Book
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
10 Aperira - 10 April 2024
10 Aperira - 10 April 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
As we approach the final days of Term 1, I want to express huge gratitude to the wonderful SFdS staff team pictured above. We have 23 caring and professional teachers, office staff, teacher aides, librarian and caretaker in our team. Many of our whānau are unaware of the ways each of our team members go above and beyond their job descriptions to ensure that your child(ren) enjoy, and benefit from, learning.
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)
We have started this professional learning contract with the Ministry of Education. Sarah and I have attended a regional workshop, and met with the PB4L facilitators. The PB4L team for our school includes Sarah Fountain, Tom Leeper, Ronan Kelly, Jenna Laney, Fran Peters, Aleks Zajac, Amie Roberts (RTLB) and Tessa Davies (MOE Educational Psychologist). We will meet regularly as a team to plan and implement actions that will include evaluation and updates of our behaviour management protocols.
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
A number of our SFdS children participated in the Veneration of the Cross in the parish on Good Friday. Yesterday we had Altar Servers’ training with the Parish. Weekly Friday buddy class Masses have gone well this term, with positive feedback from our parishioners. Weekly Christian Meditation has continued also, supported by Sister Rachel.
I attended professional learning in relation to implementation of the new RE Curriculum, and developed a draft planning template to guide teachers. This will be trialled in Term Two with the Tangaroa team. All other teachers continue to implement the current version of the curriculum.
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
Your child's teacher is currently updating their Hero pages to update you on progress across the curriculum. Please check out your child's Hero page to engage with the comments about their learning.
Next term our rich learning plan focuses on technology processes. If you know of businesses that use processes designed to meet a certain outcome or solve a problem - please make contact with your child's teacher. We also have our Waharoa project next term, which will be a good opportunity to come together as a community.
Two teachers recently joined a number of other professionals to learn more about ADHD. Our three team leaders recently attended the first of 3 ‘courageous conversations’ workshops to grow their capability as catholic school leaders.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the following links for more updates in relation to...
Tough Guy and Girl challenge Reminder
Kiwi Competition live on Kindo
Inspire Photography Reminder
Sports Hoodie Reminder
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
3 Aperira - 3 April 2024
3 Aperira - 3 April 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
Welcome back following the long Easter weekend. We now just have just over a week until the school holidays! I know that accommodating school holidays is a challenge for many families, so I want to thank you for your patience and support with this. Thank you also to those whānau who joined us for our Easter Liturgy on Thursday last week.
Staffing update
One of our teachers, Eilís Ryan, has decided to return home to her family in Ireland later this year. Eilís has definitely made the most of her time in the southern hemisphere, visiting far and wide during her holiday times over the past two years. She has been a wonderful teacher in our school and continues to providing a wonderful learning environment for our students. Eilís is also a much loved staff member and we will all miss her when she leaves us. I want to take this opportunity to thank you Eilís for your commitment to our Year 7&8 learners during 2022 and 2023, and our Year 6 learners this year.
Eilís will continue teaching the ākonga in Tī Kōuka Room 11 until the end of Term 2 this year. From that time a new teacher will be the Room 11 teacher. We are currently preparing to attract the best possible candidate to take on this important role. This person will join a supportive staff team and a great school community. This teaching position will be advertised nationwide in the Education Gazette over the next few days.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the tabs above, and linked below, for more updates in relation to...
Reminder Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge
Message from Inspire Photography
PSL Thank you
PSL Invitation come along
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
27 Poutūterangi - 27 March 2024
27 Poutūterangi - 27 March 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
This week many in our Indian community have celebrated Holi - the Festival of colours. Some of the children have shared their family experiences of the festival. Last weekend, some of our staff and students joined with families in the Relay for Life. It is always wonderful to hear about the fun and meaningful experiences from our ākonga (students).
Please join us at our Easter Liturgy the children are preparing - tomorrow at 11:00am in the church.
Easter Tuesday - School Closed
Next Tuesday, following Easter Monday, is a school holiday (but not a statutory holiday), meaning schools across the country must be closed. The terms and holidays are usually set so that Easter occurs during the first term break and the Easter Tuesday school holiday goes unnoticed. However, in some years Easter falls much earlier than usual such as in 1997, 2005, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2021 and 2024.
New Strategic Direction
Currently the Board of Trustees is developing a set of new strategic goals, following our community consultation in 2023. The new plan is timed to be ready to go from Matariki as this is a time of new beginnings. There is still work to be done, but at this stage key themes that are arising relate to:
Ensuring that all tamariki can thrive in our school, regardless of who they are and their background. Related to this is a planned focus on:
providing for neurodiversity in our school (please check last week's news for information about neurodiversity)
Bringing the community together more through the achievements of the tamariki. Related to this is a planned focus on:
creating the conditions for our diverse Māori and Pasifika learners and their whānau to thrive, and have a strong sense of belonging
Strong, sustainable, resilient teaching capability - which relates to all of the points above
Working in a financially sustainable way
If you would like to contribute to refining these key themes, please feel free to email principal@sfds.school.nz
Thank you to the WF Anderson Education Foundation
St Francis de Sales School has received generous grant of $6,000 from the W F Anderson Education Foundation on 21 March 2022.
The grant will be used to reduce barriers to learning through implementation of structured literacy programmes, implementation of the Accessit online library programme, purchasing much needed equipment for play, sport, etc. We will also use some funds to contribute to the costs to some families for the Year 7&8 camp.
Thank you very much to the WF Anderson Trust.
Positive Behaviour for Learning - School Wide (PB4L-SW)
Supporting children's behaviour to ensure they get the best of learning is always an ongoing challenge when our 200+ children come from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and cultures. This year we have embarked on a three-year leadership professional learning journey to support effective relationship-management, review and strengthen systems, enhance behaviour management processes. We are supported in this journey by two Psychologists from the Ministry of Education. This contract is called PB4L-SW.
Catholic Special Character
Catholic Special Character
Te Religious Education Curriculum is changing. The refreshed RE Curriculum is called Tō Tātou Whakapono Our Faith. This new curriculum is being introduced over time as resources to support it are developed by the National Centre for Religious Studies (NCRS). This year, the Tangaroa syndicate (Year 1-3) are learning to teach the new curriculum.
Next term, their focus is Te Atua God. Images to help families support their child to learn about Te Atua God are included in this SFDS News page. We will have a two-year cycle, with our Year 1-3 learners cover half of each theme each year from the learning materials for Years 3.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the tabs above, and linked below, for more updates in relation to...
Year 7/8 Netball
Year 3 - 8 Miniball/Basketball
Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge
Sports Hoodie
PSL Easter Raffle due in Thursday 28 March
Entertainment Book
Please keep an eye on these each week
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
20 Poutūterangi - 20 March 2024
20 Poutūterangi - 20 March 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week. This week is about celebrating the strengths and talents of people who think and learn differently. It is also about recognising hard work and determination. Neurodiversity Celebration Week is one way of reminding everyone of the importance of being kind and accepting of everyone.
Neurodiversity is the recognition and celebration of the wide range of neurological differences among individuals. Most of the population is classed as 'neurotypical', and our world is set up well for neurotypical people to thrive.
Many people are diagnosed as being 'neurodivergent' - indicating autism, ADHD, dyslexia, autism, dyspraxia, and many more. Our neurodivergent learners have many, many more challenges to face while fitting into our school and community. We believe that every child brings unique strengths and perspectives to our school, because of their neurological makeup.
Here is a short movie which explains neurodiversity to help you build your understanding: https://youtu.be/b3rj9nUv0Qg
Currently, 25% of SFDS School students have been diagnosed as being neurodivergent (including our SFDS students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, autism, dyspraxia, down syndrome, and more). This statistic underscores the importance of understanding and embracing neurodiversity within our school community. We firmly believe that diversity, in all its forms, enriches the educational experience for every student.
We acknowledge the worries and the extra work that parents of neurodiverse children sometimes face. Balancing the needs of your child with the demands of daily life can be challenging. We encourage all families to join us in fostering a culture of acceptance within our school community. By embracing our differences and supporting one another, we can create a truly inclusive environment where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Catholic Special Character
This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday. This day celebrates Jesus' journey into Jerusalem, riding a donkey. The donkey is a strong symbol of humility. At this time in Jesus' ministry, He was well known as a healer, a mentor and a spiritual leader by the population. The crowds of people called him, "king". They laid palms down to show their respect - yet he chose to take on a humble form of transportation, rather than a camel or other transport that may have been seen as more fitting. He wanted the people to know he was one of them.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and Easter. This is the most important time in our church's calendar. We will be coming together as a school to pray and learn about Holy Week on Thursday 28 March, at 11:00am. We invite you to join us for our Holy Week Liturgy in the church.
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
Achievement Results
We have recently shared our 2023 end of year achievement results with the Education Review Office (ERO), as part of our scheduled review which has been taking place over the past 2 years. The results in the table displayed below are a testament to the work our community does to support learning in three of our core areas of learning. The results are reported in the format that is required by ERO in terms of ethnicities.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the tabs above, and linked below, for more updates in relation to...
Mini & Basket Ball reminder
Rock your Socks day tomorrow! Don't forget to donate on kindo!
Message from Kindo
Please keep an eye on these each week
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
Celebrating the Unique Strengths and Differences of more than 25% of our SFDS learners (and other famous people!)
20 Poutūterangi - 20 March 2024
20 Poutūterangi - 20 March 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week. This week is about celebrating the strengths and talents of people who think and learn differently. It is also about recognising hard work and determination. Neurodiversity Celebration Week is one way of reminding everyone of the importance of being kind and accepting of everyone.
Neurodiversity is the recognition and celebration of the wide range of neurological differences among individuals. Most of the population is classed as 'neurotypical', and our world is set up well for neurotypical people to thrive.
Many people are diagnosed as being 'neurodivergent' - indicating autism, ADHD, dyslexia, autism, dyspraxia, and many more. Our neurodivergent learners have many, many more challenges to face while fitting into our school and community. We believe that every child brings unique strengths and perspectives to our school, because of their neurological makeup.
Here is a short movie which explains neurodiversity to help you build your understanding: https://youtu.be/b3rj9nUv0Qg
Currently, 25% of SFDS School students have been diagnosed as being neurodivergent (including our SFDS students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, autism, dyspraxia, down syndrome, and more). This statistic underscores the importance of understanding and embracing neurodiversity within our school community. We firmly believe that diversity, in all its forms, enriches the educational experience for every student.
We acknowledge the worries and the extra work that parents of neurodiverse children sometimes face. Balancing the needs of your child with the demands of daily life can be challenging. We encourage all families to join us in fostering a culture of acceptance within our school community. By embracing our differences and supporting one another, we can create a truly inclusive environment where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Catholic Special Character
This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday. This day celebrates Jesus' journey into Jerusalem, riding a donkey. The donkey is a strong symbol of humility. At this time in Jesus' ministry, He was well known as a healer, a mentor and a spiritual leader by the population. The crowds of people called him, "king". They laid palms down to show their respect - yet he chose to take on a humble form of transportation, rather than a camel or other transport that may have been seen as more fitting. He wanted the people to know he was one of them.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and Easter. This is the most important time in our church's calendar. We will be coming together as a school to pray and learn about Holy Week on Thursday 28 March, at 11:00am. We invite you to join us for our Holy Week Liturgy in the church.
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
Achievement Results
We have recently shared our 2023 end of year achievement results with the Education Review Office (ERO), as part of our scheduled review which has been taking place over the past 2 years. The results in the table displayed below are a testament to the work our community does to support learning in three of our core areas of learning. The results are reported in the format that is required by ERO in terms of ethnicities.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the tabs above, and linked below, for more updates in relation to...
Mini & Basket Ball reminder
Rock your Socks day tomorrow! Don't forget to donate on kindo!
Message from Kindo
Please keep an eye on these each week
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
13 Poutūterangi - 13 March 2024
13 Poutūterangi - 13 March 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
Thank you very much for joining our teachers in the Goal-setting conferences over the past two evenings. I know that the teachers found it helpful to be able to have a quick chat with each of you, and I hope you found this helpful also. Please feel free to share any feedback about what you found helpful, and ways that we could improve for next time.
Easter Raffle
Thank you for all of the donations towards our PSL Easter Raffle. Your donations are appreciated - and there is a real sense of excitement each morning, as the children see the supply growing!
Uniforms
Thank you for your support with making sure your child is wearing the correct uniform. We have seen a marked improvement in the correct uniform clothing being worn to school. One area that is still a problem is shoes. The main problem is children wearing shoes with contrasting logos, etc. (examples are shown in the previous image).
As shared a few weeks ago, please make sure your child(ren) wear(s) the correct uniform to school, especially:
Sandals / Shoes: Navy, black or brown sandals with back strap - OR - School shoes in plain black, brown or navy. No contrasting logos allowed.
Optional Sports Shoes: ONLY to be worn during SPORT / PE. Not to be worn at other times.
If your child does not have the correct shoes, please make sure to purchase these the next time you buy new shoes.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to the following students who received a values certificate at our school hui on Friday for showing the value of aroha - Zane H, Heidi J, Yakin M, Sofia M, Noah W, Tenysin T, Chiara Z, Thea S, Brearna A and Zeb V.
Well done to Declan W who was the winner of the Empire Cinema voucher for the values card draw.
Congratulations to Siena who won the house cup for the most points earned at the Fun Sports Day.
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
Each week, the Tangaroa Syndicate are having a time of 'beach school', along with a number of volunteer parents/caregivers and the staff. This has been really well received and is such a wonderful opportunity to make the most of our beautiful surroundings. Thank you very much to the volunteers who have been joining the group to help out!
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the tabs above, and linked below, for more updates in relation to...
Term 2 Miniball/Basketball (years 3 - 8)
Term 2 and 3 Netball (years 5 - 8)
Southern Zone Football Festival (years 5 - 8)
Scholastic Book Club goes online
Hoods up Volume down
Please keep an eye on these each week
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
principal@sfds.school.nz
6 Poutūterangi - 6 March 2024
6 Poutūterangi - 6 March 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
Friday's fun day was just what was planned - loads of fun! It was really lovely to see many families join us down at the park. The staff were particularly proud of our House Captains who were all helping out on the day. They led their house groups, looked after the younger children, led activities and made sure their house did their very best in the house chants.
A couple of weeks ago we sent home requests for donations to support the activities that we provide for the SFDS tamariki. Thank you to the families that have made donations and payments for various activities at school.
We also invite you to 'pay it forward' should you wish to support other SFDS families. Thank you very much to those of you who have kindly donated funds through this scheme already.
Look out for the following buttons on Kindo at check and please donate if you can!
Learning
Learning
Please remember to book in for your child's Term One Goal Setting Conference. If you need help with this, please chat with Fran in the office. If you are unable to find a time that suits, your child's teacher will be able to make a booking on another day, so please email them directly.
Catholic Special Character
Catholic Special Character
Value Focus: Love ~ Aroha
Our current value focus of love ~ aroha is about caring for all, respect, sharing resources, being kind and thoughtful, thinking of others, being inclusive of all.
Years 1 – 5: To feel loved, secure and included not only in your family but also in the school community. To understand that although people are different everybody deserves to be loved. To show love to animals, nature, people and the environment. To love God even though you can’t see him. Realise that God’s love is constant.
Years 6 – 8: Recognising their individuality and loving their unique qualities. To understand that love is unconditional. To love God even though you can’t see him. Realise that God’s love is constant.
Religious Education
This term, our theme for catholic social justice teaching in Religious Education is 'Distributive Justice' - this concept is all about fair allocation of resources (including income, goods and services). This would make a very worthwhile conversation at home also, especially given the current affairs in our country.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the tabs above, and linked below, for more updates in relation to...
Fun Sports day
Year 5-8 Netball
Southern Zone Football Festival
Tax rebate
New Lunch Menu starting next Tuesday!
PSL Easter Raffle is back!!!
Please keep an eye on these each week
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
principal@sfds.school.nz
28 Pēpuere - 28 February 2024
28 Pēpuere - 28 February 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
We are looking forward to our Fun Sports Day this Friday at Shoreland Park! The children will be able to dress in their house colours and enjoy the fun! Come along if you like and join in too.
Learning
Learning
In two weeks we will be holding our Term One Goal Setting Conferences. You will have received a notification through Hero. Please book in a time that suits you.
Goal Setting Conferences are an opportunity for you and your child to meet with your child(ren)'s teachers. You can share your perspectives on the goals set for their learning, and discuss progress and insights - and generally affirm your child for their learning. Please bring your child along to these meetings, as it is helpful for their learning when they see their family working with the school and showing an interest in their learning.
Please note - there is not enough time for in-depth meetings. If you need more than 15 minutes, please arrange to meet with your child's teacher at a different time. Consecutive slots will not be booked.
To book - please open your Hero App and look for the 'School Bookings' symbol. From here, you will be able to follow the directions on the screen. If you have any problems, check in with Fran in the office and she will be able to help you.
If you are unable to find a time that suits, your child's teacher will be able to make a booking on another day, so please email them directly.
Catholic Special Character
Catholic Special Character
Sacramental Program
The Sacramental program starts this coming Sunday 3 March 10.30am at St Francis de Sales Church or 5pm at St Anne's Church in Newtown.
Making the Sign of the Cross
One of the most important prayers for catholic people around the world is 'The Sign of The Cross'. The Sign of the Cross is an ancient prayer rich in meaning. Each time we make the Sign of the Cross, we renew our profession of faith; express our belief in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Following this newsletter are two Youtube links - one for learning how to make the sign of the cross, and one for the sign of the cross spoken in many languages. If you would like your child to be recorded making the sign of the cross in your family's first language, please email lauren.king@sfds.school.nz and we can help to record this so that others can learn from it.
Family Mass - 10:30am Sunday 3 March
Don't forget! Please join us this Sunday in celebrating a special children's Mass at 10:30am in St Francis de Sales Church. It would be wonderful to see you all there - even if you do not normally attend Mass. You will be very welcome.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the tabs above, and linked below, for more updates in relation to...
Fun Sports day
Southern Zone Football festival
Winter Netball Terms 2 and 3
PSL Fundraising Social Club Meeting tonight 7.30pm
Rock your socks upcoming fundraiser
Please keep an eye on these each week
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
principal@sfds.school.nz
A Tutorial in making the Sign of the cross
A Tutorial in making the Sign of the cross
The Sign of the Cross in Many Languages
The Sign of the Cross in Many Languages
21 Pēpuere - 21 February 2024
21 Pēpuere - 21 February 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
The children are now well settled into their classes, learning their routines, and support programmes are being refined to support changing needs. We are planning a special support programme for children who have been through significant change and there is more information below.
Seasons for Growth: Term 2
Learning to live with change and loss
Change and loss are issues that affect all of us at some stage in our lives. We recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce and related circumstances, young people may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore planning to offer a very successful children's education program called Seasons for Growth which will commence in Term 2 this year during school time.
This program is facilitated in small groups and is based on research which highlights the importance of social support and the need the practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on issues such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and support networks.
If you think your child would benefit from Seasons for Growth we would encourage you to talk to them about participating in the program. We are really pleased to be able to offer this important program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those who request to be involved.
Donation Requests and Payments for 2024 (These have been added to your kindo account today.)
Donation Requests and Payments for 2024 (These have been added to your kindo account today.)
While the New Zealand government supports most school costs, there are additional expenses crucial to enhancing our students' learning experience at St Francis de Sales School.
Last year, our school faced a funding gap of over $200,000. A decline in volunteers over time has also affected income (e.g. from annual school fairs). Last year we sought grants to bridge some of the gap. This financial pressure puts our smaller class sizes and valuable aspects of school life at risk.
To continue providing quality education in a caring environment, we rely on the generosity of our families more than ever. Your support through donations and compulsory payments is vital.
*We are also excited to introduce the ‘Pay It Forward’ initiative. We invite you to make a donation to contribute to one or more of the school costs listed below for another SFdS family.
Below is an overview of the 2024 donation requests and compulsory payments.
Voluntary Donation Requests
Voluntary Donation Requests
Firstly, we request that you contribute towards general costs across the school, as detailed on KINDO:
‘SFdS Donation’: Supporting smaller class sizes, and updating learning resources
$250 for one child
$350 for two children
$400 for three or more children
* ‘Pay it forward’ - donation to support another family at SFdS
Religious Education Digital Resource: $11 per child requested to cover costs
Swimming: $80 per child requested to cover costs of instruction and bus transport
Secondly, we also ask that your contribute towards Year Level based activities, as detailed on KINDO:
Activities Donation: Supporting various curriculum-related activities:
Year 1-3: $80 per child requested to contribute to the cost of learning through play, Life Education, Intro to Kapahaka, NZ Playhouse performance, Footsteps Dance sessions, occasional trips, and school events, sports gear
Year 4-8: $130 per child requested to contribute to the cost of Life Education, Kapa Haka, NZ Playhouse performance, Footsteps Dance sessions, school sports, and zone sport, choir, etc, termly trips, and school events
Noho Marae (Year 6 only): The 2024 cost is yet to be confirmed
Camp (Year 7 & 8 only): $370 per child to cover costs
Technology (Year 7 & 8 only): $64 per child to cover costs
Compulsory Payments
Compulsory Payments
Optional activities (e.g. optional sports teams) invoiced separately through 'School Shop: Kindo.'
Attendance Dues: Compulsory and payable directly to the Archdiocese. Visit the Archdiocese website for details.
How to Contribute:
How to Contribute:
Use our online school shop – Kindo at www.kindo.co.nz.
Eftpos to the school office (no cash or cheques accepted).
Direct deposit into our bank account: ASB 12-3141-0233071-00 (Please quote your child’s name and the activity you are paying for, or the donation you are making).
If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne at office@sfds.school.nz or 939 7370.
Support
If you have any concerns about our donation requests or compulsory payments, please feel free to contact our Principal, Mary-Angela Tombs directly (principal@sfds.school.nz). We are very happy to support you where we can - through payment options or applying for rebates for attendance dues.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Catholic Special Character
Catholic Special Character
Sacramental Programme
Enrolments for the 2024 Sacramental programme close on Monday 26 February. This programme is available to all children who have been baptised into the Catholic faith and reached Year 4 or above in the primary school system. The Parent evening is at St Anne’s on Tuesday 27 February at 6.30pm.
Family Mass - 10:30am Sunday 3 March
Our whole parish, including our three schools (St Anne's, St Bernard's and St Francis de Sales), is coming together to celebrate a special children's Mass at 10:30am in St Francis de Sales Church. It would be wonderful to see you all there - even if you do not normally attend Mass. You will be very welcome. If you would like your child to have a special role in the mass, please email lauren.king@sfds.school.nz.
Lent - preparing ourselves for the coming of Christ at Easter
During these 40 days on lent, as Christians we believe the best way to prepare ourselves for Easter is to try to do some self-maintenance. Trying to change habits that are judgmental, antisocial, unhelpful, negative is one way. Trying to be of service to others, giving to a cause, or forgiving others, or spending time in prayer can be other ways. The children are currently learning about this through the Caritas Lenten programme. See the purple poster below to find some ideas for lent at home during the 6 weeks of lent.
Christian Meditation
Next week we welcome Sr Rachel, from the Home of Compassion. Sr Rachel will be leading each class through Christian meditation every Monday from next week. The meditation only takes 5-10 minutes and will be a welcomed time of peace during a busy day for the children.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the tabs above, and linked below, for more updates in relation to...
Big Little Sponsorship
A message from the Touch Rugby organisers
School Donations are tax Deductible
Children's Mass poster
Seasons for Growth flier
Please keep an eye on these each week
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
principal@sfds.school.nz
School Donations & Payments 2024.pdfSFG CYPP Fact Sheet.pdf
Please take extra care when dropping off or picking up children...
Please do not allow child to run across the road to or from your car.
Please do not park on yellow lines or over driveways.
Please do not use driveways for 3-point turns.
14 Pēpuere - 14 February 2024
14 Pēpuere - 14 February 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
Thank you to those of you who joined with us and parishioners to celebrate Ash Wednesday this morning. All of the children participated reverently in the Mass. On Monday this week some of our teachers also attended the annual 'Commissioning Mass' at St Mary's of the Angels church. We gathered with other teachers from across Catholic Schools in Wellington for this Mass. We were given a special blessing to start the year from Archbishop Paul.
Cell Phones / Smart Watches
You may have heard through the media that the government now requires all schools to implement a rule that cellphones are banned from schools. At St Francis de Sales we already had a system set up where any cellphones were to be handed in to the class teacher at the beginning of the day. This now also applies to smart watches. If you child needs a cellphone for medical reasons (monitoring blood sugars, etc) parents can coordinate with Sarah Fountain (sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz) and the class teacher.
Road Safety
Please take extra care in dropping off and picking up your child. We often witness unsafe driver behaviour outside out school and all of us are worried about safety of our community. Please do not...
Park over driveways (including the school driveway)
Use driveways for three-point turns (including the school driveway)
Send your child across the road from your car - they need to use the zebra crossing
Park on yellow lines
Thank you for your support.
Uniform
Please make sure your child is wearing the correct SFdS uniform. Please do not replace parts of the uniform with alternatives (eg skirts, logo shoes, different coloured socks, different shorts, etc). This includes plain black, brown or navy shoes / sandals (no ticks or other logos). Thank you to the wonderful PSL team who have created a clever movie (below) asking for donations of the 'old' uniform if no longer needed. A reminder that we are due to transition completely into the 'new' uniform at the beginning of Term 2 this year (after our 2-year transition period). If you need your child to wear something different - make sure to communicate this to their teacher.
Catholic Special Character
Catholic Special Character
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is a special day for Christians that marks the beginning of Lent, a period of 40 days leading up to Easter. On Ash Wednesday, people in our church gather together to receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. These ashes are usually made by burning palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday. The ashes symbolize humility, mortality, and the need for repentance.
The priest or special minister applies the ashes while saying a phrase like "Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return," (or similar) reminding everyone of their human mortality. This act serves as a way for people to reflect on their lives, seek forgiveness for any wrongs, and commit to a period of self-examination and spiritual growth during Lent. Many Christians use this time to pray, fast, and engage in acts of kindness as they prepare for the celebration of Easter.
Weekly Buddy Masses
Most Fridays, our classes attend the normal Parish Mass on a Friday morning. Our families are always welcome to join us - you don't need to be a Catholic to do this. Mass starts soon after 9:00am. Fr Doug is planning to visit each class in the lead up to a buddy class Mass, so that the children learn more about the Mass.
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the tabs above, and linked below, for more updates in relation to...
Term 1 Sports
Underwater Hockey
Weet-bix Tryathlon
Attendance dues billing
Correct Uniform
Garden to table
Found - Lost snapper card
Please keep an eye on these each week
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
principal@sfds.school.nz
7 Pēpuere - 7 February 2024
7 Pēpuere - 7 February 2024
Kia ora e te whānau
This morning it was really wonderful to welcome you all back for another school year at SFDS. The school comes alive once it is filled with children! Thank you to our staff team for your careful preparation for the year over the recent weeks. Thank you to those who stayed for our welcome assembly.
Communications
We want to make sure everyone receives the information they need in a timely fashion. We also want to avoid excessive duplication of information, while trying to support you to stay informed. In order for this to be effective, we also rely on our families reading our communications.
Meetings, emails, phone calls, Hero texts - direct messaging for information about your child(ren) only. Later this year we will also introduce direct messaging through Hero, but this functionality is not yet switched on.
Hero Community Notices - Our first point of contact for you in a general sense. We will try to keep our messaging succinct. You can search these messages using key words if you miss something. The Hero format limits the scope of what we can share, and only people on your Hero account can view the information - hence the 2024 SFDS News, below.
2024 SFDS News - This website is our public sharing of updates about our school to keep everyone fully informed. We have simplified the format of the site somewhat. We suggest you bookmark the site on your device, so that you do not need to navigate links if this is problematic for you. Below is a URL to copy and paste to help you do this: https://sites.google.com/sfds.school.nz/2024sfds-news/home . The 2024 SFDS News site will be updated weekly, including photos, celebrations, affirmations, important information, etc.
Calendar - Our school's google calendar of events is updated by our office team. Please be aware that sometimes the calendar updates can be delayed due to plans changing. We endeavour to keep this updated as best we can and it is checked regularly. We suggest you add the google calendar to your own calendar to stay updated.
School Website - Our website is for public information only. We do not use the school website to share news. However it does provide links to the SFDS News and other key information.
School Facebook page - this is exclusively for celebrating our school and our people. It is not used for information sharing.
Catholic Special Character
Catholic Special Character
A prayer for the start of this new school year
E te Atua, we seek your guidance and wisdom for the journey that unfolds before us in 2024. Grant us the strength to face challenges with faith, the courage to embrace change, and the humility to seek your will in all that we do. May your light illuminate our path, leading us to walk in love and kindness here at SFdS.
Lord Jesus, may your love fill our hearts and overflow into the lives of those around us. Help us to be instruments of peace, reconciliation, and hope in a world that so desperately needs your light.
We lift up to you our dreams, our fears, and our aspirations. May your Holy Spirit guide us in making choices that honour you and contribute to the Hauora, well-being of others. In times of joy, may we give thanks, and in times of sorrow, may we find comfort in your presence.
We place our trust in you, Lord, knowing that you hold the future in your hands. May your grace abound, and may your name be glorified in all that we say and do.
In Jesus' name, we pray.
Amen.
2024 Sacramental programme
Enrolments for the 2024 Sacramental programme close on Monday 26 February. This programme is available to all children who have been baptised into the Catholic faith and reached Year 4 or above in the primary school system. The Parent evening is at St Anne’s on Tuesday February 27 at 6.30pm.
Enrolment forms available from the School office or the Parish Website. wellingtonsouthcatholic.org
Values focus: Atawhai - Kindness
We start this term with a focus on using a friendly voice, thinking of others’ feelings, sharing, gentle hands and feet, including others, thanking others, being thoughtful.
Years 1 – 5: Being sympathetic when others hurt themselves, share, help others, be friends with everybody and include others.
Years 6 – 8: Help others without expecting anything in return, practise random acts of kindness, include others and look beyond your friendship group, be kind to your family members and acknowledge the things they do for you every day.
Ash Wednesday Mass
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent - the 6 weeks' preparation of Holy Week and Easter in our church's calendar. Please join us for Ash Wednesday Mass on Wednesday 11am in St Francis de Sales church.
Learning
Learning
Rich Curriculum Plan for Term 1
This term our learning relates to Social Sciences: Identity and Culture. We want Ākonga to see themselves and others reflected positively in our school. Across the school, we are focused on the following big ideas:
People hold different perspectives on the world depending on their experiences, stories, values and traditions.
We live by our school values, drawing on our whakapapa, belonging to a community, inclusivity and our sense of place and citizenship.
These big ideas will guide a progression of learning primarily through the Social Sciences kaupapa, and with integration across Religious Education and Health. In the coloured table (Blue / Green / Yellow) below, we have shared the learning and teaching approaches that will be visible inside and outside the classroom as they progress through each level of the school.
In Tangaroa, our Year 1-3 ākonga will learn:
We show who we are through daily routine and through stories about our whānau.
SFDS and Island Bay are important to us and our whānau. We show our connection to places through exploring our local area.
In Papatūānuku, our Year 4-6 ākonga will learn:
Our whakapapa shapes who we are, and impacts how we interact with others.
Our choices can have positive or negative impacts on the world we live in.
In Ranginui, our Year 7&8 ākonga will learn:
Sometimes, we can feel included, other times not. It can affect culture and our collective identity.
Our connections to places and things can either bring us together or lead to disagreements about rights and duties, with different outcomes.
This year we plan to take more opportunities to explore Te Whanganui a Tara - beyond our school gates, and to engage with more expertise, stories, arts and culture from within our community. We welcome your involvement in learning. Please speak with your child's teacher if you can help in any way.
Our SFdS Uniform is Compulsory
Our SFdS Uniform is Compulsory
Please make sure your child(ren) wear(s) the correct uniform to school, especially:
Hat: Wide brim SFdS sunhat; SFdS logo cap (Year 7&8 only) - no other hats allowed.
Sandals / Shoes: Navy, black or brown sandals with back strap - OR - School shoes in plain black, brown or navy. No contrasting logos allowed.
Optional Sports Hoodie: ONLY to be worn for SPORT / PE. Not to be worn at other times.
Optional Sports Shoes: ONLY to be worn during SPORT / PE. Not to be worn at other times.
Any children wearing incorrect items will be required to remove these items.
If your child is not able to wear the correct items temporarily or for medical reasons, please send a note to their teacher. Thank you
Other Information
Other Information
Please visit the tabs above, and linked below, for more updates in relation to...
2024 Sport
Dates to add to your Diary
SFDS Support needed - Island Bay Festival Community Parade this Sunday
Compulsory SFdS Uniform items
Please keep an eye on these each week
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Angela Tombs
principal@sfds.school.nz
Important Hero Message...
There is a function on Hero whereby you can 'react' and 'comment' on your child's learning posts. This is to allow you to affirm them in their efforts, etc. In the future, the children will have access to Hero.
Please note that your child's teacher may not see your comments written here, so may not be aware of your questions you have asked or messages you have sent them this way.
At this stage, the best way to communicate with your child's teacher is to continue to phone, pop in or email them.
Page updated
Report abuse