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Welcome
Welcome
It has been a wonderful three days of reconnecting with our whānau and your tamariki again. Last week our staff gathered for several opportunities to learn about specific children's needs, to reinforce our understanding about autism, to learn about our new Maths programme, and to welcome our new staff. We started this week with a school welcome in the courtyard.
Our new timetable is working pretty well so far - we've had a few glitches we've needed to sort out, and we anticipate this will take a couple of weeks. A huge thank you to the staff for embracing this change to provide more sensory / eating breaks for our children.
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
Religious Education
At a catholic school, Religious Education is one of our core learning areas, holding equal importance with Reading, Writing, and Maths. This term our Religious Education Theme is: Ā Tātou Whakapapa Our Story This is the story of our Church, and who we are and how we got here. Our stories as individuals can only be told in the context of whenua, tupuna and whakapapa — the bigger story of our families, our cultures, our faith and our lands. Through this learning we want our children to experience a sense of belonging, connection and interdependency with God, the Church, other humans and creation.
Masses
School Mass: On the morning of Wednesday 5 March, we will hold our first school Mass of the year - for Ash Wednesday. Exact timings are still being arranged by Denise, our Director of Religious Studies, and we will keep you in the loop. We would love you to join us for this Mass.
Weekly Mass: Each Friday, different classes attend the regular parish Mass in the church - you are very welcome to join us at this time for these Masses. They are called 'buddy masses' because two classes attend together - older and younger.
Learning
Learning
Education Outside of the Classroom (EOTC)
Our education outside the classroom (EOTC) programme includes all events that occur outside the classroom, both on- and off-site, including all curriculum-based activities (e.g. field trips and camps) and extra-curricular activities (e.g. voluntary sports or cultural events).There are several EOTC programme events coming up this term for our learners.
Garden to Table - this year we have arranged Vic Martin, one of our teachers, to be fully involved in the garden to table programme. We desperately need two parent/grandparent helpers to support that teacher and the children involved. This will take place on Monday afternoons each week. If you like to garden, to cook and to help children to learn in this hands-on experience, please email vic.martin@sfds.school.nz.
Year 7&8 Camp - Planning is well underway for our annual Year 7&8 Camp at Makahika. The teachers, and whānau have been preparing for this annual opportunity since Term 4, 2024. The 65 children will be taking part in a variety of challenging events with the support of our staff and parent volunteers. Thank you to those families who are giving up their time to support our seniors throughout this challenging experience.
Year 7&8 Snorkeling - We have been on the waitlist for this opportunity for a couple of years now, so it is exciting to be able to provide this EOTC experience at our local coastline for our seniors this term.
Year 7&8 Surfing - Keeping to the sea theme, our seniors will also taking part in a surfing lesson at Lyall Bay.
Beach Trips - The teachers in Tangaroa are looking for parents to support their regular beach trips this term. It is so wonderful to be able to make use of our local beach to learn about this special environment. If you can help, please contact your child's teacher.
Physical Education - Each week all learners will have one lesson with our specialist PE teacher, Anita Patel. The PE programme supports cognitive and physical development, coordination, team skills and wellbeing. This starts next week.
Library Visits - Our Year 1-3 learners make regular walks down to the Island Bay Library to learn about how a library managed and set them up for a lifetime of reading.
Life Education - This is planned for a few days from 21 February. All classes will be scheduled to take part in this opportunity, which focuses on health and wellbeing.
Seasons for Growth - This is a programme for of all ages children to learn to live with change and loss in their lives. It is available on request. Please see the full information later in this newsletter.
Sports
Sports
Athletics Day
This year our athletics day for year 4 - 8 students will be held in term 1 on Friday 28 March at Newtown Park. This allows us to focus on teaching athletics skills during term 1 while the weather is more settled and then give the students an opportunity to put their skills into practice at athletics day later in the term. This event relies on extra adult helpers. If you are able to help for all or part of the day, please email Fran on francesca.peters@sfds.school.nz
Reminder Term 1 Sports Open on Kindo
Future Ferns, Touch Rugby and Futsal are now open for registration on Kindo! Registration's Close this Friday 7 February 2025.
School Notices and Events
School Notices and Events
Island Bay Festival Sunday
Don't forget to take part in the festival this Sunday. Our school flag will proudly fly on one of the boats in the blessing on the water! Thank you Candice and whānau. Unfortunately only 3 children and two parents have expressed an interest in joining the parade this year. We also have no staff available this year. So you and your whānau can go and cheer on Island Bay Kindy, Island Bay School and all of the other groups this year!
Teacher Only Day: Friday 28 February
As shared last year, the Ministry of Education has arranged for two curriculum days where teachers will gather across different schools to learn about the updated Maths Curriculum. We will be working with St Anne's and St Bernard's School teachers.
The first of these days is coming up soon, on Friday 28 February. School will be closed on this day.
Term One Learning Conferences
Each year we hold two opportunity for all whānau/families and their tamariki/children to meet as a group with their child's teacher to discuss their learning progress. The children join in with these meetings so that they can be part of the discussion. The first of these opportunities is this term, with times available over two afternoons / evenings.
Tuesday 8 April: 2.15pm - 7.30pm
Wednesday 9 April: 2.15pm - 7.30pm
On each of these days, school will close at 2.00pm. Please make prior arrangements for your children to be cared for from 2.00pm so that the teachers have time to meet with every family. Bookings for the conferences will open closer to the time.
Seasons for Growth
Learning to live with change and loss
Everyone is affected by change and loss at some time in our lives. At St Francis we recognise that when changes occur such as separation, divorce, death, school transitions and natural disasters children may benefit from learning the skills to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore offering an education program called Seasons for Growth.
This program is facilitated in small groups of up to 7 participants 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 building skills such as how to manage feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and develops peer support networks. Participation in the program can promote improved self-esteem and self-confidence as well as giving children the opportunity to find their own voice amid change.
If you think your child/ children would enjoy joining the Seasons for Growth program, we encourage you to talk to them about it. We are pleased to be able to offer this successful program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those involved. If you require further information or would like to sign your Child/ren up for the course please contact Fran on Francesca.Peters@sfds.school.nz
Dates to Add to Your Diary
Dates to Add to Your Diary
Please check our SFDS Events Calendar
Thursday 6 February
Waitangi Day - School Closed
Friday 7 February
School Closed
Tuesday 11 February
Wheke (Rm 7) PE day - Wear PE Gear
Parareka (Rm 8) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day- Wear PE Gear
St John's First Aid sessions for Kids
Wednesday 12 February
Koura (Rm 6) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day- Wear PE Gear
Ranginui PE Day - (Rm 12 and 13) Wear PE Gear
St John's First Aid sessions for Kids
Thursday 13 February
9am - 10am Year 7 Immunisation Talk
St John's First Aid sessions for Kids
Tamure (Rm 5) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
Friday 14 February
9am - 10am Rm 2&8 Buddy Mass
Clued Up Camper First Aid session for Year 7/8
Parareka (Rm 8) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Ranginui PE Day - (Rm 12 and 13) Wear PE Gear
Wheke (Rm 7) PE day - Wear PE Gear
Tuesday 18 February
Camp Makahika
Parareka (Rm 8) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day- Wear PE Gear
Wheke (Rm 7) PE day - Wear PE Gear
Wednesday 19 February
Camp Makahika
Koura (Rm 6) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day- Wear PE Gear
Thursday 20 February
Camp Makahika
Tamure (Rm 5) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
Friday 21 February
Camp Makahika
9am - 10am Rm 5&14 Buddy Mass
Parareka (Rm 8) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Wheke (Rm 7) PE day - Wear PE Gear
Friday 28 February
Teacher Only Day - School closed.
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