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Welcome
Welcome
Welcome to 'Movin' March'! This is a great opportunity arranged by Greater Wellington in partnership with local councils to support children to be active by walking, biking or scootering to school. Teams of our senior students are in the driveway each morning before school to stamp Movin March cards and give out stickers to recognise the children's efforts to keep moving. If you would like to know more, visit: https://schooltravel.gw.govt.nz/walk-or-wheel-programmes/movinmarch/info-and-ideas-for-whanau/
Parent-School Link (PSL)
Did you know that we have a group of SFdS parents who regularly help out with various events, celebrations, etc for our school community? The PSL is a group of voluntary members of the St Francis de Sales whānau. The two main functions of PSL are fundraising and the social and pastoral affairs.
Social and Pastoral Affairs: The PSL Chair(s) discuss(es) planned social events with the principal, checking that dates and details are suitable for the school.
The SFdS Office team communicates directly with the PSL pastoral care leader to arrange for individual support for families in need. This is done on a confidential basis. It may be meals, or other forms of support. This is a wonderful aspect to being part of the Catholic School Community.
Fundraising Requests: PSL plans current and future fundraising events to raise money for capital development projects (e.g. playground, property), as well as smaller scale ‘wishlist’ items (e.g.specific equipment, programmes and resources). Currently PSL is planning a sausage sizzle (you will be able to buy this for your child's lunch) and an Easter raffle (families donate Easter items, the items are gathered into prize-lots, people pay money for tickets to try and win one of the prize lots!).
In 2024, the PSL donated 25,850.63 towards library shelving, KiVA (our anti-bullying programme), Hāpara (our online safety programme), and our upcoming playground refurbishments. Our wonderful school (i.e., your children) could not manage without this financial support.
Please watch out for the PSL Annual General Meeting (AGM) and support our parents who are prepared to step up in this capacity. This is also a great way to make friends and meet other parents. The AGM is in the school staff room at 7.00pm on 25 March. All are warmly welcomed to attend!
School Wide Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)
At SFdS we have a PB4L team which includes staff and support service. The team has been meeting for a year now. Our school wellbeing model is now used to define our 'School Rules', and we have set up visual around the school to remind children and adults what is expected of behaviour - so that we are all following those rules.
Look out for the visual reminders around the school. We ask that all adults, including our parents, demonstrate this behaviour also - this will help the children to learn. Thank you for your support.
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
Sacramental Programme
As of yesterday, the Parish have not had any enroments for the Sacramental Programme this year from our school community! We are working to support the parish, so we have sent home pamphlets with all Year 4 and Year 5 students to remind you. Please make this enrolment by 14 March, or your children will miss out this year.
Commissioning Mass
Last evening, our teachers attended the annual Commissioning Mass at the Cathedral. It was a wonderful celebration of teachers in Catholic Schools across the Wellington Archdiocese.
Ash Wednesday
Today, on Ash Wednesday, we recognise the start of the 6 weeks of Lent - our preparation for Holy Week. Each of us were given a cross of ashes at Mass to mark this occasion in our Church.
Lent is a time for prayer, fasting, and giving 'alms'. Below is a prayer about fasting, which helps us understand that fasting is not just about not eating! Also below is a Lent Action Plan, to guide us all to prepare.
The Fast Life
Fast from judging others; Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness; Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; Feast on hope.
Fast from negatives; Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion; Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety; Feast on faith.
- Author Unknown
Sports
Sports
Year 5 - 8 Netball
All information and registrations for year 5 - 8 netball are now on Kindo. Netball is played in terms 2 and 3 so your child/ren needs to be able to commit to both terms.
Athletics Day
This year our whole school Athletics day is for all students in year 1 - 8. It will be held in Term 1 on Friday 28 March at Newtown Park. For PE lessons this term, classes will be learning athletics skills and training for the events.
Athletics day heavily relies on extra adult helpers. If you are able to help for all or part of the day, please fill in this google form ASAP.
Form: https://forms.gle/NAaTnB1bjrqZLW2AA Thanks to those parents that have already signed up to help! If you have already emailed the office we have your name down and will be in touch shortly.
The bus will be leaving school at 9.10am and our juniors will return to school by 1pm and our seniors by 3pm.
All students will need to wear their school PE gear and bring a packed morning tea, lunch and water bottle (no lunch orders please as these won’t be delivered to the park). Please see the table below for the outline of the day: If you have any questions or queries please email Anita at: anita.patel@sfds.school.nz
School Notices and Events
School Notices and Events
Sausage Sizzle: PSL Fundraiser
There will be a Sausage Sizzle held Friday 14th March! These will be available for purchase Via Kindo and will be delivered to your child's class in time for lunch.
If you are able to help out on the day please let the PSL know by emailing them on psl.sfds@gmail.com or turn up at 11am on the day!!
ADHD Parent Information Workshop
Wednesday 26th March 2025
Room 13/14 - Upstairs Senior Classrooms
3.45pm for afternoon tea. The workshop will start at 4pm.
We have arranged for Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) and the Learning Support team from the Ministry of Education to come together to present a parent information workshop about ADHD. Everyone is welcome - whether your child has an ADHD diagnosis, you suspect your child may have ADHD, your child's friend/ family member has ADHD and you wish to learn more or you are just interested in ADHD generally.
We have also invited whānau of children from our neighbouring schools to join us.
Join us in our discussion about:
What is ADHD?
Talking to your child about ADHD.
Talking about ADHD with others.
ADHD hacks for home.
Some useful resources to check out.
Following the discussion, you will have the opportunity to ask questions to a panel of parents and professionals about all things ADHD.
Please RSVP using this here or let a teacher know you are keen to come.
Dates to Add to Your Diary
Dates to Add to Your Diary
Please also check our SFDS Events Calendar
Thursday 13 March 2025
12:30pm - 2:45pm Technology Ranginui (Yr 7 & 8)
Tāmūrē (Rm 5) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
Friday 14 March 2025
9am - 10am Rm 7&12 Buddy Mass
11:45am - 12pm PSL Sausage Sizzle
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
Monday 17 March 2025
1:30pm - 3pm Room 5 Island Bay library trip
Tuesday 18 March 2025
Parareka (Rm 8) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day- Wear PE Gear
School Photo Day 2025
Wheke (Rm 7) PE day - Wear PE Gear
Wednesday 19 March 2025
9am - 3pm Ranginui - Mountains to Seas - Back up Session
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
Thursday 20 March 2025
12:30pm - 2:45pm Technology Ranginui (Yr 7 & 8)
Tamure (Rm 5) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
Friday 21 March 2025
Rm 2&8 Buddy Mass
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
Monday 24 March 2025
1:30pm - 3pm Room 6 Island Bay library visit
Tuesday 25 March 2025
Parareka (Rm 8) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day- Wear PE Gear
Wheke (Rm 7) PE day - Wear PE Gear
7pm - 8pm PSL AGM -SFDS Staff room 7pm
Wednesday 26 March 2025
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
3:30pm - 4:45pm ADHD Parent Information Workshop - R13/14 (Amie Roberts)
Thursday 27 March 2025
12:30pm - 2:45pm Technology Ranginui (Yr 7 & 8)
Tamure (Rm 5) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
Friday 28 March 2025
Athletics Day Newtown Park
Tuesday 1 April 2025
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 2 April 2025
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
Thursday 3 April 2025
12:30pm - 2:45pm Technology Ranginui (Yr 7 & 8)
Tamure (Rm 5) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
Friday 4 April 2025
9am - 10am Rm 6&10 Buddy Mass
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
Monday 7 April 2025
1:30pm - 3pm Room 6 Island Bay library visit
Tuesday 8 April 2025
Parareka (Rm 8) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day- Wear PE Gear
Wheke (Rm 7) PE day - Wear PE Gear
2pm - 3pm 2pm school finish for Learning Conferences
2:15pm - 7:30pm Learning Conferences
Wednesday 9 April 2025
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
2pm - 3pm 2pm school finish for Learning Conferences
2:15pm - 7:30pm Learning Conferences
Thursday 10 April 2025
Tamure (Rm 5) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
12:30pm - 2:45pm Technology Ranginui (Yr 7 & 8)
Friday 11 April 2025
Last Day of Term 1
9am - 10am Rm 7&12 Buddy Mass
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
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