A warm welcome to our new families who have joined us this term. The children have arrived back to school refreshed after their two week break.
Farewell to Denise
Monday next week is the last day for teacher, Denise Phillips. Denise joined us from South African when she and her family moved over in 2022 to teach at our school. Denise has a gentle and kind way about her, and she has always been very supportive of other staff members and children at our school. We know that Denise's students will miss her when she finishes up with St Francis next week. We wish Denise, Peter, Giana and Michael love and best wishes as they journey ahead as a family.
Measles
You may have heard that there have been cases of measles across New Zealand. It is important that we know which children have been immunised against the measles and other contractible illnesses. Fran has been trying to contact those families who have not given us this information to keep on file. Please make sure to keep your information with us up to date - thank you.
Cleaning / Caretaking
As communicated last week, Chris Wratt is making a return to classroom teaching from Tuesday next week. I can now let you know that we have arranged for Deluxe Cleaning to clean and care for our school property. It is wonderful to be able to support Deluxe Cleaning, as a local Wellington company who have a proven track record at other schools. They will start working at our school on Monday afternoon, next week.
Remembering Pope Francis
This week, classes have been learning about the life of St Francis following his death and funeral in Rome. He was a true inspiration for us all - catholics and all others. He focussed his time on difficult tasks that challenged people and our common home. Pope Francis was unassuming, yet resolute in his approach, and never failed to care for those who were left out or 'on the peripheries' of global societies. He had a special love for children and their parents.
Every day, at the end of Pope Francis' morning prayer, he would recite the prayer of St Thomas More, to help him retain is wonderful sense of humour:
Prayer for Good Humor
Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest.
Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humor to maintain it.
Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good
and that doesn’t frighten easily at the sight of evil,
but rather finds the means to put things back in their place.
Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments,
nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called “I.”
Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor.
Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy,
and to be able to share it with others.
St Mary, Mother of Jesus
At the end of last term we had the privilege of taking part in reflection and prayer with the help of the 'floating' Mother Mary Statue. The statue moves around from place to place as a focus for reflection. Mother Mary will be returned to the parish community this week. A huge thank you to Mr and Mrs Kolich for this opportunity.
Prayer for Our Cardinals as they prepare for the Conclave
Lord Jesus
Thank You for loving us and guiding Your Church.
Please bless Cardinal John Dew and all cardinals who are meeting to choose a new Pope.
Give them wisdom, peace, and hearts that listen to You.
Help them work together with love and kindness.
Send the Holy Spirit to lead them in making the best choice.
We pray for the new Pope, too - that he will be a good shepherd,
a strong leader, and a loving follower of You.
Amen.
Garden to table
We’re thrilled to announce that St Francis de Sales has been selected as a winner of the Garden to Table – School Seedling Offer!
Thanks to this opportunity, an assortment of vegetable seedlings will be delivered to our school in the first week of Term 2 — completely free of charge. This wonderful gift supports our mission to teach students how to grow, harvest, and share fresh, seasonal food.
A big thank you to the Garden to Table team for supporting our school's gardening journey — and to our amazing community for helping foster a love of growing and eating good food!
Stay tuned for updates as your children plant and care for our new seedlings!
Congratulations to the Term 1 Year 7 & 8 Futsal team! Great season more wins than losses and they had great team spirit!
Year 7 Vision Screening
Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand provides a vision screening programme for all Year 7 students. Our technician Amanda will be coming to St Francis de Sales school on Wednesday 25 May.
Vision - pupils will be advised of results at the time of screening. If further assessment is recommended you will be notified by mail.
Children who wear glasses and/or are under professional care and have regular checks will not require a vision check from our service.
Non-consent - please notify your school if you do not want your child being screened. Email: office@sfds.school.co.nz if you do not consent.
This screening is not a full assessment of your child's vision. If you have any concerns, please see an optometrist.
Thank you for your support with this programme. If you have any queries, please contact me on the details below.
Amanda Stott Vision & Hearing Technician P: 04 587 2961 | M: 027 480 9735 | E: Amanda.Stott@huttvalleydhb.org.nz
Pink Shirt Day
Friday 16 May, we will be holding a Pink Shirt day Pink Shirt Day is the day Aotearoa comes together to take a stand against bullying. The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand (MHFNZ) has run the campaign since 2012, inspiring tangata to Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying! Pink Shirt Day. (To learn more about the cause, please click this link .)
We encourage students to come dressed in something pink to show their support and help promote kindness, inclusion, and anti-bullying messages.
Please also check our SFDS Events Calendar
Thursday 1 May 2025
Bee Healthy Dental Van
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
12:30pm - 2:45pm Technology Ranginui (Yr 7 & 8)
Friday 2 May 2025
Bee Healthy Dental Van
Wheke (rm 7) and Parareka (Rm 8) PE Day (Wear PE Gear)
Monday 5 May 2025
Bee Healthy Dental Van
Tuesday 6 May 2025
Bee Healthy Dental Van
9:15am - 9:45am Amēlie Kelder From St Catherine's coming to talk to the year 8 Girls
9:15am - 9:45am Mike Savali From St Patrick's coming to talk to the year 8 boys
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE day (Wear PE Gear)
Wheke (rm 7) and Parareka (Rm 8) PE Day (Wear PE Gear)
Wednesday 7 May 2025
Bee Healthy Dental Van
9am - 1pm Whole School Cross Country
Thursday 8 May 2025
Bee Healthy Dental Van
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
12:30pm - 2:45pm Technology Ranginui (Yr 7 & 8)
Friday 9 May 2025
Bee Healthy Dental Van
9am - 1pm Whole School Cross Country postponement
Monday 12 May 2025
Bee Healthy Dental Van
Tuesday 13 May 2025
Bee Healthy Dental Van
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE day (Wear PE Gear)
Wheke (rm 7) and Parareka (Rm 8) PE Day (Wear PE Gear)
Wednesday 14 May 2025
Bee Healthy Dental Van
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE day (Wear PE Gear)
Thursday 15 May 2025
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
12:30pm - 2:45pm Technology Ranginui (Yr 7 & 8)
Friday 16 May 2025
Pink Shirt day
Wednesday 20 May 2025
Southern Zone Cross Country TBC
St Mary's College Open Day
Tuesday 27 May 2025
St Patricks College Open day tour- Please email the office if you son is going!