First Holy Communion
This Sunday a number of our tamariki from SFDS celebrated their First Holy Communion alongside their families. Fr Doug celebrated Mass - also celebrating the anniversary of his ordination into the priesthood 12 years ago. During his sermon, Fr Doug spoke of Pope Francis' message to another group of First Communicants in Bulgaria in 2019:
"Remember that this is the sacrament of your first Communion, not your last! Remember too, that Jesus is always there, waiting for you. I hope that today will be the beginning of many Communions, so that your hearts may always, like today, be festive, full of joy and, above all else, gratitude." (Pope Francis)
Thank you to Fran and Denise for organising the Sacramental Programme, and helping to teach the children, for the Parish.
It was a wonderful celebration together as a Catholic Community of Faith.
House Activities
Every second Thursday, for about 25 minutes, our senior students lead activities with their house group. The staff in each house group support the seniors with this time. Each week focuses on a different theme from our wellbeing model. This is a wonderful way for our seniors to practice their leadership of the younger students, and for the children to have good examples of ways to demonstrate our school values. This is also a part of our PB4L programme that we have been sharing aspects of with you.
Last Thursday's wellbeing theme was 'Connect'. Each of the leaders planned fun activities to help the children and staff feel connected to one another. Here are some other example that you may like to engage with for your wellbeing: https://mentalhealth.org.nz/five-ways-to-wellbeing/connect-me-whakawhanaunga
The children from Barbier House had a balloon game at the end of their 'Connect' House session. Well done to all of our Year 7&8 House leaders for providing fun ways to connect with others.
Ngā mihi nui – Thank You Sarah and Robin
A huge thank you to Sarah and Robin for coming in to work with our senior students and teaching them how to make poi. The students thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on experience and were fully engaged in the process from start to finish. Not only did they have fun, but they also gained a deeper understanding of the skill, creativity, and cultural significance behind poi making.
We are so grateful for the time, energy, and knowledge that Sarah and Robin shared with us. Opportunities like these help bring learning to life for our tamariki and give them valuable connections to te ao Māori.
Kia ora rawa atu, Sarah and Robin, for your generosity and for helping our students learn in such a meaningful and memorable way.
Garden to Table
What a stunning day we had in the garden on Monday! Our Garden to Table group were busy planting potatoes, just in time for Christmas - a big thank you to Annette for donating the seed potatoes. The children were thrilled to discover and dig up some potatoes already growing, which they proudly took home along with some fresh lemons.
We are also grateful to Ann for donating compost, which has given our garden beds a real boost. The students enjoyed collecting worm tea and feeding it back into the soil to help our plants grow strong.
Our sweet peas are looking beautiful and growing fast - we have just added taller stakes to help them climb even higher.
Ka pai to our gardeners for all their hard work and enthusiasm!
Term 4 Sport
A friendly reminder the registrations for Term 4 Sport are now open on Kindo. Please read all details, pay and register on Kindo if your child/ren is going to play Touch Rugby, Futsal or Junior Netball.
Southern Zone Swimming
All the best to our 24 swimmers who will be participating in this event next week.
Referee Opportunity
Total Touch are always on the look out for keen junior Touch players to join the TT Referee Whānau. As a referee, you will benefit form increased confidence, knowledge of the rules and self-confidence. Referees are trained and well supported throughout their journey. Referees are rostered around their games (if they play) and general availability.
Referees receive $5 per game and the opportunity to attend other competitions and tournaments in Wellington, as well as NZ.
To become a referee, you will need to complete the Online Referee Foundation Course and attend at least one practical training session before the season starts. We have a meeting on 18 September at Hutt Park where we meet all referees, go over how the season looks and are readily available for questions.
Please head here for more information and to register - https://totaltouch.fmweb.nz/referees
Term 3 Learning Conferences
Please remember to book in your meeting time(s) with your child(ren) and their teacher(s).
Learning conferences are a 15 minute discussion about each child's learning and social progress at school. We try to meet with all of our parents over two days.
Each family has been sent an email about this last week. Bookings are made through the Hero app, as pictured below.
In order to accommodate meetings for all of our families, we will close early both days:
Tuesday 16th September - 2.00pm close
Wednesday 17th September 2.00pm close
Don't Forget to Vote in the Board Elections!
A reminder that voting to elect our Board members closes on 10 September - make sure to have your say. The following image shows how the online voting is going as at 10.30am this morning. We have also received a number of paper votes to the office for those who do not have an email on our files.
Please also check our SFDS Events Calendar
Wednesday 27 August
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Ranginui PE Day - Wear PE Gear
7:30pm - 8:30pm Artsplash performance
Thursday 28 August
Tangaroa PE Days (Rm 2,5 & 6) Wear PE Gear
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
12:30pm - 2:45pm Technology Ranginui (Yr 7 & 8)
Friday 29 August
7:50am - 8:30am Flames Netball Practice
9am - 1pm Road Patrol Training
9:10am - 9:40am Buddy Mass Rm 5 and Rm 14
Ranginui PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Wheke (Rm 7) & Parareka (Rm 8) PE Days - Wear PE Gear
3pm - 4:30pm Year 5/6 Netball Practice
4:30pm - 5:30pm Year 7/8 Comets Netball Practice
Monday 1 September
Tangaroa PE Days (Rm 2,5 & 6) Wear PE Gear
1:30pm - 3pm Rm 2 Paekawakawa Reserve trip
1:45pm - 2:45pm Rm 6 Island Bay library visit
Tuesday 2 September
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Southern Zone Swimming Sports
Wheke (Rm 7) & Parareka (Rm 8) PE Days - Wear PE Gear
Wednesday 3 September
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Ranginui PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Thursday 4 September
Tangaroa PE Days (Rm 2,5 & 6) Wear PE Gear
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
NE Vision and Hearing testing - Please contact the office if you do NOT want your child tested
12:30pm - 2:45pm Technology Ranginui (Yr 7 & 8)
Friday 5 September
7:50am - 8:30am Flames Netball Practice
9:10am - 9:40am Buddy Mass Rm 6 and Rm 10
Ranginui PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Wheke (Rm 7) & Parareka (Rm 8) PE Days - Wear PE Gear
3pm - 4:30pm Year 5/6 Netball Practice
4:30pm - 5:30pm Year 7/8 Comets Netball Practice
Monday 8 September
Tangaroa PE Days (Rm 2,5 & 6) Wear PE Gear
1:30pm - 3pm Rm 6 Paekawakawa Reserve trip
1:45pm - 2:45pm Rm 5 Island Bay library visit
6:30pm - 8:30pm SFDS Board hui
Tuesday 9 September
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Wheke (Rm 7) & Parareka (Rm 8) PE Days - Wear PE Gear
Wednesday 10 September
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Ranginui PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Year 5-8 Futsal Festival
3pm - 4pm Netball Prizegiving
Thursday 11 September
Tangaroa PE Days (Rm 2,5 & 6) Wear PE Gear
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
12:30pm - 2:45pm Technology Ranginui (Yr 7 & 8)
Friday 12 September
7:50am - 8:30am Flames Netball Practice
9:10am - 9:40am Buddy Mass Rm 7 and Rm 12
Ranginui PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Wheke (Rm 7) & Parareka (Rm 8) PE Days - Wear PE Gear
3pm - 4:30pm Year 5/6 Netball Practice
4:30pm - 5:30pm Year 7/8 Comets Netball Practice
7pm - 10pm PSL Quiz Night!
Monday 15 September
Tangaroa PE Days (Rm 2,5 & 6) Wear PE Gear
1:30pm - 3pm Rm 5 Paekawakawa Reserve trip
Tuesday 16 September
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Wheke (Rm 7) & Parareka (Rm 8) PE Days - Wear PE Gear
2pm: Early Finish for Learning Conferences
2:15pm - 7:30pm Learning Conferences
Wednesday 17 September
Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Ranginui PE Day - Wear PE Gear
2pm: Early Finish for Learning Conferences
2:15pm - 7:30pm Learning Conferences
Thursday 18 September
Tangaroa PE Days (Rm 2,5 & 6) Wear PE Gear
Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear
12:30pm - 2:45pm Technology Ranginui (Yr 7 & 8)
Friday 19 September
Last day of term
9:10am - 9:40am Buddy Mass Rm 2 and Rm 8
Ranginui PE Day - Wear PE Gear
Wheke (Rm 7) & Parareka (Rm 8) PE Days - Wear PE Gear
Monday 6 October
First Day Term 4