Newsletter Week 3 Term 2
Wednesday 06 May 2026
Web address: www.sfds.school.nz Email: office@sfds.school.nz
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Principal's Message
Principal's Message
A Special Day.
Last week, we had the pleasure of formally welcoming our newest students and their families to our school community. It was wonderful to see the excitement on the faces of our new tamariki, alongside the pride shown by our current students in representing our school.
Matua Ron spoke on behalf of tangata whenua, and I responded on behalf of the manuhiri. Following the formal welcome, our new families and students were invited to introduce themselves, which was warmly received and helped create a sense of connection.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the mihi whakatau. Your support ensured a welcoming and respectful occasion for all involved, helping to set a positive tone for the journey ahead.
Parent Conferences.
Over the past few days, we welcomed parents and caregivers into our kura for learning conversations with teachers about their child’s progress and next steps. It was fantastic to see such strong engagement and genuine interest in student learning across all year levels.
These discussions provide valuable opportunities to celebrate achievements, identify areas for growth, and strengthen the partnership between home and school. When families are actively involved, students are better supported to build confidence, stay motivated, and consolidate their learning.
We thank all those who attended and contributed to these meaningful conversations. Your involvement plays a vital role in helping your child succeed and make the most of their learning journey.
Ngā mihi nui,
Nikolai Solia
Principal
Welcome . . .
. . . to the following students who have started school in the last few weeks.
Amreen, Angelina, Yostena, Eli, Anahera, London and Chris
We hope that you have a successful and happy time at St Francis de Sales.
Hui Winners!
Huge congratulations to...
Achilles for winning the Principal's cup!
Henry, Amen Nunzio and Nathaniel for winning the Golden Tickets!
AVILA for winning the house cup!
Freya, Amreen, Hemantsri, Bella, Enid, Thomas, Aura, Ellie, Ayana and Jack for winning Value certificates
St. Francis de Sales Year 7 & 8 Open Day
We will be holding an open morning for year 7 & 8 Students wishing to start in 2027 on Friday 8 May. If you know anyone who would be interested in coming and spending the morning with us - please pass the following message on!
Date: Friday 8 May
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Address: St. Francis de Sales School 11 Mersey Street Island Bay
RSVP: Wednesday 6 May to office@sfds.school.nz
St. Francis de Sales offers a dynamic Year 7 & 8 programme designed to support students as they transition from primary to secondary school. With a strong focus on leadership, independence, and inquiry-based learning, and guided by our Catholic values, students are encouraged to think critically, collaborate, and take on meaningful leadership opportunities within the school. Parents are warmly invited to attend and experience our learning environment alongside their child. Children attending are asked to bring their morning tea and a drink bottle.
We look forward to welcoming you.
SPORTS
SPORTS
Term 2 Basketball (years 7 - 8) - Players still needed!!!
We have space in our year 7 and 8 teams if anyone would still like to register their child/ren. All information and registration is on Kindo.
Cross-country
Yesterday’s Cross Country was an absolute success with students from across all year levels showing determination, resilience, and great sportsmanship. It was wonderful to see so many students giving their best effort, encouraging one another, and embracing the challenge of the course.
A big thank you goes to our staff, whānau, and parent volunteers who helped make the day run smoothly. Your support is truly appreciated. Events like this wouldn’t be possible without you.
And a special thank you to Sarah and Anita for all the hard work behind the scenes in organising the event. Your dedication ensured the day was such a success—we truly appreciate it!
We are incredibly proud of all our students, and we congratulate those who placed in the top positions. Year 4-8 students will receive information soon about Southern zone cross country. Please see below for the full results.
2026 School Cross Country Results.pdf
School Notices and Events
School Notices and Events
Pink Shirt Day
We are taking part in Pink Shirt Day coming up on Friday 15 May. All students are invited to wear an item of pink clothing alongside their school uniform on this day.
Pink Shirt Day is about reducing bullying by celebrating diversity in all its forms and supporting schools, workplaces, and communities to be safe, supportive, welcoming, and inclusive. Join the Pink Shirt Day movement to Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!
Emergency Contact information
We are currently updating our emergency contact lists to ensure all information is accurate and up to date.
During the parent-teacher conferences, we asked parents and caregivers to review and update their details. If you did not have the chance to do this, please contact the school office so we can check and update your information.
Please note that in the event of an emergency, children will only be released to the contacts listed on their emergency contact form. This is an important safety measure to help us keep all students safe.
Thank you for your support in helping us maintain a safe environment for everyone.
Dates to Add to Your Diary
Dates to Add to Your Diary
Our SFDS Events Calendar is the best way to stay up to date with everything happening at school — including PE days, special events, and other important dates. You can find the calendar by clicking on the link above or either on our school website or through Hero.
Friday 8 May
St Marys Experience Morning for Year 8 girls
Year 7 & 8 Open morning
Friday 15 May
Pink Shirt Day
Wednesday 20 May
Ranginui camp
Thursday 21 May
Ranginui camp
Friday 22 May
Ranginui camp
Tuesday 26 May
Southern Zone Cross Country
Friday 29 May
Teacher Only Day School Closed!!!!!
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