Principal's Message

The Power of Patience: Cultivating a Quiet Strength

In a world that constantly hits the fast-forward button, waiting can feel like a lost art. From instant downloads to uber eat deliveries, we are conditioned to expect everything now. Yet, at St Francis de Sales, we are called to pause, breathe, and practice a timeless virtue that anchors our hearts: Patience.

Patience isn’t just a nice habit; it is a foundational pillar of who we are. It stands proudly as one of our core school values, rooted deeply in the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Scripture reminds us of the divine timing that governs our lives. As the Catholic Bible beautifully states in the Letter of James:

"Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains." — James 5:7

Just like the farmer, our students are learning that the best things in life take time to grow.

Patience in the Classroom and Playground

Every day, our students find inspiring ways to put this virtue into action. We see patience when a student raises their hand and waits quietly for the teacher, even when they are bursting with the correct answer. It is alive on the playground when children wait their turn on the slide, or when a senior student gently helps a junior student to solve a problem These small, everyday choices build a culture of mutual respect.

Bringing the Virtue Home

Patience doesn't stop when the school bell rings; it is just as vital at home. Practicing patience with family members might mean giving a sibling space when they are having a rough day, or waiting calmly while a parent finishes a work call. It means choosing a kind word over a sharp reaction when chores feel tedious. When families practice patience together, the home becomes a loving space for all.

Finding Stillness in Prayer

Patience is the bedrock of our spiritual lives. In prayer, we don’t always get immediate answers, and that can be challenging. True patience in prayer means sitting quietly with God, trusting in His perfect timing, and listening with an open heart rather than rushing through a list of requests.

So let’s challenge ourselves to slow down. Whether we are waiting in a long line, working through a difficult task, or pausing in quiet prayer, let us ask the Holy Spirit to nurture the fruit of patience within us.

Ngā mihi nui,

Nikolai Solia

Principal

SPORTS 

Inter Zone Cross Country

A reminder this event is happening this coming Tuesday 9 June. The students attending have received a hard copy of the information and this is also on Hero (post dated 28 May).

Due to the relatively small number of runners we have attending, we won't be organising a bus or supervision at the park. We kindly ask for you to transport your child between school and the park for their race. A list of qualifiers who will be attending was in the newsletter last week if you would like to organise transport with another parent/caregiver. If your child won't be attending, please let Sarah know as soon as possible.

Bringing balls to school

If your child brings a ball to play with at break times, please support them to name it at home before they bring it to school. This will help us to return it to the right person if it gets misplaced. We would also appreciate you explaining to them that if they bring a ball to school, it is their responsibility to look after it. This is the message we give to them at school. All other toys are to stay at home (unless they are needed at school for a specific reason which has been organised by the classroom teacher).  

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.