Newsletter Week 1 Term 1
Wednesday 11 February 2026
Web address: www.sfds.school.nz Email: office@sfds.school.nz
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Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou,
Kia ora koutou,
It has been a fantastic first three days of the term! I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to start meeting our tamariki and whānau at the gate and around the school. Thank you so much to those who have already reached out to introduce yourselves—your warm welcome has made my first few days as Principal a total joy.
If we haven’t crossed paths yet, please do come and say hello! I am delighted to be joining this community and feel it is an absolute privilege to lead such a vibrant school.
As we look ahead, I would love to remind you of two important upcoming events:
Formal Mihi Whakatau: Monday 16 February, 11:00 am at SFDS Church. This ceremony formally welcomes my family and me to the school. We would be honoured to have your families join us for this special occasion.
School-wide Mihi Whakatau: Monday 23 February, 9:10 am. This is our chance to officially welcome all our students and staff to the new year.
Please enjoy our first school newsletter, it’s packed with important information and updates to help everyone stay connected and off to a great start for the term. Please keep an eye on Hero for messages from your child’s classroom teacher or syndicate leader, as they will be sharing more specific information there. If you have any queries or concerns please see your classroom teachers first.
If you experience any difficulties navigating Hero/Newsletter/Kindo, the school office is happy to help.
Thank you for your continued support of our school and for being such a valued part of our community.
Ngā mihi nui,
Nikolai Solia
Principal
Welcome to Your First Week!
The first week of school is full of new beginnings. Some of you might feel excited, some a little nervous, and that’s okay — it’s all part of starting something new.
You’ll notice little things this week: new shoes tapping across the floor, backpacks that feel heavier than usual, and smiles shared between friends, both old and new. Every feeling is welcome here. Every one of you belongs.
This week isn’t about knowing everything or being perfect. It’s about trying, learning, and taking small steps forward — even if your tummy feels funny. You’ll discover new friends, kind teachers, and fun ways to explore and grow.
At our school, we believe in caring for each other, being curious, and doing your best. Mistakes are part of learning, and asking for help is a brave and important thing to do. Every act of kindness, every moment of effort, makes our school a better place for everyone.
By the end of the month, the school will feel a little more familiar, and you’ll start to see where you fit in. You are safe here. You are valued here. You are exactly where you need to be.
Welcome to the first week of an exciting adventure. We can’t wait to see all the wonderful things you will do!
Important Message from Wellington Water:
Unfortunately this is an ongoing issue and we ask you to take note of the following information outlined below:
There is an ongoing untreated wastewater discharge affecting the south coast of Wellington. This includes Breaker Bay, Tarakena Bay, Lyall Bay, Houghton Bay, Island Bay, Ōwhiro Bay. Do not collect kai moana or shells - We strongly recommend the public stay out of the water and off the beaches. This includes your furry friends also!!!
REMEMBER:
Do not swim or dive
Do not collect kai moana (shellfish)
Do not have contact with seawater
Do not walk dogs on the beach and avoid the beach if possible.
DRS Message
DRS Message
Sacramental Programme
Enrolments are now open for the Wellington South 2026 Sacramental programme. This programme is available to all children who have been baptised into the Catholic faith and have reached Year 4 or above in the primary school system.
Application forms are on the Parish Website or at the school office.
Buddy Mass
Most Fridays, we hold our Buddy Masses from 9:15 am to 10.15am where two classes join our local parish for a special time of worship and community. We warmly encourage parents and whānau to come along and support your children — it’s a wonderful opportunity to share in their learning and spiritual journey, and to be part of our school community in action. We’d love to see you there!
School Notices and Events
School Notices and Events
New to school or need a refresher? Check out the following!
Absence from School:
If your child is sick or unable to attend school for all or part of the day, send a message through the HERO app, email the school office (office@sfds.school.nz) or call the school office (04 9397370) so that their absence can be accounted for. PLEASE DO NOT email the teacher or wait for a message from school. The office will let the teachers know if your child is going to be away.
This is most important to alleviate any concerns about their whereabouts. If no communication has been received from parents, then the school will contact you by text/phone call.
Children who are late (arriving after the 9am bell) need to sign in on our Vistab system in the school foyer, in case they have been marked absent by the teacher who takes the roll first thing in the morning.
If an absence is planned for a special reason and will be longer than 2 days, an email to the office or a message through the Hero app in advance is required (we will notify the teacher).
Appointments during school time: If your child is leaving school during school hours please use the Vistab system that is located in the school foyer (outside the office)to sign them out and back in, if they return back to school.
Uniform Shop
Uniforms are now available to order though our Kindo shop. Here you will find our complete stock list and the sizes available.
Orders are made up once a week on a Friday morning. Once made up these will be delivered to your child before home time Friday afternoon. If your child is away that day we will aim to deliver the items on the next day they are at school.
If you require a uniform fitting, please email the school office to arrange a time or include a list of what you need and we will fit your child with the required uniform. The correct sizes to order will be sent home via email for you to order online. Alternatively our uniform shop volunteer is usually in the uniform shop on Friday mornings between 8.45 and 9.15am.
Sunhat reminder:
The school uniform sunhat is required to be worn during break times in Term 1 and 4. Students who can’t find their hats will be required to play under the veranda by Rooms 3 and 4. You are able to order a new hat via kindo.
Music Lessons on site at St Francis de Sales:
Our music teacher Vorn has a few openings after last year's Year 8s have graduated. New enrolments now available:
Group Lessons Available: Lunchtimes. Individual Lessons After School: Drums, Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Singing, Violin, Recorder/Flute and more!
Bookings and inquiries to: megs.mcc.rose@gmail.com
School Lunches
Are available Tuesday - Friday every week, please check out the 2026 useful links and information tab where you find the community notices in the "Home" tab at the top of the page.
Check out our new SFdS 2026 Links and Useful information page!
Here you can stop and find out all sorts of helpful information! Information such as:
School Procedures and Policies
Information about the Hero App
Information about Kindo our online shop
School Lunches
Pastoral Care
School Houses
Concerns and Complaints
and much more! Make sure to keep an eye out on this page as we will add more information as the year goes on. Check out the photos on how to navigate the menu!
Poly Club
A huge thank you to Adecco for sponsoring our first St Francis de Sales Poly club in 2025. Poly Club will be back in Term 3 2026 so keep your eyes open for more information to come!!
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 13 February
9:15 – 10:15am Buddy Mass Rm 6 and Rm 10
Monday 16 February
11 – 11:30am Mihi Whakatau - Welcoming Nikolai Solia - All invited- SFDS Church
Wednesday 18 February
10:15 – 11:15am Ash Wednesday Mass
Thursday 19 February
2026 School Immunisation Programme - Education Session
Friday 20 February
9:15 – 10:15am Buddy Mass Rm 2 and Rm 8
Monday 23 February
9 – 10am Mihi Whakatau - Welcoming all New Staff, Students and Family members
Wednesday 11 March
School Photo day! - Please wear Formal School Uniform (not PE Gear)
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