Principal's Message

Welcome back to term 4! I hope you have all had a wonderful time with your tamariki.

During the recent school break, my two-year-old daughter needed another blood test. Having been through numerous medical tests and procedures already, she is deeply aware of her surroundings and naturally feels anxious, carrying the memory of past unpleasant experiences.

What could have been an overwhelming visit was transformed by the soft, comforting approach of the doctors and nurses. From their gentle voices and tender touch to the quiet, patient way they took their time to put her at ease, their soft-spoken care brought light to a stressful moment.

Their tender empathy turned what could have been a terrifying task into a gentle, reassuring experience.

Gentleness, our value for the term, is often misunderstood as weakness, but true gentleness is actually strength under control. It is the practice of treating others with kindness, patience, and tender care rather than force or harshness. When we display gentleness, we show humility, deep empathy, and respect for the feelings, bodies, and belongings of those around us.

To guide us on this journey, let us hold this Scripture in our hearts throughout the term:

"Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near." — Philippians 4:5

Living out this value starts with simple, everyday actions across all areas of our lives:

At Home

• Speak with a calm voice: Choose quiet, encouraging words when resolving disagreements with siblings instead of shouting.

• Handle chores and possessions with care: Place dishes down softly and care for family pets with gentle hands and patience.

At School

• Include everyone on the playground: Invite someone sitting alone to join your game, making sure everyone feels safe, welcomed, and heard.

• Respond gracefully in class: Offer constructive, encouraging feedback to classmates during group work, listening patiently when others are speaking.

In the Community

• Practice public courtesy: Hold doors open for elderly neighbors and step aside on busy sidewalk paths to make room for others.

• Care for shared spaces: Pick up litter gently from local parks and treat community property with respect so everyone can enjoy it.

Gentleness is contagious. When one person chooses softness over anger or understanding over impatience, it ripples outwards, creating a calmer, safer space for everyone around them.

As we embark on this new term together, let us challenge ourselves to make gentleness our default response. Whether you are at home with family, learning in the classroom, or out in the neighbourhood, let your words and actions reflect this quiet strength. Together, we can build a warmer, more compassionate community.

Ngā mihi nui,

Nikolai Solia

Principal

Mission Fair!

MISSION FAIR IS COMING!

It’s that time of year again — one of the best days on our school calendar! Our annual Mission Fair is happening on Wednesday 11 November, and we’re getting ready for another exciting day of fun, food and activities!

To help our senior students prepare for their stalls, we will be holding a NON-UNIFORM DAY on Tuesday 20 October. We are asking students to bring in donations from the list below to help make this year’s Mission Fair a success.

Requested Donation Items:

• Baking mixes and pancake mixes

• Pancake toppings (caramel, maple, golden, chocolate and strawberry sauces) and lollies

• Microwave popcorn

• Cans, bottles or boxes of drinks (soft drinks and juice)

• Toys and books in good condition

• Face paint and brushes

• Paper cups, bowls and plates

Please send donations to school with your child on the morning of Tuesday 20 October and have them hand these to the front office. 

What is Mission Fair?

Each year, our senior students organise and run a fair for the rest of our tamariki, featuring a range of delicious treats, food stalls and fun games. It is always a highlight of the year and a wonderful opportunity for our senior students to show leadership while bringing our school community together.

Supporting Caritas

All proceeds from Mission Fair will go towards Caritas, a Catholic charitable organisation that supports people in need around the world through humanitarian aid and development programmes.

A Few Important Reminders

• Mission Fair is a student-only event held during school hours.

• Please keep an eye out for payment card purchases opening on Kindo.

Thank you for your support and generosity in helping our senior students prepare for this special day. We look forward to another fantastic Mission Fair!

Sports

Term 4 Touch Rugby

A reminder the registrations are open on Kindo for Term 4 Touch Rugby. We still have space in all teams for each year group. If you have any questions, please email Sarah on sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz

Southern Zone Athletics

This event is coming up on Thursday 5 November (postponement Thursday 12 November) at Newtown Park. The students attending will receive further information this week. We will require parent/caregiver helpers to help run the vortex so please email Sarah on sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz if you will be able to help for all or part of the day.

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. 

We’d Love Your Feedback!

How do you feel about our school newsletter? 

Do you enjoy reading it? Does it give you the information you need? Is there anything you’d like to see more (or less!) of?

We’d love to know what you think and how we can make our newsletter even more useful and interesting for our school community.

Tell us what you think! Your feedback helps us make sure we’re sharing the things that matter to you. office@sfds.school.nz