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Welcome
Welcome
Welcome to our our new families who have joined us recently. We have had a lot of interest in enrolling in our school lately - especially looking ahead to next year. It is always wonderful to meet new families and learn about their children and their needs.
Catholic Character
Catholic Character
Sacrament of the Eucharist
It was special to be able to celebrate with our children from SFDS at their First Communion: Mason, Jack, Asgedet, Rapha, Arija, Charlotte and her sister Phoebe. They took part for the first time in the Sacrament of the Eucharist on Sunday. This is a special time for children in the catholic faith, and the whole parish community traditionally celebrates with them on their special day. Thank you to Fran and Lauren for leading the group in the preparation and supporting them on Sunday!
"Make Him always a part of your life. Not just today but every day. Be his friend by the way your treat other people. Be Jesus to others by what you say and what you do. We need to pray, to continue to learn about Jesus. Most of all, you need to come to Mass and receive Jesus fully in the Eucharist." (Fr Doug)
"I ask you always to pray with the same enthusiasm that you feel today. This is the sacrament of your first holy communion. Not your last." (Pope Francis)
Board games about the Sacraments
Our ākonga in our Ranginui syndicate (Year 7&8) have been learning about different Sacraments in our church (e.g. Baptism, Confirmation, Communion, Reconciliation, Marriage and Holy Orders). Three of our students created these great wee board games to help them to have some fun while learn about our faith.
Learning Updates
Learning Updates
Finding Nemo Show
Our tamariki potiki - our youngest children - took off to Lower Hutt to watch the 'Finding Nemo' stage production as a bit of fun and a celebration at the end of their 'Living World' Science term. The show was staged by Musical Start Performance Trust and lots of other schools also attended.
Sports
Sports
Futsal Festival
A huge thanks to the parents who came to help last week at the Futsal Festivals - we very much appreciated your time and commitment.
Term 4 sports now open on Kindo
Futsal, Touch Rugby (Year 1-8) and Junior Future Ferns Netball (Year 1-4) are now open for registration. Full details in last weeks newsletter and on kindo. Registrations close Friday 20 September.
Year 4 - 8 School Athletics Day
This event will be held on Wednesday 16 October (first Wednesday of term 4) at Newtown Park. This event relies on parents/caregivers/adults to help run the athletics activities. Please email Sarah on sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz if you are able to help for all or part of the day.
School Notices and Events
School Notices and Events
Two important notices about parent/caregiver meetings coming up next week
Noho Marae - Term 4 - Year 6
After consultation with Mana Whenua, we can now confirm the date for our Year 6 Noho Marae in term 4. The children from Tī Kōūka (R11) will be staying the night at Kōkiri Marae in Seaview for the day and night of the 30th of October. We would love to welcome the parents/caregivers of the students to join us out there for the activities on first day. The children will stay the night with the staff and volunteers - and return to school the next day.
We are hosting a hui in the school library for all whānau of the Year 6 learners next Thursday 26 September at 7.00pm. At this hui we will plan the details of the Marae stay together - with whānau taking a full part in the planning. Matua Ron will join us and lead our discussion - so that everyone can be part of the decision-making about this marae experience. After this hui, the details will be finalised and full information can be shared with all. Please check your Hero community notice dated 18/09/2024 to RSVP.
Year 7&8 Makahika Camp 2025 (for this year's students in Year 6&7)
We are holding a zoom hui for our current and future families of Year 6&7 students about the 2025 Year 7&8 camp before we finalise any arrangements next Wednesday 25 September 7.00-7.30pm.
At the hui we will discuss:
The camp context (venue, helpers, a general sense of the activities that are available at the camp venue, etc)
The estimated cost of the camp as it stands and how this is calculated.
Whether the cost is acceptable
Options to reduce the cost if necessary
Fund-raising options, grants, and the 'pay it forward' scheme we have in place currently
Please check your Hero community notice dated 17/09/2024 to RSVP. Once you have responded we will send you a Zoom link. To make it easier for those who cannot attend, the Zoom hui will be recorded so you can watch later.
Trading Card Swap Meet
Lexie, one of our motivated 7 year olds has asked if we can hold a swap-meet for children who would like to swap their trading cards (i.e. Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, Disney). Let's do that - it should be fun! Next Friday 27 September (last day of term). From 3.00pm - 3.15pm students can come to the library with their cards and have an opportunity to share, compare and maybe swap a few! Don't bring your whole set - just bring those you are happy to swap with others - children must hand the cards into their teacher with their name on them for safe keeping throughout the day. Any seen out during the day will be 'borrowed' for safe keeping in the office.
Parking outside of school
You may have noticed the new painted yellow line over our driveway - please respect this and keep our children safe by not parking here on pick-up and drop off. We have also applied to the council to designate a drop-off / pick up area to make things even safer. They have told us that this will take a few months to process.
Non-Uniform Day supporting Home of Compassion Soup Kitchen
On Friday 18 October (end of first week in Term 4) we are holding a Non-Uniform Day. We ask that each child brings non perishable food items (cans, dry goods, maybe treats for Christmas) instead of money. We will then transport these to the Sisters of Compassion Soup Kitchen in support of our parish donations. We also encourage you to attend a special Suzanne Aubert Combined Mass Sunday 6 October 10.30am in our church.
PSL Save the date - Disco
Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 24th! The PSL Disco is coming your way, and we’d love your help to make it unforgettable. If you're ready to lend a hand, drop us a line at psl.sfds@gmail.com Let’s dance and make it a night to remember!
Free Fruit and Vegetables
Please help yourself to the free fruit and vegetables in the school foyer - courtesy of Mary from Pacifica Homework club.
Dates to Add to Your Diary
Dates to Add to Your Diary
Please also check our SFDS Events Calendar
Thursday 19 September
Vision and Hearing Year 1
Kāhui Ako Cultural Performance (At St Patrick's College)
Friday 20 September
Rm 12 and 11 Buddy Mass
Rm 11 Assembly in the Library
Monday 23 September
Ranginui Swimming
Tuesday 24 September
Southern Zone Swimming
Wednesday 25 September
Tarawera (Rm 2) Library Visit
Zoom Hui for parents of Year 6&7 students re 2025 Camp
Thursday 26 September
Ranginui Speech Final
Koura (Rm 6) Library Visit
Netball End of Season Prize Giving
Meeting for whānau of Year 6 students re the Noho Marae
Friday 27 September
Last day of Term 3
Trading Card Swap Meet
Sunday 6 October
Suzanne Aubert Combined Mass (SFDS Church)
Monday 14 October
First day of Term 4
Wednesday 16 October
Athletics Day (year 4-8)
Thursday 17 October
Papatūānuku weekly swimming lessons start
Tangaroa weekly swimming lessons start
Friday 18 October
Non-uniform day (please bring non-perishable food items)
Thursday 24 October
Save the Date - PSL DISCO
Late October / early November
Year 6 Noho Marae (exact date to be confirmed)
Friday 15 November
Teacher Only Day (school closed)
Wednesday 18 December
Year 8 Leavers' Dinner
Thursday 19 December
End of Year Liturgy (early evening - exact time to be confirmed)
Friday 20 December
Last day of the school year
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