 |
From the Principal…. Kia ora koutou katoa, Last week we welcomed Mr Tony Shaw (Catholic Education Review Office) and Mrs Sandra Shamy (DRS St Peter's Beckenham) to St Patrick's School. They conducted a review of the Religious Education Programme at our school. They observed in classrooms, spoke with our students, staff and members of our school community and Board. They appreciated and enjoyed joining us for our weekly school Mass and being part of our school day. Their impressions and feedback were very positive. They commented on our amazing children, their love of learning and their high engagement in our Religious Education programme. They were impressed with the way that we start each day with Prayers and Religious Education and the way our staff collaborate together to provide a stimulating, caring and engaging Catholic environment for our students. Their written report will be available in a few weeks. Next Friday 15th March we are celebrating St Patrick's Day @ St Patrick's School. Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to celebrate our special Saint's day @ Spencer Park, with our brother school: St Patrick's Bryndwr. The good news is that we are all booked in for 2025! This is what our St Patrick's Day looks like, parents and whānau are welcome to join us for the whole day or parts of it: 9am: Fancy Dress Parade - St Patrick's Day themed! 9.30am: St Patrick's Day Mass in our Church 11- 12.30pm: St Patrick's Day Rotations in Whare groups 1pm: St Patrick's Day BBQ & ice-creams (provided - you do not need to order on lunches online) 1.30-2.45pm: Leprechaun Hunt / House Sports Competition Junior Whare Update Years 1-3 What a great start to the year we have had in the Junior Whare. We have welcomed Kaila Abdelaal and Cath Shaw to our team and we are working collaboratively together. The children are enjoying the variety of teaching and learning tasks. We have started Friday Funday learning on Fridays in the middle block. We asked the children what they would like to learn and dance, movement, music and sport were high on their priority lists. We run three sessions which the children rotate around. Miss A takes Dance, Mrs Shaw takes Music and Mrs Culling takes Sport. On Friday afternoon we have ‘Mai Time,’ where the children plan their own learning using their creativity, imagination, fine and large motor skills, and have opportunities to develop relationships across the Junior Whare. In R.E. during Lent we are focussing on the Sunday Gospels and learning about the life of Jesus. In week 9, Holy Week, we will have a celebration of our learning by having a shared meal similar to what Jesus would have had at the Last Supper. Every afternoon, until the end of term, we are practicing for the Colour Run and the Cross Country which is in Term 2. This is a whole school initiative. The children are very enthusiastic. Jacque Culling, Cath Shaw and Kaila Abdelaal
Wow! What a great start to the year the Middle Whare has had. Some of the highlights for Whaea Emma and Miss Begg have been the positive learning environment that has been made with the students' support. There has been excellent active engagement, with the tamariki showing great enthusiasm towards the lessons and activities! We have been focusing on fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and social-emotional well-being. We have been connecting learning to real-life experiences: students are encouraged to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world situations. The new Mathematics and Statistics Curriculum allows students to be taught explicitly while using inquiry based methods to balance fluency with real life applications. We have been lucky enough to receive professional development with The Learner First (Rob-Proffitt-White). This has helped us to change the attitude of the tamariki towards Mathematics and Statistics into a positive, successful task, instead of at times challenging. The highlights have been the MoveNProves, Open-ended tasks and the DiscussNDefends. We are planning a Parent / Caregiver Workshop next term on the Learner First Mathematics approach. We listened to what the tamariki wanted at the start of the year and continued a slightly different version of ‘Mai Time’ during the middle block on a Friday. This has helped to create a collaborative environment between Pohutukawa and Kauri, we have seen the tuakana/teina relationships blossom and we are excited to see more collaboration develop. Amy Begg & Emma Sheeran Senior Whare Update Years 7 -8 The students have all had a great start to the year. They have all established friend groups and are working really well together. The Senior Whare have been offered a great range of leadership opportunities and they are demonstrating great leadership skills within the school, particularly when helping the younger students. They have particularly stepped up during Mass to be examples to the younger students. Mathematics & Statistics: This year we have started by focusing on number knowledge. Through our professional development with The Learner First (Rob Proffitt-White) method, we have been investigating the balance of explicit teaching and inquiry-based learning for Mathematics, building our knowledge by encouraging students to debate and defend their reasoning for answers. The Senior Whare has prioritized students developing fluency in Mathematics and Statistics where they can solve problems in multiple contexts and solve similar problems with understanding. We have also used the financial literacy tool Banqer as a positive behaviour management tool. This is to teach students about how to manage money, accruing interest, using savings accounts and purchasing rewards through bank transfer. The students are enjoying the reward options and planning what they want to save for, to get a great reward! We also have Adam Sutcliffe coming in to do a couple of seminars on Financial Literacy with the Middle and Senior Whare, which will be great! Tom Elliott & David Harrison Thank you so much for the support you are giving our current PTA fundraisers to raise money for our new bike and scooter track! Tomorrow is our non - uniform Mufti Day for the Easter Raffle. Thank you for providing 1-2 items for our Easter Raffle baskets, our class teachers will collect these in the morning. A special thank you to all of our families who are helping to sell our raffle tickets. I wonder which class will win the hot chip lunch? Please don't hesitate to email your child's teacher, Janine in our school office (office@stpatkai.school.nz) or me (principal@stpatkai.school.nz) if you have any questions, wonderings or information regarding your children. Ma te Atua koe e manaaki me to whanau, God's blessings on you and your family. Kind regards Trish McKendry Our school website: https://www.sporty.co.nz/stpatskaiapoi  |
 |
Congratulations to … the following students who received certificates in our School Assembly on Monday:
Congratulations to … the following students who received Principal's Awards during the last two weeks: Emilio x2, Jaks x2, Indie, Ella x2, Kidlat, Leah, Axdyn, Laken, Ziya, Bryn, Pavy, George M, Zoya, Declan, Cojay, Zavia, Jaxx, Jessica, Mia, Mila, Esha- May, Lilah, Jamie W, Reuben, Zóe, Mary, Anna, Maclan, Cullen, Destiny, Elsie, Jackson, Ryker, Kenz, Gabriel, Evie, Gus x2, Adam, Spencer, Kyrvie, Owen, Beau Mc Happy Birthday to …. Tom Cameron, Mia Jarvis, Jed Cameron |
Parish & Special Character News….. This week we distributed notices about the opportunity to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. If you did not receive this notice please see Janine in our Office. On St Patrick's Day - Sunday 17th March we have a School / Parish Mass at 9am followed by our annual School / Parish Cricket Mass. All children and families are encouraged to attend this important Celebration Mass. Mr Harrison is looking for keen players for the school cricket team. Please email dharrison@stptaki.school.nz if you or your family are keen to play! This is also the day we have chosen as a Parish and a School to farewell our much loved and admired friend - Sister Gael. She is leaving our School and Parish to move into Addington, with other Mission Sisters. She will be very missed by our School and Parish Community, however she has promised to keep in touch and continue her connection with us. We are collecting donations at our School Office for a gift for Sister Gael from our school community, which will be presented to her at her Farewell. If you would like to contribute please see Janine in our Office or email her: office@stpatkai.school.nz We are planning another Baptism class in Term 1, 2024. Please email dharrison@stpatkai.school.nz if your child is keen to be Baptised. The Baptism preparation classes will be held and organised by our Parish Sacramental team. Please see the attachment below for details of the Baptism Programme. Our Parish Mass is every Sunday @ 9am in our beautiful Church. All very welcome …. Please pray for…. … all those people who are suffering or have died during the recent violence in Gaza. …… those people in our school community who have ongoing health issues and need constant care, medication and support. Eternal rest grant to those people who have died recently, may perpetual light shine upon them, may they rest in peace. 🙏💕🙏💕🙏💕🙏💕🙏💕 Please pray for all of those people who are unwell in our Parish and School Community, and those families who have recently lost a family member. May they Rest in Peace. Parents and whanau are most welcome to join us for our weekly School Mass, each Friday @ 9.30am. You are also welcome to come and join us for morning tea in our staffroom, after Mass. Please click here for the Waimakariri Parish Website |
 |
PTA News Easter Raffle The non uniform day will be tomorrow March 8th, bring a yummy easter treat or luxury grocery item and you can wear non uniform. We ask that each student can sell a minimum of 10 $1 tickets. More sheets will be available in the office. Thankyou to everyone who has sold these so far! Tickets due back in by March 26th, raffle drawn March 27th. We need your help to sell these tickets. Please sign up in the sign up sheet in the office, check out our facebook page or email us pta@stpatkai.school.nz. Kaiapoi New World :
Thankyou so much for your support. Colour Fun Run Two weeks to go until our School Fun Run. We hope students have been using their student profile pages at www.schoolfundraising.co.nz to get the most out of the fundraiser. Our GOAL AMOUNT is $10,000.00! If you are yet to create a page, please do, it might make all the difference in raising enough money for the new scooter and bike track. We’ve set our cash donation due back date as Friday 22nd March so please make sure you’ve returned all your cash donations PTA box in office by then. We would love some volunteers on the day, so please contact pta@stpatkai.schoo.nz if you can help between 1-3pm to help us throw an amazing day! If you can’t help, we’d still love to have you come down and cheer the kids on to create a great atmosphere for them. On the day, make sure your children have bottled water, sunscreen, a change of clothes and runners on. If anyone has any medical conditions we are unaware of, please call the office to advise. We want this to be a fun day, but we also need to ensure the safety of all. PTA MEETING Our next PTA meeting is on Monday 11th March 6pm in the staffroom. All welcome. Parish Mass / Bakesale / Sister Gael's Farewell We look forward to the first School and Parish Mass on the 17th March. We ask that students from Totara, Kahikatea and Rimu bring a plate for morning tea. We also ask that students from Rata, Matai, Kauri and Pohutukawa bring baked goods to sell after Mass. Second Hand Uniform The PTA has a second hand uniform shop, with affordable second hand uniform available to purchase. If you have any uniform items your child has outgrown or no longer wears, we would love to take them off your hands! Please just drop anytime into the office. Thankyou. Ice Block Fridays Every Friday $1 for a lemonade ice block outside the library. Family Donation Just a reminder that we offer the 2 types of Family donation each term. 1. This consists of the $150 to one family to assist in paying for an extracurricular activity for a child or children in that family. 2. We also have the donation of 1 term of swimming lessons to one child. We feel that it is so important for our children to have confidence in the water and participate in after school activities. We also understand that these things can come with a large cost so we are hoping this can help many families. The swimming lessons will be available at both the Kaiapoi and Rangiora pools and this is valid for whole year, it does not need to be used straight away. If you would like to apply for either of the above, please see Trish McKendry and ask for an application. This is handled very discreetly with only Trish knowing the recipients so please don’t be afraid to apply. You have until the end of each term to apply. It takes a village, and we are very happy that we can offer this to our school community. Upcoming events
Thankyou for your continued support. Have a wonderful week. Rebecca Morgan PTA Chair |
Parents are always welcome to join us for our fortnightly School Assemblies and our weekly School Masses. Term One Dates: weeks 4-11 Week Six: 6 March - Kapa Haka - Year 1-8 7 March - School Newsletter 8 March - Dress up day for the Easter Raffle 8 March - House meetings / School Mass 9.30am - Parents Welcome Week Seven: 11 March - PTA Meeting 6pm 14 March - Sports Coaches - Year 1-8 14 March - School Board Meeting 6pm 15 March - St Patrick's Day Celebrations @ St Patrick's School / Families Welcome / School Mass 9.30am 17 March - St Patrick's Day, School / Parish Mass 9am & Annual St Patrick's School vs St Patrick's Parish Cricket Mass / Sister Gael's Farewell Week Eight: 20 March - Little Paddy's 8.30-12.30pm 21 March - School Newsletter 21 March - North Canterbury Swimming Sports 22 March - House meetings / School Mass 9.30am - Parents Welcome 22 March - School Colour Run - afternoon Week Nine: 25 March - Learning Conferences 3.15pm -7pm 27 March - Kapa Haka - Year 1-8 27 March - Learning Conferences 3.15pm -7pm 28 March - Holy Thursday - Stations of the Cross 28 March - Sports Coaches Year 1-8 29 March - Good Friday - School Closed Week Ten: 3 April - Kapa Haka - Year 1-8 3 April - Little Paddy's 8.30-12.30pm 4 April - School Newsletter 5 April - House meetings / School Mass 9.30am - Parents Welcome Week Eleven: 10 April - Pegasus Sport Spectacular 10 April - Kapa Haka - Year 1-8 11 April - Sports Coaches 12 April - House meetings / School Mass 9.30am - Parents Welcome 12 April - Last day of Term One - Happy Holidays 29 April - Term Two Begins The term dates for 2024 are now on our website. (click here)
|
 |
St Patrick's School have the following lunches available to purchase online via www.lunchonline.co.nz Every Tuesday - Sushi - a range of different options Every Friday - BBQ sausages with bread and tomato sauce (if required) GF options are available During Lent, fish burgers will be available instead of sausages, $4.00 each. Fish burgers will be available on Fridays, on the following dates: 16 February, 23 February, 1st March, 8th March, 15th March, 22nd March. Extra lunch is also available if your child runs out of food from the Totara Kitchen, thank you to our PTA for organising this via Food Satisfy. |
Before & After School Care @ St Patrick's School Quality Child Care Provider Since 2009 OurKidz NZ OSCAR has been operational since December 2009 We offer: Before school programme from 7am to 8.30am After school programme from 2.45pm to 6pm or 3pm to 6pm for surrounding school communities. Our holiday programmes operate from 7.30am to 5.30pm daily and an option for families who require a half-day session which ends at 3pm. OurKidz NZ OSCAR is a Ministry of Social Development (MSD) approved provider and undertake accreditation reviews every two years by a member of MSD Accreditation team. With this accreditation approval we can offer parents/caregivers the opportunity of applying for the OSCAR Subsidy from Work and Income. To enrol please email ourkidz.oscar@outlook.com |
Sponsorship Opportunity……. If you would like us to promote and advertise your business on our newsletter or website please email Wendy office@stpatkai.school.nz $250. per year - Newsletter $350. per year - Website The money raised helps to buy more IT Equipment for your children. |
|
 |
Did you know we have Music Lessons @ St Patrick's School? Looking to learn an instrument?
Contact Erin Grigson at nzmsm.northcanterbury@gmail.com for more information or to sign up! |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Look who was voted our most favourite teacher in the CBK Teacher Competition! Congratulations Miss Begg … we are so proud of you and all of our staff @ St Patrick’s School! Thank you so much to all of the parents & Whānau who voted for Miss Begg. Good luck for your upcoming Softball Tournament! |