St Patrick's School (Kaiapoi) eNewsletter - Thursday 20th March, 2025

From the Principal….

Kia ora e whānau,

An enormous thank you for ….supporting the Colour Run last Friday afternoon and our school's St Patrick's Day celebrations this Monday 17th March! We were so impressed with the high level of support and the effort that people invested into these events, at our school. We are truly blessed to have such a supportive and enthusiastic community who get behind all of our school events and fundraising opportunities. A special thank you to our PTA led by Rebecca Morgan for organising one of the best Colour Runs I have ever seen!

A friendly reminder that you are invited to our School / Parish Mass this Sunday 23rd March @ 9am followed by a Community morning tea and annual Parish verses School, Cricket Match. We encourage all of our students to attend this important Mass - if you are unable to attend can you please email your child's teacher as soon as possible.

We ask that each family please bring a plate of something to eat for our shared Community Morning Tea or our PTA Bake Sale after Mass, on a disposable plate or container.

The Cricket Match will follow the morning tea and there will be a free Sausage Sizzle provided during the Match, by the school. If you are able to help cook the BBQ sausages or play cricket, can you please email dharrison@stpatkai.school.nz Thank you so much for joining us for this important Mass this Sunday @ 9am.

The following talented swimmers represented St Patrick's School yesterday in the Pegasus Zone Swimming Championships: Eli Wright, Axdyn Williams-Mills, Zavia Williams-Mills, Evie Hancox, Gus Cameron & Jed Cameron. Thank you for representing our school in these swimming championships and we will look forward to receiving the official results tomorrow.

On Tuesday 1st April and Wednesday 2nd April we have organised 3- Way (Parent - teacher - child) Learning Conferences. This is an opportunity for you to find out how the start of 2025 is going for your child in their class, their learning highlights & celebrations and to set goals for Term 2 on HERO. There will be a parent / child preparation form being sent home in paper form on Monday 24th March, for you to talk about with your child and complete together. Please return this to your child's class teacher by Friday 28th March.

Bookings are now open for these important Learning Conferences on your HERO app, for you to book one 15 minute appointment for each child. You will receive an email with instructions today, as to how to book your 3-Way Learning Conference on either Tuesday 1st April or Wednesday 2nd April.

As a school we are currently reflecting on and reviewing our School Values in preparation for our 2026 Strategic Plan and our School Centenary in 2026. Previously we followed the 3C's - caring, co-operative and called to others. These are still important values at St Patrick's School but it is time to consult with all of our people and explore new ideas for School Values as our school grows, changes and develops. We would like to find out what values are important to you as parents and to your family. We have started this process with our Students, Staff and Students a couple of weeks ago. To start this process we would appreciate your feedback on our School Values (the 3C's) and also some suggestions of Values that you think should be taught at St Patrick's School, Kaiapoi. Our children, staff and board have already put forward some great ideas and now we would like to hear from you! Please email your top (most important) 4-5 Values and if you have time can you please explain why these are important to you and your family. Please email them to: principal@stpatkai.school.nz by Monday 24th March.

I will be facilitating two School Values Consultation Meetings for parents & caregivers, so that I can explain more about the importance of School Values and gather more feedback from parents and caregivers, tomorrow - Friday 21st March at either 9am - 9.30am or 2.30-3pm, in our school staffroom.

Next term (Term 2), I am taking a Sabbatical for 9 weeks and David Harrison and Erin Kreft will be co - sharing the Acting Principal role. I will be spending time travelling and learning about more effective ways to cater for neurodiverse learners. Thank you to Rachel Cook who will be covering Erin's class and David's class, while I am away.

If you would like to read our St Patrick's School policies you can access them on our school docs website. Please click on the link and enter: Username: stpatkai password: green

Ma te Atua koe e manaaki me to whanau,

God's blessings on you and your family.

Kind regards

Trish McKendry

principal@stpatkai.school.nz

Our school website: https://www.sporty.co.nz/stpatskaiapoi

Congratulations to …the following students who received Principal's Awards during the last two weeks:

Lycah, Lilah, Scarlett x2, Zac, Jasper, Archer F, Alex M x2, Ethan P, Laken x2, Charli H x2, Gabriel, Ed, Jules x2, Louis, Neiva x2, Francene, Tom C x2, George V, Marco, Adam, Gus, Ciara x2, Jessica Y x2, Leah x2, Ezra, Eddie, Kendall, Harper, Violet, Amelia x2, Isla, Ella x2, Charlotte W, Benjamin, Jack H, Evie x3, Noah W, Jasper, Zeya x2, Emmy x2, Mila, Francene, Charlotte x2, Addy, Hunter, Ethan B, Mia, Ashton x2, Mae x2, Kendall, Eddie R, Billie, Sebastian, Yula, Alex Mc x2, Amaya, Mila, Bella, Mikayla x2, Tui, Zoya, Ardie, Zoe M, Jackson R, Oli, Lachlan, Spencer, Dylan, Edwin, Max V,

Happy Birthday to …..

Eli Wright, Archie Eustace, Cameron Orr, Conor Shiel, Lauren Boyd, Macy Johnston, Max Venis,

Parish & Special Character News…..

Thank you to Father Zani and Emily Gorman who …came in and spoke to our Year 7 & 8 students about the Sacrament of Confirmation on Wednesday. Many children have shown interest in preparing for this important Sacrament. Please contact David Harrison if your child did not receive a registration form for this. dharrison@stpatkai.school.nz

Confirmation is commencing is term 2 run through our Youth group each Tuesday night, with Confirmation being received on the 15th of June.

Our First Holy Communion programme is going to be split this year with First Reconciliation starting the 9th of March for 6 weeks finishing the 10th of April. This year because the Latin Mass is at 11am we will be running our classes before 10.30 Mass in Rangiora with sign up at 8.45 to start at 9am and see how this works.

First Holy communion will then commence in term 3 on the 13th of July with the children receiving their first Holy Communion on Sunday the 31st of August.

Please note children for the first Holy Communion classes, children will need to be 8 years of age before Easter.

Please see attached information about Baptism and First Holy Communion Preparation in our Parish.

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Our Parish Mass is every Sunday @ 9am in our beautiful Church. All very welcome ….

Stations of the Cross are being held every Friday night in St Patrick's Church during Lent from 7pm.

Please pray for….

… those who are sick at this time especially Pope Francis, who is currently in hospital, with double pneumonia.

… our school community, as we navigate our 2025 school year. May all of our children have a happy, healthy and successful year of learning embracing the gospel values and that they enjoy coming to school each day.

…… 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

We always welcome new members, volunteers, feedback, event and fundraiser ideas! Please email us at pta@stpatkai.org.nz and keep up to date with our Facebook Page! https://www.facebook.com/share/18hbtmtcK6/

Colour Fun Run

Thankyou to everyone for making this an epic event! Seeing all the children have such a fun messy time followed by the teacher’s getting slimed made this a highlight of the term!

Thankyou for everyone’s fundraising efforts and getting us closer to those swings! A final amount will be shared next week.

Please complete your student sponsor form, along with any cash donations and prize choice and drop in to the office by 3pm tomorrow (Friday).

We would love your feedback on this event- all survey’s completed by the 4th April will go in the draw to win hot chocolate Tuesday’s for Term 2!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8HLTCL8

Bake Sale

We look forward to the first school mass for 2025. Please bring along an item of baking suitable for morning tea or the bake sale after mass.

Ice Block Friday’s!

Ice Block Friday’s are back! Every Friday, $1 for a lemonade ice block 3pm outside the library.

Pastoral Care

To support our St Patrick’s school community the PTA run a pastoral care program. Within this program we need volunteers to help support our families in need. This simplify involves making a meal for a family to ease any extra pressure or strain. It is such a rewarding program that helps our families who need this the most. This can include families who are going through anything in which they are struggling with, health struggles, family struggles or personal problems. From time to time you know receive a message from the PTA asking for your assistance on running this pastoral support program, we would really appreciate your support around this. Please reach out to Trish, Lizzie Sherborne our overall pastoral care rep, or your child’s teacher know if you or any families you know are in need of any assistance. We are here to help you and our wonderful school community!

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

23rd March -Bake Sale after Mass

Term 2

Hot chocolate Tuesday’s will be back!

7th May PTA Meeting- Staffroom

16th May Pink Friday School Disco

Parents are always welcome to join us for our fortnightly School Assemblies and our weekly School Masses.

Term One Dates Weeks 6-11

Week Eight: 17th - 21st March

17th March - St Patrick's Day Feast Day, Mass & Top Team

18th March - Year 7 & 8 Technology

19th March - Kapahaka Year 0-8

20th March - School Newsletter

20th March - School Board Meeting 6pm

21st March - Coffee Van 8.30am / School Mass 9.30am

23rd March - Sunday Mass for all school students and Families 9am followed by the annual School vs Parish Cricket Match

Week Nine: 24th - 28th March

24th March: 2.15pm - School Assembly - Parents welcome

26th March: Kapahaka Year 0-8

28th March: Coffee Van 8.30am / School Mass 9.30am

28th March: Mr Matt Doocey MP visiting our School

Week Ten: 31st - 4th April

1st April - 3 Way Learning Conferences 3.15pm - 7pm

1st April - Year 7 & 8 Technology

2nd April - 3 Way Learning Conferences 3.15pm - 7pm

3rd April - School Newsletter

4th April - Coffee Van 8.30am / School Mass 9.30am

Week Eleven:

7th April - School Assembly 2.15pm - Parents & Caregivers welcome

8th April - Mayor Dan Gordon visiting our School

8th April -Young Vinnies Commissioning Mass 4.30pm

9th April - Centenary Hui 6pm

10th April - Hikoi Tapu Easter Walk with St Joseph's & Rangiora New Life

11th April - Coffee Van 8.30am / School Mass 9.30am

11th April - Last day of Term 1 - happy holidays

Term 2 begins on Monday 28th April from 8.30am

2025 Staff Only Days:

Friday 30th May: attached to King's Birthday

Thursday 13th November: attached to Show Weekend

Year 7 & 8 Camp 2025 Wellington 9-11th September

Year 5 & 6 Camp 2025 Living Springs 1-3rd September

St Patrick's School Kaiapoi Facebook Page - click here to join this page with more news, photos and upcoming events happening @ our school!

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

St Patrick's School Website