NEWSLETTER ~ TERM 4- No. 1– 17 October 2019

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK - Aaron Richards SPRING MARKET - A huge thanks to the PTA and the generous parents who have given their time to support the spring market. This is a biannual fund raising event which will raise important funds for the school. Please spread the word to all your friends and relatives. It would be great to attract a big crowd to this event on Sunday morning starting at 8.30am. SPRING TERM - The spring term is upon us. This means warmer, sunnier days. During Terms 4 and 1 the students wear their summer uniforms. The school also has a sun safety policy. This means that all students are required to wear a royal blue wide brim sun hat. The Y7&8 students wear a cap. CHINA CONNECTION - On the weekend I will depart for China along with the principals of St Bede’s College and Villa Maria College. During our visit we will be visiting schools and education boards in a number of Chinese cities to market our schools and enhance the Global Student Ambassador programme that we are part of. International Students not only provide students at St Joseph’s School an opportunity to develop global citizen skills but it also provides the school with an important income stream that subsidises a range of school programmes. During my absence, Mrs Verweij will take on the acting principal role. If you have an issue that you would like to discuss, please first approach your child’s classroom teacher. You can also talk to the appropriate team leader. SCHOOL CLOSURES - St Joseph’s School will be closed on 28 October (Labour Day), and 15 November (Canterbury Anniversary Day). Both days are public holidays. St Joseph’s School will also be closed on Thursday 14 November for a Teacher Only Day. This day will provide the teaching staff with time to plan for the 2020 school year. The school year has been extended to compensate for the teacher only day. This means that the school will be open for the appropriate number of days that is stipulated by the Ministry of Education.

SCHOOL ATHLETICS - The school’s Athletics Day will take place next Thursday. While students in years 3-8 will be competing in a competitive Athletics programme, students in the Junior School will be practicing and performing a range of adapted run, jump and throw activities which focus on participation, trying your best and having fun. Fingers crossed, if the weather is fine, it will be a wonderful community day. Friends and family are welcome to come along and cheer on the children. PRIMARY SCHOOLS TRIATHLON - Any Year 5-8 students interested in entering the Primary Sports Canterbury Triathlon, please see Mr McGuire. Competitors must be confident enough to swim 75 meters in open water and cycle 5.4 km (Year 5/6), 10.8km (Year 7/8) and run 2.5 km. This event is on the 27th of November. Entries to Mr McGuire by the 17th of November. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact Mr McGuire. SCHOOL DANCE - The school discos will take place next Friday. Where possible we are trying to progress the policy that children in the same teams should do things together. As a result the Year 3 children will be invited to join the Year 4, 5 and 6 children at the first disco at 5.30pm. Of course parents have the option to decide if their children attend this event. The Year 7-8 disco will start at 7.30pm. Miss Johns, who is the teacher co-ordinating the Student Council, has sent a letter out with the disco details. CLASS MASSES - Timoney 1, McAuley 1 and Hanrahan 2 are scheduled to attend as a class at the 8.30am Parish Mass this Sunday. SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION - It was great to see a crowd of St Joseph’s Year 8 students at the Confirmation meeting last night. Confirmation is an important sacramental milestone in an adolescent's faith journey. Confirmation is the sacrament by which confirmees receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Through Confirmation, the Holy Spirit gives them the increased ability to practice their Catholic faith in every aspect of their lives and to witness Christ in every situation.

In Sympathy We offer our deepest sympathy to Chamari (teacher aide) and Seyara DeSilva (Mercy 3) on the recent death of their uncle / great uncle. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their family at this sad time.

LUNCHES TOMORROW—HOT DOGS $2.50 Thank you to our volunteer helpers -

Sara Golding and Jessie Fyall

FAITH FACT 14—18 October

In his encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis urges us to: Pray with and for creation: “Our relationship with the environment can never be isolated from our relationship with others and with God.”—Laudato Si’ 119 Reading: 'Faith furnishes prayer with wings, without which it cannot soar to heaven.' St. John Climacus

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to the following students who received Merit Certificates at the Liturgies at the end of last term: Xian Acosta, Aston Geare, Beau Deacon, Phoebe Skinner, Cecilia Woodnutt, Moses Dmello, Eden Frickleton, Sophia Sugrue, Delacie John, Ella Brennan, Darcy Clerkin-Keats, Cruz Terrell, Joshua Dagting, Harry Forrester, Charlotte McLaughlin, Greer Cathro, Earl Vijuan, Liam Edmonds-Howse, Jacob Robertson, Imogen Baird, Luke Plowman, Mina Habachi, Byron Taylor, Sam Choi, Tayla Ryder, Hannah O’Sullivan, Jared Walker, Keira Conyers, Sophie Stevens, Benji Morrison and Isla

O’Donnell. ICAS: SPELLING BEE RESULTS Distinction

Benjamin Morrison, Samuel Thornley, Mason Kenna and Emily Ng.

Credit Caitlin Fraser, Oliver Jones and Jayde Liang.

Merit Zac Ryder, Olivia Vivian, Kenrich Cu, Blake Leadley, Joshua Thornley, Aisling Vivian, Seyara De Silva, Randal Young, Tara Bishop and Kate Young.

2019 UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY KIWI SPELLING BEE COMPETITION RESULTS: Excellence

Kurt Belaong, Benjamin Morrison, Isabel Staiger, Seyara De Silva, Jayde Liang, George Robertson, Lucas Romero, Harriet Darnbrough and Emily Ng.

Merit Zaden Dijamco, Benjamin Fraser, Grace Darnbrough, Laylah Reid, Taylor Stirling and Sean Vivian.

ICAS: DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES RESULTS: Distinction:

Benjamin Morrison, Seyara De Silva and Emily Ng

Credit Fritz Cantos, Zaden Dijamco and Jessica Williams

Merit Zali Rusbatch

PTA FUNDRAISER A great idea for Christmas gifts, ideal for posting to family and friends. Have a look at what your child has created in their class. Parents can order cards, calendars, mouse mats or sketch pads. Order forms are available from all classroom teachers. Please ask if you have not seen one. Order on line but please return the order slip to the classroom teacher, or the office. Please remember to put your child’s name on the form.

Orders due back 31 October.

TERM 4 PMP ROSTER Tuesday 29 October Walker Phillips Monday 4 November Chapman Desquitado Tuesday 5 November Briones Frickleton Monday 11 November George Johnston Tuesday 12 November Sione Baxter Monday 18 November Celis Clerkin-Keats Tuesday 19 November D’Mello Flett Monday 25 November King Edmonds Tuesday 26 November Lugtu Hale Monday 2 December Sayson Ruddenklau Tuesday 3 December Slee Fullen

Y8 GIRLS INDOOR NETBALL TEAM Any Y8 girls interested in playing in an Indoor Netball team on a Thursday at Action Indoor Sports please contact Jane Christian on 021 2520578