SPECIAL CHARACTER:
The readings for this week’s Sunday mass are as follows:

1st Reading: Levit. 19;1-2,17-18
2nd Reading: 1 Cor.3:16-23
Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48

This Wednesday 22nd February, I will be taking our Special Character Leaders to a special service at the Taranaki Cathedral marking the first anniversary of the Christchuch Earthquake. This is a time to remember those who died but also to pray for those still suffering as a result of the Earthquakes. As part of this service there will be a collection taken up for the people of Christchurch. If you would like to donate, please send your donation to school on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. Thank you very much.

Thank you to those who have returned their First Reconciliation forms for classes that begin 29th February. All forms need to be to me by 22nd February please so I can take them to the St Joseph’s Parish Office. More forms are available at the School Office.

PARISH PICNIC
School families are invited to the Annual Parish Picnic to be held at the Model Train venue – corner Liardet & Gilbert Streets on Friday 17th February 5-7pm. NO CHARGE.

Bring your own picnic food and drink. Free train rides, free icecream and lolly scramble.

EVERYONE WELCOME.

ST PIUS X LEADERS:
At School Prayer on Monday morning we announced our School Leaders for 2012 and they are as follows:

• School Ambassadors:
  • Samantha Megchelse
  • Theo Johnson
• House Leaders:
  • Matiu: Ethan Griffiths, Samantha Megchelse, Nicholas Codd
  • Maaka: Benji Feron, Theo Johnson
  • Ruka: Diamaid McCarthy, Patrick Butler
  • Hone: Charlotte Vickers, McGregor Smith
• Environmental Leaders:
  • Nastassia Chapman
  • Benji Feron
• Special Character Leaders:
  • Patrick Butler
  • Ethan Griffiths
• Cultural Leaders:
  • Megan Corbett
  • Charlotte Vickers
• Sports Leaders:
  • Megan Corbett
  • McGregor Smith
  • Nastassia Chapman
• IT Leaders:
  • Diarmaid McCarthy
  • Nicholas Codd

We know our Yr 6 Leaders will do a great job in their various leadership roles and will be excellent role models for the other students in our school.
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HELPFULNESS – AWHINA
For the next two weeks our virtue is Helpfulness. The parable of The Good Samaritan is an excellent example of our Virue:
Luke 10:30-34

“Jesus answered, “There was once a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attacked him, stripped him, and beat him up, leaving him half dead. It so happened that a priest was going down that road; but when he saw the man, he walked past on the other side. In the same way a Levite also came along, went over and looked at the man, and then walked past on the other side. But a Samaritan who was travelling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity. He went over to him, poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them; then he put the man on his own animal and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.”

SPECIAL CHARACTER:
First Reconciliation classes are beginning for those children who are seven or over and are ready to receive this sacrament. Classes begin at St Joseph’s Church,on Wednesday 29th Feb and run for the Wednesdays during March, with the Sacrament being celebrated on Friday 30th March. Children from our Parish combine with St Joseph’s Parish for this Sacrament, with First Holy Communion being celebrated later in the year. I have sent home enrolment forms to those children who are eligible and have shown an interest in making their First Reconciliation/First Communion and more forms are available from me if you would like one didn’t receive one.

Please see the insert for the Jesus Strand that all classes will be beginning for Religious Education lessons this week.

GALA DAY:
All children had a busy day on Tuesday making crafts for our School Gala Day on the 26th February. What a wonderful job they did! I’m sure their efforts will result in many sales. Well done children!

Thank you to those who came to our Gala Meeting, and for giving such positive support. It was great to have about 20 people at the meeting.

The committee is still after some people to help on stalls so if you can help please let Stacey or Jade know and they will pass your name on to the organisers.

A reminder about donations that we would like from families:

7-10th Feb: Mystery Bottle Item (soft drink, wine, shampoo, sauce etc)
13-17th Feb: Grocery item for raffle
20-24th Feb: Luxury Grocery Item (wine, chocolates, biscuits etc)

Also donations of unwanted books and sugar gratefully received. People have been asking if we want donated goods for White Elephant and Used Clothing stalls. It has been decided that we will not be having either of these stalls at our Gala.

Pip Johnsen will be giving haircuts at the Gala Day. Pip has her own hairdressing studio, “Nu-U-Do”. She will be cutting hair between 10am and 3pm at the Gala Day and you can make bookings by ringing her on: Ph 7535122. $20 for children and $30 for adults, so if your family needs a haircut why not get it done at the Gala to raise money for our school. A big thankyou to Pip Johnsen!
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COURTESY – ATAWHAI
All children have been practising the following affirmation in their classrooms:
“I am courteous. I speak and act in a polite way.

WELCOME BACK!
The 2012 school year has begun and it was lovely to see all of the children and their families back again after the Christmas holiday break. It’s been a positive start to the year with everyone settling in well…..even the teachers!! We look forward to another busy year of learning and fun together. It’s great to be part of such a positive community.

You may have noticed there has been a lot of work done over the holidays at the school. We have new bark in the playground, a heat pump installed in Rm 5, the school has been painted and the pine trees have been removed. The Parish, who own the school land, were advised to remove the trees as because of their height there was the risk that the tops would break and be a danger to the children. We thank the Parish for meeting the cost of this and for considering the safety of the children. The area will be replanted with natives in the near future.

Plans are underway for a large new covered sandpit. We are awaiting final quotes for this project.
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