Gospel Value for the Term
COMPASSION
Virtue for the Fortnight
JOYFULNESS – HARIKOA

Our Virtues this term are all linked to our Gospel Value of COMPASSION. Our first virtue is
JOYFULNESS. All children will be using the following affirmation in class over the next fortnight as part of their morning prayer session.

“I am thankful for the joy I feel inside. I enjoy my work and play. I appreciate the gifts this day hold for me.”

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter break. We were certainly blessed with beautiful weather. We have another busy term of learning ahead and look forward to working with you all again.

SPECIAL CHARACTER:
All classes begin the term with an Imaginative Prayer (Karakia) Strand for RE lessons. Please see the insert which gives some background information on Prayer and some suggestions for Family Prayer. You will also find an insert about the “Myself and Others Module” from the RE Curriculum which fits well with the Inquiry all classes are currently investigating, “Where Does Our Food Come From?”. Teachers will include relevant aspects of this strand through the Inquiry and we have enclosed this handout for your information.

We have one School/Parish mass this term and ask that you please put this date in your diary and try and keep this Sunday free to join together as a School/ Parish Community to celebrate the Eucharist: 6th May. We have our Class Masses this term which are always special celebrations. You and your family and friends are very welcome to come along and share these masses with the children. All masses begin at 9am and are followed by a morning tea. Dates are as follows:.

Rm 3: 9th May Rm 2: 16th May
Rm 1: 23rd May Rm 5: 30th May

The Parish is looking for families who can help at Sunday masses by welcoming people to mass, reading, taking up the offertory and prayers of the faithful. You would be rostered on once every one or two months. If you are able to help please let Anne Dent know.

Readings for Mass this Sunday are as follows:

1st Reading: Acts 4: 8-12
2nd Reading: 1 John 3: 1-2
Gospel: John 10: 11-18

SPANISH LESSONS:
Spanish lessons begin on Thursday 3rd May. If your child is involved in these lessons you will have received information last term. If you haven’t returned the form, could you please do so this week. Lina Alzate was our Spanish Teacher, but as they have moved to Australia, we have had to employ a new tutor. Her name is Aileen and we look forward to welcoming her to our school community.

RIPPA RUGBY COMPETITION:
Our Year 4,5 & 6 students are involved in the annual New Plymouth Primary Schools Rippa Rugby Competition next week on Tuesday 1st May. You will have received a notice from Pat Swanson in regards to this day, giving details and asking for help with transport and supervision. Thanks you for your support Please remember to bring your sports uniform, polar fleece, drink and plenty of food..

NEW ENTRANT:
Welcome to Siaosi Uhila who started in Room 5 on Monday. We also welcome Louise and Veni Uhila, his’ parents, and his brother Taani who is an ex-pupil of St Pius X., .
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Virtue for the Fortnight SELF DISCIPLINE
Here is a way to show Self Discipline in Luke 6:27-31
“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on one cheek, let him hit the other one too; if someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt as well. Give to everyone who asks you for something,and when someone takes what is yours, do not ask for it back. Do for others just what you want them to do for you.”

SPECIAL CHARACTER:
Please try and attend our School/Parish Mass this Sunday, the last one for the school term, 11am at St Philomena’s. It is Passion Sunday which leads into Holy Week.

Congratulations to the following children who are making their First Reconciliation tonight:

Ellen Crowley
Samantha Hoogeboom
Sofia Jaramillo
Catherine Butler
Zara Johns Alex McNamara
Amelia Morgan Gabriel Herlihy
Sophie Gower Hamish Gibson
Harry Hawrot
Max Hawrot
Jacob Blackbourn

EASTER LITURGY:
We have an Easter Liturgy on the final day of term, Thursday 5th April. The Liturgy will be held at St Philomena’s at 11.30am. You are very welcome to join us.

EASTER RAFFLE:
A reminder that the Home and School have the annual EasterRaffle selling at the moment in the children’s classrooms. The tickets are 50c each with a limit of 3 per child. The raffles will be drawn on Thursday.

SWIMMING CONSULTATIONS:
Thank you to the 26 families who returned our Swimming Sports Consultations. It was pleasing to receive your feedback. Please see the attached insert which summarises the responses received.

WEETBIX TRYATHLON:
It was wonderful to see so many children involving themselves in the Weetbix Tryathlon this week. It’s a very exciting event for the children to be involved in each year. Thanks again to Pat for hisorganisation and support of this event.

KAPA HAKA:
Our final Kapa Haka session for this term is on this Tuesday. The children are doing well and it’s lovely to see more children showing an interest in joining this group.

BOOKS HOME:
Today the children’s books will be coming home so the children can share their work with you. You will be able to see what they have been doing in class, their test results and their reflections about what they have been learning at school. Please make a positive comment in each of the children’s books on the form provided and ensure the books are returned to school again on Monday so they can continue working in them.

TOP TOWN:
We have our annual Top Town House event on Wednesday afternoon from 1-3pm. This is .a fun event that we run in Term 1 of each year and it’s a real favourite! You are welcome to come along and watch the children as they enjoy their events. They may wear their House colours for the day to get into the spirit.

RETURNING SPARE CLOTHES:
At times we need to lend children clothes and underwear if they have an accident at school. Can you please check if you have any of these items at home, as we are running short, and return them washed as soon as possible. Thanks very much.

TESTING RESULTS:
You will see that beginning of year testing results have been included in your child’s books that have been sent home today. Our tests, STAR, PAT, Basic Facts, Running Records etc, are only part of the information used to form Overall Teacher Judgements that decide where a student is in relation to the National Standard. The Board of Trustees have received analysed data for all of the tests identifying school trends, so the are able to ascertain where our needs are as a school, to enable us to meet the needs of all the students at St Pius X. This data includes trends in regards to gender and ethnicity. Teachers have fully analysed tests to see what trends are evident, in their class and for individual students, so they can use this information when planning classroom and individual programmes. Alongside classroom programmes, special needs and enrichment programmes will be put in place for students that need some interventions. If you wish to discuss your child’s progress and achievement, contact their teacher who will make a time to meet with you. Our formal three way conferences are in Week 8 of next term.

AFTER SCHOOL CARE:
A reminder that we have this service available in partnership with the YMCA and Vogeltown School. Please see me if you would like further information.
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Virtue for the Fortnight – SELF DISCIPLINE
Our last virtue for the term is Self Discipline. This seems appropriate as we continue our journey through Lent, in our preparation for Easter.

Your are practicing Self-Discipline when you …
Use detachment so your emotions won’t control you.
Speak and act calmly when you are hurt or angry.
Get things done in an orderly, efficient way.
Create routines for yourself.
Do what is expected without people having to watch over you.
Do things on time.

SPECIAL CHARACTER:
First Reconciliation lessons continue this Wednesday night, 6.55pm at St Joseph’s. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated on 30th March, 7pm at St Joseph’s Church.

The Readings for this Sunday are as follows:

1st Reading: Jer. 31:31-34 or Ezekiel. 37:12-14
2nd Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9 or Romans. 8:8-11
Gospel: John 12:20-33 or John 11:1-45

Our next School/Parish Mass is being held on Sunday 1st April, so Mrs Dent will be sending home notices asking for helpers for this mass. We hope to see you all there.

SCHOOL CLOSURE:
Thank you for your quick response in picking up your children following the school closure on Tuesday. To ensure the safety of our children the decision was made to close the school, in consultation with our Board of Trustees chairman. A large section of tiles on our roof were lifting and we were very concerned that they would come off, and with the severe wind could have caused damage to school property and be a danger to our students. Thank you for your understanding, and a special thanks to those parents who took other children home, I know the parents you arranged this with were most grateful..
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