Dear God,

You come to us in Jesus who teaches us that the way to happiness is through our love for one another.

Watch over the teachers, students and families of Sacred Heart Cathedral School as we try to be faithful to this teaching.

Help us to be a welcoming and joyful community, so that others may come to know your love and peace.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen.

Kia ora koutou e te whānau,

This week, we are celebrating Te Wiki o te Reo Māori with a wide range of activities that deepen our students' understanding of our Indigenous culture.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, commemorating the movement sparked by the Māori language petition delivered to Parliament in 1972. We honour those who championed the revitalisation of te reo Māori and celebrate its growing presence in everyday life.

Special thanks to all the generosity you showed last week at market day. What an amazing day we had. We ended up raising $2,400.00 for the school camp next year.

Congratulations to Zachary (Room 8), who has won the St Patrick's College academic Scholarship. We are so proud of you. You are an amazing learner who listens so carefully, and you are also very innovative when solving problems.

Have a well earned break over the holiday period and we look forward to welcoming our tamariki back for an exciting term 4.

Arohanui,
Bernadette Murfitt
Tumuaki
Sacred Heart Cathedral School

Please see our official results from our recent Board Election.

We are so grateful to all candidates for putting themselves forward for selection.

We have our first Board meeting tonight of our new Board and we are all looking forward to getting to know each other.

Special thanks to Nicola, David, Lionel, and Justin, what a wonderful legacy you have all left for the future generations of students who will come to our school.

We are also grateful to our Proprietors Reps Father Patrick, Suzanne , Odette and Jay for ensuring that the Catholic Character is at the forefront of everthing we do.

Attendance continues to be a top priority for the government, which has set a target of 80% of students attending school for more than 90% of the term by 2030. To achieve this, schools must aspire to reach an average daily attendance rate above 94%.

Last week, 8th - 12th September, we were 88.57%.

Please use SchoolAppsNZ to report your child's absence to the school.

Children’s Sacramental Programme – Registrations Now Open

Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish is now accepting registrations for the 2025/26 Children’s Sacramental Programme. The programme begins with the Sacrament of Confirmation in Term 4, 2025, followed by First Reconciliation in Term 1, 2026, and concludes with First Holy Communion in Term 2, 2026.

To be eligible, children must be baptised and at least 8 years old.
If your child is not yet baptised and you wish to arrange this, please contact us via the emails listed below to book a meeting with Fr Patrick.

The first parent information session will be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, 7th October 2025, at Connolly Hall.

For registrations or further enquiries, please contact Geraldine at  mcsh.sacramentalprogramme@gmail.com or reach out to the Parish Office at  cathedral.parish@wn.catholic.org.nz.

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the ICAS Examinations this year.

ICAS is a challenging online academic competition designed to assess students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills. We are so pleased and proud of the students who took part.  

Congratulations to the 46 students who participated this year. We note below those who gained certificates for Merit, Credit, Distinction, and High Distinction. 

The Certificates will be sent to the school during Term 4 and will be distributed to students then.

What a stunning day we had for our school market day. The children had an absolute ball, and we had many chefs, bakers and entrepreneurs in action.

A huge thank you to Hellers NZ Butcher for generously donating a large number of sausages for our School Market Day. We are very grateful for their support. Next time you’re in the supermarket, be sure to check out the wide range of Hellers sausages available.

Our Juniors have been practicing and learning Folk Dancing every week since the start of the term. Their hard work and enthusiasm shone through as they performed, with the whole school cheering and enjoying the lively dances.

Kaitiaki Trip to Kaiwharawhara Stream

This morning, we have been cleaning up the school and learning how to be a good kaitiaki to our school. This was a chance to see ways that we can help be good kaitiaki to water areas. 

While we were there, Gemma and Kate (our Conservation Volunteers) taught us about the life cycle of the longfin eels (tuna) and how special they are. They are endemic to New Zealand, which means they are only found here. 

Kate dug up a 30cm square of dirt and we looked through it using magnifying glasses, looking for creatures kiwi might eat. There were some interesting larvae, worms, and a jumping spider. Sadly, not enough for kiwi yet. 

Kate and Gemma also got some of the stream bottom to look for water creatures. We had a list to look for and we found quite a few species. They were invertebrates meaning they have no spine.

We also looked at the water quality and noticed what helps it, like the trees along the bank giving shade. We learned if there were lots of diverse creatures, it was good water, so the water in the stream was good. 

There were a few interesting things to look at and activities to do. It was a great learning experience and helped us to know why it’s good to be kaitiaki and clean up rubbish!

By: Tilomai, Frankie, Violet and Jackson.

A reminder that our Kapa Haka Performance Group will perform at KPMG on Hill Street, tomorrow, Thursday, 18th September, as part of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. We will leave the school at 11:40 AM and return by 1:00 PM.

Click the link:

Please note that the last day to order your child's hoodie is on Friday,19th September 2025.

On Friday, 19th September is the last day of Term 3. We will see you back on Term 4, Monday, 6th October.

We will begin our swimming lessons at the Kilbirnie Aquatic Centre on Tuesday, 7th October. Lessons will run every Tuesday for eight weeks, finishing on Tuesday, 25th November.

Times and Travel:

• Pool time: 10.00 – 11.00 AM

• Bus: Depart school at 9.30 AM, return by 11.30 AM

Please ensure your child arrives on time for school on swimming days. If they miss the bus, they will remain at school and miss their lesson.

Swimming is part of the Physical Education Curriculum, and all students are expected to take part. If your child is unable to swim for medical reasons on a particular week, please email their teacher. The pool is indoors, heated, and lessons are taught by fully trained instructors.

Clothing and Belongings:

• Students wear their school uniform on swimming days.

• Togs may be worn underneath.

• All items must be clearly named, including: togs, goggles, caps, socks, shoes, underwear, shirts, shorts, jackets, bags, blouses, towels, and dresses.

• Please pack everything in a named plastic bag.

• Children should practise changing quickly, drying themselves, and dressing independently.

Parent Help:

Thank you to those who have kindly offered to help. If you would still like to help, please complete the form - https://forms.gle/XDV1QVJbXskShKNj8. Please note, due to limited bus seating, parent helpers will need to meet us directly at the Aquatic Centre.

Our Senior Syndicate will begin swimming lessons on Tuesday, 7th October. The programme will run for eight weeks.

• Travel: Bus departs school at 10:00 AM and returns by 1:20 PM

• Uniform: Students must come in their full school uniform

• What to bring: Swimming gear

The Middle Syndicate will be visiting Anderson Park for Athletics training and competition on Tuesday, 7th October and Thursday, 9th October. Our postponement day will be Tuesday, 14th October.

On these days, we will leave school at 9:00 AM and walk to Anderson Park. We will return to school by 12:30 PM.

Students will have morning tea at the park. Please ensure your child brings:

• Morning tea

• A sunhat

• A water bottle

• Any required medication

We also recommend applying sunscreen before school. Students may wear their PE uniform and/or house colours on these days.

As with any trip, we will need a couple of parent helpers per class. You are welcome to meet us at the park instead of walking with us.

If you are able to assist, please indicate this on the form - Middles at Andeerson Park Term 4-2025.

Thank you in advance for your wonderful support.

The Middle Syndicate will be attending eight swimming lessons at the Kilbirnie Aquatic Centre next term.

Details:

• Start Date: Monday, 13th October (Week 2, Term 4)

• Final Session: Monday, 8th December

• Time at Pool: 10:00 AM – before lunch

• Travel: Bus departs school at 9:20 AM and returns by 12:30 PM

On swimming days, students need to:

• Wear their sports uniform

• Bring their swimming gear to school

Parent Help:

Thank you to those who have already completed the form to offer assistance. If you would still like to help, please click on this link to fill in the form: Middle Syndicate Swimming Term 4-2025.

Parent helpers are welcome to travel with us on the bus or meet us directly at the pool.

St Lorenzo Ruiz is the first Filipino saint, remembered for his deep faith and courage as a martyr. His life continues to inspire people around the world, especially the Filipino community.

We invite you to join us in celebrating the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz on Thursday, 16th October 2025. The liturgy will begin at 9:30 AM in the Cathedral.

Filipino families are encouraged to bring a plate of food to share. Please indicate your dish in the form (being mindful of allergens). We are also seeking parent volunteers to help set up morning tea before the liturgy and with clean-up afterwards.

Please complete the form by Tuesday, 7th October 2025.

We are looking for a small team of people who can help organise the school disco this year.

Sacrament of Confirmation:

Congratulations to Sandy, Caelum, and Magnus (Room 5) on receiving the blessing of the Sacrament of Confirmation last Sunday at St. Francis de Assisi Parish, Ohariu.

Piano Competition:

On Sunday, Caelum (Room 5) had a Piano Competition and won 3rd place in the Category Sonata for age 14 years and under.

On the weekend Enrico and Owen played in the grand finals for indoor cricket at Hutt indoor sports. Enrico (Room 9) won one final and finished 2 as runners up, Owen (Room 5) won both the finals across different year grades.

Kids Run:

Owen (Room 5) took part in the Wainuiomata Hill Run on Saturday, 13^th September and came 2^nd in the Kids K Dash run.

FUTSAL TOURNAMENT:

Last Wednesday, 10th September, four teams of Year 5-8 students represented the school at the Futsal Tournament. The students showed skill and sportsmanship, and their behaviour was excellent. Many thanks to Matthew Whittaker, Rebecca Newell, Kate Seamer, and Emma Spelchan for taking care of a team. Without your support, these activities would be hard to enter.

BASKETBALL:

• Sacred Heart Hoops vs Sacred Heart Dunks (Year 3 & 4)

The Hoops unfortunately went down on the scoreboard, but the real win was seeing all the kids enjoying themselves together on the court.

A huge thank you to all the parents and caregivers for bringing the kids each week, and to our family and friends who came along to support. The SH Hoops had a fantastic term, and we’re proud of how much the kids have grown in confidence, teamwork, and skill.

• Sacred Heart Dunks vs Sacred Heart Hoops (Year 3 & 4)

Our children wrapped up their basketball season with a final game against another team from our own school.  What a wonderful experience we’ve all had to witness the growth of each individual player. We are all so proud of their hard work and the effort they have put in to improve game after game. Well done, ballers & you all should be proud of yourselves.

• Sacred Heart Dunkin Donuts (Year 7 & 8)

The Dunkin Donuts are undefeated for the term!

We won against Raroa 28-21. Well done team, bring on next term!

Zach (Room 8) was player for this term. But everyone has given an amazing effort! Thanks to Stewart for coaching, and Ryan for being the assistant coach. And a big THANK YOU to Ryan for our new uniforms!

INTER-REGIONAL CROSS COUNTRY:

Best of luck to Enrico (Room 8) and Matthew (Room 10), who are representing our school at the Inter-Regional Cross Country in Christchurch on Friday. We are so proud of you and wishing you the best!!!

Touch Rugby will be held on Wednesdays at 3:45 PM throughout Term 4, from Monday, 29th October to Wednesday, 3rd December 2025. All games will take place at Wakefield Park.

If your child is interested in playing, please complete the form by Wednesday, 10th October - Touch Rugby Term 4-2025. Students will wear their PE uniform for games.

Playing Touch Rugby is an extracurricular activity, and the cost will be approximately $25.00 per student for the 2025 season. We will also need coaches and managers to help support the teams on Wednesdays. Families are responsible for arranging transport to and from Wakefield Park.

Touch Rugby is a fantastic way for students to stay active and enjoy being part of a team.

⚽ It’s Summer Soccer Time! ⚽

Get ready for Summer Soccer at Ian Galloway Park — a fun, 5-a-side competition held on Friday afternoons during Term 4 and Term 1. The programme is run by Kelly Sports, and students will play in teams with their peers.

This is a parent-led activity, so we’re looking for enthusiastic parents to help organize and manage teams.

? Team Registration Information:

• Senior and Middle Students:
  If your child is interested in joining, please contact Suzanne Adair at suzanneadair@hotmail.com.
  ➤ We are still looking for 2-3 extra players for these teams, so get in touch ASAP!

• Junior Students:
  If your child is in the Juniors, please reach out to Nikki at nikkiduru@googlemail.com.

Each team must have a parent volunteer to act as team manager, so please let us know if you're able to help.

Let’s kick off a great season - we hope to see lots of keen players on the field!

If anyone is keen to do ice hockey, there is a learn to play program on Thursday nights at Brewtown in Upper Hutt. 6:00-7:00 PM for 5-12 year-olds. Casual attendance - can start at any time. Plus free trial.

An e-waste drop-off day will be held on Saturday, 11th October, so please tell your friends and family, and start gathering e-waste you need to dispose of. Collection Day on Saturday, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Sacred Heart Cathedral School grounds, 12 Guildford Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington. 

All proceeds will go towards the Sacred Heart Cathedral's Restoration Project.

Please note items Not Accepted:

• CDs - (except PC & Game console disks  i.e.: PlayStation 2/3/4 games),
• CRT TVs/Monitors (big bump backs),
• electric blankets (yes to the cut-off cord),
• opened ink cartridges,
• manuals,
• speakers for computers

Thank you.

Register now for Softball 5 - 16 years old at https://www.sporty.co.nz/jvillesc/ or contact johnsonvillejuniorsoftball@gmail.com, by Monday, 13^th October. Check out Johnsonville Softball Club on Facebook or contact Andrew on 021745311 for more information.

GOODTIME MUSIC ACADEMY WORKSHOPS:

Goodtime Music Academy is running two music workshops this September/October school holidays.

For further details, check out the posters below:

HOOP KIDS SPRING CAMP:

Hoop Kids Spring Camp

Three days of basketball fun for kids in Years 3-8. They’ll build skills, play plenty of games, and enjoy being part of a team.

Why join us?

• Open to all skill levels.
• 3 full days of basketball and teamwork.
• Coaches focused on growth, not pressure.

Date: 22nd - 24th September 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Venue: Ākau Tangi Sports Centre
Cost: $160.00

Click here - Register for Spring Camp.

NAIRNVILLE RECREATION CENTRE 2025 HOLIDAY PROGRAMME:

Click on this link for further information: 

STEM HOLIDAY PROGRAMME in WELLINGTON:

My name is Nigel Scott and I run a company called MakeRoom Wellington, which for the last 9 years has offered afterschool, weekend and holiday programme STEM activities to kids from the Wellington Region.

This Term Three break, we are running our holiday programme from 5 locations in the Wellington Region (Miramar, Kilbirnie, Petone, Northland and Newlands).

Below is an image that will hopefully be useful. There is of course a lot more information on our Website as well (www.makeroomwellington.nz).

CIRCUS HUB HOLIDAY PROGRAMME:

The Circus Hub Holiday Programme runs 22nd September – 3rd October, is fully indoors, and is designed for ages 5–15 – no experience needed. It’s a great creative, active option for the holidays (and lots of fun).

David Gaffney

Marketing & Fundraising Lead

M   027 203 7715

W   www.circus.org.nz

CALLAGHAN EQUESTRIAN CENTRE:

We (at the Callaghan Equestrian Centre) are running our School Holiday Programme on 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th September and 30th September, 1st, 2nd, 3rd October.  This is a fantastic opportunity for kids to experience horse riding and outdoor activities during the holidays.

callaghanequestriancentre.co.nz