Kia ora koutou e te whānau,

A very special and warm welcome to Aeren, who has joined Room 2 on Monday. You are going to have a wonderful time at our school and will make lifelong friends.

Spring is here. I am certainly enjoying the slightly longer days. Have a look at our second-hand uniform and see if there is anything that you may need for the upcoming warmer season (please leave the area tidy).

This week, we are celebrating Chinese Language Week. I was very fortunate to attend the opening function at Parliament on Monday evening.  Sir Richard Taylor from Weta Workshop was a guest speaker. He shared about the wonderful museum he created in Zuhai, which celebrates Traditional Chinese Medicine through an innovative lens. To our Chinese whānau, have a wonderful week of celebrating with whānau and friends.

How we behave at Sacred Heart Cathedral School:

On Monday, Room 2 presented a fantastic assembly on self-control - a quality that is essential for all of us. This is a timely message, as we've recently had a few incidents that don't align with our school's values.

To ensure our school remains a safe and positive environment for everyone, we want to remind students that certain behaviors are unacceptable. These include:

• Using foul language, whether in the classroom or on the playground.

• Physical contact when frustrated with others.

• Threatening or using hurtful words.

• Disrespecting any of our dedicated and hardworking staff members.

We have high standards for how we treat one another. A little kindness goes a long way, and we expect all students to show respect to their peers and to the adults who work at our school. As I said to the students in assembly, "We can do better."

If a student has a problem or concern, they must tell a duty teacher or their classroom teacher immediately. We are committed to following up and making things right. Just a reminder, Miss Sue Cranney is in charge of our Junior Syndicate, Miss Hannah Ryan is in charge of our Middle Syndicate, and Mr Julius Solia is in charge of our Senior Syndicate.

Last Thursday, I was fortunate to attend a wonderful seminar presented by David Wells (who runs an area of Catholic Education in the UK) that examined faith, hope, and love through a practical lens, using the gospel as its foundation. I particularly loved the dialogue around hope and not losing sight of our greater vision and purpose.

Mr Solia, Miss Cranney and I will be attending the New Zealand Principals Conference at the beginning of next week, down in the city.

To our Dads and Grandads - have a wonderful day this Sunday with your whānau.

"We thank God for all the fathers, grandfathers, and significant male role models associated with our school.

We bless them with strength, resilience, and a deep sense of joy.

We remember those who are no longer with us - comfort those families and keep their memories alive.

Amen."

Have a great week, and thank you for all that you do for our school. We are hoping to see many families on Friday at our Liturgy.

Arohanui,
Bernadette Murfitt
Tumuaki
Sacred Heart Cathedral School