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,

Thank you for all your support last week with the weather bomb. Please be assured that during an emergency, I will always update you via email and our school app. Our children are just incredible and they coped so well last week. We were pretty sheltered here and that combined with double glazing and great heating we were all so snug and warm.

Our students are our greatest ambassadors, and at last Wednesday's Open Morning, they equipped themselves beautifully as stunning tour guides, authentically and articulately engaging with guests and sharing their experiences as Sacred Heart Cathedral School students. I was inundated with positive feedback from our visitors, who commented upon their confident and competent hosts. We were thrilled that so many folk took the time to visit our school. If you know anyone who is looking for a fantastic primary school, please send them our way.

I would be really grateful if no vehicles came up Guilford Terrace to pick up or drop off our stunning children (ASC pick-up is an exception). Safety is number one for our children. We have been told that some of our parents park at St Mary's College. Please respect our neighbours at the college. The college is so generous in letting us use their courts every single day, and also the beautiful hall for our full-school gatherings.

For our Mother's Day Liturgy at 9:00 A.M., there will be limited parking available on the court.

Have a fantastic week.

Thanks for all your support.

Arohanui,
Bernadette Murfitt
Tumuaki
Sacred Heart Cathedral School

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

Last week 28th April - 2nd May, we were 87.05%.

Cyberbullying & Online Safety for Tweens and Teens:

Netsafe invites parents and whānau of 12–16 year olds to a free, practical webinar focused on helping young people navigate online spaces safely and confidently.

We’ll discuss what cyberbullying and online harm can look like, how to use platform settings to support safer experiences, and what to do if something goes wrong. You’ll also learn where to find trusted advice and ongoing support.

Date & Time -  14th May 2025 at 7:30 P.M.

Register here - https://netsafe-org-nz.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-w4O4H-eSD-zHYNtybjeJg?mc_cid=3eca0e01b3&mc_eid=ab57386855#/registration

Facebook Scams – What to Look Out For:

Join Netsafe for a free, interactive webinar designed to help families stay safe on Facebook. This webinar is an introductory session for anyone wanting to feel more confident and informed about the most common scams circulating on Facebook Groups and Marketplace.

We’ll cover:

• Understand how scammers operate
• Learn how to avoid common traps
• Know what to do if it happens to you

Date and time - 18th June 2025 at 7:00 P.M.

Register here -  https://netsafe-org-nz.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xGa9dpJuTwWHchbMKqX1GA?mc_cid=3eca0e01b3&mc_eid=ab57386855&mc_cid=5959a6bec8&mc_eid=UNIQID#/registration

Whether you’re seeking reassurance or taking your first steps in learning about online safety, these welcoming and judgment-free webinars are here to support you. There will be plenty of time for Q&A.

Claiming Back Donation from IRD

Our Junior school teachers and students feature in the videos.

Take some time to explore this area there is so much useful information.

How To Cross The Road Safely

School Cross Country for Rooms 5 to 10

On Tuesday, 13th May at 9.00, we have our School Cross Country.

Please let your child's class teacher know if your child cannot participate in this event.

Students can wear their PE gear and/or house colours.  

Please note that the Year 3 students in Room 5 will participate in this school event, but the students who will be selected to represent our school in the Central Zone Cross Country competition will be students from Year 4 to Year 8.

Wishing all the students the best of luck on the day.

We look forward to seeing you all in the Cathedral at 9.00 A.M. on Friday.

A Mother's Day Prayer

Lord, bless all mothers today and every day.

Grant them strength, patience, and overflowing joy

in their roles as caregivers.

Father, we lift up all mothers,

including the remarkable grandmothers among us.

We celebrate their wisdom, their strength,

and the unconditional love they pour into our lives.

Sacred Heart Cathedral School is participating in Pink Shirt Day (Friday, 16 May 2025), and encouraging our staff and students to Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

You can learn more about Pink Shirt Day here: www.pinkshirtday.org.nz.

Mabuhay!

The Philippine Ambassador, Kira Christianne Azucena, will visit our school on Wednesday, 28th May at 5:30 P.M. She will share her work experience in New Zealand. We encourage our Filipino families to join us and share some snacks during this event.

Maraming salamat po!

The Middle Syndicate will be going on an outing to Summerset on the Landing on Friday, 30th May. In order for your child to participate, please click on the link below and complete this form to give them your permission to attend.

Middle Syndicate Summerset Trip

The Junior Syndicate will have their visits to Akau Tangi Centre for their Physical Education Curriculum.

Details as follows:

Date: 27th May, 3rd June and 10th June.

Time: The bus will leave the school at 11:45 A.M. and back at 2:30 P.M. to school.

Venue: Akau Tangi Centre, 72 Kemp Street, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6022.

Other details: Students will wear sports clothing and sensible footwear to school, need to bring a jacket, water bottle and medication like inhaler if your child takes one.

Please click on the Google Form link below to fill in the permission form for your child. All parents of the juniors needs to complete this form.

Junior Syndicate Akau Tangi Centre 2025

We will have a sausage sizzle this Friday, 9th May, instead of tomorrow because our seniors will be at technology. Each sausage costs $2.00 each. The money collected will go towards the senior yearbook. Thank you for your support.

Watch this space - Frozen Pie and Savouries fundraiser for our Year 7-8 School Camp in 2026.

Our super yummy Frozen Pies and Savouries fundraiser will be launched on Friday, 9th May 2025. Your child will be coming home with information on Friday - please look out for it.

BASKETBALL:

SHCS Crispy Crème's lost its first game 62-6 against a strong St Benedict’s team. It was a great performance from the team playing together for the first time. Big thanks to Micah (Room 6) and Jaiden (Room 9) for being super subs. Congrats to Rafael, who was our player of the day.

NETBALL:

The sun finally emerged on Saturday after our recent spell of unpredictable weather, creating perfect conditions for the season's opening games! We'd like to extend our sincere appreciation to Mrs. Murfitt for taking the time to attend and support all the games.

SHCS Marvel's (Yrs 5 & 6) played and won against Island Bay School Marama, 16-0. Player of the day was Elle (Room 6) for her great overall play on court. Special mention to Colette (Room 5) for the great shot in goal and for just getting amongst it!

Great first game of the season, great to see everyone out there having a go and having fun at the same time!

SHCS Ferns (Yrs 5 & 6) - The Ferns had an awesome first game playing Newtown School, with some great periods of getting the ball down to our shooters and fantastic defence. Final score was 2-5. They worked together wonderfully, considering it was their first game with a few new players to the grade. Player of the day went to Violet (Room 7), for doing an amazing job finding space and being an option as well as supporting and guiding our new younger players. Well done team! Looking forward to our next game.

On a beautiful sunny morning, the SHCS Stars (Yrs 7-8) had our first game together. We played a very strong St Francis de Sales team losing 27-0. The team showed some amazing skills and great energy and teamwork! Congratulations to Annabel (Room 9), who was player of the day.

To purchase an entertainment book, click on the following link:  https://subscribe.entertainmentnz.com/fundraiser/

You are Invited!!!

The Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish's Fundraising team continues to raise funds to support the final stage of restoration and refurbishment of our Cathedral with a movie fundraiser "Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning":

Event Date: Sunday, 25th May 2025.

Event Address: Lighthouse Cinema, 52 Beach Street, Petone, Lower Hutt.

Screening time: 5:00pm

Arrival time from: 4:30pm

Ticket prices are as follows: Adult: $25 and Student: $20

Tickets will be on sale after every mass starting April 5, 2025 at the Cathedral. Or, purchase your tickets online by scanning the QR code or by accessing the link: https://forms.gle/Wm7k5GiyBigHg5x27

We are seeking sponsors to help make this fundraiser event special. Please contact Joy at 021 048 1216 or mcsh.fundraising@gmail.com.

Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1E4HLc1Q65/

Catholic Social Services is running its men’s parenting course Game On! in Waiwhetu, Lower Hutt in Term 2, starting on Wednesdays, 7^th May 2025.

See flyer below for further details.