It has been all go around our school this week. Our middle girls participated in a futsal tournament on Friday and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. 

The senior syndicate had a fabulous week visiting a range of places - we look forward to students sharing what they have learnt with us all. 

Special thanks to Sue, Sarah and Kate who shared with families what to expect from  our school this year in the Junior Syndicate. 

We joined with the Parish on Sunday to farewell Father James. Thank you Father James for all you have done for Sacred Heart Cathedral School - you have been instrumental in the faith development of our students, staff and school community. We wish you all the very best as you start your new adventure of "retirement".

Thank you to Daisy, Joshua, James and Javi who represented our school and carried gifts in the Offertory Procession.

Save the date - we are going to host a "Mind, Body and Soul" student performance  at 12:00 noon on 02 April. The presentation will last about 45 minutes. Postponement date will be 09 April.  Students will be presenting a range of games and activities through the context of sport and physical activity.  Our teachers have been working with Sam and Sue from Inner fit  and have learnt a range of teaching approaches that build on fundamental life skills like resilience and attitude.

Our student presentation will show you:

• how engaged our students are through being physical
• different ways  to solve problems and make decisions
• team work 
• confidence 
• social skills 

I look forward to seeing our senior syndicate families at Thorndon Pool on Friday night. 

If you have any concerns with the progress or achievement your child is making, please contact their teacher.

Whiria te tangata.

Weave the people together.

Have a fantastic week!

Bernadette Murfitt

Principal Sacred Heart Cathedral School 

Monday, 11 March at 3:00-4:50pm & 5:50-6:30pm.

Wednesday, 13 March at 3:00-3:50pm 4:10-5:00pm.

Thanks very much to all the parents who have already booked in a 10 minute session to meet with your child's teacher.  Sessions are filling up fast so please go online and book a time if you haven't already done so.

Click on the 'Make a Booking' button and enter the event code uu5p7.  Bookings are open now.

HOMILY –  FINAL MASS 17 FEBRUARY 2019

Leaving a parish is not too much different from arriving in one.  Both are occasions for anxiety.  The priest or lay leader will feel nervous at the beginning because almost everything and everyone have yet to be met.  Fr. Doug feels that right now; Debbie, not so much anymore.   Nerves again start to bite when the time comes to leave because almost everything and everyone that lies ahead are unknown or at least unfamiliar.  And that’s where I am.

The gospel passage we’ve just heard follows immediately after Jesus names his 12 apostles.  The moment signals an end to the life they’ve known without Jesus, and the beginning of a time with Jesus but shrouded in mystery.  And, as they step into this “unknown”, they hear Jesus pronounce blessings on all the things they were not expecting to be part of their life with him.

They’d had secure livelihoods and didn’t want to be poor, but Jesus is blessing the poor; they’d enjoyed good meals, but Jesus blesses the hungry; the last thing they want is to be sad, yet they hear Jesus blessing those who weep!

Of course, Jesus is not condemning riches, food or laughter; these are good in themselves and Jesus enjoyed them all.  He’s warning though that, when we have these things in abundance, it becomes easy to forget God, or to act as though we don’t need God – or, in the words of Sir Humphry from that delightful British comedy, Yes Prime Minister, God becomes “an optional extra”.

I have been richly blessed during these 11 years at SH Cathedral Parish; food and laughter have accompanied me in all my visits and times with you.  They have not drawn me away from God, because they are reflections of your faith and your love.  I am aware of my poverty at the times when I am not able to adequately meet your need, or ease your doubt, or comfort your grief.  There is poverty and there is blessing in accepting you can’t do everything.

I feel the weakness that hunger brings when I cannot stem the flow of people away from Sunday Mass; when I hold the Bread of Life in my hands but am aware that fewer people want to share it.  I hunger for people to more fully discover the wonder and beauty of the Eucharist.  But I know my call is to serve.  There is hunger and there is blessing in knowing yourself as servant, not master.

Blessed are those who weep – who feel the suffering of others, who understand weakness because they know they are themselves weak; I weep for the goals I have not reached, for the example I have not given.  But I also know the blessing of laughter, for I have been helped by your honesty, your positive criticism and your faithfulness - to laugh at myself; not to take myself too seriously, and not to take for granted the riches in my life.  To be blessed in this way is to be truly blessed.

It is with these blessings that I move into a new phase of my life.  The “unknown” will unfold as it has always done.  Among you I have been, as Jeremiah puts it in the first reading, like a tree by the waterside, with my roots in the stream of your friendship and loving support.  I know Fr Doug and Debbie will find themselves in this same stream, so there’s no need for any of us to be afraid.

And then there is the stream into which we are all called – to be rooted and to grow in the waters of God’s love and kindness – to be a forest of faithfulness - putting our trust in God and letting the breeze of the Holy Spirit move through our branches, uniting us in the work of proclaiming the gospel of peace.

That remains our mission, wherever we are.

Enrolment for the 2019 Sacramental Programme is now open. Enrolments will close on Thursday 28 Feb.

• Eligibility: child be at least 8 years old this year, must be already baptised, must provide a copy of baptismal certificate with the registration
• Expressions of interest or enquiries to Angela at angela.nzet@outlook.com or to Debbie at d.matheson@wn.catholic.org.nz or the parish office at cathedral.parish@wn.catholic.org.nz

Does your son love music or love to sing? If he does, then the Boys’ Choir based at the Metropolitan Cathedral is a fantastic opportunity for him to extend his musical knowledge and grow within a supportive fun environment. The choir is made up of boys from around the Wellington region aged from 7-12 and no previous experience of singing in choir or musical training is necessary. 

Unlike other choirs in Wellington, there are no weekly costs to parents for the choir and vocal and theory tutoring they receive. Over their time in the choir, boys will learn sound vocal technique, music theory, life-skills, teamwork, as well as grow in confidence and discipline. Teachers and parents see the boys’ language skills, reading comprehension skills, maths skills and confidence improve greatly by being a part of the choir.

So, if that sounds like your son, or someone you know, then encourage them to audition and contact Michael Fletcher, Director of Music, Metropolitan Cathedral or email m.fletcher@wn.catholic.org.nz or phone 04 496 1780.

Michael Fletcher | Director of Music
Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

PO Box 1937 | Thorndon | Wellington 6011 | New Zealand

Phone +64 4 496 1780

The school had gates installed last year to make our playground a safer space.  Please be mindful of closing the gate behind you when you come onto the school grounds.  We would be grateful if you would remind your children also to close the gate behind them.

We were so lucky to have a week of warm settled weather for the Senior EOTC week. We are very grateful to all our parents and helpers who accompanied us on activities throughout the week. The theme for this unit of learning was "What's in our neighbourhood?" and was based around the thinking that Wellington is a biophilic city. This means that Wellington is specifically designed to incorporate aspects of nature. Green spaces are valued and recognised as places of connecting with nature.

Throughout the week the students participated in the following activities:

• Island Bay Marine Education Centre
• Carlucci Land for mini golf and a presentation from the creator Carl 
• Tour of Parliament and visit to Capital E to create a news item 
• Discovery garden at  the Botanical Gardens
• Katherine Mansfield House 
• Big walk up the road to visit Zealandia

This was a great opportunity for all students to get to know each other and to appreciate opportunities and experiences available in our city. 

Special thanks to Christine, Jane and Ann who planned and prepared fantastic authentic  learning for our year 7 and 8 students.

To view more photos, please click here https://drive.google.com/open?id=1o_C3a-xAn-Cq8pWxnxuQ1TOR8omP8RaI

The Parents and Friends Committee invite all senior students and parents/caregivers to a pool party at Thorndon pool on Friday, 21 February from 5-7pm.  This will be a great opportunity to welcome new faces to the senior syndicate and catch up on what will hopefully be a warm Wellington evening.  Pay your own pool entry (children $3.70, adults $6, spectators free) and we will provide a sausage sizzle. BYO water/soft drinks. RSVP for catering purposes to Cathy (cathy@sacred-heart.school.nz stating name of child and numbers attending).  Please note that each child attending must have a parent/caregiver present.  Also if you are able to help out with this event, please give Cathy a call and let her know on 472 4047.  Thanks.

It was another stuning windless evening for our wheels night. Thank you to Amanda and the team from Parents and Friends who organised this event for us.  Ms Scarlett created a very safe, challenging  wheels course for the students. It was a great opportuntiy for families to meet other Sacred Heart Cathedral School families.

"At Wheels Night, everyone in the school gets to have fun." - Enzo Rm 3

"I felt good and happy." - Roisin Rm 2

"Wheels Night was brilliant.  I enjoyed riding my scooter and having fun with my friends." - Harmony Rm 7

Father James is writing a blessing for our school with our student leaders. 

Here is the result of their brainstorming session:

   You have blessed us with your time.

May you be blessed with time to do all that lies in your heart.

   You have blessed us with your knowlege and wisdom.

May you be blessed to continue on the journey of learning and inspiring.

   You have been bleesed with your presence.

May you realise God's presence in your life and find strength and peace within yourself.

   And may our God bless you - The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.